Things I Love

Happy Valentines Day

Thought that today is a good day for sharing what I love at the moment. Of course I love my children! And my lovely husband (*so long suffering)

If you want to know more about what I love, I counsel you to look to my Pinterest boards. Yes, I have a weakness for sewing things, and cushiony goodness

via Pinterest

And interior decor daydreaming

via Pinterest

And dolls - all sorts. I love the ways these dolls are posed. This image came to me on Pinterest natch but you can also find more dolly fun of the sort on the actual website Cook You Some Noodles.

via Pinterest

And Medieval things both Ancient and Modern. I admit, it's because I LOOOOVE Game of Thrones, but I did also study Medieval Art at Uni, m'kay.

via Pinterest

I love pinning! What do you love?

Book Review: Little Sew & Sew

I have just been reading a beautifully inspiring craft book which I thought that I would share with you.

Little Sew and Sew by Christine Leech (Quadrille 2013) is a sewing and embroidery book with more than 30 projects in most of which are simple enough for beginners, and in any case, are described well with lovely illustrations and diagrams. I love the styling and fresh yet classic approach, it's just a lovely lovely book.

Christine is a busy busy woman, being an art director in the magazine industry as well as craft book author, and blogging her many makes over at Sew Yeah!

As I found this book at the library (love my library - it's all craft books and murder mystery here in the sticks) it will definately be on my Santa List. There are too many cute projects in the book, I can't do them all before they will want me to return it! I can't even decide which to start first, the Kissing Children Tote, the Alphabet Wall Hanging (sneak peak below right) or the Birdcage Tea Cosy. If you want to make someone something gorgeous for Christmas, take a look!

Here's the Amazon link. 

Note: I wasn't asked to do this review, I just did it because I LOVE the book. Thanks for reading and Happy Sewing X 

Sewing News

Mostly I blog about my more random makes and doings, but currently on a work front I have been making lots of things for those ubiquitous christmas craft fairs, and also the Creative Connections CRAFTfest. Anything left might trickle into the Etsy and Folksy shop. Where are enough hours? Oh yes, they are spent doing mummy things instead.....

No moans, this year I have been very busy with orders too, so far, a Good Thing!

Christmas Stockings

Fun Things in the pipeline

Angel Faces x

Holiday Make and Mend

What do you do with uncomfortably short jogging bottoms?.... Snip snip. Mmmmm, comfy play shorts.

What do you do with attractive dress that PING only has one viable strap. Mmmm schmexy new halterneck. Only I can't show you a picture of that because my camera has died a bit today.

Thrifty, non?

Maybe I'll get a nice picture of the dress after my holiday........... You lucky people.

Lucky Boy Log Cabin Quilt

Just a little post today, mainly to brag about a new item of supernal gorgeousness that has arrived for the darling boy. Apparently my MIL has been making this quilt for nearly the full 18 months that he has been alive, but now finished, we get to keep it. Yay! I love the colours, which are so rich and cosy. I hope he still has it when he has 18 month olds of his own. Thank you thank you!

Bunting Cards Actually

Just popping in, to show you some bunting cards that I have actually made this week. Inspiring myself again! Also, I was desperate to sew but really am just snatching moments here and there, which makes starting any decent project problematic. Fabric stitched cards are always my go-to project in these situations, they keep well for fairs and are always useful to have around too!

On the same session I had an urge to try some washing line scrap doodles, and they turned into these baby laundry cards. Cute!

Facebook turned out to be a good friend to me on this occasion too, because no sooner had I put these pics up to show my friends what I'd been up to, than orders started coming in. Obviously stitched cards are something people might want. Which is great for me because I can make them from all those tiny bits of fabric I love too much to chuck in the bin. Yes, my name is Dolly and I have a problem - bulging drawers of scraps!

Before stealing in duting naptime to paste up this post, I've been out at the fabric shop - couldn't resist a delightful bee print from Andover Fabrics Locally Grown collection, it's a nice simple range and I think that the online pictures don't do it justice as the blue is a much more vintage - y muted colour in the real thing.

Only one FQ, not as naughty as I could have been - just getting some flesh coloured elastic to finish off the Tinkerbell Costume. But I think that is another post coming soon................

Make It! Twitter Cushion Tutorial

Hi, yesterday I posted a picture of a cushion that I made, and thought that you might like to know how I did it. It is quite an easy one, and not hard to get a really smart result.

