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DIY Alternative To The “Cone of Shame”!

Back last Summer, Fifi had some mammary tumours removed and had to wear the Cone Of Shame for ten days. She hated it for the first few days, then gradually adapted to moving and sleeping with an unwieldy plastic funnel clipped to her neck.


This week, another trip to the Vet meant either another plastic cone, bandaging or some other method to prevent her from literally licking her wounds.

I found some leftover fleecy fabric from a nightshirt that No.3 Son made, and decided to make her a comfy coat instead. Whilst she already has several coats, none of them were long enough underbelly to cover the affected area.

So, for those of you who would rather not put your own dog through the trauma of The Cone, here’s a quick way to make a lick-prevention jacket.

 Measure your dog around the widest part of her ribs, just behind the front legs, then add an inch for seam allowances.

Measure from the back of her neck towards the tail, at a point just in front of the back legs (so he/she can still wee easily!).

Cut a rectangle of fabric to these measurements.


With right sides facing, sew the short ends together with a half inch seam.


I pressed open the seam and top stitched it flat so there would be no irritation next to the skin.


Measure the distance between the front legs and cut two leg holes on the underside. The distance from the neck to the legs will determine how far back these openings are placed.


Done.

How long did that take? Five minutes at the most, but your dog will thank you for your efforts, trust me!




See? She can’t get to her wound because the coat is completely covering it.


She soon gave up trying and settled down happily. 


And we’re happy because: –

a) she won’t keep us awake with her licky sounds all night long – you’d be surprised how loud (and annoying) licking can be in the middle of the night.

b) no oozing on the (very white) duvet cover. Yes, she sleeps on our bed. She’s 14, what the hell.

c) she can actually get comfortable and sleep, which is virtually impossible when wearing a plastic cone to bed.

Failing the ability to actually sew a seam, just grab one of hubby’s old long sleeve T-shirts, cut it to the right length and make two leg holes in the appropriate place. No sewing needed:)


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Art Gallery “Coco” Dress

I have worn my Stag’s head Coco lots.

I mean LOTS.

So much so that I just had to make another one as its simply perfect for everyday wear. It’s also a bit, well, nicer than the alternative of jumper-and-leggings for this time of year. I don’t make much effort in the clothes stakes, if I’m honest, and this belies that just a little.

Both pattern and fabric can be found at Minerva Crafts online.


This is such a quick and simple dress to make up that a couple of hours had it completed.

The seams were overlocked, as were the raw edges. Although, strictly speaking, there is no need to finish the raw edges on knit fabrics like this.


I had to nip out and buy a few more twin needles though, as my (relatively new) one was skipping stitches. This did the trick immediately and the hems and neckline were top stitched without a skipped stitch OR tunnelling in sight!


Very soon, another Coco found it’s way into my wardrobe.

A quick snap of me wearing it, thanks to my ever patient husband.


Did you spot THE boots…..?


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Sunday Sevens #112

It’s been a few weeks since I last did a Sunday Sevens round-up so, rather than recap on all that’s happened in that time, I’ll start afresh with this last week or so. Linking up with Nat at Threads & Bobbins.

1. Well, except this one – No.1 Son turned 24 a couple of weeks ago and we had a family get together at my mother’s.


2. I was gifted a button box – what treasure!


3. I procrastinated for too long over this fab cocktail cabinet in the charity shop. Went back to buy it, but it had been sold:(


4. A rare pic of my four beautiful (I’m biased) children. Didn’t manage to get them together with my step-daughters at the same time, unfortunately.


5. I’ve been nipping over to my daughter’s new home to do a bit of painting whilst she’s at work. This is the first home that she has bought with her boyfriend, so we’re trying to help where we can as there’s not much money left after the house purchase to buy anything. 

Luckily, the previous owner left lots of solid furniture which just needs updating with a lick of paint. This table has had its first coat.


6. Horse riding selfie! I’m wearing the knitted, sequinned hat that Claire (Mollie & Claire) made me in my Stitching Santa parcel. 


7. Mr H-L bought us matching number plates for our His ‘n’ Hers Mercedes. Cue the mid-life crisis jokes……!


8. Continuing my Teal Phase, my yoga jumper is coming on a treat. Check out the neat raglan sleeve armhole!


9. Sunday Sewing today – I’m making some boxer shorts for Mr H-L from this wicked jersey featuring different ice cream flavours.


10. I NEVER trace patterns as a rule but, as the pattern is sized from young boys up to extra large men’s, thought it would be worth the effort in case I decide to make some for The Boys too.


11. I don’t know about you, but when I’m ‘in the zone’ sewing, time flies and all thoughts of cooking meals go out of the window. Mr H-L rose to the challenge and made a lovely pie from a pheasant that I boiled up last night.


