Knitty nora!

I've been getting busy with the knitty just lately. I think partly because I go to a weekly knitting group at the Pin Tin, my local shop for all things crafty. I wish we had the same for sewing, alas my friend and I are planning some knitting days at our respective homes. As I am new to sewing concealed zips she is going to help me to get my Multi-fabric skirt zipped up!

I have recently finished 2 knitting projects: a mug cosy and a knitted bag. Take a look!

Patterns for these items are available in Funky Chunky knitted accessories by Jan Eaton and Fast and Fun knits by Clare Garland. Both fantastic books for present ideas!

Emma x

Oh My Gosh it's February 2012!

Hello! Long time, no blog. I am getting back on track after a crazy December and January, plus at work the launch of a new library in Plymouth. 


As I feel such a failed blogger, I thought this would be a good time to review my sewing progress from last year and also to think about revamping trims and things. 


Here is my list of to dos from 2011:


I have sew many resolutions for this year (you'll pardon the pun), here is my list:
#1. Project restyle - I made a cover for my steamer chair and restyled a boring garden chair into a reading lounger I could be proud of.#2. Complete my long started (and languishing ever hopefully) Amy Butler Anna Tunic dress - The tunic dress never did come together despite 6 months work and help from a friend on numerous sewing days. Instead I started the Sew Serendipity Skirt, which is cut out and prepped ready to sew together.
#3. Sew my Cath Kidston handbag (the bag came with the Sew! book I received for my birthday - I have sewn the base of the bag together and need to add the straps and trims.
#4. Set up and launch my Folksy shop - My shop opened but didn't have much success. I sold the bags I made to friends to give as Christmas presents. Feedback was positive but making for me is where I will be focussing my efforts in 2012. Sometimes you have to recognise when you are beat!
#5. Add some more flair to this blog by taking part in Elsie's blog love e-course - I absolutely love Elsie's blog abeautifulmess and continue to be a dedicated reader. I am going to have a little shake up of my blog as a result  of Elsie's advice from the course and include some more lifestyle and broader craft features, not just sewing! I incorporate knitting and other crafts into my week and I am sure will appeal to you and enable me to post more regularly. 


So here is my new list for 2012:
#1. Complete my Sew Serendipity Skirt and Cath Kidston shoulder bag.
#2. Revamp my blog design with a new look for 2012.
#3. Share with you my knitting and other craft projects.
#4. Blog about my favourite places to go and craft related purchases made.
#5. Incorporate my style in fashion and home interiors for you all to see.
#6. Share with you my favourite purchases.


Thanks for reading my blog x

Sew many presents!

A week ago it was my 28th birthday. It feels like much longer now because I have been ill and then very busy catching up at work.

My sister bought me some gorgeous ditsy floral fabric from CallyCo in Cambridge. The rest are big favourites from the Cath Kidston sewing collection and a black sewing machine necklace from my friend in Aberdeen. I have earmarked the blue fabric for a dress. I just need to find the right beginners pattern, any suggestions?

Here are my lovely sewing themed presents, there were even more so this is a big thank you to my friends and family who were so thoughtful. It is funny, you would think I go on about sewing all the time...

Happy sewing, Emma x

Pinterest

Have you used Pinterest yet? If not you should! This online pinboard enables you to bookmark your favourite things in a visual way. My pin board includes tutorials, fashion, images, celebrities and products I love!

The best feature is being able to browse by area e.g. Fashion, Books, Art, Geekery to find some really interesting and fun links to webpages you never would have come across.

My pinboard can be found here. I will be updating it with more of my favourites soon.

Like Ravelry you have to be invited to take part and register an account, but it is absolutely worth the wait. Feel free to post a link to your pinboard below, enjoy!

Trims and things project: Simplicity 2599

Yes that's right, it's a new sewing project that isn't green! I'm loving this mustard yellow for Autumn. I have decided to make the bottom right version with a cute bow embellishment. I want to wear this top with my favourite navy Zara trousers to work.

The great thing about this pattern is that the front section is printed in three cup sizes for a good fit. This also means that I won't be adjusting the bust area. I think this is a good thing judging by my Anna tunic saga!

The fabric was very good value, a plain poly cotton bought from a new haberdashers in Plymouth at £3.50 per metre. The fabric is a little rough at the moment but will soften after a couple of machine washes.

Are they any patterns you would recommend for beginners?

Emma x

Trims and things ♥s Mollie Makes

I finally succumbed to the nasty bug going around at work. Despite feeling really rubbish and being unable to sew I have been catching up on my favourite blogs and sewing magazines.

Mollie Makes Issue 6 has some fantastic Autumn projects, including how to make some good enough to eat (almost) apple and pear pin cushions! The ethos of Mollie Makes is making, thrifting, collecting and crafting, all of which inspire me. I realised that my coffee table alone has something representing each of these. My home made Amy Butler tissue box cover, my retro inspired bowl, my turquoise trim phone by Wild and Wolf and a copy of The Knitting Pocket Bible I borrowed from the library.

The magazine also came with a free Coin Purse Kit. I'm really excited to make some coin purses for friend's Christmas presents now I have the pattern and equipment list.

I decided it would be a good idea to start a notebook of supplies I need for future sewing projects so that I can take it with me on shopping trips. So often I end up buying the wrong size or thickness haberdashery because I didn't write it down! Maybe, the key to success in sewing is better organisation. I will keep you posted on my progress...

Thanks for reading,
Emma x

Trims and things project: Multi Fabric Skirt

I have a brand new project to share with you! I must first confess that the Amy Butler Anna tunic was an epic fail :( I realised after two second opinions and attempting to make some desperate alterations to the pattern, that I had been way too ambitious in making the tunic my first dressmaking project.

And then one day the answer came in the form of Kay Whitt's book Sew Serendipity, which contains some gorgeous retro inspired patterns and great illustrations and step-by-step instructions. So far I have cut out the pattern, put together the skirt facings and I am about to attach the ruffled hems and Ric-Rac to the front and back panels.

You'll see I've used fabric leftover from other projects like the tunic and my knitting needle roll to piece together the skirt. I had no idea I was mentally coordinating my fabrics! One of these days I will attempt a project that isn't in the green spectrum... (honest).


I'm really excited to be wearing a me-made item soon!

Emma x