The one where I haven't sewn for a while

It seems like a long time since I got to sew something, and it seems my subconscious found a way to cope with that!

I took my (main) machine in for a service, and while I was there I accidentally bought some fabric - who knew there was a danger of such a thing!

And yesterday, after the family learning class I popped into the shops in Windsor and kind of drifted towards C&H fabrics, where I remembered I had a gift card from the parents when I left school . . . ooops, seventeen fat quarters later I have NO gift card left!!!!  But lots of yummy solids!!!

Today I used some of them and made myself a triple zipped pouch - it made me very happy!!

When will I next get time to sew?

The one where we Made Monsters!

I was asked to teach a family learning class today.  We decided it would be a monster making class - using felt for the bodies and all sorts of stuff for arms, legs, eyes etc.

These four were my samples, and as usual, I told the kids I expected they would have much better ideas than me

And oh boy, they did not disappoint!!!

My absolute favourite was this one!!

The one where I started a Birthday Bag

I think I posted a pic of some fabrics I got for my birthday - some fun rainbows in dots and solids and a pack in greys, teales and beige:

These fabrics called to be a bag for me - becuase I really need an new bag, and I have nothing else I should be sewing at the moment (as if)
So I made the outer with two zips on one side, plain yummy fabric on the other

And the inside has one zip pocket

and three slip pockets

I'm not sure about the remaining FQ for the strap, so the bag will have to wait for a while until I can get it finished but it is making me very happy just to look at it!
And I did get some things ticked off my to-do list - today nephew asked for his company logo to be embroidered . . . on a baby's vest!

And two ladies at church got confirmed last week so I made them both a cover for their bible - with our church on the front

The to-do list had got to 14 items, and I'm down to 6, so at least that's better than 50% done! The worry is how much will be added on before I get to take some off next weekend!

Posted with Blogsy

The one where we've nearly made a dress

My Lisa has no idea of her limits and abilities! She (who has never done dressmaking) bought a pattern for a dress. She bought everything she needed (thanks to the help of the lady in the shop) and plans to wear the dress to a wedding mid November

A dress with a 7 piece bodice and 7 piece skirt (lined with another 14 pieces) and with a sort of rouched bra. I'm not great at dress making, but can cobble a simple pattern together - but faced with pieces like this one I knew we had to call in reinforcements!

 

Or one specific reinforcement! My mum!

 Three of us worked for most of the day . . .

 but it was worth it

 A bit more work to do, but having got this far Lisa and I should be able to finish it - thanks mum

 

Posted with Blogsy

Crafty Church

Lots of crafts today - but not too many photos!

Tara learn how to machine embroider!

 

Jennie working on her tenth crochet square

 

And the crochet squares to date - fab collection!

 

Posted with Blogsy

The one where I found a craft I haven't shown you

I'm planning the Fun With Fabric crafts for Chertsey Museum for next year, and had planed to link to blog pages where possible -that only works if I have blogged about the planned craft!!!

Last winter I lusted after a Blanket Cape, but really couldn't justify the cost, so I started an improvised version.

I took an Ikea fleece blanket and folded it in half length ways, and then cut away a section along half the fold.  I used a grey one, but didn't take a pic so I've borrowed this photo to show

Once a section half the length x 4 inches is cut away, you can wear it like a cape: the full half against your back and the split half becomes front right and front left

I'm now doing some running stitch with embroidery floss to give it a bit of detail, but as soon as it's cold enough to need to wear it I can call it finished!

Not bad for £3 eh?

The one where Chertsey ladies made zippy pouches

I had a break from the 9-5 today and made my way to Chertsey museum - first we had a bit of show and tell - just look at this smocking! (Well done Anne)

And Kay's oven gloves:

Then we had a go at making zippy pouches.  We had some great results and they will be finishing these for homework! 

This evening I spent (ok wasted) a bit of time on Facebook and found a lovely message from a May bride this year:

I know we all know people who don't appreciate made gifts - but clearly some do and that makes it all worth while!

The one where I got gifts and made a gift

We went out for a meal in the week, a lovely Indian meal in the village with the girls and their boyfriends. The boys both gave me a gift - really perfect gifts - from Harry on the right and from Jim on the left! (although I think the girls had more to do with it than the boys - can you imagine them giggling as they made the choices!)

The very lovely Fiona (http://celticthistlestitches.blogspot.co.uk) has just become a grandma - congratulations Fiona! I've made a pressie for the little lad, but I'd like it to go in the post next week. It isn't finished as I don't have the time at the moment, but I know she has the ability to finish it (and to a better standard than me!) and he will get it much quicker! All I can show you now is this bit

I posted a gift to another baby earlier this year, and got this pic a few days ago from her daddy

Love it!

If you are NOT Fiona you can scroll down to look at Cormac's pressie:

Not you Fiona

Posted with Blogsy