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Hand Made Photo Gifts 1 – Toiletries Bag

Published by Thimberlina

Yay! At last!! I finally get round to showing you a special gift I’ve made. I’ve been hanging on as I was hoping to get a pic of this toiletries bag in the middle of the sea in some unknown place on a submarine! I’ve not got it yet but hopefully I’ll be able to show you soon and will add it to my Sunday Sevens.

One of my work buddies partner is in the Royal Navy and will be away for his birthday in a submarine. When was racking her brains as what she could buy him and I came up with a personalised toiletries bag. She looked a bit grief stricken as if she should make it, and was quite relieved when i told her all she had to do was email me some photos and I’d do the rest.

Here’s the photos printed off onto special photo transfer paper. I bought mine from WHSmiths – 5 sheets for £10 but I’m sure you could find them cheaper on Amazon. I used 2 sheets (A4 size) then cut them out leaving a big extra around the edges.

Make sure you reverse all your photos, especially if there’s writing!

I forgot with these, so couldn’t use them for the actual bag but did use them to have a practice with. So If you’ve a bit of extra space on your page it would be a good idea to print an extra picture so you can have a practice.

Gemma also wrote a message on a piece of calico using Dylon fabric pens.

For the bag I was using some stretch denim from my stash and luckily I had a zip that matched perfectly too. I bought the denim from Minerva but looking at their site it appears to have sold out.

I looked back on the Boxy Dopp Kit I made for Martin and re-read the tutorial from Cottage Mama as I wasn’t sure of how big to make it.

Lindsey suggests using pieces of fabric 13″ x 14″ inches. I made mine slightly bigger as I had quite a lot of photos to fit on! Instead of using light weight interfacing I used some quite thick sew in interfacing as it was all i had in. I used the same fabric for the inside as the outside.

I followed her instructions.

After inserting the zip I sewed in Gemma’s messages inside – before the bottom and the sides were sewn up.

In the past I’ve used Bondaweb but this time I just pinned then zig zagged around the edges.

Next up I added the photos.

Once I was happy with the placement I ironed them on one at a time.

Hey presto!

And the other side!

It took a bit of guess work as to where the edges of the bag would end up but it all turned out ok.

Once the sides were stitched up it looked like an odd shoe bag with the zip down the centre. The bag was turned inside out and the corners stitched and trimmed off.

For the first couple of seams I finished them off using my overlocker. It had quite a few layers to cut through in parts and wasn’t too neat. I changed to using the overlocking stitch and special foot on my Janome and was happier with how in looked.

Here we are!!!

Gemma was over the moon with it! It’s been posted off and he received it a couple of weeks ago when they ‘came alongside’ (new navy phrase I’ve learnt) in Gibraltar. He’s saving it to open on his birthday, which was last Sunday. She’s not heard from him yet though so he must be in the middle of the deep blue sea with no Wifi.

#SundaySevens Week 57 (me32)

Published by Thimberlina

Thank goodness for Sunday Sevens! If it hadn’t been for them lately my blog would be feeling well and truly neglected. Hopefully I’ll get up to date this week – it’s might birthday week and I’m only working one day so should have plenty of time!

Without getting ahead of myself though, here’s my last week in seven photos:

1 Look what I stumbled across! A new shop just down the road!! I took my mum to work and as I passed a shop which has been emptied for about 10 years I spied rolls of fabric. Hand brake turn!! Well almost! A screech of brakes at least!! I found this Aladdin’s Cave of craftiness! Its Dolly’s Craft Corner in Wibsey and it’s only been open a few weeks but they’ve been trading on Ebay for a few years so some might have heard of them. Click HERE to see their ebay shop, and if you’re local pop in – they’re really lovely and friendly, and will be having crafty sessions and lessons there soon! Here’s the address for those who might want to pop in…. 46-48 ODSAL ROAD, BD61AQ Wibsey. It’s only 5 minutes from Jun 26 of M62 if you want to get an idea of where it is.

I managed not to buy anything, but only because it took me by surprise and didn’t have much cash on me!

2 Lunch date with a lovely friend who lives on my street but it’s ages since we had a proper catch up! I had a chicken club and creme brûlée! Yum Yum!

