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#sewdowndewsbury – only 9 sleeps

Published by Thimberlina

Before your read anything else here’s an important update!! —FABWORKS CLOSES AT 2pm ON A SATURDAY – 4pm Mon-Fri)—–Bear this in mind on our day out and when planning future visits!

Only 9 sleeps to go! Well, that’s if I get this posted tonight. If the maths doesn’t add up and it’s less than 9 sleeps I’m sorry, but I’m having to queue for the Mac as H has lots of revision to be doing, or so he says!

So here’s just a quick update for our meet up on the 25th February! It’s only the 3rd one I’ve arranged, Dewsbury unfortunately doesn’t have the big fancy tea rooms and large Costas like some places so our meeting point will be Weatherspoons.

First of all I’ve made a map – The Fabraholics Guide To Dewsbury – click on the link below to view or download your own PDF copy. I’ve not worked out how to convert it to jpeg to view it on here so have taken a photo of the screen! Sorry! If I was 25 and not 45 I’d likely be able to do it in a flash! (Thanks Del for helping me out!! It’s now a proper photo! xx)

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The map shows the train station and the 2 main car parks. The car park at the train station is probably the easiest to find. Both are very reasonably priced.

We’re meeting at Weatherspoons from 9:30am. It’s less than 5 minutes walk from the train station and car park.

As you come out of the train station this will be your view, hopefully with the same blue sky!

Cross at the pelican crossing and turn left down the hill, and when you get the the first set of lights turn right.

Weatherspoons is 2 minutes down that road on your right.

We’ll stay in Weatherspoons until about 11am. I say about as there’s really no rules! Weatherspoon’s serve breakfast and coffees, so don’t think you have to start on the vino at breakfast time!

For those taking part in the Goodie bag swap Karen and Karen will be collecting them. Please make sure that you add your name to your goodie bag so the lucky recipitant knows who has made it! They’ll will also collect any extra goodies for the ‘prize’ goodie bags – can you please add your name to anything which you have made for that. And they’ll be making a list of those who are joining in to make sure you have a goodie bag to take home!

(if you’re not taking part in the goodie bag swap don’t panic, it really isn’t compulsory and is just intended to be a fun swap on the day).

After we’ve all had a natter and maybe a bacon buttie we’ll hit the shops and the market. I’ve not got any real plans to have a spending spree of my own so please feel free to ask me to show you where any particular shops are, or if you want a bit of a tour of the market.

Before we leave and hit the shops I’d like to get everyone together for a group photo, and a photo too of those were their Montetas! After all it is the weekend of the Moneta Party!! ‘m hoping there will be quite a few, and I’m wondering if Sue was serious when she said she’d wear my Tigger Moneta!!

We’ll reconvene about 3pm, and the goodie bags will be shared out – or we might even get chance to do it before we leave Weatherspoons for the Big Shop. I’ll play it by ear as this is something I’ve not done before. If you need to leave early let me know so I can make sure you don’t leave empty handed.

And there’ll be a fabric and pattern swap in the pub. Hila has kindly offered to find good charitable homes for any left over fabric or patterns. There usually is quite an abundance of free patterns so maybe just limit them to one or two if that’s ok??

I’ll stay in the pub until the last leave – I’ll be driving so don’t worry I won’t end up in a heap under a pile of fabric!! So if you have to stay to catch a particular train or til you lift arrives, I won’t leave you on your own.

A few ladies have gotten in touch and are travelling together. Here’s who’s confirmed so far who are going – there’s going to be quite a crowd!!

So…..who’s coming?

Cyber Mom – NanOfTheMatch (unable to make it)

Chris – Hand Made By Chris

Hila – Saturday Night Stitch

Pam – Sweet Pea Green

Margaret – The Crafty Creek

Simona – Sewing Adventures In The Attic

Eleanor – Nelnanandnora

Catherine – Catternlace

Wendi – Wendiwooknits

Natalie – Somuchtolearn

Jenna – Stitched Up By Jenna

Hanna – Hand Made By Hannah

Pam – travelling from Chesterfield

Katrina – Rolling Eyeballs

Anne – Anne’s Blog

Gemma – Mustachioed Threads

Helen – Just Sew Therapeutic

Sharon – Stretch Nation Clothing

Janette – travelling from Wakefield

Sam – travelling from Middlestown

Karen – travelling from Hull

Amanda – Apricot Mylo

Lisa – Lisalooby1234

Jan – Vivid Kitty’sWonderful World of Sewing and Stuff (unable to make it)

Karen – The Sewing Miserablist

Katie – Monkeysocks Learns To Sew

Janet – JaySpangles

Lucie – Love Lucie

Sue – sue_976 (unable to make it)

Chris – Florrie1852

Samantha – CullenSamantha

Margeret – coming from the Yorkshire side of Manchester!

