When you start a business from home you don't picture your kitchen bench covered in fabric rolls, your guests sleeping in between garment racks or having to step over deliveries to get inside the house. I am afraid my business has taken over my house, room by room. This week I have gone even further by clearing out the family room and creating one big work studio. (The kids have moved out and who

I am increasing the size range of my label Verily up to a size 24 and found creating a size chart impossible! Did you know every country has a different size chart? An Australian 24 should be the same as a US 20, just as an Australian size 10 is a US 6. And then, every label has made up it's own rules. I have been checking out the size charts of popular Australian labels and online stores and

I have been struggling with a pattern for a cross over bodice. The problem is cleavage and what to show and what to cover, a personal decision depending on body shape, confidence, age and occasion. Red carpet events not included, most of us are pretty modest about we wear day to day. I have been asked to design a dress with a crossover bodice suitable for a generous bust which; crosses over at

I have made a few silk dresses for myself to take on holidays but ironing will be a hassle. I have made this dress perfect for traveling by giving it a crinkled finish. This has also made the dress slimmer in the fit. You can do this to any silk or cotton garment. Words of caution: silk will shrink when washed for the first time. I made this dress a size bigger to allow for possible shrinkage

The most requested style I get asked for from boutiques is a dress with sleeves. It seems there are scores of women who hate their upper arms. It is right at the top of the list of  'most hated body parts'. Winter, easy to do. Long sleeves, fitted sleeves, jackets, coats, all good. Summer is quite a challenge. A long sleeve can look a bit too much on a Summer frock. Then if you add a longer skirt

Since I came across this vintage pattern I can't seem to put it away. A few ways I have adapted this pattern: As a top:  in crushed knit with raw edges it has a very casual look. A tunic:  take off the sleeves, add a little swing with layers. After 5:  in black silk organza, I added longer sleeves and a front opening. (I will wear this dress over a slip dress) ps I  just realized I must be

There is something about stripes, especially navy and white stripes, that makes me think of Summer, the beach and holidays. Looking for inspiration I came across photos of Audrey Tatou, Bridget Bardot and Audry Hepburn in classic Breton stripes which, 150 years ago was the uniform for french navy seamen. I hope my new Summer Stripe maxi dress has a little french chic also.

When it comes to laundry, a good rule to follow is "do as per your hair". Imagine the condition of your hair if you spent a day in a chlorinated pool, sun-baked 8 hours, washed with cheapest shampoo and then used the hairdryer for 90 minutes? Yet most of us over-launder our clothes like this. A lot of the clothes I make are in fabrics like viscose, tencel or modal. I use these because they are a

I have just finished taking some photos with Jo, who I think shows off some of the Verily wrap dresses to their best. Jo has an hourglass figure and curves in all the right places. I would have liked to take up the hems, as Jo is only 5'4" but I think she looks gorgeous. The wrap works best on the hourglass figure as it can be adjusted to fit. The crossover neckline is flattering for the DD bust,

I have been going through some of my old pattern making notes and came across a few pictures that have really made my day..not Even though I have just become a grandmother, I am middle aged (or une femme d'une age certain - does that sound better?) I kind of forget that I am. Inside I feel like I am 25 and expect my body to keep up. I ignore the signs, like my new glasses and needing a heat pack