Like a lot of stitchers I end up with lots of odds and ends of fabrics that I cannot bear to throw in the bin, but decisions have to be made or I will be swamped!
So I have taken the plunge and decided on a herringbone style scrap quilt pattern and will put it together using quilt as you go. I have not attempted this before, in fact I have not done any patchwork and quilting for 3 or 4 years.
So far so good, I am pleased that there is no need to choose a definite range of patterns or colours, I like it comes together quickly and finally it is not a show stopper if you are not quite exact! For me that is the icing on the cake!
It’s been a really long while since I actually did some denim therapy ie reworking jeans into another useful life. My granddaughters’ year 10 jeans have been refashioned into a sweet new handbag , and I am really chuffed with the result.
My granddaughter is not yet appreciative of my “makes” although she is a loving and polite 15 year old now, and is amused with my efforts on the sewing machine and on the web. In fact she is my IT support team and I am always in awe!
Brass clip fastened belt and lots of pockets.
I am trying to get more sewing done but now that spring is almost here the garden calls too, perhaps I shall get said grand daughter involved there !
Often I am asked to do various repair or alteration jobs, and I prevaricate before replying. Is it feasible,worthwhile, achievable or even a task worth doing? This one was.
I have always bought sofas or chairs with loose covers if possible, you can ring the changes with different covers and of course repair any wear and tear. A big bonus!
My Mother inherited a large sofa and matching arm chairs in the 1950’s and they are still in the family! Always covered in Sandersons wonderful Chelsea linen print, the pattern of huge blousy roses mellows with time and washes. Now a hole had emerged in one of the chair seats, and this second set of covers needed attention!
It took just a couple of hours to take out the worn seat panel and replace. I was so very lucky to find a large amount of vintage matching fabric on eBay a fabulous resource.
Next time you are shopping for soft furnishings and furniture remember, consider loose covers, saves you a fortune!
Oh dear!A quick unpickSewn and overlockedAll done! Good for another 30 years!
A little bit late but hopefully not badly so, at least it is still January.
I am hoping to be a lot busier this year with both making and posting. It is a big ask of myself because probably, you like me, have enough to do already, but I will try!
This is my first offering of the year. A shoulder bag, not a new idea sure but this one slightly different for me at least. It has a slim line with a strap and eyelet closure. I hope you like it!
A few shots of our recent travels to this gorgeous Caribbean Island. December as I have never experienced before, wishes of ” merry Christmas” sounded so out of place to my ear, but shows how switched off you get in a perfect climate and surroundings.
CarriacouGrande Anse St George’sJouvay Chocolate Factory GardensJouvay Chocolate Factory GardensRiver Antoine Estate Rum DistillerySt George’sSandy IslandLiming!
An island that would bewitch plenty of us, unspoiled and full of history. We shall return.x
Its always fun at Christmas to dress up the meal table and make it special. I have been busy creating a few place settings for the dinner table or tea and cocktails.
I am at an early Christmas stall tomorrow although I personally do not feel very much in the festive mood it being only October, but its not long! So start thinking about it.
Pattern Description: Stated as an easy pattern. It flares from a faced neck band and includes side seam pockets. Raglan sleeves with 3 styles. Two hemline styles.
Pattern Sizing:A5 (6-8-10-12-14)
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
I changed the pattern to suit me and the fabric design. So I cut view C with A sleeves. I also lengthened it and straightened the hem. I also omitted the eyelets and trim.
Were the instructions easy to follow?I found them clear enough for me.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I love the simple shape and the faced hemline as it ensures the shape of the dress.
Fabric Used: A cotton print from India I needed to use.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Because the fabric is lovely design wise it is very see through. So I have lined the body of the dress with a silk chiffon I already had. I am glad I did as it makes the whole garment hang so much better.
I plan to sew this again in perhaps a more substantial fabric. And if you are looking for a simple design which will be easy to wear this is your dress pattern.