Mags – coming from Roberttown (unable to make it)

Glennis – coming from Brighouse (unable to make it)

Teresa – Navy Blue Threads

Samantha – Manfa697

Boz – agirlcalledboz

Shauni – The Maginificent Thread

Liz – so_momma

Jenna – Stitched Up By Jenna

If you’re coming and you’re not on the list above would you mind filling in the info on THIS page so i can add you. Even if you’ve left a comment somewhere on my blog or on my IG please fill it in as it will be a nightmare to keep track otherwise.

So not long ladies for those who can make it! #countingthesleeps

If you’ve any queries please get in touch. If you’re worried about coming to meet a load of strangers from the internet, don’t worry, we all are! Just think of it as speed dating for sewists!!

And if you’ve read all this and still have no idea what’s going on then this post announcing saving the date, and this post with an update will fill you in, and then there’s this post about the giveaway for those of you who can’t make it.

See you soon, Thimbers xx

Secret Valentines Exchange

Published by Thimberlina

Things have been a bit hectic in the Thimberlina household. I really need to update you with the final details of #SEWDOWNDEWSBURY but my Valentine’s post has just jumped the queue! The meet up post will be here before the week is out I promise, but last Sunday’s Sunday Sevens won’t be – I’m afraid it’ll have to be a double bill next week instead!

If you’re on Instagram you may have noticed lots of posts popping up with the hashtag 2017SVE. This the Secret Valentine Exchange organised by Sanae and Ute. Over 400 people in 30 countries took part in it!! And I was one of them!

I received my recipients details in plenty of time and began stalking her on Instagram. Well, not really stalking, just having a good nosey. I really wanted to put some thought into what I could make. As well as receiving their name, address etc, participants were asked to state their favourite colours. Pink was one of the colours mentioned by Niemandszeit. My thoughts immediately went to the heart themed shawl I’d started crocheting (before christmas I think). So I finished it off, washed and blocked it, and then loved it and didn’t want to send it!! Only kidding, but it was so soft and scrumptious that it was very hard to part with it. The photos really don\t do it justice.

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And then I got thinking again – I read my recipient is a physiotherapist and remember I had a fat quarter of this fabric in my stash…..

And made some pattern weights. I think I made 6 (?!?), I was a conscious that my parcel was being sent abroad and didn’t want it to cost a small fortune to post!

I also made a bag to keep them in…

And I had some liberty bias trim left from a previous project which always comes in handy……

And I made a little leather heart too…..!

So my parcel was posted off the same day I received mine. I was really really good and saved opening it until the BIG day! In the meantime Mr T whisked me away for an overnight stay in a posh hotel with a spa and a golf course.

Luckily the weather was kind to us so we were able to play golf.

Luckily Mr T is a little rusty and doesn’t play as much as me, and I sank my putt on the last whole to beat him by a shot!

We came home on the 13th, and when I woke up the next morning I ran downstairs to open my SVE pressie! Before I carry on, I’ve got to add this little snippet of dialogue from when my pressie was delivered.

Thimbers: “My Valentines pressie has arrived!!”

Mr Thimbers: “Who from” …scowling!!!! (he never scowls!!)

Thimbers: “I don’t know, it’s a Valentine’s present from another sewer!” (eyes rolled/looked of bewilderment!) but the scowling really was priceless!

So here we are…….

I’m not sure what the official name is for my main pressie. It’s an something that ties around your waist like a pinny but has pockets to keep things handy. This will be soon good for me and I’m always putting stuff down when I’m sewing and can never find anything!! Thankyou so much Jackie for your thoughtful pressies!

#SundaySevens 89

Published by Thimberlina

A little bit late this week, but hey ho, there’s really no rules for Nat’s Sunday Sevens so I’ll crack without further ado!

The first pic of the week when I looked through my phone was of my babylock. I’ve really no idea why I took this, but I’m adding it here just in case I suddenly remember why and it turns out to be important!

Tuesday my new iPhone arrive. Rory took a liking to the box and sat with me whilst I set up my new phone.

On Wednesday Sue (my out of action due to injury golfing and gym buddy) had her first sewing lesson. She absolutely loved it and now is the proud owner of a shiny new Janome! More to come about Sue later.

I managed to do some sticking and tracing last week. I found a cold shoulder top on the lekala website which I thought looked quite on trend, and with only having one ‘cold’ shoulder i thought it would be more wearable as a day-to-day top.

