Bagmaking: Swoon Harriet for the lady who sews

So here we are. Harriet. A pretty quick sew, but not an easy one as my machine did NOT like working with the faux leather. Its not been too bad in the past, but I think its had enough now and is refusing to play ball. I spent HOURS trying to get it to work, fiddling with the tension and the threads and the needles etc etc and it still isn't perfect.
As a result, I'm not happy with the top stitching on the handles, or the attachment of the base which looks messy as I had to restitch a few times which is a no-no for leatherette. Overall though I'm happy, but I actually wish I'd used foam not fleece to stabilise as its a bit floppy for my liking. Honestly I should know this by now but I wanted to follow the instructions as far as possible.

This is what it looks like with the zips open. You can see the contrast fabric at the sides.

This is with the zips closed

This is inside. There's a zipped pocket and a couple of slip pockets.

And slightly closer up showing the flip lock that I'm rather proud of (it took me ages to install this as I was trying to be ever so precise)

Fabrics used as below: 

Vintage Couturier in Cream by Robert Kaufman

Accents and zipped pocket in Fancy and Fabulous by Riley Blake

Lining in I'm a Maker by Art Gallery

Faux Leather came from Doughtys Online

Bagmaking: The Seneca Creek Mint Glitter Flamingo bag!

There's a lovely little independent shop in Huntingdon called the Parsley Pot, which sadly I don't think its going to be open much longer. The back of the shop is now empty and they are selling off display goods.

Amongst the shelving and jewellery bits was a large roll of mint green glittery fabric. I don't know exactly what it is - its not like vinyl as its textured, and thinner (more deco weight) but I think its made of glitter thread as its like its woven in. 

I didn't buy it the first time. I went home. And I mulled on it. And a couple of weeks later I went back in.

It was still there, and it was marked at twenty quid for 3 metres, so I bought it.  I have all sorts of plans for it!

This is the first incarnation. I've had my eye on this 100% cotton flamingo fabric for a while, and I thought it would go lovely with the mint, so I printed out the May Bag of the Month Pattern

This is a sweet little convertible bag which can be worn over the shoulder, or around the waist if preferred.

It has an inner zipped pocket and and outer pocket with a magnetic snap.

The buckle is just for show!

I really like this combination, and I really love that glitter and I already have its next incarnation planned!

Sadly my Pfaff has broken again though, so I'm using the backup machine. Its quite hard work when you're used to precision and quiet, but beggars can't be choosers :)

Crafting - making a cushion cover Family Tree (ish)

I just wanted to show you this. I made a cushion!

(I know - that's one of the least thrilling statements of the year) 

A good friend of mine is going through the adoption process and welcomed their new daughter into their home a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to make something special to celebrate this. So I thought I'd make a simple family tree cushion.

Then I saw this Amy Butler Lark fabric upstairs and figured I'd go family-tree ish, but incorporate the flowers instead.

So this is the back:

This is the front. Obviously I cut out some of the flowers and leaves. 

Then I appliqued them on using very very close zig zag. 

I used the linen from the background to machine embroider their names (youngests name is hidden as they cannot disclose it legally), and I then added midnight blue piping (no you can't really see it in this photo) to finish before sewing it all up. It does have a zip.

I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I think she is too, although its always a gamble gifting something handmade. 

Next up, more bags (sneaky peak of current commission below)

Crafty Post - Vivian handbag in Glitter Vinyl

I've had so much palaver with this bag for various reasons, but its finally completed and I'm pretty happy with it. I really hope the recipient is too. Vinyl is a b*gger to work with but I love the finished product.

Once I got my vinyl (managed to find a UK supplier - YAY) I cut everything out. I do quilt the vinyl as I think it gives a more professional finish. I have this marvellous contraption that came with my sewing machine that means I can do even lines without having to mark the vinyl (the first line is marked with masking or washi tape) I also use a teflon foot. These are about 17 quid but well worth the outlay if you're going to be using vinyl/leatherette etc.

I had a big old problem with dodgy rivets and had to wait till some new ones came. See the one on the left. That happened with every single one of the faulty batch. I can't charge what I charge with rivets like that. The one on the right is from the new batch.

So the big job after creating the gusset (used two zips for this one so they meet in the middle) with piping and pockets, and the lining also with pockets, is sewing the vinyl to the gusset. This requires gritted teeth, and many passes in order to get the piping positioned correctly.

At this point the outer bag is complete, but there is no lining in it, and no handles.

I sewed the lining in by hand. Its easier, and neater and makes me feel like 'handmade' is more appropriate somehow LOL

Then I riveted the straps on, and ta-da. (There is also a shoulder strap which is removable)

I make these on a commission basis. They are £95 and you have a choice of vinyl colour, gusset fabric (the fabric you see on the outside), lining fabric, and if you wish to you can choose the piping colour and zip colour too or just let me find something that works. I am fully booked until July though!

handmade tags from http://www.bobbingirl.co.uk/

Flamingo Mini Satchel

This was a commission from my sister. She likes bright pastels, so I selected a few fabrics and she chose this fabulous flamingo pattern. 

Because it is soooo bright we decided not to have a patterned interior. So its plain hot pink, with sneaky bit of flamingo in the zipped pocket. I made the strap adjustable and extra long as she wants to be able to wear it crossbody. Final touch is the pink piping. I lurrve piping. Have I said that already?!!

Also, I'm not sure I ever posted about this little bag. If I did I apologise. My camera can't quite capture the colour of the green but I've tried again. Its a linen blend in a Melody Miller retro telephones fabric. Piped with pink. 

The interior is a sort of lilac, and the pocket fabric is butterflies. 

