Federation International Alteration

03/01/2026

I am behind. Maybe you are too.

Time to roll up our sleeves and get those reps in. Comparison is the thief of joy and 2026 is the year we don’t get robbed. Your first 100 videos will probably be bad so may aswell get them out of the way now.

25/07/2024

21/02/2024

🧡💙 big bird in the big city 💙🧡

05/02/2023

The perfect travel outfit was born.

The man in security handed me this scarf saying my friend left it. Don’t know who he thought my friend was but no one claimed it and then I think I left if it on the plane so karma in it’s finest!

Anyways, took this set out for a long haul flight and it triumphed. Nothing quite compares to that “thanks, I made it” feeling.

Set: Details on a previous post.
Scarf (RIP):
Bag: Vintage
Shoes: £7 steel toe boots from Charity shop. My greatest find.

07/01/2023

Obsessed with my new set. If you’re like me, you are very specific about what you want so finding suitable patterns is pointless as I end of having to Frankenstein them together and I get bored VERY quickly so no pattern used whatsoever for this kaftan! After studying a few reference photos on Pinterest, I just cut on the fold the shape I wanted, can’t believe it turned out so well. Trousers - I had a self drafted flares pattern on me (which I’ll post soon) so I riffed off that for the crotch curve but pretty straight forward for this relaxed fit.

Things I like:
I did a thick “binding” to finish the sleeves and collar which I love alongside the slit finish (last slides) which I dreamed up as it’s French seams only not having my serger in Toronto.
The length 😍 I really used as much of the fabric as possible.
The colour is divine, I can’t wait to style it with these bright orange shoes I have at home.

Things for improvement:
The neckline portion of the kaftan binding was cut in a rectangle so I’ll cut it curved next time so it lays flatter.
I think the two front pieces need to be wider but I only had 4m in total so next time I’ll get a little more for that super relaxed fit.
I’m going to add a half elasticated waist and pockets next time for sure!!

Fabric: Rayon
Pattern: Self Drafted

16/08/2022

Look at that blind hem or don’t… 👀😂

I took a few inches off the trousers and tacked down the jacket lapel of this gorgeous number. Simple stuff but the kind of thing that makes you reach for that outfit time and time and again.

11/08/2022

I MADE SOME TROUSERS

SWIPE FOR DETAILS AND ANGLES FOR DAYS

Okay so I was thrilled to do some pattern testing for as I’ve been wanting to dip my toe in the pool of patterns. I know it sounds ridiculous and backwards but I do a lot of pattern drafting and draping because I really struggle with following instructions and staying on track.

So I packed my spare sewing machine and hopped on over to Spain which I would highly recommend and spent the last few days furiously sewing. Are there any sewing retreats out there because there needs to be!

This set is fully lined (due to my fabric being see-through… 🤦🏽‍♀️) but I’ll definitely be making again unlined as the pattern intends. I went a size up as I was between sizes on hips and then decided to adjust the waist as needed. I’m usually about 3 sizes difference in my waist to hips which is also a struggle but a good one 😎 I doubled the width of the darts in the back to aid in waist reduction but also you can see how curved my back is in the last photo so that helped as well. I didn’t pack a zip (classic) so I’ve done a button up fly and I stitched in the ditch for the waistband cause I have no time for hand sewing right now. No major modifications although I’m definitely gonna hack these into shorts for sure so watch this space!

Fabric (incl. lining): All remnants (or “coupons” as they say in France) from my trip to Paris which I will post soon when I finally get round to editing that video
Pattern: 65-1

07/08/2022

I MADE A GOWN!

When your friend gets married in beautiful Ibiza, you just have to wear something special and I knew I wanted make something. However with everything I do I left this to the absolute last minute, so much so that I was hand sewing a zip by the pool the day before…

It’s a stunning 100% silk from a place on a Goldhawk Road. There were a few colourways so if anyone wants one I could be persuaded to do it all over again…

I draped the pleats for the bodice and made a simple 2x gathered skirt. It’s fully lined however it is essentially a wearable toile. I did not have time to play around so just draped the fabric straight onto the mannequin. I then made a few bust adjustments once I’d basted it together but there are definite improvements to be made to the pattern overall if I recreate it.

From start to finish this took around 2 days which is insane. But if I can whip this up in 2 days then I’m excited about what I could do in a week!

What’s the most you’ve procrastinated on a project?

28/06/2022

How often to you go into a shop and think “ooh that’s nice but why have they put that beading there?” Or “I wish it didn’t have sleeves” or “why the heck would you put an elasticated waist on a denim jacket…!?”

Ready to wear designers can be a little tapped sometimes I swear but fear not! It’s actually fairly straightforward to sort that stuff out so just buy it anyway and get it tailored to your needs…

Client said elasticity BE GONE! So I made an offering to the sewing gods and they sent it back in a couple of hours looking like this. Not bad…

24/04/2021

SALE!

All trousers altered - £10!
DM’s accepted till 30th April!
Pick up and drop off Wandsworth Park.
Doorstop service for an extra charge x