peak princess

New blog

2011-08-16T22:14:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, I'll be blogging from my new website from now on. best wishes, Lissa

bonny babies & chubby children

2011-04-14T09:20:00.000+01:00

The first ever nationwide sizing survey is out today and it shows children are significantly taller and fatter than their parents were at the same age. Both typical waist-lines and height have increased over the last 30 years. Girls are typically 2cm taller, with waist measurements up by 8cm, and boys are 4cm taller, with waists up by 7cm.

I was asked what I thought by reporter Tamsin Smith for BBC Breakfast TV. It's a sensitive issue and I'm sympathetic to parents with children who are larger than average as I was definitely a 'bonny' baby.

a bonny me - apparently aged only 18 months!

In fact I recently found an old pattern for a dress that Mum used to make for me with sizing for girls and "chubbies"! I think it's affected my designs.

I try and make clothes that will flatter the skinniest minnies as well as covering little tummies. But undoubtedly I have a huge advantage over the mass manufacturers because I'm able to cut a bodice a little larger and mix and match it with a skirt that's a little longer to fit your child. But the high street retailers will have to adapt their sizing to reflect the changing shape of today's generation of children.

I'd love to know what you think.

cut your own Cloth

2011-03-18T00:10:00.007Z

If you've ever fancied having a go at making your own clothes or simpler projects like scarves or bags then Cloth Magazine (www.clothmagazine.co.uk) is for you. This new, handy A5 size mag is packed with lovely ideas to inspire you to design, make and wear your own creations.

I was flattered to be asked to come up with a new design that readers could try for themselves. The result is my new 'Baby Annie' sundress*. (Issue 7, spring). Mum and I put our heads together and I hope we've come up with a design that will encourage you to have a go. You can download the pattern here.

If you don't feel up to it, I'm more than happy to make one for you - they are now available online in the Liberty print of your choice for £32.99. (The 3 original samples are also on sale from £9.99)

* Peak Princess fans will know that all my dresses are named after my friends' children. This latest one is named in honour of my friend Janneke's little girl. I thought it was apt as Janneke's a designer too.

how to tie a bow

2011-02-09T09:46:00.000Z

My handmade Liberty print bridesmaid dress collection was inspired by a visit to the V&A Grace Kelly exhibition with my Mum in the summer. Nearly every dress had a beautiful big bow on it.

But when it came to actually tying the bows I had a nightmare. My Mum (a couture dress-maker) reassured me that she used to have exactly the same problem - which used to exasperate her boss who had to tell her over and over again. She patiently taught me and left me with example bows but every time - ribbon in each hand I'd nearly be in tears. She lives in London and it's not easy to explain over the phone.

(I do wonder if it's a dyslexia type thing. Mum has dyslexia and though I have no problem with my reading I'm terribly in the car with left-right directions, as my husband will testify.)

But by the power of You Tube I've discovered this fabulous video by this American gentleman's outfitters 'How to Tie a Bow Tie'. It's brilliant and I could listen to his gentle accent forever.

So for any customers - this is how you do it! Simple.

twit-twoo

2011-02-04T13:16:00.000Z

Been meaning to post these for a while - one of my lovely new prints (already nearly out of stock as some's reserved for a wedding but more in the pink version). It's called Eliza's Owls.

These are my Harvey Moonbeam dungarees - now available in smaller 3-6m and also a little ruffle pinafore (hopefully arrived in the USA already). Oh and not forgetting Emily Pickle's darling hair bobbles.

farewell Mark, welcome back Millie

2011-02-01T17:46:00.000Z

I have finally used my last metre of Liberty's pink paisley Mark. I had to cut it extremely carefully but have managed to get a baby romper as well as a baby hat and a baby headband out of it. (Hat pics coming soon - reversible with Milo - adorable).

The very last offcuts have gone to a lovely customer, Becky Warwick, who turns them into wonderful Isla Baby products like products like these Valentine cards using Liberty Millie. (I've just reordered a roll of Millie from Liberty which is one of my original and favourite prints).

Click here to see my full range of Liberty prints.

new year, new liberty prints!

2011-01-10T15:19:00.002Z

Eliza's Owls - blue

Happy New Year! It may be grey and dull outside but my sewing room's a cheerful riot of new spring prints. Liberty's new limited edition Arts Fabric range is inspired by children's literature so there are owls, puppy dogs and enchanted woods - perfect for little boys and girls alike. There's also a colourful patchwork print in pink or orange as well as good old fashioned sweet peas.

Eliza's Owls - pink

As with all my handmade childrens clothes for girls and boys, it couldn't be simpler. Browse my online shop, pick the style you like from my range of babywear, dresses, skirts, shirts trousers and tops, and then choose from my range of more than 50 Liberty prints.

Milo - pink

Milo - orange

Mirako - Toyko street scene

Moritz Pea

Plum Dog - green

Plum Dog - pink

Tuesday Trees - blue

Tuesday Trees - pink

Millie

Mirabelle

Tom's Jets - blue

bridesmaids galore

2010-12-14T20:44:00.000Z

Somehow I can never quite believe that a roll of fabric in my sewing room can be turned into something as magical as a little girl's dream dress...

...but this week I've had two lovely reminders of the magic of dress-making.

I met Shelley Baker (The Studio, Mickleover, Derby) via twitter & was immediately impressed by her portfolio. So I was flattered when she asked if she could borrow two of my 'Bella Luella' puff sleeve bridesmaid dresses for a photo shoot at Langley Priory, near Castle Donington in Derbyshire. These are two of the pics (click here to see more). Can't wait to see more.

And the cherry on my beautifully iced cake was opening my copy of Conde Nast Brides magazine to see the exquisite summer garden party fashion shoot, styled by lifestyle ed, Polly Atkinson, featuring two of my new 'Grace Kelly' shirt-waister pleat pinafores.

A little bird...

2010-12-10T10:01:00.002Z

...is one of a handful of websites and newsletters that I swear by to help guide me through the clutter of cyberspace shopping.

Like most people I sigh when another junk mail drops into my inbox but there are a select few that buck the trend - the only downside is being distracted from work while you coo and sigh over the latest delight.

What distinguishes them is a love of what they do, knowledge and passion and a hefty dose of wit and humour. And though I've not had the pleasure to meet any of them personally, they all engage with their readers with sweet little messages on email or twitter.

My latest pick of the bunch is A Little Bird, set up by Daisy Garnett and a Francesca Martin who met at Vogue. They describe the site as 'an opinionated guide to what's on'. As a former BBC Radio 4 producer how could I resist any site described by the Guardian as 'Radio 4 meets Vogue online'? Being opinionated is key - nothing more dull than the wishy-washy. Strong editorial opinion makes me trust what they say.

Similarly Kate Carter's Fashion Statement for Guardian Life & Style is a mid-week must read. Take for example last week's profile of fashion goddess Anna Della Russo. Though I confess I usually scroll straight down to the faux-pas of Fashion Graveyard.

Another fabulous newcomer is Chic Little Baby blog. Also formerly of Vogue's parish, Maggie Westhead is Associate Shopping & Style editor of Time Out magazine, London. She seeks out the best sales, the coolest shops and the most delectable buys.

If you're a print junkie who seems the pleasure of glossy pages, then Angels and Urchins is for you. Editors Annie Reid and Emily Turner infuse the magazine with their personality. The quarterly publication's perfectly complemented by Claire Gill's weekly newsletter. A concise, colourful digest to what's hot in London.

If you want to dress up your home, rather than your children, take a peek at Ellie Tennant's Home Shopping Spy.

For the man in your life, Oi Polloi can't be beaten. This Manchester retailer's enews letter is like Saville Row meets Noel Gallagher. Describing itself as the antidote to stale and uninspired menswear it's also a trail-blazer in how to sell online.

Last but not least word has to go to Times Top 40 blogger Dulwich Mum. Relentlessly funny, DM has made twittering into an art-form.

My ideal home

2010-11-22T16:10:00.000Z

A big thank you to Ellie Tennant, Deputy Ed Shopping Ed and Home Shopping Spy at Ideal Home for picking my handmade Liberty print cushion covers for Ideal Home magazine's Christmas Gift Guide.

There's a certain irony in my being featured as I'm terribly organised when it comes to designing and making gifts for other people to give to each other but I never get round to making clothes, curtains or cushions for myself.

My ideal home would be full of hand-made cushions, upholstered seats and patchwork quilts. Yet the cushions on our beaten up but beloved Chesterfield are shedding feathers and a desperate for new covers and I haven't had time to buy a single Christmas present - not even the smallest stocking filler.

