All posts filed under: Gifts I’ve made

Blog Backlog, shopping in Harrogate & Bag catch-up, oh, and fluff in my machine

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Such a busy week! Lots of unselfish sewing and an impromptu trip to Haroggate (pronounced ‘Harrow-gate’ if you’re posh!).  And a big ball of fluff!! My Auntie Kath, who taught me to knit, iron and bake when I was young lives in Harrogate. She had her birthday last week, 70 something I think (her age has always been something of an enigma!) and I forgot to post her card. This was a blessing in disguise as I’d not visited her for ages and I could also call into a couple of fabric shops that I’d found on the internet – Fine Fabrics of Harrogate and The Remenant House.  FINE FABRICS OF HARROGATE – this little shop certainly lives up to it’s name! Not a very big shop, but bright and airy and the fabric is well organised and is a pleasure to browse. I was almost tempted to buy a couple of metres of 3 or 4 different fabrics that caught my eye, but as I intended to just go for ‘a look’ I would just be …

Tartan Half Circle Skirt – a bit of a tutorial…My First!

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Today’s my niece’s 16th birthday. She asked me to make her a tartan skater skirt. After lots of googling we went shopping to Fabworks in Dewsbury on a fabric hunt. As soon as she saw this fabric it was love at first sight. It was also the most expensive one we saw at £10/metre. It was a wool mix, but was machine washable. My sister would hate me if I made something that was dry clean only.  Originally I intended to make her a 3/4 circle skirt but I wasn’t sure how the seam would match up to I chickened out and made a 1/2 circle. I had a trial run in my size as I’d never made one before. I made mine in a thick silver fabric which ended up being a nightmare to work with, it just curled up at every stage.    After pressing the living daylight out of it it eventually behaved, but alas, I have produced another UFO. I’ve not idea when I’ll ever where it so can’t bring myself justify the …

Leather Mini Tote Bag and iPhone Case

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  Today is my big sister’s birthday. Since my birthday, 10 days ago, we’ve been the same age – we used to love being the same age when we were kids, but now she’s over taken me again for the 42nd time the novelty is almost wearing off. She is wanting to buy a new laptop as she’s just started a degree in podiatry so has asked for money instead of pressies from all the family. I gave her some money but also made her a little pressie too! I’d been thinking of making some tote bags, so with the leather I’d previously bought  I decided to make a mini one in leather – big enough to hold my sister’s iPad. I used the large piece at the back. It’s chocolate brown but the photo doesn’t show it too well. I’ve just come home from my night shift, shattered after sewing and saving lives all night.  Luckily there weren’t many people who needing saving and I was able to make the bag. The commentary with the following …

The Boxy Dopp Kit

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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