My newest little sewing treasure...

Hi guys, no crafting updates today, but look what the Mr bought me!!

How stunning is this?!


It's a little pin box (I think), and it's all enameled with little gems stuck on in places. The machine is a deep purple colour and the base is a pale baby pink. It even has a little cotton reel on the top!

I love this. I love my Mr for buying it for me. I'm so very lucky.

Granny dress refashion...

Hello all!

I picked up a rather large granny dress in the summer with the intentions of making it fit me. I really liked the pattern and the light fabric. (Plus, it was only £1!)

(It was a size 20 and someone had hand-sewn up the buttons for modesty. How sweet!)

I usually take ages to plan what I'm going to do with a refashion. But this time I decided to just dive in and chop bits off!

(I chopped off about 10 inches from the bottom)

(I took the sides in and here's what I was left with.)

Now normally, I would have stopped there. But in all honesty, am I really going to wear a summer dress in the freezing cold, windy Plymouth winter? No. Also, I just didn't love it. I'm trying to make things i'm actually going to wear, not things to live at the back of the wardrobe waiting for good weather, or waiting until I have the confidence to wear. So I carried on chopping.

Here's what I finished with....

(A cute little blouse!)

I'm quite pleased with this. I left the sleeves as long as this because it's cold, and I think it's a more mature length. I unpicked the hand-stitching down the buttons so that it would open up again. This allowed me to take the sides in a bit more to make it more fitted. You can't see it too well, but where the buttons finish, is where the bottom of the dress started to fan out. It now forms a little bit of a peplum, which is quite flattering on my hips.

I'll be trying to make some handmade Christmas gifts over the next few weeks. I won't be blogging about them until after Christmas though, some of my readers are some of the people who will be receiving those gifts!! 

I'll try and update soon!!

Halloween refashion!

Good afternoon everyone!

(That would have said good morning had I not been so fragile earlier today. Great night out :) )

Ok, so as you probably know, I study architecture. It pretty much takes up all of my time. So when I was invited out with the other half, one of his friends and his girlfriend for halloween, I was sure it was just going to be a calm evening. No dress up involved. Then I found out I had a few days off and we could actually have a proper night out!!

I only found this out on Wednesday. Halloween was Thursday. I haven't gone out for halloween in years, and I didn't have an outfit!

Enter...this 4 sizes too big, flappy sleeves, ankle length red little number that I bought for 50p and one of our charity shops! (it was 2 for £1 day, so I got another new top as well :D )

(I forgot to take a photo of me wearing this, sorry!)

So the dress was a lovely heavy jersey fabric, and barely even needed proper hemming to be perfectly honest. All I did was cut off about 35cm from the bottom and cut off the flappy sleeves - luckily the way it was sewn in meant that if I pulled the sleeve tight enough when I was cutting it, it pulled all the little loose threads out too, so it was literally just a case of cutting them off! Oh, I did tighten the sides of the sleeve a bit when I added darts to the side. Nothing wrong with them, I just didn't want people to see the sides of my bra. The best thing about this project is it took less than half an hour!

Here's what I ended up with...

(Nice eh? Not bad for a simple refashion)

And just because it was for a halloween outfit, here it is with me all done up...

Oooh, also...look at all the extra fabric I've got! I don't know what to do with it really, red isn't something that's normally in my colour palette. Any ideas?

It's ok though, we were all safe that night. There was a doctor present at all times :)

An actual wearable item of clothing!

Hi guys! So I've not had much time for crafts lately, final year at uni and 11 weeks until my wedding is just consuming every waking minute right now. BUT! I had a spare evening last week so I decided to knock something out that I've wanted to do for ages...

(not the best pic, hastily taken in the mirror with my new camera that I still don't know how to use!)

Ok, so this may not look like the most technical blouse ever, but it had a lot of elements that I wanted to try. I've made clothes before - I used to make those massive dresses you see in old western re-enactments, but a lot of those techniques are different to what we do nowadays. 

(what I often made. Gorgeous pattern)

I've made clothes for myself before as well, but they were things like summer dresses, pyjama bottoms etc. Things that were allowed to be baggy and wonky looking. But I wanted to make something I could wear all the time.

I drafted the pattern myself, based on a favourite blouse I already had. I made a few changes. I allowed for the back to come down a lot lower, to allow for my builders butt that often comes out when I'm working in the studio!, I added darts, and I added bias binding around the neck and arm holes. The original top just had a seam and it was a bitch to iron!

(here's a blurry pic showing the length at the back and the lovely drape of the fabric)

(This shows how I made the sleeves thinner and added bias binding)

(Close up of my bias binding. Bit wonky now I look at it. Too scared to use the 

machine on my first attempt at it!!)

Now I was quite naughty. I didn't make up a practice top (muslin?) I had this beautiful silky fabric and only 3 hours. Luckily nothing went wrong and I had almost no wastage or anything like that. I got lucky!

