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Sunday Sevens #29 (me #4)

Published by Thimberlina

Phew, I’ve made it to my week 4 of Sunday Sevens! I’m a newbie to this and lot’s of you are on week 29 – well done guys! I’m in awe! Is it getting easier for me? No, not this week, but here we are and here’s what I’ve been up to this week:

MONDAY

This was one long day. I knew it was going to be a long one so I even brought my machine downstairs. I made 30 pump bags – there will be a post shortly, and i know I’m supposed to mention things that really don’t warrant a full post on their own but I didn’t do anything else ALL day. 11 hours I sat there. My ankles were swollen by the time I’d finished. I even considered taking an aspirin as I felt at risk of a DVT. H snapped this pic of me as my camera was on the side.

TUESDAY

A better day. I went to play golf! It’s what I normally do on a Tuesday if I’m not working. We had a cake stall after to raise money for Ovarian Cancer. I bought a lemon drizzle cake and 2 gin and tonic cup cakes. The cup cakes never made it home. In fact, the first one didn’t even touch the sides when I opened my mouth. Hence, just a photo of the cake what was left after the family had seen it.

WEDNESDAY

A life changing event occurred. I ‘borrowed’ my dad’s guillotine. (thank goodness for auto correct – I wasn’t sure how to spell that!). I’ve since chopped 2 sides off the PDF pattern for my Ginger Jeans, so I suppose I’ve made a start!

THURSDAY

Back to work. Just 2 shifts this week, which happened to be the 2 days that my hubby had taken off work to start decorating the front room. Good or bad planning, I’m not sure!? No painting took place on Thursday. Just the prep work, the worst bit!

FRIDAY

It surprised me when I came home and he’d done 2 coats on the ceiling and 1 on the walls, and just a slight smattering on the carpet!!!! The Thurs/Fri pictures look similar but they’re really a lot different. We’re doing the walls in Farrow and Ball “Elephant Breath”. Hope it doesn’t smell!! lol!

SATURDAY

Saturday was Charlie’s 7th Birthday and he had a Nerf Gun war party. Here’s Tina (my bestie) and her hubby dishing out the party bags – 30 pump bags in fact…. !

SUNDAY

H all ready for lessons No 4 & 5 at our local – ish indoor snow centre. He’s going to Italy on Friday with the school and is really really excited!

As well Threads and Bobbins post all about the Sunday Sevens, Nat’s also created a Pinterest board too if you want to have a peak at mine and others previous goings on with Sunday Sevens!

Sunday Sevens #28 (me #3)

Published by Thimberlina

Here’s my run down from this last week for the Sunday Sevens:

MONDAY

The 16th March is Childrens Day in our family. It started back in 1982 when I was 11. When my sister & I had children we carried on the tradition for them but we still get a card a pressie from mum & dad. As I worked the day before which was Mothers Day I decided to take my mum to the cinema to see the 2nd Best Marigold Hotel. And I wore my Victoria Blazer!! It’s been a while since this came out of the wardrobe!

As we walked into the cinema it was pitch black. Not just a bit black, like really black. We walked in and when I got to the end of the seat I turn around but couldn’t see my mum. I waited a few seconds and called her name, then set off back into the darkness to find her. Then, BANG! We walked into each other. I screamed! She screamed! Then we both cracked up laughing, but we still couldn’t see each other!

TUESDAY

My dad fooling around pretending he’s a teenager pouting with a selfie stick!

WEDNESDAY

This arrived in the post all the way from America! It’s for my new Craftsy Class which I bought 1/2 price in the sale! Last year I bought the Islander Jacket class, watched it, traced off the pattern (so many pieces!) but never bought any fabric. Hopefully I’ll make both this year and learn lots on the way.

THURSDAY

I nearly started my first quilt. I got as far as arranging it but not decided what pattern to do. I might get a plain colour to put with the charm pack I bought. I’ve bought the dark colour for the reverse and the pale for the border.

FRIDAY

David’s the recipitant of the London Tea Cosy . He called in for a cuppa with Martin. Such a fab bloke!

