Sewing class

Yay!  Sewing!  Oh how I've missed thee!  The sewing class that I told you about last time is still going strong, no drop outs yet and this week we made a six point star.  Now that sounds pretty easy doesn't it?  I looked at it and thought, six diamonds - no problem!  However, to the mathematically challenged like myself wielding a ruler and protractor again felt too much like the dark days of school...but I did it, I still can't quite get my head around it and probably couldn't replicate it without some help but I've made all the diamonds by hand on paper and then cut them out of fabric. 

The fabrics are a mix of pains I bought in a fat quarter bundle of plains and some random patterned ones that took my eye, I've placed them against my cream cord cushion as it was the easiest white background to hand being right next to me!

This lot still has the paper and tacking stitches in.  I'm not taking them out just yet as I've got the unenviable task of deciding whether to sacrifice it and use it in my workbook or keep it in the hope that I continue and make lots more to make a quilt and make another out of fabric that I'm less attached to so that I have something to show in the workbook.  Hmmmmmm...decisions decisions.

I've bought some more fat quarters from the fabric stall in my local market yesterday as they were too pretty to leave and we've got a new project to do next week.  It's a secret what the project is, can't decide whether the teacher is winding us up and hasn't decided yet or she knows certain members of the class won't like it so will just spring it on us on the day!! hehe!  I like the latter option but I'm evil like that!

Starting from the bottom up, stripes in light blue, turquoise, green, beige and brown in various widths.  Next is a dark brown with purple and cream tiny flowers in clusters with circles that have dots round them as a pattern.  Next is a light green with darker green polka dots and large old English roses in shades of pink and red and is my favourite.  The last is a lovely red with gold stars, they're reminiscent of Christmas or American flag style stars to me.

I think the colours go well together as there's at least one colour of each in every quarter, the patterns may not go together in everyone's opinion but I like the clash.  I've still got lots of plain fat quarters to go with them in matching colours as don't know how many different patterns I may need for the next project.  Ooooooh!  I'm excited!

I've also been a very lucky bunny and had a present of buttons from J's mum, she brought them back from their holidays in France last week and I love them!

White packet of loveliness!  Buttons in shades of blue, green and pink enamel and two cream with flower patterns on them

Apparently I would have broken the bank going into the shop where she found these as she said she'd never seen so many buttons and I would have been in heaven!  *Sigh*  Have no idea what they're going to be used for yet, I'm slightly tempted to make the enamel ones into a necklace...otherwise skirts with button decorations perhaps as there's only six of the enamel ones.

I had planned to make knickers this weekend as had my lovely knicker pattern from Mrs Scruffy Badger but when I got to the market stall they didn't have any knicker elastic like the stuff we'd used in the class, just that stringy stuff that doesn't look very enticing so have been trawling Etsy and have seen some amazing colours and patterns on elastic and was just glad the battery went on my phone before I could buy the lot last night!  I suppose I should have known there would be a wealth of colours out there as can see it on the stuff in my drawer and in the shops but I was amazed at how quickly I found so many lovely things!  The wonders of the internet!  I was also pleased that it wasn't as expensive as the ladies at the market stall had lead me to believe, phew!  Now I just need to measure just how much elastic each pair of knickers needs and work out how much to order.

So sewing plans out the window I'm going to make some Halloween style jewellery for a fair I have next Friday, finger's crossed they turn out as good as they look in my head!!  Watch this space!

Silence may be golden but it's boring

So you've probably noticed it's been rather quiet here lately, that's because it's been rather hectic and then hit down by the dreaded lurgy.  Yes that's a medical term!  Or at least it should be!  So here's a very belated post about the wonderful time I had at the blogger meet up in Birmingham last Saturday organised by the fabulous Debbie at Minnado's House and Mrs Scruffy Badger.

It couldn't have been more perfect, no sooner had I pinned my badge on but Melizza and Sarah spotted me and then Rachel joined us and as we were all learning each other's names when our two organisers arrived and we were off on our fabric adventure.

