Rachel Lamb Bridal Design

Remember this dress I showed a picture of at the toile stage? Well it's slowly progressing! Above was the toile (prototype) made from calico. Yes, I pinned all those pieces on something that it's then necessary to take apart again. Below is a picture of the real silk dress in progress. Today I started beading those squares onto the main body of the dress. Phew! I really enjoy this sort of day, working on something where I'm sitting still and doing a repetitive task like this can be very relaxing and leaves my mind free to wander. But I think the idea of doing this sort of work does weird things to my brain: First thing in the morning, I optimistically think such things as 'Yes, I'm sure I'll have half the dress done by sunset'. The sun is not yet set, but it is fading, and I'm about 1ft up from the hem at the back... and I'm not hanging about! It's important that I get the timings right, as this is a sample dress and needs to be...

  Really excited about this dress. It's currently being made as a new collection dress and I can't wait to show you when it's finished.

I recently made myself an A-line skirt. I made it using pink corduroy that I found in John Lewis fabric department. When I was in the shop it looked more red than it actually is, at home and in daylight I find it's a fairly dazzling pink! But that's OK. I'm often asked if I make my own clothes and I wish I could say 'Why yes, all of them!' but sadly, lack of (non wedding dress making, relaxing) time is the issue. I drafted the pattern myself and made it using the simplest methods I could, as speed is of the essence for me when making anything for myself, otherwise it runs the risk of being consigned to 'a cupboard' and forgotten, not unlike my knitting ;) I'm 5' nothing, so I often find getting skirts and trousers a trial because: a) I don't want to take them up. b) There is often a decorative trim at the hem that, although lovely, I would have to either cut off or unpick somehow and move, and that's not likely to happen. c) T...

Just a few bits to see, on what for me is an emotionally tough day. More soon.

On the practical side, this week has been spent: pattern cutting, altering toiles, layering and sewing lace dress pieces and removing the beads from the seam allowances, snapping needles on the beads in the seam allowances that escaped removal, admiring the motifs. All while listening to (and occasionally getting slightly irritated by) Stephen Fry , but I think he'd understand.

Happy New Year! Are you interested in learning to sew? Got a sewing machine somewhere gathering dust? Well look no further... I shall be running a beginners sewing workshop in my local village hall on Feb 19th this year and I have 3 places left. The workshop is for adult beginners and will cover 8 different types of seams, 3 ways to insert a zip and 3 buttonholes (depending on your sewing machine). The cost will be £35 per person for the day. I started teaching an adult sewing course at a local college last year and quickly realised from student feedback that some real ground-work would be useful. So this workshop is aiming towards the complete basics, but with a view to putting these techniques into practice in a garment or soft-furnishing later on. All being well, I aim to host additional workshops for further techniques and general crafting fun later on. If you're interested in coming along and starting to learn how to sew, t...