Thursday was a busy day. MIL was readmitted to hospital and then there was parents evening. We had tea in one of our local pubs to celebrate a good parents evening. H was very nervous before the event so was really shocked with what the teachers had to say about him.

I managed just a lttle bit of sewing last week – some more pattern weights. This time for my #2017SVE

Friday night we were at the golf club – the catering manager retired after 18 years. This isn’t the catering manager though. This is the baker who supplies her with my favourite vanilla slice style dessert!

Ooops! Hubby slipped in his leather soled shoes. Reached out and tipped over my bowl of rice! That’ll teach me to side this after I’ve finished sewing!

H and the hubby snuggled up watching TV. Aw, even at 6′ 2″ he’s not too big for a bubble.

Whilst we were out for tea I was playing with my new iPhone, much to H’s embaressment! I can’t believe how fast he’s growing up.

Sue’s stash after just 5 days of having the sewing bug. I gave her a few things, she’s had a sewing spree and Lucy popped in some freebies when she bought her new Janome DKS30 from her!

Sunday Sevens – a short blog post with seven/a few/lots of (delete as appropriate) photos from your week, invented by Natalie from Threads and Bobbins

#SundaySevens 88

Published by Thimberlina

It’s all been happening this week!

Cyber mom’s birthday, 5 longs shifts, a game of golf, a step class and some sewing thrown in for good measure to keep me sane!

This was made by one of my very talented friends from the golf club. How cute – The Cinderella Topsy Turvy doll! As I’ve quite a few friends who make amazing things I’ve created a special page just for them to share their creations with you. If you follow me but don’t blog or do IG but want to share something you’ve made, let me know and I can add you to my “talented friends” page!

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Freezing all the spare veg’ paid off this week when I was working! I was full to bursting and could hardly move after eating this little lot!

I’ve made a zipper pouch to home the pattern weights I’ve made for the #sewdowndewsbury goodie bag. If you’ve not let me know if you’re coming yet by filling in the form on THIS page please do so. It’ll help with working out the mileage and just keeping track of who’s coming. So far there’s about 30!

Golfing on Tuesday! A mild bright day and warm enough to not need a hat!

Happy Birthday Cyber Mom!

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Cyber Mom is doing amazing shedding the pounds. She made me one of her special breakfasts. Porridge oats (raw), frozen berries and a muller light left in a tub over night in the fridge.

Catching up on last week’s dispatches on channel 4 – how shocking the conditions of some of the workers, and the pay! Or lack of it! Even more reason to make your own clothes.

Low cloud in Huddersfield……

Hubby on his second pudding at Cyber Mom’s birthday tea. We had to wait until Saturday to celebrate as me and cyber sis’ were on opposite shifts.

I spotted a new shop early this morning. On the green sign the top bullet marker it says fashion fabric! I’m not sure how promising it looks from the outside, but looks can be deceiving, so I’m hoping to be deceived next time I’m passing when it’s open and I can call in. (can I just add i’d pulled over to take the photo!)

Home from home – on my break catching 40 winks at work today.

At the top of the post is my pattern hack of the molly top from SOI. I wanted to make another Molly but am fed up of needing so much fabric. I never have quite enough when I delve into my stash. So I hacked the pattern and added the sleeve from the main body to the main sleeve, and also an inch in the width of the sleeve as depending on the fabric I’ve found it a bit snug. Molly No. 4 is almost complete. It’s my favourite so far and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Only 27 sleeps till #Sewdowndewsbury!!

See ya x

Sunday Sevens – a short blog post with seven/a few/lots of (delete as appropriate) photos from your week, invented by Natalie from Threads and Bobbins.

#SundaySevens 87 Feat. Fabricate at Roberttown

Published by Thimberlina

All this came from just ONE cauliflower!!

So I got all super organised and bagged up lots of spare veg for the freezer for those days when I was sewing working and needed a quick meal for the family.

What’s in the bag this week! I took some fabric and card to work to attempt some sticking, glueing and stitching in my break. I did manage to make a start on my Hexie Caddie for #sewdowndewsbury.

Before the weekend I would have struggled to muster up an interesting post. But thanks to a Fabricate opening only about 3 miles from home things began to look up!

I gathered together a few friends – Karen from the Sewing Miserablist, and Sue and 2 more golfing buddies. It was all a bit surreal, my online friend is now a proper friend and is making friends with my other proper friends! How good is that!

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Karen showing of her new Burda Jeans!