So, things I learned:

-how to do bias binding

-how to hem a curve

-where to put a dart in without a pattern

-that this fabric was lovely to sew with and to stop being scared of anything new and just do it!

-that I'm smaller than I think I am! I tend to allow loads of room for movement, but I've actually lost weight!

-use a zig zag stitch in replacement of an overlocker

Most importantly, this little project has given me more confidence. I am good at sewing. And I'm not saying ti to brag or anything, but it's something I can actually do quite well. After finishing this blouse I had the courage to take in one of my cardigans that I've been meaning to do for ages. Bit scary cutting the sides of the knitting, but it worked and it's lovely now. I may show you that when I get another free evening.

Just remember guys, just do it. If you're afraid of a new technique, just have a go at it anyway. It might be easier than you think, and it'll open up loads of opportunities for you!

I've been bad...

Ok guys, I've kind of neglected my blog these past few months *slap on the wrist for me*, but I'm trying to get some stuff together to blog about as we speak!

Well here's an update of what I've been doing.

I've finished my second year of uni, hooray! Had a few rough nights churning out work and getting ready for numerous deadlines, being buried under insane amounts of paper and mount board, literal blood, sweat and tears went into it all. But it was all handed in in early July. Phew! :)

Since then I've been pretty much just bumming around being lazy, sleeping, not doing anything uni related (even though I'm meant to be working through my reading list), and seeing family back home.

Ooh, the partner and I have been getting ready for our wedding in January. When it's 6 months to go you can start booking things and it's been mental with meetings and trying to get everyone to be free on the same day, blah blah blah..... But we've done a lot of work for it, and I'm actually making the invites this week :D

Anyways, I will return soon with a proper update of what I've been doing. I've not been sitting on my bum for 6 months, honest :)

New things...

Hello! Long time no blog!

Sorry everyone, it's been really hectic lately, been back in my home town, been back here, had a birthday, had a hangover, had lots of uni work, had no time for crafts. However, here's something I made before it all went mental...

It's a little pin cushion jar!

You can take the lid off and store your pins too

How useful is that?! I made a bigger one for my mum which was about 8cm in diameter, but these little cuties are only 4cm in diameter, they just fit pins in quite snugly. I made them in a few colours...

I like the pink one the best :)

First order done!

The order from the other day has gone well. All 15 items are made, packed and posted. I also included an extra one that I mocked up for a new design. Hope the lady who ordered them likes them!


Here's a little peek since I'm so pleased with my first official order...

 

 





Well I'm super pleased with myself!

Ooh, I'm also close to 100 views! Hooray!

Contacts...

Hi everyone, if you could all take a look at a lovely little Facebook page that'd be great. It's called seconds away, and they specialize in vintage china. It's all so adorable! They may also be featuring a few of my items as part of a set soon, it depends on how it all goes, but it's looking good :)

So happy!!!

FIRST REQUEST!!!

AGHHHHH!

I just had my first request for a batch of personalised keyrings! From a paying customer!

Just thought I should update you all :) :) :) :) :)

AGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! SO EXCITED!

Two long projects...

Well guys, not much crafting has been going on this week I'm afraid, however I did manage to sell five more of my keyrings! Sad to see them go, they're so cute, don't you think?

(Excuse the giant owl just casually perching at the side of this photo, He's just something new I tried out over the Christmas break.)

This is the collection I had at the start of the day, now five have left! Can't quite believe people actually want to buy them, I've said goodbye to so many now!

Anyway, what else have I been doing? Just carrying on with another long project...

 

 



This is the first crochet blanket I started, (hence the utter rubbish bit in the middle) and I kind of keep forgetting about it since I've started and finished other crochet projects. So I'm trying to get it done and show it some love :)

Ooh, and I've tacked all the pieces of my quilt together, but lots more work to go yet!

Inevitable...

Well guys, I bought that handbag in the end :)

Also bought a load of cute tins to keep some crafty bits in, and lots of clothes. Been a weekend full of shopping :)

Not got around to and crafts yet, but I've had a few ideas of stuff I want to make.

Speak soon!

A few old projects...

Hello my lovelies. I'm sorry I have abandoned you, I have been a busy bee.

Here's a handbag I made over the summer, I also spoilt my mum and my fiances sister and made them one each too :)

 



It was more of an experiment than anything, the ones I gave away were much more lovely and higher quality. But it was a chance for me to try out some new and old things I hadn't done in a while.

Buttonholes...

 



 

 

Stitching the edges neatly so you can't see it underneath or on top...

 

 

 

And line it nicely. I've done this before, but I hadn't done it in a while.

 

 

 



Overall, a lovely short project. It only took me an afternoon, and it made 3 nice cheap and cheerful summer bags!


Something else I've done before is make Old Western style dresses for Reenactment groups. I don't have photos of the other ones, but here's one I made a year ago...

