Recent small projects: Cushions from remnants

Several years ago someone gave me 4 fabric sample books from Sanderson produced in the 1980s.
They are mostly floral prints on linen mix upholstery fabrics, though some are on cotton as well.
I've been making them (and other suitable scraps from the fabric stash) up into cushions which I hope to sell for charity whenever there is a craft fayre locally.

I have to say I absolutely love the heart shaped ones, and its really made a goodly dent in the cushion stuffing stash. These are made as a cushion cover from the print fabric and then a specially made heart shaped pillow form inside, so the cover can be removed for laundering.

 I tried to centre the heart shape over the large floral motifs on the fabric samples.

My absolute favourite is actually this one made from some of the leftover fabric scraps using a 'quilt as you go' technique.

A few of these cushions may not actually make it to the sale, as i plan to snaffle them for myself first. But which ones to choose?

Recent Small Projects: PJ trousers

This fabric was too mad for anything else really, so I made it into some PJ trousers.
I used an old pattern which I had tweaked a bit, but actually I prefer Burda trousers for me.

The print is abstract fish and olive squares on an ivory background. Maybe they could also work as weekend print trousers, they seem to be in this year.

Recent small projects: Leaf cushion completed

Some years ago I bought a really cool embroidered cushion cover, made from linen in the shape of a blue leaf.
It did not come with a leaf shaped cushion pad, hence the reason it was on sale.
I said to myself "I'll make one".

Some number of years passed and I moved house 3 times. Recently whilst looking for something else I found the cover, and decided I would indeed finally make the cushion pad, particularly as my living room currently has blue accents and so it would be used immediately.

I ironed the crumpled linen mess flat, pinned it onto a scrap of sheeting remnant and cut round it leaving a seam allowance. I sewed it up, leaving a small opening, stuffed with kapok stuffing, sewed up the gap and inserted it into the cover.

It took about 20 minutes all told. Hmmmmmm.

Anyway it is done now and is in my living room where I can enjoy it!

Recent small projects: Boiled wool jacket completed

I finally finished the hand sewing on the boiled wool jacket. It fits nicely but sadly will not now get worn until the Autumn, so will get packed away for now.
The main hem and the sleev hems are finished with handsewn herringbone stitch. Not quite sure why I chose that, but having started I decided to finish it off.
The front is closed with 5 lots of chunky black hook and eye closures, carefully handsewn.

So this will be great once the weather gets cooler again about September, and it is really good to have the project completed!

SWAP photos - preview

Voting has not opened yet, but a preview of the 2014 SWAP is up. There are 11 entries.
here's a link to RuthieSews Verdigris SWAP.
And the overall SWAP 2014.

I wore the black dress for work one day this week and loved it.
The tweed suit has gone away into the 'out-of-season' cupboard in the hallway as its too warm to wear it now, since I finished this back in January though I did get to wear it a couple of times.

I have been doing ironing, mending and finishing things off and will post a few bits and pieces once the SWAP voting is over.

RuthieSews Verdigris SWAP - Summary

Here's a little summary of all the SWAP garments.

It is a whole lot more grown up than previous SWAPs!

The pieces are

1 Wool tweed jacket from Style 2514

2 &3 Wool tweed skirt and green corduroy skirt both from Simplicity 9825

4, 5 & 6 Vogue 2989 Black dress, Charcoal skirt and Ivory top

7 NewLook 6082 jacket (from Ikea 'Gurli' throw)

8 & 9 Orange and Ivory shell blouses (block from book)

10 Sweater knit top with cutabout front (NewLook 6735)

11 Ruched front top based on Simplicity 2977 with sleeves added from NewLook 6735. 

Wearing Verdigris SWAP 2014 (Wildcards)

The final two pieces are in ivory and work with all the other items, as well as being great for wearing with any slightly hard to match items in my broader wardrobe.

The Ivory stripe blouse is from a shell block taken from a book.

And the ivory marl cardigan jacket is from New Look 6082.

All of the pieces mix and match with each other, ie any top can be worn with any of the three skirt and either of the jackets, and the dress can be worn alone or with either jacket.
There are also two scarves - one orange and one cream, plus a tweed flower pin to accessorise the collection, all made by me.

Wearing Verdigris SWAP 2014 (Dress Down Set)

These pieces are based around a more casual dark green corduroy skirt with a choice of knit tops.
This skirt goes with the wonderful dark green suede boots with copper detailing. I had a specialist cobbler alter the legs to fit neatly and love them.

The ivory sweater knit top is from my TNT knit top pattern.

