Fail.

Yes the dress I have been slowly working on for weeks and hoping to be that summer dress that you just want to wear everyday is a fail!

Butterick B5181 had such high hopes, but there is rather to much fabric and not that well fitting. Sadly I am not the type to just keep on trying, sometimes when you put a garment on you just know, no matter how many adjustments this dress is not destine to be worn. It is a bit of a tent and I like flowing but not maternity like.

I could have tried harder and I think I need to remeasure my bust and waist but ultimately MrPB wasn't loving it much either and he simple said "It's  a bit Margo" which lover of BBC TV series The Good Life will know what he means.

It can be really frustrating when your make is not wearable particularly when you are so time short like myself. I have to constantly remind myself that it's the enjoyment of the task too, which is true when I'm sat at my sewing table but not when my mind is busy trying to plan all those projects.

As for new projects, yes there is one but I'll let you know a little more soon.

 

The Spring Sewing Swap.

Oh it's been a while since I've joined in any fun and this just seems perfect to inspire a little more sewing. Kerry from Kestrel Makes is hosting a spring time sewing swap and count me in, and you could join in too. Pop over to Kestrel makes to see the finer details.

A crafty day out

My once a year indulgence in Exeter is the stitch and craft show by hobby craft that comes to town each year. Each year I am always amazed the the quilting exhibitions, this year also had the women's institute exhibition on smocking, which was lovely and reminded me of a wonderful our fit my mum had made me when I was young. There was also Jane Austin pride and prejudice outfits (one of my all time favourite books) I was also very taken back by the mixed media creative stitching, embroidery groups, I may even find out about them in my local area as there work was beautiful and contemporary. I did of course forget my camera and take a series of bad photos on my phone which I will save you from!

And yes I did! Buy a pile of fabric!

So do I have time for loads of dressmaking at the moment? Do I have a stash pile that is out of control? Did that stop me?????

This totally wonderful knit! I am in love, I think my plan will be to make a Christmas garment out of this beauty!

This lovely super soft jersey is busy but the colours are so subtle, how could I resist?

These really think cottons are for Christmas present making, I'll share with you later in the year!

Amongst the stalls there are lots of what I feel are overly cute stuff (not really my style) BUT I was taken back by one or two little projects that may be fun. Cross Patch have Lynette Anderson quilt designs that may be nice in the winter months. I have always felt the creative process and oh I can do that myself is actually hindering me from getting on, so I may treat myself to a ready made package of cuteness soon!

Needlecase Tutorial.

Well I would like to announce that this is my first sewing tutorial ! I'm rather excited .

I chose an easy start a little needle case, and you don't have to use the sewing machine. Lets start shall we.

Firstly you will need,

• outer fabric
• padding fabric
• inner fabric
• felt for sheets
• optional decorations such as buttons
• cotton, scissors, paper.
•  

I made my pattern up by folding a letter in half making an A5 rectangle shape. I ten cut each of the fabrics, outer, inner and padding to size.

Note on padding, I have used a little of an old blanket, anything would do!

Then tack the padding to the inner fabric, a good 2.5 cm in.

I then trim the padding all the way round. This is so that when we sew our case up it isn't too bulky.

Putting that to one side I then find the outer fabric and fold it half. I place two squares of inner fabric on the front.

Note :not to close to the edge as we have yet to sew it up!

I then place a slightly smaller square of my padding (or either plain fabric, a felt would be ideal) on top of the larger square.

To shape the smaller square I cut away at the corners

Then cut again along the edges.

I then place a button in the middle of each square and sew into place.

Now we are ready to construct the case. Putting right sides together sew along three sides.

Turn inside out, giving a little extra push into the corners.

Now what I consider the most fiddly bit. Folding in and pinning down the raw edges. Once I start though I continue all the way round the case. To be quiet sure I then go around again , this time even closer to the edge.

Well it should be looking pretty good, we are nearly there! cut your felt with pinking sheers if you prefer, size a little smaller than the case.Then sew into place.

And here we go! A cute little needle case.

I was really pleased with the finished product, it really is amazing what you can make from scraps. I was glad to use a nicer vintage peace of the inner along with denim for the outer! But you can play around as much as you like, that's the beauty of all these pin cushions and needle cases.

A bit of Crafting.

If you enjoy crafts as well as dressmaking you probably also have the same problem as me. Yes books! I just can not help myself, anything with a pretty picture and I need a copy. So here is the latest edition to the book shelf

As craft books go I really enjoyed this, all the projects are manageable without having to buy loads of new equipment or fabric. Amanda seems to share my love affair of old blankets too. A few of the projects we have certainly seen before but it's always nice to be inspired or see how someone else makes bags or pot holders etc.

I would also add that it's pretty much a yummy mummy's kind of book, which is fine with me. It also has a good look using up those vintage bits of fabric.

So this is my attempt at a bedroom banner for Arthur. We have been decorating his room with a budget of £0. 

We also made ART with Arthur to hang in his room. I had this canvas lurking in the loft so still sticking to budget.

A bit of thrifting always helps on the decorating, so we found this great print for a staggering £1. It's so sweet and we are huge fans of Beatrix Potter.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend. x x x

Fingerless gloves. Celebrating our hands 5/31.

Gloves in spring I hear you ask! Well these lovelies will warm my arms with spring like tops. Taken from a over washed jumper I have another refashion!! I think also celebrates my hands with Josie too.

The idea comes from my favourite book (even better than Colette and Burda) because it is inspiring and original and so much fun. I have been wanting to make these since Christmas day!

I hope to be sharing these on the re fashion co op, and along with Justine at Sew Country Chick this week.

Give Away Week, bits and bobs.

