Flamingos

This month by trying to wear all  my summer makes it is making me think a bit differently about some of my clothes.  It has also highlighted gaps in the form of trousers for when it is cool and I want to be out walking the dogs (wearing leggings under everything won't cut it forever!) and also plain skirts to go with my patterned tops.  That is not usually an issue as when I am home normally I reach for the jeans so I just wear my tops with those, I have plenty of summer tops it is autumn and winter when I find I don't have many warm clothes then I just layer everything.

For today's me made May day 24 I wanted to wear my flamingo blouse but I didn't have a light weight black skirt, I made a black skirt recently but it is really heavy and also too full and I think I will change that one.  So  I put on a basic black dress that has a partial circular skirt, the trouble is the blouse is loose at the bottom so it looks silly with this dress.  Not to be put of I tied the bottom of the blouse just a little then pinned it under through the bit of knot, I had to do this as there really wasn't anything much there to tie.  It worked and I liked it instantly in fact I will wear these together in future now like this.

So a bit of thinking how to wear things differently and I feel like this is a whole new outfit.

I felt like I beat the game at the supermarket today as I got the bill total down ( don't worry we will not starve this week and have everything we need) I was trying to be a bit more aware of the prices while still being quick.  Also making it into a game can make the food shopping more fun I think so I will see if I can win next week too.  I was back to my usual weekly average although if that lasts when they hike up the prices further we will see.


This afternoon I have cut my husbands hair, I always cut my own hair and both my sons but my husband has had it done by me out of need , ha! I was very cautious and didn't take too much off.
After that I made a start on another handbag in fact it is all but finished just attaching the lining and fastener to be done but I will do that tomorrow as we are going to watch a film in a little while.

In fact I have to go now as I have been asked how long I am going to be ;) back soon.

An Easy Basic

Today this is just a quick post it has been a bit of a lazy day today, my me made may 2020 day 23 dress is an example of a quick make with a few details.  A favourite style of dress to make, loose, elasticated waist and turn ups on the sleeves.
I may have mentioned before that find the correct placement of elastic I either put the dress on the mannequin or on me then slip the elastic over the top, once it is on you can manoeuvre to just the right place then pin it in position.  It is a good idea to find the side seams and centre front and back then you can arrange the rest from there.  I have added a red belt just to cheer it up a bit.

There is such a lot of mess on  that sewing table behind  me I think I am just in front of it, ha! Well if you are  too tidy how can you create?  That is my excuse anyway.

I had another look at the burda subscriptions today, my husband said get one if you like why do you talk yourself out of things.  We found on their site it was £71 for the year for twelve copies,  (which is still a lot of money, but as a gift) however on clicking it to the basket it went up to £96 they want to charge £25 for postage!  The whole idea of a subscription is they deliver it and I have never seen this added on a magazine subscription before.  I decided to leave it.  Then on another site my husband found three copies delivered for £22 pound.  I have gone for that, at least this way I can see how I like it.

Earlier on I was looking at sewing room ideas, I put in small sewing spaces on pinterest then youtube you should see the size of these rooms, people must live in mansions to devote that much space to sewing!  I think the search engine had completely ignored the word small. I currently have a desk as you see above (top right of my title bar) with lots of stuff pile on and around it.

Tomorrow I am off to the shops (food shopping of course) I am going to try and plan it a bit better this week as I don't know if it is just me but my shopping bill has been up for weeks? Now I always cook at home so it is not that but I think prices may have crept up in general and due to lockdown and the whole get in get out of the supermarket mentality maybe we are overlooking this.  I could be over paranoid about this but before I always took good care to get the best prices because as something we do every week this is an easy way to save.  

That's all for now, stay safe.

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.