I usually have a very strict “no alterations” policy, having been inundated in the past by other people’s trousers and curtains. Very occasionally though, I’ll make an exception – such as when Lisa from Off With her Head Millinery sent me a photo of this dress that I made for her, way back in 2009. I know the date partly because of the name label, which pre-dates eternal magpie, and also because Lisa wore this dress, with a hat of her own creation, to my wedding in the October of that year!
This fabric has to be one of my absolute favourites – a 1980s nostalgic print on a heavy cotton, in the most gorgeous muted lilac and green colours. (Those little girls with the hoop and bonnets and ruffles are my new fashion icons.) I made it originally as a short dress, but when Lisa asked for it to be altered into a shorter length tunic top I couldn’t resist. It’s just so nice to know that something I made nine years ago is still going strong, and even nicer to know that with a simple alteration it can keep going for even longer!