And my god-son and god-daughter have only just got their birthday presents (from June and October respectively!).

Perhaps making more for myself should be my New Year's Resolution!

I promise I will do my best...

2010-11-18T21:57:00.000Z

...to make a dozen scrunchies simultaneously for a dozen girl guides.

I was a little apprehensive to say the least when Sarah asked if I'd teach 1st Chinley Guides how to sew for their Craft Badge.

So last week I piled lots of my Peak Princess dresses into a suitcase along with the wedding dress my Mum made me, along with pins, needles & thread. Sarah brought lots of pretty fabrics, elastic and ribbons. We had two very old sewing machines that had seen better days.

I think my teaching methods are best described as organised chaos but the girls took to sewing like ducks to water. A few were even enquiring about the price of sewing machines. (Personally, I love the fuchsia pink John Lewis mini-machines for just £50).

This evening was part 2 with the second group. Some of the more adventurous went straight on to hair bands and hanging hearts. And Caitlin had even made herself a floral mini-tote bag over the weekend.

We started making newspaper patterns - wide and short for fatter, less gathered scrunchies and long and narrow for bunched up, thin ones. I suspect the scouts might find a few pins on the floor when they are next in. Next was pinning right-side to right-side (perpendicular to the machine needle); then seaming (a cm from the edge); pulling inside out with a safety pin; sewing ends rs to rs to form a tube; threading elastic and Bob's almost your uncle. Just a little outside seam and voila!

Thank you girls!

chic little baby update

2010-10-29T11:16:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Maggie at Chic Little Baby for featuring my latest designs for boys and girls up to 8-9 years including my Finley Oskar long-sleeved boy's shirt. I'm very flattered as Maggie's not just a top blogger but also a top fashion journalist who's worked for Vogue. She's now the Associate Shopping & Style editor of Time Out magazine, London. Keep an eye on her blog for next month's competition for your choice to win a Peak Prince Liberty print shirt or Peak Princess winter smock frock.

I could do that!

2010-10-22T17:31:00.000+01:00

One of the best things about starting my own business has been discovering the wealth of help and support that's out there.

Two key people helped me out in the very early days. One was Sue Scholes from our local Business Link. She listened to my plans, made sensible suggestions and was a mine of information about the nitty gritty like Trading Standards. Regular meetings with her kept me focused and a free marketing course was the source of inspiration for my tagline ...with love sewn in. My google ranking jumped to page one after I learned the dark arts of Search Engine Optimisation at another of their free courses. They've just published an interview with me in their quarterly Business Connect magazine.

Another was Emma Jones at Enterprise Nation. I was totally intimidated by business advice books by Dragons and other city big shots. Emma's 'Spare Room Start Up' was a breath of fresh air. Down to earth & full of common sense. I read it in one sitting (a late night!), took her advice and emailed her. She kindly interviewed me and posted it on the brilliant Enterprise Nation website. It was one of my first pieces of PR and a huge confidence boost. They've just done an updated interview with me (Lissa's Story - I could do that!).

But undoubtedly the biggest source of help and support has been friends and family. Mum's become my design consultant and quality controller, my in-laws are my graphic design team, my sister-in-law put me in touch with Liberty of London and is always at hand for astute advice on pricing, my older sister taught me to take half-decent photos, my younger sister's retail eye rescued my branding and I've now lost count of all the forebearing friends who've let me use their children for modeling and fitting sessions. Suffice to say, the biggest thanks has to go to little Tilly Toadstool - my god-daughter. Without her there would be no Peak Princess.

bye bye Mark

2010-10-21T10:36:00.000+01:00

I've just cut this 'Anya Rose' denim shift with Liberty 'Mark' print lining and pleat and realised I only have a metre of Mark left. How sad. Mark has a special place in my heart.

It was one of my original collection prints and this is the dress that Sunday Times Style magazine featured. All good things have to come to an end. So goodbye Mark and hello Felicite, Pep, Lou Lou Isabella, Toria. (Click here to see the full range of my prints).

couture cock-ups

2010-10-12T18:37:00.000+01:00

Sometimes you just can't figure something out - no matter how blindingly obvious.

I've just spent two days trying to figure out how to put a simple welt pocket on my new 'Hugo Alexander' Liberty lined boy's denim jacket - those lovely tailored pocket openings with hidden interiors.

Yesterday I gave up and called Mum. She was a couture designer and has the added advantage of being a very modern mother who lives in the centre of London and loves email & texting. I sent a pic taken on my mobile of my total cock-up.

PS In case you're wondering it helps if you sew the welt fabric on the right side and don't cut a letter box sized hole twice as wide as you were meant to!!

PPS In my defence I did figure out how to make a lovely placket cuff for my new 'Finley Oskar' Liberty print long-sleeve boy's shirt.

liberty prints for little people

2010-09-27T17:45:00.000+01:00

When I quit radio producing and started Peak Princess two years ago I was only going to make clothes for baby girls. Demand from customers meant that grew to girls up to 9 years old...then boys...then ladies. Now even my husband's asking for a shirt.

But there's something especially sweet about making clothes for babies. Today I've sent my new Caty Beth pleat blouse (in Liberty's Paulie Parrot print) to Hokkaido in Japan. This little 'Freya Bean' long sleeve smock blouse (in the last of my 'Capel' print) and 'Bella Luella' puff sleeve dress are on their way to London.

Talking of London, Gaby Hinsliff's article in Daily Mail (Women being forced to work longer hours) in today's Mail really made me reflect on how much our life has changed since leaving London three years ago. I had a wonderful time and was terribly lucky to have the chance to be a Radio 4 producer. I miss the people but not the hours.

paisley liberty cushion covers

2010-09-24T18:57:00.000+01:00

I'm quite green with envy. Suzi Everall entered Daisy Green magazine's competition to win a pair of my new handmade Liberty print tana lawn cushion covers (£34.99 each for a pair).

I've still not had time to make myself any so she was lucky I managed to overcome the temptation to keep them for myself!

She chose a very sophisticated green paisley print called 'Mark' from my stock of about fifty prints which I teamed with cover buttons and bottle green velvet ribbon.

The Lady

2010-09-18T12:36:00.000+01:00

Well, I had thought life was complete yesterday when I got to interview Blue Peter's Janet Ellis for High Peak Radio*. But I've just seen this week's The Lady magazine and read Bibi Berki's lovely interview with me about women who've as she puts it "bitten the bullet, packed in the job and set out on a re-balanced life where you decide what you do each day and make money at the end of it".

It also features the terribly talented Angela Armsby who moved to Cairo and set up Angelily making the most gorgeous Egyptian cotton pyjamas which I live in (though I try to have enough discipline not to spend the day sewing in them!).

By the way, I'm terribly impressed with how tech-friendly The Lady are - you can download a digital copy for just £1 - it takes seconds.

*For those who are wondering, in my former life I was a BBC Radio 4 producer and now I read the news for High Peak Radio when the news ed's busy with his weekly evening football programme. I think of myself as the "half-day, mid-week during the football season substitute".

fashionable add-ons

2010-09-08T18:52:00.000+01:00

A double delight today...first UK Handmade featured an interview with me (see below) and then my copy of Angels and Urchins magazine drops through the letter box with my new Liberty print hair accessories in the Fashion News.

Fabric designer Kate Yorke of Emily Pickle makes them for me. (She lives in the village down the road so I run down with Liberty offcuts and she cycles back up with gorgeous clips, bobbles, bracelets and bags).

A&U's a must-read, even if you don't live in London. Editors Annie and Emily always make sure it's packed with great fashion and interesting articles. The summer edition had me giggling with their review of Brazilian waxing. This edition's got a great article on buying computer equipment for kids.

And if you get impatient in-between the quarterly editions, then sign up for their colourful, inspiring weekly email newsletter. I'm doubly impressed that a&u online ed Claire Gill's modelling maternity wear in the mag and looking fabulous.

farewell Millie, Sarah, Tracey, Poppy and Daisy

2010-09-08T10:05:00.001+01:00

It's so sad when I get to the end of a roll of fabric.

The upside is that Liberty of London supply me direct so every few months I have the great pleasure of receiving a box packed with beautiful new prints.

Over the past few weeks I've used the last of the beautiful red floral check Millie and the delicate Sarah's Secret Garden as well as the bold blue Poppy and Daisy. I have just enough of Millie and Poppy and Daisy for hair accessories but not enough for clothes. Tracey's a fabulous 50s style butterfly print that I picked up from the offcuts bin at Liberty just as I was starting out. She's going to a good home - cushion covers for my sister-in-law, Sophie.

