SEWCHRISTINE

All Change...

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 10:27:00 +0000

You'll know by my last blog that I'm having trouble with Windows 8. This has forced me to look elsewhere for my posts as Blogger doesn't really like 8! I've moved over to Wordpress and I will blogging from there from now on. My new blog address is www.sewchristine.org which is the same address as my shop. Just click on the blog tag. I will be leaving this blog up and running with all my tutorials, tips, pictures etc intact. I won't, however, be adding anymore new posts or content. Over time I will be migrating my tutorials to my new blog. Why not take the plunge and pop over to Wordpress? I'd love to see you. Oh yes, and I'm taking Jessie the sewing wonder dog with me!

New computer

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 20:10:00 +0000

I'm sorry I've been a bit slow in posting this month but I've had computer problems. My computer that I've been using started being problematic and I found out that the battery was heating up and damaging the workings. My husband swapped my old computer for his spare (and old) computer. It kept me going for a few weeks but developed the same problem with the battery. I decided I'd have to "bite the bullet" and I bought a new computer. It came with Windows 8 and the latest Microsoft software package. The result? I couldn't work it out. I didn't know how to get around it, and I didn't really recognise anything. It's been a bit of a nightmare. It won't run my machine embroidery programme (P E Design) and I have to buy an upgrade for it. It's taking an extraordinary amount of time to transfer everything to this new machine and I'm getting a bit fed up!
On the sewing front I have been making a few frame bags and purses. I'm trying to write a tutorial for a straight frame. I've got some lovely frames with diamante crystal closures and I'm going to make some clutches for Christmas. When I've finished the tute I'll put it on the tutorials page as a free download. Here's some other bags made with frames:

Lots of new stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 10:51:00 +0000

I had a great day on Saturday doing a workshop for an oilcloth satchel. My prototype was the subject of my previous post and I posted pictures of the fabulous satchels on my facebook page. This Saturday I'm doing a cute summer clutch workshop. I love this bag, it's an oversized clutch with a cute ruffled corsage sewed onto the front.

It has little side loops and rings so it can take a chain handle. This can sit inside the bag or be removed when not in use. It's got a boxy bottom so it is quite roomy inside. I can't wait to see this bag in the different fabrics the participants choose on the day.

I have some great new things in my shop at present. The metal fittings are really lovely. I got two versions of this ring one large and one smaller. The ring is hinged so that it can be added after you've finished sewing. This makes for easier attachment. They are smooth nickel silver (so shiny) and look great on bags. I've used them with metal grommets which look really professional (even if I do say so myself!)

1 1/2 inch ring

1 inch ring

With grommets.

I've also got these simply gorgeous big snap hooks. I love the oval shape of the hook. So smart!

I've put some tutorials in my shop at £2.00 each and they are immediately downloadable.

These are a step by step guide to making some great bags, with pictures so the tricky bits aren't a mystery!

There are loads of other things including beautiful new handles so why not pop over and have a look? www.sewchristine.org

New Bag Purse Patterns

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Thu, 30 May 2013 15:57:00 +0000

I've just finished another satchel as a sample for my workshop on Saturday. Although this goes together quite easily the oilcloth can make it a bit tricky, so I hope the ladies in the workshop cope well with it. Here's the starry version:

I think it's quite cute and practical. I hope they like it. I've also finished some more tutorials for my shop. These are £2.00 each and can be immediately downloaded. They have the full instructions and pictures and are easy to follow. I will be adding more over the next week or so.
Our weather hasn't picked up any and it's raining again today. Jessie never wants to go out in the rain, so today I'm going to let her off. No fun dragging a dog in the wet!
It's also still quite cool. At this rate we'll be into Autumn without any sunny days at all.
You probably don't remember but I moved house about 2 years ago. When we were going to move my dh's secretary took my chickens as we didn't have run at the new place. When we moved in Mr Sewchristine said he'd build me a run, and he did - 2 years later! Anyway I now have a lovely run and a nice new chicken house, so three weeks ago i went and got some chickens. I got four outstandingly intelligent birds who were all on the point of lay and are now laying.

Four pretty girls I'm sure you'll agree. I call Chickens "pets with benefits" and we have been getting 4 eggs a day from these gorgeous hens. They are very friendly and funny. In these photos they are also pretty wet. There are dry places for them but they prefer foraging around their enormous run. The run is at the side of our house so we can watch them from the windows. They can also see us and tap on the glass if they think we are ignoring them.

Giveaway winner and New Bags

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:07:00 +0000

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my giveaway. It was lovely to read your comments. I put you all through the random number generator and jackyedwards was the lucky winner in this case. So step forward Jacky with your name and address and I'll get your prize sent out to you. I've been a bit busy making sample bags for The Sewing Shop in Canterbury where I will be holding workshops over the next few saturdays. They like to put the bags in the window as a way of advertising what the workshop will be doing. Here are some of the up and coming events:

This is an easy Craft/Market/nappy bag.

This is an oversized clutch with an attached corsage

This I called a Beautiful Bowling Bag. It's made out of pretty oilcloth.

