Making cards

I always like to have handmade cards ready to send to people when a birthday or event comes up. So I decided to sit down and make some new ones as I am gradually running out of the ones I have made before.

I saw a great card idea, of using paper and sewing it onto card.

So I got going.

I drew out lots of pretty shapes, balloons for the boys and then lots of butterflies and flowers.

They looked quite pretty once I had finished cutting them all out, although my fingers hurt and it took a while!

I then got my sewing machine out and got sewing. I layed out the flowers etc roughly where I wanted them and sewed them on to the cards.

I think the results were quite pretty, I just need to line them to finish them off nicely. :o)

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.

Bunting

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

Busy Making

I have finally got my computer back and am therefore able to blog again. I missed my laptop!

So while I have been away from the computer a bit, I have been getting ready for the Leigh craft fair I am doing in December.

I have made lots of little bears, Christmas decorations, bunting, jewellery and I am still going. I will keep you updated with my progress and what happens along the way.

The bears above are a few of my creations that I will be selling.

Block

I mentioned before my trip to the library to get some sewing/ dress making/ pattern making books. So I thought I would read up and try and work on improving some of the sewing I do and how I do it and hopefully learn a few things.

I decided I was gunna make a pattern block. I have been basing my patterns so far on a basic dress pattern and adjusting it, but haven't made a block that is just right. So I thought I would do it properly and follow the instructions.

I used a standard pattern sized up to make one set of blocks, I then followed this method of measuring the body and drawing it all out. I then adjusted this one on both my model and by trying it on myself.

This is my block so far on my model. It still needs a fair bit of work, cutting etc and then drawing out onto paper.

I have been doing a lot of pinning and adjusting to try and get it just right.

I think I might test this out, once it's finished, by making a black dress for work, so watch this space.

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.

Buy it here

I have just added my little owl to my Wow thank you shop, check it out here:

http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/surf-jewels/products/eco-owl/

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.

Office Dress

Ok, so I have made quite a few items of clothing, have followed (and not followed patterns), admittedly being more successful when I do follow patterns. But inspired by something I saw on TV and a dress I've seen on the net, I got going on making my own pattern and dress.

First step was to make a pattern. I based it vaguely on part of a dress pattern I have used before. I had a bit of inspiration and made it from newspaper, then remade it.

Then was cutting it from fabric.

I made this from a dress that was not so successful and a man's shirt that was being thrown away.

I have been doing a lot of sewing and adjusting and this is where I am at now. There is a lot of work 2 go. Pins are still holding a lot of it together and some bits just aren't right. So I'll keep you posted.

Sewing Box

My Dad rescued this from a skip and I love it.

A proper old sewing box. Just had to fix some of the screws back in (with a little help from my Dad).

Now I use it for all sorts of sewing bits- ribbons, threads, buttons and bits and bobs.

Mother's day pressie

This year for mother's day I made my Mum a pressie-I made her this apron.

I found some great fabric online, that I thought would be perfect, went to the little knitting shop up the road from me (which seems to have just about everything you could need) to get the cord and after some work on my sewing machine, I had made her pressie.

New Dress

This took at bit of work, but this is the newest dress I've made and very happy with it.

I thought this might have been one of the mistakes that I told myself that at least I learned something from, but it actually turned out ok.

I think it's quite cute and nice and summery (now I just need the sun to come out and the weather to warm up so that I can start wearing these things!)

handmade,dress, sewing, sewn, pattern, summer,floral, flower, made

A new top

I saw an outfit that I loved online and I wanted it. So what do you do when you want something- make it of course, then u can have it in ur own size, colour etc.

Well anyway, I am half way to my outfit. I have made the top. I made this from an old top that didn't fit right. I have also ordered some turquoise fabric for a skirt I want to make. So watch this space for that one.

As you can see I have tried this top with several outfits.

Just waiting for summer now! Roll on summer :)