Glasses case

Pattern from 'Sew Darn Cute' by Jenny Ryan

There's something so special about receiving a handmade gift. Being a crafter myself, I know how much time, thought and effort goes into such items. I've made this for my Nanna, for Christmas. She gets such a kick of of me sewing, because she was the one that taught me how to do it.

I borrowed my daughters glasses for these shots and now I have a demand for 2 more cases. Maybe Santa will get me to make one each for them for Christmas.

Recycle/reuse: Trousers

I don't follow many blogs outside of livejournal (I must remedy that) but there is one that I not only read religiously, but I spent a good week reading her back posts too.

ReFashionista! What she can do with the most hideous of clothing is nothing short of amazing!

I keep promising myself that I will waste less and make adjustments or (if one day I'm feeling brave) do a total refashion of a garment.

Today I'm starting small and adjusting some trousers I've slimmed out of. I didn't get much wear out of them before slimming down and it seemed a shame to toss out a perfectly good pair of trousers.

Before

I wanted to take them in at the back seam as to not disturb the front pockets and zip. But first I wanted to save the belt loop that was right on the back seam

Out came my trusty seam ripper

Next I needed to decide how much to take them in....

Have you ever tried to pin a pair of trousers in the back whilst wearing them? Don't! It's painful! I ended up estimating how much to take them in by the thumb test "yes, they need to go in by about 2 thumb lengths...very scientific you understand.

Then I pinned and sewed down the pin line

Then chop off any excess (I recommend you try them on before you chop, if they're too tight you can then unpick and sew again. Sew the belt loop back on and....

ta da! Trousers that fit! Simples

FO Friday: Dolman Top Duex

Happy Friday! 

I made it through another week of the school holidays, that in itself is worth celebrating right?

This week I've mainly been working on my second Hitchhiker, but I did manage to make my youngest daughter her Dolman top over the weekend. She loved it so much that she insisted on wearing it to two parties.

I found this one much easier than the first 2 I made. Maybe the alcohol helped. I always seem to sew better when I'm drinking

and both tops together

So what have you been working on this week? 

If you'd like to see more finished items, check out Tami's Amis

FO Friday: Hitchhiker and Dolman top

Happy Friday everyone! and for those with children, I hope you're enjoying the summer holidays.

I have 2 finished objects to show you this week, I know it's been a while, but I'm going to try and complete at least one sewn item a week from now on, since I've now got a place to sew. It;s not much, but it's a massive improvement on the kitchen side I was using. 

Ok onto the finished items. First up is the Hitchhiker scarf I've been working of for weeks/months. I've really enjoyed making this scarf. All those lovely little rainbows that formed on my needles were such a pleasure to look at. I will definitely be buying some more yarn from A Stash Addict



and the big ta da!!!!




I think it looks better on this little cutie


but here it is on me anyway

and on the sewing front I made a Dolman top (pattern by Kitschy Coo)








I just have one more Dolman top to make (for my smallest) and then I'll be going back to woven fabrics only (unless someone wants to generously donate an overlocker to me)

For more lovely finished objects, have a look at Tami's Amis 

FO Friday: Teacher gifts

I had hoped to have my Hitchhiker finished for todays post, but it wasn't meant to be. I do, however, have a couple of other FO's for you.

First up is Totoro. I made this as a gift for one of my big girls teachers

all ready to go to his new owner

My second finished item isn't yarn based, but I'm sure you'll appreciate it all the same. It's a paintbrush roll for the big ones main teacher. 

I thought the ruler ribbon was very fitting for a teacher. 

For more FO's please visit Tami's Amis

The Dolmaniacs

This week I'm taking part in the Kitschy Coo sew-along.
I've had some issues sewing with knit fabrics so although I have these pretty fabrics

I decided to make a tester using cheap jersey I already had

My daughter is 5.5yrs, in 6-7yr clothing, so I played it safe and tried out the 7/8yr size of the pattern. It's a little big around the neck and chest but the length is how I like it on her. 
For the real Dolman top I'll be using the 5/6 pattern, with the 7/8 length. 


"Do you like your new top Rheya? The one Mummy sweated over for days?!?"

WIP Wednesday: Little Sister Dress, Hitchhiker and a sew-along

Happy Wednesday!

My crafting has taken a back burner for a couple of weeks whilst other things have been going on

We visited The Deep

Humber Bridge Park with friends


Plumpton Rocks


Where I snapped some amazing Dragonflies


I made a Jubilee cake



and managed to miss all the celebrations :( These pictures were taken in Ikea..haha)


My WIPS this week are a Little Sister dress for a friends little girl. There isn't enough of this yarn to make the whole thing unfortunately, and since the yarn is only available in the US my choices are to try to find something that matches (probably unlikely), find something that contrasts nicely, maybe a different shade of green or brown, or try find a supplier in the US that is willing to post more here. Either way it should look fab.



and the other day I cast on Hitchhiker (I have an allergy to working on one project at a time) unfortunately this is what I'm having to do at the moment since one of my needles has a split down it and it's catching on the yarn (which is from A Stash Addict)



New needles are on the way, I think I'm going to stick with the metal variety from now on.

If you'd like to view some more WIPS please head over to Tami's Amis

As well as the projects above, I will soon be taking part in Kitschy Coo's sew-along. Amanda (owner of Kitschy Coo) is offering a 15% of her fabrics and the pattern is on offer at £5 for the sew-along (increasing to £7 after the sew-along). If you like to sew and would be interested in joining go along to her website for full details of how to join in. 

I personally can't wait! I've been dying to have a go at sewing knit fabrics. 

THE BIG DAY

Today was the big day, my eldest daughter's school Jubilee Party. I didn't want my youngest daughter to feel left out so she also had a dress (shop bought) and some Union Jack clips for her hair.



I've had such an overwhelming response to this dress. I don't think I've ever had so many lovely compliments.

Jubilee Dress

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee is fast approaching and my daughter's school has a couple of celebrations coming up. The children have been asked to dress for the occasion and of course I saw this as an excuse to make my daughter a fabulous dress.

I've had the pattern in my stash for a while now (It's the Cuppy Cake Dress pattern) so thought now was a good time to give it a go. 

So with some extensive planning

 

There's still some finishing touches to add, topstitching, buttons and button holes, but apart from that it's done and I'm very pleased with it.

and some shots of the little lady modelling her new dress