Hi, after working as a designer for over 3 decades I am now enjoying creating my own bespoke wardrobe. This is alongside running my small online business. I share my making projects and visits to places that interest and inspire me. About me: I was born and brought up in South Wales, UK. I trained as a Fashion designer with a degree in Fashion Design and during my career in the fashion industry I designed for many international stores and brands. In the early 2010's I "retired" from the Fashion Industry and founded "Gemima London" - a small business that focuses around Liberty Print haberdashery and accessories (you can visit my online stores with the links below). Today we not only sell online but sell a range of other Liberty Print products into independent retailers and have sold to Liberty and have a range in the "William Morris Gallery", London. I live in leafy East London with my Husband, Son and Bella (our cat).
Love this vlog. Thank you for all your research. I have just made the Oxbow pants ( updated version with front patch pockets) and love them. Have just bought the denim to make more. I look forward to your autumn trends video. Lynne😊
Thanks for a really informative vlog. I’m going to make my first denim dress this Autumn, probably a shirt dress, but am struggling to decide which weight denim is best for the job.Can you help ? I guess I need a medium weight but as I tend to buy on line I can’t actually feel it ! I rarely make clothes for the winter months as I live in jeans and sweaters, my jeans come from M&S, I honestly don’t feel the urge to actually make any, I think mine would always look " home made "☹
I got married in a registry office in 1973 and my dress was a Biba pale lemon ankle length dress with a small flower print. My going away outfit was also Biba a pink silky two piece skirt and full sleeved top. I dont know what happened to them. .
Great blog. I am thinking of sewing the Charlisle jeans by style arc. I was given some lovely denim, so I thought would give the pattern a go in that. When I was younger in the mid 90’s. I unpicked a pair of Levi 502’s and sewed my first pair of jeans.
Great stuff Rachel. I made the Maison Fauve Pilar Jacket last year which is an absolute cracker. Andrea at Beyond the Pink Door does it as a kit from time to time. It was my first jacket so I purchased her sew along video which was invaluable.
Really enjoyable and inspiring vlog again, thanks so much! You have such a fantastic eye for trends and patterns and I love those little extra touches and variety like the magazine articles (and book reviews, etc) that sets your vlogs apart from others. Always looking forward to your videos. I’ve had a length of good quality black denim in my stash for years now and been wanting sew something from it for this autumn. You gave me some really great ideas, your video came just at the right time! Really appreciated this 🙏❤️
Thanks for finding patterns for denim sewing. I've made the Style Arc Logan Shacket from a wool blend plaid. I did downsize a few sizes because i didn't want it too big. I think a denim version would be interesting. I've downloaded the Style Arc Carlisle wide leg jeans, which I'm planning on making this fall. I've also downloaded the Itch to Stitch Atenas denim jacket. My plan for that one is to take apart some very large men's jeans I was given and use the denim for the jacket. While organizing my fabric I found a heavy weight white denim, probably intended for jeans. I also found a vintage Vogue barn jacket. I think the two need to used together. I wore denim overalls way back in high school in the 70's. So maybe not for me now. But i did find McCalls 8489 to make my great nieces overalls and pinafores using denim from the stash. I do love the French Navy shirt with the ruffle detail. I have so many shirt patterns, I think I will just do some pattern hacking and get the same result. And I have some chambray found in a thrift store, in my newly organized fabric cupboard. I love top stitching, especially doing that double line. It's so satisfying to get it almost perfect. Janine Sews has a great video that show an interesting way to make the waistband on jeans that makes it easier to put in the buttonhole. She learned how to do it at a sewing class.
Hi Rachel. What a really useful and interesting vlog. I love sewing and wearing denim. I have made the French Navy Belinda Button up blouse with the ruffles in a white linen and cotton mix and its lovely. Planning another one in a chambray. Can I also suggest the Maison Fauve Pilar jacket. Its a classic denim jacket but with some gorgeous details, stitched down darts in the front and an optional diagonal pleat in the back. I have made 2 and have plans for a cream denim one. Thanks for your work in putting these vlogs together, they are really inspiring.
I am an American who always wanted to visit the store in London. Brings back so many good memories. Young women today think work out clothes are the thing to wear. People in general, look sloppy. I miss the time when people took the time to dress and make a nice presentation. Great video.
