These pretty tees have been created for a certain kind of woman:- complex, independent, flirtatious and romantic. If that’s you then check out the full line at Every Little Counts.

The collection consists of limited edition screen-printed t-shirts with loose fit and low necklines, combined with esoteric and romantic graphics.

They’re feminine, quirky, sassy and fun.

Discover Every Little Counts at www.everylittlecounts.net.

Before leaving for work yesterday I caught the end of a feature on BBC Breakfast. It was all about saving money. There were two guests, I didn’t catch their names as I was in a rush, and they were offering tips on shopping at charity shops and saving leftovers etc. It got me thinking about the handmade community and how we’re already doing this. The spirit of thrift, recycling and finding new uses for old materials has become ingrained. And there’s something so satisfying about buying products that have been created in this way.

I’ve therefore chosen AC Clothing and Bags for today’s post. They have put together a varied collection of edgy, flattering and playful pieces, meticulously crafted for women who love style and beauty. I love the unexpected mixture of vintage and new fabrics and lacy trims in these patchwork skirts and petticoats.

For more information visit www.acclothingandbags.com.

I’ve blogged about Selvedge before. It’s one of my favourite magazines. With its stunning photography, unparalleled design and peerless writing, it’s more of a keepsake than a magazine. A real joy to read or simply to leaf through.

In each issue the editors feature makers whose objects fulfil their criteria of well-fashioned design, beautiful raw materials and integrity in the process of making. You can buy these items direct from the Selvedge website.

Here are a few of my favourites (left to right):

1. Pénélope Naulleau’s charming ‘poupées’
2. Butterfly hair slides in Liberty prints by Tout Silo
3. Tamar Mogendorff Bird Houses
4. Sophie Digard Scarf & Necklace

Friday at last and what better way to round off the week than with a Day In the Life of feature. Today’s article is written courtesy of skilled designer and seamstress, Katy Goy of My Little Empire.

Dreaming About Dresses

I am usually awoken at 6.15am by a screaming cat. I then lie in bed for an hour or so thinking about dresses, fabric, things I’d like to wear, and attempting to doze while the cat attempts to suffocate me.

After all the hard work of thinking, I generally get up feeling inspired and excited for what I’m going to do in the day. The first thing I do in the morning is to check my emails. Email checking is very important for me as I like to be as speedy with my delivery of pieces to customers as I possibly can, so if there are any urgent orders then the whole plan for the day can change.

I don’t like to eat in the morning, I never have. When I was little coffee and bourbon biscuits were my thing. Now I’ve mellowed and am on softer things like fresh orange and innocent smoothies.

Inspiration Through Blogs

If the emails have not been filled with quasi emergencies, then I like to read what Susie Bubble has to say for the day. This is essential reading for me; I hate the whole snobby side of fashion and this is as far away from that as you can get. It’s a riot of instant inspiration on your screen. Then it’s over to Indie Quarter to see who my new crafty crush is this week. Often from these two blogs I’ll go off on an inspiring journey through the net for an hour or so, stumbling upon magazines that I simply must read (Lula, Preen etc.) and designers that I must learn more about (Jane Carlstrom).

What happens next depends greatly on the time of year. There are many stages of designing anything - the ideas stage, the sample stage, the production stage, the ‘it’s all wrong and I hate it’ stage. So my day can either be filled with sketching (competently) sewing (brilliantly!) or attempting to do the business side of things (with room for improvement).

Just Me and The Fluff

Generally my interaction with people is fairly minimal during the day. Sometimes I’ll be able to play with my friends from upstairs - they are involved in the film industry which is exciting to learn about. Or I’ll go and meet my musical friend for three curries and rice in Manchester’s NQ [Northern Quarter]. But mostly it’s just me and The Fluff. She’s very helpful and gives her invaluable opinion freely!

I Don’t Think That You Switch Off if You’re a Designer

The working day lasts generally as long as is necessary, so if there is lots to do I can still be going at 10pm. I always stop to eat with my partner and housemate though, as working by myself a lot can get lonely.

My favourite evening of the week is Tuesday which is often spent at The Pinch and feels like being at home except someone else makes the drinks and there is usually an interesting live music act on. I don’t think that you switch off if you’re a designer. You’re always partly at work. So going to nights like these are like design in action for me. I find myself cataloguing every outfit I see that I like, the ones I don’t like and why. This is people watching with a purpose!

After a drink and a soak up of the sounds and a chat to the gorgeous The Bangs girls it’s off home to sleep, sort of. As when I close my eyes I see designs, the fabric to use, or just the general colour pallet, or silhouette that I want to design the next piece I make in. I have to try really hard to remember all these ideas because I never remember to bring my notebook to bed, which means I go to sleep eventually through worry that I’ll forget something.

Things I Like About Being an Indie Designer

The best thing about being an Indie designer is the feeling of satisfaction I get from expressing myself creatively on a daily basis. It makes me feel complete somehow, seeing a flat piece of fabric become something three dimensional and tangible and having the skills to do that myself is really important to me.

I’m Not So Enamoured With . . .

I am however not so enamoured with the whole business side of being an indie designer. I find that I am far too timid to approach people, and promote myself as I should be doing. Oh, and I hate numbers so the accounts bit of it isn’t that great either.

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Thank you Katy.

To check out Katy’s beautiful creations go to www.my-little-empire.co.uk.

Once upon a time a woman couldn’t leave the house without her hat and gloves. George Bernard Shaw once wrote that ‘If a woman rebels against high-heeled shoes, she should take care to do it in a very smart hat’. Thanks to AW 06/07 trends the hat is now firmly back on the agenda and you no longer have to wait for a wedding or christening to give your beanie, beret or trilby an airing.

Jane Carlstrom has a passion for hats. Using traditional millinery techniques such as felting and blocking she has produced a beautiful range for all occasions. Find her work in bricks and mortar stores such as the Hat Box in Grandma’s Attic and Bemidji or buy direct through her Etsy store at www.glorioushats.etsy.com.