3 Some sights locally – I’ve taken these whilst walking off above chicken club sandwich and skinny fries! First the duck pond. Not too good a photo showing the ducks but they are the fattest most fed ducks anywhere and never coming charging over wanting bread.

4 There’s a farm on the busy main road, they have 2 shetland ponies and 2 donkeys. These are also very well fed, hence the donkey’s are being a bit shy in the back ground.

5 More wild life. At the back of the ambulance station is the local library and we have a high wall between us. I spotted a robin through the window. He’s a bit small in the photo as I daren’t get too close in case he flew away!

6 A new top! Remember the pink striped drapey Lekala one? Well I whipped up another in this remnant I picked up from Girl Charlee. The back’s plain black as I didn’t have enough of the patterned fabric. Only took an hour! Won’t be blogging it as there’s not much to say except I love it!

7 My bike! I’d brought it into the house ready for an early start on Saturday and Sunday morning. In my quest to get fit I decided to cycle the 7 miles to work. This is something I’ve not done in the last 18 months. Hubby was on stand by to pick my up in case I couldn’t face the ride home after a 12 hour shift, but I’m pleased to say I managed it both days!

Feature Photo – all the way from America! Martin, my bestie, is over there celebrating his birthday with his partner. He sent my a pic of his birthday breakfast and I wanted to share it with you!

Sunday Sevens? 7 photos from your week, or my week, or anyones week! It started off being Natalie’s week and we’re all joining in! Fancy joining in too? Head over to Natalie’s blog and join in too!

#SundaySevens Week 56 (me 31)

Published by Thimberlina

Better late than never I s’pose.

I had a busy 3 days at the start of last week – nice busy catching up with friends, but not very productive. Then I started 4 12 hour nights on Thursday and the week went down hill from there! Except I was asked to work on the ambulance instead of the response car. I don’t really like nights on my own so had no problems swapping, and my crew mate was 6ft 7 so I felt a bit like I had a body guard!

Anyway, enough ramblings and onto the pics. These are from the start of the week except 1. No photos of my bodyguard I’m afraid, but if I work with him again I might ask him if he’d like to star in my Sunday Sevens!

1 I met up with a couple of friends – it was Ann’s 50th last week and I gave her her pressies. She loved it!

2 Whilst out for a walk I spotted this pug on a trampoline….

3 I couldn’t remember taking this next photo, but eventually it came back to me! I’d cut across the golf course whilst out for my run and the sun was really low.

4 Out for cocktails in Leeds with the girls from work. There was a bit of student thing going on in the Trinity Centre for freshers week. We joined in the fun!5 Cocktails…… these were a bit pricey in the Alchemist, but we had one then moved on!

6 hahaha!!!! this fly was driving my mum crazy, she tried to suck it up with the vac but it was just too fast!

7 Chicken kebab on a Saturday night at work.The healthy option at a takeaway. (we’d eaten the cheesy garlic bread before we got back to station!).

Last week I clocked up nearly 18 miles walking and running and weighed in 5lbs lighter than when I started 6 weeks ago. I’ve also lost 2 inches off my waist! The old achilles tendons have been aching really bad since Saturday so I’m having a breather from the running this week so as not to do any serious damage.

So that’s my week. If you’d love to join in and share not just what you’ve made at the sewing table you can join in Sunday Sevens too! Head over to our leaders blog over at Threads & Bobbins to find out more!

#SundaySevens week 55 (me 30)

Published by Thimberlina

Hello! I’m on track with my days today and quickly posting before I dash downstairs to open a bottle of something fizzy and watch Xfactor!

Here’s my week in 7 photos – The Sunday Sevens as thought up by the lovely Natalie over at Threads and Bobbins.

1 We had our end of season competition at the golf club, followed my a meal. Check out this pudding!! It’s my absolute favourite and Lorraine the waitress left me until the very last to be served. I was feeling very sorry for myself. Then she came out with this!! Not sure if you can get how big this piece is – it’s on a dinner plate and the spoon in a serving spoon!! I ate half and they wrapped the rest up for me to take home for H.

2 I’ve made another gift this week using photographic transfer paper. To be blogged very soon (she may be watching!!)

3 A parcel of lovely Christmas fabric arrived all the way from America from Natalie’s Sunday Sevens Birthday Giveaway! I think I’m going to make some Christmas Bunting which will hopefully come out year after year!