You will need:

A piece of base fabric, such as calico, which should the same width as your cushion pad and length should be the height of your cushion x2 plus 20cm. 
Four pieces of bias binding or wide ribbon each the width of your fabric
A simple motif (Very easy to find in Google or indeed in an embroidery book - or you could just trace around a shape you liked)
A piece of lightweight interfacing. Fusible is easier, but I give the method for non-fusible because that is what I had.
Scraps of fabric, similar weights.


What to do:

First prepare your cushion cover. Press each short end towards the RIGHT side, pin on your ribbon or bias tape and top stitch this at top and bottom.

Now lay the fabric over your cushion pad to determine where the centre is. This is where the front of your cushion will be. I also added bias tape at the top and bottom of my cushion front, which I added by simply pinning straight and topstitching on.

 Prepare your motif: Using a fabric pencil or similar, place the interfacing over your motif outline and trace. Then cut it out.

Prepare your patchwork: I have suggested doing this after the motif because it helps to know exactly what shape and size you need when planning your patchwork piece. I cut my scraps into roughly square or rectangular pieces, sewed them together on the machine, pressing regularly, until I had something the right size. Not very scientific!

Assembling the motif: Now lay the interfacing shape onto the wrong side of your patchwork. If you have fusible interfacing you can press now. If not, use pins. Cut around the shape leaving whatever seam allowance you feel comfortable with.  Clip all the curves. This is very important!

Get out your needle and thread and baste around the shape, turning in your edges neatly as you stitch them under. Satisfying. Don't be too finikity about the stitches. Feel free to use whatever super funky clashing colour you have. It's easier to take out that way!

Assembling the cushion: Pin the motif where you like on the cushion front. I chose dead centre but that's just me. I then machine stitched the motif on, and then (using a stitch ripper) removed the basting thread. I chose a pretty ordinary stitch for this one, but I did briefly consider a proper blanket stitch. The stitch you chose will change the character of the cushion, and I do like a nice hand done applique. But I was trying to be speedy!

Now, last but not least, fold the cushion right sides facing, with the centre front flat and the two pieces top and bottom overlapping. This makes the envelope your cushion cover will be. Fasten and stitch along the side edges. When you turn it out you should have a nice cushion cover. Stuff your pad inside. Does it look like this?

 

Pinterest Challenge - Twitter Cushion

Cushion making is something that I love doing but in general I don't. This is mainly because there are several ladies in my local area who have stalls making almost exclusively cushion related items and as I am in competition with them at craft fairs, I find making different stuff increases the interest in my stall. Machievellian? Or just ignoring a market? I do find that there's a limit to the amount of cushions and stuffed lavender hearts people will buy, and I have always had this terrible urge to swim against the tide...... However, this might be a wrong-headed approach as my bunting and owls (quote circa 2009: I will NEVER make bunting or owls) have been the most financially successful products I produce so there's a lesson in market forces for you!

Recently I was asked very nicely if I would do a children's craft party for a friend. Normally an instant nope, but I know the girl is super into sewing, and at 11 more than capable of using a sewing machine and keen to improve her skills. Apparently her friends also have some sewing smarts, so I was OK with providing some materials and know-how. It might be fun, and I do have a primary school teaching background so am not afraid of a small group of happy girls! They want to do cushions, I'll give them some applique tips, provide materials and templates, and encourage them to design their own. 

To get my creative juices flowing, I made a Pinterest board and thought it might be a good idea to make myself a cushion to get restarted on the old cushion making. 

So I am entering this little beauty into the Pinaddicts Challenge this month because it is a pinterest inspired piece. If you tune in tomorrow I hopefully will be posting a bit more on how I made it because it was a nice EASY project and good for scrap usage too, which we always like here at scrooge central. I have called it my Twitter cushion because after I made it I realised how good it would be as the prize in a giveaway I was planning to run on Twitter. So I'm afraid this cushion already has a new home. It's gone to Amy's Button Box who was the lucky winner of my 700 followers prize draw. Sorry!

Sewing a summer wardrobe

Every year I get this idea that I will make myself and the children lots of beautiful garments, and every year I just make NONE because I buy them at the supermarket instead (Mum, don't tut).

However, this year I have been watching The Great British Sewing Bee which if you haven't watched I would recommend to you highly. It has given me quite a bit of zeal for making clothes again, which I had lost recently. The link above is to the BBC iPlayer website, so you can watch the episodes so far RIGHT NOW if you UK based. Do it....

Anyway, I have in mind the following projects:

A) Making an A-Line Skirt - I have one I love, so I would like to try and copy it by drafting my own pattern. Eeek. I can do this.

B) Making some dresses for myself - finishing a 1960s one I started ages ago (it's actually a maternity pattern but that should just translate as comfy - *hopes*), and a lovely simple stretchy Casual Lady from Go To Patterns. Actually that will be a challenge as I don't as a rule use knits.

