Thursday 14 April 2016

Felicity Hall Peacock Clutch Bag

I enjoy needlepoint projects and have created quite a few 'contemporary' designs over the past few years. This one has by far been my longest, slowest project, taking me about 15 months from start to finish!

It is designed by Felicity Hall which you can buy online or from Liberty. The clutch bag is sold as a kit and comes with a printed canvas, tapestry wool, needle, clutch bag frame and instructions for how to put it together. I think it was working with the printed canvas which made me reluctant to complete it. I kept deliberating over which colour each stitch was. I definitely find it easier to be accurate when counting rather than following a printed canvas.

The final stitch!
Needlepoint projects tend to pull to one side which means that they need blocking. First I moistened the project by spraying it with water. This makes the canvas more malleable so you can begin pulling it into a more regular shape. I then used a staple gun to attach the project to a piece of ply board (all the time using a sewing ruler to check that the angles are all right angles) and left it to dry.
It blocked the canvas four times before I was happy with the angles.
The project comes with instructions for how to turn the canvas into a beautiful clutch bag. I however appeared to have lost them! After a bit of experimentation I figured out how to line the clutch bag so that it could be attached to the frame.

The bag itself is attached with glue which made me nervous as I was scared I would get glue on the bag. I did get some glue on it but luckily I managed to pick it off!

So here she is...

And here is her lining...
I couldn't get the bag to sit accurately enough in the frame at the opening corners so I had to stich it in using some metallic thread. It's not too noticeable is it?
Overall, I'm really pleased with the bag! Any ideas for another needlepoint project?

Monday 11 April 2016

Named Pattern Loudes

I was really excited to start making the Named Pattern Lourdes as it was my first proper step into outerwear. I made it in a polka dot wool which was bought from Walthamstow market from the man outside Sainsbury's and lined it in a cotton from Backstitch.

Sadly, I made a humongous error before I had even made one stitch. I measured myself using the guidelines on the pattern then decided to completely ignore the sizing and make the size up! I'd like to say that it was my first time making this error, but it's far from it.

To combat the sizing issue I had to take it apart when it was near completion. I heavily increased the size of the inverted pleat at the back and reduced the size of the arms and side seams. All of this resulted in a completely different shape to the jacket than the original design. It's not that I don't like the flared shape but I still can't shake the feeling that it's just not right!

The instructions were comprehensive the whole way through and made the construction straight forward and easier than I anticipated.

The fabric I used was reversible so I used the purple side for the facing which I think adds a nice touch to the inside.

I love the detail on the back of the cuffs...it's so pretty!

My machine couldn't make the button holes as the fabric was too thick. I borrowed my mum's machine for the job which is a slightly better model but it still struggled and they're far from perfect up close. The buttons are a gold/bronze colour and were purchased from John Lewis. I wasn't sure about them when I sewed them on but they're growing on me.

All in all I'm pleased with it but I definitely see it as a wearable toile and I will certainly be making another.

Happy sewing x

Wednesday 6 April 2016

Fabric shopping in Walthamstow

This week is my Easter holiday and I thought it would be nice to kick start it with a bit of fabric shopping at Walthamstow Market. I buy fabric from lots of different places but quite a large amount comes from Walthmstow.

The market is located in North London, there is a tube station about a 5 minute walk from the market itself so it's not too difficult to get to if you're North of London. It really is worth a visit as the market is an absolute treasure trove of fabric which is all priced amazingly! It's rare to pay over £5 a meter with most fabric approximately £2.50 a meter.

Walthamsow market has a large number of stalls and shops which sell a range of fabric. There is a man outside Sainsburys and a lady slightly further down (Maynards Fabrics) who are definitely the highlight of the market. If you choose to visit it's worth coming with an open mind. It's not the place to go if you are looking for something specific but it is particularly good for drapey fabrics and wools. There are also a couple of haberdasheries which are very good value for zips.

This is my haul from the market...