Satchell bag with adjustable strap.

I'm sure the workshop attendees will have a fun day whichever bag they choose. I've got some more to go, an evening clutch and a beach bag.

Wedding news and giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:04:00 +0000

Great excitement in the Sewchristine household last weekend as my son Matthew married Nina. We had a lovely time and were pretty lucky with the weather. My grandchildren all enjoyed it too, especially the girls. They got to wear their "wedding" dresses and looked really pretty.

Of course the bride and groom looked pretty good too! My lovely daughter Melissa made the wedding cake and decorated it. It was a yummy double chocolate cake that we had for dessert at the reception.

I was very happy with the girls dresses except that it was too cold to wear them by themselves, so on the day they had a combination of long sleeved t shirt, bolero and cardigan. But it didn't matter a bit. It was a small family wedding and we walked to the reception from the Church. It really felt like a country wedding.
So from the wedding to my giveaway. I've got a couple of nice things to giveaway starting with a zipped pouch tutorial and kit. In this pack you get a full tutorial with pictures and all the makings for the zipped pouch. Pretty fabric for the outside and lining, interfacing and zip. The pouch has a nice flat bottom and is a good size for cosmetics or toiletries.

Nex I have a selection of bag making bits: magnetic snap, metal bag frame, gold coloured buckles,and a red leather purse handle with antique bronze D rings attached.

Finally I'm giving away these gorgeous Bazaar Beads. The largest (the red ones) are 4cm wide. These are great for craft and sewing projects or even jewelry items.

A nice little booty I'm sure you'll agree. Please, please read the rules. Anyone, anywhere can enter, I will send the prize to anywhere. Yes that means you - where you live, if you win! You must leave a comment on this post. You can also leave a comment on facebook, but only the comments on this post will be entered. You must leave me some way to contact you (email, blog, facebook etc) Finally, you need to either sign up as a follower of this blog, or like me on facebook, or mention this post on your blog or facebook.

I will draw the winner on Monday 20th May, so check back to see if you've won!

Sewing book and other stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:09:00 +0000

You may have noticed a slight pause in blogging. That's because I've been away. My lovely niece got married in Sydney (which is where she lives) and we went over for the wedding. It was a beautiful day and she made a really pretty bride. The groom looked handsome and everything went without a hitch, except for the couple. (They got hitched - haha) The weather was gorgeous, warm and sunny but not too hot.

The view from the reception venue.

Beautiful Sydney

The gorgeous bride with her Aunts (me and my 4 sisters)

It was a great day, catching up with relatives and friends, celebrating the union of my niece with her husband. We have done quite a bit of holidaying with both of them and I couldn't choose a nicer husband for her.

I was asked to review a book for ViveBooks. I chose this book by Julia Bremble.

Entitled Corset Making for beginner to intermediate, it is the go to book for corset making. The ebook is a PDF download with interactive elements like videos. It is a really lovely looking book with lots of very clear illustrations and photos. It explains corset making simply so that it is suitable for your first corset and offers plenty if you've made a corset before. Julie's introduction is helpful in understanding how a corset works and a little about it's history. The sewing techniques are easy to follow as are Julie's instructions. Corsets are not just for wearing under clothes to give the perfect hour glass shape, they are also lovely worn with jeans or as a stunning evening garment with trousers or a skirt. Don't hesitate because this is an ebook, it is easy to download and looks great on screen. You could print it out but then you'd miss the interactive elements. If you have ever flirted with making a corset, here is the perfect textbook.

Frame bags and other info

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:16:00 +0000

I was contacted by Sergio Silveira who lives in New York and has just written his first novel. As someone who loves a good book I thought I'd pass on the details about this one. Amazon describes the book as:

...a young and well-to-do British lady of 1805, Jane Freemont's fate was solely decided by others. But her spirit was that of of a fearless sleuth, determined to discover the fate of a poor young woman who had vanished. If you enjoy the genres of the English novels of manners (Pride and Prejudice) and English mysteries (Miss Marple), you will enjoy the Secret of Ravelston. It attempts to put together both. It also has much satire of aristocratic, well-to-do, individuals, who spend most of their idle lives attempting to amuse themselves, and being served by countless human beings they don't see as real people...

You can find all you need relating to this book here. As far as I can see it is currently only available in kindle format. I haven't read all the book, only an excerpt, but if you are lover of historical novels, or Downton Abbey this should appeal to you.

Since my last post I've done two more workshops at The Sewing Shop in Canterbury. Both of these were frame bags and they went very well. It always helps to have keen participants and they all finished their bags even though they thought they wouldn't. Their bags were really lovely and they all chose really pretty, cute fabric for their bags. A tip when you are making fabric bags is to spray the outside with Scotchguard when you've finished. Keeps your bags looking good longer. Here's the result of the Retro "Kelly" style bag:

I love it that two ladies chose the same owl fabric in reverse colourways.

These bags are so sweet made up, but they still hold a serious amount of stuff. You can see what I mean about their fabric choices. Cute eh?

