dressmaking
Showing posts with label dressmaking. Show all posts
simple shawl I can't get wrong?
My attempts at dressmaking are practically none existent, other than some very cute baby dresses made way back and the occasional make for my kids. Simple stuff but simple is a good place to start isn't it? Patterns terrify me and for a long, long, long time I have wanted to make my own clothes. I'm saying this knowing I have said it before but maybe this will be the year.
This is perhaps the simplest make ever because I cheated. I used this knit jersey from The Textile Centre.
It's lovely Melange Check Fleece Backed Wool, it feels amazingly soft and snuggly. I bought 1.5 metres and it was a bargain - not least because I got 4 things made from it!! I will get to that...
Patterns to Print Giveaway!
**giveaway now closed**
Sometimes you just need a little project, a new top, a different bag... a quick pattern to stitch up as a present or a pattern to challenge your skills or try something new. Patterns to Print is a one-stop marketplace for instant PDF sewing patterns from fabulous designers including Blossom Heart Quilts, Clover and Violet, Emmaline Bags, Imagine Gnats, Mrs H, The Littlest Thistle and more!
"The Patterns to Print marketplace is a great resource when you need a new sewing pattern and you need it immediately! Without having to worry about checking multiple websites and performing several online searches, you can download your next sewing pattern for a knit top, clutch bag or paper pieced cushion in moments, all from one place.
Its founder, Samantha Hussey, is the brilliant handbag designer behind the Mrs H sewing patterns. She set it up in January 2015 to help other independent sewing pattern designers overcome issues with VAT imposed by the European parliament which threatened to put a lot of indie designers out of business. As a result, she has created a fabulous UK based resource working in partnership with other designers around the World, and it is still growing."
I had a good nosy around the site and found so many really gorgeous patterns! Here are some of my favourites:
A Whole Lotta Bag by The Littlest Thistle and The Hazel Pouch Trio by Clover and Violet
English Country Garden by PennyDog Patchwork (I hope to finish my version of this next year!),
Totoro by Blossom Heart Quilts and Celestial Star by From Blank Pages...
The Alder Skirt by Imagine Gnats
It's fabulous to have a UK based site like this, which will cleverly sort out the EU VAT on behalf of the Patterns to Print sellers. If you're interested in selling your patterns please contact Patterns to Print as they are continuing to expand.
The giveaway is open internationally and ends 16th November 2015 (at around 9pm GMT). The winner will chosen by random.org and contacted by email.
Please please leave your email address in the comment so I can contact you e.g. pdflove (at) patterns (dot) com - unless you are totally sure you are not a no reply blogger!!Good luck :)
The giveaway is now closed, the winner is
Congratulations I have sent you an email!
exuberance
With no plans this weekend we hit the parks...
Wythenshawe Park is fairly local to us, it had a beautiful historic hall that I took some pictures of because I would love to create a quilt pattern based on some of the shapes.
Those flowers were huge!
Then on Sunday we went to the stunning Yorkshire Sculpture Park. One of our favourite places to visit and this time we saw Poppies: Wave by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper; Bob and Roberta Smith: Art For All and Rob Ryan: Listen to the World amongst many more fabulous artists throughout the park.
I also got some wonderful stash additions this week. The incredibly kind Molli Sparkles sent me a package after I won his giveaway and some extra florals, which he knows I love ;) I'm in Liberty heaven and have never owned pieces this big! Liberty EPP plans are afoot!
And a couple of places had New Look pattern sales recently so I took the first step in my dressmaking journey and bought some:
I try to take advantage of sales when I can!
Speaking of...
Green Fairy Quilts have a Labor Day sale on (which ends tonight so hurry!), use the code LABOR at checkout for HUGE savings on already great prices across the store! These are just some of their gorgeous new arrivals:
Fat Quarter Shop is also having a brilliant sale, with 20% off all Layer Cakes!
Check out their newest Shortcut Quilt, Star Cakes. A free pattern that uses one print Layer Cake and one solid Layer Cake!
The week feels like it's off to a good start, maybe it was all that fresh air at the weekend, I'm feeling exuberant and am tackling my to do list with fury! Let's hope I can keep it up because it's a pretty long list ;)
get serious ~ FAL Q3 2015
I made 4/8 finishes from quarter two but they were only small makes and I feel like I haven't finished a quilt in forever. I have more small makes to add this time round but I am really hoping to crack some bigger projects and actually finish some quilts (I feel like I've said that a lot this year *sigh*). So, despite the fact that the kids will be off school, I am being ambitious and hope you will all cheer me on in getting actual quilts finished this quarter!
