Skirt

For the past few days, I have been working on a skirt for myself.

I ordered this fabric a few weeks ago, just half a yard, and fell in love with it so much that I ordered some more, to make myself a skirt. I also decided to incorporate the ribbon that matches it so well, by adding it around the bottom of the skirt. As I wasn't going to do a hidden zip, I decided to get a nice bright one to match the patterns on the skirt. I wanted an aqua blue but couldn't get one, so I settled for bright orange instead.

I didn't have a pattern, so just drew around a skirt which I already have which is a little bit big, so I figured that would account for the seam allowances.

 I cut the fabric and the lining, pinned it all, tacked it all and tried it on, it fit fine! But then it was bed time

The next day I got it all machined, the bright orange zip went in fine, no problems. That took me most of the evening. 

Then today I spent half an our hemming the bottom by hand and voila!

It isn't the neatest of skirts, and certainly not something I could make for someone else, but for me, I am happy with it! I can't wait to wear it when we go on holiday in September!

Two Exciting Projects!

So this is my first item made on my shiny new sewing machine. It is a bag from the Cath Kidston 'Sew' book, the bag that I was eyeing up for months! I couldn't get any Cath Kidston fabric but saw this in John Lewis and fell in love. Although the pattern suggests using duck (canvas), this is just normal haberdashery cotton. I lined it with some quite thick fabric that we found in our attic which is just perfect because it gives the bag a little bit of structure without it being rigid. I altered the pattern quite a lot, giving it a lining, and sewing the straps straight on to the bag as opposed to making a button hole and stitching a button, it seemed like too much work for a feature I wouldn't accommodate anyway. Overall, I am very pleased with the outcome, as it is very tidy for something I have made! I wouldn't shy away from making it again :)

The reinforced straps

The lining

Today Dan and Louie accompanied me to Lollipops again, this time to make a commemorative plate for Louie's first birthday.

Mama hard at work!

Louie playing with the tile

The finished plate

I was a bit disappointed with the writing as it curved, I worked out that it would fit but in practice it didn't, which is a shame. But I am so pleased with the VHC spots around the edge, and the hand prints are lovely. The little caterpillar crawling up his hand was my favourite little finishing touch that turned out really well! I will post a picture when it has been fired and the colours will be in all their bright and lovely glory!