 

Here's the pattern I had...

 



 

This is the top part (shame you can't really see the shape properly unless it's on)...

 

And here it is on. The skirt needed a hooped petticoat to fill it out nicely, and the lighting doesn't do the outfit justice. But it did look lovely and got many compliments on the reenactment day!

 





Ok, so I think that's it for today, I've got to dash off to uni now, but I will keep updating! Oh also, do leave comments on what you do and don't like, it'd be nice to get some feedback!

Have a great weekend everyone! x

A long project...

I've been snowed under with uni lately... (Though not literally, I'm pretty sure Plymouth is the only place where it's not snowing!)...and I had an actual day off today so I got on with some crafty stuff.

I finally started the quilt I've been thinking of making for ages! It's very basic at the moment, just the square patches are cut out, see...

The photo doesn't do the colours justice, some of the stripey squares are facing the wrong way, and they all had to overlap terribly so they'd fit on my bed, but you get the idea of what it'll look like :) I like having long projects on the go, it's nice to have something familiar to go back to. I know this will be a long project, but I might just make it quickly and simply, and then make another one which is embroidered and all lovely. After all, I need a new quilt quickly since it's so cold at the moment!

I also found a handbag I really liked the other day in a charity shop, and thought I'd have a go at making one similar to it...

 

 

This is the one from the shop. The more I look at it, the more I like it. I might just go back and buy it!

 

I was given some plastic leather a few weeks ago, so I started using that today for the bag. I will keep you updated on what goes on with that.

 

Back to the real world now, post soon!

Ideas...

Hello again.

I've been a bit bombarded with uni work these past few days, so I've been slacking on my personal crafty projects. However, I have started a little sketchbook of things I'd like to make!

It made me feel a little more sane this week just being able to chill and scribble some ideas down.

A few things that feature in my sketchbook (in my head as well), a quilt, a new handbag and some Valentines keyrings.

I've been on about making a quilt for ages, and since you can do it in lots of little bits it seems perfect since I only have little fragments of time. And I don't know about you, but I like to have a long-term project going. It's nice to have something consistent going on rather than constantly thinking of new stuff.

As for the handbag, I just fancy a new one! But also, I can test some new designs, and if they go well then they might make it into my ebay shop! ( I'm called pasta-and-cheese if anyone's interested :) ). My mum is usually the person who gets all of my handbag creations, usually because she keeps tonnes and tonnes of knitting/sewing/crafty goodies in them!

And the Valentines keyrings would just be quick pretty little things to top up my ebay stuff ( I like to keep them all for myself really...shhh)

So that's where I'm at today guys. Any ideas or feedback would be great, I like to know when people have liked my things :D

Perhaps a late intro...

Afternoon :)

I feel like I should introduce myself a bit. I'm Hannah, I'm 19, and I live with my fiance in Devon. I go to University, and I'm studying Architecture. Everytime I mention that to people, they instantly say, 'Ooooh, that's difficult isn't it?'. Well yes, it is. But... WHY DID NO-ONE TELL ME THIS?! I feel like everyone kept it a secret from me until I had enrolled and it was too late!

Oh well, life goes on despite all the work I have to do for uni. Hence this blog. I will be using this blog as a sort of, escape from daily life. I want to show people what it is that I do when I'm not faffing around with models of buildings or sitting with my face in a screen (ironic since this is an online blog :P).

My crafty interests are: sewing, knitting, crochet, attempting to make clothes for myself, and attempting to make handbags for myself and my family. I might upload some photos of these at some point to see what you think.

Ok, now I'm off to do a bit of crochet and have some chill out time. Byeeee.

First things first...

Ok. First proper post, first thing I made.

 

 

I make cute keyrings (and lots of other stuff), but somehow I keep ending up back at these keyrings. I have waaaay too many of these. I make them just to relax from uni work, and they are quick and easy to make so an afternoon sewing can turn into maybe 10 or 15 of these little things!

 

 

 

 

I also tend to make too many owls. I do attempt to sell them on ebay (my name on there is pasta-and-cheese if anyone's interested!). I love my little owls, I like to mix the colours and try things out that aren't just felt. I've used felt, denim and cotton. If anyone has any ideas of other fabrics I could try out then leave a comment and I'll have a go :)

 

I shall update when possible, I am usually snowed under with university work, but I will cpend my chill time trying to keep you all in the know, bye for now!

 

Here we go...

Well, this is my first post to my blog. I'll admit, I have no idea how to add photos, or change any of the sections on here, but I thought I may as well write something.

Basically, this page is just a place for me to write and document the stuff I make, and for people to have a gander at if they so choose. I know I like to have a nosey at other peoples crafty bits and bobs, so maybe some of you will find mine interesting too!

Anyway, I'm off to attempt to bulk this page out, and not just look like a creepy lurker with an abandoned page.

Blog soon! ( if I figure it out ;) )