C) Embellishing some t-shirts for the girls - apparently we wants one with a rocket on, but girly. Obviously such a thing is not in the shops. Also I am a bit obsessed with Mini Boden but I can't afford to splurge all the time on their lovely t-shirtings.

D) Beach dresses. I have another Go To Pattern for kids jersey dresses, and I will make some. Maybe not this summer, as this list is now loooong. My eldest is constantly growing though so she *might* get one.

Pinterest Challenge - Spring Snack Mat

It's true, I do love Pinterest, although I often find it rather a distractions. Firstly, there are all the boards to browse, and lovely things to find, then there are new boards to create blah blah blah. If I have too many things on my 'Sewing ideas for later' my head starts doing funny things. I can't help but see it. well, as another list. And another To Do list is something I can do without!!

But to purge myself of feeling like this, there is an excellent self help group called Pinaddicts who are helping those afflicted as I am with MustDoItAll-itis. If we can do just one of those lovely Pinterest ideas a month, we might feel able to continue on with our lives - amiright? 

So I just have about managed to squeek in to the March category, there being a few craft fair preps to get out of the way first. What I have created this time is a patchwork idea, using strips stitched together in two halves to make a crazy scrap sunburst. It's from Stitches and Scissors as as 'Mug Rug' tutorial Very jolly. And it looks like a great way of using long scraps and left over jelly roll bits etc.  Cos if there's one thing I hate more than a long unfinished To Do list, it's wasted material! 

The completed mat has a plain pink backing and pink bias binding. I used some wadding and quilted in all the ditches which makes quite a good pattern at the back too. 

Quite a spring like colourway. All I need to do now is make 5 more and I have a set of place mats?!!?!

How I prepare for craft fairs

1) make something I was not planning to

2) tweet it

3) go and use Facebook

4) make a list

5) indulge in self hate


6) go back to sewing room at last possible moment and sling it all in a box

Happy Weekend! xx

Making Curtains

 Although it was task 1278899 on my list of things I want to sew, making curtains for our coldest room (because it has no curtains....) has become number 1 on my list of things I have to sew. My husband is virtually pleading with me to get on with it, I have bought all the stuff (in fact, two years ago) and I seem to have some time. On NO!!

Why I don't like making curtains is, the seams. I am not a big fan of anything with long seams and unmanageable bulk, which is why I have not made a quilt for any of the beds larger than Toddler size. Also, all the interlining and lining and whatnot seems like a terrible faff. But then, I tried some curtains without any lining for the nursery (there's already a blind there) and they are really thin and pointless. 

These curtains let in waaaaay too much light!

However, I then discovered a useful product which seems to have cut down my grief somewhat, a type of curtain lining with interlining pre-bonded to it. At this point in the project this seems like a life saver, and it gives the whole project a more luxurious drape, but the stuff I had could have been a teensy bit wider. Here, I admit,  I was rather a cheapskate and refused to buy 5m extra just so I could have more fulsome curtains. They close, I just would have preferred an extra 5cm or so each side. 

Anyway - here are my curtains - NOT HEMMED! I thought I would let them hang a while before I did that last job. Well, it wouldn't be right if I ever actually completely completed the project yet, would it?!

The fabric is Frederika from IKEA.

What have you made for your house this year?

Make It! Hand-pieced Teacosy

Due to an unexpected exodus from my house of all distracting children, I may now have time to post up a quick "tutorial" of my now finished teacosy! Actually this is a 'method'  tutorial as you will need to switch over to a previous tutorial halfway through but I'm sure you'll manage brilliantly. This is the kind of patchwork that lends itself to a free form experience, I think! More on that later. 

The eventual teacosy will look something like this: 

Although you will need to use what ever scrap fabric you have around to achieve this look! Yours may well look more classy, if you use a more careful selection process!

You will need:

An A4 piece of paper with the top edges rounded off (this is your 'pattern' it fits most medium sized teapots but if yours is quite tall you may need to modify the 'pattern')

A hexagonal template (patchwork template or cut out of card). Mine is 3 inches at the widest point. A smaller hexagon would make a pleasing effect too.

At least 40 pieces of paper cut into hexagons using a template.

At least 40 pieces of scrap fabric slightly larger than your hexagonal template.

2 pieces A4 size fabric for the lining
2 pieces A4 size iron-on interfacing
2 pieces of A4 size wadding

Method:

1) First you need to make a load of hexagon pieces. Baste your fabric pieces onto the paper, turning the excess to the back.

