For the majority of my beginners’ “Kickstart Dressmaking” course, my aim is to demonstrate each step of the construction process, by making up the same pattern, stage by stage. Because my learners are beginners, most of them – if they own a machine at all – own a fairly basic, budget model. For this reason, […]

Goodness knows how, but I carelessly broke one of the guide pins on my trusty Huskylock 905 overlocker, and my backup machine has been left in France, after I was firmly told that there was no room in the car after our summer break. I’m running an overlocker workshop next weekend, and experience has told […]

Just for the record, before I start, I don’t make men’s clothes. Ever. Well, not usually. However, having heard my husband complain for the umpteenth time that he couldn’t find durable, good-quality trousers for everyday use, I rashly offered to make him a pair. Actually, he found some ‘ideal’ heavy-weight brushed cotton twill fabric, while […]