A new year, a new post.

A new year, a new post. Sewing took a back seat over the christmas period, but I'm back now. The business is still in business, although I have so many things I want to make for myself I don't know when I'm going to fit in making bags for other people!

Wouldn't it be nice to have a whole day to yourself? A special 8th day that only exists for you to get stuff done in and you don't have to worry about the day job, the children, the spouse, the house. Everyone else skips straight to the next week!

So anyway, back to the real world: this is my current project. For me.

I want to wear it on Saturday for my anniversary meal with hubby (its now Monday), but it probably won't be complete from a finishing point of view.
Its actually meant as an evening gown for a ball next month http://www.cherryandruby.co.uk/NeonMoon/ValentinesBall.html, but without the underbust corset and the petticoat and the gloves I have lined up for that event, I think its a perfectly wearable restaurant dress. Bit busy maybe!


I chose Vogue 2903 for my evening gown (a 1957 design) http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v2903-products-4894.php?page_id=850 - its as close to what I have in my mind as I could get. Its more calf/ankle/tea length than the illustration suggests - her thighs are disproportionately long!.

I went for the Katie Kandles black peacock fans fabric - first hurdle - ordered 8 metres but Fabricland rang me to tell me there was only 5 metres left! I ordered it anyway, and managed to squeeze it all in by also utilising the 3/4 metre I had left in my stash from bag-making. There is a mixture of pattern
directions (feathers up and feathers down) but I decided that its not that obvious because the pattern is so busy.

I do have issues with the sizing. I very carefully noted my measurements and adjusted the pattern accordingly (normally wear a 16, but measured as size 20 with 22 waist so cut the pattern as a 20 from the waist up and a 22 from the waist down) I'm both short and fat waisted. Unfortunately after my adjustments it was too big around the waist. Gah! I had to take it in, and have a large seam allowance at the shoulders for it to sit properly. (I'm shorter waisted than I thought!)

I also decided against sewing the full folds in as per the pattern. The nature of the print means that you don't really get the effect, and having tried to do a full fold (There are 6) - the skirt didn't sit how I wanted it to. So that was unpicked.

OMG this dress is seriously hard work!

Its finished as far as construction goes, but there's still a long way to go - removing the basting stitches, hemming, and seam binding which is going to take aaagges.

I had to re-do the sleeves twice (try on, sigh in dismay, unpick, snip a bit off, re-baste, try on and repeat) because they were just too puffy. I don't mind puffed sleeves, in fact I quite like them, but not with an off-the-shoulder dress, because the sleeve doesn't sit on the shoulder but below it, so too much puff just looks wierd, especially for someone with bigger arms. I've gone for two folds instead of gathering. I actually don't think they were ever meant to be gathered, just 'eased' but there was so much fabric I had no choice.

The yoke section is more complicated that anything i've done before, because there is an inner and outer section, and the sleeve is connected to both. I can't even begin to explain quite how that works, or why it's necessary frankly, but I just did what I was told! They didn't half make life difficult for
themselves in the 50's! There was a bit of hand sewing involved because it was too tricky to get the machine in all the corners.

Its shown with a two-layer net petticoat underneath for a small amount of flounce. It is 'bigger' when I wear it - but of course Kirstie (my dressmaking form) has no legs...The petticoat is from dreampetticoats - I ordered a 30" which is a length hard to get off-the-peg - but actually I'm starting to wish I'd bought a 32" with a satin trim (and an underskirt 'cos boy its itchy ) Too late now though.

I'm back! Briefly. Halloween dressmaking. Butterick 5209

I have been so busy its ridiculous. I decided to set up a business you see. Not a full-time-drop-everything-else-I-must-have-a-shop business. Simply an I-want-to-make-stuff-when-I-can-and-sell-it business. 

So I have.

All set up on Etsy, Facebook and have me a website too. Tbh I seem to have such a big list of commissions at the moment I'm not sure when I'll be able to make any stuff to pop on etsy, however thats fine. I'm just enjoying the creativity!

https://www.facebook.com/shewearsredfeathers

www.shewearsredfeathers.co.uk

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SheWearsRedFeathers

Here's a shot from yesterday at the Polka Dot Rock halloween tea and craft party - getting my hair vintaged by Dawn from Foxys Vintage Hair!

The dress in the pic is Butterick 5209 B.T.W. - made especially for this event. It wasn't too bad to sew up - in fact I may even do it again. If you look closely at the fabric its halloween themed!