 These ones are not very neat! I like to iron them and you could also trim them a little. Make lots - at least 40 if you're using a 3" hexagon. More if smaller.

2) Using a neat non-visible stitch like matress stitch sew together HALF the hexagon pieces. I like to use a stitch you can't see but my mum does it with a simple over stitch and it does look nice because she can do perfect tiny elf stitches. Construct one line of five then add another line above until you have a piece of work that is about four lines high. If you lay your pattern piece over it you will see where you need to add any to have the correct size. Make two of these patchwork sections.

3)Now you have to undo it all! At this point I would recommend pressing the fabric and maybe even using a little spray starch to keep it pristine. Using a pair of sharp scissors or stitch ripper, cut and pull out carefully all your basting threads. Then extract the paper pieces. I use a pin to pop them out. 

4)Cut out the pieces of interfacing to match your cosy pattern, then iron the  interfacing onto the wrong side of the patchwork making sure that there are no gaps. Trim the patchwork piece so that it is also the same size as the pattern.

To complete the cosy you need 6 pieces the same shape: 2 patchwork fused to the interfacing/2 wadding/2 fabric lining.

Construction of this beast is very simple, you simply need to sew the patchwork and lining at the bottom edge, make a wadding sandwich and then sew all around the outer edge. You're now thinking:  Arg, what?! Read this tutorial for making an egg cosy which uses exactly the same method. Read from Step 3 and bobs your uncle. I did write a tutorial for making a tea cosy which was in Creative Crafting Mag: it's remarkably similar (One Trick Pony, moi?).

Happy Making x

English Patchwork: Hand-pieced Teacosy WIP

I am trying out a few new things at the moment, trying to concentrate on creating a range of items for my shop that do have the eclectic handmade aesthetic that I like, whilst being, um, *cough* (whispers) commercial. Also it was part of my stated aim this year that I would develop and nurture the skills that I do have. 

So here I present for you a WIP - I have sold lots of simple tea cosies but I thought I would try doing my fave hexagonal hand stitched patchwork as a tea cosy. I am using scraps for this one as it's my prototype and also will go into my kitchen so I can see all those tiny pieces of favourite fabrics past.

Hand Piecing is such a time consuming but theraputic thing to do. And a great take along lap project (before you get to the major construction stage!). Here are a few shots where you can clearly see the basting I have used to keep the fabric attached to the paper. I am nearly finished constructing the fabric sections. Then I will post some more pics of how I complete this project. Bet you can't wait ;-). 

The business of small business

It's been a busy old few weeks here, as it always is prior to a craft fair. But always rather an anti-climax on the day, as very few craft fairs feel wildly successful. I never quite sell enough to take that sceptical look off my husbands face. And I have never managed to shake off that incredulous feeling that people want to spend real human money on my creations!

I had a few new lines this time, and some sewn cards, which were fun and quick to make, but sold well. I think that I can definately see myself doing more of those, as they also use up a lot of tiny scraps. I have a few sack fulls of similar tiny scraps - I can't bring myself to throw fabric no matter how small the piece! I always think - 'I could make a scrap quilt/use it for applique'. I'm not sure how knackered my machine will get if I use it to sew cards, but it seems to cope! No appliance can live at my house without consigning itself to a life of hard labour. Also, if not machining them, I can always hand sew the things in front of the telly of an evening. I love projects I can do in front of the telly as most evenings lately the sewign room has been freezing. Sewing my fingers raw in a garrett is only tempting on nights when the football fans have overrun the remote control. 

Other items that I had for sale (and didn't sell - this time - so frustrating not being able to predict what people will buy!) were some more little brooches. Here is a photo of the little blighters - another handsewn under-a-wintery-blanket make - I shall be listing them in my shop now I think - a good Mother's Day item?

 I am thinking of doing the Craft FEST in March - does anyone have any idea of what this is like? I have plenty of stock now..........

Busy little fingers

Here at Dolly Towers I have been fiendishly slaving away at my sewing machine, getting the orders book clear and doing some Christmas makering. 

My most favouritist commission ever is finished and dispatched. I hope the eventual recipients love it as much as I do. It was bunting for triplet! baby! girls! They had such adorable names and I hope that now they are out of hospital their *poor* *lucky* parents can have the joy of them. But I got to play with some really lovely Riley Blake fabrics and make them something that I hope they will enjoy for many years.

