ted and agnes

friday stitchery

 
After a week of sewing for my new venture I have decided that Friday's should be a day for stitching & sewing clothes for the family and home (well me & Violet as the extent of acceptable 'homemade clothes for the male element of the family stops at pj bottoms!)

 

I have had this green velvet coat cut out for a while so decided to tackle it today. When I was at Art college I had an strange obsession with chiffon, heaven knows why but Velvet is as frustrating to sew but I adore it so its worth the struggle (not so keen on the chiffon now thank goodness).

 
I always pin & baste each seam because when I try to skip one of the steps it always ends up in unpicking so its just not worth it. Although as time raced on this afternoon I got a bit cocky & didn't baste the side seams or the undercollar...just used 100's of pins and the power of positive thought to will it not to slip! It seemed okay but we shall see in the cold light of the morning whether I am happy with it or i will spend the morning brandishing my seam unpicker.

 
This was my progress at lunchtime and a point that I always get ratty with what I'm making, the halfway mark where through years of experience and many unfinished projects I have now learn't to walk away and return in a few days, fresh and ready to sew.

I am hoping to get it finished in time to take to Holland with me but we'll see what comes up next week.

tis a sad day

After 20 years of faithful service, appalling treatment, being carted around the countryside and generally used and abused my wonderful Bernina is just not cutting it anymore.

This delightful workhorse came into my possession whilst at art college and mooning over it for weeks and thinking how on earth can i spend over £900 on a sewing machine when my car at the time cost me £250, it was the little box of feet attached to the back that finally got me.

So I handed over my hard earned pennies...oh the joy....its made so many things over the years and still has many left in her but I just can't get a decent top stitch out of her, no matter how much I tinker.

I am loathed to get her serviced (doing the basic maintenance myself over the years) as so many people I have spoken to have said their Berninas are never the same when returning. All metal, heavy and delightful they certainly don't make these machines like they used too.

So I have decided to buy a new machine basically for top stitching, nothing fancy but a good stitch quality and can cope with regular use. I would be really grateful for your comments on your own experience with today's sewing machines & your preferred models as I haven't a clue where to start and don't have the time to trawl & traipse about trying various models out.

As a thank you I will choose a random post and send you something for helping me out (details later when I've rustled something up).......and so to the bathroom

its almost finished but I just haven't had the time (or the inclination) to strip the toilet cistern & pipes so we will live with them for a bit.

I was browsing through Homebase on a farrow & ball mission when I spotted this fab wallpaper, it reminded me of the lovely wallpaper that I had admired & swooned over that Manda at Treefall Design has on her bedroom wall.

So I am pleased with how it turned out and was hoping it might inspire the boys of the house to spend more time in there washing & perhaps brushing their teeth without me threatening them first....ha no chance!

Inspired with my sort of new bathroom I decided to get busy in the dining room as a new carpet is on its way followed shortly by a church pew (very excited about this addition)

so will have a few more make over photos shortly.....also some exciting news about getting back to work & finally stocking my little store.

Edit ....share your thoughts good & bad about sewing machines and this little lovely could be yours.

will be chosing a random comment a week sunday.... 

  
 

stitching it up.....

As promised pictures & review of this great jacket pattern. With a definate 50's vintage feel, a must try for the beginner & a great wardrobe builder. I used some medium weight black cord from my stash along with some liberty lawn for the lining.

  

 

Using view A I didn't need to make any adjustments to the pattern which is always a plus point &  I hemed the inner facing rather than overlocking as I wanted a neater finish. If it hadn't been for bump mobility issues I could of easily finished this jacket in a couple of hours.

   

Added one of my favourite liberty prints for the lining & a nice vintage button to finish it off. I highly recommend this pattern & am trying to decide what fabric to make another in. I have my eye on a nice tweed.

The other finished project was the snuggly cosy toes for the buggy...

 

A toastie warm baby on the walk to school.....31/2wks to go...unless she decides to be late or early!

pattern review.....newlook 6595

 

In the spirit of the last post I had just finished a skirt this morning so in a hope to inspire you into stitching thought I would give a brief run down here. It was actually a construction from bits of spare fabric left over after I had cut out my fabric for the post baby wardrobe so I especially pleased that I managed to get an extra skirt and if I get creative I'll get a couple more items so even more frugal.

 

I used view c but made it a bit longer as i prefer a slightly longer than knee length skirt. Its a very simple a line pattern and I think the waistband yoke makes it both a comfy wear with a flattering shape (esp for post preggers belly). I love the Boden style of bold applique and the green velvet was ideal.

The rest of the herringbone tweed is on its way to becoming trousers and the brown will be the underskirt to my lace avoca style skirt in the same pattern. I just need to find some cream velvet ribbon and raid my button tin for some embellishments.

I've also almost finished a really nice little jacket which has been a joy to sew and I feel a brilliant choice for those of you taking those first few steps into the world of stitching your own wardrobe, so  more of that in a couple of days

coats & car seat makeover.....

Well as promised pics of my finished coat as mentioned here (hrmmmm only taken almost a year to complete) Really liked this pattern it is a good fit and I only slightly adapted it by missing out the buttons & pockets. Sadly its out of print but I did find it listed cheaply on US & Canadian ebay so its worth a look.

 

I was really peased at the contrast of the liberty lining and gives the coat a bit of a quirky edge in fact I've just cut out a green velvet version with a polkadot lining lets hope it doesn't take another year!!

 

I also aquired a carseat for Lily on Freecycle recently and decided to give it a makeover I am really pleased at how it turned out....Lily really will be a girl about town!

 

I think a snuggly warm cover will be in order but can't decide on stitch, crochet or knit. I think it wil definately be something I can do with my feet up as I'm really starting to flag now.