PS If you'd like to read more about Peak Princess and have a peek into my sewing room, read my interview with UK Handmade.

cosmo bride

2010-08-30T09:32:00.002+01:00

I'm covered in paint after a traditional British bank holiday weekend of DIY. So it's a delight to see two of my handmade Liberty print bridesmaid dresses in the Fashion News of the October/November issue of Cosmo Bride (out now).

"What's hot in the wedding world, right here, right now. Cutie Pie - We can't resist these handmade Liberty print flowergirl dresses from Peak Princess - choose from 30 prints."

PS One more coat of paint and then I'm back in the sewing room to finish off the collection. (Do you think Vivienne Westwood does her own painting?)

kitten chaos

2010-08-25T20:42:00.000+01:00

Our lovely Norwegian Forest cat has returned or rather been returned. He disappeared for 3 weeks in May and was found at a farm in Chapel (2 miles away) only to disappear again last week when we went to the Lakes. This time we knew he'd gone back for a 'farm stay' stay break so we borrowed a cat trap from the lovely people at the Windyway Trust animal rescue centre. We've now tagged him so he's a proper ASBO cat. Next time he runs off hopefully we'll be able to hear his collar chip beep!

Meanwhile, our London street cat, Mr Enos Knibbs has been taking part in a feline 'Who Do You Think You Are?' or rather, 'Who Do You Think You Are Named After?'.

Last week Alan Jackson got in touch because he's writing an article about the real Enos Knibbs for the K/Nibb/S One Name Study and was intrigued how we'd come across the name on my Peak Princess website.

Alan takes up the story on his website:

"A former BBC Radio 4 producer of 'The World at One', and 'PM' its sister programme [me!], 'inherited' from a colleague a cat called Mr Knibbs, named after the Jamaican umpire Enos KNIBBS. Bloggers of the programmes were effusive when given the news that 'Mr Knibbs is tired of London life so we're moving to the country which means that with great sadness I have to hand in my notice as PM's Blog Editor'. Eddie MAIR (host of 'The PM Programme - Window on Your World') duly thanked her for her services.

One blogger, who heard an edition of the lunchtime programme on Valentine's Day 2007, posted increduously that the announcer had given a production credit to none other than 'Enos Knibbs'.

The original owners of the cat [our friends Roger and Bibi Sawyer] had heard the cricket commentator Jonathan AGNEW ('Aggers') talking about a notable Test Match in the West Indies. He ran through the teams and named the umpire. They decided then and there that their next animal would be called Enos Knibbs"

(*In case you're wondering Otso is a Finnish Lapphund named after the Finnish Bear spirit.)

PS And this is Moses our older Finnish Lapphund

chic little babies

2010-08-06T18:10:00.000+01:00

I've had an afternoon locked in my sewing room with my Mac. I'm in danger of getting RSI from uploading all my lovely new Liberty prints onto my website. So it was a lovely end to my day to meet a new customer, Caireen, who came to pick up two baby rompers in Millie and Fairford print, and then to discover that Maggie Westhead (Associate Shopping & Style editor of Time Out magazine, London) has featured my new autumn/winter designs on her Chic Little Baby blog.

Maggie says: "My life has changed in the most exciting way since giving birth to Evie last May. I have a book out called '101 Things to Buy Before You Die'. This summer, I officially launch my style blog for babies featuring quirky fashion, cool accessories and baby shopping events. Don't do motherhood without it!"

roll on autumn

2010-07-29T13:21:00.003+01:00

I know it's still July but in my sewing room I'm dreaming of leaves turning golden-brown, conkers, roast chestnuts and dare I say it, even snow.

That's because I've been unfolding and rolling my gorgeous new Liberty prints and started my first design for autumn/winter 10/11. It's a pleated skirt based on a pattern my Mum used to make for me.
It's called 'Amy Tallulah' - like all my clothes, they are named after friends' children.
I'll be making it silky soft tana lawn, poplin and cord - this is 'Pep'. Orangey-red flowers on an almost black/navy background.

The daisies are called 'Koharu and Miyuki' in pretty and practical 'City Poplin'.

I'll also be making it in snug & soft Kingly Cord.

Iron in the pleats for a formal preppy look or leave them soft for a floaty feel. You choose.

Join my email newsletter list via my website or email me (mail@peakprincess.co.uk) for preview samples which will be coming soon.

what I've sewn today

2010-07-22T18:18:00.000+01:00

1) Two Tilly Toadstool pinafores - one in Liberty Mirabelle print (with satin bow-tie) & one in Liberty Millie print
2) Two Megan Jane smock frocks in Sarah's Secret Garden print
3) halfway through a Lily May twirl skirt in Sarah's Secret Garden print...
4) big bag of Liberty print offcuts to post to Quimper en France

My sewing room was filled with loveliness until I had to pack them away to post to customers. Always a slightly wistful moment.

PS The bow necessitated a panic phone call to Peak Princess' consultant (aka my Mum). For some reason, no matter how many I tie, I have bow dyslexia.

Liberty print cushion covers get covered...

2010-07-21T11:56:00.000+01:00

...in the lovely online ethical lifestyle magazine Daisy Green. "We just adore these brand new Liberty print cushion covers from Peak Princess. ‘Made with love’ the bespoke covers are available in a variety of stylishly pretty patterns and with a choice of buttons. You can customise yours with a double satin or velvet ribbon detail, ensuring your cushions are unique to you. They are made in super soft tana lawn cotton to give added comfort and are nicely priced too. What a perfect way to freshen your living space this summer."

pining for my pin-cushion

2010-07-16T18:24:00.001+01:00

Oh dear, oh dear. My pin-cushion's snapped.

I'd had a lovely, productive day. This morning I went to see Cherie Blair speak at the Buxton Opera House as part of the marvellously eclectic Buxton Festival. Last week the 'Other Half' and I went to see Ranulph Fiennes be wonderfully understated about trekking across the Antarctic. Both talks were chaired by the classy Dame Janet Smith, who I had the pleasure of interviewing a few month's ago for High Peak Radio.

But I end the day feeling a sad loss. It's a natty little gadget. ('Other Half' calls it my wrist boil!) The downside is that if I forget to put it on I stab myself in the wrist, but I'd covered it in Liberty's floral 'Paul' Kingly cord print. It had survived a dunking in the bone china tea-cup that my sister bought me from Liberty of London for Christmas (see previous post about the dangers of sewing and drinking tea).

Fortunately, my mother (a dress designer herself) had given me a spare on my last visit to London but it's a plain navy and the sponge is quite sticky making it difficult to push pins in and get them out again. A minor irritation but one that soon builds when cutting & tacking.

I'm drowning my sorrows in a glass of wine. The pain is softened by the alcohol but also the pleasure of drinking from the Emma Bridgewater wine glass that my sister-in-law Sophie bought us for our 10th wedding anniversary.

liberty print cushions

2010-07-15T07:56:00.001+01:00

I love cushions. They are comfy and comforting. They're an easy and relatively inexpensive way to add a splash of colour to your home. That's why I've launched a range of handmade Liberty print cushion covers (from £34.99) alongside my range of Liberty print childrenswear. Choose from my range of Liberty prints and I'll add either buttons or an invisible zip and either satin or velvet ribbon detail.
(Aficionados of Peak Princess will know that my sister-in-law is the design director at Jellycat Toys - hence the knitted owl and beany bottomed elephant gracing the photo-shoot!)

chubbies

2010-07-02T13:39:00.001+01:00

I was just looking through some old patterns that my Mum (who was a dress designer) gave me. I nearly wet myself laughing when I turned this shirt dress pattern over. Look carefully at the sizing!

It's an issue close to my heart as I was what my Mum always called a 'bonny' baby. She says I was beautiful but the camera never lies. I don't think the bowl haircut did me any favours but I definitely wasn't a skinny minnie.

Perhaps that's why my handmade Peak Princess Liberty print dresses are all cut generously so slim little girls look and feel just as pretty as the bonny and beautiful.

This is me at 18 months!

liberty print bridesmaids

2010-06-28T18:37:00.000+01:00

I'm busy working on a new collection of dresses for bridesmaids and flower girls. Like all my dresses, they will be handmade in your choice of my Liberty prints. This is 'Mirabelle'.

Brides Magazine's shopping editor, Astrid Joss, kindly wrote in her Fashion Blog: "For slightly alternative BOHO but still bridal...I have also just discovered a great new brand Peak Princess who do great dresses in cotton floral liberty prints - seriously cute! They are also good for baby bridesmaids as they start at three months and go up to nine years (www.peakprincess.co.uk). What I love about them is the print gives a different look yet it's still perfect for little girls to walk down the aisle in!"

