Alice and Blake

A beautiful olive green corduroy passed across the desk this week.

After a little research to make sure I was using the right needle and tension, I discovered (as a by-product of my investigation) that the waves or wiggles are called 'wales'.

There are a lot of theories on the origin of the term 'wales' - maybe reminiscent of the strips of wood on a ships hull, or, related to the ridges formed in a ploughed field. Similarly, multiple theories on the origin of the name corduroy - could be French, or maybe English trying to sound chic.

I learnt there is a standardized measure for wales too. The number of wales per inch in this example, makes it a 'jumbo' corduroy.

Maybe a useful tidbit for your next quiz night!

What a week! The sewing room at Alice and Blake has been full of upcycling and alterations as well as a few special 'bespoke creation' projects.

The creators-in-development who live at my house have been arranging my sewing threads, pins and other haberdashery... I can still find everything, provided I know what colour it is (and therefore where to look in the spectrum of organization).

The name Alice and Blake is made up of family names, but the person behind the keyboard and sewing machine is me, Emma Randell. Mum of two humans and too many cats, I have scissors and needles at the ready to help make clothes fit and fabric projects come to life.

Do you have a top you just don't love anymore and it needs an update?

We've had a few pieces across the bench this week in need of a little refresh. I've been replacing tired rib, recutting and refinishing necklines and adjusting side seams to give existing pieces new life.

Sometimes a piece just needs a tweak to bring it back to the front of your collection and back into circulation. Appointments available tomorrow, be in touch :)

Enjoyed refinishing these trackies for a super lucky little dude - his Mum has curated him a winter wardrobe from the coolest brands, great quality fabrics and all pre loved.

We've stitched up a few knees and reconfigured waist bands for the perfect fit.

One pair must have been so loved, the 'elastic' was no more. The waist band was removed, new elastic installed and they will live to see another winter.

In an effort to restore the knee in these jeans for our 5 year old, I utilised the Cricut to make a dinosaur footprint patch.

Affixed with iron on bond fabric and finished with blanket stitch, these pants will live another day!

Another quick costume whipped up, and perhaps the end of my costume content for this season - a cape for Captain Underpants!

We've had a run on denim this week - hemming jeans in amber or matching navy stitching to create an invisible outcome, we do both.

Do you have a pair that's a smidge too long? Do you need some darts in the waist band to get that snug fit without the gape? Call in, lets see if we can help.

Here is the Slinky Malinki Book Week content as promised - we've managed to work as many features as possible onto one small black jersey!

One human Slinky Malinki was camera shy at first, but after assuming his full disguise (including Dad's safety glasses which happen to be appropriately yellow) he was happy to take some snaps of the full costume.

If you need a little sewing to realise your perfect book week costume, be in touch.

The humble hem.
A rather tall customer was needing his dress pants let down and being a home business, we are often open! All sorted ready for a formal occasion next week.

Something lurking in the back of your closet that needs a refinish? Be in touch! Our simple hems are as little as $20.

The sewing table has been awash with green felt, constructing a crocodile tail for Book Week.

Did you know the lumps and bumps on the back of a crocodile are called 'scutes'? New bit of learning for me, and this particular character has rounded scutes - bit of help from the trusty Cricut made quick work of replicating them.

Be in touch if you'd like something whipped up - elaborate or budget friendly, we can provide a quote to realise a little (or big!) persons ideal costume.

Costumes are the theme of the week over at Alice and Blake with Book Week approaching at our local schools.

Yesterday I added some elastic wrist loops to the delicate trails of this Elsa costume to make it a little more play-friendly. Of course it's going to be used on the adventure playground, so best be prepared!

We've had a few inspiring adjustments on the desk too, I'll have to post a few photos of those later.

Anyway, off to bring the story of Slinky Malinki to life via sewing... More on that soon.

From the workbench this week, a dress conversion from a zip closure to a corset closure.

The corset fittings, lace/tie and modesty panel were constructed from a complimentary fabric to suit existing parts of the dress.

I'm excited that this dress gets to see another event in its new form - upcycling at its best!

The custom disco outfits were a hit.

After multiple test fits and precision hemming of the blue leggings to make them "just the right length Mum" they... were rolled up to make way for orange socks. Mum life right?

New signage at Alice & Blake so you know you're at the right place.

We don't have set opening hours - send us a message and let us know when suits you to call in.

Fresh threads on the workroom table today, a bespoke request from one of my smaller customers.

Neon blue spandex two piece with an iridescent panel and cuffs for his first ever school disco.

Fingers crossed I've executed the vision. Will report back when he debuts the ensemble tomorrow night.

Launch day for Alice & Blake - Alterations and Bespoke Creations.

Like our page so you know who to contact when you've invested in your winter wardrobe staples and they need a tweak or two.