sewchet

February 15, 2015
by sewchet 41 Comments

Sunday Sevens #23

Nat from Threads and Bobbins organized this link up, whereby you showcase the things that aren’t quite meaty enough to dedicate an entire blog post to.

I’ve got a few things to show you this week and, whilst they only number seven, there are a few more photos than that.

1. A finished off blanket from last month.

I love the flower detail in the middle.

Such lovely, dusky colours in the softest yarn – Drops Andes.

2. I found a 1930s Grandmother clock, perfect for our house which was built in 1937! I’ve been searching for a suitable one for ages and was chuffed to bits when I spotted this in a local antique shop.

3. I picked up my knitting needles to start on the first jumper I’ve knitted since 1988!

This one’s for me and I fancied using a tweedy yarn (Stylecraft’s Aran with 20% wool) to make it a proper country jumper for when I walk the dogs. This is my first attempt at knitting cables though and I think I’ve got it right first time!

4. I don’t know if those eagle-eyed amongst you have spotted the new badge in my sidebar? I’m the latest blog to be sponsored by Minerva Crafts to use and review their products.

The materials for my first three months projects have just arrived! Don’t you just love getting parcels like this in the post?

My first make will be using this good quality sweatshirt fabric with a very modern “Chic” print.

I’ve got a great project in mind for this practical quilted leatherette.

I’m really excited about this one though – a gorgeous Chinese print brocade!

All these projects will be revealed and blogged about over the next eight weeks or so.

5. A couple of new book purchases (as if I haven’t got enough!). I blame this entirely on Teresa from Navy Blue Threads🙂

6. After we finished some amazing tea that was given to us by somebody who insisted they weren’t going to drink it, we hunted down some more.

At a hefty £25.00 for a tiny tin, I think we’d better ration ourselves with this next lot!

7. Finally, I whipped up a batch of eighty scones for a little boy’s Christening. Like you do.

February 14, 2015
by sewchet 23 Comments

“Sew Retro” Sewing Knitting WIP Bag PDF Pattern

For those of you who have been following my blog, you will remember the “Sew Retro” bag I recently designed for storing all those WIPs, large and small. You can read about how these came about here and here.

Well, I’m thrilled to announce that this pattern is now available to buy from my Folksy Shop!

For just £4.99 the pattern is in PDF format with printable instructions for two sizes, perfect for every work in progress from small knitting projects through to the largest quilts.

The pattern has clear step-by-step instructions and is accompanied by full colour photographs throughout.

Lucie from Love, Lucie agreed to test the pattern for me before it was made available for purchase to check that it the instructions were clear and easy to follow.

She tested the pattern by making the smaller bag following the steps exactly – if you would like to see her review follow this link.

This is Lucie’s finished bag – didn’t she do a fantastic job?

I was nervous that Lucie would feel under pressure to write nice things but, after seeing how much she really enjoyed making the sewing bag, I am pleased to say that she likes it so much that she is already planning to make more for herself in the form of beach bags!

You can’t get a more positive review than that, can you?

February 10, 2015
by sewchet 61 Comments

How To Make A Rug With Homemade T-Shirt Yarn

I made a rare trip to Lidl the other day, just browsing and looking for nothing in particular.

I’m not a fan of Lidl because they only stock basics and I can never get everything on my list. I loathe the weekly Food Shop and am d*****d if I’m going to go to another shop as well to buy the rest. Once, I had a list of thirteen items and could only buy two of them in Lidl!!

Notwithstanding the above, they have a really good selection of non-food items, especially around Christmas and I’ve snapped up some great things in the past.

Anyway, on this occasion, I spotted some T-shirts on offer. A two-pack was reduced from £5.99 to £2.99 and, in true Lidl fashion, they were only stocking men’s size 4XXXL to fit 68-70″ chest so there was a huge pile of them left unsold!

I’ve fancied making my own T-shirt yarn for a while now but decided wisely that Hubby would be a bit peeved if he came home to find that I’d ‘recycled’ them without his knowledge, particularly as they are largely stain and hole free as yet. So these outsize bargains happened along at the right time and I snapped up a couple of packs.

For best results, you need to choose logo-free, 100% cotton T-shirts without side seams. Mine had side seams – you just have to be extra careful not to rip them because they will be weakened after they have been cut through.

My new Olfa cutting mat and rotary cutter were about to have their inaugural outing – how have I lived my entire life without these?!

You can, of course, use scissors – it is just easier and quicker with a rotary cutter.

Start by cutting away the main body of the T-shirt below the armholes.

