10 20 30 mins a day

Today I actually hemmed curtains.

This is a lot less interesting than making a coat, but the curtains have been hanging over the radiator and annoying me for a while.
So now they are done and I have some scraps to make into cushions or shopping bags.

I really like leaf print designs (way way more than florals).

Coat Sewing

I bought Love Sewing magazine and really like the idea of sewing the coat pattern B6423 which is included with it.

In the magazine they show up made up in a solid single fabric, but also in multiple fabrics.

As it takes 3.4 or 3.6 metres of fabric (depending on which size I go for) I thought I could combine several teal fabrics from the resources centre (aka the stash) and have a nice coat.

I generally buy coats so this would be a departure for me, and hopefully a good use of some wool fabrics from my resources.

Here are some reviews I found for the coat

https://oliverands.com/community/blog/2017/02/sew-tell-lisette-b6423.html

http://www.bartacksandsingletrack.com/2017/08/winter-coat-lisette-for-butterick-b6423.html

https://calcedoniasewing.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/wool-coat-butterick-lisette-b6423.html

Stitchers Guild planning to go subscription only

I read a topic today about Stitchers Guild/Artisans Square forum moving to a Subscription only format from 1st January.
here's a link to the topic for those who would like to read it.

http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php?board=4.0

I am undecided at the moment whether SG is enough part of my life that I would be willing to pay for it, or if it is now time to move on to other formats and forums (which I have already started to do).

Whether I stay or not, I am sure its a tricky question for many who are currently planning to do SWAP. I could afford it but may choose not to, other members of the board have much tighter finances.

So you may find me posting here more about my plans, thoughts and challenges for myself if I am on SG less/not at all.

I'm interested in what you think about this, and if I decide not to what other options do exist.

Thanks Ruth
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Apparently it will be $35 USD per person per year, not currently any plans for monthly or quarterly payments. Also Paypal, bank transfer or check (US spelling) but no credit card payments.
This would cover moving the board to a new hosting platform with ability to upload pictures, but not any other new extras as far as I could see.
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I was thinking as I fell asleep about the topics I participate in the most and they were SWAP and Six-piece seasonal collections. Much of the SWAP history is lost as it was on the old SG which crashed and the photos of the final collections were on two other locations which are no longer available either. However the Six-piece seasonal collections were the brain child of Elizabeth / Dr E / ejvc and can be found on her blog.

https://ejvc.wordpress.com/seasonal-6pac-collections/

She has helpfully done a summary of the posts she has written about this topic so I may well use these guidelines and sew my next little grouping as before.

The other thing I do lots of sewing for is the charity craft stall, which doesn't feature much on SG, but I might change the blog a bit so other people can see the ideas I use there, as its about using existing resources well, and making a little money for charity.

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http://thesewingplace.org.uk/

Leather scrap gift wallets

These are for giving cash gifts this Christmas, and I would make them again in future for the charity craft stall.
I used leather scraps bought a while ago, straight stitch on the sewing machine and plastic snaps (I recently aquired a snap tool for plastic snaps and this was my first project with them).

The size and shape varies a little as it is driven by the leather scrap used.

Fleece Hats and Christmas Stockings

Here are some more fleece hats and Christmas stockings.

Some of these are for Christmas gifts and others are for the charity craft sale which is due to be next week.

 Fleece hats from a furry fleece blanket which shed furry bits during the construction process.

 Fleece stockings using the cat print fleece and some plain fleece.

 Velvet and cotton lined stocking.

 Blue fleece hats for those who don't like rainbow cats.

 Green fleece hats, including some in 'Monster' style.

 Cream fleece hats and a beautiful pink and cream lined fabric stocking.

 Blue fabric stockings, lined.

Sweater knit and fleece stockings.

Santa's workshop is stll going, but today may be the last day and then I need to get wrapping and posting them to recipients!

More fleece (and velvet hats)

I enjoyed making the hats and thought they would make fun Christmas gifts for my various family and friends as well as a few for the charity craft stall, which might be as soon as 2 weeks time.

I've gone for 4 basic sizes

Large (ie fits an adult)

Medium (smaller adult/large child)

Small (child)

Tiny (baby)

and I just keep cutting Christmas stockings and whatever size of hat I can fit out of the various fabrics available to me.
I'm going to do a sober darkish blue next for the people who can't deal with rainbow cats.

