Since accidentally discovering The Fabbadashery in Halifax (photos and post HERE) I’ve thought it would be a lovely place to have a mini meet up for the Yorkshire Spoolettes.
So, the date is Wednesday 4th May – the day before the first episode of this year’s GBSB!!!
Are you as excited as me!!! I keep wondering if I’ll ‘know’ any of the contestants. I’ve got a bit of a feeling that there might be a certain lady who doesn’t live too far from me who might be in it, but it’s only a hunch and I’ve no evidence, and I’m not saying who!
Anyway, back to the meet up!
Chrissy has kindly offered tea, coffee and bikkies (which auto correct keep trying to change to bikinis!!) and afterwards I’ll arrange for us to have lunch somewhere – venue dependant on numbers., but there’s plenty to choose from.
The sewing/teaching room which opens up from the shop won’t be in use so there is somewhere for us to sit, natter, bring a bit of hand sewing or crochet – whatever takes your fancy!!
If anyone wants to have a pattern/fabric swap that’s ok, but could we limit it to bringing only 1 of each – I’ve still got the bag to drop off at the charity shop from the last one!
It’ll be quite different to our Dewsbury meet ups, as in we won’t be going between fabric shops, although there is a market with a wool shop nearby if yarns your thing, and I’m sure Fiona and Del will be able to point us in the right direction for any of our other shopping needs!
I thought we could stay there until about for an hour or 2 then head off and find a spot of lunch. It’ll be quite flexible so if you can’t get there til later or whatever we won’t leave you behind.
There’s also the possibility of jumping on a train and having an hour or 2 in Hebden Bridge – it’s only 14 minutes from Halifax – again dependant on numbers and what you all fancy doing.
Leave a comment if you’d like to join us. New Spoolettes welcome!! And if you’ve any suggestions or ideas about the day they’re welcome too!!
Once I know how many are interested and spoke to Chrissy again I’ll confirm times and eating place.
And for those of you who’ve followed me for a why you might feel like you sort of ‘know’ my mum a bit too, and she’s hoping to make one in on the day!
Back in October one of my besties went to Fabworks and with the help of the ladies there bought me these 3 pieces of fabric for my birthday. I made the Woodland Cape with grey/red and lined it in the red but still had all these lips blowing kisses at me every time I went in my sewing room.
The lips fabric is a soft drapy crepe with a hint of stretch across the width. Perfect for this pattern, and not the end of the world if it doesn’t work as I wasn’t sure at this point if it was really my cup of tea.
Before I get down to the nitty gritty and share lots of photos of the ups and down in this new relationship why not have a listen to The Brotherhood of Man?!
This song just takes me back! How come I still know all the words when I’ve not heard it for years! Check out the outfit on the far right – could that possibly be a jumpsuit!!??
Swiftly moving on!
As nearly everything I’ve made has needed a sway back adjustment, and i’ve always found out too late and just put up with it on the finished garment I decided to do one whilst tracing off the pattern.
I removed a 2 inch wedge. No technical workings out here except that it’s unusually a good inch that I can pinch out on finished garments. Even RTW ones, which results in them being left in the store after trying on.
Most of you will either not need to read this as you don’t need one, or have already done one and so don’t need to read it either.
But this chopping off a wedge can apply to anywhere so if you’re new to adapting the fit (like me!) then maybe if might be worth reading on, other wise feel free to skip forward to the colourful part!
Above you can see I’ve lost 1 1/2 inch from the bottom width of the pattern piece so I added it to the other side. But I only added 1 1/4 inch using the original side seam line as a guide. On hindsight I maybe should have gone out the full 1 1/2 inch as it is a little snug on the hips.
Just to mention – I initially forgot to snip into the seam allowance and make my hinge on the stitching line (see above where the little black cross is on the right side of the horizontal red line). So i redid it and it made not difference!! See below…
So I went back to how it was!
The only things left to do was straighten the grainline, true up the bottom of the centre back and straighten up those pleats marks.
As this was getting a bit messy, once I’d made all the change i retraced another piece but saved this for future reference.
Luckily I managed to get this done at work so it didn’t feel like it took so long. Usually I’m chomping at the bit want to get sewing but that was out of the question with being at work.
The fabric behaved surprisingly well – it’s floaty crepe-iness clung to my cutting board and there was minimal sliding about. I didn’t attempt any pattern matching at the lips were so random it didn’t thing it would matter.