And me totally Tillied out in my Coco and Cleo! Sorry I couldn’t help posing in and amongst all the amazing stuff for sale! No more waiting for the postman when I’m wanting an Indie pattern, or dashing into Leeds for last minute haberdashery when I run out of something!

Philippa who owns this sewing haven!

She wasn’t for having her picture taken really, but no one is really, are they? Watch out at #sewdowndewsbury – best wear your lippy cos I’ll catch you with the camera 😉

Sue doesn’t sew, she reckons she can’t even thread a needle, but she came along as she knew all the ladies and is slightly tempted to have lessons. You never know, this time next year she might even have her own hand made wardrobe!

Golfers and sewists getting on famously!

After we’d exhausted ourselves in Fabricate we headed over the road to the cafe, but got distracted by a dress agency next door to it. I nearly bought this dress. Nearly as it got as far as the lady removing the label and putting it in a bag, but then I tried on a purple one (no photo yet!) and bought that instead.

In the cafe for tea and cake!

Here’s my goodie bag that Philippa had put together for the new customers.

And here’s my purchases. Some filling for the hexie caddie, a french curve for all the intended pattern drafting, and a pack a sewing needles – I’m always loosing them!

I finished the hexie caddie on Saturday night whilst catching up with Taboo – I’d not seen any so had all 3 to watch. And then on Sunday I had a browse through my Goodie Bag inspiration board on Pinterest for something to make to coordinate with the caddie. I made 9 pattern weights and filled them with rice pudding rice. So it looks like they’ll have to make do with Ambrosia this week!

If anyone who is local-ish to me and is wondering where Roberttown is you can see it on the map below that I’ve used before for my Dewsbury posts.

It’s only 1 minute off the A62 near the Fountain Pub at Mirfield. It’s worth a ride over, not only calling into Fabricate, but you might pick something up in the dress agency too and then there’s the cafe for tea and a slice of cake. Or they do a mean breakfast – it’s where the hubby and I stop off when we’re out and about on the bikes.

It’s only open until 1pm though, so worth bearing in mind if you’re planning on your shopping trip being thirsty work!

The little dot near the ‘R’ in Roberttown marks the spot.

Have you noticed there’s no cakes this week!? Well, I did have a little square in the cafe on Saturday, oh, and a small brownie in Fabricate. I’ve started on a health kick so have been to 3 classes this week and I’m really watching what I eat. Why’s this? Is she ill, you may wonder? No, the countdown to the ladies Portugal trip has begun!

Sunday Sevens – a short blog post with seven/a few/lots of (delete as appropriate) photos from your week, invented by Natalie from Threads and Bobbins.

#sewdowndewsbury – A Giveaway for those who can’t make it!

Published by Thimberlina

Last year when the Spoolettes got together down Dewsbury for a day of sewcialising I ran a little competition/giveaway and prizes were awarded to 2 ladies who guessed the closest to the total mileage of how far everyone had travelled. Tialys (international winner!) guessed 655 and Sam (UK winner) guessed 666. The total mileage was 671.

This year there will another giveaway with the same format, but the prizes will be different. Attendees are taking part in a goodie bag swap and quite a few have said they will bring something extra on the day for the Giveaway Prize Goodie Bag.

So I will make up 2 Goodie Bags … one for a UK winner and one for an international winner. The contents of the goodie bags are totally unknown at the minute, but I imagine they will be totally amazing!

After the meet up I’ll open up the giveaway and you’ll be able to leave your guess of how far everyone has travelled in the comments.

To help you I’m going to add a list of who’s going and links to their blog or IG at the end of this post. Your guess can be totally random, or you can click on the links and do a little homework to try and find out where they’ve travelled from. If someone doesn’t have a blog/IG i will state where they are travelling from.

Most of those who are coming have filled in the form on THIS post.

If you haven’t would you mind completing it when you get a minute. It’ll help Hila on the day who is the mileage monitor, and most of the maths can then be done in advance!

So if you are coming look out for her on the day, and say hello and check she has you on her list and the correct mileage. Keep her busy, you’ll be doing her a favour – it will stop her buying her weight in fabric!!

Here she is if you don’t know her…… (Hila on the left with Lucy)

So…..who’s coming?