12. Just one last photo to share…..I’ve lusted after a Mulberry Bayswater handbag for years now but could never justify spending so much. Mr H-L only went and surprised me with one for Christmas! If you’re a handbag fiend yourself, you’ll understand:)


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January Blues!

I’ve come over all Teal for this month’s Minerva Crafts Blog post!

To see the full post, just click on the link here: – Teal Waterfall Jacket And Leggings

(Boots can be found here)


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Stag’s Head “Coco” Dress

So this is my new favourite dress!

I decided to make a “Coco” dress by Tilly and the Buttons and I’m so glad I did – it’s the perfect ‘everyday’ dress for Autumn.

To see more photos, just click on the link to the full post on the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network: – Stag’s Head “Coco” Dress

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#stitchingsanta 2016

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Everyone should have received an email from me by now detailing who their #stitchingsanta swap partner is – if you haven’t, check your spam folder.

Please could you all acknowledge receipt of the email, too, so that no one is disappointed on Christmas Day without a parcel to open.

I hope you enjoy finding out more about your recipient and have fun putting together a suitable parcel for them – I know I will!

Here’s a list of everyone that’s taking part, so feel free to click on the links to keep abreast of their #stitchingsanta updates and maybe make some new blogging buddies.

sewchet (that’s me!)

afterdarksewing

Thimberlina

tialys

sewsweetsally

thedartmooryarncompany

madaboutbags

applebymakes

nanacathydotcom

sew2pr0

sewingnikki

letthesewingbegin

powertoolswiththread

desertskyquilts

littleblackdogsa

jo-throughthekeyhole

themateriallady

zeensandroger

seecarmensew

annebags

thecraftycreek

clothandpaperstudio

janemakes

carenscreativecanvasandcraft

beadsandbarnacles – Pippa

Beadsandbarnacles – Nicky

thesmallsewingroom

freckledfashionista

ritasdesigns

threadsandscissors

quiltedsnail

sullen-hearts

saturdaynightstitch

Bellecitadel

rollingeyeballs

creativityandfamily

buttercupandbee

danilleajoe

thishappyhomemadelife

mollieandclaire

sosamsaid

squirrelsknittingconquests

ja_ma_ka

fabrickated

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Christmas Commissions

I know that the kids have only been back to school a month and that The Boys are still wearing shorts to school (heck, I’m still in my flip-flops), buuuuuut……there’s no escaping the fact that Christmas is just around the corner. 

For those of us who like to give handmade gifts to our nearest and dearest, if we haven’t at least started thinking about what we’re going to make by now, panic sets in.

I actually have made a start, if a lot little later than previous years, but I also have quite a few commissions already this year – yay, thank you, dear customers, for not leaving it until the last minute to place your orders!

I LOVE Christmas commissions, well, any commissions at all, really, as they give me an excuse to be creative and make something when I’ve got no other excuse to sit at my sewing machine – and they enable me to legitimately delay the boring stuff like housework:)

I was asked to make six coin purses, each one personalised to the recipient, so I started the fun part of the design process by choosing fabrics.


One request was for an adult who likes butterflies, so this is quite a grown up purse.


A lining of floral bouquets seemed appropriate for the butterfly theme, and the whole was brought together with a lilac zip and zip pull.


Next up was a little girl who loves Hello Kitty, so I teamed a funky flower print with a cat appliqué.


I decided to pick out the pink and add a pink mini-gingham lining and pink zip.


The next request was something for a “girly” girl, so I went to town with the florals with a flower motif appliquéd onto a small floral print.


A more subtle leaf print lining tones down the busy effect and a love heart zip pull continues the feminine feel.


The brief for the next purse was quite specific; it had to be a grey star on a blue background for a girl who likes the Dallas Cowboys – this is my take on it.


More stars on the inside and a love heart zip pull soften the design a little.


“Cupcakes” was a fun brief to interpret and I found a print that looked like it had ready-made sprinkles on it!


A cherry red zip and pull bring together the red accents in the design, with more “sprinkles” on the inside.


The final brief was “Sparkles” and had me stumped for a while – until I looked down at my engagement ring.


Is that sparkly enough do you think?!

A mini-star print provides more sparkles on the inside.


So here they all are, each one individual to its recipient.


I’ve certainly had a great time coming up with a suitable design for each brief.


What a thoughtful commission – to tailor something specifically to six different individuals. They’ll love them, I’m sure, and appreciate the lengths that this lovely lady has gone to, to find them each something unique.