Fold together leaving about 1 1/2 inches between side seams (as shown below) and smooth out any creases.

Place the cut edge to the left of your cutting mat.

Using the quilting square as a guide, cut 1″ wide strips through all layers.

Finish cutting about an inch from the second side seam as shown below.

Keep going until you reach the end of the fabric.

When you get to the end, trim the hem off completely.

Insert your hand into the T-shirt at the uncut side seam through all the loops.

Slide your hand right through to the other end and let the strips dangle.

Next comes the vital bit.

To create one continuous strip of yarn, you need to cut diagonally from your lower last slit, to the edge of the fabric as shown by the dotted line.

Keep cutting diagonally….

…until you have a nice pool of T-shirt strips on the table!

Now for the fun bit.

You need to stretch the strip between your fingers, holding a section and pulling it firmly until it curls, being very careful not to pull the weakened stitches apart at the seamlines.

Can you see the difference?

Your finished yarn will have increased in length by about 50%.

Roll your new yarn into a ball.

Repeat with the other T-shirts.

So now you have all this glorious new yarn, what to do with it?

I decided to crochet a bathmat and based it on this pattern here, using fewer stitches (10) in the first round and a smaller hook (12mm). This resulted in a slightly less dense texture which I love.

The rug is nice and cosy underfoot and very absorbant.

It can just be chucked in the washing machine and tumble-dried too – easy!

Here’s how it looks in our bathroom. I love the splash of colour it adds.

So, if you fancy having a go at making your own T-shirt yarn – what will you make with it?

February 4, 2015
by sewchet 9 Comments

The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon – Come And Join Us!

I’m hosting a Crafternoon to raise funds for Comic Relief – this Red Nose Day event was thought up by Mollie Makes magazine.

Keep abreast of all the news, including events near you, on The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon Facebook page.

February 3, 2015
by sewchet 37 Comments

Wrap Dress And Frilly Knickers (Diaper Cover) For A Baby Or Toddler Girl

As I mentioned in the past, I have been sewing for a very long time. After my daughter was born, I made most of her clothes and she was the best dressed baby in town!

My “little” girl is now almost twenty-four and I no longer sew for her, so any excuse to create pretty little outfits is seized – this cute little two-piece is for someone I will be visiting at the weekend.

I had some cute fabric left over from a previous project and there was just enough to make a little wrap over dress using this pattern. I used some coordinating pink checked fabric to line it, making it reversible, and made some matching pants (pattern here).

The back of the dress splits and shows off the adorable frills on the back of the pants.

Two lime green buttons are a bold choice to compliment the bold design.

Did I mention that it is fully reversible?!

Either for a different look or to get more wear out of it before it hits the laundry bin:)

Not the knickers. (Although I did once suggest this to No.1 Son when he ran out of clean boxers because he didn’t bring his dirty laundry downstairs).

Why aren’t more clothes this practical?

Imagine how much less stressful it would be if you stopped for breakfast before a meeting and you spilled ketchup all down the front of your shirt. Unless you keep a spare in your bag for just such an eventuality (really?), you could just turn it inside out and, hey presto, clean shirt!

No more struggling to pull a dress on over a wriggly babies head either – this one just wraps around and buttons up at the shoulders.

A contrasting pockets adds a bit of interest. Trimmed with coordinating lilac ric-rac, a flower cut from the main fabric has been appliquéd on and a bit of fun free machine embroidery added to finish it off..

In the words of William Morris; “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

I like things to be useful and beautiful so pockets fall under this category for me. And what’s the point in having a pocket if there’s nothing to put in it?

So I made a little pink felt bunny that will (hopefully) entrance the wearer sufficiently to displace all notions of filling the pocket with worms. (Yes, little girls do that too!).

Bunny has embroidered features so is perfectly safe for inquisitive hands.

And a bunny isn’t a bunny without a fluffy white bob-tail, is it?

So there you have it – a gorgeous little wrap dress and frilly knickers for a baby girl or toddler, which is reversible to boot!

February 1, 2015
by sewchet 32 Comments

Sunday Sevens #21

Guests have gone home, Husband has taken No. 3 Son to play in a tennis tournament and No. 2 Son is watching Toy Story with the dogs which all means…….my Sunday Sevens post is on time!

Seven photos taken during the week to give a little insight to my life as organized by Nat over at Threads & Bobbins.

So, here we go….

