sewing – CraftyGuider

My battle with an Elsa dress

Do you ever find that there is something that is stopping you doing something? I don’t mean something physical like a broken arm or your sewing machine being away for a service for a few days. I mean something in your head that is usually completely trivial. A mental blockage.Like lots of people, I’ve been enjoying the Great British Sewing Bee on TV and getting inspired to sew. I have lots of dress patterns that I want to try, and some of them have gone as far as being packed in project bags with fabric and all the notions to complete them.However, I am being thwarted by an Elsa dress. Eldest Craftyguidelet wanted an Elsa dress last year, and we couldn’t get one. Now they are everywhere, but I have all the fabric cut out to make her one. Youngest Craftyguidelet has hers made already as she went to a Frozen party last year, but eldest is still waiting. No deadline so no dress.I have the fabric and pattern. It’s all cut out ready and sitting in my craft room. I’ve already made one so I know what I’m doing. I’ve even got the basics sorted for my overlocker. I’m just not making the dress.

This procrastination over the dress is stopping me making other things. It’s fixed in my brain that I have to finish this dress for my little girl before I can start on something else. All sorts of thoughts are going round my head about prioritising something for my girls over all the other stuff for me, about getting it completed and ticked off the WIP list. It is totally illogical and is annoying me and I’ve only got myself to blame.

So readers, I’m going for it. This Elsa dress won’t beat me. And then I have some Liberty fabric waiting to be made into a blouse…

Review – Cath Kidston Sewing Book

Father Christmas was very generous this year and got me the latest Cath Kidston Sewing Book. I have other Cath Kidston books in the bookcase already, and this one is a similar format. The book comes with a kit using Cath Kidston fabric, and a variety of projects with patterns to photocopy at the back.There are more than 30 simple patterns in the book for a wide range of projects, together with basic techniques explained at the beginning. I started with the kit supplied with the book which was for a pocket sewing kit.The fabric was pre-cut so I didn’t need the pattern which I photocopied from the back. However the fabric was cut incorrectly. As the very lovely bird fabric is directional, the outside panel needed to be cut a certain way so that the bottom pocket was the right way up. This is clearly explained in the instructions, however the manufacturer obviously didn’t read them! It meant that there was a curved edge where there should’ve been a straight edge, and so there was a gap at the edges.I did find some of the instructions a bit vague, but the finished product is nice. It has one zipped pocket, one open pocket and one buttoned pocket. The instructions tell you how to make buttonhole loops but I put in machined buttonholes for speed. The book seems aimed at beginners, but I found I needed some experience to make sense of some of the stages.

What crafty presents did Father Christmas bring you?

Disclaimer: I own this book and I haven’t been asked to review it, or been paid to review it. All opinions are my own, and I have added some links to the normal Amazon site where I bought my copy. They are not affiliate links and I don’t get any money if you click on them.

Dog Under My Desk – Zip and Go Bag

The VATMOSS fiasco has now come into EU law, and although the UK government has offered some concessions, many producers of digital patterns have simply stopped supplying them.

I had a mini spend up just before the 1st January deadline and picked up a few patterns which I’ll use during the next few months. However one supplier that I’ve used in the past is still supplying downloadable PDF’s at time of writing. Dog Under My Desk designs fabulous, practical bags. Her site is full of free tutorials as well as her PDF pattern shop.When you buy a pattern, you get a PDF to download giving very detailed, illustrated instructions, plus the pattern pieces. I’ve had the Zip and Go Bag pattern for some time now, and I made a Frozen themed bag for youngest Craftyguidelet as well as a more grown up version for a friend’s daughter. Of course, eldest Craftyguidelet wanted a Frozen bag too, so I finally got round to knocking it off of my WIP list.The pattern is very easy to follow, and don’t be scared of the zips. They are a cinch to put in. I do end up talking to myself to triple check which order the pieces go together though. Read three times, measure twice, cut once!

The fabric needs to be cut in a certain way along the grain so it doesn’t stretch which is all dealt with in the instructions. I’m a bit stingy with fabric so I didn’t fussy cut the bag to give a perfect Elsa orientation in the centre of the bag. I knew the girls wouldn’t mind as long as someone’s face appears somewhere. Perhaps next time I’ll get to make one for me, although I don’t think pink is my colour.

