The leaves are changing...

I'm so enjoying the autumnal weather. I do like warm weather, not that we have much of it, but I really love the changing of the season and the opportunity to revive my winter wardrobe. Each autumn my thoughts turn to cosy wool tartans - and this year's no exception. If money was no object, this is what I'd be wearing on a daily basis -

Suit and jabot - Vivienne Westwood

The cold weather's the time when I rummage through my old clothes and drag out my favourites from seasons past. One of which is a lovely Vivienne Westwood tartan skirt, which I doesn't fit quite so well since I've lost a bit of weight, but it's still pretty nice. 

Skirt - Vivienne Westwood, tights - Primark and creepers - Mr Shoes

For me, fashion's not just about following the latest trends - although they do play their part - but there's much more to it than that. I've never been very good at conforming, which means I can't even conform to each seasons big hits properly. 

And it's not about buying disposable fashions that you can't wear next autumn. I view every purchase as a new item for my huge dressing up box that I intend to keep for the rest of my life. 

Makin, makin, makin

I've been so busy over the last few months with work, which is very exciting, but hasn't left me with much time to dedicate to one of my favourite hobbies, making. Over the Easter holiday I've had the chance to catch up with some great friends and made an effort to dedicate a whole day - bank holiday Monday - simply to making. And it feels good!

My gorgeous pin cushion - with most of the pins in my skirt!

I haven't managed to get very much done, but made a good start on a beautiful full circle skirt, using a quality black silk purchased at the recent Warner Textile Archive Fair. I wanted to make an oversized, puffy, 1950s-style skirt - but I think I'm going to go a bit shorter - just above the knee.

I used the most simple pattern ever, and one I use a lot to create a full circle skirt with waistband and zip. It's a shop bought pattern, but I decided to throw caution to the wind and added twice the amount of fabric that you're supposed to - rather decadent. This means I have to gather the excess material into that waist band, which is about where I've got up to as I realise I don't have a zip that fits and I can't quite decide on the length, but it's almost there.

It's well and truly the puffiest skirt I've ever seen, and probably doesn't even need the 50s petticoat to give it the feel I wanted. I plan to wear it at the launch party of my new handmade fashion magazine.

I have a lovely, new Janome sewing machine, but for simple projects like this skirt I prefer to use my Nana's old faithful machine. It's just so beautiful and still runs like a dream. 

My Nana's powder blue Singer.

I also made a simple check sash that I'm planning to wear tied in a huge bow over a black dress for work tomorrow... 

This has reminded me just how much I love to make, in fact it's an inherent need, and that I mustn't leave it so long next time. AND I must finish off the skirt asap.

Inspiration at the Textile Fair

Today I went to the Warner Textile Archive, Textile Fair in Braintree. If you don't know what the Warner Textile Archive is, it's really worth checking out. It's an amazing collection of beautiful and historically important textiles. You'll be astounded at how significant Braintree was in the world of textiles and the vast amount of historical items that were made there.

It was a fantastic day. I promised myself I wouldn't buy anything - but somehow seem to be over £100 lighter when I left! I managed to pick up some amazing pink and black tafetta which I'm planning to make into a skirt. I also couldn't resist some quality black silk which I've no idea what I'm going to do with, but feel compelled to make huge, crunchy bows from.

Can't wait until this is a skirt

Really didn't need this, but I love it

There were many talks from such inspiring artists and crafters but my favourite was from Hannah Elgie from Make Do and Mend in Chelmsford. She explained how her shop and courses started and showed us some of the amazing things that can be made at them. I've already done some courses with here and now I'm defo booking in for some more. I'm particularly interested in the machine embroidery one, but really want to give them all a go.

I also spent an obscene amount on the most amazing books, a complete compendium of fashion in 2 huge volumes which will be a great insipration resource.

Our little stand at the fair

The wonderful Hannah Elgie from Make Do and Mend, Chelmsford

A Bumpkin Goes to London Fashion Week

I took a trip to the big smoke in February to London Fashion Week and had such a fab time. In my capacity as a magazine publisher, I was lucky enough to secure a couple of tickets to a handful of shows, and once there, managed talk my way into a few more, even managing to get seats and free stuff at some, which was a lovely treat. Some of the PRs organising the shows kept assuming I was someone else, franticly thanking me for attending the shows and asking me to let them know what I liked and didn't like?! Also, I got papped by about 6 photographers at once with my partner in crime, Louise - not sure who they thought we were, but we were happy to go with the flow....

The 'one' ticket to the Pam Hogg show

Cute cups at Somerset House cafe

Free sweeties - look cool, taste horrible

My favourite shows were PPQ, Henry Holland and the exciting Meadham Kirchhoff - jeez, if I could, I'd wear their clothes all day, every day. They sure do feed my inspiration and make me feel like anything goes when it comes to style.

My ultimate favourite show was Pam Hogg - partly because it was such fun trying to get in with only one ticket between me and Louise, and partly because there was such a kerfuffle outside, with one over enthusiastic show-goer getting pretty aggressive and eventually being escorted from the premises! I'm a huge fan of Pam's style and her music and totally loved her bonkers show, just as much as I thought I would, with Jamie Winstone making an appearance on the catwalk. 

Pam Hogg - Wildlife - LFW SS 2012

Getting into the after-show party on a school night was an added bonus and Louise and I just couldn't resist staying up way too late, sipping those free cocktails! There was a brilliant 1960s DJ set in the private Mayfair club where we rubbed shoulders with the likes of the lady Pam Hogg herself, Jo Wood, Nick Rhodes and Kate Nash, while Janice Dickinson showed everyone how her bra was constructed in the loo... what a lovely night.

Pam Hogg cocktails