1. Homemade Blackberry and Apple Pie with fruit I picked and froze in the summer.

2. A surprise gift from visiting family!

3. Thinking about hosting a Red Nose Day Crafternoon…..

4. My latest creation to be blogged about shortly.

5. Guess who has something featured in the next “Country Child” magazine…..?

6. Pretty Nostalgic members meet up in Salisbury.

7. Procrastinated right up until the last minute (well, 57 minutes actually) about filing my Tax Return!

January 27, 2015
by sewchet 20 Comments

Another Bag – Perfect For Knitting Or Crochet

Whoop whoop!

I’m madly excited to tell you that, after two long days of revision after revision, the draft PDF pattern for my “Sew Retro Bag” has finally winged its way to the very obliging Lucie of Love, Lucie.

Lucie has kindly agreed to test the pattern for me before it goes on sale in my Folksy shop for the fantastic value price of just £3-99!!! (Update: Pattern available NOW in my shop – CLICK HERE)

Do you want a cheeky preview of the cover?

Of course you do!

Here it is, proudly displaying the large version which was designed specifically for holding those bigger projects such as quilts or crocheted blankets;

I designed a smaller version as well, for those who don’t need such a vast bag.

Perfect for yarn lovers carrying smaller crochet and knitting projects, the great “Knitty Sheep” fabric adds a whimsical touch.

The fabric was quilted by machine again before construction.

Here are both bags together showing the size variations;

I hope Lucie finds the pattern logical and easy to follow – it’s incredibly difficult, after forty years of sewing, to think like a beginner and document even the simplest of steps!

Watch this space for details about how to purchase the finished pattern and don’t forget to pop over to see how Lucie’s getting on with making the sewing bag!

January 26, 2015
by sewchet 16 Comments

Sunday Sevens #20

So, here are seven photos taken during the week which give you an insight into my life.

Sunday Sevens, as organized by Nat over at Threads and Bobbins, is a weekly round up of things that don’t make it to the blog.

I ought to rename it Monday Sevens really, as I rarely manage to post on a Sunday….

1. Piña Coladas with friends.

2. My Tower Poppy arrived at last! You can read about our visit in this blog post.

3. The dogs enjoying a frosty walk.

4. Mmm….Nothing beats a Full English and a pot of tea after a walk in freezing weather.

5. Demolition of the old downstairs shower room and toilet.

6. Enjoying a spot of crochet and another cup of tea in a vintage china teacup given to me at Christmas.

7. went to the Hauser & Wirth gallery in Bruton. The video installation by Pipilotti Rist is mesmerizing.

Now, back to writing this bag pattern – nearly there Lucie🙂

January 20, 2015
by sewchet 105 Comments

Pattern Tester Required! (All Materials Supplied)

Just look at these gorgeous craft related fabric designs – they all arrived on my doorstep this last week!

Having long lusted after this design after seeing it as a banner on Teresa’s blog Navy Blue Threads, I discovered it was called “Sew Retro Montage” by Makower and tracked some down online. What initially began as a search for this amazing fabric …

…ended with multiple purchases of fabric loveliness!

“Cotton Reels” also by Makower;

“Knitty Sheep” by Kanvas;

“Sew Be It” by Henry Glass & Co;

“Sew Retro Tonal Pattern” also by Makower;

This fabulous Simplicity Pattern design by Fabric Traditions;

I couldn’t resist this “Postcards” design either;

They’re all quite pricey at around £12.00 per metre for a narrower-than-normal width of 110cm but, as I intend to use them for smaller projects, I should be able to make them stretch a fair way.

I had in mind a WIP bag using my favourite two fabrics, this one for the main body of the bag…..

…and this one for the lining;

As this bag will be for myself, I could afford to be a little extravagant with my fabric and lining choices.

I also decided to make a real statement by quilting the fabric onto wadding prior to construction. This takes quite a long time to do but adds an air of “couture” to the bag and is totally worth it having invested in expensive fabric.

Free machine quilting is not difficult to do, just time consuming – take plenty of breaks to relax those shoulders!

Drop the feed dogs (or cover them, depending on your machine), remove the sewing foot and you’re ready to go. I did the free machine embroidery in a random swirly design, filling in the space as I went.

TIP: Use a new needle and good quality thread like Gutermann’s 100% polyester – cheap thread is often made from only two twists and will snap easily and frequently.

This is what the quilting looks like on the reverse;

The textured finish on the front is really lovely;

It’s not the easiest thing to show in a photograph, but here’s a direct comparison of an un-quilted and a quilted piece of fabric side-by-side to show you the difference;

Do you want to see the finished bag?

TADAH!

It’s HUGE, large enough for the biggest projects which is just as well as I have a penchant for making bedspreads and throws, whether they’re patchwork, crocheted or quilted. This bag can cope with the lot.

