Dear Sewing Machine

Dear Sewing Machine,

It has been a while since I wrestled with your upper tension for which I apologise. But you are just one of my many diversions and I was lacking textile inspiration. But then I found some funky fabric (in the form of a tunic top that would never fit around my bust but might just with a tug and a pull of its A-line silhouette be re-fashioned into a top).

This was shortly followed by a stripey maxi dress in a rainbow of summery colours begging to be shortened for the Princess to parade in.

I'm sorry it has been so long. I even had to dust you off a bit. But now that I have found you again I shall be getting a bit more use out of you. I hope you enjoyed your little break because I now have plans for you and you will not be getting any time off for good behaviour.

Yours sewingly
X

Antique Roman Blinds

Once upon a time (in 2008) I bought some fabric, and some roman blind headers, and I started to make some blinds for my living room bay window.

I worked tirelessly on them for a whole week leaning over my dining room table, it being the only space big enough for the main blind and where I could (sort of) line up the two lengths of fabric that needed to be joined to fit the expanse of the window in question.

Turns out, leaning over a table for hours on end having had a baby a few months before, only proves how weak your core muscles are and gives you a very achy back.

Having (pretty much) completed the central blind, I decided to take a week off to let my back recover before I tackled the two smaller blinds that were to sit on each side of the main blind.

One week, turned into four and a half years.You know how it is. Much like you make a cup a tea, put it down for a moment to wipe a snotty nose or discuss the concept of sharing, and when you go back to it, the tea is cold.

I found the half completed blinds at the bottom of a box and determined that my back had probably recovered by now and that there was little or no chance of strengthening my core muscles even if I waited another four and a half years.

Having spent another week finishing the blasted things, and several hours of swearing getting the headers up,  I realise that I have gone off the fabric.

Bugger.

Spring clean to Spring craft

Spring is the traditional time for a mammoth clean up isn't it?
Except I don't do housework willingly, so instead I am having a mini Spring clear out starting with clothes.

I don't have an extensive wardrobe and much of it is very last season. Actually last season before last before that one. Staring into its depths my wardrobe only serves to taunt me with its tired shrugging shoulders (padded) and its lazy crumpled pleats (unironed). I have some classics that I have had for years but are now so worn that they are only useful for the Scouts rag bag collection, and some fashion disasters that will likely reside in a charity shop for months.

I made three piles.

Pile 1 - classics not threadbare and/or wear often.
Pile 2 - too challenging for even the best make do and mender.
Pile 3 - hasn't seen the light of day for years.

Pile 1 was refolded, hung on wooded hangers and replaced in the (now more spacious) wardrobe.
Pile 2 was sorted into two more piles. One consisted of fabrics I might use for crafting or sewing and buttons I can reuse. The other was bagged up for the Scouts.
Pile 3 is heading to the charity shop.

I have done the same with the Mr's shirts and the kids clothes too and this provided a rather opportunistic pile of fabric that shouted "Make something with me!!" So I did.

All over my Instagram feed I see quilters using shirt fabric for projects but not being a quilter I sought inspiration on Pinterest and came up with this.

Credit: Not on the High Street

Three shirts, a bit of ribbon and a rummage through the button stash later, I knocked up this heart decoration.

Happy Home, Happy Heart x

Linking to the Pinaddicts

Silent Sunday

How To Make A Notebook Fabric Cover

You know I like to make stuff, and I like to sew, and I love stationery, well what would be the perfect thing for me to make?

This!

A fabric cover for a notebook (or diary or address book).

I was inspired by this one I found at Patchwork Delights blog

And it is pretty easy to make. I made my first one at a workshop held by Jo Leatherland at Heartstitch Workshops in Stamford. I have unashamedly borrowed her tutorial to share with you here.

First measure the book you are going to cover.
Measure the length of the book from top to bottom, then add 5cm for seam allowances.
Then measure around the width of the notebook. You need to start at the right hand edge of the front cover and measure all the way around the back. You can't just measure the width and double it because you also need to allow for the depth of the notebook and the spine. Take this measurement and add 5 cm for seam allowances.