Cross stitch Magpie Mimi brooch with gold gauze and purple petals behind and some lavender ric rac stalk

I can honestly say I've never seen so much trim in one place.  There were whole stalls dedicated to trims alone.  I think the fabric part of my brain had died and gone to heaven!  Melizza and I made the first purchases of mini pom pom trim as we'd both seen something wonderful done with it so had to have some to try it out ourselves.  I'm not saying what it is yet as haven't quite worked out the finer details but it's pom pom-tastic!!  I also managed to sneak in buying some giant ric rac, 5 packs of ribbon at 2m each and a bag of lavender heads for some stuffed lavender lovelies that shall be adorning my stall and shop soon with any luck!

6m of purple mini pom pom trim Ooooooh!

Just because it's so lovely, another shot of it! hehe!

Rachel looking at the trims, my purple pom poms are up there on the left somewhere!

Ric rac!  Giant Ric Rac!!!!

Here's the ones I bought, 2m of aqua and 2m of golden yellow ric rac

Trims trims trims!

Stalls of trims!

5 lots of 2m of ribbon

Lavender flowers

We did a good reconnaissance of the stalls immediately outside the rag market and then as best we could inside until our tums started rumbling and our feet aching and headed for Cafe Soya.  If you're at the rag market do try it, it's just across the road and it's delicious!  Mmmmmmm!  We also spent the time to do a pattern and goodies swap and here's what I got:

Lovely pattern from Mrs SB

Yellow ribbon from Sarah and purple zip from Melizza

Earrings as a gift from Mrs SB

So suitably refreshed and with a plan of action in mind we headed back in for fabric.  I was not disappointed.  I only bought two lots of fabric as with such a long list of 'to do' items I thought I'd be good, but we've all planned another visit is definitely in order.  I also got some more trim and some gorgeous thick velvet ribbon in golden yellow which lead Mrs SB and Debbie to think of Orla Kiely's dresses this season as apparently she has used this colour ribbon as belts with her dresses.  This in turn made me think of the lovely pillow cases from Orla Kiely that I've taken apart to use for making a dress so this could be the belt.

Sarah trying to decide which lovely print to have

Oooh!  Fabric!

More fabric!

Debbie looking at all the lovely rolls and rolls of fabric

Gorgeous golden yellow velvet ribbon

Bargain of the century at £1 a metre, think it might be used to make the dress from the pattern above.  It's a lovely coral/pink colour with silver flowers and leaves.

Lavender two tone wool that I think I may make into the Proper Attire Skirt by Anna Maria Horner

Wondering whether to use this orange and brown fabric in the inside of the pleats...if that's how the pattern works...need to look into that.

Here we all are with our goodies!

Mrs SB and Sarah showing off her fabric

Melizza, Rachel and Mrs SB and more showing off of fabric!

Mrs Scruffy Badger had put in a special order from me for a seam roll and tailor's ham after she saw earlier in the year I'd been thinking of making myself one.  So, to save on postage I whipped up a set for Saturday and think she's pleased with it!  You can see the ones I made her on her blog.  I've started making a set for myself and will put some in the shop too.  So if you want one in a particular colour/pattern let me know and I'll sort it out!

The tree pattern one is mine all mine but the spotty one can be yours!

Reverse of the tailor's hams, mine is the green and blue wool check one, the other has a variety of brown and beige wool check

I'm all snuggled up in a blanket with a hot cuppa as we speak.  Hopefully I'll be back up to full crafting/sewing speed soon as need to get myself in gear for the Crafty Christmas Club as although I've been thinking about Christmas presents I've yet to set them down and make a proper start.  I've also got some exciting things in the pipeline, but until they're fully confirmed I don't want to set my heart on them but it means I'll be very busy and may not have much time for posting on here.

Ooooh!  And my favourite thing this week has been wearing my new knitting needle bracelets made by the lovely Scrapiana, check out her Etsy shop if you fancy a set!