Here it is, holding my latest blanket; a crocheted super-chunky number that measures (at the moment) 1.5m x 1.5m. There’s still plenty of room to carry all the yarn and bag of crochet hooks!

Don’t you just love the lining?

It makes the inside a pleasure to gaze upon:)

When empty, you can see how cavernous it actually is.

Did you notice the sizeable pocket on the front?

No?

Well that’s good then, because I was very careful to match the pattern so it just appears to be a continuation of the fabric.

Look again – you can just make out the handles of a pair of scissors peeping out of the top….

Inside the pocket I made provision for some sewing essentials; a pair of scissors, a seam ripper and a tape measure.

Even the pocket is quilted and lined for consistent quality.

I already know this is going to be the most used bag in my collection and I love, love, LOVE it!

Now, here’s the thing – I need someone’s help.

I have drafted a PDF pattern which I hope to sell in my Folksy shop, and I am looking for a volunteer to test it first to make sure it is easy to follow.

All materials will be included in a parcel that will be sent to the tester; fabric, lining, wadding, thread, wooden handles and pattern drafting paper.

The pattern will be sized for a smaller bag, but the construction is identical as that for the larger bag.

The quilting is optional but the wadding will be included if you wish to attempt it.

The pattern will be emailed in PDF format which can be printed off if preferred.

You will need to be able to follow instructions carefully and make a note of anything that could be worded more clearly/in more depth and any possible errors.

When completed, the bag is yours to keep – I would just ask that you blog about it (hopefully favourably!) on your own page.

So, is there anyone out there willing to give it a try?

Maybe Teresa, Karen, Beth, Lucie, Caren, or Lisa?

Please………:)

Update: Pattern is available NOW in my shop – CLICK HERE

January 13, 2015
by sewchet 12 Comments

How To Make Clay Gift Tags

Having received many compliments and enquiries about the clay gift tags I made for Christmas this year, I thought I’d show you how easy it is to make your own.

Aren’t they lovely?

After having spent many a long hour hand making presents for the majority of family and friends this Christmas, what better way to set them off by making gift tags too?

In common with so many other like-minded folk, I have always kept last year’s Christmas cards with the explicit purpose of re-inventing them as gift tags on next year’s presents and this year was no different.

Although we only give to close family and friends, with six children of our own the gift list soon grows to a sizeable read and I find myself needing more tags than I can produce through recycling alone.

Enter from stage left: A solitary bag of Das Air Drying Clay, bought with this very project in mind a couple of years ago, but only recently rediscovered after a drawer clearing-out session.

Ah ha! (I thought, in one of those ‘lightbulb’ moments). I could use those cookie cutters in my cookie cutter drawer (what – doesn’t everyone have one?) to make just one personalized gift tag for everybody which could also double up as a tree decoration!

So, equipment gathered, let the crafting commence!

The clay should be worked in your hands for a minute or so – this softens it and makes it easier to roll.

Using a cookie cutter, press into the clay and wiggle slightly to separate the shape from the main body of clay.

Lift carefully and smooth any rough edges using your finger.

I used alphabet stamps to impress names into the wet clay.

Take a skewer or knitting needle and push through the top of the shape to create a hole from which to hang your tag.

Place on a tray and leave at room temperature until completely dry – mine took three days! You will know when they are dry as the wet clay is grey initially and gradually turns white from the outside edges in towards the centre.

You can leave them like this or paint them – it’s up to you.

Watercolour paint gives a translucent effect, or you could rub off the paint while still wet to give a subtle wash effect to the lettering. A coat of varnish will protect the paint an make it more durable.

You can also use acrylic paint or even PVA glue sprinkled with glitter!

I chose to leave mine plain largely because I ran out of time, but they still add a special touch to gift-wrapping – especially if there is a beautiful hand made gift inside.

What’s really nice though, is the thought that this is a gift that will come out year after year as an ornament on a tree and, hopefully, they will remember me as it is hung in place.

I may try making more clay gift tags next year, starting early enough next time to give myself time to paint them!

Sewchet

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Author Archives: sewchet

Sunday Sevens #23

“Sew Retro” Sewing Knitting WIP Bag PDF Pattern

How To Make A Rug With Homemade T-Shirt Yarn

The Big Comic Relief Crafternoon – Come And Join Us!

Wrap Dress And Frilly Knickers (Diaper Cover) For A Baby Or Toddler Girl

Sunday Sevens #21

Another Bag – Perfect For Knitting Or Crochet

Sunday Sevens #20

Pattern Tester Required! (All Materials Supplied)

How To Make Clay Gift Tags

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