Conclusion: I am pleased with the final dress, there are always a few errors but I can live with them and do not draw attention to them!
There are more reviews of this dress pattern on https://sewing.patternreview.com/ always a good place to look for other makers and their thoughts. Enjoy your sewing and be creative!
The Great Escape for us from Cambridgeshire to Cumbria, what a sense of freedom. So missed.
We drove there but left the car firmly in the car park in Ambleside and took to the bus, with our ” senior passes” its a no brainer. The roads are smaller and twistier than I ever remember, very pretty dry stone walling covered in wild flowers ferns and brambles. In June it was beautiful, and we had a week of almost dry and sunny weather. Its not called The Lakes for nothing!
The attraction for me to Ambleside Windermere and nearby Coniston is predictably Beatrix Potter and her legacy, the awesome countryside and the Herdwick sheep. They make me smile with their smiley faces. But I always find some connection with sewing and thread, this trip was no exception. We discovered Stott Park Mill one of the only remaining working wood turning mills making thread bobbins only now for the tourist industry rather than for the textile industry.
All this machinery and effort to make the humble little wooden bobbins now sadly replaced by plastic. Bobbins were reused over and over and often stayed in families for generations. I have a few from my mother, though not from here!!
A few photos I think may give you an idea of the place, I hope you enjoy them too.
Ever since the Great British Sewing Bee featured a zipped up bomber jacket as its first challenge a series or two ago, I wanted such a jacket! In fact have wanted one since the 70’s, so better get a crack on I thought.
It’s all matchy matchy
Here is my version. All went well, only had to get the fashion fabric and ribbing. I found a lovely fine wale needle cord from Minerva Crafts. I had both the separating zip and the lining, silk from India bought on holiday so all sorted and ready to go.
My only frustration was I chose a cuff ribbing as opposed to tubular rib which is wider. So when it came to attaching the bottom rib to the jacket body and lining, I had raw edges to deal with as I had not thought it through and so had not attached the facing the neatest way. Never mind once on it doesn’t matter just looks a bit untidy on the inside.
My conclusion to this project is I am going to make another, more fabric in the stash! Also I do not know how those sewers got this together in 4 hours or so!
Just finished this handy bag for summer. Featuring randomly placed geese silhouettes on a cream and white background, I couldn’t resist making this upholstery fabric into a satchel. The pattern comes from Simply Sewing magazine and is designed by Sue Kim. https://www.gathered.how/magazines-simply-sewing/
There are plenty of pockets inside and out and a top zip too, so everything is kept safe and sound. As well as a grab handle on top there is a detachable long body strap. Perfect for shopping work or class!
This pattern company is a first for me. I have always used the big four or five pattern companies, only because they were the only ones available from shops, certainly before the internet! When the internet happened I stubbornly stuck with those names I knew!
These are the differences I found in my new sewing adventure!
First I must point out this pattern was included, along with two others, in The Simply Sewing (issue eighty) magazine. Given that I will use two of the three patterns this was a very good purchase given the cost of dressmaking patterns
Plenty of extra advice regarding measurements with imperial and metric used.
Dressmaking terms avoided, step by step guidance.
Negatives
Missed the extra marking points for example at the sleeve insertion stage.
The thicker paper meant you could not place the pattern so easily.
I found the sleeve notches on sleeve and body piece did not match.
A small point but you are advised to press the collar for example then push out the corners which makes it more awkward. Also why mark the button placement so early on in the process? It can be done when the top is complete ensuring perfect placement.
In summary I enjoyed the make and am looking forward to wearing it.
Lesson Learned
I will try very hard now to be more adventurous and try new designers and pattern makers!
Been having great fun sewing these cross body bags for walking with your furry friend and they are proving popular. Loads of room for all your bits and bobs, and made from either recycled or new (run out of old jeans!) jeans denim.