I was a bit anxious about whether this longer midi length version of my 'Lily May' twirl skirt would work with my Tilly Toadstool pinafore bodice. But I think the effect's delightful - particularly with the wide satin ribbon round the bodice, tied so it drapes down the back of the dress.

Now she just needs a name.

peak prince & princess in country living

2010-06-11T10:32:00.000+01:00

I was over the moon in May when Country Living featured my Liberty Wiltshire print 'Mia Rose' shift dress so you can only imagine how excited I was today to pop into Chinley's newagent to find both my Peak Prince Liberty 'Phillipa' bicycles 'Samuel L' shirt and 'Freya Bean' Liberty 'Phoebe' print blouse in July's issue.

We went to the VIP preview of the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition in London on Wednesday for my Mum's birthday. The artist Grayson Perry (who designed the Phillipa print) was there but I didn't dare go up and tell him how much I love working with his designs.

(In case you're wondering Mia and Sam are my god-children and Freya's one of the little girls in the village who does my modelling.)

emily pickle for peak princess

2010-06-08T22:23:00.000+01:00

I'm immensely excited that the talented fabric designer and creator of beautiful purses and bags Emily Pickle has agreed to make Liberty print hair bobbles and clips for Peak Princess.

They're available made-to-order from just £3.99 to match my range of handmade Liberty print blouses, dresses and skirts.

my lovely friends

2010-06-08T22:10:00.000+01:00

A big thank you to the immensely talented Liz Holcroft who helped me redesign my website over the weekend. Liz is the interior design director at the award-winning architects AllisonPike. She's introduced soft greys, dusky pinks and understated chocolate tones as well as new fonts.

I should add that I run my own website using the fabulous Mr Site.

Their technical team of experts are always on hand to advise me for just £99 a year. I've been quoted in excess of £2,000 for a custom built retail site.

And last but not least, thank you to Anna and Linn who've patiently let me wrap tape measures round them and photograph them in my new 'Freya Bean' blouse for grown ups. (Limited preview samples available for just £49.99).

my lovely customers

2010-05-29T11:22:00.000+01:00

For every new design I offer preview samples at around half price via my email newsletter. (Sign up via my website or mail@peakprincess.co.uk).

The latest newsletter featured my new ruffle top cami, pinafore and maxi dress. I always feel so lucky to have such lovely customers who are so helpful. Brigitte, Catherine and Kath sent me these pics of their Peak Princesses. It's hugely useful for me to get feedback on dress lengths, fit and style before launching a new design to the public.

In this case I've adjusted the fit across the chest as the initial samples were a little roomy under the arms and I've made the adjustable straps even more adjustable to allow for growth.

So a huge thank you to everyone who sends me their thoughts and comments. And a special thanks to all those who send pictures. I'm always bowled over and full of pride to have so many of you who send photos of happy little boys and girls wearing my designs.

the view from my sewing room

2010-05-19T19:36:00.000+01:00

This is why I love working from home!

puppy power

2010-05-17T17:37:00.000+01:00

This is our new puppy, Otso with our dog Moses. He's named after the Finnish bear spirit because he's a Finnish Lapphund and looks like a little teddy bear. He is terribly cute and a bundle of fun but a terrible distraction from sewing!

Meanwhile, our Norwegian Forest cat Loki's been living up to his namesake (the Norse god of mischief) and fell in a tub of diesel (where & how we don't know) so the poor thing's been washed five times now. After a weekend of him being touch and go he seems to be on the mend thankfully.

peak politico

2010-05-06T17:48:00.000+01:00

Some of my customers may already know about my former life as a BBC news journalist and before that a party political press officer (and in the dim and distant past I used to know more than is healthy about the Common Agricultural Policy but that's another story).

Tonight Peak Princess will be taking on her other guise as Peak Politico doing the overnight election coverage for our local radio station, High Peak Radio. Thankfully for me there's no listen back but you can listen online.

So this evening I'm thinking about votes swinging rather than skirts!

mini, midi, maxi

2010-05-02T19:30:00.000+01:00

It was supposed to be my last dress for the summer collection, but sitting in the hairdresser waiting for my highlights to take inspiration struck - why not turn the Edie Grace ruffle-top pinafore into a little cami top and a full-length maxi-dress. So Bank Holiday Sunday's been spent in the sewing room. Here are the results...

grand designs

2010-04-30T18:14:00.000+01:00

...well perhaps not grand designs but I'm feeling pretty chuffed after finishing the sample of the last design in my spring/summer collection. It's a floaty, ruffle-top, ribbon-strap pinafore called 'Edie Grace'.

I generally spend a long time mulling ideas over in my mind. 'Edie Grace' was inspired by a pretty dress I saw in a boutique in Paris on a trip just after Christmas with my Mum and sister-in-law.

Then I make a pattern (today I chose bright green card) using my existing designs as basic blocks to get the size right. Ideally every size and style should be in a different colour but the reality is a rainbow mish-mash hanging on a rail in my sewing room). I try and make samples as far as possible in cheaper cottons to avoid using up my precious stock of Liberty prints.

This is Mark One - too blocky with very little movement.

You then have to take the plunge and use the Liberty Tana Lawn because the flow and feel of the fabric transforms a design.

So here's Mark Two in Liberty Nina - but still not enough character.

When the mojo deserts you close the door on the sewing room - a lunch with friends proved the break I needed.

And here's Mark Three - I'm really pleased with this - it floats deliciously.

Look out for my next email newsletter for preview sample offers.

congratulations...

2010-04-23T15:47:00.000+01:00

...to Lucy Pugh from Bristol who entered Daisy Green magazine's competition to win one of my handmade Liberty print 'Freya Bean' girls' blouses. Lucy chose this gorgeous Amber's Rose print for her little girl who's name is Amber!

Thanks to everyone who entered. And check out Daisy Green's excellent online mag for ethical & sustainable fashion & lifestyle features & reviews.

piggy wig wig

2010-04-18T15:33:00.000+01:00

I just adore this little knitted pig that Just Herding Cats blogger Amanda Banham sent me that she's made from my offcuts. Piggy's sporting Liberty Tatam print ears. It just goes to show that you can put even the tiniest snippets of Liberty prints to good use.

You can buy Liberty print offcuts from my website in two, four or eight ounce bags.

tilly toadstool in bella luella

2010-04-17T15:09:00.000+01:00

Our lovely friends have just sent photos of my little god-daughter Tilly (aka Tilly Toadstool or Tilly Teaspoon) wearing the 'Bella Luella' puff sleeve baby dress that I made for her last year. Isn't she just scrumptious??

Followers of Peak Princess may know that it was a picnic with Tilly in the park two summers back which inspired the whole idea of handmade clothes for little people. That, I suppose, makes her my muse.

as featured in Country Living

2010-04-14T14:27:00.000+01:00

I'm over the moon that my handmade Liberty print 'Mia Rose' dress (£34.99 to £39.99 sizes 3-6m up to 5-6y) and head scarf (one size) are featured in this month's Country Living magazine fashion spread "The Darling Buds of May", styled by Corinna Kitchen.

spot the difference?

2010-04-04T18:43:00.000+01:00

Oops-a-daisy - I was cutting this pair of 12-18m shorts with 2 other pairs on a print which didn't have an up/down direction so without thinking I flipped the pattern. My husband loves them but isn't surprised at the cock-up - he's seen me trying to park our car so no surprise these are upside down!

They are on sale on my website reduced for just £12.99 (normally £19.99-£24.99).

Still it proves they really are handmade!

Guardian Buy of the Day

2010-03-15T10:17:00.000Z

How exciting - after my Anya Rose Liberty print cord shift dress being pick of the Guardian's Liberty floral pops last week, today the editor's made my 'Freya Bean' Liberty print blouse her Buy of the Day.

Kate Carter writes: "Last week's celebration of the iconic Liberty print threw up nothing finer than this gorgeous blouse. Handmade to order (so you can chose other prints if you prefer) for little ones from baby to eight years old. If only it came in adult sizes ..."

