Author: Thimberlina

Sunday Sevens #29 (me #4)

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Phew, I’ve made it to my week 4 of Sunday Sevens!  I’m a newbie to this and lot’s of you are on week 29 – well done guys! I’m in awe!   Is it getting easier for me? No, not this week, but here we are and here’s what I’ve been up to this week: MONDAY This was one long day.  I knew it was going to be a long one so I even brought my machine downstairs.  I made 30 pump bags – there will be a post shortly, and i know I’m supposed to mention things that really don’t warrant a full post on their own but I didn’t do anything else ALL day.  11 hours I sat there.  My ankles were swollen by the time I’d finished.  I even considered taking an aspirin as I felt at risk of a DVT.   H snapped this pic of me as my camera was on the side. TUESDAY A better day.  I went to play golf! It’s what I normally do on a Tuesday …

Sunday Sevens #28 (me #3)

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Here’s my run down from this last week for the Sunday Sevens: MONDAY The 16th March is Childrens Day in our family.  It started back in 1982 when I was 11. When my sister & I had children we carried on the tradition for them but we still get a card a pressie from mum & dad. As I worked the day before which was Mothers Day I decided to take my mum to the cinema to see the 2nd Best Marigold Hotel. And I wore my Victoria Blazer!! It’s been a while since this came out of the wardrobe! As we walked into the cinema it was pitch black.  Not just a bit black, like really black.  We walked in and when I got to the end of the seat I turn around but couldn’t see my mum. I waited a few seconds and called her name, then set off back into the darkness to find her.  Then, BANG! We walked into each other.  I screamed! She screamed! Then we both cracked up laughing, but we still …

The London Tea Cosy

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Don’t you just love making a gift when you know the recipient is just gonna love it! One of my besties partner lives in America but is over this week for a visit.  They went to London on Tuesday for a couple of nights – it was David’s first time there and he LOVED it! David loves englishy things including  a nice cup of tea, so I thought I’d make him a tea cosy.  Inspired by Sewchet’s tea cosy tutorial I cut out a London bus from some fabric in my stash and followed her instructions. On the back I added this writing (cos I can! and couldn’t before!): Here it is close up: I’m thinking now I should maybe have turned the iron on and actually used it whilst making this, but it’s  too late now! Here’s the inside…… Not sure where this fabric originated from, it’s a lovely soft cotton lawn. I think it goes perfect with the englishy theme, without being too girly! On one of Martin’s first trips to America I made him …

Sunday Sevens #27 (me #2)

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Have you heard of Sunday Sevens .  It’s the brain child of Nat at Threads & Bobbins – take a look – she’ll tell you all about it! Phew, I managed it for the second week running.  Friday, Saturday & Sunday I was working 7 til 7 (days) and was worrying what I could take photos of. MONDAY I finally got my hands on the GBSB book from series 3. I called at whsmiths and found it 1/2 price together with the other 3 books  … £20.50 for all 4 – bargain! Also on Monday (I don’t have a photo for this but is happened and I’m excited to share it) I found out that I won February’s project of the month at Croft Mill with my Valentine Dress and won a £30 voucher!! Whoop whoop! TUESDAY Tuesday I played golf and came 2nd! I realised an hour before I was setting off my not very clean golf shoes were in the car – cold!  They needed warming up before I could wear them. (Hope my hubby doesn’t see this!) …

Gray All Day – The Athena Top

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Helena from Gray All Day has today released her new pattern The Athena Top, and guess what….. I was a pattern tester!!  When I saw her post asking for testers I couldn’t reply fast enough!  I’ve never done any pattern testing before so wasn’t sure what to expect.  When I received the email to accept my offer I was over the moon and got to work straight away! This morning I decided to make another one, not realising that today was going to be the release day, so now I can share it with you! Here’s how she describes it: The new Athena top is a relaxed but chic raglan sleeve knit or woven top that can be whipped up in an afternoon. The sleeves twist under the arm to create a graceful waterfall and the hem dips in back for a subtle hi-lo effect. The knit version is finished with bands at the neck and arms, while the woven uses bias binding. It is perfect for those ultra-soft drapey jerseys or tissue knits that …