If you are a family member or friend who gets a hat for Christmas, it'd be lovely if you pretend to be a little bit suprised :-) and if you really like it, tell me and you might get a homesewn something again. If you can't abide it, please pass it on to someone who would enjoy it. Thank you.

Teal velvet tops

Both teal stretch velvet, but with slightly different necklines, sleeve and body lengths but the same basic pattern traced off RTW.

crushed velvet

and burnout velvet (or maybe plush embroidery onto a mesh background?)

Plan to wear with plain bottoms (probably trousers) for various festive occasions.

Christmas Stockings

This time using a cute cat print fleece and co-ordinating plain fleece.

They are fun.
Have also made more hats but not much else.

Amazing new scissors on Kickstarter

Someone shared a link to these amazing new scizzors on Kickstarter, they look incredible, after reading and watching I'm deciding which offer to go for.

I am not affiliated with this company at all, however they are not far from me as they are in Sheffield which definitely got me interested.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/whiteley1760/introducing-exo-the-next-generation-scissor

Now which ones to pick - gold with my name engraved?

Fleece hats

These are intended for the charity craft stall and maybe Christmas presents for friends/family.
I really enjoyed making them.

I am part way making some aubergine (eggplant) trousers which is taking multiple sessions, so these little quick items have been a real joy.

Claret Cardigan

Claret Cardigan using my old favourite New Look 6082 with a purchased belt (looks crisper than the tie belts I find).

Trousers from Burda 02-2010 #135 are in progress and will be shared later in the week :-)

The fabric is a fairly hefty knit, perhaps cotton interlock, its not a ponte. It's perhaps not the right fabric for this garment so we'll see how it works in wear.

Burgundy Print Top

This time a textured print with burgundy, pink, purple and darker brown tones in it.
Same pattern as before traced off my RTW sweater.

I like that it is a print of stylised butterfly wings (but not obviously cute butterflies).

Possible Sewing With A Plan Storyboard

Here's my (initial) plan. we'll have to see how closely I can stick to it!

First column is the brown pieces
Brown cardigan jacket
Brown tee/top
Brown trousers

Second column is the teal pieces
Teal cardigan jacket
Teal tee/top
Teal trousers

The centre column is the tweed cardigan jacket, and something else from the scraps, a skirt if it works out but maybe a bag or waistcoat if it doesn't!

The fourth column is burgundy
a burgundy top which I already made
and a burgundy cardigan which I'll probably make next as the machines are all threaded so it sort of makes sense to!

The fifth column currently only contains one turquoise top, which adds the second accent colour.

As much as possible the plan is to make all the things from the existing fabric resources (of which there are plenty) but there may well be a few extra pieces too :-)

Possible SWAP timeframe

SWAP project timeframe:

Sewing begins on 26 December 2017 and ends 30 April 2018
One garment may be started on 1 November 2017 and completed prior to 26 December 2017
One garment may be completed prior to 1 November 2017
One RTW garment may be included
 
Here's how I could break it down:-

Oct 2017 - already completed burgundy top which can be included as the previously made item
Nov/Dec 2017- sew the burgundy cardigan, and a test pair of Burda Feb 2010 Plus Section #135 B trousers (probably also in burgundy why not!)
Jan 2018 sew the teal items - trousers, top and cardigan
Feb 2018 sew the brown items - trousers, top and cardigan
Mar 2018 sew tweed items - tweed cardigan jacket and poss skirt (fabric permitting) or alternative bottom piece.
Apr 2018 sew the turquoise top and an accessory, and any extras needed due to 'wadders'
May 2018 finalise photos and share

Trousers for SWAP

These are from Burda Feb 2010 Plus Section #135 B.
They make them from trouser fabrics with a bit of stretch, so I  might size up slightly and make a test pair in non stretch woven fabric to see if that matters or not. I'll do the version without the buttons and turnups.

If you haven't got a Burda mag from 2010 and want to make them, they are up on Burda style for purchase for £3.99.

For SWAP I plan to make these in brown and teal.

According to the Burda size chart I need size 48 trousers, I thought the 42 were only slightly too small and it should be something more like 44 or maybe 46 but hey!