When it came to actually making it up there was much head scratching and cups of coffee before I’d even pinned the front pleats!
But once I transferred the markings on to the right side of the fabric it was fairly straight forward.
I added the 2 rows of gathering stitches as instructed, but when I got to the gathering stage I decided that I didn’t like them.
To compensate for the lack of gathers I brought the pleat together at the centre. I added the row of basting stitches an inch below the top to help everything stay in place when I added the binding.
The sleeves also said to gather and bind, but i left without gathers and hemmed using my usual easy pease method, same as the bottom hem…..
Sew a row of stitches 3/8 inch from the fabric edge.
Turn under and press so the stitching is just inside.
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Turn under once more and sew from the right side. No pins needed, just take care to set it up and watch where the fabric is on the presser foot so you can sew it evenly. You should be able to feel the edge of the fabric as it goes through so you’ll know you’ve caught it. Just take it steady!
And secured it in place before finishing adding my bias tape.
And a quick rummage in my button box and it was finished!
Still here?!
Here’s the finished garment on Gertrude – it actually fits her very well, but she’s not carrying the extra 10 pounds or so that I am!
The pleats seam to disappears into the fabric.
The raglan sleeves and back hang really well.
Close up of the cute little button!
The back opening was really easy – just double turned the seam allowance – was much neater than I imagined it would be, I’ve not done one like that before.
Close up of the front pleats.
Now for some fun in the garden! It was a bit chilly, and I don’t often have the assistance of my Blog Manager, but as he’s going skiing next week with the school his usual sweet nature is more obliging than usual. So I took complete advantage and he photographed me wearing my last 3 makes.
3 makes in just over 2 weeks!! I am actually working backwards here as I only finished this lip smacker off today but will hopefully be able to get chance to write up the other 2 in the next few days. I really need to catch up on my reader too, and reply to quite a few comments on my last couple of posts!
No I’m not being shy! I just can’t wait to show you the result of the sway back adjustment! This is really something I’ll do in everything (not stretchy) before I get to the cutting out stage, even if it means adding a centre back seam.
I thing maybe i need to flatten the pattern out on the bottom as it goes up in the middle. More truing up i think.
The top is a bit weird how the pleats fall over the bust. If I stand up straight and don’t move they’re okay!
I don’t think the missing gathers help with the fabric gathering at the front around the pleats. The neckline I expect is probably an inch lower as there are no gathers to lift it.
It’s growing on me though, and once I loose a few pounds (which I will, as I’m back running after having a lazy last 4 weeks and put a few back on) I think the top won’t be as snug on the waist and hips and will drape better over the bust.
Ooops! Not sure what I was doing here! Looks like the start of a wonder women twirl!!
That’s it for now!
Maybe just to mention in case you’re thinking of making this top – i missed off the side zip that was called for. I stitched it up in the hope I didn’t need it, but had my stitch ripper handy in case I did. And i didn’t!
If you want to have one more listen to the Brotherhood of Man and don’t fancy scrolling back here we are! I always remember listening to this with “tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree…..”. That was one of my favourites too!
Same song – different video and more inspirational outfits….!
Late edit… I tried it on for hubby….. ‘Wow’, he said. ‘That looks really expensive!’ ….me ….. BIG smile, yay! 😉
Another lovely week! I am lucky – it even surprises me when I come to write my Sunday Sevens just what I manage to get up to in only 7 days!
Click on the image below to head to Natalie’s blog – the creator of Sunday Sevens!
On Monday after school H and I called into a kitchen and bathroom showroom to look for ideas for when we have our extension built. Have you ever seen karaoke in the shower before!!??
Cherry and custard pizza….. scrummy!
Made the amazing fit simplicity 1696 pants. Can’t wait to show you these, but need some sunshine and a photographer!
We did have an abundance of sunshine on Thursday for golf….. (cont below)
I played at Bingley St Ives in between Bradford and Keighley. It was a team event raising money for our local hospice. Below is the 18th hole. A par 3 where we have to hit over the road. The road is only open to people and horses. We had to wait until the riders passed before we could tee off. (I managed a Par!)
If you’re in the area and have children, there’s the most amazing adventure playground ever here (free!!). Kids right up to 12/13 year olds who like H still like to play would love it, as well as the younger ones.
There’s also some decent walks around the estate. It’s worth checking out here.
In the clubhouse after….Look at all the raffle prizes! And I never managed to win one!!