Watch this space Kate - I've had so many people ask for grown-up blouses that I might start making them soon.

handmade liberty print blouse 24.99 to 29.99 (sizes 6-12m up to 7-8 years)

Flower power in the Guardian

2010-03-12T11:10:00.000Z

The Guardian's Life & Style editor's featured Peak Princess among her pick of Liberty prints. Kate Carter writes: "The floral trend is in full bloom this spring, and no florals are more iconic than the classic Liberty print. Few things are guaranteed to induce misty-eyed nostalgia among a certain demographic as a Liberty-print frock. The venerable retailer is launching some interesting new collaborations, from affordable florals at Target to more pricey but beautiful shoes by Repetto. The Liberty site is also replete with items using classic prints from their own range. Other manufacturers are snapping up the material for their own ranges - our favourite being the handmade children's clothes at Peak Princess. Here's our pick of the most fabulous florals on offer. Lissa Cook makes a beautiful range of children's clothes using only Liberty prints. You can choose your favourite pattern and match to a style as all clothes are made to order. They're wonderful clothes to treasure and keep long after your little ones have outgrown them."

barnaby bear

2010-03-03T21:41:00.001Z

This is Barnaby Bear. He's been staying with my friends for the weekend and they asked if I'd make him a Peak Prince outfit. Here he is looking very swish in his handmade designer jeans with Liberty print cars trim.

Note the 3 button fly, matching Liberty cars print patch pocket and bear tail hole.

I'm hoping that teacher will be impressed with Barnaby's new wardrobe.

Little boys and bears alike can order their own made-to-order Peak Prince denim shorts from £19.99 to £24.99 (ages 6-12m up to 3-4 years) online.

meadow & menasse

2010-03-02T10:23:00.000Z

Is there anything nicer than getting 2 new Liberty prints in the post?

These are Meadow & Menasse & I have just a couple of metres of each to make up in your choice of lots of lovely styles for little girls from 3 months to 8 years. And there are dozens more prints to choose from in my online boutique.

you're it!

2010-03-01T12:56:00.001Z

I've just be tagged by Helen, the creative genius behind Storeyshop who's challenged me to publish a photo from my album and tell the story behind it. It's a great idea - to see other people's random pics and the stories behind them and a wonderful way to discover new blogs.

THE RULES:

1. open you first photo folder
2. scroll to the 10th photo

3. post the photo and tell the story behind it

4. tag 5 or more people

MY PHOTO

Well, this really is random! My husband and I wrote & published a book (using the fab blurb.com) for my god-son, Sam, called "The Growl & The Pussycats go on a big adventure to the top of the hill". The characters are our Finnish Lapphund (Moses), our Streatham street cat (Mr Enos Knibbs) and our Norwegian Forest Kitten (Loki). The sneak out of the house up the hill behind our house (Cracken Edge). I photo-shopped the animals in a rough & ready way and we set the words to the rhythm of Edward Lear's The Owl & The Pussycat.

Subsequent publications have been The "12 Days of Christmas" for our god-daughter Mia ("On the 1st day of Xmas my true love sent to Mia, a Moses in a Pear Tree" etc) and "Tilly Toadstool's Dictionary of Big Words and Little Words" for my other god-daughter.

Peak Princess fans will know my handmade Liberty print clothes are all named after friends' children so "Mia Rose" is my shift dress; "Tilly Toadstool" is my pinafore and "Samuel L" is my shirt.

I'm tagging:

DulwichMum
Domestic Godd-esque
Gossip Mum
Emily Pickle
and Working Mum on the Verge

make-do-and-mend

2010-02-24T17:54:00.001Z

I was flattered this morning to be asked to talk to the Tideswell Business Start-Up group this morning about how I set up Peak Princess.

I also met Fiona Pocock (01629 813 197 / 07821 297 444) who's just started a new business from her home near Bakewell (home of the delicious pudding) doing alterations and repairs. It's a real skill. Despite most of my friends not being able to sew on a button or turn up a hem, they imagine repairs are easy-peasy. The truth is that starting afresh with a blank canvas of a roll of cloth is child's play compared to the dark-art of restoring a much-loved, often expensive, quality garment to its former glory.

Another dark-art is 'search engine optimisation' - aka getting ranked on page 1 of Google. For down-to-earth advice, I'd thoroughly recommend talking to Kathleen Rigg (07768-961971) from Gain Time IT. I followed her no-nonsense 10 step tips and Peak Princess shot up the rankings!

And last-but-not-least, for making you believe you can actually make a go of it, everyone should make their first call their local Business Link. Thanks to Sue Scholes who held my hand through the first year of business.

charity fashion show

2010-02-21T09:16:00.001Z

I'd decided not to do any fairs or shows this year because I'm so busy making-to-order for my lovely customers, but I've made an exception for the Helen's Trust Fashion Show on March 25th at 6pm.

Helen's Trust is a wonderful local charity which helps people with incurable illnesses or cancer to stay in their own homes. And Thornbridge Hall is an stunning venue. As a privately owned stately home it's a rare chance to see the amazing restoration by owners Emma and Jim Harrison.

They're be food, fizz and fashion and great shopping - all in a good cause.

Call Mandy Brown on 07901 710767 for tickets (£40 per head)

new liberty print smock frock

2010-02-04T14:56:00.001Z

Fresh from my sewing room - my new Liberty print smock frock with gathered ribbon & bead pockets - 3 samples (£10 off) available on my website now. Your choice of more than 30 Liberty prints. First come first served.

(This is the polka dot sample the little girl in the village who models for me tried on on Sunday.)

twirly whirly

2010-02-04T14:44:00.001Z

These are the 3 little sisters in my village who model and product test for me dancing in my new Liberty print twirl skirt. Two half price preview samples available on my website now - first come first served.

Domestic Godd-esque

2010-01-20T09:32:00.001Z

Possibly one of my happiest happy customers! Blogger Domestic Godd-esque sent me this gorgeous photo of her adorable daughter (aka The Pocket Dictator) wearing one of my Liberty 'Freya Bean' blouses (Millie print) that she won in Dulwich Mum's Wordless Wednesday comp.

PD's kindly asked to road-test one of my new Jessica Mae denim Liberty skirts - out soon!

dulwich mum

2010-01-18T08:30:00.000Z

Top London Mummy blogger, Dulwich Mum, has just sent me this gorgeous photo of her little girl wearing my 'Freya Bean' blouse in Liberty's Wiltshire print. (£24.99-£29.99 + p&p)

She's kindly written a great review: "This simple, perfectly stitched garment is quite beautiful. The detail and obvious care and attention that has gone into its production make it potential heirloom quality. This is most definitely an item to keep forever...It is easy to put on, not an awkward fastening in sight, perfect for determined, independent little people. It is a simple design, easy to wear, easy to care for (still like new after several washes) and very well made...The pretty patterned fabric means that the odd stray bean (organic – clearly!) or jam will not be obvious. My daughter adores it and says she feels “trendy like mummy”bless!""

Her blog is a must-read with laugh-out-loud postings and great competitions. Get the inside track on the life of a Chablis-swilling city Mum. As she says, "It's all going on in Dulwich".

And I'd have to agree given that my beautiful god-daughter, Tilly, is also a Dulwich girl!

my sewing cups

2010-01-07T14:31:00.000Z

Sewing and drinking tea is a hazardous activity - the obvious risk is spilling tea on a dress. My sister, Emma, bought me this beautiful bone china cup and saucer from Liberty for Christmas & I dropped my pin cushion in it!

So I'm now keeping that for downstairs best and have gone back to the slightly less attractive but eminently more practical insulated mug that our friends Tim and Angela gave me. My tea stays hot for ages and the lid means no spills.

(In case you're wondering about the choice of gift, Tim is a solicitor at Trowers & Hamlins' Cairo office. And his talented wife Angela is the creative force behind the best pyjamas in the world - Angelily)

spring clean

2009-12-22T18:02:00.001Z

...better late than never.

Six inches of snow outside so more of a winter clean but it's delightful not to be tripping over tissue paper, cellophane bags, patterns & rolls of cloth...not to mention stepping on pins. I've pulled out the sofa bed so friends can come and stay again, created a rack for all my patterns, dusted off Great Aunt Tomasina's bull-nosed rocking chair and rolled or rehung all my gorgeous Liberty prints.

But best of all I've sold nearly all my stock which means lots of space. Following the Sunday Times Style feature (Dec 13th) I've been inundated with requests for dresses so from the New Year I'll be making dresses to order and have a waiting list til the end of January.

as featured in Sunday Times Style

2009-12-13T07:24:00.001Z

Check out today's issue of Sunday Times Style - Peak Princess' Liberty print romper (in Wiltshire print) and denim dress (in Liberty's paisley Mark print)

"achingly cool" and "ultra-girly"

liberty cufflinks

2009-12-11T18:35:00.000Z

How gorgeous are these? Liberty cufflinks made by my friend Sue at SCS Liberty Cufflinks. Snap them up quickly - she's offering them in a Christmas sale at just £19.99 a pair with free postage. I've already bought these Mirabelle and Wiltshire prints for hubbie and father-in-law. (Don't tell Santa!)

spring/summer liberty pick of the pops

2009-11-27T14:13:00.000Z

How on earth to choose between a dozen equally gorgeous Liberty prints? I'd love to know your top three choices - all the swatches and blouses can be viewed on my website - then email me to let me know what you think.

thanks! Lissa

we make london

2009-11-26T13:59:00.000Z

The countdown to Christmas begins...