1940's and beyond

Ramsey 1940's Weekend. We go every year, although this year the location changed from the airfield to the rural museum. This is a shame, because the airfield was perfect (apparently its been sold for housing) and whilst they did an amazing job at the rural museum site, it wasn't quite the same.

I'm hesitant to say 'as good' but the 'feel' didn't match. Also the big top tent was something I didn't love. The tea dances used to be held in an aircraft hangar, so they obviously did their best to replicate the size. The tent was difficult to access though unlike the hangar which had a large doorway and plenty of room to move, and they had the sides down, meaning it was very dark (you can't tell from my photo due to the flash, but only the floor area was lit) and very hot and stuffy. The dancers even requested that they would like the sides to be raised to lowever the temperature a bit, but it didn't happen (whilst we were there anyway) 

Otherwise, it was a lovely day. We werent there a long time (nearly long enough) because the boys got bored. I really really wanted to browse the stalls but didn't get the opportunity. Plus there was an amazing fabric stall and I wish I'd known or I'd have raided the piggy bank first (I asked him if he had a market stall - no apparently - he only opens his stall once a year at the Ramsey weekend?!)

 

I heart this dress from lindy bop. I could just buy it online as its only £30, but what I REALLY want is the pattern for a dress with that bustline. Plus I really want to stop buying clothes (and making them) until I've lost weight.

Noah gets to handle a rifle. 

Joey looks the part

 

Is he real mummy?!

I have started my diet again today. I'm very fed up of fat. I have a new motivation tool. I bought this italian charm bracelet on ebay. You can replace each link with patterned links if required. I have bought extra links with numbers: either '1' or '7' to signify lbs lost. Each week I shall update my bracelet with the appropriate numbers so in total my bracelet will display how many lbs I have lost. I'm hoping that this little visual reminder will do exactly that - remind me I cannot make/buy any new dresses until I've lost a decent amount!

Busy Busy

I've been so busy lately, I haven't bothered doing any updating. Bad me. So a little one now methinks. 

Its the summer holidays of course. That means slightly more time with children, and attempting to entertain those children. We've been on holiday to Weymouth (lovely) We've seen Dr Who monsters in Peterborough. We've banged drums at Wicksteed Park. We've gotten disgustingly sandy and wet at Stanwick lakes. We've been out on bikes, off to the park, beer gardens, paddling in Cambridge and Papworth and rampaging at Activity world. Lots to fit in.

I'm currently praying the rain will stop so we get to go to the 1940's even at Ramsey. Fingers Crossed.

Other important events - Joey (6) lost his first tooth yesterday. He proceeded to tell everyone that wasn't interested :)

 

I have been busy on my new machine, making bags. I'd like to say lots of bags, but #4 is below. I would love to knock them out at a faster rate than one per week, but with my schedule that simply doesn't happen. I'm loving it. I'm also going to be selling them at some point as I can't possibly just keep them all.

This is my favourite, even though its not yet finished, I know I'm going to make another one. Flamingos and red gingham with bamboo handles.

Part of the reason they take so long, is because I've been designing different patterns for each, until I come up with one I really like. I'm hoping its going to be this one!

 Cutting the pieces out and interfacing them: time consumer #1

Inserting a pocket: time consumer #2

Gathering the outer fabric and inserting piping. Time consumer #3

 

Bamboo Handles. Not particularly time consuming at all! Now I've just got to put it all together.

A new machine, a new dress, and lots and lots of Pims!

It was a very eventful weekend indeed. I'm just recovering now!

Friday night I went out with a friend who will be leaving us soon as her husband has a new job in Switzerland. Very exciting! I wore my new black maxi dress from Asda (http://direct.asda.com/george/womens/dresses/jersey-maxi-dress/G004395991,default,pd.html) and cycled into town without getting tangled once! Lots of giggles and Pims later, I cycled back again. Its a good job its cycle paths all the way :)

Saturday the boys had swimming lessons as normal, then we headed forAlconbury to the Norma Major Charity Cricket match. We did see John Major. We did not see the 'Weasley Twins' who either didn't turn up or just didn't play by the time we left. Joey was slightly disappointed by this - but not much. They just wanted to eat ice-cream and hotdogs and play in the park!