The first four projects I need to finish are rolled over from last quarter...
2. Summer dresses for my girls, I cut all the pieces last year and now I'm worried they won't even fit and summer might be over already (!) but might as well give it a go:
3. Baby star quilt, I think I have one row to add and it's been sat in a crumpled state next to my sewing table for way too long!
4. A skirt for me, just because I couldn't resist this beautiful Japanese denim - I would like to prioritise some selfish sewing:
And the new projects that I've recently started or need to get done...
5. Another make just for me. I loved the drawstring tote I made using Svetlana's pattern so much I immediately bought supplies to make one for myself. It's such a perfect size, really handy for nipping to the shops or for carting home the kids crap models and art from school.
6. My Star Crossed Night Sky quilt, using this It's Sew Emma pattern:
7. Teachers gifts for the end of term - which is next week so need to get on it. I'm planning on making some drawstring bags (I like using Jeni's tutorial) and to put inside I got some mugs for the kids to decorate, so that should be fun! I got this Pebeo Marker, which I've read works better than a Sharpie so we'll see:
8. Just today I saw a fabulous instagram tutorial for these cute tissue holders by Kelly - she kindly let me borrow her picture (thanks Kelly!) - check out her IG feed! I think these will be a nice little extra to pop in the bags for the teachers so I've picked out some fabric ready to sew.
Finally I'm making samples of patterns I've designed to teach at Patchfinders...
9. An English Paper Pieced mini quilt, which I started a few days ago:
10. A pencil quilt (no pictures of my messy quilt maths allowed but I will be using some solid fabrics!):
11. An embroidered needle case, this gives me a great reason to use my new Fat Quarter Shop Aurifloss Set:
I also have to whip up a few samples of free motion quilting patterns for a class, not sure I'm allowed to count that in the fal since they will probably stay as quilt sandwiches but it's more stuff I have to get done so I'm noting it here anyway (maybe a cheerleader can let me know if class samples like this count?!).
love the improvements at Minerva Crafts
Minerva Crafts have been hard at work updating their website, considering the thousands of products they stock that is no small feat! I spend a lot of time on websites, checking out products, searching for items and of course the odd bit of shopping ;)
I am so impressed with the upgrades they've made, it really is easy to find what you need and to browse through all the different craft categories. The search box is excellent and actually does find what you're looking for, perfect when you are in a hurry!
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Of course they have a brilliant Quilting section, with great brands and everything you could possibly need. You can see what's new and also search by price, very handy.
And let's not forget the fabric... loads of it...
Fabulous basics like Klona cotton, which is 54" wide and only £7.99 per metre.
They have Camelot Design Studio, Rowan and many more great designers and prints.
You can see all the quilting fabrics here, they also have a huge selection of dressmaking fabric and more. Don't forget the sale section!
Minerva Crafts have categorised all the sewing patterns so if you love dressmaking it is simple to find what you want and they have an amazing choice from all the big brands and the best independent labels:
Another fun addition is the gift cards, you can now customise a gift card and have it sent to the recipient on the day of your choice! Such a great idea and perfect for the forgetful amongst us (or our hubbies!!)
Grab a cuppa, head over to Minerva Crafts and check out their huge range for yourself!
Simplicity Giveaway!
**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**
Simplicity are completely synonymous with sewing and easy to follow patterns, so I was delighted when I was contacted recently to chose my favourite patterns to share with you.
The Simplicity website is really easy to use, packed with great patterns and provides all the information you need to chose your pattern, it clearly shows you the guide to what type and how much fabric you need.
I chose this easy-to-sew pattern of trousers, short and skirt options (love those pockets). These would be great if we have any more summer sun and the skirts would be cute with tights if we don't:
Then there's this pretty top with great variations and I'm sure there are so many fabulous fabric combinations you could use to make them. Again this would suit all seasons and be a wardrobe staple:
Finally my very favourite is this beautiful dress. A Simplicity archives vintage pattern, circa 1943. I love that it could be a day dress or an evening dress and I adore the vintage look. I think it would be incredibly flattering too:
**The giveaway is only open to people in the UK, Europe and Australasia**
I am giving away one pattern to each winner so there will be three winners!
**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**
PLEASE leave your email in the comment, no reply bloggers will not win.
The giveaway is open until 22nd August, the winners will be chosen by random.org and announced here on the blog.
Good luck!
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