Sewing through Crimbo!!

When I was a child most of my Christmas presents were crafty,makey things I would spent my Christmas holidays making and doing! My poor parents would watch me open my presents on Christmas morning ,and frustratingly for them ,I used to open each box and look at making instructions and even start makng some stuff before folding the xmas paper up neatly and moving on to the next present. I know....i was a pain in the ass!!!....I remember getting a leather bag making kit one year .I insisted in making the bag before opening any more presents.

This Christmas I was in a serious make and do mode. During Christmas day and St Stephens day at my sisters house I managed to crochet some hats.This one is my favourite,made from pure wool I have had in the attic for probably the guts of 20 (shush!!) years. I bought this japanese panel in Pippablue a few weeks ago and immediately cut out a jacket the minute I got it home. It sat beside the sewing machine til this week.

Here is the almost finished jacket....only buttons and handsewing left to do. I am not mad about the collar but its nothing a lovely scarf won't sort out!

I have come to the conclusion that I have a bit of OCD going on. Ages ago I bought the Amy Butler Liverpool shirt pattern. I made one from a gorgeous Kaffe Fasset fabric and love it. It's a matter of leggings,t-shirt, boots, sorted, dressed!!

At the knitting and stitching show this year I bought some fabric with no clear plans in mind. I proceeded to make 2 more Liverpools. This week I was looking a one of the pieces of aforementioned fabric trying to figure out what to make, I even cut out a pattern of a dress but ended up making.....another Liverpool. I think the problem is that when I make something I don't really know if I am going to like it til its made and the Liverpool is my little comfort zone now.Darn....but I love it.

Kaffe Fasset and 3 fabrics bought at the knitting and stitching show.

I had a piece left over from one of my Liverpools so I made a simple A line skirt....I will be teaching an intermediate sewing class in Pippablue in january,showing how to make this skirt.It's a great little project....covers cutting out,seams,zip ( I have a really nifty method for beginners),ways to finish a waist band and hemming.Can't wait!!

Here's another version of the simple A line skirt anyone can make from the basic pattern.

Love this ribbon.

I made this little girls skirt for Ger and Eva in Pippablue to show what can be made from 2 fat quarters.

I love admiring other peoples patchwork but would not be a mad fan of making my own.I could not resist these fabrics and am loving how this turned out. I wanted it to be lightweight so I attached it to a fleece throw I picked up in Penneys.

Happy!!

I even managed to make 2 new roman blinds for my utility. Remember I made these for my kitchen.

Hope you all have a Crafty New Year!!!

I heart vintage florals

It's not everyday that I open a delivery of new fabric books and totally love them. I am sorry to say that i don't always like the new season fabrics. I know that some of them will be best sellers but they don't always float my boat.!!!

I felt such sheer delight when this book arrived that I had to order some pieces to do a new window display. Dream Interiors is renouned for its colourful and lateral thinking window displays.It is a task I love undertaking. I won't just hang up lengths of fabric like many other shops do, I have to think of a concept and start making.I get such a thrill when I see cars slowing up outside the shop to take a look.

I will embroider this one in a stronger pink the next time

Some random patchwork featured!!

As well as making for the window I also started a little giveaway on facebook. All you have to do to get your hands on a personalised apron is become a fan and leave a comment telling me what you would like written on your apron. I have had some fantastic suggestions already.

Lush Skirt tutorial

Remember a few weeks ago I made this skirt and top for my daughter,well I decided to write a tutorial on how to make one.

Bear with me,this is my first tutorial...and its for a skirt for my 7 year old Cerys. We love these wonderfully colourful fabrics. The combinations are endless.
This is a gathered skirt with a flat front waistband and elasticated back waistband. The length of the skirt from the top on the waistband to the hem is 15invhes.So if you want the skirt to be a different length ,adjust your piece lengths.

What you need for this skirt are

2 co-ordinating fat quarters

Piece of 1 inch elastic

Thread

ric rac(optional)


Decide which will be your main fabric and cut the fat quarter in half so you have 2 pieces each measuring 10 x 21 inches ( front and back)

Cut co-ord fabric into 2 pieces measuring 5.5 x 21
and
1 piece 13 x 4(front waistband)
and
1 piece 21 x 4 (back waistband)

Take the 13 x 4 inch piece ( front waistband) and front piece. Mark the centres

Centre markings



Pin some pleats in place, keeping centre markings centred until the front and waistband are the same width.

Pin and sew together

Pin right sides of back waistband and back piece together (no pleats this time).Pin and sew as front.

Press seams flat towards the waistband.

Pin front and back right sides together at sides.

Sew side seams together .

Pin and sew co-ord fabric 21 x 4 inch pieces together at sides.

Pin hem band and front pieces together making sure the side seams line up

Sew and overlock together, also overlock the raw edge of the waistband and the hem band.

Press up a little hem on the hem band.

Press under the waistband so it is about 1.25inches high.

I cut my elastic 10 inches long. Pin the edge of the elastic to the side seam of the waistband on each side

Sew in place.

Place some pins through the layers along the lower edge of the waistband .

Sew along the lower edge taking care not to stitch through the elastic.




The elastic will gather up making it difficult to manage so put the needle down into the fabric, lift the pressure foot and move the elastic through.You may need to do this a few times.The ric rac is optional ! Place it on top of the seam and sew along.

I sewed ric rac on the lower edge to sew the hem in place. If you do not use ric rac simply machine or hand sew the hem.
Here it is ...the finished skirt. If there is any part of this tutorial you cannot follow please comment below and I will try to enlighten you!!