I've also nearly finished a quilted cosy toes for the little buggy I bought. Although I would like to baby carry as much as I can I have to be really careful of my back so when Keith isn't around I'll have an option + it is a matter of great debate between the boys and it definately looks like I'll be drawing up a Lily pushing rota!

mai tai.....the photos

Now my camera has made its way back from NYC I can finally post some of the projects I've been working on. I've been feeling pretty good the last week or so and other than the growing bump which makes fitting behind my sewing machine a bit of a challenge, I've been pretty productive!

I used a ring sling when both the boys were born but since then I have come across the mai tai design which i really liked the look of. So I researched loads of sites on the web and finally decided on the following design.

 

With my current fad for foral union jacks this had to be the design for me but although Keith is pretty easy going about my design choices I thought it would be a bit mean to insist that he wore florals....so he got his own camo variety

 

and on his trip to NYC Keith even bought this wonderful little 'floral' dress just to prove that he's not totally against the flowery look....

 

I also finished this cute little nappy bag with a matching changing mat in one of my favourite red cath k cotton duck fabrics.

 

bag & cat

I've had a flurry of cutting, stitching & finishing projects this week. I took various photos but the house is so dark that they were awful and as it hasn't stopped raining today so no chance of natural daylight. 

 

I made this bag from a burda pattern using some of my Jane Churchill florals that I purchased from my favourite fent shop last week. It was quick and easy to make, really comfy to wear so I can highly recommend it esp for beginners. The only adjustment I made was to lengthen the strap a little so it fitted over my shoulder so I will be able to wear it when I'm carrying Lily Rose without it slipping from my shoulder.

I have also finished 2 mai tai baby carriers, a dusty pink union jack one for me and a camo one for dad as he wasn't too keen on the floral look....I have been looking at loads of styles/patterns/instructions on the web and decided to draught my own pattern and it has turned out really well. Although we have been trying them on with teddies as a baby model so can't comment on how comfy they are but I will post some pics when Lily Rose arrives.

Other finished projects are

3 pairs jim jam trousers for boys

finished floral quilt/changing mat

cath k floral print nappy bag

blind for nursery (which still isn't finished!!)

curtains for nursery

all of which I will post pics for on a later date

and last but not least a picture of my ridiculous cat 'william' who has an amazing way of getting himself in the most ridiculous positions and laying like it for hours, not moving until he is well and truely shifted!

today i've mostly been making this.....

my cath kidston dressing gown....I've been wanting a new one for a while as my present one is bleach stained and a bit ratty. I've also made a couple of pairs of pj trousers from some lovely liberty prints & have a camisole style top in the pipeline. Whilst I am feeling chipper and not too tired I am trying to make war on the 'to do' list before the bump hinders progress...

the coat #1

I decided to make a coat(view b without the pockets) for winter....last summer! hmmm I should say I had the best intentions to make a coat. I suppose I have the excuse of the flood to see me through but that one is wearing a bit thin now so I have decided to get on with things.

I cut out the main fabric sometime ago, its a scrummy green tweed ( I think the lady in the shop said it was a golfing fabric) anyway its just right. A couple of days ago I finally cut out the perfect liberty lawn that I am using for the lining and had over a mtr left so another bonus, maybe a matching bag I hear you call but i couldnt wear them together I never match!

So next job is to rummage out the interfacing that I bought...wherever that maybe. I will keep you posted on my progress.

My #1 son is off to York today on a school trip needless to say it was excited bedlam in the house this morning especially as he got a (small) packet  of kettle chips to have with his lunch....crisps are a special treat here not a daily occurance and #2 son was not at all pleased. Anyway back to the trip it is with his favourite teacher who is leaving at Easter and Jake is really sad. Come to think of it I am really sad too as she brought a real breath of creativity to the school and wasn't hung up on damn tests & results.....I shall rant about those at another time!!

liberty night night

Whilst listening to the weekly archers omnibus I decided to whiz up this little number to sleep in…

I had previously added a couple of yards of this scrummy liberty lawn to my stash earlier in the week and it had been calling to me from the cupboard and I had made a patchwork nightie out of a few leftovers the week before and it was so comfy to sleep in that decided this was a must and so easy only took 2hrs from start to finish…..

Look at these pegs aren’t they delightful…just arrived in the post, they are romany gypsy hazel dolly pegs very chuffed with the postie today as he usually only brings bills!

There has also been a brilliant thread on moneysaver.com old style living board about shabby chic homes and it is really inspiring to hear what other people have been up to with vinatge regalia and amazingly how many people love this look. Is the worm turning.....? are we finally saving no to the sterile cream and brown leather houses that sell well to actually creating homes that we can love & cherish & that don't have to be replaced every 3 years with a 'new fashionable' look or sold on to buy a bigger and better sterile environment.......I do hope so.

Anyway I thought I would share a few corners of my home that when I casually glance around give me a cosy....i love my house...feeling

I love this bureau the lady I got it from on Freecycle was given it when she got married in 1971 (year I was born) for a wedding gift, her daughter didnt want it and she didnt want to throw it away...but hadn't space for it and it had been in the barn so with a lick of F&B elephants breath it now stores away most of my paperwork. Furniture with a story I love this, why on earth would I ever buy new stuff, squeaky, clean with nothing to say. The drawers are lined with some lovely wallpaper samples and its a great surface to pile stuff on.

Thankyou Katherine for this bookcase it fits perfectly in this corner of the lounge and makes my books of the moment easy to grab plus a great place for flowers....The sofa came from a lovely couple who have a holiday home near Windermere in the Lake District....she was sick of florals and wanted something plain. It has loose sanderson print covers that I was going to replace but have decided to just patch it as they tear otherwise it will take years to get that old wornout look. So its a work in progress, each patch another part of its story...its history, its love.