Workshops and the Sewing Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:28:00 +0000

My local sewing shop is The Sewing Shop in Canterbury. It's a lovely shop with gorgeous fabric, plenty of sewing tools and haby, pretty trimmings and it all looks really beautiful. The kind of shop crafty people love to visit and the shop I'd love to have if I could. It backs onto the Canterbury Cathedral so as you can imagine the building is quite an age. It stands three stories high and has wonky floors and crooked door frames, absolutely charming!

Some of these photos were taken by Rebecca Douglas Photography

Charmaine, the owner, has wonderful business ethics, trying her best to give the customer what she wants or needs. If you are ever in Canterbury it is well worth a visit just for the ambience. The rooms upstairs are where workshops are held, and this month is Big bag Month so I am over there each weekend taking a workshop showing ladies how to make a bag. There are a couple of vacancies left, so if you are near Canterbury why not join us? You'll have a laugh, learn a skill and meet some other lovely crafty ladies.

Last saturday we made a basic basket bag. It was great fun and the ladies finished their bags so they were happy.

For me the test of a good fabric and sewing shop is whether there are things I have to stop myself buying. There are shops that look quite pretty but when I walk around I can't really see anything I want to get. All style but no substance. There are some shops that are more utilitarian in approach, no nonsense haby in the window and nothing of the stylish in the shop displays. These shops sap your spirit and I can't be bothered buying there. Sadly for me John Lewis is in danger of becoming like this. Once a place I would always flock to, these days has reduced their stock to such a level I don't always find what I want. They used to sell buttons and haby loose and they had staff who know what you were talking about, but sadly all their stock is pre-packaged now. The Sewing Shop has a downstairs crammed with the most delectable goodies you could wish for. Not just a wide range of scrumpious fabric, but knitting wool, books, gorgeous trimmings and the rest. They pass the test as I have had to make a list so I can buy things as the budget permits.
Now here's something you don't see every day! I've put a pretty bag on Etsy for sale and someone messaged me to ask if I could send a photo of it being worn as a shoulder bag. Trying to be helpful I said yes, but then I couldn't photograph it successfully on myself. Step forward Mr Sewchristine. What a trouper that man is! I gave him the bag to wear and took these shots. I hope the the person who made the request has a sense of humour. As they didn't then buy the bag perhaps they don't!

Do you go through periods of working in your sewing room or corner and just pushing things back where they'll fit? That's what I've been doing over the past few weeks and I've ended up in rather a mess. The push to tidy up usually comes either because I can't find something or I have guests coming. In this case the later, I have guests coming the weekend after next and now I'm having to do a big sort out. Every time this happens I ask myself why I let it happen. Why don't I put away properly as I go? It's not like this in other area's of the house. When I cook I wash up and put away as I go. I don't end up with a big pile of bowls and dishes pushed into a corner, so why do I when I sew? In my cupboard I have material piled up on top of the drawers it should go in, bag handles and hardware just dumped on surfaces instead of back in their right places. Some time go (my last big sort out) I folded my fabric stash and put it all neatly in clear plastic drawers so I could find it all. Now Jessie could be in one of the drawers and I couldn't tell. I've been bundling fabric back into the drawers any old how and I'll have to refold everything. Don't include me in conversation just now, I'm sorting out and I may be some time...

Everyone's a winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:11:00 +0000

Gihe number of entries I had for my giveaway I've decided to give each them a pattern. If you entered can you please email me with your real name and address. You'll also need to go to my listed patterns and choose which one you want. Send me the number. Thank you.

Time to catch up, move on and have a GIVEAWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:18:00 +0000

For those of you who have been following my blog you'll know I've had surgery on both of my legs. Being quite poorly afterwards I haven't been blogging or sewing so there's been a break in transmission. However, my legs are getting better and I am starting to feel better and blog-able so normal service has now been resumed. To catch up, you may remember before Christmas I got sewing bloggers to add their names and sites to my facebook page. I mentioned that I would then tidy up the list and put it on this blog for furture reference. I have to thank everyone who bothered to add their name, I had a lovely time looking at all your beautiful blogs and seeing all the fab things you've been making. I also enjoyed reading about things other than sewing or bag making. We are a diverse bunch aren't we? Here's the list, why not pop over to the blogs and see for yourselves?

Fiona Pullen
www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.com

www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk

Margaret Blyth (The Bag Lady)

www.margaretrb.blogspot.com.

Tracy Walters

http://madaboutbagsuk.blogspot.co.uk

Helen Wright

http://undomesticatedscientist.blogspot.co.uk/

Sally Burch

http://sallysewssomething.blogspot.com

(Check out her website for Jessie looky likees!)

Morwhenna Woolcock

http://thelovewhatyouwearproject.blogspot.co.uk/

http://morwhenna.blogspot.co.uk/

Verity Warne

http://madebyloulabelle.blogspot.com

madebyloulabelle

http://madebyloulabelle.blogspot.com

Ellie Williams

http://myevolutioninbagmaking.blogspot.co.uk/

Carole Tripp

www.atrippintime.buylocalsimpsonville.com

Angela Broadbridge

http://tobyteacozy.blogspot.co.uk/

Bethany Rapp

http://sweetbeebuzzings.blogspot.com

(Bethany is my long time e-friend)

My second bit of catching up is my pop-up shop. I've now added a load of patterns and some fabric. I had so many patterns that I'd run out of storage options (except for a box in the attic or garage) so I had a big sort out. Some of these are from when I started sewing way back in the last century! Here's just a few, I have boxes and boxes of similar.