Chris – Hand Made By Chris

Hila – Saturday Night Stitch

Pam – Sweet Pea Green

Margaret – The Crafty Creek

Simona – Sewing Adventures In The Attic

Eleanor – Nelnanandnora

Catherine – Catternlace

Wendi – Wendiwooknits

Natalie – Somuchtolearn

Jenna – Stitched Up By Jenna

Hanna – Hand Made By Hannah

Pam – travelling from Chesterfield

Katrina – Rolling Eyeballs

Anne – Anne’s Blog

Gemma – Mustachioed Threads

Helen – Just Sew Therapeutic

Sharon – Stretch Nation Clothing

Janette – travelling from Wakefield

Sam – travelling from Middlestown

Karen – travelling from Hull

Amanda – Apricot Mylo

Lisa – Lisalooby1234

Jan – Vivid Kitty’sWonderful World of Sewing and Stuff

Karen – The Sewing Miserablist

Katie – Monkeysocks Learns To Sew

Janet – JaySpangles

Lucie – Love Lucie

Sue – sue_976

Chris – Florrie1852

Samantha – CullenSamantha

(for those that are coming, if it’s not fairly obvious on your blog/IG where you’re travelling from how about giving a clue to those who might be checking you out!)

Phew!! and then there’s me of course! And maybe cyber-mom. She’s pretending to be shy and not decided if she’s coming yet, probably a bit like one of 2 out there!

If you’re coming and you’re not on the list above would you mind filling in the info on THIS page so i can add you. Even if you’ve left a comment somewhere on my blog or on my IG please fill it in as it will be a nightmare to keep track otherwise.

And if you are coming, and you are taking part in the Goodie Bag Swap you might want to have read of this post and also take a peek at a Pinterest board I’ve created with a few ideas of things to make. You really don’t have to go overboard, so please don’t get stressed by it, and it isn’t compulsory.

So not long ladies for those who can make it! #countingthesleeps

And for those who just live a bit too far away, good luck coming up with a number – I will keep the list of who’s going as up to date as I can.

And if you read all this and have no idea what’s going on then this post announcing saving the date, and this post with an update will fill you in.

The Dress of Many Colours – Just Call Me Joseph

Published by Thimberlina

When I started browsing the likes of Harrods, Harvey Nics and other designer stores looking for inspiration for my Designin December make, little did I thing than I’d end up upcycling 29 of my husbands ties!

I came across this skirt in Harvey Nics selling for a whopping £850!! It obviously wasn’t made from ties, but the diagonal striped and pleated fabric gave that appearance.

Unfortunately my husband’s tie collection is quite a bit more conservative than the colours in the skirt, but after a little persuasion he parted with around half of his tie collection.

I butted the ties against each other and auditioned a few stitches to see which would sew the ties together the best:

Number 22 in the photo below was the stitch of choice:

First off I sewed the ties together in groups of 5, and the first ones that were sewn together I trimmed the top off – big mistake!

If you plan on sewing ties together don’t chop anything off until you’re ready for fitting, or at least have a proper plan!

I loved the flared effect of the ties as they came to the wider end.

And so did Rory…

Scary cat guarding her new bed!

Back to sewing…..

As each group of 5 ties were then stitched together it did get quite heavy- I was glad my machine has a long arm, and also having a table extension made life easier.

After it had all been sewed together, like a lot of our projects it lay dormant. Then Boxing Day came along and it was used as a prop by my sister and I when we had a little sing song! Those who ‘know’ me will know I’m a bit daft, so apologies if you’re not on my wave length but this video will always cheer me up and make me smile whenever I watch it. Hope it does you too!

And then came along the 31st December! I sprung into action to make the collection of sewn together ties into a skirt, and then this happened!

I made a dress, and I kinda liked it!

Here’s the bottom of the skirt laid flat:

And a peak at the inside, I super warm with it having 3 layers.

There were a couple of special ties – the one with a yellow stripe is from a South African cricket tour, and the one of the left is from my hubby’s work sponsoring the Huddersfield cricket league.

Adding a closure was really easy. I stitched a zip directly where it was needed then just unpicked the stitches underneath.

Ta- dah!

So there you go?? Are you tempted to up cycle some ties? It’s really easy, and when it comes to fitting, because the ties are cut on the bias, they mould and can be manipulated reallye easily.

I’m still not 100% sure if I’ll ever wear it but I really love the effect. I’m going to look at collecting black, grey and white ties and am hoping to get this sort of effect.

I’m thinking of actually chopping my dress up and making something that I’d actually use, maybe a bag. The effect is so cool and it’s such a shame for it to be hidden away.

#SundaySevens 86 (16/1/17)

Published by Thimberlina

Hello Sunday Seveners!

I’ve managed to squeeze in quite a bit in the last week. I should have included a photo of Dewsbury hospital as the MIL was admitted a week yesterday with her breathing, and is still there. So I’ve spent quite a bit of time backwards, they’ve not got to the bottom of what’s causing the shortness of breath but fingers crossed we’ll have answers soon.

