Month: December 2013

How come my rotary cutter doesn’t spin round?!?!

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On Sunday I treated myself to a rotary cutter and mat, today was the first chance I had to try it out. I decided to make a simple A-line skirt that I’d seen in Sew magazine. I was all ready with my measurements, fabric, rotary cutter and mat but couldn’t understand why my cutter didn’t rotate. After much googling and watching You Tube I discovered much to my surprise how to use it. It wasn’t like a circular saw after all!! But, I love it!!! Loads!!! I made my skirt in an hour and here it is, modelled by Gertrude….

My first Polly Top from By Hand London

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Just a quick short post to introduce you to my first Polly Top from By Hand London.  It’s their first free pattern and can be found here. Here’s some more pix: It was really simple to make, the instructions are well written and there’s even a video tutorial. I usually buy a 14 top (uk) but had to cut an 18. It was too big so I needed to take the seam allowances in another 1.5 cm. the patterned fabric is a peachy poly, and the black is a crepe.  It looks lovely on, and I’m sure I’ll be wearing this loads. Happy New Year Folks! Edited with BlogPad Pro

Thank you By Hand, London

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Whilst browsing By Hand’s website I found a tool they have which does all the calculations for 1/4, 1/2 and full circle skirts!! Amazing!!! Thank you so much! After making one for my niece I found the calculations scary as I didn’t want to make a mistake with the lovely fabric I bought. Here’s one I made earlier…. And I blogged about it here….. I can’t wait to make another (for myself!) now I’ve found this App. Thanks again By Hand!

Christmas Party – 80s Style!

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I’ve just been to my SECOND Christmas party! This was a fancy dress party – 80s theme! Time to get sewing!!  For my ‘outfit’ (I’m on the right)  SKIRT I had an old skirt with a broken zip. I read on ForeverFierce how to bleach denim and thought I’d try and revamp this sad skirt that I’d never wear again….. I laid it out in the bath and squirted neat bleach on it, and left it about 20 minutes.  It turned a mucky yellow colour……. Then I washed it on a quick 40 degree wash. I chopped the peplum off the bottom and using my ruffling foot made a ra-ra inspired trim which I stitched behind the lower edge.  For the white cropped top, dare I say it, think I should whisper, I used my Sobertto pattern, without the pleat at the centre front.  For the blue top I used McCalls 6648 which I’ve previously used to made 2 dresse and a grey top. It’s a really versatile pattern and easily adapted. Previously blogged about here. …

Christmas Party Dress

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I’ve been thinking long and hard about what to make for my works Christmas do, and also something for The Monthly Stitch Challenge – “Party!!”.   I didn’t want to buy a pattern or any material as my stash should be is vast enough to find something. Eventually I decided on Newlook 6648 which is a top that I previously made as a frock:    here’s where I blogged about it. The pattern calls for jersey fabric, but I wanted to make it in a shiny polyester so decided to cut it on the bias so it would have some stretch widthways. Easier said than done!! It took me ages to fold the material eventually I went with the pattern and kept everything crossed. It was really easier, and the bias gave enough ease to get it over my head. When I’d sewn up the side seams it was way to big, hung like a sack with no shape. I took the seams in about an inch from just above the waist all the way down …