Autumn Wool Skirt Ideas

A couple of weeks ago I bought a fabulous little remnant of wool mix fabric when I was out shopping for the new lining for my jacket. It is grey and has a tweed feel to it however the cost was only £2, it is a good sized piece and I also bought lining to match which cost me the same as the fabric. 

Usually I just jump straight in and make the first thing that comes to mind and usually this works pretty well but recently I have decided to try and keep track of the items I make. I thought it would be nice to keep some sort of paper record other than this blog so I have decided on a small note book.  I began with my recent apron and I thought I would continue in this vain.  It is a shame that I didn't do this years ago as there are so many things that have been made for myself and others that have now gone forever but here is a start.

Here are my ideas for my autumn skirt...

Now I am no fashion artist so this is purely for my own train of thought but I have seen a few skirts that gather from the waist slightly and I don't think there is enough fabric for that.  I also like the one pleat front (see above but imagine just one centre pleat). Other thoughts were adding a pocket within a placket as I have a zip with heavy metal teeth in my stash or some detail waistband tabs with button detail.

The skirt will be lined as I like my clothes to have some substance and it prevents tights from grabbing on the fabric.  It will also be slightly longer than the one in the diagram, other than that it is still up in the air at the moment but I will be using elements from the picture above I just haven't made my mind up yet.  I hope to begin this tomorrow along with a party dress alteration for a colleague of my husband.

I had a little peak on the Betz white blog and there is a gorgeous little tree ornament stitch along, I am not going to take part but what a lovely idea, I may take a few ideas from pinterest nearer the time and  make a few things.  If you have time maybe take a look you may find some inspiration.

Sweet Potato, Carrot and Apple Soup (Vegan/Gluten free)

My son actually requested I make us a soup today, quite unusual for him to request something healthy but progress at least.  Last week I made us a kale and watercress soup, today I did something different.

Very deep bowls so it looks like I haven't got much but there is quite a bit in there.

Ingredients

2 large carrots

1 large sweet potato

1 red onion

1 apple

2 tomatoes

1/2 tsp cumin

1 veg stock cube

A little black pepper

Boil sweet potato and carrot until softened, fry onion in a little oil, add tomatoes and apple and fry a little longer. Once the veg are cooked add to the blender with stock made from the water the veg were boiled in ( or steamed, I usually steam them it just takes a little longer). 

Add onion, tomatoes and apples to the blender along with the cumin and pepper, blitz.  This amount served three of us with bread, I had gluten free toast with mine.  It could be stretched much further but I like it quite thick so not as much water.  I also made vegan lasagne for four but I will share that some other time.

Coasters from Recycled Fabric (Handmade Gift Idea)

There never seems to be enough coasters around the house here, I like a cup of tea but I don't like putting a hot cup down on my furniture without a coaster to protect it, I often wander upstairs with a drink in my hand then have to pop it down on a book or something, not good.  Another little problem is I have lost a few due to my youngest dog thinking it is a fun game to snatch them off low tables and nibble the edges.  As a result I am a few short, however I have plenty of fabric so I thought I would make a few more.

Not sure it was a good idea to make binding from stretch denim, it is so thick I had to leave some edges hanging over then hand stitch as there was no way it could be turned under or mitred, rather more rustic looking.  So stick to nice thin cotton for that.

I am sure everyone needs these, the hard ones wear out eventually and can sometimes cost a lot for what they are.  Fabric ones can be washed, they use up those odd bits of fabric and they are quite quick and easy to make.  This also  got me thinking they would be quite nice to put in a little gift hamper for a tea loving friend, a nice cup, some coasters, good tea and some nice biscuits.  If these were presented carefully in a covered box it would be better than the overpriced hamper style gifts that will be hitting the shops soon.

First of all you can use a regular coaster that you have already to cut your squares of fabric to size, I am going to bind these around the edges so cut exactly the size you want.  I am doing three layers, one is denim, but it depends on the thickness of your fabric.

I tried to get the image from my fabric in the middle.

I used one layer of denim, two of cotton twill.

To make the binding I cut the strips as long as I needed, folded the edges towards the centre and pressed.

Then I folded it over but leave it hanging over a bit on the underside so that you have more chance of catching it when you sew.

I have two more to sew the binding on but I will be using a thinner cotton to bind those. You could make them dinner mat size with larger pieces of fabric if you wish.