Yay! The Spoolettes Are Coming To Yorkshire

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I’m not sure how this is going to go, if it’s gonna be a breeze or lots of sleepless nights – I’m organising a meet-up in Dewsbury on Wednesday 8th April.  All the other meet-ups look amazing fun but miles away from me so I thought “why not have one nearby so I can go”!? I’ve been in touch with Clare over at Sewdixie Lou so all us Northern Sewers can join the Spoolettes!  If you’ve not heard of the Spoolettes then click on the link.  They have lots of fun and we can too! So where & when are we meeting…… Why Dewsbury? What’s it got to offer….. Dewsbury is market town which also has 2 amazing fabric shops.  Market Days are Wednesdays and Saturdays hence the meet up on a Wednesday.  For those who have a proper job and don’t work shifts like me, if this works out then I’ll organise a Saturday meet-up later in the summer. Its super easy to get to – it’s only 10 minutes off Jun 28 of …

Sunday Sevens #26 – (me #1)

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After loving reading the Sunday Sevens on a Sunday for a while I’ve finally managed to gather together 7 things from my week.  these don’t always justify full blog post to themselves but are still nice to share. Sunday Sevens is the brain child of Nat at Threads & Bobbins – have a look where she’ll tell you all about it! 1. H had his first home economics practical lesson today – the classic victoria sponge.  Here is what he brought home from school!  He was obviously very hungry following extra curriculum activities so needed to satisfy his hunger pangs on the way home!  It really was very nice – but I did have to explain the etiquette of school baking and fetching ALL of it home! He didn’t have an apron so obviously i had to make him one for this special event! 2. Tuesday was amazing! I received this gorgeous pin cushion for my new sewing room from Sewchet!  THANKYOU XXXX 3. I finally got round to finishing a blocking this heart shaped shawl I’ve …

Osaka Wrap Skirt – Tick!

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Whoop! There’s only one thing on my new wish list and I’ve only gone and made it – the rest is in my head but will be noted soon!  Disaster did strike yesterday – here – but Thimberlina is over the stress and happy to be wearing her new skirt! So Let just crack on and I’ll show you the photos then talk about the nitty gritty afterwards! I did struggle to get photos of me in it that did the skirt justice.  I’m not sure about the button placements yet, but here goes, it does look better on Gertrude than me (at the moment!) Horaay for new machine that does lovely button holes! I’ve not made any thing that requires button holes for donkeys years! And top stitching to die for! Have you noticed the front and back are opposite? I’m glad in the end I went a bit wrong when I started off as I’d never have thought of using this FAB cotton and ribbon ponte for the reverse side.   More Lovely Top …

The Osaka from Seamwork Magazine

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Yesterday I created a wish list, and right at the top of it, is the Osaka wrap skirt from the new Seamwork magazine!  So today I gathered some suitable fabric from my stash and got started.  I’m not making a muslin as the shape is really simple so i’m going to fit as I sew – I’ve left out the darts for now, but will add them before I sew the 2 pieces together. Now, this is going to be a quick post with lost of photos and not a lot of writing. I’m too upset to think of much to say tonight….you’ll see why soon. The first fabric I chose was this gorgeous black and white poly/viscose blend coating.  It’s already been a skirt but I’ve only worn it once as it didn’t fit too well, so I can use that plus about 0.7 m which was left. FOr the reverse I had 2 small pieces of 100% wool. one 30cm and one 40cm. This was going to be a tight squeeze! And it was. But …

My Space For Sewing – Revamp Phase 2

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I feel a bit more comfortable writing this post as the photos I’m sharing with you aren’t of the embarrassing nature that appeared in Phase 1!  There was quite a lot to be done before my new Janome could be introduced to Gertrude and the gang (i.e. Thimberlina and my Overlocker with no name).  This included: Stash cull and tidy – TICK! Lick of paint New curtains Build 2 new tables from Ikea – TICK! Major sort out of everything into neat little, big and medium size boxes – TICK! Deal with wool stash – OMG – I must have found at least 5 WIP’s that I’d totally forgotten about, plus loads of crochet practicings.  None particularly big or important,  but just forgotten as a shinier project appeared in the distance. Make it look pretty. Make pin cushion. The list above is not conclusive or exhaustive and probably will be added to, as well as items ticked along the way, but progress has been made and that;’ what this post is about, so here we have: NICELY …