So, how much longer do we think statement sleeves are going to be a thing?

Dress, Modified patternCharlotte Wensley19 April 2021dress, linen, statement sleeves, sleeves, pattern alteration, mccalls patterns, mccalls 7974, spring sewing, The Fabric Store, gathers Comments

A dress for the end of the world

One of the things I love about vintage patterns, are the little construction details that you just don’t see in modern patterns.

Dress, vintageCharlotte Wensley16 September 2020black lives matter, bidenharris2020, anti-racist, vote, Simplicity 7454, linen, The Fabric Store, vintage pattern, red, dress, summer dress Comments

Can home garment sewing be a lucrative business?

I’ve started doing something I aways swore I’d never do. I’ve been making clothes for other people.

Bottoms, blouse, Self-drafted, separates, Skirt, TopCharlotte Wensley10 July 2019Separates, dress, Top, occasion wear, lace, silk, sewing for others, sewing for money, sewing for friends, self-drafted, mood fabrics Comments

Random pocket Catarina

It seems my cousin would disagree, but I don't have a huge stash of fabric.

DressCharlotte Wensley26 June 2018mood fabrics, Seamwork, catarina dress, linen, pattern alteration, dress, summer dress Comments

Learning to draft

Over the past 18 months I've been taking patternmaking courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan.

Dress, Copycat, Self-draftedCharlotte Wensley28 May 2018dress, Self-drafted, FIT, mood fabrics, twill, cotton Comments

My Charlie Caftan

I can tell you that having a sewing pattern named after you is pretty great.

Dress, Sewing Community, CritiqueCharlotte Wensley5 August 2017Charlie Caftan, closet case patterns, Drapers Daughter, Merchant and Mills, Caftan, Caftan Cult, Indigo, Muse, summer dress, summer, dress Comments

A Reeta Dress

The colours of the paving slabs in this photos plus the funny light and hat make me look like I'm somewhere in the Mediterranean.

Thinking, DressCharlotte Wensley18 June 2017stoff + stil, named clothing, dress, shirt dress, cotton, cotton satin, brooklyn, reeta dress, Me Made May, mmmay17 Comments

Seasonal Wardrobe Fatigue

At the beginning of summer, I'm so excited to not have to worry about layers and just be able to throw on a dress and sandals and head out.

DressCharlotte Wensley14 October 2016tessuti, Blackbird Fabrics, dress, Ruby Dress, denim, indie pattern designers, summer dress Comments

Oh hello there, LTNS*. And Mara's dress

And now it's nearly autumn and I have all these summery things I want to share,

Alteration, Copycat, Dress, Modified patternCharlotte Wensley17 September 2016dress, Mara Hoffman, Copycat, linen, stripes, mood fabrics, midi Comments

Evolution of style

I had this lovely, incredibly stylish, incredibly modern great aunt, my Auntie Bennie.

DressCharlotte Wensley9 May 2016named clothing, dress, beatrix skater dress, ponte, mood fabrics Comments

Repeat offending: Inari No. 3

I can list on probably two fingers the number of sewing patterns I've made more than once.

DressCharlotte Wensley2 March 2016dress, Inari Dress, named clothing, miss matatabi, ponte, knit, pattern repeat Comments

Snap!

Self-drafted, DressCharlotte Wensley20 August 2015dress, Self-drafted, chambray, mood fabrics, patternmaking, indie pattern designers, cotton, summer dress, summer Comments

Feathers and ease issues

DressCharlotte Wensley11 July 2015dress, basic dress, Cali Faye Collection, Girl Charlee, Crepe de Chine, polyester, mood fabrics, pacific trimming, size, sizing issues, summer dress, summer Comments

Vintage dress alteration dilemma

Dress, AlterationCharlotte Wensley29 June 2015Vintage, dress, Alteration, 60s fashion, maxi dress Comments

Copycat: Urban Outfitters x ISLY = The Referee Dress

Copycat, Dress, Modified patternCharlotte Wensley29 May 2015dress, Scout Tee, stripes, Copycat, knit, mood fabricsComment

Possibilities

Dress, ThinkingCharlotte Wensley7 May 2015dress, blogging, Sewing, Stylish Dress Book, cotton, lawn Comments

Keep up the good fight

DressCharlotte Wensley2 April 2015Grandma, dress, wool crepe, wool, emma one sock, schnittchen patterns, tanja dress Comments

Anna

DressCharlotte Wensley17 October 2014Anna dress, mood fabrics, By Hand London, dress Comments