Lovely purple former knitting needles now lovely bracelets!

OOooooh!  Pretty!

Hope you're all happily sewing/making/crafting away!

It's the little things...

I really like details in things, the little added extras that make something extra special, like when you get a dessert at a small restaurant and they make shapes in the icing sugar on your plate, or the little bow on a purchase of something that you buy pretty often.  It really makes my day to have that small but so not insignificant touch of love to something, so I was so deeply touched and impressed by the package I received in the post today.  I'd entered a give away online to win some fabric from a new fabric shop, sadly I didn't win, but I did find something on there that I needed and so I put my order in.  I ordered the fabric on Sunday, it arrived today...how fantastic is that?  I don't know whether it's just because I've bought fabric mostly from America lately and am used to waiting for the post, but it was amazing that it arrived so quickly.  The other very impressive thing was how it was packaged.  Now as you know I love ordering fabric online and this has to be some of the best packaged fabric I've received!

Pretty tissue paper with matching stickers to keep it closed

Carefully taken off it reveals the pretty fabric tied in a lovely colour coordinating ribbon

I know it's a little bit silly gushing over packaging, but they're just starting out their business and I think this is the type of stuff that people will keep coming back for.  It's nice to see someone take the care with something that is so precious to me.  I'd like to point out that I'm not affiliated with the shop or it's owners, I'm just a happy little bunny!

Thanks a bunch Dragonfly fabrics!  Can't wait to get sewing now!

Look what I found!

I've been such a lucky little girl today, some amazing finds at a charity shop and shopping at my favourite market stall and then a walk around the wetlands and lunch out!  I have to say I'm worn out now!  This might be a picture heavy post, but it's of pretty things so naaa!

My charity shop finds:

This has never been used, all the original slopers are in here and it's got a video!!!

This had me gasping and practically shrieking with delight as signed up to Miss P.'s Top Draft-along but haven't got round to doing it yet what with MMJ and other things it's not happened.  So this I think will give me the kick start I need as don't need to print anything out as it's here and can use both sets of instructions and can ask for opinions on here and the flickr group to helps solve the many problems I'm sure will arise! haha!  I'm just sad it's not by the same person that Miss P.'s book is by.

Two lovely patterns for 40p each!

I really want to make the red number on the left hand pattern and think I need to get some fire engine red shiny fabric to make it in too!

Speaking of fabric, here's what I got at my favourite market stall:

Just over a metre of lovely pink cotton with tiny polka dots

Red bias binding for my Sorbetto

Zips zips zips!

The lovely lady at the market gave me all that was left on the roll of the pink fabric as there was a fault at the end so she knocked a bit off the price too!  How lovely is that?  I got the bias binding for a sorbetto I've been making today, hopefully I'll get it done by tomorrow to wear and take photos of.  However, I also got 30 zips as picked up some fabric from Ikea yesterday that I'm going to make into purses/make up bags like the ones I made here.

And so onto my other favourite place...there's a theme of water here...think I need to move closer to the sea, well a nicer part of the coast anyways as have a river two streets away and a bit of sea 7 miles away but not a good bit.

Hope you've all had a lovely day!

I've got so much to show and tell!

So I've had a lazy day as still worn out after yesterday's Sew Weekly meet up and did want to do a photo recreation of the outfit I was wearing yesterday but it was just too cold today so here it is on hangers

Pink cotton vest top made from Burda pattern using the lace I got from my swap buddy Rachel from Sew Weekly

Pattern details

How it's supposed to look in the magazine

A line skirt I made from the Amy Butler fabric I got the other day with some satin bias binding as a detail between the facing and main skirt part

50's style jacket from Burda pattern

Pattern details

How it's supposed to look in the magazine

I was sewing up to 10pm the night before the meet up and still ended up wonder webbing the facings in on one of their edges as I didn't get time to hand sew them in.  Thankfully I had the sense to go to bed then, but know there were many ladies at the meet up who had little, or gulp, even no sleep!  I'm dedicated but not masochistic! ;)

