I’m currently in Istanbul for work so I thought it was the perfect location to get some photos of this Sorbetto – made with fabric I purchased in Istanbul on a previous work trip.

I haven’t had that much luck so far fabric shopping in Istanbul. On a previous visit I decided I NEEDED to do some fabric shopping so tried the Grand Bazaar and came away with this thick cotton. The quality & colour is lovely, but the fabric clearly wasn’t intended for dressmaking as the width was ridiculously narrow. I decided to make a Soretto as I needed a project with minimal fabric requirements – even so the fabric was so narrow that I couldn’t cut the front & back on the fold as the pattern suggests, but instead had to cut four separate pieces (adding a narrow seam allowance when cutting out) & then sew 2 front and 2 back pieces together. I also had to sacrifice the front box pleat. My Sorbetto is looking a bit creased in these photos having traveled in my suitcase and then been worn all day in around 35c heat.


These photos were taken in Yildiz Park. Like lots of public parks Yildiz was previously private property. It was actually once part of the Sultan’s hunting grounds and palace gardens. I was actually visiting Yildiz on my way to somewhere else – Ortakoy.

Ortakoy is one of my favourite spots in the city – It’s located on the Bosphorus & is crammed full of places to eat & drink. It’s also the best place to eat Kumpir – jacket potatoes stuffed with a ton of fillings. Seriously they are huge & so good!

Ortaköy Mosque and the Bosphorus Bridge