...and what better way to kick of present buying than at We Make London's Christmas fair at Chelsea Town Hall on Saturday 5th December?

Read more about Peak Princess in We Make London's Designer feature.

Free p&p for all Peak Princess orders of handmade Liberty print children's clothes taken on the day.

Liberty purses & notebooks

2009-11-23T18:29:00.000Z

Lovely lovely purses and notebooks!

Now in stock at Peak Princess - courtesy of my lovely lovely sister-in-law at Jellycat/Catseye.

£4.99 for the Liberty print zip purses and £5.99 for the hardback notebooks.

Your choice of two gorgeous prints - paisley ('Mark') or berries ('Wiltshire').

Perfect stocking fillers or treat yourself.

And of course you can buy my handmade dresses & blouses in matching prints.

cabbages and frocks

2009-11-16T12:11:00.000Z

Packing the van (I love our Mitsuibishi Delica - not pretty but practical) to head down to London for the Cabbages & Frocks Christmas Fair on Wednesday. Hubbie's come up with an ingenious way to hang my dresses using dowelling rods, climbing ropes and carabiners. I knew that adventure sports background would come in useful one day!

Do come along - the more the merrier.

PS I'll be selling frocks, not cabbages.

Peak Prince competition winner

2009-11-09T18:36:00.001Z

I'm over the moon that more than 800 people entered Daisy Green magazine's competition to win one of my Peak Prince handmade outfits for little boys, sewn in lovely Liberty prints. Congratulations to Helen from Chipping Campden.

I've been busy making a romper in Grayson Perry's Philippa bicycles print (£29.99) & dungarees in Liberty's cars print (£29.99) for a customer who's just had a little boy. And then I moved on to 'Freya Bean' blouses (£24.99-£34.99) in the gorgeous, bright & warm 'Wiltshire' print - perfect for Christmas.

chaos kitten

2009-11-03T13:49:00.000Z

This is Loki, my Nowegian Forest kitten, looking like butter wouldn't melt - but earlier this morning I found a pattern for my 'Samuel L' shirt in shreds on my sewing room floor!

At least he seems to have stopped doing his impersonation of an Andrex puppy/cheerleader - running in, stealing ribbons & dragging them down the stairs.

Perhaps we shouldn't have named him after the Norse God of Mischief. (We weighed him on Friday and he's already 5kg - nearly as big as Mr Enos Knibbs, our original Streatham street cat).

sample sale starts today

2009-11-02T17:59:00.000Z

My sample sale of handmade Liberty print clothes babies, little girls and little boys starts today!
Liberty prints from £9.99 and other fabrics from just £2.99 (plus p&p)

And Angels and Urchins winter edition's features my Liberty print 'Phoebe' baby dress in their pick of the "loveliest dresses this winter."

2009-10-29T16:42:00.000Z

I love the new website MumsRock - for mothers with attitude, to shop, share and rant. And I'm delighted they are featuring Peak Princess in their Shopping Bible. "Our newest favourite fashion crush (for kids) is Peak Princess who take the prettiest Liberty patterns and cunningly make them into cute-as-a-button dresses and tops for girls."

flowers for laura

2009-10-23T15:04:00.000+01:00

Thanks to everyone who came along to the Hassop Hall Seasonal Fayre last week to raise money for the Derbyshire branch of Macmillan Cancer. It was a wonderful event in a stunning location. It really felt like coming full circle as the last time I was there I was a baby and my mother was making a dress for the then owner, Lady Stephenson!

I met a lovely lady there called Sarah who runs a very special florists in Sheffield. Flowers for Laura is named after Sarah's baby girl who died very suddenly aged 19 weeks from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. For every flower order they make a 10% donation to PACT, to help children with cancer receiving treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. So by ordering flowers from flowersforlaura.com, you will be helping to support these children and their families. They deliver all over the city and surrounding areas.

Their arrangements are truly scrumptious at more than reasonable prices, like gorgeous this bridal bouquet and bridesmaid's rose flower wand they designed for the Sheffield based eco couture designers, Hope & Glory.

win a Peak Prince outfit for your little boy

2009-10-13T16:10:00.000+01:00

So many people entered Daisy Green's competition to win a Peak Princess dress that I'm offering another prize - this time your choice from my new range for little boys - called of course 'Peak Prince'. It'll be launched at the end of October. Click here to enter and click here to take advantage of my preview prices on Liberty print culottes, dungarees, shirts and rompers.

Daisy Green is all about sustainable living without preaching. The magazine's staff describe themselves as a cross between The Good Life and Sex in the City! What more could you want? It's all online and well worth signing up to their newsletter.

we make london

2009-10-08T17:36:00.000+01:00

......offers designers the opportunity to sell directly to buyers and offers buyers something unique and timeless in today’s fast-paced, throwaway world of mass production.

Their blog's currently featuring a behind the scenes peek into Peak Princess Palace.

Their next event will be in London on the 5th of December, 2009. So please come along for some handmade shopping.

when: SATURDAY 5TH December 2009 11.00am- 5pm

where: Chelsea Town Hall,
Kings Road, London, SW3 5EE

buy Liberty offcuts

2009-10-06T15:46:00.000+01:00

I've put my snippets of Liberty tana lawn and kingly cord on the website so you can now buy bags of mixed prints from £2.99 plus p&p. Great for craft projects, covering buttons, patchwork and dolly dresses.

Thanks for the feedback from the Northern Belles bloggers!

harvey moonbeam dungarees

2009-10-02T18:15:00.000+01:00

I've been putting the finishing touches to my new Peak Prince range this afternoon with the last item in the range. These cute Liberty print dungarees are named after my friend Lisa's little boy Harvey.

I'm also doing short-sleeved shirts (named after my godson Sam) and culottes (named after my friend Angela's little boy Charlie) as well as a cute baby romper.

All soon available online from £19.99 - £34.99

peak prince meets peak princess

2009-10-01T18:17:00.001+01:00

If you're lucky enough to live in Leeds or Sheffield you might already have received your copy of the new free lifestyle magazine called Boo for parents and children (0-12). It's glossy and a perfect handbag size and packed with ideas about places to go.
Their debut autumn edition features my forthcoming Peak Prince romper.

tatum's arrived!

2009-10-01T16:17:00.000+01:00

The lovely people at Liberty have just delivered a bolt of beautiful Tatum print tana lawn cotton. It's deep chocolate brown with pink garlands. Scrumptious.
I'll be using it for all my autumn/winter designs.

heave charlie mouse!

2009-09-29T17:37:00.000+01:00

I've been busy this afternoon making a denim version of my new 'Charlie Mouse' culottes using Liberty's cars prints.

And congratulations to Carole Denney who's won a Peak Princess puff sleeve baby dress in the Daisy Green magazine competition! She's chosen the gorgeous red floral check Liberty Millie print.

THE dress of the season!

2009-09-17T18:32:00.001+01:00

I'm hugely flattered that the lovely people at Angels and Urchins magazine have called my 'Anya Rose' denim shift "THE dress of the season" in their weekly newsletter.

The dress has an inverted box pleat, pocket trims, lining & covered buttons in a range of Liberty tana lawns including this fab pink paisley. (£34.99 for 6-12 months up to 2-3 years and £39.99 for 3-4 years up to 5-6 years).

If you live in the London area it's well worth signing up to their weekly email with loads of ideas about what's going on and the glossy magazine's packed with fab articles on fashion, days out and having fun.

last of the liberty jellycat belles!

2009-09-09T16:29:00.000+01:00

...just doing a stock check ahead of Saturday's Bump to Baby fair at Alexandra Palace and realised I have just four lovely Jellycat Liberty Poppy Belles left!

autumn/winter collection now online!

2009-09-09T08:55:00.000+01:00

The autumn/winter collection's now available online with lots of lovely new Liberty prints including this golden meadow ('Phoebe') and this hippy chick pink paisley ('Mark').

I'm continuing the 'Wiltshire' berry & leaf as it's been so popular and introducing this lovely Delft blue peacock feather design ('Little Mari') as modelled here by my gorgeous god-daughter.

