This battered little book turned up at my Uncle’s house when my family were clearing a few days ago. It must have belonged to my Auntie who was my fashion inspiration when I was young.
I have a small collection of illustrated books of traditional / peasant costume and love them. I’m really fascinated by traditional clothing and these old books with beautiful illustrations are wonderfully inspiring for shape, colour combinations, patterns and decoration.
A few years ago I made this apron
inspired by this illustration
in this book
which eventually became this apron in Lark Books Pretty Little Patchwork (although they missed the pattern out of the book…)
and then it became this
paper apron by Jennifer Collier based on my design (I showed her how to make the design out of fabric first).
I’m running an apron-making workshop, with fabric manipulation, at Jennifer’s studio Unit Twelve, on Sunday 4th December.
Dear,I also love your collection of illustrated books of traditional / peasant costume.Great~~karen millen uk
I have one of Kathleen Mann's books too – it's just as inspiring to me as as yours is to you.