Have you got a long list of things to get made this year?

Knitting and Stitching Show 2014

It’s that time again. My annual pilgrimage to Alexandra Palace for the Knitting and Stitching Show. This year I had to go on the Saturday so I could get someone to look after the Craftyguidelets and it was absolutely HEAVING! I’m glad I decided to do most of my shopping on the first trip round, especially the fabric, as I could hardly move later on.The blue fabric is gorgeous Liberty Tana Lawn and will become a blouse, and the other two are the softest knitted fabrics from Eternal Maker and will become pyjamas for the Craftyguidelets. They sent me on a mission to get some fabric for their Elsa dresses but no one was selling any. The nearest I found was a stand that had scraps of turquoise shiny scraps. When I asked if they did bolts of the fabrics as I was making Elsa dresses, the owner looked at me in a puzzled way. I clarified “Elsa, from the Disney film, Frozen”. Complete blank look. I’ve found the only person who has never heard of the film!These ribbons are from Crafty Ribbons. I have some card designs in mind for the tape measure ribbons, and the others made up the multi buy offer. “If I knit fast enough, does it count as aerobic exercise” and “Behind every knitter is a huge pile of wool” are two of the great quotes on the knitting one, and “Chocolate: here today, gone today” and “Chocolate…NOT just for breakfast” are on the chocolate one.This is my beading stash. The turquoise and white beads with the spacers are going to make the Craftyguidelets some Elsa jewellery with some snowflake charms I got before (spot the Craftyguidelet theme here!) The others are kits from Spellbound Bead Company. The Christmas tree earrings are a bit of fun for decorations day at school later in the year, the necklace looks stunning and the 3D stars will look great on my Christmas tree.I blame this purchase on @Meanyjar. She taught me crochet back in January and look at these gorgeous colours! OK, I didn’t need much leading astray. The colour selection was made by Attic 24 with Stylecraft for a crochet along later this month. There were another 3 colour palettes but this was my favourite. If the crochet along is too complex for my newbie skills, there are other patterns I can follow on Lucy’s blog. My vision is of me crocheting a beautiful blanket over the colder months in front of the fire. The truth may be lots of YouTube videos and frantic calls to Meanyjar for help!I also did a workshop while I was there. This is my start on a foundation pieced landscaped coaster, and this is the finished version I am aiming for by the tutor Sally Holman.It was great to learn a new technique, and it was nice to have a sit down for an hour without lugging heavy bags around.This knitted pergola was in the entrance hall. The details were stunning.The birds are my favourites, especially the blue tit with the peanuts and the budgies!And this view has been in my top 3 for many years. It used to be on my way home from my Saturday job working for my mum and dad in their bakery, and any excuse to divert to look at this view is worth it.

Dear September

Where did our time go September? 30 days and it was all over!

You gave me glorious weather (mostly!) and lots of time in the garden appreciating the wonderful flowers still blooming their socks off. Considering that from February to April it looked like a muddy mess, now it’s landscaped and lovely.

My little Leprechaun turned Imp now has her Brownie Gardener badge for the hard work she put in sowing seeds, thinning out, weeding, watering and finally clearing away. Hopefully she’ll help again next Spring, and her grandparents want to hire her for her skills with a seed packet.

I achieved things, September. This pretty dress for Rainbow Craftyguidelet, some cards, some bunting, and even a tutorial for the book bags I made for the Craftyguidelets’ music lessons. Sales have been picking up with Craftyguider following a bit of promo work, and the big push to Christmas starts now. The Christmas shop is now open. I just need to fill it up a bit more!My Guiding life has started again. Guides and Rainbows are back, and once again I am juggling admin, trying to get as many girls as possible off the waiting lists and into units where they can join the fun, and trying to encourage more volunteers to come forward and help this to happen.I have also started Trefoil Guild which is like the WI for Guiding types. It was so lovely just going to a meeting for grown ups, not being asked to do anything, not being responsible for anything, not feeling guilty for not doing more. I just enjoyed the talk on the fabulous work of Guide Dogs and the puppy walkers. Finally something just for me to enjoy!WI planning has started again for our Handmade Christmas Craft Fair on 16th November. I need to get a shifty on for my stall!

But then just like that it was over September. 30 days of full on busyness and then phwoomp! October happened.