Here comes the giveaway. You can choose any pattern from my pop-up shop just by leaving a comment on this post. You can choose another pattern if you mention this post on your blog or fb page. That's it. I'll draw the winner on Friday 1st of March (which is only a week away-where is this year going?)
Now I think that brings me up to date with things I've said I'll do. I know I've mentioned Pinterest before but it's getting to be a real addiction with me. Most evenings can find me on my sofa, TV on but me glued to Pinterest on the ipad. I have little breaks to play Draw on line with my daughters, but mainly I'm looking at craft projects, sewing loveliness, yummy recipes, home repair cleverness and even Jack Russell puppies. I never get tired of the "grumpy cat" and some of the sayings really make me laugh. I really need to get a life.

Back home (for a while)

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:15:00 +0000

I'm back home after my surgery. My leg is still sore but I'm assured it will get better! I have an operation on my other leg on Thursday. In my first post for this year I said I was going to have a clear out and have a pop up shop on Etsy. Then I didn't list anything as events overtook my intentions. I have now started to list things after sorting through all my patterns. I have loads to go so if you don't like what's already there more will be added! I will also be adding other things as my sort out continues.
Getting ready for hospital I decided to buy a new battery toothbrush. Now when my children were babies each child had a nominated colour for things they couldn't share like toothbrushes. In fact we all did. My eldest daughters was yellow, my husband's purple and mine was pink. My children have all got families of their own now so Mr Sewchristine and I are the only ones at home. I was browsing through the toothbrushes at the supermarket but I couldn't find a pink one, so I thought to myself "Oh bother, I'll have to take my old one". When we were approaching the check out I suddenly thought I can have any colour I like, so I went back and got a yellow one. We had a laugh at how ingrained the idea of having a particular "colour" had become.

When I got home I got the most beautiful flowers from friends and relatives. Mostly they were either tulips or daffodils or sometimes both. My house is now full of flowers and they cheer my up enormously. It was also my birthday at the end of January so I've got lots of cards around, get well and birthday. The kindness and thoughtfulness of others means a lot when you can't get out and you aren't feeling sparkling. .

A Scandinavian touch

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 12:21:00 +0000

A parcel arrived this week from Gudrun Sjoden. Gudrun is Swedish and her designs and clothes are known through out Scandinavia and beyond. She has now opened a boutique in London just near Covent garden. I was sent some lovely heavy colourful fabric which will make super bags because of it's strength and bold design.

In the parcel was a calendar with a picture of a fabric design for each month. I loved this one showing a rooster, and the next floral one. Such pretty colours and such whimsical designs.

As a big Wallander fan I was ridiculously pleased to see she has shop in Malmo. I like to think of Wallander popping in to buy something for the latest doomed woman in his life. Who isn't a fan of Scandinavian fiction? I am currently embroiled in the argumentative world that is Borgen. I'm not sure what it is about the genre, but somehow it is slightly exotic because it's set in Scandinavia and yet familiar at the same time. Of course Wallander and it's ilk have been well written and plotted which always helps.

I've just about finished making my items for Nel Whatmore in her new fabric collection, Eden. It's a very pretty collection and I think the things have turned out well. I've got one more bag to make but here is a preview:

These are house shaped door stops.

The patterns for these designs will soon be available from Nel's website. The brown bag has a drwstring top and the patches have hand sewn blanket stitch around the edge of them. I think they look very pretty it makes the bag unusual.

There will be a slight hiatus in blogging by me as in the next few days I am going into hospital to have an operation on my legs. I have what's called Popliteal Arterial Entrapment which I had never heard of before I saw the consultant! Sometimes effects long distance runners but in my case obviously effects a long distance sew-er. Anyway I am unsure how long my stay will be (could be a week) and how long afterwards it will be before I get back to sewing and blogging. So keep warm (or cool for my Aussie readers) and send me news of your sewing projects. Better still upload them to the group flickr page. Then I can view them on my phone or ipad. I know people say you don't know what you've go til you lose it, well I know walking is important - let's face it everyone does. When I started with the pain in my muscles I kept thinking it wasn't serious, I even thought it was "my age" or that I just wasn't fit enough. It isn't a flashy condition that people can see and when I say don't walk so fast, or stop because my muscles hurt it sounds wimpy and "just like a girl" as my son said. For quite a while my GP was going down the road of thinking it was due to my statins so I had changes of brand and dosage without a change in my legs. My muscles weren't improving but I was getting embarrassed going back and saying to the doctor "my legs hurt". Anyway he sent my to a consultant who listened to what I was saying and sent me for some tests which resulted in the PAE diagnosis. I can't say I'm looking forward to surgery and recouperation but I am looking forward to being able to walk down the street without having to stop because of pain. Incidentally, the pain is "claudication", yes it even has a name :-) So it turns out I'm not a wimp after all.

