New projects
I do my best to look on the bright side, especially when it comes to the British weather. So the recent monsoon season has been an excellent excuse to get on with some much-ignored projects.
After acquiring a bunch of white zips, I decided to make use of them. While I was learning to sew, I picked up on a feeling of fear towards zips within the sewing community. But I love a challenge and, despite not owning a zipper foot - an add-on for the machine which apparently makes sewing on zips a lot easier - I picked out two projects for the day: a tote bag and a matching purse.
Using tutorials from Bored and Crafty I made these beauties:
Inspired, I made these too:
I also decided to have a go at a different phone case project. As you'll see in my previous posts, I have made several quilted phone holders. The quilt effect looks great, but it's incredibly time-consuming and kind of hides the fabric!
I found this great tutorial, and got to work.
It's not perfect - I'm terrible at stitching in a straight line. (I think I'm better off sticking to projects that involve hidden seams!)
The flap is also too short, so if I wanted to add a button I would have to put an elastic loop on the flap, instead of a button hole. But it's a start, and I'm definitely going to make some more.
Lastly, I've been attempting to bake madeleines. I recently bought the Little Paris Kitchen cookbook, and couldn't wait to make Rachel Khoo's raspberry and lemon curd madeleines. I bought a madeleine tin, and followed the instructions to the letter. Unfortunately - as is often the case when I follow recipes - they came out wrong. I've taken a picture, but I've cleverly left them out-of-focus as they're too shocking to properly show. I think I either used too much butter in the mix, or when greasing the pan. They didn't taste terrible, but it was more like eating fried dough. Nevermind, I'll try again. To compensate, I whipped up a few cupcakes and used the remaining raspberries for decoration. Delicious! There's just something absolutely mouth-watering about red raspberries and a bit of white icing.
After acquiring a bunch of white zips, I decided to make use of them. While I was learning to sew, I picked up on a feeling of fear towards zips within the sewing community. But I love a challenge and, despite not owning a zipper foot - an add-on for the machine which apparently makes sewing on zips a lot easier - I picked out two projects for the day: a tote bag and a matching purse.
Using tutorials from Bored and Crafty I made these beauties:
Inspired, I made these too:
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| This is 15 inches wide, FYI |
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| 5 inches wide |
I also decided to have a go at a different phone case project. As you'll see in my previous posts, I have made several quilted phone holders. The quilt effect looks great, but it's incredibly time-consuming and kind of hides the fabric!
I found this great tutorial, and got to work.
It's not perfect - I'm terrible at stitching in a straight line. (I think I'm better off sticking to projects that involve hidden seams!)
The flap is also too short, so if I wanted to add a button I would have to put an elastic loop on the flap, instead of a button hole. But it's a start, and I'm definitely going to make some more.
Summer Events
For me, one of the biggest highlights of 2011 was the Royal Wedding. I love the excitement, the colourful features that fill the newspapers before and after with glorious photos of fashion, people and parties, and it's a great excuse to get together with family and friends.
This year there are even more opportunities to celebrate.
In the last two weeks alone we've seen the Olympic torch carried across the country, and the Queen's four-day Diamond Jubilee extravaganza.
I celebrated the Jubilee with a day at Chepstow racecourse. Bagged myself 30-odd quid too, thanks Your Maj!
Also, I got up super early to watch the Olympic torch be carried over the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It was rumored that a well-known Bristolian would be there, but he didn't show.
See below for a few photos of my adventures. Now, I'm off to an Edinburgh Fringe comedy preview, hosted at the Wardrobe Theatre. It's a tiny (30 person capacity) venue at the White Bear pub, on St Michaels Hill. Compared by Mark Olver (who warms up the crowd at Bristol institute Deal or No Deal), it's going to be fantastic weekend. I've got a few other tickets booked too for Big Green Week, so watch this space for a detailed post... x
Also, I got up super early to watch the Olympic torch be carried over the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It was rumored that a well-known Bristolian would be there, but he didn't show.
See below for a few photos of my adventures. Now, I'm off to an Edinburgh Fringe comedy preview, hosted at the Wardrobe Theatre. It's a tiny (30 person capacity) venue at the White Bear pub, on St Michaels Hill. Compared by Mark Olver (who warms up the crowd at Bristol institute Deal or No Deal), it's going to be fantastic weekend. I've got a few other tickets booked too for Big Green Week, so watch this space for a detailed post... x
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| I got up a 5am to take this photo. Not. Worth. It. |
It's been a month since my last post, but real life got in the way a bit. I've been moving house, and aso travelling back to my hometown for one birthday party or another.