4 Then the next day another parcel arrived!! This was from Rachel from SewSouthLondon. She a bit further away now than London, this came all the way from Malaysia. Its a gorgeous soft 100% Japanese cotton that she bought in Singapore. Just for me! It was a thankyou for her my GBSB drapy knit dress which did me no favours but in the interest of science I sent it to Rachel. If you missed it early this year here’s Rachel’s Single White Female post.

5 This one’s just for you Del and as close to the butcher as I dare go when I’m out jogging!

6 Friday night we went to watch Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhinos in the Rugby Super League. A very exciting match, or so I was told! I had a natter with some of the other wives and watched from behind glass next to the bar!

7 Yay! We’ve had glorious sunshine on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and I’ve done loads of pegging out! Don’t think it’ll last much longer, but making the most of it whilst it’s here!

So that’s my week! Hope you’ve had a lovely one too! If you’d like to join in you can – just had a look a Natalie’s post to see what it’s about. It’s a really good way to get to know other sewing bloggers and we share things other than what’s going on at the machine! And also, like Sewchet mentioned a couple of weeks ago, it keeps us blogging when we might not otherwise have anything to share!

Oh and before I go, the feature photo – it’s one of the floral centre pieces from out ladies golf lunch. Isn’t it stunning!?

Stretching my sewing skills – The Fehr Trade VNA Running Top

Published by Thimberlina

I recently bought the sew independent fabric bundle which includes Fehr Trades VNA running top.

Click on the image to be taken to the Fehr Trade site.

I’ve also taken up the running challenge of couch to 5k and have nearly finished week 5 of 8. The elastic limit of my current workout clothes is almost past the point of no return so it’s time to make some running tops that fit.

I’ve got a few pieces of lycra in my stash but for my first attempt I used fabric that I wouldn’t be too upset if it turned out to be a disaster.

Remember this dress… it was made before and after a 10 hour shift, then worn in the evening. Phew! I don’t tend to rail road my sewing any more, mainly due to having less time, but also because I’m trying to sew to a higher standard. I’ve only worn this dress 3 or 4 times in 2 years so thought it was time for a refashion!

I also used the legs of some gym pants which are now shorts, and a piece of black t shirt type of fabric from my scrap bin.

The pieces are odd shapes and at one point I didn’t think i’d be able to get the upper front and back piece out of the orange fabric.

The back piece just on the front of the dress.

But the front piece was never going to fit with the fabric the right way up:

Luckily the fabric has 4 way stretch so I was able to turn the fabric and fit the piece on:

I cut the bindings from the old gym pants:

The instructions were amazingly easy to follow and I was pleased how the V of the neckline turned out, and also the Vs in the back. (ignore loose thread!)

The only wobble I had, which was almost a disaster, was that I manage to stretch out the fabric when top stitching the neck binding. I had to walk away and go have a round of golf to clear the mind!

I posted this pic on instagram and Fehr trade promptly gave me advice on what caused it and how to prevent it happening again.

Looks like your machine is stretching the fabric as you sew, which creates those waves. It could be that your presser foot pressure is too tight – a walking foot will take away all of those issues (I utterly love mine, it’s pretty much the default foot on my machine!). If you can’t press the ripples out, unfortunately you’ll need to unpick & stitch again. Try some samples first before the next lot maybe?

How cool was that!? I couldn’t bring myself to unpick all those tiny zig zag stitches so gave it some heat and steam instead:

Slightly better, but not much! Undeterred I finished the top and once worn it stretches out some of the wobbliness with the help of the negative ease.

The hem of the top calls for twin needle sewing or cover stitching. I don’t own a cover stitch machine (YET!!) so I opted for the twin needle and a zig zag stitch:

I used a red and an orange thread. Mainly because if I’d have wanted them the same I would have had to wind an extra bobbin!

I had a bit of trouble with my stitching using the twin needle. I followed the instructions but one of the threads kept snapping – it was from the extra spool. It didn’t seem to run smoothly from the spool. To over come this I kept pulling the thread from the spool so it was just handing down the front of my machine. Not ideal, but it worked. Does anyone have any better suggestions?

