So today the sun was glorious, instead of siting in the garden like a normal person I decided to sit at my sewing machine, I just can't get enough of it at the moment, my daughter thinks I am crackers lol. I bought this material with the intention of making a maxi dress, but I really wanted it to turn out OK so I really didn't want to use it straight away, even though I really wanted to! It is gorgeous and I bought it from Groovy Funky Things
It is gorgeous and a fantastic price too, only £4 per metre. I bought two metres and have enough left to probably do a little top (I am a size 12), lots of gorgeous material so make sure you check it out.
So this afternoon I set about making one, ta da ........
......I did it. I think I need to take it up a little bit more, but I am so pleased with it. It will be going in my suitcase ready for my holidays.
Today I thought I would try a wrap skirt, I was planning on doing a maxi dress but the fabric wasn't dry. There are lots of tutorials for skirts to be found but I used this one.
The fabric I used was from Fabric Circus and only £2 a metre. Although I did line it with white polycotton too as I didn't think people would appreciate seeing my knickers lol.
So I started with this fabric
And ended up with this skirt
Not bad eh? I am still getting used to the style as I don't normally wear skirts but I am impressed I managed to do it (even though I did gt a bi confused when doing the ties for it lol)
Would love to know what you think.
Maybe I will try the maxi dress tomorrow if I get chance.
So this morning I was up early to take my daughter to work, called at the haberdashery for elastic, then to my cousins to sort her wedding invitations (all sorted just need to make them now).
Afterwards it was home, quick tidy round and then out came the sewing machine.
I had some fabric so thought I would use that to test the shirring elastic. After last nights failed attempt (I ran out of elastic) I managed to finish it.
The one thing I didn't do but I know to do next time is add a piece of normal elastic at the top as per this tutorial (which I didn't find to later when I asked for advice on facebook), and I thought I had googled for tutorials lots but never came across this one.
So basically all I did was measured my bust then multiply that figure by 1.5 then added 1" for seam allowance. So for example 36" bust x 1.5 = 54" + 1" = 55". Divide that by 2 so 55/2 = 27.5". So I cut two pieces of fabric 27.5" wide then how ever long you want your top to be mine was only 20" long as it was just a tester.
Hem the top then start shirring. I did 20 rows of shirring.
This is what I ended up with (excuse the poor pictures, it was hard taking them myself lol), the top hem is a bit flatter to my chest now as that is where I added the extra elastic (after I took the pictures)
Not bad for my first attempt don't you think? Even my daughter approves which is a miracle lol.
At the moment I am washing some fabric ready for tomorrow, now do I try make a skirt or a dress? Watch this space
Good evening. I thought I would come and post whilst my DH is watching the football (I am not into sport but he is)
Anyhow thought I would show you what I have been buying this week.
In no particular order I bought this gorgeous fabric from Fabric Circus or you can find them on Facebook too. I am planning on making a couple of skirts for my upcoming holiday. The cow print is to make my friend a pencil case. And see that on the right in the box? that was a little surprise I received with my fabric, I won't tell you what it is in case you place an order with them.
I also bought this stunning fabric from Groovy Funky Things and am planning on making a maxi dress again for my holiday from the fabric on the right. Do you recognise the one in the middle? That's the one I made the bag from that I showed you yesterday
Now last but by no means least check out this picture below my May "treat parcel" from this fantastic lady at Lemon Drop Fabrics And Threads
It is a monthly surprise, you pay £15 a month and you receive a fantastic surprise parcel once a month, you don't have to have it every month if you don't want to, but why would you not. It is a little treat to myself every month, lovely fabrics and lots of little extras plus you also get links sent to you for online patterns. I love it and I am already looking forward to my next months treat. It is a great idea for both beginners (like myself) or experienced sewers. If you want to sign u, then just drop her a message through Facebook.
I also bought some gorgeous fabrics from there too but I haven't taken a picture (silly me) but believe me they are gorgeous, some lovely pink and black unicorn fabric which I am planning on making into a quilt for my Great Niece and also some dinosaur fabric for my Grandson.
I don't work Fridays so tomorrow I plan on getting the housework done, then nipping to see my cousin as I am making her wedding invitations (yes I do that too), then home to sew.
I will be back with my makes over the weekend, wish me luck, I think I will need it lol. I am definitely a trier!!
First things first, my name is Kirsty and I am in my mid 40's, happily married with a daughter and a grandson.
After attending a basic sewing class I decided that I loved sewing and wanted to start to learn. So I bought myself a basic sewing machine which is a Brother LS14, a bargain at just £64 from Amazon.
So I quickly learnt how to thread it and off I went to my class. We made a simple tote bag in just one morning and that was it, I was hooked.
I came home and made another bag, which I haven't taken a picture of yet.
I then decided I wanted to try a skirt so I made a plain black jersey skirt for work with an elasticated waistband.
After that there was no stopping me, I was finding myself rushing home from work so I could sew lol. So far I have made 5 bags, 3 make up bags, 2 cushion covers and 2 skirts.
The fabric I used for my second skirt was £2 metre from Ikea and is a gorgeous black and white spotty cotton.
I then went into work and showed my colleagues, one of them asked me to make her a bag. She loves her dog Russ so I went looking for some appropriate fabric. I found this on facebook from a lovely lady (check out her fabric) https://www.facebook.com/groovyfunkythings/
Check me out, I even made a pocket with a zip which I managed after following this fab you tube video.
My project this weekend is a maxi dress so watch this space.
I am now on the hunt for a second-hand adjustable tailors dummy lol.
Ok, I am signing off for tonight but will be back tomorrow to tell you about a another fantastic lady I buy my fabric from and also to tell you about the "surprise parcel" I have subscribed to.
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