You will need to cut two pieces of fabric of these dimensions. One for the outer cover and one for the lining.

Next you need to measure the flaps that secure the notebook inside its cover. This is the length of the notebook from top to bottom plus 5 cm, by the width of the notebook (literally just the width this time) plus 5 cm. You need to cut two pieces of these dimensions. I used the same fabric as the outer.

Next you can cut an optional pocket for the inside of the front flap. This needs to be half the width of the notebook plus 5cm by 20cm in length. Cut this from the lining fabric for a contrast if you wish.

Finally cut a strip of lining fabric for the spine. This needs to be the length of the notebook plus 5cm, by approximately 10cm in width. The width is dependent on the depth of the notebook, the thicker the book the wider the spine, so use your judgement to adjust this according to your notebook.

If you have used dress weight fabric you will need to add a layer of medium weight interfacing to reinforce the cover. Cut this to the size of the cover piece of fabric. I would also add interfacing to the flap pieces. If you are using heavier weight fabric you won't need interfacing.

You should have a selection of pieces that looks like this. (I forgot to add the spine piece to the photo - numpty!)

If you fancy adding embellishment to your cover like embroidery or applique, do this now before you construct the cover. I added a little embroidery to mine. You can be as creative as you wish! But make sure that whatever embellishment you add is sited correctly on the fabric for your cover.

Now sewing.

Fold and iron a seam allowance of 1cm along each long side of the spine piece. Line this up centrally on your outer cover section and top stitch along both long edges to secure. You could use contrasting sewing thread or a fancy stitch on your sewing machine.

Take the pocket section and fold in half with right sides together along its length so that it measures about 10cm by the width of your flap. Sew along one side of this piece and turn right side out. Then top stitch along the top folded edge.

Take each flap piece and fold and press in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. Ensure the interfacing is sandwiched in the middle if you are using it.

Place your pocket piece on to what will be the left hand flap lining up the bottom edge. Top stitch closely to the right hand edge to join the pocket to the flap.

Now it is time to join all the pieces together.

First lay the outer cover piece right side up on your work surface.
Next lay each flap section to meet the left and right edges of the cover piece. Ensure that the folded edge is centremost and raw edges are meeting the left and right edges of the cover. The pocket should be facing down.
Next lay the lining piece on top with the right side down.

Pin through all the layers and stitch all the way around the cover starting and ending at the bottom but leaving a 5cm gap through which you will turn the cover inside out.

Trim the fabric back close to your stitching to reduce bulk. Cut across all the corners to within a couple of millimeters of the stitching so your corners can be turned easily.

When you have turned the cover you will need to use a pencil or the end of a knitting needle to push the corners right through. When you have done this press your cover thoroughly and then topstitch all the way around.

It is now ready to fit onto your notebook :-)

If you have a go, do come back and add a link to it in the comments. Joining the Pinaddicts

The £1 Dress

I love a bargain.
I also love a rummage.
I love creating things.
I love sewing.
I love the smile on the Princesses face.

So can you imagine the skip in my step when I delved into my local charity shop and came out with this little cotton top for the bargain sum of £1.

It was the fabric that drew me to it. I loved the bright blue and orange print and a little bit of me hoped that the top would fit me. [I can't ever bring myself to try clothes on in a charity shop. It is the smell you see].

It didn't. Too small. Must diet.

So instead I cut it up. Or partially deconstructed it like this.

Then I had to wing it.

I wanted to keep the yoke section and then have the dress attached from that leaving it sleeveless.
I took in the side seams of the dress and then gathered the top of the front and back of the body to fit the width of the yoke.
I then cut bias strips out of the excess fabric from the sleeves to finish the arm holes.
I attached the yoke front and back and then finished the edges of the yoke.

Not the neatest of jobs I have to admit but for a £1 slip-on dress I was chuffed.

And the Princess? Well she doned her model pose and declared that it was lovely!

Am I alone in wandering charity shops looking for things to cut up?
I'm going to start my own club.