A very happy new year to you!

Did you have a good christmas? We did, although the kids were desperate to see their friends by the end of the holidays. The company of adults is not that much fun for them!

I'll start with craft stuff in case you popped by to see that! Honestly there hasn't been much sewing. It would be nice to say I had lots of sewing time over the two weeks I was off work, but actually I didn't. I got one thing completed, and that was this -  a necessary clutch wallet. I really love it and its been on my to-do list for quite a long time so I'm glad I got one done. 

 

The only 

I used the Amy Butler fabric for the outer, and then some sewing themed fabric inside. 

The only other thing I've gotten started on is my shetland tweed rosie (no pics yet) and this little crossbody which is not yet finished. 

The fabric is a Melody Miller cotton-linen blend and I love it! It will get a strap once the hardware arrives.

So back to what we did on our holidays (one of my favourite albums I'll have you know) 

Just before school broke up, they had the christingle service at school, which is sort of a quiet reflectful one. I didn't make it this year, but a friend took this photo for me as Joey got to light the christingle candle for his class

We went up north to visit my mum and sister for the run up to christmas. Stayed at Redworth Hall, which is a bit of a treat, but I thought it was a really good deal. We got breakfast and dinner included, and a nice suite to stay in. They have a pool and an indoor play area for the kids. 

This is Noah with his dolly stash from nanna Maxey! Honestly I don't know why I didn't put the roof box on the car before we left. I should have known we'd be sitting amidst piles of presents!

there was also considerable amounts of cookie decorating happening at nannas!

We did a quick trip to Durham. They are currently building a lego scale model of the Cathedral (in the cathedral) and for a small donation you can add a certain number of bricks and therefore be part of the build. Both the boys did it :)

I also made a flying visit to the Bignall household (where I spent much of my youth) to visit Widgey who was visiting her folks - she is normally resident in Pittsburgh. Known to everyone else as @Frances_Sand . I met her lovely fiance Nick (who wasn't yet her fiance on the evening I visited - he proposed the next day on a trip to London) We reminisced and giggled, and then I had to go back to the hotel... 

Christmas eve we bombed it back to Goddy in order to make it in time for the Christmas nativity at St Marys. I have NO decent shots of this (I did get a fab new camera in the christmas sales though) and couldn't get any of the Innkeeper (Joey) I am pleased to say that Noah wore the donkey outfit rather than the sheep outfit to take Mary to Bethlehem. (He was bribed!!)

Christmas day I wore my swirl dress from beckys swirlalong

I have no full body shot I'm afraid, but it continues with a lot of scotty dogs!

There was much present opening, which was repeated when grandma came to visit with the girls on the following weekend.

Two dresses, one night out, one birthday, and far too many dentist visits.

It was Noahs 5th Birthday on 11th November, so whilst he didn't have a party, he did ask if he could have his friend Daisy over to play with his new fairy castle. 

The cake I did not make - I never bother any more because I have someone else do it for 15 quid which is a bargain in my opinion. I'd rather sew to be honest although I have done cakes in the past. 

He asked for a fairy, some flowers and a rabbit on it!

I had to abandon bags temporarily in favour of dressmaking. This is my christmas night out dress. I used the washi pattern, as I only had one metre of the Alexander henry 'Hurry down the Chimney' fabric (and you cannot buy any as its sold out everywhere) The back of the dress is plain black. Its trimmed with gold glitter piping.

I also got involved in the Sew Retro Rose Swirl sewalong. This is my (unfinished) effort. I wasn't particularly successful but I may even wear it! I can't even be bothered to describe how it went wrong, but there are more darts than on Bullys Prize Board, plus some extra pintucks on the front.

And on Saturday we went for our yearly girly get-together. This year I chose 'Bounce' in London (we always meet in London) for a spot of ping pong followed by pizza. 

 Thoroughly recommend this place. Fantastic for some silly fun.

L to R.:Sonya, Me, Lucy, Alice, Tanja, Pauline (and Paulines bump) Jess took the photo so unfortunately is not in it!

And so far this month, I've been to the dentist three times. Its not much fun and its very very expensive. I hate my teeth :(

What the! Two posts in one week?! It must be deadline time!

So what have I been beavering away at in secret for the last few months (other than bags of course)? 

Dolly clothes. For a competition. http://www.hellbunnyrag.com/win-me.php 

I immediately knew I had to enter when my hell bunny rag arrived - one problem though - no doll to dress. 

 

I found a Liv doll on ebay, made a few tiny modifications (painted her lips and eyebrows - her eyes are a bit too green (mine are brown) but close enough), and got to work on a coat - not strictly within the rules as they are after dresses - but in my head I wanted to do a coat so that's what I started with! I made some little fit patterns first then made paper patterns for the coat using my fit patterns. 

I used felt and trimmed it with black ribbon. 

 (this is a page from my working sketchpad -everything goes in here)

I quickly made her some trousers too for modestys sake, and found some little shoes and boots from ebay to fit.

 'Lindy' Dress #1 was a copy of my Sassy dress in tropical - as I have no tropical fabric in my stash I went for fruity instead, and made her a little net underskirt.

Last was the Larissa Flamingos dress (Dress #2) I knew I wanted to use some of my favourite flamingo fabric for this!

I also made a couple of mini bags and some jewellery to accessorise.  I'm pretty pleased with how she came out.
Noah and I got some wallpaper samples from B&Q to use for backgrounds, and I snapped her this afternoon. I'm not a great photographer unfortunately but I think you can get the gist!

 

Next on the list - Handmade by London - the Flora dress. Its all cut out ready for the sewing machine! Can I meet that deadline too?!