Curtains fixed... Part 1

Oh my goodness, what a boring post!

Our bedroom curtains had died a death really. The header tape threads were all snapped so they literally hung by a thread. The pole was bent. They were far too long which meant the dog always ended up sat on them which broke and bent everything further. Plus, they didn't meet in the middle so were pulled together with a hair clip!

So in our quest to better this place ready for renting it out, the curtains went on the list of jobs. A list that grows rather than shrinks apparently, but that's a different story!

Cut the header tape off, folded it down 3 inches or so, stitched on some eyelet header tape, cut the holes out, popped in the poppers, hung them up, fussed with them a fair bit, trimmed the now-too-long netting (don't judge me for having netting - we're overlooked and it's polka dots!!) and voila! 'New' curtains. Very easy and I'm quite impressed!

Making a pair from scratch for the newly decorated spare room today though - wish me luck!!

Craft rolls!

Made another craft roll and also bought the stuff to 'stuff' them with!

 First one I made with a pinstripe outside and grey pockets

Very fun! Am only doing 2 but will take orders!

Pretty aprons

Made these 2 little beauties this morning...

More views:

 I ADORE jumbo ricrac!!

 Tea towel holder and heirloom stitching around the pocket

How on earth do you 'model' an apron in your PJs?!

 Not much better!

Crayon rolls galore!

With many thanks to Skip to My Lou for the tutorial, I have been whipping up crayon rolls today - 8 in total in about 4 hours. STILL not quick enough but blimey, mum's machine drives me bonkers! Must have spent at least an hour in total sorting problems, replacing needles (the machine is so weak it can't got through enough layers before the needle snaps!), re-threading the needle, putting more thread on the bobbin (I'm sure it's not just me, but that bobbin runs out awfully quickly!) etc etc!!

Anyway, here they are, the little bundles of gorgeousness - now, do I sell them with the crayons, as I do with the bags, or without and sell them cheaper?!

'Quick' kimono t-shirt

Whipped up a top today from some stretch fabric I've had lying around for ages. Made from a free pattern here at MariaDenmark . It's turned out really nice actually!! 

Will definitely make another in a different fabric and see if I can do it in less than 90 minutes this time! Wore it straight away and am really pleased with it!

Beautiful dress to remember a beautiful girl...

I made this dress for me to wear to Isla's funeral. It was great fun to make and I really took my time and followed every single instruction to the letter - oh, except the zip, which I did the only way I know how! Oh, and the hem, which, I'm sorry, I'm not French seaming and hand sewing! I did, however, press every seam the right way and try it on frequently to check it was fitting!

I'm so proud of it! It's a Project Runway design (2588), where you have the basic dress shape (either slim or flared skirt) and then can choose a yoke or neckline and 'designer additions' - I chose the bow of course! Definitely going to be making another in a different style soon! 

It was a beautiful flowery fabric for Isla's funeral - nice and bright to match the meadow she is laid to rest in. 

What do you think?!

 Pockets too!

Seeing those photos makes we want to wear it today! I love it!! 

And when I do wear it, I can think of Isla and how beautiful she was too!

Saddest thing I've ever made

So today I made a burial gown for little Isla. I'd always planned on making her clothes when she was born, but never thought it'd be something so tiny, poignant and sad like this.


The gown is from here - such a beautiful and simple pattern, thank you! 


The bonnet was quick and easy. Printed from here. 


Heartbreaking to make but I couldn't not make her something. She will also be buried with her teddy, which has been with us since we found out she had died, and with her since she was born sleeping. 

Front:

Back: 

Isla and teddy: 

New bits for the shop...

So, I've been on a bit of a making spree during these half term holidays! I was told people at the shop were asking for purses and smaller bags. And what with another, second, shop opening on Monday, I got busy....


Purses: 

Bags - all reversible, various handle styles and sizes but all basically a small book bag / shoulder bag! 


(That all need ironing before I take them to the shop!!)

 

 

 

All together now!

Alas.... failure!

I don't normally post unless I'm proud of something and have a sense of achievement about what I've sewn.........


Today is not such an occasion! I'm posting due to the hilarity of it all! The waste of 1.5 hours or a project I was really looking forward to. The wreckage made of one of Dan's nice shirts - oops! (He did know I had 'borrowed' it!). The unflattering, badly sewn, mis-measured, untested effort that was accomplished today shall herein be known as...... the failure!


Here it is (please excuse the hair, glasses, PJ bottoms - this little number did not warrant a shower or getting dressed into an 'outfit' really!)......

So, the empire line is too high and it will certainly be too short with a full bump.....

But does that really make it a failure? I guess not....

...............................

But this surely does..............

Think the sleeves were a little tight plus I may have made it a little snug around the back! 

Please feel free to snigger, comment, laugh out loud or text me your condolences/sarcastic congratulations/witty remarks about this effort - I deserve them all!

Maternity trousers - first trousers ever!!

Well I guess they're slightly easier than usual trousers due to there being no zip closure etc.... But I still manage to make my usual pigs-ear of at least 1 process in the making of these trousers!

So, they're based on a Burda Maternity pattern: 

I was at Trago Mills in Newton Abbot today and saw some stretchy cotton sateen fabric (to use on reverse side as don't like shiny!) that I thought would be suitable for these. Bought some extra jersey for the band too.

Took forever to print out and piece together the pattern, but not too long to cut out the pieces - having worked out the direction of the stretch! 

The actual sewing took hardly any time and before long I had the main body of the trousers and they fit! So far so good! 

You'd think the band would be easy but me being me managed to cock up quite a few times, unpicking many a seam before finally working it out. Even once I'd worked out what their incredibly scant instructions meant, I still made silly mistakes and ended up unpicking seams again! Doh!

Anyway, finally got there. Total sewing time, approx 45 minutes. Total making time, approx 2.5 hours. Total including making pattern and cutting, approx 4 hours!! Crazy! Could whip up another pair now in no time I'm sure! And may even do so, maybe making a flared pair. 

Hopefully can't see a 'camel's toe' here but the threat is there with stretchy material plus curvy girl! Oh dear!!

S'cuse the look on my face! Was concerned about the zooming going on!

Should look quite nice with heals or sandals anyway!

Been a busy little bee the last 2 days!

Check out all I've made in the last couple of days - I am LOVING having some time to do loads of sewing!

Yesterday's successes:

Little bow pouch bag - 

forgot to photo the lining - it's cute too!

Little tea-towel purses - 10 mins to make each!

Knot bag

Dotty lining

Today's efforts: 

Extendable tote - format 1

Extendable tote - format 2 - it's HUGE!

Book bag with pockets

Inside of book bag

Cute little wooden button heart

Am really pleased with everything so far - just wish I could make things a little quicker than I currently do!