Here’s some more pics of my finished top being modelled by Gertrude:

I’m super duper pleased with it!! Only thing I need now is a well fitting sports bra as my old work out tops have built in support. In the interim period before I go shopping, I’ve been wearing my old plain black top underneath.

Here’s me wearing it – just after a run so a bit difficult to muster a smile. Not as difficult as getting hubby off the couch to take the photos though!

And to finish with, a shot of my first VNA running top in action, out in public!!

Still looks a bit wavy but who care’s! I’m running so fast no one will notice!!

#Sunday Sevens week 54 (me 29)

Published by Thimberlina

Being a shift worker I don’t get that Friday feeling, but I don’t get Monday morning blues either. I don’t usually know what day it is and once marked one of my patients down as being confused as he thought it was Thursday when I thought it was Monday. He was right. His wife corrected me!

But Sunday Sevens keep me on track and gives me some order to my week. Except now it is Tuesday and I’m posting my Sunday Sevens. Oops.

1 I’m cheating a bit with this first photo. About a month ago I was I Leeds and the Rugby World Cup tour was there. I took this pic but then forgot about it, and as it’s the start of the world cup this week and England are hosting I thought I’d share it with you.

2. Big puddle on the 15th green.

3. Trying to be healthy.

4. Worked all my 3 shifts on the ambulance instead of the rapid response this week. Took this picture on the way to a job. The scenery was stunning, unfortunately this was the best I could do as we were shifting!

5. Out running in my me made running top!! Didn’t make me go any faster but felt good!

6. Playing golf at Keighley with 11 guys from work. Bit if of a mottly crew but had a great day and a lot of laughs.

7. Out for Ann’s 50th – one of the cricket mums. We’ve missed her this year as her boy got selected for the Yorkshire A team so we’ve missed her in the B team. He’s even bigger than H!!

Finally here’s my progress so far in the couch to 5k. I’m halfway through! yay!! Feeling fitter, but not really weighing or measuring any less!!??

If you’d like to hear more about Sunday Sevens head over to Natalie’s blog over at Threads and Bobbins.

Sunday Sevens week 53 (me 28)

Published by Thimberlina

Here’s my week, narrowed down to 7 photos (and some weeks it takes some doing!). If you’d like to join in head over to Threads & Bobbins to read about it on Natalies Blog.

1 This week I had to work a couple of night shifts. Our next door neighbours are having an extension built and are a bit noisy for me to sleep so I slept at my parents. Been a while since I slept there!

2 It’s been ages since I did any baking – a joint effort from me & H.

3 Left over lasagne getting wrapped up for cyber pops, aka my dad!

4 Started gathering supplies for my first VNA top from Fehr Trade. Bottom left a dress I made a while ago, bottom right legs from on old pair of workout pants, and tops right some black scraps of cotton jersey from my stash.

5 Mum and dad home from there hols. H has been growing again, though he’s on his tip toes here.

6 The cricket field – not the usual view – they held a music festival there yesterday. it was really good, not quite party in the park, but the local bands they had on did really well.

7 Today I cooked Yorkshire puddings and a proper Sunday dinner. This is a rare occasion because of shifts and cricket. Wish I’d taken a pic of my Yorkshires, they were whoppers!

A couple of quotes from H to leave you with….

“do you think that whoever invented Sunday Sevens will be making a living out of it?”

“if you don’t have enough photos you can always go on google images, no one would know”

Feature photo….. well the week wouldn’t be the same without a selfie!

Elephants and Indians

Published by Thimberlina

Gosh! Where’s the time gone?! I’ve had a whole month to rustle something up to fulfil my pledge for the Made Up Initiative which is raising money for the National Literacy Trust.

My mum bought this elephant and indian crepe, slightly sheer with a tiny amount of stretch for me a few months ago. I’ve been umming and arrhing for ages what to make with it so thought if I pledge to make something up with it I’d have a deadline and would do it. And I did! And I love it!

I had a few suggestions on my Sunday Sevens when I was first gifted this fabric. Sheila from Sewchet thought maybe a baby doll set for the boudoir, but Indians being ridden by elephants…… not sure if that’s an image I’d like to portray in the bedroom!

