Orla Kiely

There was a more enjoyable morning of sewing today as I made a bag and I really enjoy  making these. Just restful sewing, however my machine is making some very odd noises at the moment.  I do understand that it probably gets more use  and wear than a lot of machines as I am often forcing faux leather through it and it is only a domestic machine.  I think I will give it a good once over tomorrow to see what is going on.

Anyway here is todays creation...

Like this on one side.

Like this on the other, now this is Orla Kiely upholstery fabric and the print is too big for a handbag unless you are making a really big one. So I cut it down the middle and I like the half pattern look.

There is repurposed duvet fabric for the lining and a recycled denim pocket, I am already wondering what to make next.  The good news is I just sold one bag so I feel justified making another each time one sells.

Earlier today I had another  look at those dodgy shorts that I was working on and I feel that with a bit of tweaking (removing the ridiculous high waist and possibly putting in a proper waistband) they may look better.  I sent my friend a picture of me in them as she wanted to see, and have a laugh  and she agrees they would look better without the high waist. 

Today for me made May day 22 I have on a self drafted a-line skirt fully lined, and a self drafted v-neck t shirt. I watched a really good youtube when I made the t-shirt that shows you how to do a perfect v, it turned out much better than ones I have done in the past.

I went for a very windy walk earlier with the dogs and they ran around the field going mad, what is it with dogs and wind?  Although I have noticed it can also have a rather odd effect on children too. When I got back I made the discovery that the burda magazine I thought I had bought I had only bid on!  Honestly you would think I have never used ebay before, the thing is I was looking at buy it now ones so that must have thrown me off.  It went for £6.80, for a used magazine I don't think so you can buy it in the shops!   I have been looking at a subscription today and wondering whether to treat myself, not sure if it would be worth it as I make so many things without patterns, I think I just like the idea of a magazine treat each month to look forward to.   

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Not for Me

Oh dear sometimes things that you start  sewing are just not meant to be and I am happy to share that as so many sewing projects turn out well.   I have been working on the McCall's shorts today and thought they were looking ok, pleats in, pockets done and while they may not have the crisp look I would have liked that couldn't be helped as I just used the left over fabric rather than one specifically for the task. I tried them on and oh dear, they look ridiculous on me.

 Now not sure if it is the fabric, or this style just does nothing for me (maybe both), my son came in and said are you going swimming? Ha, ha, I said I know they are not flattering at all.  There were a few bits left to do like belt loops, hook and eye. pressing everything and finishing seams but do you know I can tell I will never wear these so why go any further.  I have already spent a bit of time on them and they are really not bringing me any joy!

I wasn't going to take a photo in them as I really do look like I am about to enter the sea for a swim in an old fashioned costume, not a good look.
The fabric is partly to blame as this pattern has a bit of structure and this fabric will not hold any shape, so even with pressing it was never going to hold the pleats or the turn ups.  The main thing is I tried this pattern and didn't break into favourite fabric, I know that even with the perfect fabric choice this pattern is not for me.

Here are my pockets of many pieces that I faffed with to get just right, I think I will unpick and save them to use on something else;) Along with the zip I put in, don't want to waste that.

There will be a pair of shorts but next time I may self draft as I seem to like my styles better.  My husband said to me I told you they wouldn't be right when you showed me the pattern, how can baggy shorts look good? Well I'm sure they look good on some people but obviously we are all unique, something different tried.

There is  a bag all cut out on the side that I prepared this morning I am sure I would have had more fun making that. After my disappointment with the shorts I sat outside with a drink and a packet of crisps reading War and Peace. (Yes I am still reading that)   There are a lovely few lines in it I have to say that made me think of our current time.

There are two sides to the life of every man, his individual life which is the more free the more abstract its interests, and his elemental swarm-life in which he inevitably obeys laws laid down for him.
Leo Tolstoy     (War and Peace)

Is that what we are all doing right now? Obeying the laws for the sake of the whole and in every sense not feeling very free at the moment.  It is strange I could have read that at any other time and felt nothing as I read those words but of course we are different every day.

Before I go I will share todays me made my 2020 day 21, a self drafted shirt and skirt.  The skirt fabric came in a lucky dip bag from Minerva, it is a sort of stretchy twill and was just the thing for this sort of skirt as it is fitted but with a bit of give, think stretch denim. There is a zip at the centre back seam.

Keep making, trying new things and be free in your thoughts. Until next time, bye for now,

Something from the Past

I found the picture of the little upcycled dress I made years ago for a toddler, it has taken me ages we save so many photos now, far more than we ever did when we had paper copies it is quite overwhelming to look through!   Here it is made from the bottom legs of bootcut jeans with buttons at the back.

I came across this yesterday and I had completely forgotten about it, it was so nice for it to pop up as a memory.  The butterfly on the front had been cut around from a back pocket I remember and then appliqued on.  The little girl it was for was two at the time she will be about sixteen now, our boys were friends and they moved away so we didn't see them much after that.  It is nice to revisit past projects sometimes.

It has been such a glorious day that I did not stay in and sew, I have been gardening, planting and tidying up then I had a distanced visit with my mum. It is the first proper face to face conversation we have had since this all started.

My me made May day 20 choice for today was a Burda shirt pattern made into a dress, lovely Minerva fabric.  I think this challenge would have seen more repeated outfits had it been done during the winter months.  I don't know about everyone else but I definitely make more summer clothes and I think sew more in general at this time of year.  It probably has a lot to do with lighting and the longer days.

 On a more mundane level I got all of the dogs bedding and cushions washed and hung out and they are now back on their beds.  It is one of those jobs you need a warm day for as they need to be out on the line.

My mum was getting a bit annoyed that the window cleaner hadn't been for a number of weeks, the windows don't look dirty but she does like her routine. My window cleaner stopped coming to us because we had the cheek to ask if he had done the back ones one day and he got offended.  We know he hadn't as a bird had flown into the window leaving a mark and it was still there (we didn't mention that fact).  I wouldn't mind but when he lied and said he had we just politely said oh ok and paid him in full, then he stopped coming!   Bit of a cheek on his part really but never mind it saves me a bill.

Well that's all for now, take care.