SATURDAY

Waiting for the boys to come back from cricket training so we can have a full breakfast for lunch. This is a rare treat, but hopefully now Thimberlina’s moved her stuff upstairs we’ll be able to eat more round the table as a family

SUNDAY

Today I played golf at Rotherham Golf club today for the Yorkshire Mid-Amatuer Team against the Yorkshire Vets. Here’s me and Sarah after our match, smiling despite being thrashed! She played well, but if I want to secure my place in the team I need to practice more and sew less!! The team lost 3 1/2 to 1 1/2, but it was a gorgeous sunny day and for about an hour I was in shirt sleeves – first time this year!

Before I left for golf I had to do this:

I had to let out the back seam of my black pants as they’re the only black golf type I have and they’re a bit snug. Luckily they’re the amazing fit ones and I’d previously taken them in after making them so wasn’t such a big job. I made them about 18 months ago, shown in this post here.

The London Tea Cosy

Published by Thimberlina

Don’t you just love making a gift when you know the recipient is just gonna love it!

One of my besties partner lives in America but is over this week for a visit. They went to London on Tuesday for a couple of nights – it was David’s first time there and he LOVED it!

David (left) & Martin

David loves englishy things including a nice cup of tea, so I thought I’d make him a tea cosy. Inspired by Sewchet’s tea cosy tutorial I cut out a London bus from some fabric in my stash and followed her instructions.

On the back I added this writing (cos I can! and couldn’t before!):

Here it is close up:

I’m thinking now I should maybe have turned the iron on and actually used it whilst making this, but it’s too late now!

Here’s the inside……

Not sure where this fabric originated from, it’s a lovely soft cotton lawn. I think it goes perfect with the englishy theme, without being too girly!

On one of Martin’s first trips to America I made him a toiletries bag to take with him, and it had an American theme. I did blog about it here. It was one of my first posts when all this blogging business was quite new!

Do you make many gifts? I love making them but sometimes struggling parting with them!

Sunday Sevens #27 (me #2)

Published by Thimberlina

Have you heard of Sunday Sevens . It’s the brain child of Nat at Threads & Bobbins – take a look – she’ll tell you all about it!

Phew, I managed it for the second week running. Friday, Saturday & Sunday I was working 7 til 7 (days) and was worrying what I could take photos of.

MONDAY

I finally got my hands on the GBSB book from series 3. I called at whsmiths and found it 1/2 price together with the other 3 books … £20.50 for all 4 – bargain!

Also on Monday (I don’t have a photo for this but is happened and I’m excited to share it) I found out that I won February’s project of the month at Croft Mill with my Valentine Dress and won a £30 voucher!! Whoop whoop!

TUESDAY

Tuesday I played golf and came 2nd! I realised an hour before I was setting off my not very clean golf shoes were in the car – cold! They needed warming up before I could wear them. (Hope my hubby doesn’t see this!)

WEDNESDAY

This was 7:20 am. I woke up to a bright sunny day & pegged out for the first time this year!

THURSDAY

I called at my mum in laws. My brother in law & George were there. George fancied his chances with the scones!

FRIDAY

I missed the final of the sewing bee the night before. I was working Friday, but was sent out to stand by (we park up and wait for a call) I parked outside McDonalds and bagged myself some free wifi!

SATURDAY

The crocus are out! This is Savile Park near the hospital in Halifax. This is only a tiny bit of it, there’s loads! They’re stunning but often we’ll get a late snow fall and they’ll be flattened. Fingers crossed we won’t this year.

SUNDAY

The first spring lambs I’ve seen. Aw….. And another….think i spooked them and they ran off.

Reflecting over the past week it’s great to see Spring is just around the corner!

Gray All Day – The Athena Top

Published by Thimberlina

Helena from Gray All Day has today released her new pattern The Athena Top, and guess what….. I was a pattern tester!! When I saw her post asking for testers I couldn’t reply fast enough! I’ve never done any pattern testing before so wasn’t sure what to expect. When I received the email to accept my offer I was over the moon and got to work straight away!