I too am planning a house move after 24 years, the longest I have lived anywhere and I am in my early 70’s. But the only craft I have ever worked at is dressmaking and machine sewing for various reasons, even mending.
In about 30 years of sewing I only had one machine and the basics for dressmaking. But once the internet got into full swing I was tempted with must haves. My sewing equipment has gone from one drawer in a chest to one room and two chests of drawers!
I am embarrassed by this and now having read that others too, struggle with craft “ stuff” beyond use I am set to downsize, or I will never find a new home, with a sewing room of course.
I put together this useful bag for a friend who kindly tidied her fabric collection in my direction. She was obviously being very brave moving her precious stash along so I made her this bag of what I thought would be her favourites.
I hope she approves. The pattern was from Simply Sewing magazine. A nice quick make and a great way of showing off small pieces of special fabric.
A new venue for us at Sewn Up Gifts . I am really looking forward to taking part as this Hall has been recently totally revamped and renovated and is really smart. Most importantly it is a volunteer led theatre and really special for our town. I am hoping others agree!
Sewn Up Gifts will also be here!
There is a wonderful bar in the Theatres’ foyer selling really tasty cakes and coffee as well as a very comfy seating area and library room downstairs.
Always difficult to know how a new sales area will work so hoping for the best.
On 3rd June Sewn Up Gifts was at RSPCA Block Fen Wimblington Cambridgeshire for an open day. This was a special 20 year anniversary of the event and an important fund raising event for the animal charity.
As a result I was very very busy in my sewing room surrounded by animal print cottons and bags in order to represent as many domestic and wild animals that sometimes need our care. UK is well known as a country of animal lovers but sometimes things go wrong which is why the work the RSPCA do is so necessary and important.
It would be really amazing if this years fund raiser was a bumper one. There were over 70 small businesses attending including, live music from musicians who perform at Cambridge Folk Festival, classic cars, dog shows, food drink and craft stalls . Something for everyone!
Even after all the recent Bank Holidays the centre was buzzing on the day, the sun shone, the ice cream vendor made a fortune and even the animals were smiling. And the target was reached for the charity so a tremendous success all around.
But best of all it was a most enjoyable day and I met some lovely people and pets. Now when is the next event for Sewn Up Gifts? The 24th June at Godmanchester plant nursery. Better get sewing again I think!
We have just returned from a three day visit to this incredible city. I had been before but years ago with no time to explore as then I had two little children in tow, so I was really looking forward to these few days.
The English weather was being kind to us and the sun made an appearance each day, it makes such a difference! Only problem was I had packed all the wrong gear, but not to worry always an opportunity to pop into one or two shops.
I always just think of the city’s Roman history when Bath is mentioned but of course the place has been there forever, just think of Stonehenge just down the road, the same stone as used in all those Georgian terraced homes.
Here are a few photos, I have tried to show different aspects of the historic town but you could write a book, and many people have, to describe this beautiful town. If you can, I recommend visiting in off peak times, it gets busy in the centre and most interesting sites should be booked beforehand.
Roman BathsBath Abbey West DoorThe Kennet and Avon canalKing George V post boxThe head of the Roman god MinervaPaulteney BridgeThe mineral laden source for the BathsTrompe-l’oeil on the old lending library wall
Come and call in at my new shop on Folksy. New things being added all the time!
Beautiful BeaglesLovely Labradors
Two weeks of inactivity away on holiday have given me a little push to get cracking on with my bag making endeavour. I have an animal charity stall in June to attend ( I know it’s ages away but time rushes by!) and the organisers said animal themes are the way to go, makes sense I suppose!
These 3 are the result so far and yes I know one is denim no animals in sight! There is a heap of materials stacked up in my little sewing room and this weekend is a no sew one as we have company for 3 nights. Lovely but a no no to any thoughts of creativity!
My next dog walking bag is cut out and is one for golden retriever owners. Then I am going for a change, perhaps a feline theme or something totally wild, who knows!
Sewn Up Gifts 