I love the fabric I used for the jacket but the fascings are not working for me, can't work out whether it's just that I'm not used to that sort of neckline or if I cut the semi circle too sharp.  I'm happy with the skirt, but can't really go wrong with an A-line skirt but the vest top is irritating me too.  I think it's because it has no definition for the waist and being cotton not something stretchy it just hangs there.  I wore it with a blue sash yesterday to be in with the red white and blue theme but may take the side seams in and insert a zipper or if I'm going to be influenced by the Yohji Yamamoto exhibition  I may put in metal fasteners.

Yohji Yamamoto programme, ticket and the tube map that was indispensable for someone like me who gets easily lost and confused!

I loved the Yohji Yamamoto exhibition at the V&A yesterday you could work all round the outfits and get up close (but no touching please!) and really see the details.  My favourites were the green felt trench coat, the yellow silk dress and the pleated dresses from the women's outfits and the green and purple felt jacket, the kimono influenced jackets and the jacket with the embroidered stars from the men's outfits.  Sadly I didn't get time to see the videos as spent all my time examining the garments.  I was intrigued by how influenced he was by traditional Japanese clothing and merging it with high fashion and European styles.  There was a blue work shirt that had a bag incorporated into it on the front on the right where a field worker would have put her crop but it was made in velvet.  The contrast between the velvet and the thick durable cotton was surprising and it worked.  I could probably spend a whole day in there but doubt I'll be able to go back before it's finished.

And so onto the winnings and finds at Goldhawk Road.  It really was astounding to see so many fabric shops in one place and what made my day even more were the prices!

Buttons I won in the raffle from the lovely Judy at Sew Weekly, thank you Judy!

Reprint of a '57 halter neck dress won in the raffle, thank you Victoria for donating this one!

Fabric won in the raffle, lovely silky satin feel to it might make a top with it

This is 100% cotton but think it's cotton voile it's so soft and has a slight sheen to it, the purple background is a lot brighter and think this will be a dress as have 2 metres of it

Bargain Liberty print of mushrooms half the price of anywhere else I've seen it.  Think it will be a top as it's lovely and soft.

Green satin which will also be a top as I need more tops for Me Made June even if I realised on the train home I have a satin top in almost the exact same shade of green...

Bargain 100% cotton, it's more of a softer blush pink in real life and might be a top but could just be used as lining if the mushroom fabric proves too sheer.

So they were my goodies from yesterday and here's some goodies that arrived last week that I didn't get time to post about what with blogger being down, sewing and firefox not working with blogger.  Sorry if you can't click links on my blog if you're using firefox, if you can use another internet browser as I find it works then...grrrrr hate computer problems!

Anna Maria Horner velveteen in Lovesme Lovesmenot!

Anna Maria Horner velveteen First Impression in Jewel

My free pattern!

Yay!  Never thought this was going to arrive I was watching the post so much!  The fabric is amazing and not sure what I'm going to make yet, but probably a skirt and maybe a jacket like the one above but not sure which way round with the fabric yet.

I've also managed to squeeze in a bit of quick fix sewing today!  Victoria explained how she made her wonderful red shrug yesterday and how easy it was to make, so I thought I'd put myself to the test as had that scrap of lavender coloured jersey...

me wearing the incredibly easy to make shrug and my flower made from the travelling lace gifts from Rachel

And a view from the back

I used all of the remnant I had as wanted it quite long in the back and didn't want it too tight.  I'm really proud of myself for foraying into the world of sewing jersey, even if I haven't hemmed any of the edges as it's not exactly going to fray any time soon and because I'm lazy!  I'm also really surprised I actually set up the machine correctly to sew it and found the right needles in my stash!

So...might go a bit quiet for a bit as have some family stuff going on so hope all this tides you over for a while!  Happy sewing everyone!