THE DRAPERY BLOG

We've been contacted to spread the word about a wonderful intergenerational project by our local council, the City of Unley, involving students of Unley Primary School and people living with dementia. What you can donate: Fabrics lingering in your stash that are plain or have a small print, are at least 50 x 50cm and strong enough to make into durable, reusable shopping bags. Your time and sewing machine to sew Boomerang Bags at a community sewing bee on Friday 23rd March 2018 at the Clarence Park Community Centre (lunch provided). Image from boomerangbags.org What's the project? The Forget Me Not Program is a collaboration between aged care provider ECH, Unley Primary School and the University of South Australia. Over eight weeks,  90 grade four/five students at Unley Primary School will learn about ageing and dementia. This will include five excursions to spend time amongst people living with dementia and their carers. They'll work together on arts ...

We'll be open our usual trading hours right up to 4pm, December 23rd before closing for a break until Saturday January 13th (12-4pm). Our  online shop never closes, and we'll be shipping orders throughout the Christmas/New Year break.  Wishing you all good times and a spot of festive cheer - Fiona & Jane xx

I love learning new sewing skills. I love a challenging project that pushes me to conquer a new technique and achieve professional looking detail in a complex garment. But. There are times I also long for simplicity. That effortless chic of a design market stallholder-type (you know what I mean don't you?) with her minimalist jewellery. Pure, simple lines that are obviously handmade, but with thoughtfulness, not fuss. Garments you can pull on time and again and never tire of. Garments you can dress up, or down. Jo of Frankie and Ray has that aesthetic down to a fine art. Based in seaside Victoria, she designs, makes and sells beautifully simple garments in gorgeous fabrics (lots of Liberty and linen!). And she's begun releasing patterns so we can all join in the fun. The West Coast Skirt is just that kind of effortless style I have in mind. Pull-on, pockets, elastic and drawstring waist. Below the knee, just a little bit A-line. Extremely achievable for beginners and ...

I’m a bit of a one trick pony at the moment. I have a favourite skirt - it’s a slightly modified, midi length Colette Ginger , made from a heavy black stretch denim. I want to wear this skirt every single day, preferably with an In the Folds/Peppermint Peplum top . Problem is, even for this lover of a personal uniform, this combo may be getting a little too  predictable.  So I’ve been searching for another top to wear with my basic black skirt, and the Tessuti Leni top looked to be just the thing. The Leni pattern is a v-necked sleeveless top with some nice top stitched facing details. I love a stitched down neckline facing, and this a proper big feature one. There’s also a topstitched yoke at the back. Leni is very wide and boxy so it’s perfect for something with a decent amount of drape. I wanted a plain fabric to show the topstitching so chose our lightweight washed natural linen . If you’re happy to really emphasise the wonderful boxiness of this patter...

Did someone say jumpsuit? Free pattern? By fantastic Australian designer In The Folds ? I was onto it like a shot! Pattern promo pic: I certainly hope Emily of In The Folds is paid quite well by Peppermint Magazine for the patterns she designs for them, because she's a thorough professional. This is a great pattern, a really well-constructed blank slate for individual interpretation or just a really clean, simple silhouette. So thanks Peppermint Magazine , for making this available to sewists everywhere (and for encouraging sewing in general)! And thanks Emily for the fab designs (more online here ). I made a muslin, which we always recommend and is particularly wise for a fabric-hungry pattern like this. You really don't want to use your 'good' fabric until you're sure of what you're doing. Muslin legs not full length because that was not necessary to check fit The pattern states that it's designed for a height of 5'7" which is a good f...

The  Hadley  is the new offering by Grainline Studio . It's a loose fitting top with both sleeved and sleeveless variations, plus the choice between a round/jewel and v-neckline, with back pleat or without. I opted for view A, the sleeved top with the round neck and the billowy back. If I was a jeans wearer I would be all over this pattern. Late last year I decided to give jeans the flick. I just didn’t feel any good in them any more, and, frankly, with the short hair, I felt like a bit of a boy wearing them. (I know, I know. It's a can of worms). So I made this top as a shop sample, thinking that it’s really not something I’d wear much during this jeans-free phase. However, this top has me questioning my no-jeans policy because a couple of Hadleys plus a reliable pair of jeans could really be a useful sort of Spring uniform. (I’m wearing another Grainline make in these photos, the Moss Skirt ).     There’s a lot of detail in this top that...

The Merchant & Mills 101 Trouser pattern states: "A gentle drawstring trouser with side pockets and a false fly, cut to sit right on the waist. Features 3 versions - cropped & tapered trouser, wide straight trouser or shorts." I made these trousers as a shop sample and I put them on for blog photos to demonstrate the fit. They're not really my style or fit (explained below!) but we hope this review is helpful if you're considering the pattern for yourself. I used one of our washed 100% linens - this one in ' Tapenade ' - since the pattern calls for something soft and drapey (washed linen suits just about every Merchant & Mills pattern, and we have a lovely new shipment due any day!). SIZING Merchant & Mills patterns tend to run on the generous size, and a size 12 in their dresses has always been plenty roomy on me. My measurements, and the finished garment measurements (provided) for the 101 Trousers however put me in the size 1...