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Sunday Sevens #102

Time for another Sunday Sevens as organised by Nat at Threads & Bobbins . Not that we’ve heard much from Nat lately – where are you Nat, we miss you?

  1.  Working on the lacy border for the Baby shawl commission that I’ve been slogging away at for a few months. Baby was due yesterday and I’ve run out of time! Trouble is, I get a numb bum if I sit for more than two hours at a time, so I can’t knit it any faster.

2. Whilst I’m still in my Summer linens and flip flops, I’m looking ahead to more typical Autumn weather and thinking about what to wear on the chillier days to come. I’m making the main view in orange and brown Ponte Roma – very seasonal colours. It’s actually a dress which looks like a skirt and top and I reckon it’ll get a lot of wear as it’s as comfortable as a tracksuit but MUCH smarter for everyday use. In fact, I’ve already got plans for a second one in different colours.

3. I finally got around to buying some spray starch for all those crocheted daisies that I made back in July. What a difference it makes. These are going to be a garland for my upcycled oak dresser.

4. As you probably know, I cook a LOT, so should be pretty good by now. However, cakes are not my forté – they always taste great….but look rubbish. Not this time! I used this Carrot Cake  recipe and followed it to the letter and it actually rose!

5. I doubled up on the icing so that I could put some in the middle, too, and topped it off with the grated zest of an orange.

6. Here’s what’s left of it on the far right after a friend hosted a very successful charity MacMillan Coffee Morning during which over £200 was raised!

7. My iPhone 5s is currently residing in a bag of rice. Why? Dear husband left it in his trouser pocket and it went through a wash cycle. I think it’s too far gone to dry out in a bag of rice. I’ve got 18 months left on the contract and no phone so you can imagine how cross I was. Anyone got a spare one…..?!

8. No.1 Son took a snap of the harvest lunch (as I no longer have a camera phone…). It was taken at the end when people had started to leave  so you’ll have to believe me when I say the hall was full and it was a lovely atmosphere.

9. And finally……#stitchingsanta 2016 has started! Click on this link to sign up and take part this year.

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Upcycled Chair

To see what I did with this old chair, a pot of paint and these colourful fabrics, click on the link below: –

Minerva Crafts Blogger’s Network: Upcycled Chair


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American Girl Doll’s Clothes

Last month, No.2 Son was invited to his girlfriend’s birthday party (they’re both ten) so I had to come up with an appropriate gift idea – no mean feat when you’re used to buying for boys.

I don’t know about you, but the amount of parties The Boys get invited to means that you can end up spending a small fortune throughout the year in presents, even though I try to spend no more than £10 maximum per child.

£10 doesn’t buy much nowadays, unless you opt for the useful book token which, despite being a great gift which kids love to spend, is hard to get excited about when you open it. You never hear “WOW! It’s just what I’ve always wanted – thank you!”

So I had a little think and remembered that this little girl had recently been to America on holiday and had come back with a “Truly Me” American Girl doll.

doll

Apparently, these dolls are a bit of a cult item in the USA with girls and women alike, and you can choose the skin, hair and eye colour to match your own.

With the doll itself costing $115 and each item of clothing costing upwards of $10, she, understandably, had a very limited wardrobe thus far.

So I decided to put aside a whole day and make some clothes for her.

With a bit of searching on the internet, I found several patterns suitable for an 18″ doll, and these are what I came up with.

Remember THAT hoodie I made earlier in the Summer? Well, I used some of the leftover fabric to make a sweatshirt for the doll with popper closures at the back.

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I matched the sweatshirt with some purple elasticated jogging bottoms and that was one outfit completed.

american-girl-doll-pants-trousers

Using the same T-shirt pattern as for the sweatshirt, I made a plain white Tee to which I added a ruffle to jazz it up a bit.american-girl-doll-skirt

A velcro back was used this time.

The little lace-trimmed  A-line skirt took hardly any fabric at all and was whipped up in minutes, again with a velcro back fastening.

american-girl-doll-skirt-back

Next up was a simple dress which could be worn on its own or with the white ruffle tee as before.

american-girl-doll-dress-strappy

I knew a ‘proper’ dress would be appreciated, so this next one took a little more effort, adding full lining and ric rac trim at the waist and hem.

american-girl-doll-dress

I even inserted a back zip to make it more special.

american-girl-doll-dress-back

Finally, one more top, this time in blue, and a coordinating elasticated straight skirt with side splits.

american-girl-doll-sirt-and-topamerican-girl-doll-skirt-top

I can’t tell you quite how much fun I had making them all and, not only that, I worked out that, had similar outfits been purchased, the cost would have been upwards of £/$100!

And guess what? She said: –

“WOW! It’s just what I always wanted – thank you!”