We've been busy searching for new contemporary fabrics to add to our collection and we're really pleased to be adding the following Japanese fabrics to our range:

First up we have Ellen Luckett Baker for Kokka's Half Round in a fabulous metallic Gold from the Charm's Collection. This is the first design that we've brought in by Ellen, and judging from the reaction we've had since this went live on our website we'll soon be adding to it!

Another designer who's new to us is Etsuko Furuya, who designs under the name Echino. We absolutely loved this quirky spot and deer design, Samber, the moment we saw it and hope that you do too!

We've also added to our range of Nani Iro prints. These have proved to be really popular since we launched, so we've brought in a further 3 new designs now with more to follow in the Autumn.

The Pierre Pocho in Sage sold really well for us, and we felt that Corsage in a 2 ply knit was a great move on for us, the base colour is again in Sage, the design this time with lovely bright pops of yellow flowers and shimmer.

Next we have Freeway in tones of grey in a double gauze fabric. This beautiful striped design is a new design for 2015 and one which we can't wait to use!

Finally we have Water Window, again in Grey, which is printed on a cotton linen mix fabric, we love the hand painterly quality of this print, it would work well for both home furnishing projects and also for dressmaking where a heavier weight quality fabric is required.

We'd love to see what you make with them! Do email us your photos to karen@drapersdaughter.com.

To make way for new fabrics just in, and on the way, we've marked down some of our current stock by 30% - choose from some of our gorgeous Nani Iro fabrics, including Pierre Pocho in Teal, and Sen Ritsu; as well as some of our lovely 100%Organic Cotton Ginghams and Crossweaves!

Stocks are limited so you'll need to be quick, click on the photo below to go to our Sale Fabric page...

We're really pleased to have added a selection of Oliver + S children's sewing patterns to our collection. Designed by Liesl Gibson, we particularly like their modern, contemporary look, making them perfect to compliment our range of adult patterns.

Their aim is to create sewing patterns you can reply on and that you'll turn to again and again! The patterns are really well designed with interesting details. We've yet to make up a pattern, but we've taken a look at the instructions, which seem to be really comprehensive and clearly illustrated.

We've deliberately selected the newer patterns within the Oliver + S Range, the designs of which have modern silhouettes and detailing such as paneling, top-stitching and pleat interest.

Choose from the Carousel Dress Pattern, a modern style with beautiful paneling which is top-stitched and raglan sleeves. With no fancy buttonholes or set in sleeves, this is an easy pattern to make up! The Lunch Box Tee + Culottes Pattern features wide, pleated culottes which look like a full skirt but are more versatile; and a boxy knit top which can be made as either a t-shirt with cuffed sleeves or as a sweatshirt with pockets within the front panel. Or how about the Playtime Dress, Tunic + Leggings Pattern, which includes an easy to sew dress and tunic, both of which can be made using woven or knit fabrics. The leggings though have been designed for knit fabrics and are made from just one pattern piece. The dress and tunic can be dressed up or down depending on the fabrics you choose.

Finally, we have the Lullaby Layette Set Pattern, the pieces in this set all work together to create a lovely wardrobe for little ones up to 24 months. There's a bodysuit, shirt, elasticated pull on trousers and a reversible jacket to make in light to medium-weight woven and knit fabrics.

Initially we've bought the older size patterns which are for ages 5 to 12, however we'd love to hear from you if you'd like us to stock the smaller size range of 6 months to 4 years; and also what other patterns you'd like us to add to the range.

And we'd love to see your patterns made up so please send your photos to me at karen@drapersdaughter.com

Hello there, we've been busy sourcing new fabrics lately, and the first delivery arrived today!

We think these 100% Organic Cotton Double Cloth fabrics make a lovely addition to our range of carefully curated fabrics. They're really soft, making then suitable for babies and adults alike; as well as for small soft furnishing projects.

Our 100% Organic Cotton Crossweaves are proving to be really popular with all of you, so we've a couple of new colours to the collection, first of all we have the Mid Blue, as pictured below:

And we're also bought this beautiful Burgundy Marl, the photo really doesn't do it justice but it's a great colourway for adding some colour in a subtle way!

We'll be adding more fabric over the coming weeks, here's where we'll be updating you along with our Facebook page & Instagram feed.

We hope these fabrics will give you some inspiration for your next sewing projects!

We've been waiting patiently for our delivery of Workbook by Merchant & Mills to arrive, and we're really pleased to say that on looking through, it doesn't disappoint!!

As you would expect, this third book is beautifully photographed and illustrated throughout. However, what's important to note is that it isn't a beginners guide to sewing, it assumes you have a certain level of dressmaking skills to build on.

The aim of this book is to encourage the maker to try out and learn new skills, with the reward being a stylish multi-layer wardrobe which works all year round.

At the beginning of Workbook there's useful information about choosing cloth, The Merchant & Mills way is to work in natural, traditional fabrics - "Choose the right cloth for the job and buy the best you can afford" - and that's something that we wholeheartedly agree with here at The Draper's Daughter. 

They also encourage you to really think about what your own sense of style is, and that when dressmaking you should take time to explore different fabrics and discover which ones YOU really like - "Making your own wardrobe is not about economy but about having something that money cannot buy"

Workbook comes with full-size paper patterns for 6 totally new designs which are neatly packed into a card wallet on the inside front sleeve. Each project pattern is graded from size 8 to 18 with the exception of the Haremere Jacket which, because it's an oversized style, comes in just 3 sizes: small (8-10), medium (12-14) and large (16-18). The instructions, as with the other sewing patterns designed by Carolyn Denham, are really comprehensive and clear.

The new designs within Workbook include the following styles:

The Bantam is a casual, stylish loose-fitting vest with a boxer back detail, bound armholes and neckline; which can easily be adapted to make an effortlessly elegant dress.

The Curlew comes in three variations using two patterns. There's an elegant bias-cut, scoop necked, dress with extra long skinny sleeves and a curved back waist seam to give a very feminine silhouette. A sleeveless t-shirt which you can make from it's own separate pattern, this has a slightly higher neckline so that it can be worn under the dress and is just visible at the neckline. As you can see these styles have been really well thought through! Then finally The Curlew top is made from the t-shirt pattern with the dress pattern sleeves.

Next comes The Saltmarsh, this simple long-line skirt is gently gathered at the waist with a drawstring tie. The pattern has been made as a maxi length, but it can be cut to whatever length you choose!

The Heron is a bat-winged wrap top, with a shawl collar and a side tie fastening. This short sleeved style has an elegant silhouette with deep, open armholes for ease of movement.

 Next we have an oversized drop-shoulder jacket called The Haremere. It has a rolled shawl collar and front patch pockets.By extending the body pattern pieces the jacket can be beautifully lengthened to make a knee length, mid-season coat!

Finally, The Strides pattern makes a pair of straight, wide-legged trousers which can easily be shortened to create a neat pair of shorts!

There are also clear instructions for tracing off the patterns, this is really useful both as a way of preserving the original pattern, and it also means that you can use your patterns for more than one garment size.

We've found this book hugely inspiring, the photography makes it worthy of a coffee table book for the imagery alone, so the fact that you can make yourself an entire wardrobe of unique clothes makes it really good value for money.

We can't wait to start sewing!