This month has been a bit of a whirlwind, the good kind. Between the hum of the sewing machine and the hum of bees in the garden, it’s been full of creativity, connection, and a few cups of really good coffee in between.
I thought I’d take a moment to share a little of what’s been going on behind the scenes at The Cloth Cutter - not just because it’s always nice to keep in touch, but because I know many of you are stitching your own paths into dressmaking. Sometimes it’s helpful to see how others fit it all in - designing, sewing, making, gardening, life-ing! And to be honest I still feel like I am on the road to recovery. But a bit of reflection is a good thing and you can acknowledge that even small steps are moving you in the right direction.
In the Studio – The Nova Shirt Evolves
One of the biggest highlights this month has been working on the bonus pieces for the Nova Shirt. The original version is such a favourite - the flattering flare and bishop sleeve make it a wardrobe workhorse. But I wanted to offer a little something extra for those looking to level things up a bit.
So, I’ve drafted a traditional shirt sleeve with placket and cuff, and a classic collar option too. These pieces are all about bringing in that little bit of heritage tailoring, the kind of details that really make a shirt sing. If you’ve ever wanted to try sleeve plackets but felt daunted, this is a great intro. (And if you join the Nova Shirt Workshop, I’ll be there to hold your hand every step of the way.)
There’s something deeply satisfying about combining style and substance - that’s the heart of The Cloth Cutter. I don’t want anyone to feel like their handmade clothes are a compromise. You can have beautiful, well-fitted garments made by your own hands.
New Linen In – And a Chance to Slow Down
We’ve just had a delivery of some beautiful ethically sourced linen fabrics – I’m talking soft-washed finishes, earthy tones, and a drape that’s perfect for both the Nova Shirt and our Summer Dress patterns.
I know how easy it is to rush into choosing fabrics because something’s on sale or feels urgent. But there’s real magic in slowing down and choosing something you’ll love for years. Think about how something will feel on your skin, how it will move, how it fits into your wardrobe. That’s why I only source fabrics I’d use myself – considered, versatile, and full of potential.
I’ve already cut into one of the new pieces myself – a soft blue and white check that’s begging to become another Nova shirt. There’s something so calming about sewing with linen: it behaves, it breathes, and it just gets better with age - like a well-loved book or a good friend.
Getting Fired Up – Literally!
This month’s Diploma ladies have been diving deep into textiles - and I mean deep. One of the most fascinating sessions we’ve had recently involved burning fabric samples to identify their fibre content.
Yes, it sounds a bit dramatic, but it’s one of the most hands-on ways to get to know your materials. Cotton smells like paper, silk smells faintly of hair, and polyester? Well, you’ll never forget the plasticky pong once you’ve sniffed it.
Understanding fibre content is so important when it comes to choosing the right fabric for a project. It affects everything: drape, durability, breathability, washability - even how a garment feels against your skin. Having this level of knowledge means your handmade garments aren’t just beautiful, they’re practical and long-lasting too. Watching the Diploma students light up (pun intended) when they realised how much this knowledge empowers their making… was magic!
The Trousers Tribe
One of the highlights this month was our Trousers for Beginners class, with four fabulous women who came in unsure and left with trousers that fit and a serious sense of achievement.
There’s something about making your first pair of trousers that feels like a milestone. It's the moment you stop being a hobbyist and start feeling like a real dressmaker. And these four ladies totally rose to the challenge , taking it all their stride and left with trousers they were proud to wear.
There was such a buzz in the room - that joyful energy when a group of women are learning together, helping each other, and celebrating every small win (like getting both legs the same way round!).
This is why I love teaching. It’s not just about the patterns and techniques - it’s about confidence and community. And sometimes a bit of unpicking. But mostly community.
Tailoring to Fit – The Joy of 1:1 Work
Staying with trousers, alongside group workshops, I’ve been doing a few one-to-one sessions, and one in particular really stayed with me. I worked closely with a lovely lady to help her draft a trouser block that truly fit her shape - not some generic standard size, but her own unique proportions.