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:29:00 +0000

Who can believe it's 2013 already? I hope you had a happy Christmas, although I know for some people it is the least favourite time of the year. If this is you then you'll be glad it's all over. I rather like Christmas but today I've started packing away all Christmas things and getting ready for the New Year. We had a quiet New Year's Eve, dinner with some friends and no resolutions. If something is worth doing then do it, if not don't bother. I've got some sewing projects on the go, but I'm also going to make my sister a bag like this one.

This is a bag for my own use and I really love it. I put two zips in the closure that meet in the middle at the top which is great for security and access. It's got feet on the bottom and really pretty faux leather handles in dark plum (almost black). The front, back and base are interlined with pellon ultra firm stabilizer but the side panels have got Thermolam interlining. This means that the bag is quite rigid but the sides are more flexible so that when I carry it the top comes together. I had to make the lining and then handstitch it along the seams to make sure it stayed in place.

I had to pack away my sewing machine in my trusty Horn cabinet over Christmas but it's made a come back so I'm ready to go. I'm resisting all the tempting offers from fabric stores (not easy) as I really must use some of my stash before buying anything else. I'm also going to have a bit of clear out of fabric and other sewing and bag making bits, so those will be going in my Etsy shop.

Jessie the Sewing Wonder Dog is a bit miffed about the weather. It's cold, it's grey, it's drizzly, but no snow. To compensate she is spending lots of time in her fleece "day" bed.

We got her a little flashing light that attaches to her collar so that she can be seen in murky half light when she's having her walk. She doesn't really like it and the first time she wore it she spent the whole walk trying to grab it with her mouth. Unfortunately (or fortunately for us) it is directly under her chin so her mouth won't go there!

If you haven't seen Pinterest yet, now is the time to check it out. Sadly I've lost days wondering around people's boards, oohing and aahing at the most beautiful creations, and laughing at the silly sayings people have pinned. It's easy to join and easy to name a board and start pinning. If you see a project or item you like you can pin it to your board and go back later for the details. I can't tell you how many things I've seen on the internet that I've wished I'd saved but didn't. Not big things, but little tips or short cuts that are handy to know. Once they've gone it's almost impossible to get back to the site you saw them on, mostly because I can't remember where that was. With Pinterest I just need to look on my boards and if I've pinned it, it will be there. You can also put in a key word into the search and up will come loads of related pictures. You can pin from anywhere on the web (not just Pinterest) onto your boards which is a great way of bookmarking a site. But as I say be prepared to lose time looking.

Last post before Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:50:00 +0000

This will be definitely my last post before Christmas. Thank you to everyone who signed up to the list of sewing bloggers on my Facebook page. A very useful list and I will make it tidy and put it on my blog for future reference. Also a big thank you to everyone who bothered to read my blog during the year. I know with so many blogs out there and with facebook, twitter and other sites it's hard to get around everything. It's nice to know that after I press that button and publish my post it gets read.

What are doing for Christmas? For me Christmas is a time to spend with family and this year won't be any different. I've made my plum pudding and bought the crackers, although I guess non-UK, non-Aussie and non-NZs won't know what I'm talking about. I'm going to do my big shop on Friday as my visitors start arriving the next day. Over the years I've made Christmas bunting, Christmas wall hangers and a Christmas mini quilt. They have all made an appearance again this year and remind me how durable fabric decorations can be. The same goes for my cloth and napkins for Christmas day. I hope you have a happy Christmas and I'll be posting again in the new year with more sewing news and bags to make.

A canny way to get some free PR for your blog or FB page

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 09:34:00 +0000

It's hard I know to get people to your blog. You work hard on making it look nice and you post regularly and sometimes you put up free tutorials and hold giveaways, but still it's difficult to build an audience. Now us crafty folk tend to stick together, so in that spirit I have started a list on my facebook page. If you have a sewing or bag making blog (or facebook page) why not pop over to my fb page and leave your details? That way we'll have a list of sewing bloggers all in one place. Just add a comment to the list. Here's the address.
Yesterday amid the snow and ice in Kent I caught the train up to London where I met my friend Sue. We then went to the Victoria and Albert Musuem to see the Hollywood Costume Exhibition. Photography isn't allowed in the exhibition, which was a shame, because the costumes were amazing. I've got a couple of pictures from the V and A website but they really don't do the exhibition justice.

For example they had the costumes of just about all the Queen Elizabeth's from Bette Davis onwards. Glenda Jackson, Cate Blanchet, Flora Robson, Judi Dench, and possibly others. They also had snippets of the films playing on a screen behind the costumes so you could see what they looked like on the actresses and on the screen.

