Crimblymas....

Here are a few of the bits I made as presents for my nearest and dearest.......

First up is the crochet lapgan that I made for mum...it should have looked like this....

but I just couldn't get the hang of the zig zag thing in time; and so, it looked like this.....

Then there were upcycled cashmere mittens for my Sister in law....

These are super peasy to make..
....just draw round your hand with your thumb stuck out..cut out 4 identical pieces from a mistakenly felted cashmere jumper.( if you line up the pieces at the bottom of the jumper, you get a nice ribbed cuff)

......add an inch all round for seam allowance and with right sides together, stitch around with thick thread.....
......trim back the seams to 1/8 inch and turn right side out..and bobs your uncle!

A felty monster pirate for little J

Aga covers for Mother in Law

A pencil roll for my step nephew

A wine bottle cover for Father in Law

An infinity scarf for sister in law...

I have decided this year that ALL my gifting will be handmade. I am fed up with getting people things that they do not need.... and instead, want to give them something that is as one of a kind and original as they are!

Happy New Year everyone and here's to a creatively crafty new year!

Another one bites the dust...

At last "The owl dress" is finished.

This was my first attempt at bias binding on a neckline. It took a couple of attempts. I found the tutorial on Colette patterns really useful..you can find out how to make your own bias tape HERE and how to fix it on HERE.

I have some of the fabric left over, so at a later date I would like to add a patch pocket. I do LOVE pockets.












I have also made a start on Lady Grey. I have made a toile out of an old curtain. I am not sure about the fit under the arms, but I imagine it requires a lot of ease to accommodate jumpers and the like.

It does seem to be a good fit otherwise, so I may be lucky and can get away without altering the pattern.  I will be able to get a better idea once I have attached the sleeves.

Back on track and ready to sew...

Thank goodness that is over and done with... now waiting for a hospital referral, but that's another long story!
With Little J going to school every morning next week, and the start of my sewing class on Friday, I hope to be doing LOTS of sewing!!!!!

I have found the camera lead too, so lots of pictures to come.

Little J and I took a trip to the fabric shop yesterday, in the main to look for fabric for my Lady Grey coat.  I didn't find anything useful for that, but returned with some cute owl fabric for my linen dress refashion.   Little J found a camo remnant ( with which he tells me he is going to make a whole army outfit) and the local Oxfam yielded a large piece of Purple cotton drill for the grand sum of £2.49. All in all a successful trip.

Funky Knickers

Day TWO:  I have made some knickers out of a stretch Jersey fabric and they actually fit rather well! I havent had to put any elastic in them as the quality if the fabric makes them very springy :)

The fabric was from a thrifted childs skirt. I loved the pattern and had intended to make it into a pillow case, but it was destined for higher things. One thing I have learned from this, jersey slip slides everywhere under the needle. I must do a bit more research on sewing with knits as it isn't something I have ever done.

Again, I didn't use a pattern for this. I just cut around an pair of my existing knickers, cut out a seperate gusset and then zig zag stitched them all together. I havent got as far as hemming the edges..hopefully Little J will let me do that in the morning!

Self Stitched September - Day one

September 1st - Today, I am wearing my first ever, made from scratch dress. It was made from a thrifted duvet cover with no pattern. It was, in the making of this dress, that I realised that I have a sway back and a doweger hump! Hence, it gapes at the back - nothing a belt won't cover though. I don't have a picture as yet; my camera phone is broken - but a soon as hubby brings the camera from work I will get some pictures sorted.