Early Summer Sewing

Well, call me optimistic but I have made a start on my summer sewing already and I know we are nowhere near.  Oh well we can dream, and to kick off my summer wardrobe I have made a lovely floaty sun dress.  I know there are gaps in my current wardrobe that probably need filling first but when you get sent this gorgeous fabric what can you do?  This dress is going to be a favourite I feel, the full post will be shared later on Minerva crafts but for now I thought I would share a peek.

I love this fabric and it also comes in a black design, needless to say I had to make a little lining for the bottom half or otherwise it may have felt like I wasn't wearing very much!  The plan was nip outside for some photographs in this but it started to rain and the wind was blowing all afternoon, I don't think they would have made  good images.

There are a couple of pieces of jersey sitting on my sewing table waiting to be made into t-shirts, it is a quick job but I have not decided on the style yet.  The plan is to make both a little different if only in terms of sleeve length and neckline.  These will be wardrobe gap filling projects as  I keep pulling out a patterned skirt and thinking I need more plain tops.  I did mention this last year and then what did I go and do?  I bought patterned fabric and made tops that I now wear with jeans!

During the week I have been flicking through some sewing magazines that a friend gave me a while ago, this has provided me with a couple more online fabric shops that I didn't know of and a couple of new blogs to read.  I have also been making a note of different styles I like in them so I can copy, I don't always use patterns so sometimes it is just a case of having an image to go on.  One dress in particular caught my eye and I had just bought a £5 duvet cover from the charity shop with more or less the same colours and a very similar print.  So that is one plan for recycling that item.

Later today I have a jumpsuit to modify the shoulders on for someone, this is to make it look  little more dressy and my son has informed me that his pockets have gone through on some of his jeans so they need repairing (or rather remaking!)  I think I'll have a walk with the dogs before I start.


Etsy Shop

March Inspiration

It is finally looking a bit brighter morning and evening and my creativity seems to have woke up a little.  The weather is all over the place  but at least it's light so I don't feel like I'm venturing to and from work in the middle of the night (dramatic I know but I loath short days), daylight does wonders for the mood.   I made another bag last week inspired by all the gorgeous daffodils that are everywhere, a few recycled bits and pieces and a repurposed strap from another bag that is no longer used.  The idea for this bag has been in my head for a while but it was the daffodils that finally brought it together in my head I think.

 I have added it to my Etsy shop I will put the link at the bottom from now on as I don't quite know how to add it at the side!  If it doesn't sell after a few months I will have it, it cheers me up.  The problem with that is I often think that so I would never want to part with anything.
There may be other bags along this nature theme as I really enjoyed stitching the design on this one, it is also a great way to showcase lovely bits of fabric you have leftover.

My modern twinset was featured on Minerva crafts here a couple of days ago, I did intend to share that on the day but I had wrote down the 13th for some dizzy reason.  Here is a reminder anyway the full post is available by  following the link above.

The top has had lots of wear already not so much the jacket so I have a feeling the top is going to fade much quicker.

I finally found a fiction book I am enjoying at the moment in fact it is almost finished, it is called The Wonder by Emma Donoghue.  It is historical and I am finding I enjoy that particular kind of fiction more.  I picked it up because I liked the cover as they say you shouldn't but this time it paid off.

I have had a bit of a run of starting books that had a lot of hype or good reviews and they have been terrible, so it does make you wonder how some books get so much attention.  Although I have put quite a few on order at the library so let's hope they are worth a look.


Etsy shop

A Quick Sweater

In my quest to add more tops and everyday wearable items to my wardrobe I ordered this knit fabric from Minerva a couple of weeks ago.  It is a good weight, not too heavy but just right for this time of year when it is still cold but you don't want a really thick jumper on.   I decided to use a favourite long sleeved top of mine that I made last year, I know it fits well I made the pattern for it and it gets a lot of wear.

Working again  with just the one metre I had to get creative with the sleeves to have the pattern in the right direction.  This time I chose to do a deep cuff otherwise there wasn't enough fabric to make the sleeves long enough.

This worked well I think and at least these little setbacks force me to add a bit of detail here and there where otherwise it might not have happened.  I also wanted to add some interest at the neck, I have done this detail before on a black top.  I cut the neck round then made a slit, after that I added binding and hemmed it, finally fishing the effect by hand gathering it down to create a slightly rouched effect.

I am not about to stitch over there I just rested the needle there a moment to get an image for you.

The colours are nice and bright and it is comfortable to wear, I do feel I have to force myself to make practical items even though I need them.  It just always seems to me that dresses are more fun especially the impractical ones, but then they sit in the wardrobe waiting for a rare night out!

There is a definite need for some more plain black tops to go with the colourful skirts I have made, or navy perhaps, it is just a case of buying the plain fabric because it is not very exciting.  Maybe if I can find some with a texture on it will inspire me a bit more.

I have decided to give Etsy another go, I had a few bags packed away that I had made a while ago and I intend to add to that each week.  I got quite excited because I listed last weekend and got a sale on Monday evening.  They are a modest sum which doesn't really reflect the time spent but it is always nice to see that people want the things you make. Here is a link if anyone would like a peek, my etsy shop