In another gallery they had the costumes displayed with little screens above showing the face of the actor. Some of the faces were little film clips of them moving their head or smiling or something. Really brought the costumes to life. It was very hard to pick out a favourite so I'm not going to try. However some of the iconic costumes included: superman, gladiator, Mrs Thatcher (Meryl Streep), Charlie Chaplin's The Tramp, Dorothy's dress from the Wizard of OZ, and that white dress that catches the warm air from the subway that Marilyn Munro wore. It was interesting to read the notes that explained how the costumes are designed and chosen and how they effect the film and the characters. The exhibition is on until the end of January. What a great way to light up a dull winter's day.
While you're here I'll let you know I've re-stocked my Etsy shop. There are some great Christmas gifts!

Homestyle Sewing and tips for stallholders.

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:46:00 +0000

I was sent a lovely magazine called Homestyle Sewing. I got the Christmas edition which is full of really pretty things to make for your home, for gifts and for children as well as a free pack of felt decorations to make.

Apart from gorgeous bags there are tutes on velvety bears, fairy costume and pincushions amongst other things. The pictures are beautiful and the instructions clear and easy to follow. I love that this magazine concentrates on sewing projects for hand and machine and that the finished projects are something I would want to make. You can get more information about this magazine here and here

As I am preparing for my craft fair this weekend I thought I would mention some of the things I've found to be helpful when taking a stall. If you are selling bags try taking an adjustable clothes rail. This can sit next to (or even over one end of) your table and display quite a number of bags providing they have shoulder straps or arm handles. The advantage is that people can look and touch the bags but not take them away unless you get them off the rail. I always put a ticket on every with the price clearly visible, that way potential customers don't have to ask the price - some people seem reticent to do that! Make sure your web address is on the ticket too. Try to make your prices reasonable but don't undersell your goods. A good rule of thumb is the cost of making the item (fabric, wadding, handles, hardware etc) plus 25% for your time plus 10% for craft fair costs. Of course this doesn't really represent the true cost of the item (things like wear and tear on your machine, electricity, time spent in prepation for the fair, and so on) but usually it arrives at a saleable price. Better to sell what you make than take it home again! Think about how your stall will look and take a pretty table cover as well as any decoration or personal advertising you might want. I also take business cards with my details. I round my prices up to the pound to minimise having to give change. Take plenty of one and two pound coins as unbelievably people will give you £20 notes for quite small purchases. Check with the venue to see what they provide including the stall table, chair, heating, and parking. Take snacks and drinks, a money purse or holder that you can keep on you, pens, sticky tape, blue tack, paper and plastic or paper bags. If possible take an assistant so that you have time to walk around the venue yourself and also you'll have cover for nipping to the loo or going to get a drink etc. Observe craft fair ettiquette, don't poach space from someone else's stall, do "mind" another stall if asked, and do chat to other stall holders. If you've never had a craft stall why not give it a go? It's fun, it get's you known and you might make a small amount of profit. If you are a craft stall veteran please leave any of your tips in the comments.

A bit more sewing...

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:20:00 +0000

The weather has been pretty horrible - rainy and cold, which is perfect for sewing! I've made a few more bags for the fair which is approaching fast. I've also had a delivery of the most beautiful fabric from Nel Whatmore to make some samples in her new range for Freespirit. To my mind this is the best collection yet. The designs are lovely and the colours are simply stunning. Gorgeous corals and pinks with smudgey greens. I'll post pictures of the samples when they're made. I should say that her previous collections are lovely too and the Katherine's Wheel collection is featured in the current (Autumn 2012) newsletter from Cotton Patch.

For the fair

I advertised a giveaway in my last post. While I am sure the person who contacted me was genuine I have been unable to get in touch with her. I posted the giveaway in good faith but I am unsure whether she delivers to places other than the US. Under the circumstances I am going to withdraw the giveaway and I am very sorry to eveyone who entered. I hope you understand.

Getting ready for the fair

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 10:35:00 +0000

Thank you to my new followers. It's great to have you here. I've made a couple more things for the Fair and I'm also doing a few things for the Cirencester museum shop. I always find it hard to decide what to make as I can't be sure what any particular shopper would be looking for. It's funny because somethings I think will sell well seem to sit around for ages, and other things that I'm not at all confident about get snapped up. Last year I made a number of owl cushions at the suggestion of my daughter. These all went really quickly but if she hadn't suggested them I never would have thought to make them. Of course being one person sewing I can't hope to have a comprehensive selection of goods, so ultimately it's down to what I choose to make. How do you choose what stock to make? Have you got tried and true craft stall best sellers? I recently had an enquiry from a man in Romania about whether I will send things there. As I send everywhere I replied that it would be no problem. He than went about trying to order particular bags by lots of 80! I had to write to him to explain my situation. Here are my latest two makes: one pretty one practical (pretty too)

The green pleated bag I have made a number of times in different fabric. I've also made it as a big clutch. This time I put long straps on it so it can be worn over the shoulder. We'll see how it goes. The Ipad sleeve is padded and closes with velcro. As the fabric is a bit 'girly' I've probably halved my potential market already. I'll try to make at least one in plain fabric to appeal to the boys.

Keeping doors open

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 09:40:00 +0000

Don't you hate it when you've a door that won't stay open? One of those doors that slowly swing towards the doorway. In my house I have a few. Partly this is because when we moved in we took up some rather ugly green carpet and found beautiful, golden floorboards underneath. The floorboards stayed but the doors don't fit flush to the floor. There are a few ways to fix this and I went for the way that involved sewing. I made these doorstops.

