Learning to sew

As I said in an earlier post, I started learning to sew only two years ago when I inherited Grandma's vintage sewing machine.  I didn't even know how to thread it until my kind and lovely sister-in-law showed me how and gave me some scraps of fabric to practice on.  Since then I have progressed a fair bit, although I'm still learning to master the basics.  This same kind and lovely sister-in-law asked me if I'd include some tips or tutorials on the blog for those just getting started and in need of inspiration.  I'm aware that I'm often making things up as I go along, and there are probably better techniques for those that know them, but I will write up steps for some of my projects where possible, or else link to the tutorials that I used myself.  

For the absolute beginner I'd recommend checking out Tilly's Learn to Sew posts over at Tilly and the Buttons which go right from learning to thread your machine to basic stitching and understanding pattern lingo with lots else thrown in besides.  

I'm also a big one for buying a book - any excuse!  When I got my new machine I bought this one:

It provides loads of information for beginners on all sorts of sewing techniques in the form of 11 workshops, with clear descriptions and lots of pictures.  Each workshop has its own project (complete with patterns where required) to put the techniques into practice, and the author suggests working through them in order to build up your sewing skills.   

There are some cute projects too!  I'm looking forward to making this apron at some point this year.  

On the subject of books, I had a thoughtful Christmas present from that same kind and lovely sister-in-law:

How exciting!  She knows me well!  There are some fab projects inside.  I haven't tried my hand at patchwork since I was a child but this may indeed inspire me to do some hand sewing again after all these years!

Even better, it comes with all these goodies inside!  Enough to inspire and get you started!

Thank you Rach! xx

Most recent make - Christmas presents!

With a new baby due imminently (which required us to buy a bigger car!) we decided we needed to have a lean Christmas this year.  We agreed with some of the rellies to buy presents for the children but to keep it small for the adults.  Perfect opportunity for the homemade gift!  Of course, the run up to Christmas is always hectic, and being preggers really slowed me down too, but I did manage to make a few of these sponge bags, almost in time for Christmas!  

I used fabric from my stash together with pieces of a discounted IKEA shower curtain for a waterproof inner layer.  I can honestly say that that stuff is a nightmare to work with!  Initially I just made up a very straight forward pattern based on a sponge bag I already own, using just an A4 piece of card as a template to cut out the pattern pieces and sewing a basic hem round the inside with right sides together.   This meant sewing with the pvc layers on the outside - arrgh!  They warped, slipped, slid, and generally misbehaved.  My seam ripper was working overtime.  I changed tack finally when I discovered a tutorial from Handmade Jane using a french seam.  It was soooo much better!  

These two were for my little ones using fabric from some of the other projects I have sewn for them.  So cute!

Favourite Makes (Part 2) - Emily's Tea Set

I was looking for a tea set for Emily's Christmas present last year, but had something in my head that I just couldn't find in the shops.  I saw lots of sets where I liked the tea set pattern, or the tablecloth/napkins, or the carrier, but I couldn't find one that had everything I wanted - I'm such a perfectionist!

So, I bought a pretty tea set from John Lewis and ordered a case and some fabric from ebay.

I used a tablecloth tutorial to learn how to sew mitred corners to do the gingham border, and TA DAAH......my I mean Emily's perfect tea set!!