This morning I decided to make another one, not realising that today was going to be the release day, so now I can share it with you!

Here’s how she describes it:

The new Athena top is a relaxed but chic raglan sleeve knit or woven top that can be whipped up in an afternoon. The sleeves twist under the arm to create a graceful waterfall and the hem dips in back for a subtle hi-lo effect. The knit version is finished with bands at the neck and arms, while the woven uses bias binding. It is perfect for those ultra-soft drapey jerseys or tissue knits that feel so great to wear. It would also look great in a fluid, silky woven

I made the knit version today, with some fabric I accidentally bought whilst I was supposed to be taking photos for a meet-up I’m organising in Dewsbury.

Here’s what I came home with and I wasn’t even looking…. Please tell me I don’t have a problem and this is absolutely normal!

I used the 2nd one down from the pile on the left which I did actually buy with the Athena Top in mind. It has a nylon see through layer and a jersey layer with loads of holes all over it. £5.50/m from Lucky Fashions…bargain!

It only took an hour to make as I’d already had the pattern cut out:

I’m trying to get better photos – and I think the way forward for me is to pretend I’m somewhere else!

Because the fabric is so detailed you can’t see the draping so well, but it does drape, honest!

I completely missed off the neck and arm bands, and left the bottom unhemmed as I thought it wouldn’t work with this fabric. Around the neckline I sewed a narrow zigzag about 1cm from the edge to help it keep it’s shape.

VERDICT: I love it!!

I’m going to the golf club for a meeting in 1/2 hour and I’m going to be a rebel and leave it on. I usually don’t dress so casual when I’m going there but I really don’t want to take it off!!

If you want to whip yourself a new top up and fancy making the Athena then head over to GrayAllDay Patterns where Helena is giving a 20% discount with the code FIRSTWEEK.

Yay! The Spoolettes Are Coming To Yorkshire

Published by Thimberlina

I’m not sure how this is going to go, if it’s gonna be a breeze or lots of sleepless nights – I’m organising a meet-up in Dewsbury on Wednesday 8th April. All the other meet-ups look amazing fun but miles away from me so I thought “why not have one nearby so I can go”!?

I’ve been in touch with Clare over at Sewdixie Lou so all us Northern Sewers can join the Spoolettes! If you’ve not heard of the Spoolettes then click on the link. They have lots of fun and we can too!

So where & when are we meeting……

Why Dewsbury?

What’s it got to offer…..

Dewsbury is market town which also has 2 amazing fabric shops. Market Days are Wednesdays and Saturdays hence the meet up on a Wednesday. For those who have a proper job and don’t work shifts like me, if this works out then I’ll organise a Saturday meet-up later in the summer.

Its super easy to get to – it’s only 10 minutes off Jun 28 of the M62 and Jun 40 of the M1. Parking is really cheap – 40p per hour, and it also has it’s own train station (click here to access route planner) – it’s only 13 or 20 minutes from Leeds Train Station depending on if you get the fast train or not. So its dead easy to get to. There’s also trains direct to Manchester Airport for those of you flying in (only kidding but how cool would that be!! Bring an empty suitcase!).

There’s even a pub next door to the train station which may provide refuge later in the day!

Today I’ve been to Dewsbury to find a meeting place and to take some pictures so you know what to expect if you’ve never visited before. I feel like someone from the Tourist Information board trying to get visitors to come to Dewsbury.

There’s around 6 market stalls selling fabric, plus haberdasheries and a wool shop:

There are 2 main fabric shops that we’ll be visiting – Lucky Fashions & Fabworks – though there are lots of smaller asian style fabric shops all in close proximity to the market. Neither Fabworks or Lucky Fashions sell online so if you want to buy their fabric then you need to join us!

LUCKY FASHIONS

Off the beaten track but only 2 minutes from the train station and the market. One of my favourite places – the lady and her niece who run it are so friendly. They let you loose and leave you to have a good look round, but are really helpful and chatty if you are looking for something in particular.

This is the stretchy wall…. the fabric not the wall!

Look at this linen type fabric, I don’t know how I resisted!