Saturday night I called at my parent after work only to find H now appears to be bigger than my dad! It’s hard to decide really but then you look at where H’s knees are and then my dad’s and if nothing else his legs are longer!
You may have missed my lovely mum this week. She cringes every week as she opens up my Sunday Sevens on her iPad wondering if she’s going to starring! But this week it’s dads turn.
She does read all the comments and asked me to say a big thankyou for all the get well wishes since she had her op’.
Hope you too have a lovely week! I’m writing this on Saturday night and scheduling it for tomorrow. The hubby and I are abandoning H leaving H with my parents and we’re heading to Northumberland for a couple of days. Until next time, Cheerio!
And just a late entry… I forgot to add the ‘featured photo’. Although this picture of me and my sister was taken aprox 33 years ago (!!!) I’ve added it in celebration of Children’s Day which was the 16th March. If you’re wondering why you’ve not heard of it before, it’s because it’s just peculiar to our little family.
I don’t talk about my time at work much, what with patient confidentiality and all that. And also nothing much happens that I think would be worth sharing. But, and it’s a BIG but, I’ve had a great day today and I just can’t wait to tell you!
Yesterday a pattern arrived in the post so I thought I’d take it to work with me in the hope I’d be able to muster up some enthusiasm to trace off the pieces for the top in my lunch break.
Lunch ate & pieces traces off, including fathoming out a sway back adjustment, in 45 minutes. I decided to do the sway back adj before sewing a muslin as everything I’ve ever made has always needed one, but I’ve never thought to do it before the first fit.
And then it happened. I got a call to a patient at the Fabberdashery in Halifax.
“The What” I thought. Never heard of it, but I was soon on my way.
Once the patient was safely on her way to hospital I had a quick look around the shop. It was amazing, and Chrissy the owner is lovely. I took a few photos to share it with you – there’s even a craft room where they offer a huge variety of lessons.
As most of you know I’m mainly into dressmaking but have recently dabbled in quilting and this I imagine is going to be quite addictive too. Especially now I’ve found this little gem to fuel my new addiction!
So here we are, some photos I quickly took before I had to be on my way….
A totally handmade quilt – hand pieced and quilted…..
I’d like the bookcase with ALL that fabric in my home please!
They sell mainly fabric for crafting, but do have some for dressmaking including the bolts of linen below…
Beautiful cushions everywhere, and classes to show you how to make them…
I really could have done with coming here when I went shopping for my Time for Teal fabric…..
And my goodness! How cute is this cushion!!?? I’m sure they wouldn’t mind me copying this for another block for the time for teal quilt. After all it’s for charity!
The craft room opens up from the shop. It was so hard not to go sit down with these ladies!
Don’t ask me what I bought! I did have my purse with me but didn’t want to do any panic buying! This shop is only a 20 minute drive from my home and I’ll be back!
Goodies everywhere!
I really, honestly, truly didn’t buy anything! But when I go back I’ll let you know what slipped into my basket. We’ve a baby due in June (not me!) and I’m going to make my first proper quilt, so this is the perfect place to stock up on all I will need.
Unfortunately although they do have a website and a Facebook page they don’t sell online. But if you’re within driving distance it’s well worth a visit. It’s even on Trip Advisor!! Or if you don’t drive it’s only 1/2 a mile from the train station, and Halifax is quite a nice small town to have a wander round with plenty of nice cafes to grab a bite to eat. They even have an old fashioned independent department store (as seen on Happy Valley!).
This morning over my first cup of coffee at work I was checking my emails and saw one from Liberty and immediately clicked the link to view their new Iniqlo Collection – everyday clothes made with their scrumptious fabric that we all regularly drool over.
I hardly ever buy clothes – either the qualities naff or it’s too expensive, so unless it’s a bargain or I really couldn’t make it myself I don’t buy it.
Within 5 minutes of browsing the new Liberty collection I had 6 things in my basket!!
What does that tell you?!?!
The prices are so reasonable I honestly think they must have priced all the garments wrong!
I couldn’t really justify buying everything in my basket, so removed the linen shirt, the jeggings, the shirt dress and the tunic and just bought these 2 garments…..
A hoodies for £19.90
And a maxi dress with bra support for £29.90
Like we’ve all said hundreds of times “I couldn’t make it for that”!
I once bought 2m of this fabric from Liberty and it’s still in it’s virgin state – I’ve wrapped in tissue paper in it’s cute little Liberty bag that it came in.
