sew make believe

Tie by Pauly

Zoë — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:30:30 +0000

You may remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that my husband was going to try making himself a tie. Well, he did it!

I am very impressed with the finish he has achieved and I love the label he added to the back. He made the label using fabric tape and alphabet stamps he bought in Berylune.

Paul decided he wanted to be able to make a tie from a fat quarter and this wasn’t quite big enough for the pattern so he altered the pattern to make it fit on the fabric he had. This took a lot more time and patience than I would have had, but it was worth it as the finished tie has worked really well.

Despite the pattern warning that it might not produce a tie that can be tied in a double Windsor knot Paul was able to do this easily and his finished tie is no thicker than a shop bought one. The pattern for the tie was from Georgia Leigh if you want to try making one.

Top Tip Tuesday: Pincushion Ring

Zoë — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:30:46 +0000

Make this simple pincushion ring by following the tutorial from I always pick the thimble and never leave pins all over the place again!

Image from I always pick the thimble

Patchwork Demonstration

Zoë — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:30:18 +0000

This week our meeting was a slightly different to things we have done before. Instead of a workshop teaching a skill we had a demonstration of how to use rotary cutters to cut out patchwork pieces and show how useful they are.

We also had lots of books and magazines along with examples of quilts and patchwork to provide inspiration, from the comments on the night I think it worked!

There are lots of resources online to help you get started. Here are a few of my favourite sources of inspiration to start you off, they are all fabric designers that make patchwork and quilts.

Amy Butler

Anna Maria Horner

Lucie Summers

Some people were asking about binding quilts, here is the tutorial that Kate and I use from Heather Bailey.

If you have been inspired to start a patchwork project after our demonstration and you need any help please ask at a sit ‘n’ sew meeting and we will try our best to help you.

Top Tip Tuesday: Constellation Embroidery

Zoë — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:30:30 +0000

This table runner with a constellation embroidery design on it looks great. You could also take this idea and make a smaller version as a birthday card or mounted in an embroidery hoop. You can get a full tutorial, including the template for the design, from Design Sponge.

Image from Design Sponge

Inspiration: Portable Craft Projects

Zoë — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:30:54 +0000

I like to take a craft project with me if I am going away for a few days, or even for a day trip. It can be hard to find ways of transporting your project so here are a few ideas.

Firstly from Gingerbread Snowflake here is a very well thought out traveling box for hexagon patchwork. I have my own way of carrying mine around, but not quite as good at this.

Image from Gingerbread Snowflake

Knitting and crochet can be quite easy to carry around, especially if it is always kept in a bag ready to pick up as you are running out the door! I am usually in the middle of a crochet blanket project which can get a little too big to take out. Making individual granny squares is a good compromise, you can then make them into a blanket when you are back home. On long car journeys (when I am not driving!) I have been able to make really good progress with granny squares.

This organised crafting kit idea from Urban Craft Collective means you would always have the means to knit or crochet wherever you were. Have a look at their website for more on-the-go craft ideas, their aim is to get people crafting in public.

Image from Urban Craft Collective

If you have your own tips for portable craft projects please share them with us.

Inspiration: Washi Tape Flowers

Zoë — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:30:07 +0000

These washi tape flowers from 30 Minute Crafts look really pretty, and making lots would be a good excuse to buy more washi tape! If you are in the Leamington Spa area and looking for washi tape Berylune stock a good range of colours and patterns.

Image from 30 Minute Crafts

Zoë: Knitting Bag

Zoë — Wed, 08 May 2013 09:30:18 +0000

I recently made a knitting bag from some vintage Paddington Bear sheets as a birthday present for my husband, Paul. Paul does lots of knitting, but didn’t have a proper bag to carry his projects in. He also loves Paddington Bear.

The bag is fully lined with some plain blue fabric and has some nice brown handles.

The bag was all stitched by machine except for stitching the outer fabric to the lining to hold the handles in, this was done by hand which gives it a very neat finish.

Top Tip Tuesday: Upcycle Your Shoes

Zoë — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:30:46 +0000

This is a great tip to give new life to an old pair of shoes. Follow the tutorial here on Academically Editorial.

Image from Academically Editorial

Save the Children Spring Craft Fair

Zoë — Mon, 06 May 2013 09:30:12 +0000

Save the Children are holding a Spring craft fair at Leamington Spa Town Hall on Saturday 11th May. You will be able to buy a range of gifts and crafts. There will also be a tombola, cake stall, plant stall and Save The Children will have their own stand selling cards, crafts and gifts. The Spring Fair is open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free.

Book Club: The Book Thief

Zoë — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:30:10 +0000

Our meeting this week was a book club session and we were talking about The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

We had an interesting discussion about the book and books in general, we didn’t necessary stick to The Book Thief, but it was a very enjoyable evening. I think we all managed quite a bit of crafting as well.

After much discussion we have decided that out next book will be Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. We will be discussing this in about two months, the date will be confirmed shortly.