The story takes place in a fictional Australian town. The writer managed to raise a lot of important questions: revenge, hate, love and haute culture. Tilly Dunnage, the main character worked in Paris as a dressmaker at culture houses. Due to her vast experience in this field, she knows various fabrics like the back of her hand. That is why four sections of the book titled «Gingham», «Shantung», «Felt» and «Brocade», associated with different stages of her life. She returns to home town in Australia, which she left in childhood to look after her ill mother. She was banished from the town after being accused of murdering her fellow student Stewart Pettyman. Women of Dungatar who keep up with fashion cannot resist the temptation to trot in exquisite dresses made by her. They are eager to buy her outfits, although they still treat her as an outcast and gossip behind her back. Sergeant Farrat, the policeman, liaises with Tilly, who gives him advice about dressmaking and fashion tendencies.