Last weekend I finally moved into my new house, and it already feels like home. One of the best things about moving is the sewing opportunities it creates.
I've already made my first set of bunting, a new tote bag and I'm planning to make some curtains and pillows over the next few weeks. I've got a selection of fabrics that I want to use up, so I've been thinking about going back to some old projects and improving on them.
Anyway, here's what I've been up to recently...
Last weekend I finally moved into my new house, and it already feels like home. One of the best things about moving is the sewing opportunities it creates.
I've already made my first set of bunting, a new tote bag and I'm planning to make some curtains and pillows over the next few weeks. I've got a selection of fabrics that I want to use up, so I've been thinking about going back to some old projects and improving on them.
Anyway, here's what I've been up to recently...
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| My local pub, and probably Britain's poshest swimming pool |
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| Elizabethan and Georgian features |
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| The Red Lodge - free musuem |
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| Bristol Harbourside market |
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| Harbourside |
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| Harbourside |
The day is finally here. It's happened. I've finished my quilt.
It's been a long road, but after about 30 hours (yes, I'm slow!) of work - I have produced my first patchwork quilt. I wish I liked it.
In practice, it was a nice design. Hues of pinks and purples, contrasted with soft yellows. It should have been perfect, but it's just not me.
We were told not to use too many different patterns, but for me, that's what makes a patchwork quilt. It is the combination of fabrics that evoke memories, colours and shades that mean something and even offcuts from old clothes that make a patchwork quilt.
It's supposed to be chaotic. It's supposed to be "me."
I loved making this quilt, and the skills I've learned are crucial. It's just, now, I have to make another one - and it's going to be four times the size.
I really enjoyed the course at Cordial and Grace, but I spent more time working on the quilt at home than at the workshop. I think it would make more sense to teach all of the techniques and practices in one, or two, sessions rather than three. Otherwise you're paying to sit in silence for three hours while everyone is sewing squares together - and learning very little.
A friend of mine is getting married in September, and moving into a new home, so I'd love to get good enough to make her a quilted nautical-themed throw for her house by the sea. I better get started...
Also this week I made my first quilted phone cover. Since I learned to sew, and in fact before, it's always been my goal to make something practical - and beautiful.
So, using some gorgeous material sent to me from my grandma, I have created this for my iPhone. It's a little rough around the edges, but it's not bad for my first try. And it only took four hours ha ha! I don't know how anyone makes money from crafting - it would take me a week to fulfill a customer order.
The best thing about this phone case is knowing that I made every stitch - and it gives me something to boast about too. I'm going to make more of these this weekend for all my gadgets, and then I'm going to start making them as presents.
With the right fabric, it can be the most thoughtful gift.
Lastly, I've been baking again. This is for our 'Cake Friday' at work. It's a simple sponge, with homemade strawberry jam and buttercream icing to fill.
It's been a long road, but after about 30 hours (yes, I'm slow!) of work - I have produced my first patchwork quilt. I wish I liked it.
In practice, it was a nice design. Hues of pinks and purples, contrasted with soft yellows. It should have been perfect, but it's just not me.We were told not to use too many different patterns, but for me, that's what makes a patchwork quilt. It is the combination of fabrics that evoke memories, colours and shades that mean something and even offcuts from old clothes that make a patchwork quilt.
It's supposed to be chaotic. It's supposed to be "me."
I loved making this quilt, and the skills I've learned are crucial. It's just, now, I have to make another one - and it's going to be four times the size.I really enjoyed the course at Cordial and Grace, but I spent more time working on the quilt at home than at the workshop. I think it would make more sense to teach all of the techniques and practices in one, or two, sessions rather than three. Otherwise you're paying to sit in silence for three hours while everyone is sewing squares together - and learning very little.
A friend of mine is getting married in September, and moving into a new home, so I'd love to get good enough to make her a quilted nautical-themed throw for her house by the sea. I better get started...
So, using some gorgeous material sent to me from my grandma, I have created this for my iPhone. It's a little rough around the edges, but it's not bad for my first try. And it only took four hours ha ha! I don't know how anyone makes money from crafting - it would take me a week to fulfill a customer order.
The best thing about this phone case is knowing that I made every stitch - and it gives me something to boast about too. I'm going to make more of these this weekend for all my gadgets, and then I'm going to start making them as presents.
With the right fabric, it can be the most thoughtful gift.
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