Slugs on the Refrigerator

Handmade Home

I have to admit, these hands have held many a sewing book.  Be it something I have bought, borrowed from the library, or indulged in some corporate hospitality in a prolonged stay at Borders in Glasgow, I have read and used some of the most talked about sewing manuals that are doing the rounds at the minute.  And I have often been disappointed.  In many cases, if you've read one, you've read them all...how many patterns for bags and little girls' dresses does one need?  If the patterns are interesting, then the cost of getting nice fabric to the UK is so cost prohibitive, I am left thinking that the projects are just not do-able with the scraps I have lying about.

Which is why I approached Handmade Home with a bit of trepidation.  I really like Amanda Soule's blog.  Her first book, The Creative Family , was good, but I wasn't really in sync with it when I read it.  Most of all, I was worried that Handmade Home would be just another book I would re-sell on Amazon.

I can't tell you how delighted I am to say that I genuinely love her second book.  The writing and photography are excellent, but most importantly, the projects are useful and definitely things I would make for our family. It is all based around recycled materials, and unlike some other books that have rather specific requirements about what kind of materials are required, Amanda gives a more general specification around the weight of the materials (ie, mid-weight, ie shirts, rags, trousers).  I think this is a key point to the book's success for me, as I am very limited on what I can source from our local charity shops (a rant post for another day, I think) and it opened it up for me to think what we DO have that could work.

I found the book really inspirational.  I have been in a bit of a creative slump recently and the book was a great kick up the bum to get sewing again.  And my first project...a set of wall pockets for Ellis's room.

 

I used a heavy-weight linen I bought very cheaply from ebay as the backing. I used a range of Kevin's old shirts for the pockets. Using the button hole side at the front, meant I didn't have to hem the top of the pocket, an added bonus. I am in the process of making Ellis a quilt out of his dada's shirts, so it should hopefully all tie in. For the tree pocket, I used a piece of linen I stamped ages ago. The pattern uses buttons to hide the stitching of the hanging loops, but as the room has a bit of a woodland theme, I used leaves cut out of a dark green felted sweater. The wall pockets are perfect for a bit of a bed-side table for wee man, as his room is a terribly awkward shape and there is no where to put anything. The project took only a few hours, which is good, as sewing seems to really bring out my sickness. I will definitely be delving into more projects from the book...some prefold nappies and a braided rug are at the top of my (very long) list.

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Obviously the camera is still broken. I am sorry about the bad photos at the minute!!! Its driving me crazy, but hopefully will be back to normal soon.

Hustle and Bustle

Its been over 2 weeks since I did any serious crochet or sewing.  While I still don't have a lot of use of my left index finger, I thought I could tackle a simple sewing project to get my juices flowing.

A friend on facebook was exclaiming earlier this week about her love of her bustle skirt she'd made from clothkits.  For those that don't know, clothkits was a company that used to make sewing kits for you to make garmets at home in the 70's.  Well, the company has recently been relaunched and you can find loads of absolutely gorgeous women's and children's clothes. The concept is simple...your pattern is screen printed onto your fabric and you are given all of the materials you need (including thread) to finish the garment. Their kids clothes are so cute and their skirts are stylish and unusual.

I'd looked at the site awhile ago and all of the skirts were short and just not for me.  However, when I saw L's gorgeous Big Birdie Bustle Skirt, my little heart went pitter patter. 

Its basic construction is a snap to put together.  However, the lining piece was not cut straight and getting that fixed and matching up with the skirt fabric was a bit of a pain. Overall, it took less than 2 hours to do,  though I still need to hem the bottom.

As a skirt, I do like it (and Kev LOVES it).  The actual shape of the skirt is quite nice and reletively flattering. However, the pattern on the top of the front waistband is not and will require a slightly longer shirt to cover it up.  The back is just gorgeous though and almost makes up for it.  The construction of it means that the smaller you are the more bustle you have in the back.  Now, I am not a little person, so the bustle is quite small...which was expected, but disappointing none the less. I would also say that the fabric is a bit of an odd choice for the piece.  Its baby cord, which is a very nice material just a bit out of sync for me with the flowing bustle of the skirt for me. All of that said, I really like it and will definitely be making a few more in a different fabric with a bit more flow...not sure if I would pay as much for a clothkits set again, but who knows they do have some great prints and the fabric is made in england.

Edited to say: I have made a fair few alterations to the original and I like it much better.  I had to take in the waist a bit as it was too bit and bothering me.  While i was at it, I changed the angle of the back bustle seam so that it was closer to a 30d angle, rather than the 45d angle from top to side seam that the pattern called for.  this gives it a more substantial bustle and makes it a bit more form fitting.  Better for us curvy girls.  You can test the seam by pinning a line and trying it on.