Author: Thimberlina

Refitting My Favourites after My #SlimmingWorldSuccess

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Back in June 2013 I dusted off my sewing machine and sent my then 22 year old overlocker off for its’ first service. I made a dress in a day….. totally oblivious to sizing charts, in a tricky ITY knit and have never looked back! During the last 4 years I discovered social media, and now have more sewing friends that golfing friends, which is really strange as golfing is a real life hobby not a virtual one like blogging! I also have lots of golfing friends who now sew… my enthusiasm can be infectious so watch out!  But all the sewing led me to have a huge lifestyle change, and not really for the better. I no longer played golf 3 or 4 times a week, instead I was either sat at my sewing machine or at my computer, and my life became stagnant. I’m not sure when the extra pounds really crept on, but soon I was almost 2 stone heavier than when I started blogging!   Things had to change.  I felt …

On The Ball! Simplicity 1613

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Being on the ball is not usually my forté but since my trip to the recent SewUpNorth meet up I’ve actually used 2 pieces of fabric I acquired at the swap and used a pattern that came free with the current issue of the Dressmaker magazine. I’m not a regular of the Dressmaker magazine as I subscribe to Love Sewing and Sew Direct.  I think the hubby would raise an eyebrow at more sewing publications dropping on the mat, but I still have a peek at the others when I’m out shopping. This pattern caught my eye immediately and I was drawn into buying the mag’ and I knew just which fabric would be a perfect match. This John Kaldor ITY knit which was kindly donated to the swap from RuthRuth at Ruth Creates. The pattern was a super simple make, I whizzed it up in a couple of hours (after cutting out) despite having to unpick the off the shoulder part – I’m not sure what it’s name is.  The shoulder band maybe? I’m …

#SundaySevens 101

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It’s a good job Natalie’s Sunday Sevens are free and easy with no hard and fast rules, cos I’d have broken them all by now. I’m thinking for now I’ll post my Sunday Sevens fortnightly rather than weekly, so here’s my last 2 weeks…..   As usual I usually have something with me to do at work.  My main distraction is still this blanket which I also take to cricket.  I usually have a with me too pattern too on the off chance I get to cut it out. This is the canal basin in Elland.  This area was devastated by the Boxing Day Floods in 2015 but now looks amazing, I even have my own car park for when I’m stood by.  Well, it feels like my own as there’s only ever me there! Tea out….. Toffee fudge eclair.  I started at one end and the Hubby at the other.  We finished it!!  I’ve put his phone there so you can see just how big it is! The Tailors in Fartown has a new …

McCalls 7577 – A playsuit with frilly legs!

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Back in February I joined Slimming World.  I’d lost about 10 pounds on my own, well not entirely on my own, I’d been hitting the gym classes with my bestie but I needed a bigger push to shed another 20 pounds. One of the things that spurred me on to loose the weight was the Mc Calls pattern 7577. As soon as I saw this cute little playsuit I really wanted to make it for my June holiday.   So as the inches melted away I rummaged in my stash and found the perfect fabric for View A but without the sleeves.  I bought this crepe from Leeds Market last November in the first SewUpNorth meet up.   Shockingly (for me) I didn’t trace the pattern and I didn’t make a muslin! My thoughts on tracing have changed slightly.  Before I used to trace absolutely everything as I was hoping to be a smaller size in the future, now i’m tending to cut straight into the patterns as I’m adamant I’m staying the size I …

#SEWUPNORTH 2017

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What a day!!  Even bigger, and dare I say it better than last year!  Sally and Becca really pulled out all the stops and were super organised! It included a pattern and fabric swap,  a huge gathering at Costa, lots of shopping and chances to mingle, and a raffle of amazing prizes at the end of the day which raised over £750 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance!   Well done ladies!! Here’s a couple of jersey fabrics I took to the swap…… And a few patterns……. Meeting up with our 2 hostesses with the mostess!  Becca was not impressed with my tan!  And the lovely Wendy who you might remember from my last Sunday Sevens post. Wendy made the actual garments on some of the knitting patterns for sale in John Lewis! How cool is that!?  We made John Lewis our first stop as there was a sale on, Wendy bought some gorgeous silk, I just did lots of stroking.  A random fella took a pic for us in the new arcade outside John Lewis. …

Sunday Sevens Centenary Catch Up

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I’ve only gone and missed a whole months blogging, and missed my 100th Sunday Sevens post! So here’s a catch up of what I got up to in June…… You might remember I hit my Slimming World Target at the end of May.  As a result I went through all my clothes, (yes all!!), some went to my sister, some were put into a pile to adjust to fit and some were put back into action! Here’s my favourite ever RTW frock from 9 years ago that I can now wear again!!  I was so excited to finally be able to zip this up!! We’re off the Ripon races towards the end of July and usually I make a new dress but I don’t think I will this year! A night out to see Take That in Sheffield…. an amazing night and more like a show that a concert. I have no idea why I took this photo and why i’m looking so happy to be at work, but it was in my phone so …

The 2nd Half of MeMadeMay17

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No don’t rub your eyes, you have read correctly, and yes I am that behind! No apologies necessary, absent friends don’t need to do that….right?  I hope so! I’m here, I’m back and I’ll just get on with it! You can read the first instalment of MeMadeMay HERE.  With me writing this so late I’m just so pleased I posted on IG otherwise it would be a struggle writing this! Day 18 & 19 – I worked 10-20 so it was uniform all day.  If I’m starting earlier or later I do tend to wear ‘my own’ clothes either before and after my shift but with this rubbish shift it’s all work, PJs then bed.  But my trusty Brooklyn Hoodie saves the day when I need me made on a work day – this was made with a colleague’s old fleeces that were destined for the bin! Day 20 – I took part in the Forget Me not Trust Colour run.  My jazzy Espresso leggings were perfect.  I looked like I’d been splattered even before …

#SundaySevens 99

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Hi Folks! Here we are with another Sunday Sevens Double Bill, and looking back over the last 2 weeks and beyond it’s no wonder I’m not making any new garments!  I still love taking the pics and sharing them with you, and also looking back over my old posts too.  It’s so easy to forget all the good stuff that happens in life so it’s a good way of keep a little photo diary of the little things, and the big things too. The week didn’t start off 2 good.  I fell on the steps in the gym, landing on my side. I managed to keep hold of my purse, water bottle and phone, but hit every step until I landed at the bottom.  the rest of the day (after I went to my intended class!) was spent in my PJs feeling very sore and sorry for myself. Sue and I ready in our team strips to play in the A team. We played at Bradley Hall Golf Club.  The weather was so miserable but the scenery …

#memademay17 – Halfway there

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I pledged to wear me made every day and post on IG and so far so good!  It’s been tough at times as I discover more clothes that are too big for me, but on the plus side some of my older makes have been dug out of the archives. 1 – My first Molly Top from Sew Over It has had lots of wear since I made it back in October, and is still in regular rotation. 2 – Me Made May sprung me into action the night before a game of golf when I didn’t know what I could wear that was me made.  I up cycled an unloved golf top that belonged to my hubby. 3 – Day 3 and I managed a whole outfit!  A fairly recently make, my Cynthia Rowley Skirt (simplicity 1783) and a top using a Simple Sew pattern from last year (sorry I can’t remember which one!) 4 – My first and only Fehr Trade VNA top.  I really need more of these for my new action packed …