Author: Thimberlina

Sewing with leather….

Published by

Has anyone any tips for sewing with leather? I picked up 4 pieces yesterday and am going to try and make a bag. I got it from Fabworks in Dewsbury, they sell it at £10 per kg which I thought was a good price. They also sell bigger pieces at £12/kg. This shop is amazing and well worth a visit if you’re not too far away. I’ve bought some leather needles, well not leather, but you know what I mean! I need a foot for my machine and am wondering whether to buy a roller one or an ultra guide one. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The Boxy Dopp Kit

Published by

I’ve made it, and I’m so excited! I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever made and it’s not even for me. It’s for Martin to take to America on Tuesday, all wrapped up ready to open on his birthday on Thursday. I found the pattern and instructions on a great website I stumbled across – The Cottage Mama. I could spend hours brousing her site, there’s so many inspirational projects. I made one or two changes to the instructions, but only small. I used a different fabric to line it with, it’s a white mesh, similar to what you’d find inside men’s swimming shorts. I also top stitched along the side of the zipper, as I thought the lining may get caught in the zipper. I did lots of overlooking and it looks really tidy inside. I feel I may be taking a break from making clothes and start my Christmas sewing…. Here’s a few more pix before I wrap it up……. Edited with BlogPad Pro

Not A Day Goes By……..

Published by

Not a day goes by, or even an hour, when I’m not thinking about my next project. Today whilst in bed (3pm – I’m on nights and should really sleep until around 5pm but the sewing clogs in my brain had started to turn and I was wide awake) I was thinking of getting up and having ago at my first Sorbetto. But then I remembered it’s my best buddy’s birthday on Thursday and I had intended to make him a little something.  Here’s me & Martin……..fun times.. Usually involving alcohol of some description!  He’s off to America on Tuesday (3rd time since June – lucky guy!) to see him partner David, so I need to work fast so it can be packed in his suitcase on Monday night. I had a look on the internet to find instructions to make him a wash bag and found this….   Details can be found on this link – the cottage mama – it’s a fab site!  I have some fabric left over from making a headboard for Harrison’s …

Vogue 8757 & SBCC Tonic T Shirt

Published by

Hi World (I say that as I’m still shocked by all you amazing people from around the globe who read my blog). Last night I was twiddling my thumbs watching nothing on telly. It was around 6:30pm. My hubby was asleep on the sofa, we’d been to his uncle’s funeral and he’d had 4 pints.  Not a lot for most men, but Craig’s not really a drinker so it acts like an anesthetic on him!  Rather than watch nothing on tv I thought I’d have a look in my stash and see if there was anything I could use to make a wearable toile using one of my new patterns – trousers from Vogue 8757: I found some slinky jersey that my mum bought for me from Leeds Market. I had 1.5m so just had enough. I laid it out and tried to figure which was the right way up……I couldn’t decide so thought it doesn’t really matter, if I can’t tell when it’s laid out then I’m sure no one notice when it’s made …

Mums sewing adventure Part II

Published by

Previously…… I started and finished my mums dress, it didn’t really get to be a UFO for my mum as she never started it. Today mum has been shamed into making another ‘1 hour dress’ which she spent 3 hours cutting out a month ago. I called in at 3pm so see how things were getting on….. 3 broken needles 2 broken needle threaders & a machine that would play ball. 2 mins later, all ok….! Replaced the bottom spool as the thread hadn’t been wound on with any tension it was loose. Mum started sewing the first seem, took her foot off the pedal and the machine carried on on its own! So funny! If I hadn’t have been there I wouldn’t have believed her! The pedal’s sticking, think due to lack of use! Oh dear, think my mums destined not to sew…not today anyway!

My Mums Sewing Adventure

Published by

Back in July my mum & I paid a visit to Minerva Crafts shop in Lancashire. I’d seen some fabric in their online store and wanted to see it in real life. Whilst there my mum got all excited and bought some material & a pattern. She’s not sewn for ages and ages so was going to be dusting off her machine that was neglected in her spare bedroom. Here’s the pattern (simplicity 1611) & fabric (a woven soft fabric with a lovely drape): My mum decided to make the dress full length but without the overlay. After seeing the material and pattern for a few weeks in the dining room, neglected, I decided to help her out and cut the pattern out for her. Then ‘we’ (the royal we!) began stitching. Lots accomplished in just an hour – all stitched up – it just needed hemming and the arm hole edges finishing. Then things came to a grinding halt as we were thinking the dress needed sleeves as the arm holes were a little …

My latest additions

Published by

Say ‘hello’ to my latest stash additions, and my mum! Top left: Very soft cotton jersey, I’m thinking maxi dress with sleeves for winter to wear with boots. I bought 1.5m, it’s 150cm wide, only £3.99/m. Top right: Silver, textured, feels a bit like upholstery fabric, but I’ve washed it and it still looks ok. This was a remanent for £4. I’ve ordered Vogue 1036 pattern to make a jacket. I won’t have enough in the silver so I’m going to find a really dark blue soft denim to fill in the gaps. Vogue 1036 Bottom left: A semi sheer fabric. Was a remnant (£4) so no idea of composition. Has stripes running horizontally around 5 inches wide in 6 different shades of grey (not 50!! Lol). Think I’m going to make a slouchy hoodie with this. Finally, bottom right Another remanent (£3). It’s a semi sheer viscose. No stretch. Oh no! Will have to make sure it fits properly! Think I may make something for my best friend mum. Crossed it out cos I …