The shop is quite compact, and the owner was a bit embarressed when I wanted to take photos as she’d just received lots of new stock and hadn’t tidied it all away yet. They sell everything (almost) and the dearest is £5.50/metre – even the denims and tweeds and boucle!

Lucky Fashions also have a stall on the market. Today I bought 3 yards of a lovely cotton for £6 to make some PJs.

Over the ring road and less than a 5 minute walk is:

Now this is one huge fabric shop. If you couldn’t find anything to tickle your fancy in Lucky Fashions (and I’d be surprised!) then you’ll find it here.

Last time I visited it was a bit chilly but they’ve got new heaters so you don’t need to wear your woolly hat and gloves! As well as dressmaking fabric they also stock curtains and upholstery fabric, leather, ribbons, trims and lots of inspiration!

All the interior fabric tends to be colour coded and they have cute displays above:

The green roll below felt really weird, like foam! I should’ve asked what it was!

There’s loads of unusual fabric as well as what you’d expect.

So, have I wetted your appetite for mooching round a Yorkshire market town and visiting 2 of my favourite fabric shops? I hope so.

Meeting Time and Place 10:30 am at Bennetto’s Coffee House

If the numbers aren’t too large (up to about 12) we can meet at Bennett’s Coffee House which is No 23 The Arcade. I’ve never been to this cafe until today. The owner Steve is lovely and although 10:30 on a Wednesday is one of his busiest times of the week he said he’ll do his best to accommodate us – there’s seating upstairs so we should be ok. If the meet up ends up being HUGE, I’ll change the venue to a nearby Weatherspoons, but for now it’s the cafe.

The cafe is at the end of this arcade which really needs some more local business to restore the hustle and bustle which it would have seen in ‘the olden days’!

So, if you’re up for it let me know by leaving a comment or emailing me and I’ll add you and your blog to the list. You don’t have to be a blogger to join in, if you love talking sewing then join us!

So far attending there’s

Me!
Rachel from Is is fitting?
Fiona from Seams Straightforward & her friend Dee
Jeanie from Love That Sewing
Hannah from Handmade By Hannah
Margaret from the Craftycreek
Carol
Amanda from Sew Deputy
Katrina from Rolling Eyeballs (love the name!)
Neela from Sew Fusion
Corrine from ApplebyMakes
Helen – my golfing & sewing buddy – no blog (YET!!)
Katharine – a final year Uni student who’s heard about our meet up and would like to feature it in her final year dissertation! She’s gotten back into sewing after a few years away from it.

I think there’s a couple more who have mentioned they’d be interested, but I can’t remember your names – sorry!! I get enthralled reading so many blogs that I get mixed up!

If you’re not local to Dewsbury, but some of your followers are from Yorkshire then re-blog this post to spread the word.

I’ve added a page at the top of my blog to easily locate all the info to do with the meet up. Click HERE to be taken to it. I’ll be adding maps and anything which I think might be useful. Also, please add any comments there too.

Sunday Sevens #26 – (me #1)

Published by Thimberlina

After loving reading the Sunday Sevens on a Sunday for a while I’ve finally managed to gather together 7 things from my week. these don’t always justify full blog post to themselves but are still nice to share.

Sunday Sevens is the brain child of Nat at Threads & Bobbins – have a look where she’ll tell you all about it!

1. H had his first home economics practical lesson today – the classic victoria sponge. Here is what he brought home from school! He was obviously very hungry following extra curriculum activities so needed to satisfy his hunger pangs on the way home! It really was very nice – but I did have to explain the etiquette of school baking and fetching ALL of it home!

He didn’t have an apron so obviously i had to make him one for this special event!

2. Tuesday was amazing! I received this gorgeous pin cushion for my new sewing room from Sewchet! THANKYOU XXXX

3. I finally got round to finishing a blocking this heart shaped shawl I’ve been making for my mum-in-laws next door neighbour. Its a thankyou for all she had done whilst she’s been poorly.

4. Another delivery……no more using my mini ironing board to turn my machine into a flat bed sewing machine! This was £20 off ebay plus p&p so i was quite pleased.