A divine chocolate brown/pink version of the 'Tatum' print that I used for the spring/summer range is being delivered from Liberty soon. I also have velvety soft Liberty baby cord shifts and denim dresses with Liberty trim.

The Peak Prince collection's coming along with cute little boys' shirts (up to age 7 at the moment) and I'm working on little demin shorts with Liberty trim for baby boys.

And I just have a few Jellycat Belles and Bunnies left in stock.

Either order online or email me direct for discount postage deals for multiple orders. And don't forget to sign up to my newsletter if you'd like to get preview offers and sample sales.

win a Peak Princess dress

2009-08-26T18:01:00.000+01:00

Daisy Green magazine are offering readers the chance to win one of my dresses. Described as a cross between Sex and the City and The Good Life it's a great read full of eco-friendly and ethical ideas for sustainable living.

They've also published my guide to making your very own mini Peak Princess creation for dollies.

I'm starting to sell little "make your own Liberty dolly dress packs" including enough tana lawn cotton & ribbon for 2 dresses plus pattern & instructions. If you're interested in buying one just email me (mail@peakprincess.co.uk).

love hearts

2009-08-26T13:41:00.000+01:00

I'm off to the Chilterns Craft Fair at the beautiful Stonor Park tomorrow. The show runs from Friday through til Monday so please do come along.

I'll have a big bowl of Love Hearts on my stall - made by the High Peak's answer to Willie Wonker's Chocolate Factory, Swizzels Matlow in New Mills.

Fortunately my velvet ribbons arrived this morning so I've been finishing off my autumn/winter 'Anya Rose' shift dresses. I'm doing them in denim with Liberty lining & trim and also in super soft Liberty cord prints.

pins and needles

2009-08-21T17:31:00.000+01:00

A day that got off to a bad start but ended happily...
This morning at 8am I broke my last size 9 needle. It's the slender size that's perfect for sewing Liberty's Tana Lawn cotton. I was stupidly using it to sewing the inverted box pleat of my new 'Anya Rose' Liberty Kingly cord baby dress. Even though it's super soft, three layers of baby cord was too much and it snapped off. Disaster was averted by a trip to Sew-In in Buxton.

Cake and coffee and my first order from the United States for a 'Tilly Toadstool' pinafore in Liberty's Wiltshire print cheered me up enormously.

There are few greater pleasures in life than sewing on buttons to the gentle rhythm of Test Match Special - especially when Australia's collapsing. I mused about the wonders of my 'no need to thread' needles which have an ingenious little gap through which you snap the thread. It saves endless hours poking ragged ends through tiny holes, giving up, looking for my scissors which are always on the other side of the sewing room. (You can get them at Tesco in Whaley Bridge).

The pinafore has a lovely full gathered skirt which requires lots and lots of pinning. This is a photo of my wrist-band pin cushion. This one broke but I bought a new one from the wonderful Manchester wholesaler, Taylors (who are sending me a supply of Berisfords of Congleton's lovely velvet ribbons for mu autumn/winter collection).

I also have a sweet little iced bun pin cushion that I bought from clever Kitty Eden who makes all sorts of handmade lovelinesses.

PS I'm always slightly wary of swallowing pins so I always have a pin cushion to hand to try and avoid holding them between my lips. We had a lovely golden retriever called Leah when I was a little girl. She swallowed one of Mum's pins. Luckily Mum knew to feed her buttered cotton wool balls which coated the pin long enough for the dog to get to the vets. (The only downside was that from then on Leah used to eat the cotton wool off the Christmas tree every year!)

Peak Prince shirt

2009-08-19T18:34:00.001+01:00

This is my new Peak Prince shirt - called "Samuel L." in honour of my godson Samuel Lawrence. In Grayson Perry's new Liberty bicycle print called Philippa (after his wife I believe). I'm sure Sam would prefer Liberty's car print as he's adores anything with four wheels.

It's still in sample stage but if anyone would like to buy preview samples just email me.

learn to dress dolly

2009-08-19T18:09:00.000+01:00

I borrowed a doll from my friend Hayley's little girls, Caitlin and Freya, after we spent an afternoon making dresses for their Jellycat Liberty Belles.

I was inspired to try and design my own 'Peak Princess' Liberty frocks for dolls - with a little help from Mum (who came up with the great ribbon strap idea).

This is dolly wearing a Liberty 'Phoebe' print tea dress with gold ribbon straps and belt, followed by a Liberty 'Ros' print prom dress with matching pink straps and belt. (Hair cut courtesy of Freya!)

Can't wait to try the new pattern out with the girls, especially as Mum's bought them a mini-sewing machine to practise on.

tweet tweet

2009-08-18T13:59:00.000+01:00

I'm feeling quite proud of myself for having managed to put my twitter updates on my homepage as well as on this blog (see bottom right). How integrated is that!!

I've also started creating my autumn/winter Liberty print collection web boutique so my 'Freya Bean' blouses, 'Anya Rose' Liberty cord shifts and denim with Liberty trim shifts and 'Bella Luella' long sleeve baby dresses will be available online by the end of the month.

And I'm delighted that my 'Martha Grace' baby cord dress is in this month's Baby Hampshire and Baby Surrey magazines.

...got to go back up to the sewing room now.

ribbons and bows

2009-08-09T14:23:00.000+01:00

Just discovered this gorgeous collection of bows, hairbands, clips and alice bands in every colour of the rainbow...there's loads more on Miss Gracie's site.

I've got ribbons on my mind at the moment and I'm in the middle of matching up sumptuous velvet ribbons to my lovely new Liberty tana lawn and baby cord autumn/winter prints.

I'm buying them from a local firm called Berisfords who've been making ribbons for more than a hundred and fifty years.

The only problem is that my kitten, Loki, runs into my sewing room, steals them and runs downstairs doing a bad impression of the Andrex puppy.

radio gaga

2009-08-09T13:55:00.000+01:00

Behind my overlocker you can just see my radio. It's an ancient analogue Matsui which means Mum must have bought it years ago. The fm/lw/mw button's broken so you have to fiddle with it to get it to work.

In my former London life I used to work for Radio 4. We had gorgeous Pure digital radios in every room...when we moved to the digital desert that is the Peak District I 'loaned' them to my Mum (who moved down to London the same day we moved up here!). Roll on switchover.

I'm fond of this one because I once lent it to John Prescott when he was being interviewed for a BBC 5 live report that I produced in Manchester. (Read the Home Business magazine for more on my former life)

When I'm sewing I have it turned up really loud. (Probably why my writer husband works downstairs!). Generally I listen to Radio 4 til about lunchtime, then after Sean or Martha on The World at One it's time to tune into Simon Mayo on 5 live. Then it's back to Eddie Mair's PM of course.

When I fancy a bit of music I tune into High Peak Radio (you might hear me reading the news for them from time to time!). They allow me to indulge my passion for radio & kindly allowed me to do a lovely series about people born and bred in the High Peak which is also being published in Derbyshire Life magazine.

I'm also a podcast and audiobook addict...please post any recommendations.

bump to baby

2009-07-29T10:44:00.001+01:00

I'm flattered to have been asked to take part in the Bump to Baby Fair at Alexandra Palace in London on 12th September.

It's in aid of Tommy's - a charity which funds scientific research to make sure babies are born healthy.

I'll also be at:

Chilterns Craft Fair, Stonor Park (Henley-on-Thames) from Friday 28 - Monday 31st August.

Hassop Hall Seasonal Fayre, Derbyshire Committee for Macmillan Cancer on Thursday 15th October.

And last but not least Saturday 5th December - We Make London Chelsea Christmas Fair (Chelsea Old Town Hall, London).

Please do come along - it'd be lovely to meet you.

designer chick

2009-07-28T16:44:00.001+01:00

I love how Jump magazine have used my 'Izzy Whizzy' top and culottes for their summer 'farmyard fashion' spread under the heading of 'Designer Chick'. The red Liberty floral check (called 'Millie') looks super cute.

I'm now doing this outfit from 6-12m up to 2-3 years. (£34.99-£39.99) The culottes have a comfy elasticated waist and are cut to fit over nappies.