I decided to make the Dimpsy T from Laura After Midnight. I’d made a hack of this before in a jersey fabric without the collar but thought it was time to stand up to my fear of making 2 identical Peter Pan collars and forge ahead!

Click on the photo to be taken to Laura’s shop to see her patterns.

This post might end up a bit long winded and picture heavy so I’ll cut straight to the finished garment and talk about the construction later (for those who are still with me!).

Most of us either need a willing blog manager or a gadget to take photos of us wearing the clothes we’ve made. Or really long arms. I don’t have long arms so today I thought I’d give my Apple watch a try. Oops – photo of me looking like I’m telling the time (see feature photo at the top)! Then I realised I could use the 3 second timer, but forgot to smile!

Here’s the back……… I remembered to smile for this one… honest!

What do you think of the pattern matching? I had a bit of a nightmare as I lost the first back piece I cut out. Probably a good thing as I’d cut it on the fold not realising it had a centre back seam. I was then struggling with the remaining fabric to get some sort of matching and ended up having to move the elephants up one row on one side which meant the elephants weren’t walking in the same direction. But it also meant I have 2 elephants back legs together. Twice. Looks a bit like the elephants have their legs crossed because they need a wee. Or is that just my vivid imagination!?

And one last one with the watch firing off the camera on my iPhone – I couldn’t take too many as the builder on next door’s roof might thing I’m a bit crazy!

I’m really pleased with it. I wore it out for tea last night, washed it overnight and have worn it again today. I’d say that’s a success! My friend came round for lunch today. She’s a bit choosy what she wears and she likes it so an added bonus!

The construction was really straight forward. The pattern comes with a booklet of instructions. It didn’t say which side of the collar to add the interfacing. I had a feel of my husbands shirts and added mine to the upper part of the collar. I also added interfacing to the inner facings but it didn’t say to.

The front piece has a unique dart that I’ve not seen elsewhere. It’s really simple to sew but created a bit of a headache when it came to pattern placement. I opted to have the centre seam elephant free!

For the underneath of the collar and the inside facings I used white cotton lawn otherwise the elephants would show through if I’d have used the fashion fabric. I used my frixion pen to draw around the pattern, then cut it out. I used this method when cutting out the main fabric too.

The black fabric for the upper collar was chopped out of an old black top in 100% viscose. It was ever so slightly heavier in weight than the elephant fabric, and a bit tricky to work with. Once I’d sewn both collar pieces together though the cotton lawn kept everything in check and it was fairly easy to sew.

I was a bit dubious about the back opening and thought it might not sit properly as it had a centre back seam on the facing and the back of the garment. Not that I’m an expert in these type of openings, I’ve only done it once before and that was in the Sewing with Silk class that I attended.

I needn’t have worried – it worked, and I’ll happily use that method again, unless theres any pattern matching to do, in which case I’ll opt to cut it out on the fold.

I had this tiny black button in my stash…. perfect! And here is only the 2nd loop fastening I’ve stitched, I think I’ve got the hang of it now. The first one was on my silk top and I made it too big which caused the button to keep coming undone.

This shows the usual bust dart. I’m thinking for my next Dimpsy T I might do a narrow lace insertion in the centre seam.

I used a couple of different finishes on the raw edges. Firstly I used one of my sewing machine’s overlock functions as I was too lazy to change the thread on my overlocker. Everything I’ve sewn in the last 3 months has been overlocked in bight red but I didn’t think I’d get away with it on this sheerish fabric.

For the side seams I used a narrow zig zag but it bunched up my fabric, so in desperation I changed the thread on my overlocker. It really only took 2 or 3 minutes and I wish I’d have done it sooner!

I forgot when I made my last Dimpsy that I had to add a lace trim otherwise it would have been too short (for my liking).

For the hem I decided to overlock the raw edge, then turn and stitch for a really narrow hem.

It turned out really well. I didn’t use any special feet on my sewing machine, and pressed after not before stitching.

This photo might help those of you who are new to cutting out patterned fabric – I cut it out in a single layer rather than folded. The ruler was kept in place to show the centre and I drew on the pattern piece a line for the bottom of the elephant so I could align it easier.