One has cute owls peering and the other is a little house. They were both made from scraps and are filled with rice. (I used those bags of economy rice from the supermarket) I appliqued the fronts of the doorstops first and then made them like "basket style bags" at the bottom. Pushing the corners together and sewing across the corners to form a squared off edge. If you don't know what I'm talking about see below:

I then filled them to about 2/3rds full and folded the top under by about 2.5cms (1 inch), used a piece of grosgrain ribbon as a handle and stitched it into place when I topstitched the top closed. They are really easy to make and take no time at all. You can applique what you want on the front thereby keeping to a kid's room theme or colour co-ordinating with your sitting room or kitchen.
I'm trying to add to my stock in time for a couple of craft fairs that are coming up. I keep getting distracted by other things (like life) but I'm going to do some stock sewing today. I'm going to do the Stoneacre Fair which is one I did last year. Stoneacre is a National Trust House near Maidstone in Kent and is really beautiful. They open the house up so that people who come to the fair get to see parts of the house not normally on show. The grounds are lovely too so I hope it's a fine day.

As you can see from the flyer, it's on 1st and 2nd of December 12 - 4pm. I'd love to see you there!

Advent winner

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 08:45:00 +0000

Thank you to everyone who entered my Advent Calendar giveaway. I'm sorry there can be only one winner. However, congratulations go to Kay. If you can send me your real name and address I can get your prize in the post.

Advent Calendar Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:03:00 +0000

Sorry there's been a slight delay in posting. I was away last week in Provence. I had a lovely time with warm balmy weather. We drove taking the Channel Tunnel. Jessie was a really good girl as it is such a long drive in a day. It took us 11 hours with stops. On the way back we watched the temperature gauge on the dashboard go from 23 to 12 by the time we hit Calais. Jessie had a new passport photo taken. It's better than mine! I look like I've been made up by a mortician!!

Here's a timely giveaway. An advent calendar with enough time to make it before December. It's by Makower and has everything you need. The main calendar is the top panel, the pockets are below and the instructions are across the top. All you have to do (as usual) is leave a comment on this blog (with your email address so I can get back to you). Also mention this giveaway on line - blog, facebook, twitter etc. That's it. I will be announcing the winner on Wednesday 31st October so check back then to see if you've won. Please, please leave your comment on this blog regardless of where you make your mention. Here are photo's of the prize. Good luck.

Vibrant quilting

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:00:00 +0000

And now for something completely different...Quilting! Cotton Patch is one of the shops I buy fabric from as they have a fabulous range of cotton fabrics. On the top of their front page they have a picture of a quilt that I have long admired. It's mainly red and very bright.

It's quite a small picture and I've made it bigger here which is why it isn't in very sharp focus. Quilts are often colourful but sometimes the colours are muted or softer. This quilt seems to want to be heard. It is hard to see but I think some of the squares must be Kaffe Fassett just because they are so bright. Isn't it lovely? I thought I might have a go at making a quilt like this, not to actually copy it but to make a quilt in these colours. I had some lovely Kaffe Fassett pieces in shades of red already and some other toning cottons so I got busy last night and cut out a load of 6 inch squares.

But I am not making a quilt of just squares. I saw a technique on a website (which I now can't find again) that was both beautiful and simple. You sew the squares together 2 at a time right sides together by stitching right around the outside. Then you draw a cross so that the lines perfectly lie corner to corner. Then you make a small slit with an unpicker along one of the lines (just through the top layer) and then using the hole you cut along the lines of the cross. When this is opened out you have a square in the middle surrounded by four triangles. I don't know whether I have explained this very well but perhaps the picture will help.

I'm going to back the quilt with a red Kaffe Fassett design and bind it with a different one. I'm hoping when it's done it will be warm and cosy as well as bright and vibrant.
When we took Jessie for a walk on Sunday afternoon we revisited the orchards at Pluckley in Kent. The apples look lovely - plump and ready for picking. The pears have already been picked and we got a bagful of windfalls. I hadn't made pear chutney before but I made some yesterday using my apple chutney recipe and just substituting pears for apples. We've got a single jar of apple chutney left fom 2 years ago (I got a bit carried away in 2010) so when the pickers have been through I'll get some apples and make some apple chutney too. The pear chutney looks good and smells wonderful but it needs to rest for a month or so before I can tell about the taste. Fresh from cooking it always tastes vinegary. Our tomatoes were a disaster and there were loads of green ones left on the bushes so I also made green tomato pickle. I hope this tastes alright because I ran out of white vinegar and had to use red wine vinegar instead. Well back to sewing squares, I may be some time...

Quilter or Sewers Bag or Tote

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 08:54:00 +0000

When I was at the Sewing and Craft Show at Bluewater I bought some lovely half metre lengths of fabric that had sewing themed items on it. I thought I'd make a bag from the fabric (no surprise there) and here is the result. The fabric on the bottom is called "stash" and it's piles of colourful quilting cotton. The fabric higher up is covered with sewing and quilting items with some patchwork shapes cut out. The handles are cotton reels and the pockets inside are also cotton reels but the longer cobs of cotton. As this is a regular basket shape with handles in the top seam the bag can be turned out the other way if pockets on the outside are preferred or needed.