5. Spent most of the day in bed as started my nights on Thursday, but did find time to block my hearts and make a chain – this is my bunting for my sewing room. Just need to find some mini pegs now so I can attach the hearts to the chair.

6. When I woke up and went onto the landing I could smell flowers??? I went into my sewing room and saw my hyacinth had flowered!

7. My last of 4 night shifts – last night was crazy – hope tonight Jo Public are going to be well and not need us too much! (photo to follow – when I get there!!)

PS Sorry I’ve not added the button but all will be sorted tomorrow when I get back to normal! Is there such a thing!?

……..here we are, a selfie on our way to our 1st call of the night. No, I’m not driving!!

Osaka Wrap Skirt – Tick!

Published by Thimberlina

Whoop! There’s only one thing on my new wish list and I’ve only gone and made it – the rest is in my head but will be noted soon! Disaster did strike yesterday – here – but Thimberlina is over the stress and happy to be wearing her new skirt!

So Let just crack on and I’ll show you the photos then talk about the nitty gritty afterwards!

I did struggle to get photos of me in it that did the skirt justice. I’m not sure about the button placements yet, but here goes, it does look better on Gertrude than me (at the moment!)

Horaay for new machine that does lovely button holes! I’ve not made any thing that requires button holes for donkeys years!

And top stitching to die for!

Have you noticed the front and back are opposite?

I’m glad in the end I went a bit wrong when I started off as I’d never have thought of using this FAB cotton and ribbon ponte for the reverse side. More Lovely Top stitching!!

I’ve been wracking my brains as to where I bought this fabric. It was love at first sight and one of those where you’re just waiting for the moment, and today was the day!

What do you think of the top? It’s a cropped coco (unblogged!). I didn’t have anything to go with the skirt so hacked a few inches off this and straightened the side seams.

Me & Rory (she’s a girl, but is happy to be called after Rory McAlroy

Now All I need to to is find some fabric for this one!

Just thought I’d mention in case your thinking of making this, I sewed up the bottom and the side then pressed the seams open before stitching the top. When Ie stitcdh the top I left enough room to fit my clapper pressing tool inside so I could then press the top seam open.

Another tip (get me!!) if your sewing is a bit heavy and you don’t have the luxury of a flat bed machine, put something alongside it that’s roughly the same height.

It’ll stopp the fabric been dragged off as you sew if its heavy.

Oh, and I’m not sure you noticed, I didn’t bother with any of the darts as I don’t really go in in the middle, or out at the bottom. Depends which way you look at it, lol!

Oh, and another thing before I go. Did you know TMS are running a challenge this month all about having beautiful insides – Inside out. I think mine are this time, don’t you!? Will have to try and find time to write a post for that!

That’s it for now, short and sweet. I start my first of 4 night shifts in an hour so although I’ve posted quite a lot this week you’ll now think I’ve gone into hibernation!

Now where are my crochet hooks……..need to take something to work in case I have a quiet moment!

The Osaka from Seamwork Magazine

Published by Thimberlina

Yesterday I created a wish list, and right at the top of it, is the Osaka wrap skirt from the new Seamwork magazine! So today I gathered some suitable fabric from my stash and got started. I’m not making a muslin as the shape is really simple so i’m going to fit as I sew – I’ve left out the darts for now, but will add them before I sew the 2 pieces together.

Now, this is going to be a quick post with lost of photos and not a lot of writing. I’m too upset to think of much to say tonight….you’ll see why soon.

The first fabric I chose was this gorgeous black and white poly/viscose blend coating. It’s already been a skirt but I’ve only worn it once as it didn’t fit too well, so I can use that plus about 0.7 m which was left.

FOr the reverse I had 2 small pieces of 100% wool. one 30cm and one 40cm.

This was going to be a tight squeeze!

And it was. But I managed!

I ended up with a scant 1/8 inch seam allowance in places!

I sewed the grey and yellow first:

It was a dream to sew. Check out the pattern matching and topstitching – and so little fabric I hear you say!