Here in the UK the weather has truly made it to spring, so any time inside feels like a total waste! This leads to my other passions in life, the top being gardening, not flowers but veggies. Now the weather is kinder I spend everyday in the garden planning and putting in seeds bla bla bla. This got me thinking about our other passions.

I'm an active girl I love having things to do, but all these have a great feel good factor to me and even moments of a medative state. A top few are gardening, other crafts such as knitting which I'm trying hard to improve,cooking, yoga, and cycling. All of these are great for including or do around my busy family. I also feel that all my interests have a energy that enables me to grow and technically I can improve on everyone one.

So today's is what other passions do you harbour?

 So as I' all reading itching to get in the gardening the give away is this :

Here we have various laces and ribbon all well over a meter, a purple cold dye with fix and a few buttons.

I will post anywhere in the world, please leave your comment but do be a follower of my blog. The winner will be announced on Sunday.

PS Look out for tomorrow with some vintage clothing up for grabs.

Have a lovely day.

Give Away Week

So this week I am giving away all sorts of goodies books, fabric, patterns, notions, vintage clothing all because I want to say "THANKYOU"! My blog is coming to it's first year and it has only been as exciting and interesting as the people who comment and give me so much encouragement and support.

   I thought I would share with you how I became a blogger and my journey into dressmaking.

Here is my wedding day 1st July 2010, we had  a 1940 dress code and a pick nic and dance in our village hall.

When looking for the right outfit I realised that so many women of this time made their own clothes, even into the 70 when my mum was making my clothes, why are we not doing this anymore?

Then to make that giant snow ball rolling I found Mena  at Sew weekly http://www.sewweekly.com/ . At this time Mena was making on her own an outfit a week, so inspired by this I started sometime later I have to confess to make my own clothes. This in turn has sparked a real new passion for all crafts that I had put to one side for a long time.

So today I would like to offer  this book :

This is a lovely book that has inspireed many of the presents I have made over the last few years.

To be in for a chance you have to be a follower of my blog. Please leave a comment and a email address.I will post to anywhere in the world. Winners will be announced on Sunday. Best of luck. x x x

A Week Long Give Away....

With my 101st post I thought I would announce that next week I will be holding a week long give away. This is because it will be my blogs 1st birthday! One year ago in March I started all this, and just as a huge thanks I will be giving away, books, clothes, silk, notions and more, please join me.

Sew Grateful Week.

                       Everyone knows mow about the Sew Grateful week with the lovely Debi http://fashionsfromthepast.blogspot.com/ , and if you don't, where do you live MARS ??

My sew grateful has turned into a sew disaster so far, but I'm pulling it back and have a little offering at last!
I had been planning all along to make the retro hair band from Chic on a shoe string, all because I am so utterly grateful to MrPB for this lovely book and Kat from Modern vintage Cupcakes http://macskakat.wordpress.com/ for the cute polka dot buckle. But best made plans and all that, I could not find my bits and bobs which had been put in a safe place!!!

I love this book so much that I still wanted to use something from it. So plan B. Using no.1 of the 10 commandments in the book I thought I would rebutton a lovely cardigan. Now the cardigan itself I am grateful for, it must be 40 years old and comes from a big bag of clothes given to me by a lovely friend.

I am also so very grateful to lovely Charlotte from http://heartscottage.blogspot.com/  for the sweetest green spotty buttons and the fabric used for the patch, you could say I'm a slow burner as I've had these goodies for almost a year but wanted them to be on the right creation!

So that is my main Sew grateful offering, but I wanted to quickly add my gratefulness to mum and dad who gave me the Colette book for Christmas. My mum was so impressed with it that she bought herself a copy. When I visit next week we are planning to to start making the dress together helping with perfect fittings! But I have had a quick go at making one of the skirts.

Finally, I know it's late but I did want to thank all of you that follow my blog. I want to say how grateful I am to everyone who's blog I follow as you are inspiring and supportive. I've never been in such a fantastic crowd of people so needless to say a give away (sorry it's so late)

Above is cute pattern, size bust36. yellow buttons that could go with the cute fabric, very 70s Daisy's. There is one meter of it, but it is two meters wide.  To have a chance of winning please leave a comment. You do have to be a follower of my blog and it is up to you to check if your a winner and contact me to claim your prize. Winner will be named on Sunday 12th Feb 2012.

CRAFIVISTS

I have been recently following Craftivist Collective http://craftivist-collective.com/ who state a spoonful of craft helps the activism go down. Well anyone who loves Mary Poppins and crafts as much as I do will have a friendship made in heaven!

There is a serious side, using craft to put across messages about human rights, environmental issues the list gos on as do the worlds in equalities. By highlighting issues hopefully we make the world think and act.

So my first attempt at craftism has take some time, I struggled with my message, I wanted it to come from the heart and also know enough about my comment that if I was challenged I wouldn't wilt away.
I though inspiration messages or quotes, then I thought something simple goes a long way. BE KIND, as simple as that. Then ofcourse the time spent sewing of which I chose to hand sew, I also spent time pondering the message for myself and how I hope it will inspire others.

So my inspiration bunting as the collective call it is placed in my village bus stop. Yes it's a little dark and dingy but the local notice board is housed here too so most of the village should get a peek and hopefully take some note.

As I was putting up my bunting an older lady asked what I was doing and said what a wonderful idea and not enough of us where very kind these days and could I make a be happy one too!

If the idea of prompting goodness has sparked an interest have a look at the website with a valentines project coming up http://craftivist-collective.com/  . There is also book for avid knitter called knitting for good by Betsy Greer.

Give it ago it's surprising how liberated you feel !