First of all is this rather beautiful sand washed silk which I intend to make a Named pattern Inari tee dress. It's much darker in real life and has a gorgeous drape to it.
I also bought this rather gorgeous cotton lawn with a repeating floral pattern which I think I will use for a top of some sorts.
Next up are a couple of rayon/cotton mixes which I haven't quite decided what to do with yet! Any ideas?
I also bought a couple more drapey fabrics but I'm not too sure what they're made of.
I also picked up a couple of pieces of sweatshirt fabric to make a few more Lindens. I would like to free motion embroider on one if I can manage to get my machine to play along!
Last of all I am absolutely in love with the next fabric which I think I will make into a top with a yoke top and a bottom lined with a grey fabric.
As you can imagine, by stash is now bulging! If you do go to Walthamstow market I hope that you have a fabulous time! Also any suggestions for any of the fabrics I have bought will be welcomely received! Happy sewing x

Friday 25 March 2016

An Emery in Pencil Shavings

I was gifted this rather lovely Liberty print by my Dad for Christmas. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted it to be an Emery dress! It's the perfect print for a teacher to wear too, isn't it?
I have made the Emery before so no adjustments were needed which made it a pretty quick project. I decided to go for the collar this time instead of the bow. I had reservations about the collar which seems large on some Emery dresses but I think that the heavy pattern of the fabric helps it to blend in and alleviate this.
I was going through a 'sew the stash' phase which means that it is lined in a very boring grey lining fabric. I regret this decision as having my makes beautiful inside and out is really important to me.
As ever, the cheery on top of the Emery dress are the pockets! This dress is definitely going to become one of my favourites.

I hope you all have a great bank holiday weekend. Happy sewing x

Saturday 19 March 2016

Scrumptious Saiph

I have been ogling the Paper Cut Saiph pattern for a while so I decided that it was time to take the plunge and start sewing. I bought a spotty drapey fabric from Walthamstow market. On reflection the pattern of the fabric is a little too loud for me but I'm still pleased with the dress.
The pattern is actually a tunic, which I don't tend to wear so I decided to lengthen the bodice pattern piece to make it into a dress instead. I originally made the dress with long sleeves but the pattern of the fabric seemed over whelming on me so I shortened them into three quarter length before hemming.
The dress has a gorgeous peplum bottom which is made using a full circle. Because of this it has lots of movement which I love.
The pattern would be great for beginners (or zip haters) as is has a button back using a rouleau loop. I used a pretty heart button which I had in my stash.
As the peplum is made using a full circle I finished the hem using satin bias binding. I haven't used satin bias binding before but it was absolutely perfect for the drapey fabric as it doesn't restrict it at all. I will definitely be adding more satin bias binding to my stash!
Happy sewing!

Sunday 13 March 2016

Linden Sweatshirt Hack

I absolutely fell in love with a sweatshirt in Liberty about a year ago. It had a rather large price tag which I just couldn't justify so I sadly left it behind. This winter however, I decided to try and make my own using the Grainline Linden pattern and I couldn't be happier!
This was the original, I think that they're pretty closely matched!
The Linden pattern itself was a dream to work with and made up quickly and easily. I sewed it together using an overlocker but it could easily be made using a sewing machine. When topstitching my sewing machine initially struggled with feeding the fleecy back through so I attached my walking foot which worked much better.

I adapted the pattern by flaring it out at the sides to alter the shape. The peplum was made using a double layer of black organza which I cut from the width of the fabric, gathered then hand stitched onto the hem.
I'm really pleased with this make, there will definitely be a few more Linden sweatshirts appearing in my wardrobe!

Happy sewing!

Saturday 5 March 2016

Let the spring sewing commence...

It feels slightly ridiculous to be sharing this make with you today especially as it has been snowing only this morning! But I have decided to begin sewing some spring/summery wardrobe pieces whilst also still trying to wade my way through my wool stash (far too large for this time of year of course) before I have to put it away for a few months.

I have been busy sewing another Deer and Doe Datura. I love this pattern, it sews together beautifully and is constructed so that it is gorgeous both inside and out. Since I began sewing there has been a big influx of pattern into my wardrobe and I'm lacking plains to wear with them so this was a tactical make!

It's made using a cream cotton fabric which has an embellished edge. Datura originally has a curved hem which wouldn't have worked with this fabric so I extended the top to the lowest point the whole way around. I was concerned that it would look boxy but I think it actually looks less boxy than the original design.
Pattern matching is definitely not a strong point of mine so I'm pretty pleased with the match if the curves at the back and side. I used some heart buttons from my button stash to finish the back of the top.

I have no doubt that that this will become a wardrobe staple (when it stops snowing and raining!). Happy sewing x