Autumn is here and I’ll be joining in with Miss Beatrix’s #BashSAD challenge to banish the blues of the shorter days. I’m also attempting to complete a whole month of the Fat Mum Slim #fmsphotoaday challenge on Instagram. My house is finally gaining some order after a summer of neglect, the kids are settled at school. Let’s do this October!

What was that? Half term at the end of the month? *sticks fingers in ears and pretends not to hear*

What are you up to this month?

Simplicity 2828 – WIP Finish

2 years ago (or was it 3?) when Craftyguider was still starting up, I made a duffel bag for eldest Craftyguidelet’s PE kit at school. One of the mums at school saw it and asked if I could make one for her daughter. She wanted something in a dark fabric that would be quite hard wearing, so off I popped to the local habby and found this.
I love this navy corduroy with the embroidered flowers on it. I bought some for the bag and got a bit extra to make a dress for youngest Craftyguidelet.
I was taken by Simplicity 2828. I don’t think I’ll be making the fluffy hat somehow, but the pinafore was spot on. The Project Runway patterns enable you to pick different design elements to personalise your own creation. I didn’t want any of the ruffles or bows so I just did the basic square neckline dress. Earlier this year I got on and cut out all the pieces for an age 5 girl so that youngest Craftyguidelet could grow into it. She is now 5 and a half and tall for her age so perhaps she won’t have that long in it. My fault for stalling all this time! Note to self: don’t trace patterns or cut fabric until you are ready to make the whole dress!
Et voila! I love how it has turned out, and luckily little Craftyguidelet loves it too. It even goes over her plaster cast at the moment which is a big plus.
She was so pleased with it that she brought me a mini curlywurly from the chocolate drawer. What? You don’t have a chocolate drawer in your house? You are missing out!

So about 3 years after I planned to start the dress, it is now finished. Have you got any long term WIPs in your basket?

Book Bag Tutorial

The Craftyguidelets are very lucky to go to a school where they can have piano lessons during the school day. Eldest started last year, and youngest has her first lesson today.

During the summer holidays, eldest Craftyguidelet reminded me that I had promised to make her a bag to put her piano books in last year. This prompted youngest Craftyguidelet to ask for one too. As we were standing in the fabric department in John Lewis, I was cornered. I am naturally weak when it comes to resisting the purchase of fabric anyway, so I bought some lightweight black denim for the main body of the book bags. Eldest Craftyguidelet chose the nice Tim Holtz music fabric, and youngest Craftyguidelet chose the owls.

I was going to make book bags with a velcro fastening flap like their normal school book bags, but instead we compromised on a simple tote bag style (these bags were made the night before their lessons so I was going for the easy option!). My finished bag measures 41cm long x 30cm tall (excluding handles) so check the dimension of your books and adjust accordingly before putting scissors to fabric.

To make a bag you need:

* 1 piece of fabric 42cm x 46cm cut from main fabric
* 2 pieces of fabric 16cm x 46cm cut from accent fabric
* 2 pieces of webbing 45cm long

I’ve used a 1cm seam allowance unless stated otherwise.

1. With right sides together, attach one piece of the accent fabric to each end of the main fabric, matching the 46cm sides. If your fabric design has a top and bottom, ensure the bottom of the pattern is next to your seam line or your owls will be standing on their heads!Neaten edges and press the seams flat.

2. Prepare the hem for the top and bottom edges by ironing a small fold and then a larger fold to make an enclosed hem. I used 1cm and then 3cm.

3. Position the handle 14cm from each edge under the fold you have just ironed. Fold the hem back over the handle and stitch the hem closed close to the edge.

4. Fold the handles up and sew in a cross pattern to secure. Repeat for the other handle.OCD and perfectionist crafters look away now.It was late at night when I did this so my cross isn’t sewn to my usual high standards!

5. Fold the fabric wrong sides together (yes, wrong sides!), matching the hems. Stitch the side seams. Trim the seam allowances slightly.

6. Turn inside out and stitch again to make a French seam, making sure you enclose the raw edges fully.

7. Turn right side out and press.8. Marvel at the lovely bag you have just made in hardly any time at all!

You can use my tutorial to make bags for your own personal use only. Please do not reproduce the tutorial in any way without permission.

