Thursday 28 February 2013

This week I have been ...























This week I have been... packing up lots of this, and unpacking a bit of this...























Inspired by lots of spring dressmaking orders ...























Enduring my work experience helper not really grasping the fundamentals of shop keeping...

 Adding just a sneaky selection of some of the fabrics coming soon to M is for make...























Enduring Enjoying some sewing with the kids after they were inspired by doing freestyle embroidery on my mum's machine during half term (need to get one of these feet)...

 
Admiring magazines, firstly this gorgeous clutch purse made by the talented Emma in Making Magazine using Simpatico from M is for make ....

And planning my next project on the cover of this magazine ...


 





Friday 22 February 2013

Tsuru now in stock














I'm happy to announce that the gorgeous 'Tsuru' by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cloud 9 Fabrics is now in stock here.

You can read a bit more about Rashida here on the Cloud 9 fabrics blog and there is also a great series of kitchen themed sewing tutorials with Tsuru.

Happy weekend!

Friday 15 February 2013

Half Term opening hours


Just so you don't find yourself staring out the window and wishing your fabric would arrive: 
I am taking a break during half term next week and all orders placed 18th - 24th February will be posted on 25th February

So if you need that fabric sooner rather than later - please order this weekend! (Don't forget to check out what is new here.)

 

Wednesday 13 February 2013

One year on ...


A year into my 'new' sewing machine and it seems like a good time to review it. I can't believe a whole year has passed since Meg dispatched my old one.

I feel like I have only scratched the surface of the features available, there are still new buttons, menus and feet to explore. But I am picking up new techniques along the way as I need them.


I find myself often referring to the user manual, something I don't normally do with electronics, (it's much more fun to guess and make a mess of things) but this one is easy to use and not only shows me how to use the machine, but sewing techniques too. It's extremely useful.


The joy of electronic rather than manual controls is that when I have messed around with something fundamental like the stitch length or mode, once it has been turned off, it forgets and comes on like new again in standard sewing mode. No unexpected flying off in a zig-zag...


I still love the most basic features; the automatic thread snipper, the see-through bobbin holder (so I can see when I am going to run out), the variable speed control so I can go slow when doing something tricky. And it is so lovely and quiet. I also love the fact it is humming with as yet untapped potential for when I am ready to explore it.


So perhaps not the most illuminating review, but in summary I love this machine. It's seen me through my first year in quilting in style, let's see what the next year holds for us...

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Architextures blenders and more just in!


Just arrived:  some very cool Blenders from Architextures by Carolyn Friedlander.


Also, the brilliant Sketch...

and the first few Quilter's linen's (with more to come) ...


You can find all blenders here.



Monday 11 February 2013

New bundles in shop




















Lots of lovely new bundles now available in the shop, you can find them here




Monday 4 February 2013


There is something very satisfying about clipboards and the sense of organisation they imply. I have been meaning to have a go at making these for quite some time and this weekend finally got around to buying some bulldog clips to give it a go.

Initially I had planned to cover an existing clipboard but fitting the fabric neatly around the clip looked to be an impossible task. So these are simply a card and a clip ontop, here's how I made them;


I used some card from the back of a calendar (see - I knew it would be worth hanging onto that 2011 calendar eventually). It was heavy weight - the type that is hard to cut with scissors, this was to avoid it curling. I cut my pieces A5 sized, but really you can do any size you want, fitting it to the fabric you have available.


I cut the fabric about 2cm bigger around the outside and trimmed the corners off to reduce bulk. I used PVA glue which stuck really quickly. I only put it on the back as I often find that glue - even ones that are not supposed to mark - do and it really ruins a project.


I pulled the fabric nice and taut, using the clips to hold it in place, sticking opposite sides down and then when those had dried, I stuck down the other 2 sides.


This is such an easy craft project making use of your favourite fabrics around the house, whilst creating an illusion of being very organised by fixing shopping lists and receipts and that kind of thing to them. Or for the less organised; pretty postcards like me.

You can find a collection of fabrics that would look great on clipboards here.