I had quite an eventful time at work this week, it started off with needing the assistance of these guys…..

On Tuesday we played in the Lady Captains New Year Comp, and had a huge meal afterwards. The only photo I have though is of me and my partner in crime practicing a selfie!

Later in the week Bekki (from the Dartmoor Yarn Company) and I started collaberating a joint venture. Bekki is a proper knitter in case you don’t know her, I think she could even knit in her sleep! We’ve come up with an idea (not really sure how it happened!) but it’s a secret at the minute. We’re still in the planning stages, but here is my contribution so far:

Just because…..

I don’t do dry January – I don’t think I have enough wet days for it justify a dry month!

We were forecast snow at the end of the week. We’re quite high up and normally get quite a dump of it, but we didn’t even get enough for a snow ball fight!

Saturday I had a trip down Dewsbury. It’s not down to Dewsbury, cos that wouldn’t be right. It doesn’t matter which direction you come from, you always say you’re off down Dewsbury. If it were Leeds, you’d say you were off to Leeds not down Leeds. But Dewsbury is different! So that got me thinking about the trip, and I think it’ll be #sewdownDewsbury – what do you think?

For the eagle eyed amongst you, can you spot Fabworks!?

I usually get away with not having to do the Costco trip. I just think it’s crazy filling up such a huge trolley, but we called to Leeds after the trip ‘down Dewsbury’.

Cutting out my first Moneta – I think Rory was worried the cat fabric might be a relation, or that she might be next! (yes, Rory’s a girl!)

About the only time you’ll see Mr Thimbers in the kitchen is after a night out when he’s got the munchies.

I started the week with the surprise of a double yolker, and then at the end of the week 3 out of 3 eggs were double yolkers!! Shame my egg cracking skills haven’t lived up to the occasion!

I’m joining in the Triple Stitchers Moneta Party! I was gifted this Tigger velour fabric last year in Jungle January but I was rubbish and never made anything. So I made a muslin of the Moneta dress with it and discovered that due to having a gigantic ribcage it sits way too high above my waist.

It would be fun to wear it to a kids party, and it’s really comfy too. But realistically I don’t think it’ll be worn in public. On a positive note it has the most amazingly hems, thanks to my cover stitch machine!

And just one more bit of news. Quite a few of you have asked me if I knew how Teresa is from Navy Blue Threads. Just to let you know I’ve caught up with her, she’s fine, and she can’t wait to catch up with all the Spoolettes when she joins us for #sewdowndewsbury! Yay!

Sunday Sevens – a short blog post with seven/a few/lots of (delete as appropriate) photos from your week, invented by Natalie from Threads and Bobbins.

Keeping It Cosy

Published by Thimberlina

I don’t always take part in a lot of challenges, but there’s a few that’s caught my attention in 2017.

The January ‘Keep It Cosy” #dressmakingbloggerchallenge is the first one I’ve managed to complete!

I’ve had 1.5m of this ridiculously thick sweater knit for about 2 years.

I bought if from Fabworks for £10 a metre with no project in mind. the squishiness just drew me in and I just had to buy it! I has a thick slightly felted feel so it, and has 4 way ‘give’ rather than a proper stretch stretch.

I wasn’t sure if it had been pre washed so I did the sniff test. It smelt ok so I’m thinking I must have done. I’ll wash it cold when it’s made up just in case it hasn’t been washed.

It’s been in and out of the stash box for ages, and when i saw the challenge was to make something to keep you warm I knew it was coming out for good this time!

The pattern choice was a no brainer for me. I loved the grown on/dropped sleeve style of the Molly Top and have worn my first 2 loads.

The problem with it though is it’s quite fabric hungry due to the grown on sleeves. I didn’t realise that this sweater knit had a huge pattern repeat so I wouldn’t be able to make the front and back match.

So in moment of madness I had a brain wave to cut it on the bias (down a sweater knit actually have a bias!!??)

Ta-Dah!! The front cut out!

Definitely the right decision – I love it!!

I was able to match up one wide seam but not both – I put the from piece onto the fabric the wrong way round to decide how to cut the back piece.

It knitted up in no time! Well, it didn’t really, it sewed up, but it looks like something I knitted doesn’t it? Well, not something I’d have knitted, as it just wouldn’t be this good!!

Now excuse the slightly blurry photos. We’ve had the most horrendous gales ever. A tree has even blown onto someone’s roof in our village! So photos taken inside, and although H is getting better at being friendly at the other side of the camera and not making me scowl, he needs to learn a steady hand!

Don’t think this is my best angle, but it shows off the stripes so I thought I’d show you anyway!