This next photo shows the markings I made with my frixion pen. They’re ace! So long as you don’t iron your fabric before you need the markings!! I’d actually cut this pattern out initially in a smaller size so just added aprox 1/2 inch to the sides. I just eyeballed it and got lucky – it fits!

So that’s my contributions to an amazing cause. I just wish I could attend the meet up tomorrow. Is it too late to book a train?! It’s only 2 1/2 hours on the fast one!

To those who are going, hope you have a fab time, and well done to Karen for thinking up such a great fundraising idea, and to all those who’ve supported it!

Happy Birthday #SundaySevens

Published by Thimberlina

Just a year ago Natalie from Threads and Bobbins started to share 7 photos from here week. One year on Sunday Sevens is still going strong and she’s not on her own! There’s quite a bunch of Sunday Seveners out their, including me! I was a late starter to the party so it’s number 26 for me.

Head over to Natalie’s special birthday blog Post where she’s put on a celebratory giveaway to 7 lucky readers!

1. I made a start on a special pressie for a friend to send to her partner who is in the Royal Navy and is away somewhere in a submarine and will be away for his birthday. Ive printed these photos onto special paper that will be transferred onto fabric.

2. H has started back at school in year 9.

3. Gemma picked up the finished pressie and brought me these! I much prefer choccies over wine!!

4. New shoes – comfy from M&S! Similar to my pink ones that I’ve worn to death through the summer.

5. Started my sewing for the sewn up initiative. Not finished it and running out of time!! 😁

6. I’m not short of patterns but I couldn’t help myself and bought the sew independent pattern bundle no 2 whilst stood by at work.

7. One of my best buddies at work! He’s fab with the patients and they all love him 😀

Didn’t think I’d have much for you this week. But as usual I have too many! The feature photo was taken at the end of one of my 0-5k sessions this week whilst walking my 5 minutes cool down. So far so good! I’m not getting any faster but I’m sticking to it so I’m happy!

Cheerio for now 😀

Sunday Sevens Week 51 (me 26)

Published by Thimberlina

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend (in the UK)! As it’s still the weekend here I don’t feel too bad posting my #SundaySevens on a Monday. And just to mention, I can’t count either! Sorry! Some of you are approaching a birthday with Sunday Sevens, for me it’s half a year! Wonder what Natalie’s got up her sleeve…….?

1 Monday saw the start of my couch to 5k in 8 weeks. Here I am just before I start my first session. I’ve managed all 3 walks/runs this week and I’ve surprised myself by actually enjoying it.

2 We’ve both been off work this week, so one day went to Bolton Abbey in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s about an hours drive away, and I’m now wondering why we don’t go more often. We walked from the carpark near the Abbey all the way to Barden Bridge and back. The bridge is what you can see in the background. Mr Thimbers was flagging at this point, but as we were literally in the middle of nowhere we had to cross the bridge and walk all the way back. Amanda – I did 21,ooo steps that day!!

3 At the end of our walk I spotted this cute caravan in the carpark! I need one of these in my garden, it would make a fab sewing room!

4 I discovered I like fruity cider!

4 We had a couple of nights away at Cave Castle Hotel in South Cave. It’s less than an hours drive away, is a really friendly place to stay and has a golf course. H was a bit big for the put me up bed – we thought he’d have a proper single bed but all the family rooms were taken. The hotel very kindly gave him his own room next to ours at no extra charge. He was made up!

He promptly made himself a hot chocolate, ate all the biscuits, discovered he didn’t like sparkling spring water and found the shower caps in the bathroom.

5 H got to ride the buggy with Craig…

I walked……

6 I discovered that I can use my new watch to take photos with my phone! How clever!

7 Remember my Emily Culottes? How could you forget! Well I took park in a sewalong, and 2 sewalongers were picked at random to receive a free pattern from Itch to Stitch. And I was one of them!! I chose the Angelia shorts – here’s my muslin. I’ve used some Skopos curtain fabric, probably from the 90’s. I think I might even make this up and finish them properly as I like the effect of the pattern. I haven’t enough fabric for all the pieces but I’m sure I’ll botch it somehow!

The feature photo at the beginning was a surprise left on my doorstep by one of my very talented friends who does all sorts of crafty things. It smells gorgeous!

That’s it for now, things will get back to normal when H goes back to school on Wednesday and hopefully more time for sewing!