Why does a tidy up ...

... invariably mean a new mess is going to be created?

My fabric stash has been creating a bit of a pile in the corner as the boxes they live in have fallen apart. So after a trip to Ikea I set about sorting the material all out into boxes. I now have a good box of scraps that the girls can help themselves too without asking! FQs, dress and furnishing fabrics all have a box each too.

With that sorted I decided I wanted to make a new work dress. I didn't have one particular pattern that I wanted to use, but was sure that I could mash one together from two patterns - and hence the new mess created with bits of tissue paper everywhere. As there's alterations involved I'm going to make up a muslin whilst looking for some fabric - no I don''t have anything 'perfect' in my stash!!

And another page to share - this was a colour challenge for the UKS Monthly challenge which I used a Stuck? sketch for. Made using the Quirky kit that arrived on Friday :)

Right better clear up my scrapping space now!

A bit more sewing ....

... I'm still here! Busy sewing, working, being ill and spending some family time in the Lakes (where we saw sunshine - I promise!!) Thought I'd share some clothes I've made for Mia recently. She really wanted a maxi dress, so following Flossie Teacakes shirring tutorial I self drafted this dress (well tube really that I flared out to the bottom), so easy to do and planning more tops, dresses and skirts.

Making clothes up til now has just been a case of finding the right age on the instructions and then cutting out the fabric, but I'm finding that as the girls are older and different shapes, and making clothes for myself that I need to pay more attention to body measurements and making up a toile where necessary.

Mia's next outfit is proof of this - a self drafted peasant top that's a little short and shorts (Burda Kids 9467) that are a little tight. I've redrafted the top and made another one for Lily. The shorts were super-simple so plan to make another pair probably a couple sizes bigger and making sure I catch all the bias binding this time!

When I get decent photos I'll share the dresses I've made for Lily and myself.

Mia's Dress ...

... for a few years I made the girl's a summer dress each, but recently they'd shown less interest in handmade clothes. However, it seems the Sewing Bee programme not only piqued my interest, I was thrilled when they asked me to make them dresses this year.

I had this pattern McCalls M5574 for a while and convinced Mia to have one of the styles, so with fabric choosen I got off to a quick start and was finished in a few hours. It doesn't show up well here, but there's a band between the bodice and skirt which give a nice detail.

I don't think Mia is thrilled with it (I was surprised at her fabric choice, not her usual colours), but it's growing on her. She keeps fussing with the halterneck, so I think I'm going to cross the straps at the back and stitch them down.

I'm now finishing up a maxi dress for her and waiting for Lily's fabric to arrive which seems to be taking ages.

The Great British Sewing Bee ...

... did you watch it? I loved it and it has really renewed my interest in sewing, which I think is probably my first love as it was my first proper craft growing up. I liked Lauren's style but Ann was a truly worthy winner, her skills impeccable.

The staff room at work (well, it's more of a space really) is having an overhaul and when the officer manager mentioned she'd run out of budget for cushions I offered to make some.

The office is white but has splashes of colour from vinyl wall decals, so I thought this Ikea fabric I had would work well, along with some denim.

I need to stock up on large buttons now! And my sewing machine has a crises half way through so I finished up on Lily's mini John Lewis machine, which coped fine.

I'm please to say that they have gone down very well. Need to find some more projects now (once the machine is fixed) and get the WIPs finished!

New beginnings ...

.... Happy new year! Hope it's a good one for you all.

So a new year means new projects right? And with a lazy day ahead of us I decided to make a start on a floor cushion for Lily's room. I bought a jelly roll a year ago with the intentions of making a circular cushion I'd seen. Instead for simplicity I'm going for a log cabin (?) style.

Let's hope this is the start of lots of making this year.

A Make A Month ...

... and a birthday present.

I had been wondering what to make and then remembered the project kit that came free with Cath Kidston Patch book that I got for Christmas.

I've done a different Suffolk Puff to the one suggested and used different backing fabric to the cream cotton that was supplied.

I have done very little patchwork in my life, so it was quite nice to do something different. I think I overdid the amount of stitching required, but it's all a learning process!!

A crafty day ...

... I'm off work this week and off to Torquay tomorrow for the rest of the week. So I've had some time today to play! (Not working is good for my creative soul!)

First off headbands to match the girls dresses, they took me about 15 mins each and the girls seem pleased with the results.

Turning over my calender today (yes I know I'm a day behind) I realised it was SIL's birthday tomorrow, so a very quick and simple card that I could get it straight in the post.

Lastly a LO from this month's Stuck? sketch. I haven't played along with their challenges for a while, but always like what they come up with. Made with July Scarlet Lime kit, so now I've managed to make 1 LO from each of the unused kits I had.

Weekend sewing ...

... saw this pattern whilst browing Etsy on Thursday night and instantly knew I wanted to make it. The girls love to draw and craft and we have various drawers and boxes full of pens, paper, books and mags, so I thought this would be a great idea to keep more stuff together. Also very handy for going on holiday/camping as we always take some things with us.

The sides are constucted from 3 layers of fabric and 2 layers of interfacing, so it's pretty sturdy. One of the fiddliest things I've ever made!

The girls are now deciding what to fill it up with.

Two dresses in one day ...

... after finishing DD2's dress yesterday I got straight on with making DD1's (well I didn't want any trantrums!) Despite my sewing machine deciding to throw a wobbly with its tension (I lost count of how may times I unpicked the bias binding straps) I got it finished before bedtime.

And here are the dresses with their proud owners (DD2 would't be photographed with DD1!)


They're a bit shorter than I would have liked and a snuggish fit so not sure if they'll still fit next year. Nevertheless I'm pleased with my efforts.

And another ...

... have managed to keep the momentum going with this Studio Calico Sunday Sketch and using SL July Frugal kit.

Have also got round to making the girl's summer dresses - bought the fabric about 3 months ago! This is DD2's and I'm worried it looks a bit small, shan't know till she gets home later as they're both at a dance workshop. It's been a while since I cut out the pieces so I just hope that DD1's are bigger!

The dress is almost identical to ones I bought from Boden a few years ago. The fabric is Darla Rose by Tanya Whelan which I believe can now be bought in Hobbycraft!