Spring 2022- Palette updates and soft launch of linen smock dresses.

Rail of Spring knitted garments and linen dresses.

With Spring in mind there are some lovely colour updates for Horizon Wraps and Blended Stripe Ponchos, plus a selection of linen and hemp/cotton blend smock dresses.

Horizon Wrap Waterfall Blue

The woven garments have been a long time in the making. In February 2020 I gifted myself a dressmaking course to brush up on my sewing skills. Spent many hours sewing dresses for myself and wore them in photographs to compliment the knits. After receiving many enquiries I’ve researched a way to offer these garments to customers.

Working with a couple of existing patterns, they were adjusted to fit my requirements, a wider neckline, altering the hem and of course generous internal pockets a must! They have an a-line cut that skims over the body with 3/4 sleeves. Dress making patterns are very different to industry requirements so I’ve collaborated with pattern cutters and machinists in London and Yorkshire to make the dresses for me.

Garments need to have longevity so have chosen fabrics that are fairly neutral in colour and can be worn through the seasons (I’ve been wearing mine through Autumn/Winter with a thermal top underneath, tights and a cosy cardigan or poncho layered on top. As the days get warmer they will be worn with sandals or pumps.

Fabrics available are an Irish Linen in Indigo, Hemp/Cotton blend in Chambray Denim and a European Linen Gingham in black and neutral.

Fabric swatches from top to bottom: Irish linen- Indigo, Denim Chambray and Gingham.

Natural Dyeing Workshop

Some samples using tumeric.

My first job after university was as a colourist for a design consultancy just off Bermondsey Street London. Initially I was to be there for 2 weeks but 2 weeks turned into 6 years. During my degree at Winchester School of Art I honed skills in dyeing and I was able to recreate and colour match any hue.

Over the years I continued to dye fabrics but increasingly became reluctant to handle and work with synthetic dyes and chemicals. Even with a mask and rubber gloves this was not enough protection. The natural dyeing workshop with Kathryn Davey became available, the perfect opportunity to fall in love with dyeing again!

The workshop took place at the studio of the photographer Kristin Perers on Columbia Road. An inspiring area with independent shops and cafes and of course the flower market on a Sunday. A small group of Creatives came together to experiment for a few hours. The studio had the most wonderful light and had a feeling of calm, the perfect environment for learning something new.

Kathryn took us through the stages, and gave technical information on measurements, and equipment needed. It was wonderful seeing what can be achieved with Hibiscus Tea, Black Tea, Avocado stones and tumeric.

Linen and silk swatches soaking in mordant bath.

I have continued to experiment since the work shop and hoping to introduce some accessories to compliment the pieces knitted with pre-dyed yarn.

Scarf dyed using Tumeric and dipped in the iron bath, altering the colour.