Dear August…

Oh August. Our relationship started so well. You gave me time to start blogging again, I started creating, I got things done.
My nephew came to stay and then later on there was the celebration of his Christening.
Husband’s birthday came and went, and the Craftyguidelets’ vision of a sailing themed birthday cake was realised.
The Craftyguidelets and I found 38 Books About Town book benches in 3 different areas of London, did some sightseeing, fell in love with the impressionists in the National Gallery, and completed the summer reading challenge at the library. Oh August, you kept us busy.

But towards the end it went wrong. A trying extended-family holiday culminated in little Craftyguidelet breaking her arm and spending 2 nights in hospital. How could you let that happen August? My little girl looked so tiny on that big bed as they wheeled her away for surgery under general anaesthetic.
You brought me flowers – hydrangeas to remind me of our lovely holiday in Cornwall and roses from husband for our wedding anniversary.
But it’s too late August. The pain of the hospital stay and seeing my poor little girl’s deformed arm, and now the huge cast that she has to carry around is too much.

It’s over August. I’ve decided to give September a go. The Craftyguidelets will be back at school and my volunteering with Guiding, the WI and school starts up again. I’ll need to be busy preparing Craftyguider for Christmas, as well as starting my own preparations. I’m also joining the Trefoil Guild and hoping to start my Voyage Award.

So long, and perhaps I’ll see you around some time in the future.

Craftyguider x

January Review

And just like that, it’s the 31st January! One month of 2014 has passed and the next 11 months are stretched out ahead, full of promise. On the whole it’s been a good January for me. I’ve felt a lot better (apart from putting my back out in the last few days), I’ve made decisions on what I want to do with the business and my blogging, and I’m in a positive frame of mind.
January started really well for me. A couple of days after my birthday, I won a retweet from Theo Paphitis, and my twitter feed exploded with new followers and good wishes.
I managed to get my craft on and make cards, get some scrapbook layouts made, finish some decoupage and get some sewing done. It’s the most creative I’ve been for a long time.
I’ve also started crochet lessons which is something I’ve wanted to do for a couple of years now. My doubles and trebles lesson was a bit more successful than my tea gloves lesson. Perhaps it’s because I don’t drink tea, I just don’t have the tea gloves gene in me.
Probably my greatest achievement is to get more organised. My magazine mountain is now a foothill, and several WIPs have been completed. I’ve got a long way to go still, but with each mini breakthrough, I feel more weight coming off my shoulders.

How was your January?

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I’ve been lucky to have been able to get a move on with quite a few crafty projects to tick off my WIP list. Last month’s #WIPslinky post was a bit up and down with success in clearing my archive, so I set myself a realistic task list for this month.

I have started my Christmas cards. I am about halfway through making them and really enjoying thinking up different designs. I am also enjoying using up the different elements that I have collected over previous years. Perhaps I will be able to store all my Christmas crafty bits in just one box this year!

I have also managed to get lots of fabulous new products made and listed on Craftyguider.

These frame purses were featured in a previous post and are now on the website. This polka dot one is my favourite.

I’ve made five kilt pin charm brooches with themes of sewing, gardening, owls, party girl and this knitting one.

I’ve also added some more rings to the Rings and Things category, including these two fabric covered button ones:

And I’ve been sewing Christmas decorations too.

These stockings are made of soft fleece with a furry cuff. I’ve made several different versions including these ones.

I’ve also been making Christmas tree decorations for the website this year. The pine cones are made with pins and folded fabric, and the cute Christmas trees use some funky Christmas fabric.

One of my biggest sellers last year was Christmas fabric bunting so I’ve got four colour combinations listed including this one.

Quite a successful month! Just as well as I have a craft fair to go to on 17th November in Puckeridge, and there are bills to be paid at Guides (where all the profit goes).

Next month I think I’ll focus on getting the Craftyguidelets’ WIP list started. They use the dining room as their craft room and I need to reclaim it in time for Christmas. They need to make Christmas cards for friends and teachers, there is a half finished hama bead ballerina that needs completing and ironing before it gets knocked on the floor (again!), and there are numerous projects and kits that they have started and never finished.

What do you need to get finished before Christmas?

Linking to Tales From Mount Pleasant’s #WIPsLinky party. Come and join us!