#needleworkmonday | Handmade Wardrobe - Summer Edit

The summer clearance sales are starting so I've been having a look at my favourite shops to see what's on offer. I have to start with Liberty's Tana Lawn Cotton and there's a great selection with prices ranging from £11.25-£17.50 per metre:

• English Creatives

The English Creatives collection draws inspiration from seven eclectic home-grown muses from a decadent prince regent to a pioneering botanist, an aristocratic poet and gardener, a carefree ‘60s musician, a contemporary artist, an activist/actress and a children’s author.

• Pattern Savannah

Pattern Savannah's bold, geometric designs date from across the 20th century, many were originally inspired by the patterns and prints of traditional African fabrics and crafts.

But actually, I'm not buying any of those, though they are in my sights. Instead, I'm going with Joy and Sorrow, designed by Mo Coppoletta, an international tattooist.

Source Joy and Sorrow is derived from a fascination Mo has with nursery rhymes and their dark magic. He wanted to symbolise the Liberty peacock by using different kinds of birds. Mo adorned them with strings of pearls, deco brooches and surrounded them with dragonflies, all of which were inspired by Liberty archive prints from the 1920s.

I found a new supplier of independent sewing patterns Dragonfly Fabrics where I came across Sew Liberated. There's two patterns I really like:

Source The Gypsum Skirt has a comfortable waistband, drapey pockets and lots of flounce. The designer suggests you can layer it under or over dresses, wear it with a boxy top or cami, and shorten or lengthen the pattern depending on the season.

Source I'm planning to make a longer version of View A which has crescent-shaped French seamed pockets and flat-felled seam finishes of the four skirt panels. I had a similar skirt years ago, it was lovely to wear, so comfy, for some reason I discarded it before I had taken the pattern!

Source The Hinterland Dress has three sleeve options, partial or full button down plackets, customisable length and inseam pockets. The fit is loose, with side bust darts and a gathered skirt. You can also lengthen the bodice and hack it into a cropped top, too.

Source There's a tutorial on the Sew Liberated website for making the crop top version. I love the drawings showing all sizes and shapes of women.

Source I might try the Arenite trouser pattern as well.

I have a couple of weeks off soon and I'm looking forward to getting my sewing machine out and playing with some of these ideas. I've also been dreaming about getting an adjustable dress form. Apart from anything else, it would be a great prop for photographs!

Source What do you think? There's a local supplier, as well. Some might say it would be rude not to ;)