I would go every Saturday morning as I lived nearby, I would buy an outfit and some purple lipstick for my Saturday night out at the Hammersmith Palis and then sit on the sofas in the window area and just soak up the atmosphere
I am so very sorry about your friend. I will be going to my local library to see if I can get that final book and probably some of the other ones also. I love books related to fashion and sewing. I found 3 vintage Mary Quant beach wraps last summer, 1 at a thrift store, 2 at a vintage market. I want to make some sortmod garments with them, just not sure what.
I lived in East London but when we were 13 in 1974 we used to go to Biba on Saturdays. It was an amazing shop which made a massive impression on me. It was dark, mysterious and very cool. The clothes were so beautiful but we couldn’t afford them. In fact the only thing I remember being bought was a lace fan that my friends clubbed together to get me for my birthday. We used to stand very still posing in the windows pretending to be mannequins and models. Such wonderful memories.
Susan's classes are definitely worth it. I have made several jackets in class with her and using the online class with her pattern. I really can't recommend her enough.
Thanks for the video, just looked up the price of the Ganni blouse and its 175.00 euro so a good price for such a product which makes me feel a little bit guilty about copying it which I have. I made the Fleur and the placket on this version makes it more wearable for me but the peplum is a lot and in fact I'm thinking of making a sleeveless one and will reduce the bulk.
Very interesting video and good luck with new direction. Loved all your holiday makes especially the halter top on mannequin, really suits you. Have not made any tie tops, not for me but very cute. Currently on a self directed pants journey. The Onyx by Closet Core was a great fit/make as was the Tessuti Avalon all in ponte. Not a fan of gathering either unless I can use my ruffler foot.
Bonjour, merci pour votre vidéo, il y a aussi le patron de la blouse ROSE d’ATELIER BERNIE il est genial et très adapté au quotidien des femmes avec une sous patte pour la discretion du décolleté , ou alors vous avez aussi le patron de la blouse SAMARY de Madeinestel. 🩷
Brilliant Rachel. I am currently making the Style Arc Porter into a Ganni style blouse in a tomato soup red linen. I got the paper pattern rather than pdf. As ever with a Style Arc pattern, it’s a bit of a head scratcher here and there but I think I’m getting there. Will let you know how it goes. Also inspired by your clear out. I definitely need to do the same. Have a good week. 😊 x
3:00. I was in a thrift store 2 years ago (well, in the UK; you call it a charity shop). I found an old BIBA glass shampoo bottle (empty) for $5.00 !! I was THRILLED ! I collect 1960s cosmetic items and old perfumes. I have some pretty rare Yardley of London make up kits too.
I was still at school during the height of Biba but in a rear moment, my mother surrendered control and allowed me to go with an older relative to the Kensington store. I think I was 14 or 15 and only remember the shopfront. Biba briefly rose from the Ashes and had a little shop in a side Street off Regent Street - I can't remember which - that I visited. When the brand was acquired by House of Fraser, I did go to the flagship store, but was disappointed. The clothes were a throwback to Biba's hayday, but out of keeping with modern tastes. There is still time for me to catch the exhibition and I shall make sure to go before closure.
This is a great list. French patterns are some of my favourites, but I haven't heard of several of these designers. I absolutely love Atelier Scammit. Their Declic and Azur top were some of my first garment patterns that taught me french seams. Also love the Pleaides 2 dress, I've made several!
Love your content. I don't have an occasion to wear one of these dresses, but it's fun to watch. I could see the pattern you've chosen for yourself in a large floral on top with a solid coloured bottom. Look forward to seeing the finished product.
Sixty-nine y/o American here. I loved Biba as a teen. Mary Quant was up in the stratosphere, but Biba seemed more relatable, more feminine. I couldn’t afford the clothes, but oh how I dreamed! And the makeup style was like nothing before (well, actually it was a riff on 1920s flapper style, but with a 60s vibe), a vision from the gods dropped to earth fully formed. Have you watched Lisa Eldridge’s Biba makeup demonstrations here on RU-vid? She even uses actual vintage makeup from her large Biba collection. Fabulous.
Hi, thank you so much for your memories of Biba, I think it must have been an exciting time in fashion. Thanks for telling me about the Lisa Eldridge Biba Makeup demo - I will have a look, Rachel.
Decisions, decisons! Lovely pattern picks. If you kept a 50s nipped in waist on your top, would you feel the need for a petticoat? These videos are terific, thanks.
Thanks Vera! yes I think I will need a petticoat to help the silhouette - my waist is quite big and it has never looked nipped in so I always have to create a bit of an illusion!