Do you like the arms? I did one straight up and down and the other crossways.

This is going to be one cosy jumper! I’m just gutted I never thought to make the neckline smaller.

The Molly Top has a band, but it would be just too thick to add it. I think this is going to my go to pattern for anything long sleeved, I just need to remember to adjust the neckline in future.

I thought about adding some inserts but it just spoilt the look I thought. So I left it just as it was and I’ll wear a scarf if needs be.

Before I made the final decision of how to finish the raw edges there was quite a lot of trial and error with different effects.

You can just about see the stitching around the neckline.

I finished off all the raw edges with a wide cover stitch about 5mm fro the edge of the fabric, with the cover stitch on the right side.

Below is the cuff….

I sewed the seams up with the single chain stitch. Then just added another needle and stitched the seam flat and open with the cover stitch being on the right side.

On the inside I trimmed away the seam allowance with my duck billed scissors that I bought at the knitting and stitching show. Seriously, I don’t think I could ever manage without them! No more accidental holes cut into my clothes!

So there you go, my first make of 2017. A super duper cosy jumper, and given the weather we’re having at the minute this will be worn loads!!

I now need to make a day dress before the week is out as I’m hoping to join in the day and night dress challenge. I made my night dress at the end of December, I’m wondering if I’ll have time to make my first Anna……fingers crossed!

Dewsbury Meet Up & A Hike around Haworth – an update!

Published by Thimberlina

Not long now ladies!

I’m counting the sleeps, and I know a few others who are too!!

Can you believe it!? Our next meet up now has international status!

Chris who blogs at Hand Made By Chris – Said & Done could no longer cope with missing out on all the fun in Yorkshire and will be joining us all the way from Germany!! Her flights have been booked and I’m so excited to be meeting my Jumping Into June partner in crime!

She’s staying in Yorkshire the whole weekend, and on Sunday we’re arranging another meet up in Haworth for those of you who want to stretch their legs, enjoy the Yorkshire countryside and maybe a pub lunch!

Bring your friends, partners, children & dogs – everyone’s welcome!

It will be a proper walk though, so won’t be suitable for push chairs – one of my friends who lives there has suggested Penistone, Top Withens and Stanbury if you want to google where we’ll be walking. He’s just checking his shifts and may even be our tour guide if he’s off! You don’t need to have trained for the 3 peaks!

Before I get carried away about Sunday’s activities, just a few details for Saturday.

We will be meeting from 9:30am in Weatherspoons as unfortunately there’s no tea rooms in Dewsbury big enough to accommodate us all!

Goodie bags will be collected before we all go shopping (I’m going to bring a big trolley dolly bag!) and will be handed out after the shopping expedition.

Hila will also be making sure she has the mileage of how far you’ve travelled on her list – there will be a prize again like last year for non attendees. If you don’t know Hila, head over to her blog – you’re in for a treat!

The prize will be a goodie bag and it will be for the person who guesses the total mileage that everyone has travelled to get to Dewsbury (or the closest guess).

Just a little plea – some of you who are going, could you bring or make a little something to add to the ‘prize’ goodie bag. Thankyou (in anticipation)!!! If the goodie bag ends up too big, I’ll make up another one for a second prize.

As most of us enjoy the socialising as much, if not more, than the shopping we will stay at Weatherspoons til around 11 am.

They sell coffee and will be serving breakfast for those who were too nervous/excited to eat before leaving home. (I’m speaking from experience here!) Then you’ll be let loose with your empty shops bags onto the streets of Dewsbury.

Previously we’ve all sort of stayed in one big group but there’s going to be too many of us this year.

I’m going to make some maps of where you can go, and a plan of the market, and I’ll give you my mobile number in case you get lost!

Don’t worry if you’re coming alone and don’t know anyone, I guarantee by the end of the day you will have at least 10 new best friends. Just call it speed dating for sewers!!

We’ll meet up again from 2:30pm. It might be at the pub next to the train station, but I need to go and see if they can accommodate us. I’ll let you know before.

There will be a fabric and pattern swap whichever pub we end up in!

The goodie bags will be given out at 3pm

The day is going to be very easy going. Pop in for just an hour, or stop for the whole day!

If you’re not going to be there at 3pm for the goodie bags, let me know, don’t just dash off, and you can have yours early.

Please complete the form below to confirm you will be going to the meet up on Saturday. I will be compiling a list of attendees for the Dewsbury meet up nearer the time – only blog addresses will be published, not emails.

In a week or so when you’ve been dusted off your walking boots and anoraks I’ll be asking who’s going to be joining us on our jaunt across the Yorkshire hills.

