New Dress

I found a great new place to buy fabric and so picked up a nice piece to make a dress for work.

I recently made my own pattern that fits me perfectly, after reading a pattern making book, and so this was my first test run of using this.

This is the facing:

The pattern pieces cut out:

And the final dress:

Stocking

Busy busy busy...

I've been making loads of stockings for my craft fair in December. A great excuse 2 make lots of bits and pieces that I've wanted to make for a while.

Gingerbread men

Still busy making things for the Christmas craft fair I'm going to.

I made quite a few of these little gingerbread men decorations.

I also made this mini chain with gingham hearts 2.

Christmas Bunting

I got hold of some pretty Christmas fabric and made some Christmas bunting. I want this everywhere in the house at Christmas!

I made some holly leaves to go on either end of the bunting.

Bears

I have been making lots of little bears.

Bunting

I started out on making my bunting. This is my first finished vintage bunting.

I've been to the library

I took a trip to the library as I have a bit of time over the next few weeks and wanted to get looking at some pattern books for dressmaking. I wanted to improve my techniques a bit and so I rummaged through the library for pattern making books.

Some of these books are better than others, some are a bit old.

But I have been looking at how to make blocks, there seems to be a couple of ways to do this, either following the mathematical approach or doing it on the model. Now I am trying a few different ones, a couple of the 'make it on paper' types and also using on the model ideas.

I'll keep you posted on how it all goes. So far I have been cutting out lots of versions of paper patterns on newspaper and have made up one in fabric and am altering it on the model I haveto get it just right.

A new little eco owl

I recently made a little owl and I am now onto my second one.

This little owl is made from recycled fabrics and scraps left over from other projects. It is then stuffed with reused fabric as well. Totally eco and great for the environment, as well as totally cute (of course).

First step was to cut out the pattern pieces. I've gone for a pink theme this time.

I then sewed the wings together, then the front to the back, I did this before the appliqué and embroidery this time. (That's my little pin cushion that my Mum made me there!!)

Here is attack of the pins!! I pinned my fabric in place. There are a lot of pins because I had to fold over all the edges on the circles (not an easy task).

So all ready to sew...

I made my own little label. I have been meaning to make a little label to go on my items for ages. I have tried free sewing on my machine, but I def need some practise. So I hand sewed this one, that way it comes out the way I want it to.

This is my little owl just before stuffing, after sewing on the eyes, beak and detail.

And this is my finished owl, leave a comment to say what you think.

Dress

I wanted to make another new dress, so I found some fabric- a bargain at less than £2 a metre and got to work. I altered a pattern that I had used before, I added buttons at the front and made the skirt fuller.

I think I might even wear it with a belt. I think i'll try it on a few different ways and see...

remade Dress

Ok, so fabric isn't always cheap and by the time you've added in zips, threads, elastic etc it can all add up, with the time it takes on top of that you've added yourself up alot of time, effort and money.

So when I was out shoppin I saw a dress on sale (mainly because it was an aweful design- not even sure how u'd wear it), but I transformed it from this...

To this...

I am quite pleased with the outcome! Another little dress I can wear in the summer.

New skirt

I have just finished making this new skirt.

Finished off dress

I have just finished off my little summer dress, added buttons and a lining!

Handmade Reindeer

I have just made this little reindeer. Lots of sewing was involved and was a bit fiddly, but got there in the end.

Christmas Robin

Another little robin for my Christmas collection.

Totally handmade in the UK.

Each little robin costs £10

Another Polka Dot Skirt

After making a blue polka dot skirt I thought I'd make another one, so heres my white and black polka dot skirt.

New Dress

Been planning this dress for a while, wanted something kinda casual. Spent a while deciding on what I wanted, then got sorting a pattern and made the dress

Below is the detail on the sleeve