Outside

Inside

The bag is interfaced with Vilene Thermolam compressed fleece which gives it structure but is light and spongy. This will be going in my shop in due course and I hope a quilter buys it. I love to think of the bag filled with patchwork pieces and sewing stuff. I'm sure this is a case of the fabric deciding the use it is put to. Sometimes I buy fabric when I see it because it is lovely but it sits in my stash for ages (or is still there) because it doesn't seem to 'fit' when I am selecting fabric for a project. Othertimes I buy fabric because as soon as I see it I can imagine what project it will be used for. Does fabric 'speak' to you like that?

This lovely Amy Butler fabric combination was always going to be a big bag. When I finished it I felt satisfied that the fabric was just right.

I've got a top that I love wearing because it is so versatile and comfortable. It is in black and white jersey and I can wear it with black trousers and look dressy, or with jeans and look casual. It has gathering to one side which also makes it flattering. I've tried to get another like it, but of course there aren't any. (Do you find just when you find the perfect bra/panties/jeans etc they either 'improve' them or stop them altogether? I unashamedly buy my jeans from Marks and Spencer, the ones with a bit of lycra in them and being short I can get them in my perfect length. I used to be able to buy them on line because they were such a good fit. Anyway a few months ago they stopped doing the ones I used to get and bought out a 'new and improved' version. They don't fit anywhere near as well and I'll be wearing my old ones until they are no longer respectable. Heavens knows what I'll do then. Also, last Christmas they bought out a really pretty 'body' black with lace and slightly wider straps. It is perfect under any dress where I want a smooth look. I tried to buy another but couldn't get my size. I kept checking but it sold as soon as new stock came in. The lady in M & S said they didn't have my size because it was so popular. Anyway I recently checked again and they've stopped doing it! I can hardly believe it. But I degress.) I decided to make a similar top to my black and white one. I found a pattern that I quite like. It's Simplicity 1916.

I've marked the one I'm making with a red line. So far so good. Then I looked around for the fabric. I wanted to buy it from a shop rather than on line as I wanted to feel it and test the drape and stretch. Well I went to quite a few shops but I didn't really find what I was looking for. I settled on this fabric although in the picture the colour isn't quite right. It is black , cream and grey but the orangey colour is really a kind of burgundy red.

While it's 'quite' nice it's not exactly what I wanted. The quality is OK but I would have like a slightly heavier jersey. Oh well I'll see how it goes. If I like the pattern I can keep my eyes out for a different fabric when I'm in fabric shops in future.

Thoughts on interfacings

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Down) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:07:00 +0000

I have just fixed my header for this blog. I know it doesn't look much different, but my previous one was a bit blurry and I didn't know how to fix it. I went onto Etsy and came across Natasha at Mycutelobsterdesign She fixed it all for me and hey presto! a nice clear, sparkling banner. She was so efficient that I've asked her to fix the one for my shop as well.
Jessie the sewing wonder dog is quite poorly. She is currently at the vets with a drip in her arm trying to hydrate her. She's been there since yesterday and hopefully she'll be coming home tomorrow. I really miss her when she's not here.
I really love fabric (who doesn't?) but when using cotton for bags, purses or totes they really need support of one kind or another which is where interfacing comes in. Not very pretty in itself but invaluable in the job it does. For some items Vilene medium or firm iron on interfacing is fine but it doesn't offer much volume or stiffness. For soft volume I use Vilene Thermolam Fleece This gives consistently good results when you want volume without stiffness. It can be easy sewn on your machine and doesn't make the seams too bulky. For a firmer, crisper result I use Vilene Extra Heavy Firm Sew In interfacing. For when you want your bag or purse to hold it's own shape this is a must. I've used other interfacing as well and I like the Freudenberg Decovil Fusible. This is quite a heavy weight interfacing but still allows some movement in the fabric. For kiss lock frames I use medium or firm sew in interfacing which still allows for the room you need for glue channel in the frame. If its quite a big frame with a wider channel then a bulkier interfacing is a good choice. Of course there's also Timtex which is even heavier than Vilene extra heavy firm. This provides a really robust interfacing and is great for things like overnight bags or weekenders. For bags that need a rigid base I use Plastic Grid (also called Plastic canvas). This does a great job without adding weight to the bag. It is also ideal when using metal purse feet. But when I look on sites that sell interfacing I am often faced with interfacing I haven't heard of before and have certainly never used. It's often hard to tell from looking at a picture or from reading the description what the interfacing will be like. So I fall back on the one's I know and love. I thought it would make a good topic for my blog as hopefuly people may reply about the interfacing they use. What is it called, what does it do, did you like it and where did you get it? A few replies to these basic questions and we'd have a list of recommendations for interfacing based on use and personal preference. If there's any that people especially loved I could look at stocking it in my shop which would be handy! Let me know what you think.