‘Love Jacket’ Sewing Workshop with Momolita

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Bethany

Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend a sewing workshop in London run by the fabulous Japanese doll artist Momolita. I have been a fan of her work for many years and I learned a lot about garment construction by using her Licca pattern books. It was fantastic to get some sewing tips from her in person!

During the workshop we learned how to make Momolita’s miniature version of Vivienne Westwood’s iconic Love Jacket. Tailoring this tiny is challenging to say the least! It was a fantastic learning experience.

Everybody working hard!

Tiny silk pins!

Momoko & Linda

Sushi break

I enjoyed using Momolita’s Japanese JUKI sewing maching. It was so gentle and quiet! Perfect for sewing tiny garments.

The jacket was quite challenging and none of us quite managed to finish it that day! We all took them home to do the finishing touches. I had a really great day, it was lovely to see doll friends old & new. I really feel I learned a lot!

My finished Love Jacket. ♥ It’s a bit uneven to say the least but I had fun making it! ^_^

Dolly Mixure Spring Dresses

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Bethany

This week I made some Dolly Mixture Spring Dresses for Blythe Dolls and Middie Blythe Dolls. I love sewing in Middie size, they’re so dinky!! I used some gorgeous Liberty fabrics, Japanese lace, Jenean Morrisson fabric and my absolute favourite, London Underground Map fabric! Still a few dresses left in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dollymixtureshop

Look Street Spring Summer Collection 2012

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Bethany

Since my trip to Japan in July last year my brother Aleister & I have been working on our new clothing label, Look Street. My designs are inspired by Japanese fabrics which we sourced in Tokyo last summer. The name ‘Look Street’ comes from a street in Koenji, a district of Tokyo, which is full of gorgeous vintage clothes shops! After a lot of hard work our site is finally online, where you can browse and buy our designs for your very own. I’m so excited to finally be able to share my designs! ♥

This dress is possibly my favourite piece from our Spring/Summer 2012 collection. It is made from stunning cotton fabric from Japanese designer Kayo Horaguchi. The fabric features a delicate design with roses, birds, vintage sewing machines, mannequins, pocket watches, castles and ballerinas in teal on a black background. The dress is trimmed with beautiful Japanese cotton lace. It is also available in two other gorgeous Kayo Horaguchi prints, featuring carousel horses & rainbows, and tiny angel fish and sea foam flowers! It’s like stepping in to a grown up fairytale.

Of course the collection also includes some vintage inspired dresses! I fell in love with this Japanese playing card fabric and knew it would make awesome rockabilly style dresses. This design is also decorated with three black heart shaped vintage Lucite buttons on the front of the bodice. I found a precious untouched card of these vintage buttons at Judy’s Vintage Fair last year, I was saving them for something very special! ♥ This design is also available in two fabulous nautical prints, in red and navy. Ahoi Sailor! These are perfect for summer.

When we were in Tokyo in July, lots of summer matsuri (fire work festivals) were happening, and it was not uncommon to see couples walking the streets dressed in traditional summer Yukata. A Yukata is a spring or summer Kimono, traditionally worn to spring cherry blossom viewing festivals. The fabric is light and breathable and features beautiful blossom prints. I thought they would be perfect for spring and summer dresses. We picked out this beautiful teal & gold fabric, as well as cherry blossom fabric in pink & white and pink & black.

I was so inspired by the beautiful traditional kimono silks I saw in Japan. The quality of the silk is so luxurious and the prints are absolutely beautiful. This violet evening gown features a vibrant flowers and red guzei bridges on a striking background of purple, violet and indigo clouds. Silk evening gowns are also available in orange and peach.

I am very excited to finally be able to share my designs & I hope you like them! You can see the full collection at lookstreet.net and you can also follow us on Twitter @heylookstreet and Like us on Facebook. I have some exciting designs planned for Autumn/Winter already. ^-^

February Sewing Projects

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Bethany

We’ve settled in to our new place now and mostly unpacked. This month I’ve been preparing for the launch of my new clothing line. I’m really excited and I can’t wait to share some photos! Until then, here are some sewing projects I’ve been working on this month.

My friend Rob commissioned me to make a dress for his daughter Chloe, from a 1990-1991 New Model Army tour T-shirt! Taking a pair of scissors to this precious shirt was quite nerve wracking!

Vintage heart-shaped buttons ❤

I think Chloe approves! ^_^

I did a bit of nautical upholstery! This little pouffe was given to us in a well loved state, having been re-covered numerous times. I covered it in French ticking & anchors!

I took inspiration for the stitching detail from this patchwork pouffe! ❤

Jutt turned 30 this month, & grew a beard to prove it!

I made him this Space Invader quilt. Pixel art makes awesome patchwork!

Serious birthday beer!

Snow Day

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Bethany

We have deep snow here in the UK today which means only one thing… Dolly photo time! ♥ ♥ ♥

I got this beautiful Totoro sweater in a trade with Nan. It’s absolutely amazing, teeny tiny stitches, and it even has miniature real button holes at the back. I love it! I have been holding out for a snow day to take pics. You can see more of her work in her Etsy shop Dressing Blythe. Hitomi is also rocking some Moof boots and a vintage Skipper tutu. ^_^

I thought I’d post some of my favourite Dolly Snow Photos from previous years too…

Awesome skull sweater from Liz/WoollyRockers, vintage Skipper tutu & ice skates.

Elphaba in a super cute Bambina Carabina granny hat, Sugar Mag cape & Dolly Mixture dress.

EuroTrash Doll helmet & Poupée Mécanique dress.

Enjoy the snow! x

Moving House… Interior Inspiration

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Bethany

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has enjoyed the festive season. I have had a pretty hectic start to the year, but I am looking forward to 2012 and the changes it will bring. In just a couple of weeks we will be leaving our tiny loft apartment and moving to our new house. We’ll have a garden, and I will have studio to fill with beautiful fabric and make dresses in. ♥ I feel very lucky. Tomorrow I will start packing (a daunting task for a hoarder & collector, I have *so* much stuff), so tonight I have been looking at some inspiring photos and formulating some ideas which will give me something to look forward to once the packing, sorting, moving and cleaning are done! I thought I’d share some of my favourites here.

A (former) Bookseller’s nightmare… but it’s so pretty. ♥ I have a bit of an obsession with arranging things in rainbow order.

Jenny B‘s epic sewing room. I especially love the dresser and the blue walls.

Love the jars of trim!

I picked up a battered wooden storage box with compartments like this a little while ago. I think I will paint it and fill it with tiny pretty things.

Such a great way to store fabric! I can’t imagine mine ever staying this neat and tidy though. More rainbow coloured organisation. ^_^

Leo‘s wonderful doll shelves

Toys & Teacups ♥

This reminds me of the Alice in Wonderland restaurant in Tokyo. ♥

Vintage phone love ♥

CandyPop‘s vintage glasses. I can’t wait to display mine. I have vintage Babycham glasses and shot glasses handed down from my grandmother and great-grandmother.