New Blouses from an Old Favourite

A couple of weeks ago I introduced my friend to our local fabric shop, she had been wanting to buy some fabric but wasn't sure what she wanted or where to go.  I directed her to Minerva crafts first of all and she has seen a few things on there that she likes but she wanted to see the fabric up close and have a feel for this first time.  She  had asked if she could commission me to make a few items for her wardrobe, we have already agreed that I am not replicating my clothes in the exact same fabrics as she often likes my clothes.  Anyone who sews their own clothes will understand this, it is nice to be original so why would you want to make duplicates for people, especially those you see often (I work with the person mentioned).   Anyway we compromised and I have a dress she loves and she saw the same fabric in the shop, so what we agreed was that I would make her a short sleeved top in that fabric and we will try not to wear our clothes on the same days at work ;)  hopefully that will workout.   She also bought some beautiful 100% cotton print for another blouse.

Last week she brought me a favourite well fitting blouse of hers to work so that I could copy the style and fit of it.  It has cuff short sleeves and a slightly longer curved hem at the back, so I have spent my evenings this past week making these for her.

This is the top in the same fabric as one of my dresses, if you follow my blog you may recognise this fabric I also made some boudoir shorts in it as well.

This image was taken at night, the background of the fabric is navy not black.

I love this one and the fabric is so soft it has a brushed feel to it.

What a contrast in the picture colours!  It just shows you what a bonus daylight is when taking images of our makes.  I think there will be more of that as the nights draw in but we don't have to think about that too much just yet.

The tops fit her well and she has sent me a photo this morning of her wearing one, I'll not share however as that is not my decision to make.  I now really need to get on with my Minerva makes so that is my job for this evening and tomorrow, I got side tracked with these last week!

Today we have been out and had a lovely walk around Dam Flask, making the most of the sun while it is still around.  Then when we got back we were talking about Christmas of all things, it tends to be the same thing here year on year and I am sure for a lot of you just another dinner to cook while everyone else relaxes.  We did have a week away two years ago at Christmas and that was nice so here is what we have decided.  We are not having a traditional Christmas lunch this year, we are all going out for a meal on Christmas Eve, a regular  meal not an overpriced Christmas menu.  Then on Christmas day we are going to drive out somewhere for part of the day, Castleton or Bakewell maybe and have a walk with the dogs.  I think food will be soup, sandwiches and finger food that I can prepare before so we can all just eat when we want.  I booked the table earlier for Christmas Eve so that is sorted. 

That is all for now. 

September...ing

Well here we are in another month and I'm a little late I know, last night my laptop updated from teatime until 9.20 and by that time I was not in the mood for writing a blogpost.  My own fault of course because I have kept delaying the update as I am always using it when it asks, note to future self not to delay it next time. So here is my start to September.

Opening a lovely gift of fabric from Jo at Three Stories High, this is so thoughtful and I can use them in my bag making.  I like to use up lots of different bits and sometimes I have to say I use my scraps until I am fed up of seeing the same recurring patterns so this is a lovely treat.

Returning to work after the summer, this was less painful than I imagined as it is always good to see everyone and there is something to be said for getting back into a routine. Needless to say the first few days I bounced out of bed and by Thursday I was feeling shattered.  The trick would be of course to go to bed early but I am no go at that and end up restless all night, so I will just have to settle into it.

Enjoying a lovely selection of tomatoes from the greenhouse, they really do taste so much better than the ones from the shops. There are still quite a few left to ripen so I am not sure if they will all turn while on the vines.  I have read you can bring them in and put them on a window sill if it gets too late so we will have to see.  I am getting a tub like this each couple of days  and some large ones the size of apples are now turning so it will be good to try those.

Reading Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, I am really enjoying this and wondering where it will lead.  It is good to start another book and enjoy it instantly as that doesn't always happen.  I finished Everything I Never Told You that I borrowed from a friend and had a bit of a book hangover (where the characters are still on your mind!) So I have been pleasantly surprised by how easy this was to get into.

Sorting through this collection of patterns a friend has passed on to me, she buys sewing magazines so ends up with quite a lot but only sew occasionally.  She will pick out the odd one she wants to keep and passes the rest on. I have noticed there are a few I have already so I will passing on a few myself.  I may make the winter coat as it looks like the kind you can fit a good few layers underneath, also the trousers with the paper bag top look interesting.

Making bags but planning ones to gift now.  There is so much more enjoyment from making something to gift and then having it well received than the push of trying to get noticed through online selling.   It is a bit of a joy stealer I feel and I really like seeing things I've made in use.  I was out the other week and a friend of mine was using a bag I made for her years ago, seeing it being used all these years later was lovely and priceless I might add.   

Watching Chernobyl, I have actually just finished the series last night.  It was interesting but of course not easy to watch.  So many mistakes in such a dangerous industry, the story of all the brave people who did what they could to minimise the damage and knowingly giving their lives in the process definitely needed telling.  Worth watching to understand what happened but be aware very upsetting.

Discovering avantgardvegan on youtube, Gaz Oakley has some wonderful recipes for vegans or those just wanting to cut out a bit of meat a few times a week.  He also shows how to food prep for a few days ahead and gives costings.  Very clear and easy to follow instructions, I made the tofu scramble last night and will be trying a few more recipes this week.

Well that is all for now, I have decided to return to my once a week blogging routine unless I have something pressing I want to share.  There have been a couple of times when I have been busy on a Tuesday and then remembered I haven't posted anything.  This is something we do for fun and to connect with fellow crafters so I don't want it to ever feel like a job.  So it will generally be a Friday, updates permitting! Maybe the odd midweek post if I feel like it.

Back soon. 

Many Bags!

This week I have done more bag making, if you have noticed my little image for the Etsy shop you may have noticed that the little bag there matches my dining chairs!  Well I didn't want to waste that little bit of fabric, here it is I started it after I finished the chairs.

I have been listening to some podcasts from create and thrive and also reading the information on the site.  A lot of the advice about Etsy selling is all about being constantly having an online presence, posting to Instagram and other social media. I may have said before but I don't really want to make social media my life so if that is the only way to go it may not be for me.  So I am adding a few more and then I will them sit a bit and just see what happens.

Next up was a blue bag using up a few bits I have left over from a dress I made for a Minerva post, a few pieces of canvas only big enough for strips and some former duvet cover lining.  The faux leather I still have a bit left of that.  There was also a bit of experimenting here making a bird keyring  to go with the fabric.

Today I have almost finished another one but I think I will keep this one, it is a bit wild colour wise and I used part of a charity shop bag for the top, I will share later when it is complete.

I had a nice walk and a cup of tea at a café today with my friend, I also showed her where the  local fabric shop is as she wanted me to make her some tops.  Of course I couldn't come out empty handed and bought a gorgeous piece for me, it is now blowing on the line.  I thought I would wash it immediately to save me prematurely sewing it up later unwashed and regretting it.

Sense and Sensibility is finished and I didn't think much of it, if you are going to read any of the Austin project novels don't choose that one or maybe just stick to the original as the modern day character versions were far too tedious.

The garden is beginning to look tired, though I have to say the flowers have had a really good run.  There are just a few things still to open and they were planted quite late, the rest needs a good sort through now.

Well that's all for today.