Macmillan Bake Off Apron

It's that time of year again .... last year I posted about the Tracey Island cake I made for our work coffee morning.  I actually won 'Best Baker' with it!  I'm reluctant to lose my title so this year, I decided to make a special baking apron which could be raffled as a prize and so raise money that way.  I used a metre of Michael Miller 'Home Ec' fabric which I've had in my stash for a while now.  I used a toning purple bias binding for the finishing touches.  I made a couple of changes to the pattern, which is a Simplicity 1940's repro, as I didn't have quite enough fabric to make thicker waist ties but saying that, I quite like how mine turned out ....  I also missed out binding around the whole apron itself but I don't think that matters either - it might have been too much ....  I might add the rick rack which should go on the pocket borders next time I make it, which I will!  I really didn't want to give this away ....  I love the fabric and the apron shape itself is great - it looks like a little dress :-)

Minerva Product Testing - Monogram Bag

You can read all about how I made this initialled bag over on the Minerva Crafts website here  It's my latest product testing project.

I honestly didn't realise how complex bag making actually is ....  It involves as much time and effort as making a whole garment and there are a lot of decisions to be made about how to decorate it, what fabrics to put together, etc etc ....

Anway, I  hope you hop on over to Minerva and enjoy the read :-)

Minerva Product Testing - Vilene Bag Kit

You can read all about how I made this cute bag up on the Minerva Crafts Blog as it has been published today.  Find all the details here.

More Patterns ...

I went back to that shop (see below) to have another trawl through their pattern stash.  Sadly, most of them had gone ... but while I was looking, the shop lady said she had another box full in the back and did I want a look ...  Did I want a look!!!  Came out with these - I love the crossover back top and trouser combination on the far right ...
Commercial patterns still give me a thrill, even though I have the skills to start from scratch now ...

Pattern Haul

Oh, I'm itching to sew something but absolutely can't yet until next February!  Went for a walk into town last week and thought I'd pop in one of my favourite charity shops, just to see if they had anything and bingo!  All of these patterns are uncut and in my size.  There were tons more but in smaller sizes - I should have bought a few for swaps really, as they were all only 95p each.  Anyway, this little lot are all the kinds of look I love - they must have been brought in by the same person with the same sense of style ... I'm dying to make that patchwork skirt and that sundress for next summer ... even a hat!

Emily - you win! ...... and so do I!

Emily - you've won the stack of eighths - congratulations!  Can you email me your address and I'll be happy to post them on to you.

I'm on a winning streak too - it really is worth filling in those coupons at the back of magazines for the giveaways in the issue.  This arrived out of the blue - love the colours and shapes of the buttons.  There's loads in the jar, all different sizes - lucky me!

Loran's Swap Gift

Look at these lovelies that arrived on Friday, all the way from California: -

I was lucky enough to have Loran as my swap partner for the Sew Weekly swap.  Everything arrived wrapped in yellow and pink tissue with glittery flowers hidden among the layers.  There are some gorgeous black and see-thru gingham buttons, a pink (looks like 40's) belt buckle, a pack of vintage bias tape and thread and THREE patterns to choose from ... I will be using one of these in my next project, as I've already started the Sew Weekly Reunion challenge.  I love the little letter on the reverse of the sunflower card too.

I already knew about Loran and her style from the challenges she did in 2012 - have a look at www.LoransWorld.com for some amazing coats made from sweaters and dresses with a vintage twist. I've pinched a couple of the images here though, just to show you!

Coat made from several recycled sweaters

All accessorised - even as far as the car!

Ciircle skirt made from a tablecloth

 


Thanks so much Loran! SO look forward to seeing what you create for the reunion challenge.

Bohemian? Maybe / Maybe Not ...

1970's style tiered skirt made from a vintage sheet with lace detail

My inspiration for the skirt - I trimmed the tiers with the lace sent to me by Amanda D in my 'Travelling Package' 

Here's me trying to be all gypsy like and bohemian in an unweeded part of my garden (unweeded because I'm too busy sewing these days!)  I'm not sure that it's worked very well, number one because I couldn't find the top I had in mind to go with the skirt and this one kind of emphasises the top half.  Number two because it was uncomfortable standing around in the weeds - unsettling is the word I think - I really want to get at the weeds!  But I like the skirt and I know I'll wear it again.  Bringing back carefree art school kind of memories of years ago ...  I found the unused kingsize sheet for £1 in a charity shop - there's loads of it!

Amy Butler Tote

I've made a Tote Bag, my design in Amy Butler fabric, which I've put up for sale at http://www.folksy.com/ under marguerite designs.  It's an experiment really, to see if anything sells and also how to price things.  It's really difficult arriving at a final sum, when considering the time and effort gone into the product.  I honestly don't think people realise ...

I'm doing a make-up bag to go with it as well.

Thrift v. Luxury

I like a bit of both really ... I was lucky enough to go to the London Book Fair at Earl's Court recently for work.  I always like to take the bus across London if I can because I love to see what is going on around me.  We hit a traffic jam at Oxford Circus ...Ha...Liberty's immediately popped into my head!  So, off the bus I got and made my way down Regent Street.  Had a good wander round looking at all the lovely things and came away with some trimmings before continuing on my way to Earl's Court by tube.  In direct contrast, I've been lucky enough to find these vintage zippers in a local charity shop along with some threads and lengths of lace.

My favourite is the length of multi-coloured flowers in muted colours.

All at 50 pence each.  The backing fabric is also vintage at £2.75. 

Travelling Lace

I've taken part in a sew-swap and this is the lovely package sent to me by Amanda D.  I've already used the ric rac and the Mickey Mouse buttons are too cute!