The red Cappuccino dress I made in April has
really come into its own as a garment I love to wear every day. It's
so comfortable, the deep pockets practical
and the sleeves are narrow enough to fit easily under spring
coats and jackets. The V-neck collar reminds me of the simple
elegant neckline of Sou Sou's kimono blouse, it's very Japanese. I
had to make a second!
My fabric choice was a birthday-money purchase from C&H Fabrics. Each time I visit the dressmaking fabric department of their Brighton branch it alarmingly seems to have shrunk. I found these wonderful prints tucked away in their quilting section. I didn't study the selvage when I bought them, just loved the print designs and feel of the fabric – smooth soft cotton. On closer inspection at home I saw that they're designed by British textile designer Janet Clare from her Hearty Good Wishes collection produced by Moda Japan. Janet Clare's website biography is charming – she's a quilter and stitcher as well as a designer and author.
Making up a second Cappuccino was plain sailing and I only had to glance at the instructions this time. The fabric behaved beautifully and is wonderfully soft and light to wear. It's a more sophisticated colour palette than I usually go for but I feel properly elegant and grown up in this dress!
