Lane Raglan

I've been wanting to make a raglan top for well an age so as soon as I saw Hey June's Lane Raglan I had to make me one or a few. I just love the colour of my first one. 

I made the largest size for a bit of wiggle room and because I so worry making things too small on everything I make. 

Interesting pose, definitely needs some work loving my new wardrobe put it together mostly all by myself. Anyway back to the raglan. 

I'd had my eye on some birch deer knit fabric and grabed me some at Christmas time. I really want to make contrast sleeves so after lots of faffing I found why I was after and here you go. 

Check out what looks like a face photobombing the bottom. 

Here's the in the wardrobe photo 

I love it. It is now my favourite go to top of the moment. 

Happy sewing

Claire x

Pattern Lane Raglan 

Fabric birch

Swaps and swaps

Well it's been a long time since I found the time and actually wanted to post something so here I am. 

I still have a lot to learn about how to get my blog do what I want it to and need to sit down and take the time. It was nice just now looking over my past posts I had forgotten all about making my maritime shorts over the summer, it is hard to think about the summer at the moment being in the depths of winter. However today is looking sunny and feeling a bit spring like. 

In my little sewing world I have being enjoying my making and recently thanks to Instagram I have discovered the world of Swaps. 

My first swap I got involved in was the #igminiquiltswap run by @curlyboy. 

I was excited about being involved but kind of overwhelmed as well. 

I recieved the most amazing mini from Kathryn @kathryn_a_j which came all the way from Australia no less it really is beautiful.

The quilting is just gorgeous and and fabric I just love. 

Here is my creation 

Spot the photo bomb from Yoda. 

I can't believe I cannot find I finished picture of the mini, must have a good search I'm sure I have one.

The Fabric is Daydream by Kate Spain

Pattern Ziggurat Mini by Nightingale quilts 

I really enjoyed being part of the swap, speaking to other people and challenging myself as a new quilter. 

Claire x

 

  

Divided Basket -Noodlehead

I am really getting into making Noodlehead patterns. 

My first was a sidekick tote 

 Which has been my summer handbag. I'm loving the inside too 

 

Since I've bought a few patterns and just been waiting for the chance to make more. 

When I was on holiday I saw the Instagram sewalong for Divided Basket pattern being run by good starter and she quilts a lot. I've had a the divided basket pattern a couple of weeks and when I saw the sew along I knew I had to have a go as soon as I got back home. 

I knew I had the perfect material 

The Enormous Crocodile is a favourite in our house. And little one is alwas needed places to but his treasures, so a project for Tate it was. 

The pattern is really straightforward as are all Noodlehead patterns, but clever. It's a great way of making a divider. It took me an evening to cut out the material- rough night with our youngest meant we were up and down!  I didn't have any fusible fleece so I used batting and spray basted it. 

I tried a bit of pattern placing with the crocodile and think it worked out okay. 

 Will I be making any more, you bet I will. I've put it on the sewalong- to be judged by Anna herself, just hope it's a bit worthy. I know one little guy who loves it 

Happy making 

Claire x

Grainline's Maritime Shorts - Summer is here!

Well yes summer is here, we have had some great weather and not so great weather. 

A bit of camping has been happening with a bit of rain in The Lakes. 

But also a bit of sewing. 

I've had a few Grainline patterns in the pipeline and finally put together my maritime shorts which I cut out a couple of weeks ago. I've seen so many well made pairs out there I needed to have a go. Just google and you'll see. 

 

Well they went together really well. It help that this was not my first grainline Zip fly. I have already made a moss skirt which I love 

Very comfy and fits so well. 

Anyway back to the shorts. I followed Jen's tutorial online as well as the pattern which made everything quite straightforward and it all came together well and quickly. I benefited from the extra photos. 

Really losing patience withy head shots. - something to work on. 

I used a mid weight stretchy cotton which allows for heavy lunches. 

I like to use bright zips on my clothes so out came a red zip which I love. 

And to continue my red theme here are my daisy pockets. 