  

Saturday evening was spent at friends Sam and Adams house at their luvverly BBQ. Met new people. Drank much pims. The boys had a whale of a time and stayed up until an unheard of time. John stayed home and electrocuted himself on the hedge trimmer ( this has happened before - he really should stay away from outdoor electricals - he has already killed one hedge trimmer and the lawn mower. Luckily he has not killed himself)

Saturday night I stagged home with the boys, got them to bed, and dashed to the garage to unbox this little baby. My lovely friend Anna wants to sell it, but only to someone who will appreciate it - so I'm giving it a trial. So far its fantastic. I've never used a computerised sewing machine before, but my cheap Brother m/c is doing my head in.

So Sunday was a quick trip to the car boot sale (mainly for the bouncy castle) followed by a picnic and craft fair at the Gorgeous Island Hall   The boys always love to have a run around there. There were some older kids playing in the river and mine were very jealous - but its too deep for them to play in just yet!

Sunday evening - I ran these shorts up on the Pfaff in record time. I really wanted an overlocker - but the overlock foot on this machine does fine for my needs. There are a few different stitches available.

Noah wore his shorts yesterday, and of course came back from nursery with them entirely filthy. But thats what little boys do :)

I ended up in Cath Kidston again, and found this cute dress in the bargain basket. Only there due to broken belt loops, I snapped it up for twenty quid. When I got it home, I figured the waistband was too low (I'm quite short waisted) so made the decision to relocate it. I unpicked all the elastic and then sewed it on again 6cm higher up with the Pfaff. Easy peasy! Ironed it and you can hardly tell. I'm super happy.

Newly bought

 Elastic removed and replaced higher up

 Ironed and ready to wear!

More Baby Shoes! Plus Gala Weekend in Goddy and Car Maintenance ahoy...

I'm actually not so happy with these. They are taken from the http://www.fleetingthing.com/handmade/baby-gifts/the-mila-baby-shoe-tutorial/&2_10_12 tutorial and they look super-cute but they aren't very practical because the seam is visible and to make it neat you have to overlock or zigzag. Well I don't have an overlocker, and zigzagging all those layers (where the frill meets the shoe) means that it wouldn't be comfortable for a baby. I'm going to have another go, without frills, and hiding the seams.

These arrived from China yesterday. I am mucho excited. They are bamboo bag handles. Oooh!!

Much of one week was taken up attempting to construct a propelled boat for the gala day boat competition. From a coke bottle, a milk carton, and eggbox, some elastic bands, some paper, and a few wooden dowels.

I eventually came up with Dewan the Dragonfly (which did propel - just very very slowly - a lazy dragonfly LOL)  

Of course my kids got all the credit - we won 'Best Decoration'

Gala Weekend in Godmanchester is wonderful. Sadly the Sunday event (Picnic in the Park) was cancelled last year due to torrential rain. The weather obviously had a guilt trip - because this year it was glorious all weekend!

 

I also found the time to do a car maintenance course (this is Maja changing a tyre) which was great fun and very useful ( I do the car stuff anyway, but I had forgotten how to change the tyre)

 

And bought this cute little frock in Tesco for a fiver - it was strapless, which I cannot cope with, so I chopped off the top of the bodice and made straps :)

Finally - Anna has offered me one of these babies Pfaff Expression 2046 which she doesn't use. For a price of course, but half what it cost 7 years ago. She's bringing it round later so I can have some trial time. Yey!!!

Baby Shoes Done :)

I'm very happy to report I actually finished a project these week. I'm really having trouble finding the time to get any sewing done. Fortunately, baby shoes take very little time at all and I did these in a couple of hours ( I cut out the fabric the other day)

This time I used the pattern from http://baremaked.blogspot.co.uk/2007/11/reversible-fabric-baby-shoes-tutorial.html I've previously used the stardust pattern, and they are pretty much identical, however these are reversible as you can see, which makes them just that bit more appealing.

I don't know the gender of the baby (these are for Joey's teachers' leaving gift at the end of term - she'll be off on maternity leave and we don't know when she'll return - I'm hoping in time for when Noah starts reception next September!)

I therefore made them as unisex as possible. The owls are a bit more autumy tones, and the stripes are a bit more summer. I think the stripes are Riley Blake and the owls are Timeless Treasures. I just raided my stash for this.

They barely use any fabric at all because they are 0-3 month size, and therefore cost very little to make (I reckon I used less than half a fat quarter in total, so you're looking at £1.50 max depending on the fabric.)

I just have to figure out how to package them prettily now. I'm not good at that bit. Any tips would be good!