Blouses

Quite often I will see fabric that I think would make a lovely blouse. I have now collected several metres but had still not made anything. So over the Christmas break I decided it was time ...

I looked at blouses I already had, some leant to me by a friend and an old pattern. I then set about making my own pattern - I had forgotten how much I loved pattern cutting.

Instead of making a toile (a practice one) out of calico I decided to use one of the fabrics.

I decided the collar was too large, so I modified the pattern and also emphasised the yoke.

I then decided to make one with three quarter length sleeves. I had liked the inclusion of a plain fabric so extended this idea. I could either wear the sleeves down or folded up.

Now all I need is warm enough weather so that I can wear them.

Things to make from Christmas fabric

I was sitting at home marking when I noticed how tatty and worn my slippers were, so I decided to make myself another pair. As we had been making things at college to raise funds for our next exhibition I had some Christmas fabric lying around my room. So they were Christmas slippers ...

I decided to show you some other items made by myself and my family over the years.

Obviously you can make stockings

Here are two made by my children some years ago

My daughter and I made two of these many years ago and this one comes out every year.

This one is printed and has applique and quilted baubles on it.

These hanging decorations also have bunting and door hangers to match

Gift tags                                                                                         Baubles for the tree

... and this is a beautiful piece made this year by my friend Natalie

How To Make A Removable Book Cover

As you can see from earlier posts I often make covers for my books, diaries, folders, etc. Here is a really easy technique for making a removable cover.

Here is the prepared fabric. This has been hand dyed and printed but you could use any fabric. You do not need the wadding unless you are intending to quilt the fabric.

Hem the two side edges

Measure the fabric around the book, making sure the book is closed and fold over the two side edges to make the flaps

Cut a piece of lining fabric. Place this on top of the cover (right sides together) and stitch along the top and bottom edges.

Turn through to the right side. All rough edges are now beautifully covered.

Finished cover

What to do with fabric scraps ...

You know when you work on a project you keep all the scraps and as you use them up the scraps get smaller but you never seem to have any less ...

I thought I would share some of the ways that I 'use up' my scraps.

I use a lot of strips in my work. Here are some stuck down with bondaweb onto cotton fabric and machined in place.

As you can see, a mainly pink theme, using dyed and overdyed fabrics. Additional net, ribbon etc are added.

A blue theme.

If you look carefully at this green one you can see I have started to add hand stitching - lazy daisy and herringbone

Here are some of the lovely thread colours I will be using - I obviously have too much time on my hands as you can see the threads are all beautifully wound onto card holders.

This pink piece has been stitched and is not made from strips. Instead this uses the fabric swatches that you can get from mail order companies.

Here are some things that I then make:

A kindle case

A diary cover

Needlecases

When you have created these new fabrics and made your lovely objects, as you trim them you seem to create more scraps but this time much smaller. Here is what I do with these:

The small pieces have been stuck onto pelmet vilene - they are about 5cm (2 inches) in length.

These are then embellished, backed with felt and a brooch pin added

This is my small box containing the small bits of fabric, threads and, if you look carefully, some finished badges.