For once I'm also quite happy with the inside so here's another picture 

 I'm kind of getting to grips with my overlocker although still a lot to learn.  I did forget a lonely pin in some fabric the other week after the bang I certainly won't forget again. 

So my final thoughts, the instructions are good and this pattern goes together quickly. I did have a made pair of shorts beside me as I was putting it together a I did get the wrong idea when sewing up some seams. Which is more down to me and my inexperience with sewing garments. I think this is a lovely classic pattern which produces a professional pair of shorts which I will be making  again. Finally picture at the zoo 

Me Made May 2014

Hello May

Well it seems like ages since I was last here although it feels like not a lot has happened. We've had quite a sickness and busyness at work which has put being here on hold. 

I have been sewing to keep myself sane. Anyway have you heard about Me Made May? Well it's a month of wear your own handmade or upcycled clothes. I've pledged to try and do so 4 times a week. I'm going to be looking for gaps in my wardrobe to try and fill over the next month or get on the list. It's much better explained over at So,Zo...what do you know? by Zoe.

So this was me on Thursday

In my  first ever made made dress a Anna Maria Horner -Socialite. Big lesson learnt from this one. Always prewash your fabric!!

Yesterday I was in my first knit dress My casual lady from go to patterns. Really near to move a mirror into a better place!! Not sure asking the hubby first thing to take my picture would go down well.

And I've got a pattern all cut out and ready to go a Grainline Studio Moss Skirt. 

Now I need some Bank Holiday sewing time.
I'm going to Instagram all my outfits and have a catch up on the blog

Have a great Bank Holiday

Claire x

Pin cushion Caddie - or tidying up my stuff!!

While I was playing about on Instagram I found a lovely picture of a Pin cushion Caddie made by the lovely Vividfelicity you can find a few beautifully made ones on her stream. 

The pattern comes from Anna Maria Horner's book Seams to Me but I needed to make one then and without leaving the house, it was raining and I needed a make to cheer me up. After much searching I found a different but downloadable pattern and fab tutorial from Sewing by Moonlight  and set to work. 

Half made and being a bit of a fiddle. 

The tutorial was great and straightforward to follow however I would make a few changes on my next one, and there will be a few I think. Firstly I decided to fill mine with toy stuffing and would do a bit as I go along as trying to get it all round though one hole was a heck of a struggle. 

Also I found trying to sew the base on while making sure I caught the other pieces of material to stop the stuffing escaping I challenge too so I did it in two parts. I'm really pleased with the results a great way of showing off your favourite scraps of fabric and a useful place to keep your bits while on a project. 

Thanks to sewing by moonlight for the tutorial. 

Happy making 

Claire xx

First dress of 2014- A Colette Peony

Well sewing for myself this year is going well I've managed a couple of makes which I've finished this week including my first Colette Peony dress. 

I've had both the pattern, bought from Backstitch and the fabric from Exeter stitch sew and hobbycraft show at westpoint for an age. 

So a couple of weeks ago I preped my fabric measured myself-properly and off I went. I'm a pretty impatient sewer which I suppose comes from grabbing sewing time. My sewing space has to be in the middle of the house or I would never see it. Anyway I did make a muslin of the bodice and I'm glad I did as I could make all my mistakes on it. 

It was rough and ready but did help me speed up on the real dress. 

So a couple of week later it was ready for a date night with my husband. 

I do love the fit and am surprised that everything is in the right places. I did find the sleeves a bit tricky and just had to go with it. I found the pattern really easy to follow and along with a few videos from the Colette blog and website I was able to complete it with minimal problems. 

It was my first consealed zip that I fitted. I did buy a consealed zip foot for my janome which made it so much easier (picked up on amazon for about £5- great service from seller) I did follow the Colette video tutorial which was straightforward. 

Loving my new dress and I'm really pleased with the results I can see a few more over the next year. Just a couple more shots. 

And finally on what was the sunniest day so far 

Back to looking after poorly boy currently sat on my knee half asleep poor sweetie. 

Claire xx