 The cream jersey top is from Simplicity 2977 with added sleeves

Dark green corduroy skirt is from Simplicity 9825.

Wearing Verdigris SWAP 2014 (Vogue Corporate Set)

I have loved this Vogue pattern for a long time but knew I would need to alter the tissue before sewing the garments up. I must say I absolutely love these pieces, particularly the black dress. What do you think?

So here's me wearing them.

The hanger shots

I absolutely love these pieces, they are comfortable and yet very smart.
I have altered them quite a lot from the original pattern to fit my actual body, but am very happy with the outcome.

Wearing Verdigris SWAP 2014 (Verdigris Tweed Set)

I know you have all been keen to see me actually wearing some of the clothes, so I moved the table, took down the map of the world, set up the tripod and the camera on self timer, and can share these with you.

Verdigris Tweed Set.
Green/black/grey/white tweed bought at least 18 years ago in Laura Ashley in York, and made up more recently into a jacket (Style 2514) and pencil skirt (Simplicity 9825). The blouse is from a basic shell block I drafted from a book, with a bias bound neckline and removable infinity scarf made from the scraps.
The jacket was previously sewn, the skirt sewn before 26th December and the blouse made in January.

The colour is rather off as I've taken the photos indoors without a flash, but it shows you the fit/shape etc.
Here are some hanger shots which show the garments themselves a bit better.

Drawstring laundry bag

I didn't use a tutorial for this, but it's based on the same principles as the Plastic bag Holders, though with the bottom sewn up and only one drawstring.

The idea with this one is that you pack it flat in your suitcase, then fill up with laundry in the bottom of your hotel wardrobe, then pop back in the suitcase at the end of the holiday.

Gift wrap storage bag

This wrapping paper bag is based on this tutorial but adapted for the strangely shaped piece of fabric I had.
I added a hanging loop, since I had a long thin section to my remnant, and the pocket has an angled side as this also came from the original remnant. It works for scizzors and tape though so I am pleased.

In the shot I have the roll of gift wrap poking out, but the bag in the right length to completely enclose it.

I think this could work well for a Christmas Craft Fayre if made up in dark green.

Plastic bag holders

I have a yen to sew things made out of rectangles for a bit, and decided to tidy up my pantry a bit by gathering all those plastic bags together in a plastic bag holder. To avoid reinventing the wheel I found This Tutorial for a Plastic bag Holder it looks very clear and would be great for a beginner project, but hopefully will be a good way for me to use up stash and make some things which are possible Craft Fayre type items. I reckon there's about 7 months until the next Christmas Craft Fayre, so if I get sewing now I might have some things to sell there. Anyway the first one is supposed to be for my pantry, and can also work as a bit of a test for future Craft Fayre ones.....

Well I used a rather heavy upholstery fabric, very firm elastic and thin rope, and although I love the result it was hard hard work and I won't use fabric this thick for any I make to sell for charity that's for sure!
My wrists are aching from pulling the elastic and rope through the thick casings. next time I will use a thinner, but still sturdy fabric. The tutorial is good though and i would recommend it.

Culotte slip

Black silky culotte slip, adapted from a Burda PJ pant pattern and great for wearing under skirt in the summer.
This is a mystery fabric - probably viscose (rayon) perhaps silk - and absolutely lovely to wear.

I am planning to take this with me on holiday to wear under my travel skirt.

SWAP completed

I am really pleased that I have finally finished the SWAP. The last two garments were hard to get started, but enjoyable once I got going.

The SWAP rules say this about the photos , though no dates have yet been given for submission, I am guessing about a week after the end of sewing time on 30th April.

You'll need to take a minimum of six photos, maximum 12 will be accepted. Please keep a copy of all images you upload on your hard drive in case SG's server fails or something is accidentally deleted.

The photos may be on you, on a dress form or any other way which shows them well.

You should show how you plan to combine tops and bottoms, and together should show everything. You’ll probably need to photograph some bottoms more than once.

Composites will be allowed, but only if they show details of the same outfit, e.g. a back view, a close up or the “before” photo if you are recycling. You may not show two different outfits on the same photo; such photos won’t be posted!

A single photo showing all the items together will be allowed but not required.

Please number your photos and then add a brief note to describe each one and when you plan to wear it, e.g. 1) Pink cotton Jalie top with khaki  poly/cotton BWOF pants; weekend shopping.

 So I am planning to wear my SWAP pieces and get photos taken of them in action. I will share them here as I know many people are a little frustrated with the hanger shots.