Disaster struck when I sewed the black and white:

I’d spent ages making sure that this side was going to be a mirror image of the grey/yellow side. I even unpicked my first seam as I thought I’d gotten it wrong.

But NO!! I’d unpicked it, but it was right and I proceeded to sew it all the wrong way complete with perfect topstitching!

So what now?? I really can’t bring myself to totally unpick the black and white! Should I just go shopping or have a rummage in my stash and make 2 more pieces and then have 2 reversible skirts?!

My Space For Sewing – Revamp Phase 2

Published by Thimberlina

I feel a bit more comfortable writing this post as the photos I’m sharing with you aren’t of the embarrassing nature that appeared in Phase 1! There was quite a lot to be done before my new Janome could be introduced to Gertrude and the gang (i.e. Thimberlina and my Overlocker with no name). This included:

Stash cull and tidy – TICK!
Lick of paint
New curtains
Build 2 new tables from Ikea – TICK!
Major sort out of everything into neat little, big and medium size boxes – TICK!
Deal with wool stash – OMG – I must have found at least 5 WIP’s that I’d totally forgotten about, plus loads of crochet practicings. None particularly big or important, but just forgotten as a shinier project appeared in the distance.
Make it look pretty.
Make pin cushion.

The list above is not conclusive or exhaustive and probably will be added to, as well as items ticked along the way, but progress has been made and that;’ what this post is about, so here we have:

NICELY ORGANISED SHELVES!

All organised, different elastics, ribbons, fastenings, tools & patterns. The bottom shelf also contains a small amount of stash that is currently homeless.

TABLE READY FOR THE NEW JANOME (just wondering if she needs a name?)

OOOOO LOOK! THERE SHE IS, IN ACTION TOO! I have another table under the window which can be used for pressing:

AND CUTTING OUT (BIG THINGS STILL NEED TO BE DONE DOWNSTAIRS)

(this was my first project – an apron for H’s cooking class at school, soon to be be blogged. BTW his aprons not pink! I was using mine as a template!)

There’s still lots to be done, the biggest thing will be a lick of paint. Now it’s better organised it will be easier to empty the room for decorating.

I’ve not shown you the wall on the left as you go in. You’ve probably noticed that except for the tables and boxes I’m making do with with existing shelves and storage for now. Once I’ve been in there a while I’ll get a better feel for how I want it organising.

This looks a bit of a mess but it’s actually organised chaos! I had a hanging rail which will come in handy for muslins and WIPs. Underneath it i have an old IKEA storage system that had been in H’s bedroom. This has patterns, a cutting out tray and other bits and bobs. There’s also a space for my old Janome too. The wicker basket contains things for refashioning/upcycling.

So, I’m slowly getting there! It’s the little things that make it feel like home!

MY FAVOURITE COASTER – SHOWING H ON THE BEACH AT WHITBY WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD

A VINTAGE SEWING MACHINE TRINKET BOX THAT MY SISTER BOUGHT ME LAST YEAR FOR MY BIRTHDAY

When we went out for tea last Friday to celebrate me not smoking for a year my mum bought me balloons and a plant, and lot’s of other goodies. My balloons are filling the window, I’ll be sad when they start dropping.

As well as the balloons in the next photo, in the corner you can see how I was able to make use of the corner space and stack my stash filled boxes:

Check out the IKEA bag under the table SEWCHET. I really need one like yours! Click on the link to be taken to her fab tutorial and get rid of those ugly blue bags!

I also need a pin cushion. I made this last year (in under a minute!), and this is the only one I’ve ever owned. Despite it not been very pretty, it serves it’s purpose,

But I want one like this:

Now these are what you call pin cushions! These are from GrannyMaude’s Girl. Again here’s a link to her blog and a great tutorial. It was also this blog where I found my inspiration for my collections of peg bags, and my first attempt here.

It may be a while before Phase 3 of the revamp comes along. The painting will be a biggest job and as there’s a lot of sewing to be done with my new machine, I don’t think I could cope with the disruption just yet. But for now I’ll enjoy my new special place which is now not just a place for sewing…..it’s MY SEWING SPACE…..x