Travel update

Having a blast in South Africa, working with street kids teaching them how to sew. Bought some fabric and dye to show them tie-dye this week. Also purchased some traditional shwe shwe fabric in gorgeous prints.









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Jubilee weekend

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How to make a pencil case

Start with a back and front, a back and front lining and a zip. I added a layer of batting to the outside fabric and quilted it in straight lines.


Sandwich one side of the zip between the front fabric and the front lining fabric as below:


Zip sandwiched in-between. Stitch and repeat with the back pieces.


Top stitch as below to enable the fabric to sit flat against the zip.


Zip inserted and top stitched. You will need to move the zip up and down the teeth as you sew to get close enough to the zip.


Put right sides of the outside fabric and right sides of the lining together. Pin and stitch, leaving a 10cm gap in the lining to turn through. Trim all corners.


Turn inside out and stitch the bottom of the lining closed, by hand or machine.


Voila! Finished pencil case!


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Second set of fairy wings

Second set made for my fairy friend!


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Finished placket with buttons

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Great colour tutorial

My mum found this tutorial, which explains colour theory in photographs. It's great for all forms of art and design, but especially helpful for putting together quilting fabrics for projects and even fashion design.




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Oil Cloth Box Bag Tutorial

I have recently discovered the wonders of oil cloth, so did a search for tutorials, as I struggled to prevent the stuff sticking to the presser foot of my machine. I used tissue paper in the end, but a teflon foot would probably work better. One Shabby Chick uses a walking foot, but suggests using painter's tape (masking tape?) to prevent sticking. I love her tutorial for this box bag and will be having a go at one! Find it here.

Two new tops

The sun is out and I've been using up my stash of fabric to make two new tops. I bought a remnant of gorgeous echino fabric and made that into an asymmetric tank and a cap sleeve design out of blue and white seersucker. The latter isn't quite finished as I need to add 3 buttons to the placket. I drafted these and made them in a couple of days- so nice to have some free time to fully focus on making things!!



Two new tops!


Design idea and pattern adaptation sketch for the cap sleeve top


Design idea and pattern adaptation sketch for the tank


Cap sleeve pattern


Tank pattern


Placket detail


Bias binding detail

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Grainline Bias-Binding Tutorial

This is a great bias-binding tutorial for necklines and armholes from Grainline. Exactly how I sew binding on and the best method.

Excellent hand-rolled hem video

I found this via Frabjous Couture's blog. It shows the making of a hand-rolled hem on an Hermes Scarf.

Flying geese progress

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Travel accessories

My money belt got a lot of wear last time I travelled and is now on its last legs, so I've made a couple of accessories to take its place. The larger pouch fits my iPhone and passport, while the small zippy pouch fits all my cards and fits inside the big one! Not as sophisticated as a proper travel money belt, but will do the job and can be concealed under clothing. The large one is in cotton and the small one in oil cloth.





Zip detail.


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Cafe Boscanova

Went to a lovely vegetarian/ vegan cafe in Boscombe (Bournemouth) with my friend today. Great atmosphere, tasty juices and smoothies and yummy haloumi and vege-filled wrap with guacamole.









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Pavlova and Courgette Frittata

Made a gorgeous pavlova for a friend's birthday and used up the egg yolks in a yummy frittata with courgettes, sundries tomatoes and potatoes.





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Finished tie front dress

Finished at last!! Made this and hated it, so have spent a little time this morning re-fitting it so that I do like it!! I developed the bodice pattern from the Japanese Pattern Magic book.












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1940s Rowan Jumper Progress

Well, it's coming along, but taking me ages! I love that the stripes are made up from different patterns. Only the other half of the back, the front, the sleeves and the collar left to do...!!





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Oil cloth bag

Thought I'd try an oil cloth tote bag. It's tricky to work with, as you can't really use pins and it sticks to the sewing machine!! After some trial and error I discovered that a walking foot and tissue paper prevent it sticking and Sellotape comes on handy for tacking pockets etc on. I still need to add handles, but here's my progress so far.

The outer oil cloth fabric and the lining with pocket attched

'Tacking' the pocket on with sellotape

Peeling off the tissue paper after stitching on the pocket

Attaching the zip to the outer fabric and lining

The inside

The bag so far, minus handles

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Pea Guacamole

Good old Anthony Worrall Thompson! This is so healthy and so yummy!! It's from one of his low GI books. Also made amazing Thai steamed salmon tonight with stir-fried veg- melt in the mouth delicious!!



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Finished suzuko koseki skirt

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Travel Sewing Roll

I need to take my equipment to SA with me, but don't want to carry my bulky box, so I've made an equipment roll that can be packed in my case.






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