Thursday 24 July 2014

Cushion! or what I've made and actually got round to photographing!

So it was my dad's birthday a month or so ago and he likes handmade gifts so I decided to use up some of my scraps in a patchwork cushion. 


I wanted to play around with textures so there is a mix of different kinds of fabrics. It's really nice looking at this cushion and recognising fabrics from so many different projects that I've done. Recognise any? There are even some bits of old shirts that my dad has donated to my fabric stash. 

How about you, what handmade gifts have you made recently? 

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Bicycle skirt

As previewed in my last MMM post, this skirt has already had some wear. There is plenty wrong with it but I'm ridiculously proud of it. It's my first 'self-drafted' skirt (although I think describing it as drafted may be stretching things a bit far!)  However, it is certainly my first garment made without a pattern which I feel is a great first step to making more complex garments.  Also its amazing how much you learn doing things for yourself even when starting out at this really basic level. 


The fabric is brilliant, black cotton with lilac and purple bicycles on it.  I made the waistband from an old shirt that my dad donated to my refashioning pile, which happily matched the bicycles perfectly.  Although I think I should have used a heavier interfacing for waistband as it creases like crazy. The skirt was 2 rectangles with 5 little box pleats across the front and back and a 10" invisible zipper at the side. 

Close up, spot the bicycles!

I love it, I've worn it loads and can even wear it to cycle in! 

Saturday 5 July 2014

Sporty summer sewathon: birthday Deuathlon shorts

I've been a bit absent from my blog of late, life's been busy and I've been doing some selfless sewing which I haven't wanted to share yet (that and I suck at getting photos of stuff!)

Today is my amazing little sisters birthday! Since she doesn't regularly read my blog (plus the poor thing has to work today) so I'm not spoiling anything by sharing her gift with you now. 

Leonie is super sporty and pretty much lives in her sports gear so when I was thinking of sewing her a present, sports clothes seemed an obvious choice. Also since she lived in France she has habitually worn black, with my penchant for colours and patterns I obviously can't get on board with that so decided to shock her back into colours with my gift. 

I wanted to enter this for Did you make that's sporty summer sewathon but as I haven't given her her present yet, she wasn't able to model it for me, so I had to do the honours. These aren't a wonderful fit on me but then they're not meant for me!



Quite colourful really, aren't they?

 Look pockets and everything.

 An attempt at a jumping jack! My old P.E. teacher would be so proud.

Another first: my own hand made labels. My mum bought me these for Christmas but it felt a bit odd putting them in clothes for myself but in a garment for my sister it's a little bit exciting to have my own labels!

A little bit about the pattern, it was the deuathlon short pattern from Melissa of Fehr trade. This is the first Fehr Trade pattern I've tried and it came together really easily, I made the capri length leggings but the pattern also covers biker and booty length shorts. I did find the sizing a little strange xxx. Generally though these were a great make, simple, straightforward and I can vouch for them being comfy. Once Leonie has tested her colourful leggings for size I've got another pair planned for her in this fabric:
Yes, I will wean her off black (or plain unadorned black at least!)

I also have loads of the tiger print fabric left so I may even make myself a pair for cycling in! All in all a successful make and one I'd try again. I've been considering attempting to take up running, maybe crazy colourful leggings will motivate me!

Happy birthday Leonie!
Sorry photo taken in a bar!


Hmmm why is cake eating not considered a sport?  This is one I could get on board with!

Friday 4 July 2014

Spring sewing swap!


I was really excited to be involved in the spring sewing swap hosted by Kerry of kestrel makes. It combines so many of my favourite things; meeting new people, sewing (and it's accessories) and presents-awesome!

The general idea is that we were all paired with another sewist and should exchange a gift to the value of £15. The gift should contain 3-5 items, these to be anything sewing related such as fabric, patterns or notions.   

I was partnered with Denise of Dottie doodle. I loved getting to know Denise through her blog (and a few emails).

Look at the goodies Denise sent me:

The buttons, fabric and tape are all vintage.  I can already visualise those lovely glass buttons on a blouse (time to make one I think).  Denise ventured into knitting for my gifts too and kindly sent me a book that she says that she uses lots which is full of easy and quick knitting patterns-instant gratification, perfect!

I have to think of something super amazing to do with the fabric, look at how gorgeous it is and how great the colours are for me.
I'm kind of loving the whole toga dress thing I've got going on here, maybe those are the lines I should be thinking along...

I'm also really excited by the covered notebook Denise made for me. I start a doctorate course in September and it will be so nice to have a reminder of my hobby to take into class with me. 

Thanks so much for swapping with me Denise.  To see what I sent Denise, check out her blog here.