She’d been struggling for years to find trousers that didn’t drag at the crotch, gape at the back, or twist at the knees. We took it back to basics with careful measurements, thoughtful shaping, and a few toile tweaks, fitting each leg individually and by the end, we had a beautifully balanced block that made her feel amazing.
Moments like that are why I believe so deeply in personal pattern cutting. Clothes should fit you, not the other way around.
Family, Flowers & an Anniversary
Earlier this month we headed north to Lancashire to visit Charlie’s family – something we don’t do nearly enough, but always come back from feeling restored. There’s nothing quite like a proper catch-up, walks on the beach and some gentle sibling ribaldry.
I also made it down to Sussex to see my daughter, which always lifts my heart. We strolled and chatted and threw the ball for Olive along another beach - (you might notice a theme here!) Visited the “Not Yet World Famous Sea Lone Cafe” in Goring and stopped off to see my Mum and Dad too.
It was also our 11th wedding anniversary this month too. Poor Charlie has put up with me for 15 years now so I took him out for a slap up supper at the RCS Roof Terrace as compensation. I really enjoy the food up there and the views are amazing. The best thing is you can eat early as they often do a pre- theatre menu. Which meant we could stroll home in time to watch a few episodes of the New Star Wars spin off Andor. Don't say I'm not romantic!
And in between those family trips, I managed a visit to the Malvern Flower Show – what a dream. Now I know how people feel when they go to a sewing show - too much to see and take in all at once! The show gardens were amazing, and we came home with more than we bargained for as well as plenty of ideas. Watching the Chelsea Flower show was also an inspiration, but in a slightly different way. I spent as much time looking at what people were wearing as I did at the plants and gardens. So many floaty summer dresses, linen smocks, and hand-stitched details. It felt like nature and fashion had struck a very stylish deal.
Beyond the Studio – A Little Life Update
In between all the studio bustle and family catch-ups, I’ve still managed to carve out time in the garden - my favourite thinking spot. My war of attrition with the bind weed and nettles is ongoing, but I am beginning to sense victory. I have three out of four raised veg bed planted up and other flower beds cleared and ready for planting out the seedlings I have been carefully nurturing in my makeshift ‘greenhouse’. All with the help of Olive the Watering Monitor, of course.
I always find inspiration in the natural world – shapes, colours, textures - and I’m working on some soft, layerable pieces for late summer and early autumn. Think floaty but with structure, comfort with style. As always, practical and wearable, but with a little wink of personality.
Designing patterns is part instinct, part puzzle-solving. You start with a feeling - something soft, swingy, maybe a nod to a vintage shape - and then work backwards to engineer the fit and construction. That’s where the real craft lives.
Back to Being a Student
And I suppose that’s why I love sharing this with others. It’s not just about clothes - it’s about the process of making. The mindfulness of measuring, the confidence of cutting, the satisfaction of wearing something that fits just right. The careful consideration that goes into the choices we make. Which is also one of the reasons I have decided to undertake a part time MA in Sustainable Fashion.
This is for me - a chance to do something that feeds my own creativity and satisfies an itch I have had for a while. I need to level up my own thinking, raising the barr for what I personally want to achieve. And maybe it will have a positive knock-on effect with the business too.
What’s Coming Next
There’s plenty more brewing for June - new workshop dates, buttons and interfacing arriving for shirtmaking, and a few pattern tweaks I’m working on in the background.
I’ll also be sharing more content soon about sustainable sewing practices, from choosing fabrics that last to getting the most out of your handmade wardrobe. It’s a topic close to my heart and one I know many of you care deeply about too - see the MA is working its way in already!
I hope this gives you a little insight into what’s been happening in my corner of the world this month. If you’re local, pop in and say hello. We have the Open Studio Sessions each month now. If you’re further afield, drop me a note or tag me in what you’re making, I love seeing what you’re all sewing.
Until then, happy sewing – and if you need help or inspiration, you know where to find me.
Jules x