In honour of our When Poppy Met Daisy's Corsetry class todays blog focuses on the supremely feminine and rather bizarre invention. A long long time ago corsets were used as instruments to narrow a ladies waist and reshape her figure, thankfully in today's society we have a things like exercise and diet to do that for us so in today's fashion world the corset is simply an elegant fashion accessory. Granted there are still some hardcore corset wearing women around the world determine to the structure to mold an itty bitty waist but for the most part corested garments are designed to be worn for a short period of time and to give the illusion of a smaller shape.

Dita Von Teese is a modern day pioneer of the the corset and wears it with attitude.The corset is a big fixture is Dita's burlesque performances and she is rarely pictured in anything else. However Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Rihanna have also sported some very ornate examples of the corset. Rihanna goes all out in the mad max-esque embellished corset trimmed with chains and spikes galore.  A corset top is a dressy statement and generally worn with a simple skirt or trousers. These tops are not for shrinking violets or wall flowers as they designed to maximize the bust and draw attention.

The art of corsetry dates back as far as the 16th century with the idea being to shape a woman's body into a cone like figure. 'Bones' made of various materials such as whalebone, steel, ivory or nylon are inserted into the garment. The bones give the corset its rigid and structured form and this boning process if often used in evening gowns and dresses to make sure a strapless style stays in places and supports the bust. A boned bodice in a dress may make it a little more difficult to breathe but it certainly holds everything in and makes for a gorgeous silhouette a trade off I'd be willing to take every time. 

Whether its the kitchen sink or just some lippy and a purse -the humble handbag is one of the most important accessories a girl can have for style and storage. Finding your everyday handbag is as important as finding your soul mate. You need a bag that you can rely on, a bag that goes from day to night, that has a compartment for your prized possessions...a bag that will see you through thick and thin. Personally I think a satchel style bag with a cross strap is always a good choice if have to walk any distance to work or if you need to spread the weight of the boulder of stuff you carry. The satchel is always a good 'hands free' type bag as you rarely need to hoist or adjust it as you travel. The bowler bag is also a comfortable everyday bag and if you choose the right handles you can carry them on the shoulder if you get tired of swinging it down that street! The more space you have in your full time bag the better as you can never be too prepared. And whether its zipper or button its essential to make sure your bag is pick-pocket proof!

Full time handbags that you use every day are definitely a vital part of any wardrobe but the part time handbag for those special occasion can be as disfunctional and over the top as you like. Clutch bags have maximum impact for style but trying to decide between your phone, purse or make up is not easy when you're packing that adorable little bag.Aside from the space aspect of a clutch they can also be a nightmare to mind but practicality isn't in this season anyways! Embroidered and embellished bags can bring an outfit to life and add a splash of glam where necessary. Pillarbox handbags are splendidly vintage and make for the perfect accessory to any evening gown. 

Sequins, beads and chainmail make for gloriously glamourous bags however make sure you have done sufficient training as they make for seriously heavy weights. When it comes to value for money Pennys always has a huge selection of bags for every occasion but if you are looking for something a bit different ebay.com or etsy.com are great and second hand shops almost always have cute leather bags that

One of my favourite things ever is a fringed piece of clothing. There's something extremely alluring about a fringed garment. I associate it with flapper old school glamour with a majestic movement of a shimmering fringe as it swishes side to side. I can never resist the urge to run my hand along that fringey goodness!! I purchased a pair on black fringed shorts in Topshop many moons ago mainly because they were reduced from crazy expensive to €18. The fringe is just on the bottom of the material unlike these entirely fringed shorts which are so pretty and very razzle dazzle.

The neat looped fringe has a hint of Great Gatsby about it and its perfect for any vintage look. Fringes are a full time job to maintain and you need to think very carefully about the environment in which you wear a fringe in as they get caught and pulled very easily. If the fringe is synthetic you can sometimes singe the end to keep it from fraying but if not you need to mind your fringe. The dip dyed fringe is more radical but fabulous nonetheless. Dip dyed fringe is great for bikinis and going out dresses and can add some excitement to ordinary piece.

Boots and bags are made all the more appealing with a nice fringe attached!Fringed boots or jackets they can look a bit wild west but cowboy chic is sometimes nice as long at you leave the stetson at home. Fringed shoulders are ideal for anyone who isn't a fan of their arms as their dainty draping makes the arm look more feminine. 

First things first I was so sad to see Lynda leave the Sewing Bee last night but I do think it was her time. It's going to be a very exciting final and I am hoping that Heather or Chinelo will take the title. It was another inspiring episode that gave me more ideas to get up and do something with all those old clothes I have that I need to upcycle! Anyhoo I have noticed that the shops are awash with check print at the moment. I am not quite sure how I feel about it just yet as I find it a little intimidating. Coloured check is something I approach with caution as I still have nightmares about Cher's crazy yellow check get up in Clueless which has recently been ressurected by Iggy Azelia.

As with any busy print I feel less is definitely more when it comes to check and especially if its coloured also. The pleated check skirt is a bit of a school girl throw back but it can still be nice when teamed with a plain top and no knee high socks! The skort (skirt + shorts) can also look very nice in tartan or neat check. A bit of celtic kilt-like chic is never a bad thing!

Pennys nearly always has a nice selection of soft check shirts that are perfect for a smart casual look. The check shirt goes with just about everything...denim short, jeans or leggings! And if you want check casual how about these bright vans which look seriously comfortable with their fleecy lining. Check is a versatile look that tranfers across all seasons or the Irish one season weather.

Its official...I am one hundred per cent addicted to the Great British Sewing Bee. I have spent every day since last Tuesday in a state of heightened anticipation for this week's episode. Everything about this programme is so darn watchable, the music is nostalgic, there's just the right amount of history and the challenges every week are excellent. Last week I was very sad to see last man standing David eliminated as it was refreshing to see the craft from the male perspective but there is still a group of lovely ladies left. I have a soft spot for Lynda as she has a fantastic sense of humor but I admire Chinelo's creativity and confidence and Heather's coat last week was my favourite garment in the show so far. On tonight's programme the contestants must make a dress out of a piece of fabric straight on to the manneqiun by draping it. I would imagine that Chinelo will shine in this task as she seldom uses patterns for her clothes anyway. 

I love the idea of being able to make your own dress and see it develop from conception to creation and it is so motivating to learn the tricks and techniques necessary. Here at When Poppy Met Daisy we have a few limited places left for this Sunday the 5th of April for our 'make a dress in a day' workshop. Its a really great opportunity to see how much you can do once you have the basic skills mastered. The satisfaction that comes from knowing you have created a garment exactly the way you wanted/imagined it is unparalleled. When you see what can be achieved from this charming craft its easy to fall in love with it.

Since starting the dressmaking class here I'm looking at clothes in a different light. I bought shoulder pads last week which I fully intend to customise/embellish with some of my gold sequins and beads. I can see potential in garments that used not to appeal to me. Choosing materials and trimmings is so much fun. I have been introduced to the world of haberdashery and I'm never leaving. Right now I am a  complete novice to the sewing scene but so far I'm HOOKED! I'll be posting photos of my dress as soon as its done and also my shoulder pads.