Bird Song Tote

The first thing I made a few years ago when I got back into sewing was a tote bag in Echino fabric.  It's has lasted really well and hasn't really worn out, I just fancied a change. I've been wanting to make something from the Echino bird song fabric since it arrived and it just seemed perfect for a bag.

So here is the finished product, it's lined (in an attempt to make a dent in my fabric stash) and I made a pocket for my phone inside as I am always scrabbling around in the bottom of my bag for it.

I love this fabric, I think it might be my favourite Echino fabric at the moment, there is so much in the design to use. I would love to make my daughter a skirt from the dark pink leafy border on the bottom. And for myself, I was thinking the other side would make a great skirt too, something simple lined and A-line, what do you think? (modelled from the offcuts!)

(Note to self, wear shorter jeans)

or this way

 or (great idea Stash Avalanche) this way

Boden preview!

Last week I went to a preview of the Autumn/Winter 2010 Boden collection.

When I think about Boden, primarily I think big recognisable prints which perhaps is why I like the new teen range with it's restraint and pretty details, it's like Boden, but in disguise.

The collection was set out in a stunning building and the staging was beautiful. Really beautiful, I was there to see the clothes, but I had to admire how they were displayed, from the pictures on the walls to the iconic furniture, I hope my photos do it justice.

So to the collection, and ladies first. As I mentioned before I don't wear a great deal of women's Boden, mostly sticking to staples such as plain tops and the odd pair of trousers. Those prints are just a bit too much for me, but this collection, and maybe it's because it's for Autumn/Winter, showed far more restraint; lovely plummy colours, pretty prints, buttery soft leather jackets.

look how the print on the dress matches the one on the picture!

There were a couple of stripy tops that I know I will buy as they will be so easy to wear. I also liked this needle cord dress with pretty gathering around the neck. There was one mac with a bonkers print on which made me smile, because it couldn't be more Boden.

What I really wanted to see was the teen range. And it didn't disappoint, I found myself going along the rail thinking, I'd have that, and that, oh and that, the kids would think that was hilarious (*pic below), and I'll take a couple of those too.

I saw some decidedly non-teens keenly trying this jacket on, isn't it gorgeous over this dress?

I think this was my favourite from the day, the photo doesn't do it justice, but the print, fit, details, it's just perfect and it will be mine. There were a couple of other lovely dresses too;

Also in the range were pretty camisole tops, think vintage style prints and cute details. Skirts far too short for any one over 19, but very cool non the less, and some funny stuff.

*This is the one the kids would love (I mean my pre-schoolers, I'm not trying to be street).

Moving on to the kids, the staging upped it's game, Jane Foster prints on the wall, a miniature Eames rocker, try not to be frightened by the headless baby climbing out of the cot. Oh and some cute baby clothes too.

But look at the girl's range, there were people with children there and I would have loved to have got my 5 year old's take on the clothes. There was one dusky pink ballerina style skirt with layers of soft netting that she absolutely would have picked out, and I probably would have had to prise it from her hands before we left.

There were some big prints, but where better to find them on coats and wellies. Overall the range felt more grown up to me.

After the teen dress, this was my next favourite of the day, the whole outfit is just perfect even down to the bronze pumps.

One disappointment of the day was not getting the chance to speak to any of the designers of the teen collection - I would have loved to have learnt more about the design process.

I was in the swimming pool changing rooms with my daughter the other day and I heard a mum admiring another child's swimming costume. Apparently the mum had bought it from a supermarket because she had though it was 'very Boden' and had picked up a top with the same idea too. I love that Boden can be used as a adjective!

So what do you think? anything here that catches your eye? I'd love to read any comments.

Time Lapse paper cutting

Take a look at this time lapse film of a Rob Ryan paper cut from the Pick me Up exhibition at Somerset House.

Rob Ryan timelapse at Pick Me Up gallery from karl sadler on Vimeo.

Tie - top take three

To my surprise I actually did manage to finish my tie-top from 'Les Couleurs Francaises' this weekend, thanks in no small part to the rubbish bank holiday weather keeping us in the house.

You can see my 2 draft versions of this top here and here. I made it from Anna Maria Horner Little Folks voile, in anticipation of stocking this fabric at 'M is for make' imminently. I am always searching for pretty dress-making rather than quilting fabric and this voile is perfect, it's so soft, drapes well and has a lovely sheen. I can't wait to use more of it.

The finished top has turned out well, I love the details, although they are a little hidden in the print, it has gathering along the seam on the bust and a pleat where the tie joins the top at the shoulder.

It fits nicely, when I make it in a different fabric, I will make the arm-holes maybe half a centimetre bigger as they feel a little tight, even though they didn't on the draft version. Also despite adding quite a bit to the length, I would still like to add maybe an inch more. I had first intended to make the top from Nani Iro fabric, but changed my mind last minute so had the wrong colour bias-binding, but you can't see it when it's on.

I had a great moment whilst putting it on, where I found myself looking for a label so I knew which way was the front and then realising that of course, there wasn't one.