For those living too far away to come just for a day, why not make a weekend of it like Chris?!

Phew!! ~~I don’t think I’ve ever written so much in one post without any pictures!!~~ Pictures now added to break up all that writing!

Any queries please email me.

Dont be shy fill in your details below and we’ll see you on the 25th February!

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A little bit late this week, but hey ho, there’s really no rules for Nat’s Sunday Sevens so I’ll crack without further ado!

Sunday Sevens – a short blog post with seven/a few/lots of (delete as appropriate) photos from your week, invented by Natalie from Threads and Bobbins

It’s all been happening this week!

Cyber mom’s birthday, 5 longs shifts, a game of golf, a step class and some sewing thrown in for good measure to keep me sane!

All this came from just ONE cauliflower!!

So I got all super organised and bagged up lots of spare veg for the freezer for those days when I was sewing working and needed a quick meal for the family.

What’s in the bag this week! I took some fabric and card to work to attempt some sticking, glueing and stitching in my break. I did manage to make a start on my Hexie Caddie for #sewdowndewsbury.

Before the weekend I would have struggled to muster up an interesting post. But thanks to a Fabricate opening only about 3 miles from home things began to look up!

I gathered together a few friends – Karen from the Sewing Miserablist, and Sue and 2 more golfing buddies. It was all a bit surreal, my online friend is now a proper friend and is making friends with my other proper friends! How good is that!

Karen showing of her new Burda Jeans!

And me totally Tillied out in my Coco and Cleo! Sorry I couldn’t help posing in and amongst all the amazing stuff for sale! No more waiting for the postman when I’m wanting an Indie pattern, or dashing into Leeds for last minute haberdashery when I run out of something!

Philippa who owns this sewing haven!

She wasn’t for having her picture taken really, but no one is really, are they? Watch out at #sewdowndewsbury – best wear your lippy cos I’ll catch you with the camera 😉

Sue doesn’t sew, she reckons she can’t even thread a needle, but she came along as she knew all the ladies and is slightly tempted to have lessons. You never know, this time next year she might even have her own hand made wardrobe!

Golfers and sewists getting on famously!

In the cafe for tea and cake!

Here’s my goodie bag that Philippa had put together for the new customers.

And here’s my purchases. Some filling for the hexie caddie, a french curve for all the intended pattern drafting, and a pack a sewing needles – I’m always loosing them!

If anyone who is local-ish to me and is wondering where Roberttown is you can see it on the map below that I’ve used before for my Dewsbury posts.

It’s only open until 1pm though, so worth bearing in mind if you’re planning on your shopping trip being thirsty work!

The little dot near the ‘R’ in Roberttown marks the spot.

If you’re coming and you’re not on the list above would you mind filling in the info on THIS page so i can add you. Even if you’ve left a comment somewhere on my blog or on my IG please fill it in as it will be a nightmare to keep track otherwise.

Hello Sunday Seveners!

I had quite an eventful time at work this week, it started off with needing the assistance of these guys…..

On Tuesday we played in the Lady Captains New Year Comp, and had a huge meal afterwards. The only photo I have though is of me and my partner in crime practicing a selfie!

Just because…..

I don’t do dry January – I don’t think I have enough wet days for it justify a dry month!

We were forecast snow at the end of the week. We’re quite high up and normally get quite a dump of it, but we didn’t even get enough for a snow ball fight!

For the eagle eyed amongst you, can you spot Fabworks!?

I usually get away with not having to do the Costco trip. I just think it’s crazy filling up such a huge trolley, but we called to Leeds after the trip ‘down Dewsbury’.

Cutting out my first Moneta – I think Rory was worried the cat fabric might be a relation, or that she might be next! (yes, Rory’s a girl!)

About the only time you’ll see Mr Thimbers in the kitchen is after a night out when he’s got the munchies.

I started the week with the surprise of a double yolker, and then at the end of the week 3 out of 3 eggs were double yolkers!! Shame my egg cracking skills haven’t lived up to the occasion!

I’m joining in the Triple Stitchers Moneta Party! I was gifted this Tigger velour fabric last year in Jungle January but I was rubbish and never made anything. So I made a muslin of the Moneta dress with it and discovered that due to having a gigantic ribcage it sits way too high above my waist.

It would be fun to wear it to a kids party, and it’s really comfy too. But realistically I don’t think it’ll be worn in public. On a positive note it has the most amazingly hems, thanks to my cover stitch machine!

We will be meeting from 9:30am in Weatherspoons as unfortunately there’s no tea rooms in Dewsbury big enough to accommodate us all!

Thank you for your response. ✨