So when I say I couldn’t make it for that I really really couldn’t – even if I bought the fabric I wouldn’t dare cut into it!
If you want something to drool over whilst you have your morning coffee hit the image below and it’ll take you straight there – you’d best go get your purse first!
Happy shopping, and let me know if you succumb to the temptation!
This week’s photo challenge was a tricky one I thought! Then I remembered these photos hidden in the depths of my computer!
The feature photo and the photo below have not been ‘doctored’ at all – the sky was literally on fire on a Saturday evening playing golf.
I took these photos back in 2009 when I bought my first proper camera. I didn’t really know what I was doing with composition etc and really wish I’d taken more care positioning my hubby so you could see his outline better.
Hello from a tropical part of the world – Yorkshire! Temperatures are well into double figures (12 degrees C) and everyone is smiling, despite H loosing his football match 5-0.
Here’s my Sunday Sevens – a few photos from my last week, linking in with Natalie from Threads and Bobbins, and all the other lovely Sunday Seveners.
I started the week on my blog with a Vlog – egged on by one or 2 o you (you know who you are!). I don’t think vlogging will be a regular feature here on my blog but I’m a sucker for trying anything once!
1 The few from the back of our local co-op where the car park is. I popped in and was almost blinded as I parked my car. Quick photo…. and when I came out of the shop the sun had disappeared, so I was lucky to catch it.
2 I didn’t get any running in this week but did manage 2 rounds of golf. In winter we put the ball on a little plastic mat to protect the soft ground.
3 Out for lunch with mum. Double egg n chips weren’t on the menu but they rustled up my mums favourite.
4 This is the farm shop where the above cafe is. Good job I’d eaten my lunch before I had to walk past all those cakes! I couldn’t totally resist, a pack of bakewell slices sneaked into my basket!
5 Prior to my quilting escapades I couldn’t see what all the fuss was about needing the expensive quilting rulers. I managed with a 50cm ruler which cost less than a pound and a french curve. But now I have 3 proper different sized quilting rulers and they needed a home – my cute toast rack that hasn’t seen toast for yonks!
6 A tunic/dress in need of a refashion. 8 inch removed from the bottom and hemmed with wundaweb! This is the before picture. I’m thinking maybe I should add a bit of embellishment using what’s I’ve chopped off??
7 Me and H went swimming. It’s that long since I last went the swimming cossie took some finding.
All these pics were taken Monday to Thursday. I was back to work on Friday after 8 days off and was hoping to take some pictures for the Happy Valley fans out there, but I’ve either been sent in the wrong direction or it’s been dark.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, must dash, working in half an hour!!
PS the chunky knitting in the feature pic is what arrived from Wool and the Gang. it weighs a tonne!
Remember the white hoodie I made last month? The only time I don’t wear it is at work, it’s just so cosy and goes with everything. So I thought I needed to remedy the situation!
Obviously with wearing a uniform I can’t just go out and buy fabric and make something to wear for work. But I did come across 2 old fleeces with broken zips that were quite large and would otherwise be going in the bin!
From start to finish it took about 3 hours to make. I didn’t go to town with the top stitching like the white one, mainly because it was for work, but also because my machine struggled with this thick fabric.
The double ended zip was from Fabworks – 25p! The pattern was won an the fabric upcycled! So all in all a cheap make!
I used twill tape to neaten the seam where the hood is attached. I won’t be using a contrasting one again – it wasn’t as neat as I would have liked. Passable, just!
I stitched my epaulettes directly onto the hoodie as they often fall off when I’m carrying the heavy rucksack on my shoulder on my other jackets.
All in all its a winner. During the cold spell last week it was an extra layer – 3 coats I had on at one job was I was outside for ages. And this is the only one with a cosy hood.
Well, that’s it! Just a quick one tonight – I’m on my break and I’m trying to eat my chicken kebab! 😃
I thought of solid colours initially as this is a biggie for me – I buy so much beautiful fabric in all sorts of designs but then nothing goes together. So my aim this year is to try and only buy solid coloured fabric.
But then whilst out shopping in our local farm shop is came to the freezer section – and it’s all frozen solid.
Especially these Yorkshire Puddings at a bargain price of 12 for a £1 – homemade too!
Back in October one of my besties went to Fabworks and with the help of the ladies there bought me these 3 pieces of fabric for my birthday. I made the 
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