Meanwhile my own children are growing like happy weeds here in the Hampshire mud. The baby who hardly seems to have been here longer than an eyeblink took his FIRST STEPS this week. His physical precocity is both marvellous and terrifying. I have needed cupboard locks like never before. His idea of fun is: crawl into deserted room, locate smashable thing, smash it. Strewth! My hoarded preserving jars, sob sob. That combined with a 2 3/4 year old who (this week alone) has actually sneaked off to eat: Sudocreme, lip balm, toothpaste, 500g contraband stolen chocolate log, as well as her normal food. I mean, does this sound like they are roaming unsupervised and feral? Well I watch them like a hawk! I'm (have been accused of being) the archetypal Helicopter Mum. Except that when there's 3 to hawkeye that is one tiiiiirrred helicopter.

So there's a few Christmas productions, craft fairs, parties, bake sales, work do's and all that malarky blocking up my sanity time this month! Gotta love this time of year. Onwards and upwards........ Next stop Swanmore Craft and Gift Fair on 8th December

Christmas is coming!

I hate to break it to you, but as the ads on TV have already started I am sure you already know! I have been hard at work creating Christmassy things for people. I will be doing one craft fair in December, so I do need to make sure that I've enough stock, but mostly I am doing orders that come in. Quite a few this year, so that's great. Most of them are local people who are now aware that I make 'stuff'. It just shows that despite the wonders of the internet, global reach etc it is really local advertising and 'getting yourself out there' that really is what brings in regular money.

Here's some lovely Christmas bunting that I have been asked to make. What you can't see is that it is strung on a cute red and white candy striped bias tape. Loving my striped bias tape at the mo! I am also just about to finish a really LONG bunting project for triplets, which I am very excited about and can hardly wait to get it photographed, and then sent off to the lucky tiny tiny baby people. 

Next up: Christmas Sacks. I was just going to make 3 (two ordered and one for the online shop) and then husband says 'Why do you never make things for your own children?' - cue violins - so now I have to make 6. Why do I listen?!

 

Blog Neglect - and some Vintage Pattern Love

Yes, I am guilty. I have realised with a shock that it has been months since my last outside broadcast. Of course, I am still a bit on the old FaceBook but shame, shock, chagrin, I have hardly touched this blog. So apologies if you have been checking in, although I don't really know if anyone has...............

Tonight is Halloween, but I will ignore that for now (it's not a big event around here. If I get one Trick or Treater straggling up the lane they will deserve a mug of cocoa and a blanket as much as some sweets).

I am mainly here on Tinterweb to show off my latest aquisition in the Vintage Pattern stakes, this amazing girls smocked party dress. If I can get off my petooty and finish all the MBD Christmas orders in advance I will try and make one but it will have to be a gift to someone with a teeny girl - the patterns in Size 1 only and both my girls are too long and tall for this style. The 6 yr old looks like a standard lamp these days, in a frilly skirt. Luckily Baby T has several under 1 yr girlbabyfriends so......

I like the pink gingham version with the bigger bow at the back - that's a tongue twister - but these are all really short hey. Very full skirts too - need some matching knickers I reckon - cute!

Curtains curtains

Another brief post as I attempt to raise my head above the parapet of chaos my home life descended into upon the arrival of Child 3. In betweenst dreadful laundry and nappy piles I occasionally manage a little sewing, and have recently been actually busy with real paid sewing. Which makes a change!

Last project to be finished, a desperate plea from my neighbour - she is moving tomorrow and has still to finish the curtains for her daughters room. Correction - she had not started them, as they were an embellishment project and she works full time, 200 miles away, only at home at the weekends. So of course I agreed to help and it was all handed over to me to figure out. Hence I have been frantically basting felt circles onto a velvet curtain. Might I say that although these will be lovely and warm in the childs bedroom they are not ideal sewing for a hot evening! Here are some pictures to give you an idea. Unusual, and I hope, pretty when up. 

Making little clothes

What could be more fun and rewarding than making little clothes? I have a few recently finished/started (not guaranteed to finish before they're grown out of, sadly) projects that I though I would put up here on the interweb for some admiration/approbation. Feel free to comment!

Fairisle Tank. From a 1970's pattern so its a bit short in the body but a nice easy one. I am digging this fairisle look wool, and it turns out that a mixed colour is really practical as it shows up the stains less (and there are a lot of stains).

Sunhat. It's a Butterick Pattern and the first proper hat I've sewn. Despite the brim seeming quite excessive, It is good on a sunny day and features piratical exterior (sorry again my model is not particularly biddable) and contrast red ties.  I have actually also made a matching dungaree romper in the stripe with pirate straps and mismatching buttons. But no photo of that yet as the weather has now turned crazy with raining and wind and I have been otherwise occupied taking photos of the fallen down trees to send to Mr Loss Adjuster. Boo!