Pleats please!

I love participating in the drawing challenges from The Tuesday collective on Instagram. A few weeks ago, the prompt word was 'pleats'. I generally like to draw something fashion-related for these drawing challenges so I chose to draw this green chiffon pleated dress from H&M. It was a bit of a challenge as the see-through nature of the fabric made it difficult to recreate, but I think I got there in the end!

This H&M calf-length dress is made from a pleated chiffon and has a scoop neckline and long balloon sleeves with elasticated cuffs.

This dress also comes in a powder pink version but I much prefer the green version.

 

Pretty in pink

 I designed this pink sarasa print for Makower UK recently. It's part of a collection called Tropica that includes jungle animals and tropical foliage in a bright colour palette. This sarasa print comes in three colour options but the pink one works especially well for bag-making.

I mocked up a few bag styles to see how this print would look. The first one is a cute clutch bag which would make a great addition to a wedding outfit or summer party frock.

I love these cross-body bags which always seem o fit so much in, despite their size and they fit conveniently across the body. The adjustable strap means you can also make it into a shoulder bag if you wish.

I love a tote bag and this one would be great for the beach. It's big enough o fit all the essentials for a day by the sea,

Statement earrings

'Statement earrings' is this week's prompt for the drawing challenge from The Tuesday Collective on Instagram so I decided to draw these stunners from Fatisha Boutique. I loved the colour combo of yellow and green and decided to give my model of shock of pink hair.

These stunning 12cm long acrylic earrings include a vibrant yellow flower and emerald green beads with gold detailing. The perfect way to elevate any outfit and to add a pop of colour to your day.

Cupcake cutie

 Do you know someone who likes cupcakes? Or perhaps delicate little French patisserie items? If so, this is the perfect gift for them. It's a glasses case made from a cute cake print on a soft pink background.

The glasses case is big enough to fit oversize sunglasses in and is lightly padded to protect your glasses.

It has a pink cotton lining and is machine washable too.

This makes a great birthday gift for someone special. All items are gift wrapped in pink tissue paper and sent in a padded envelope. Items can be sent straight to their recipient with an optional gift message included.

This glasses case also has a matching cupcake zipper pouch which is perfect for using as a makeup bag, gadget pouch or travel bag. It's also lined and padded and has a white zipper closure to keep everything safe.

You can find more cupcake items here.

Delphinium sweater

This week's challenge from The Tuesday Collective on Instagram is 'Larkspur', which is the common name for two members of the buttercup family, delphinium and consolida ajacis. It can have a wide range of meanings including love, sweetness, strength, purity and youth.

I usually start a drawing challenge with something fashion-related and so googled items of clothing that have delphiniums on them. One of the items that popped up was a sweater from Barbour. I was immediately drawn to the bold design and pleasing colour palette. I chose a model with a cheeky smile and choppy bob, and the pink background finished it off nicely, bringing out the rosiness of the model's cheeks. You can find this drawing on my Instagram here.

The sweater is available to buy here.

 

Atelier

'Atelier' is a collection I designed for Makower UK recently and it was inspired by the timeless traditions of sewing using antique and retro images in a soft colour palette.

 

The main print is called Couture and includes sewing machines, notions and mannequins. Look closely and you will see that there is a texture underneath, inspired by dress pattern pieces.

The Spool design shows crowded cotton reels with the labels as the main focus.

Tape measures create a stripe design in this Measurements pattern.

Pretty patterned Buttons are loosely scattered, with a tonal running stitch in the background. 

An inclusion of soft blue to the Couture design adds variety to the collection.

Tiny Notions in include decorative scissors and pin cushions.

A deep grey on the Buttons design adds depth to the collection.

My grandma had a blue measuring tape in her sewing box and this Measurements print reminds me of that.

Primary colours

Last week's prompt for the drawing challenge from The Tuesday Collective on Instagram was 'Primary Colours' so I chose to draw this stunning dress from Boden. 

It's made from a silky-looking viscose fabric and has a dramatic chevron design in a variety of bright colours including blue, green and red.

This v-neck tiered dress has beautiful balloon sleeves, a flowy skirt with pockets and a tie belt to cinch in the waist.

Citrus

I've recreated my citrus print in a variety of colour palettes which are great for all kinds of summer activities. Whether it's used on homewares to enhance your home, or for sewing projects to inspire your summer wardrobe there are a lots of options in Spoonflower shop. 

This yellow and white version is a lovely fresh print and would work well in sewing projects. There are many fabric choices and I especially love the soft cotton lawn option which would be great for making summer skirts or dresses with.

This citrus print below offers a darker colour option with orange and yellow citrus fruits on a pleasing teal background. This print can also be bought on a variety of fabric options. I love the linen cotton canvas which is great for making into bright tea towels.

If you don't fancy making your own items, there are plenty  of ready-made items in my Spoonflower shop. This print would look great in the home, especially in the bedroom. I'm loving the duvet cover and sheet set as well as the curtains and cushion cover.

This is the original version of the citrus print, but I've added a few more tones to mix it up a bit. It has a lovely warm feel to it and would look great on tableware for the home.

Ready-made items include tablecloths (in rectangular or oval sizes), as well as table runners and napkins.

Beach chic

 'Beach Chic' was the prompt for last week's drawing challenge from The Tuesday Collective on Instagram so I drew this fabulous 1950s beach babe, inspired by a black and white photo I found online.

I chose a vintage-inspired colour palette of burnt oranges and teal blues which set off her golden tan perfectly. The yellow sun hat adds a pop of brightness.

Sweet cherries

 This cherry print is the perfect print for a summer sewing project with its bright red, juicy cherries on a fresh green background. You can just imagine picking one up and popping it into your mouth.

You can buy this cherry print in my Spoonflower shop on a wide variety of fabric choices, from lighter weights such as gauze and chiffon, to heavier weight fabric such as canvas or velvet.

This cherry print would look great on a summer skirt. Spoonflower has a choice of fabrics that would be perfect for this sewing pattern, including cotton lawn or cotton sateen.

I'm looking forward to making this print into bags and purse for my Etsy shop. Watch this space!

Little ones

I recently created this cute collection for Makower UK. It's called Little Ones and consists of woodland animals in a soft colour palette.

This design is called 'Hugs' and includes mother and baby foxes, bunnies, hedgehogs and squirrels in a soft peach colour. I used a sketchy style for these animals.

This design is called 'Bunnies' and includes rabbits in several poses with foliage and tiny hearts on a coral stripe background.

This coral 'Ducks' design is so cute and includes pretty daisies amongst the ducks.

'Foliage' is a really versatile print and can be used for a number of fabric projects, Pair it with designs from this collection or use it for bag making or dressmaking.

Cute baby 'Deer' are silhouetted against a soft brown background and surrounded by stylised foliage.

This 'Etched' design is created in a sketchy style and includes deer, foxes and bunnies.

These 'Stars' are on a grey/brown background and are a great print for decorating a child's bedroom.

The 'Hugs' design on cream is a great neutral colour and could work for both baby boys and baby girls.

The 'Bunnies' on the yellow and cream stripe are lovely and fresh and gender neutral.

The 'Ducks' work well on a yellow background.

The 'Foliage' looks lovely and fresh on a cream background and includes ferns, florals and tiny butterflies.

The 'Etched' design also comes in a green outline on a cream background.

The 'Stars' design also comes in a teal version.

The 'Hugs' design looks so pretty on this teal background.

'Ducks' on a teal background.

And beautiful 'Bunnies' on a teal and cream background.