Hello, I’m Tara and welcome to my channel - it’s lovely to have you here! I live in an old cottage by the sea on the South Coast of England and I spend my days sewing and teaching others how to sew. For me, dressmaking and crafts has always been a passion and a way for me to be mindful and create a more sustainable and unique wardrobe and I want to encourage as many people as possible to empower themselves through sewing. I upload every Thursday and I’d love you to join me on this adventure so hit the subscribe button for lots of sewing fun, DIY, style inspiration and lots, lots more!
Personally I go through my wardrobe and start by putting back the things in the order of fit and love, so the things I love and fit well go in first, going all the way down to dislike and don't really fit. There's always a repair and repurpose pile but only if I still love them and they will still fit. I also look at colours and style; are they flattering on me? I'm similar to you in build (boobylicious) age and with black hair but Italian looks so I suit deep winter colours - primary and deep colours (black and red being my favourites) Anything wishy-washy in colour goes. From my perspective of your wardrobe I feel the deeper and clearer colours suit you better too. Yes some of the prints are gorgeous but some of the colours don't suit you quite as much. What do you think? x
Thank you for your interesting feedback ~ your organising system is fab! Where colour is concerned, I feel it's such a subjective thing. Personally, I just wear what I love, what tells a story to me and what I feel amazing in irrespective of whether it suits me the most. I've been told by colour theorists that I should wear blue but on the whole blue makes me feel...well, blue!
Do you watch Lisa at Bobobun? She just posted a video about recreating the clothes from /Rebecca and also talked about how the clothes in the film related to the story, quite fascinating. Love that Shepherds skirt.
Hi Tara, for a Gertie suggestion try the Butterick B6563 blouse. I made the version B with the matching bow tie neck. It's fabulous! As a sewer of over 40 years this one was such a 'safe' make x
Horrible covid! Glad your back to your usual inspiring self ❤ love the idea of the bibs I think such a quick make but would give a fabulous addition to your skirts and trousers x🎉❤
It's nice to see you on here again! I'm glad you're feeling better! I'm also obsessed with the Lucille trousers - I think making them in denim is a lovely idea! One of Gertie's models is wearing them in denim in the pattern instructions and they look lovely. You've inspired me to sort out my sewing plans for Autumn, too!
Good Morning, I have just stumbled across your amazing videos. I love make do and mend, but I found needlework very difficult when being taught at school and like you my measuring skills are not good. It didnt stop me though, turned many quilt covers into curtains by just winging it. Im now in my 60s and would love to see and learn how to do things properly. Thank you for the cushion tutorial, I have recently moved house and these will be my first go to.
I totally relate. I think mine has been triggered by the perimenopause. I have no idea where this will take me style wise as I have always been an eclectic mix between hippy or sporty casual for days out, 50s glam for evenings out, but I am excited to see where this unfolds. 🌈 I am definitely feeling a big clear out of my every day work wear polyester pants 🤮I only wear them to differentiate work from real life.
I was inspired by your video featuring the Shepherd skirt and immediately made my own in Red gabardine fabric as part of a Red-theme collection. I love it and will definitely be making a couple more in 'neutral' colours for the Autumn/Winter season. Happy stitching!
Go with demin skirt u won't regret it. Another great fabric pinwale cord. Lots of wear easy care. By the way I do love lilac on you. A beautiful colour for a fancy frock.
Marvellous vid as ever. Have you made a version of your black and white Bella T-dress as a blouse? If not, I think it would look cracking with a pair of Lucille’s (also, I don’t know how you have got your trews to lie so flat and proportional; my much-longed-for Lucille’s were flappy clown pants on me!)
Did you have a pattern for the “crazy paisley patchwork dress”? I’ve been looking at some dresses at Johanna Sands and lofty frocks in a very similar silhouette to yours and I’ve been on a hunt for a pattern! Would love to recreate the dress in some needlecord fabric for the autumn and winter season. Also sorry to hear about your Covid, it really can knock the stuffing out of one, but glad to hear you’re feeling better!
So glad to see you again! Perhaps you could dye the lilac jacket and add a lining ? Or find a matching fabric for one of your future projects , to give it the second chance it deserves? Team socks +1😁
I had similar problem with a chunky knit jacket cardigan… always getting caught up in pockets…. Solved by stitching a short piece of BABY SOFT VELCRO to keep shut… it works a treat & not visible. Thank you Tara for getting me thinking about my wardrobe too for autumn… what fun! J
I'm glad that you're recovered from the bout of covid Tara! Your outfits as usual are stunning and I'm excited to see what new things you have planned for the channel as well. The black 30s dress with the pink bows is super cute so I really hope you get to repair it. Keep well 💕
The Vamps Wife dresses are all step by step tutorials on my Patreon. I take you through drafting your own blocks and then all the tuition for making your own bespoke dresses. It's much easier than you think it will be and it would be lovely to see you there!
I spent a moment this Saturday and watched the Foldline. Always relaxing to see what new patterns are out.They mentioned your Video and spoke about how good it was and as Georgia O'Keefe was one of my favorite artists; I popped over to watch! Thank you for your research on her and her so inviting style. I have had a good long thought after watching. I will be turning 75 this November and for the last 8 or 10 years have really struggled with what would be my ideal wardrobe. Seeking a casual style as I live on the coast of NC in USA, but captures a classic look with comfort. A style that takes a little more than leggings and a tunic! Look forward to more of you videos. Take care
Thank you so much for this really lovely feedback and I'm so pleased you got a lot from the video! I hope you get to create some lovely outfits that reflect you and make you feel wonderful!
i wanna make mascot costumes. i have the head nailed down and the shoes and hands but the clothes are always a struggle as i dont know how they works. so what your saying is if i make my own custom blocks for the suit i can tweak it to the design i want?
Tara, I love your enthusiasm for your craft and you inspire me to ‘follow my heart’ with my re-emerged desire to create my handmade wardrobe again after a time off from it due to weight and shape change and the fear of failure with it. Thank you so much. 😘
Dame Elizabeth Blackadder was an Edinburgh based artist, if you are ever up in Edinburgh there are a number of her works at both the National Galleries of Scotland and the Scottish Gallery in South St. David Street.
I loved this video! I’ve been listening to these as I’m driving across the US today 💕 You’re inspiring me to finally see up the Omelie dress as I have owned the pattern for over a year. I love the idea of making it without the buttons.
I love your plans! Your trip to Merchant & Mills looked amazing! I’ve been going through the same process regarding fabric. I rehomed quite a bit I have purchased online over the last year as the quality just wasn’t there even thought it wasn’t exactly cheap. I’ve been really cautious as to where I get my fabric now as well. And it was perfect timing with you talking about the M&M Gingham as I have been looking into finally getting some it was also struggling with the quality I was finding! You sold me on theirs! PS - your videos are so calming to watch 🖤
Lovely video. I don't know how I have never come across you before, but am so glad I have now. I shall now have a binge watch of some of your past videos. I am quite familiar with Old Hastings and love its arty vibes, I can imagine that you must fit in brilliantly there! I am not necessarily into the vintage look for myself - but I love to see it on other people and always visit Voodoo Sirens when I am in Hastings. Your "tablecloth" blouse is absolutely beautiful. So, I really enjoyed this video and look forward to watching many more! Thank you.
Hi, so glad I found your Chanel. I am also from Hastings and trying to sew my own vintage inspired, sustainable wardrobe as a plus size. Love your content and style talks! Thanks sooo much for sharing!
