Oh, Mr Darcy!
This one is for all you literary lovers out there! I’ve been wanting to do a literary themed box for a little while now but could never quite find the right thing to get all the components to work together.
I’m pleased to say I think I have finally nailed it and I’m really happy with how it turned out. The name of this box came about after I settled on the gorgeous Atelier Brunette fabric that has gone into the Luxury boxes as I had visions of Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice – you know that iconic scene of him having just been for a little swim in the lake!
Luxury Boxes
As I already mentioned the Luxury boxes include the most beautiful, drapey off white dobby viscose from Atelier Brunette. It is so soft and luxurious and is screaming to be made into something with dramatic sleeves.
Which is why the pattern choice this month is also perfect. The Josie Blouse from Experimental Space has a simple bodice with a shaped hem but the detail is all in the sleeves which has a trio of pleats that run over the shoulder and then opens into a floaty bishop sleeve with extended cuffs.
Classic and Mini Boxes
Taking a slightly different approach to the fabric for the Classic and Mini boxes when I was doing some Pinterest research on fabrics that might work for the theme I came across this pin which shows a floaty tea dress in a modern floral print paired with boots, a chunky knit and a hat. Then I found this perfect viscose in either navy blue or purple-red with fabulous floral print that gives a little extra pop of colour.
The fat quarters this month from Craft Cotton Co are called Botanical Elements – Poseidon and feature leaf and geometric patterns in a dreamy colour scheme. I love visiting stately homes like those featured in Jane Austen novels (National Trust member here!) and they always have beautiful gardens, some of which are very manicured, but all beautiful and these prints reminded me of those.
Next up in the Classic and Luxury boxes is a gorgeous pack of bias binding from The Specky Seamstress. Laura got in contact with me a few months ago when she was just starting out on her new business venture to create beautiful and soft bias binding as the perfect finishing touch to your garments. She asked if she could create a custom illustrated bias binding for the boxes and I jumped at the chance.
She used colours from my branding to create a beautiful book and heart print fabric which she then turned into 2m of bias binding for each box. It really is the softest bias binding I have come across and I can’t wait to put it to use.
As well as all that, the boxes also include a 100m reel of Gutermann thread to match the main fabric, 2m of 6mm wide elastic and an envelope of Twinings Earl Grey tea (see what I did there?!) and a little chocolate heart.