I'll soon be launching a boy's 'Peak Prince' version with a slimmer cut on the leg. They'll be called 'Charlie Mouse' culottes after our friends' Tim and Angela's little boy.

no place like home

2009-07-28T16:37:00.000+01:00

How exciting to be featured in this month's issue of Home Business magazine. (P.S. I've just made up a sample for a customer of one of my new autumn/winter long sleeve 'Freya Bean' blouses in this beautiful blue Liberty 'Tatum' print).

new autumn/winter liberty range

2009-07-20T09:21:00.000+01:00

In between summer showers my beautiful god-daughter Tilly managed to get out in the garden to model my autumn/winter Liberty print blouses and dresses...This is an 'Anya Rose' shift in Liberty's 'Martha Grace' baby cord with box pleat and velvet trim.

This is my 'Bella Luella' baby dress with long sleeves for colder days in Liberty 'Wiltshire' print.

My new 'Freya Bean' blouses are already proving popular. This is Liberty's 'Little Mari' print with a blue velvet ribbon trimming the hem. (The screwed up nose is a trademark Tilly pose!)

This is a gorgeous autumnal Liberty print called 'Phoebe' - this is a little long on Tilly who's a wee little thing. And below is her Mum's favourite print - a paisley called 'Mark'. Later on I patched Tilly's jeans with this.

...They'll be available online from the end of August but please do email me (mail@peakprincess.co.uk) if you'd like to order samples before then.

new freya bean blouses

2009-07-14T07:52:00.000+01:00

My new Peak Princess Liberty prints - Mark, Little Mari, Phoebe, Tatum and Wiltshire

These are the samples of my new Freya Bean blouse which I'll be doing in a long-sleeve version for autumn/winter with velvet ribbon trim and short sleeved for spring.

Fab with jeans when your little princess is in more smock than frock mood.

I love these Liberty Tana Lawn prints. I'm carrying through the Wiltshire Berries as it's so popular and will look gorgeous at Christmas parties. The Tatum is a rich brown/pink version of the blue that's been a big hit this summer.

They'll team up with a denim shift with matching Liberty lining, pocket trim and inverted box pleat. (photos coming soon)

I love the Little Mari but then that might be my Dutch Delft Blue-ness coming through.

Questions - Ric-rac or ribbon? To trim or not to trim? Trim on the neckline/sleeves? Buttons on the neckline? Three-quarter-length sleeves to avoid mucky sleeve ends at dinner time or full length? Please send me your thoughts by blog comment or email (mail@peakprincess.co.uk)

AW 09/10 available from the end of August but do contact me direct if you would like to buy preview samples.

the real bella luella

2009-07-09T17:52:00.001+01:00

Here's a sneak preview of my new 'Freya Bean' Liberty blouse.

It's being modelled by Luella. Her Mum Sarah is the design brains behind Nostalchick - sweet as cherry pie greetings cards.

The autumn/winter version will have long sleeves and come in four beautiful Liberty prints including 'Wiltshire' berries and a chocolate brown version of 'Tatum'. Perfect to go with jeans. For special occasions I'm designing a demim dress with matching Liberty print trims and lining.

All of my designs are named after my friend's children. Luella is the inspiration for my 'Bella Luella' Liberty print puff sleeve baby dress (£39.99) which has been a real hit. I'll be continuing the dress with long sleeves for autumn/winter.

The new blouse is named after friend's little girl, Freya, who's patiently helped me with modelling and fittings.

I'm planning a long occasion wear dress called 'Caty Beth' perfect for bridesmaids and confirmations for next year which will be named in honour of her sister Caitlin. The denim shift will be named after their little sister, 'Anya Rose'.

twittering

2009-07-08T18:44:00.000+01:00

I've signed up to twitter at last (this is the profile pic I'm using of me hard at work).

And I've been accepted as a seller on notmassproduced.com which is a wonderful gift website for handcrafted goods.

To top it off the website Take Inspiration have published an interview with me about how and why I set Peak Princess up.

buttons and bonne maman

2009-07-07T17:56:00.000+01:00

Mum's been up so we've had a sewing fest. I've asked if she will start buying 'Bonne Maman' jam - not just because it's the best jam in the world, in the prettiest red gingam jars but also because the tops are lovely and wide which means that you don't have to tip all of your buttons out every time you want to use them.

It's also a marvellous excuse to buy delicious Wild Blueberry jam. (I prefer the French name of 'myrtilles sauvages' which always makes me laugh as I think the savage berries will jump out and attack.)

I'm also delighted because I've finally found a local button manufacturer & dyer - a family firm called Charles Singleton in Sheffield. I'm very much hoping I'll be able to use some of their lovely buttons on my autumn/winter samples.

Speaking of which...I've just made up an autumn/winter preview sample of my forthcoming pleat shift dress in Liberty baby cord for my friend's little girl Issy (who the 'Izzy Whizzy' top and culottes are named after). Photos to follow...

And thank you to everyone who I met at Thornbridge Hall's Summer Charity Garden Party on Sunday. The sun shone.

liberty cars

2009-06-28T21:38:00.000+01:00

This is a sneak preview of my new baby romper. The boy's Peak Prince version ('baby beau') comes in this adorable Liberty cars print.

The Peak Princess version will be called 'baby belle' and will be available in the full range of spring/summer and soon autumn/winter colours.

technical technorati-ness

2009-06-25T18:37:00.000+01:00

...this is an experiment to try and 'claim' my blog on technorati, the blog search engine.

Here goes...

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a Liberty print of Liberty of London

2009-06-24T21:16:00.000+01:00

How wonderful is this? We went to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition for my Mum's 70th birthday and this was the first picture I saw. It's called Liberty of London by Samuel Hubbard It was serendipity and I'll hang it in my sewing room. I love it.

northern belles, liberty belles and baby belles

2009-06-15T09:52:00.000+01:00

Saturday's school fair at Buxworth was a delight - sunshine all day and my friend Sally was up from London to help out on the stall. Her daughter Issy is the inspiration behind my Izzy Whizzy baby top and culottes set.

I also met Kate and her daughter Emily of Emily Pickle fame. Check out her range of handmade lovelinesses. She kindly invited me to blog on Northernbelles Crafts.

The little red headed dollies on the stall are Jellycat Liberty Belles wearing 'Ros' print dresses which match my spring/summer collection. My sister-in-law, Sophie, is the design brains at Jellycat. I also have Liberty Bunnies in 'Tatum' and 'Nancy Ann' prints which are super sweet. I used them during my photo shoot and the three sisters who modelled the dresses loved them.

And 'Baby Belle' is the name for my new romper suit that I'm designing for baby girls. I'll also be doing a 'Baby Beau' version for little boys in Liberty's new car print which is just adorable. Pictures coming soon.

peak princess on tour

2009-06-11T17:49:00.001+01:00

...well the Met Office's predicted scorching summer's not yet arrived but nonetheless Peak Princess is off on a UK-wide tour...

Saturday 13th June - Buxworth Primary School Fair (High Peak, Derbyshire)

Sunday 5th July - Thornbridge Hall Charity Garden Party (Ashford-in-the-Water, Derbyshire). Also home to Thornbridge Brewery which brew my husband's favourite tipple, Jaipur Pale Ale which is perhaps why he's volunteered to help out at this one!!

Sunday 12th July - Three Shires Textile Fair, Quarry Bank Mill (Styal, Cheshire). £4 to enter the National Trust property & the fair is free. Antique & contemporary textiles & art.

Friday 28 - Monday 31st August - Chilterns Craft Fair, Stonor Park (Henley-on-Thames)

Thursday 15th October - Hassop Hall Seasonal Fayre, Derbyshire Committee for Macmillan Cancer

and last but not least Saturday 5th December - We Make London Chelsea Christmas Fair (Chelsea Old Town Hall, London). Please do come along - it'd be lovely to meet you.

local shops for local people (and Mrs Nighton's button bag)

2009-06-10T14:51:00.001+01:00

I've just got back from a shopping trip to Glossop to buy supplies.

As usual I popped into the Sewing Box on High Street West which is a treasure trove. The owner Caroline was on holiday but I got some lovely pink cotton to cover my table when I'm doing fairs.

I also left some Liberty 'Wiltshire' fabric for her to cover some buttons for my autumn/winter collection denim shift dresses which I'm designing at the moment.

Another Aladdin's Cave is Wain Services on Arundel Street in the old Gas Works. For a stationery addict like me it's heaven. I buy my pattern card there (see previous post).

And last but not least is the Glossop Craft Centre where I get my 3mm ribbon from for my Liberty culottes and baby knickers. The assistants kindly brought up boxes of buttons from the basement. My husband cheekily calls it 'button porn' but I really can't ever resist rummaging through buttons.

It no doubt stems from childhood. Mum had an old, brown, drawstring bag full of all shapes and sizes of buttons, given to her by an elderly lady called Mrs Nighton. My sister and I used to play with them for hours.