Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts

Handmade: Linen Tessuti apron

I'm loving my recent sewing make - a tessuti apron made in a beautiful grey linen. It's the perfect apron to chuck on over my clothes while gardening and doing the housework!

It's an easy straight forward sew and a one size fits all - so a suitable for beginners 






Pattern: tessuti apron pattern which I purchased from Minerva Crafts

Label: Me Made from Kylie and the machine (lots of UK stockists)



Handmade: Lavender Shoe Deodorizer Sachets

I've been making myself busy, while being at home so much lately, with lots of crafty and sewing makes and here's the latest - handmade lavender shoe freshener sachets to keep your shoes (and my OH's cycling shoes) smelling gorgeous and fresh!

 

These shoe sachets are simple and easy to make, with bicarbonate of soda acting as a natural shoe deodorizer and lavender giving a calming aroma.

 You'll need:

  • Fabric (scraps will do, or repurpose old clothing)
  • Ribbon
  • Thread
  • Lavender (I used dried Yorkshire lavender from Lavender World UK)
  • Bicarbonate of soda

And to make them:

Cut out the 4 pieces of fabric  - 10cm x 17cm (this makes 8cm x 15cm sized sachets which fit perfectly in adult shoes, increase or decrease accordingly to fit your desired size).

Using a sewing machine or handstitch, sew the two sides and bottom with the right sides of the fabric together and using a 1cm seam allowance. 

Turn out the fabric and press.

Cut a piece of ribbon 12cm long, fold in half and place the ends within the sachet on one side and pin in place to hold.

Fill the sachet with a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and lavender - I used about 1/3 bicarb and 2/3 lavender (you might want to mix them together first and pour in)

Stitch along the top to close the sachet.

....and there you have a pair of shoe fresheners, enjoy!

Styling ideas: Dymo label maker

I'm loving using my Dymo label maker around the house at the moment. It's retro feel, simple lettering and colour adds a nice touch to jars and stops me confusing the herbs and the teas!





There's lots more Dymo inspiration on pinterest - check out my 'dymo labelling style' board. As soon as my Neals Yard blue bottles are empty I'll be making these for the bathroom.


Credit

2017 CRAFTING ASPIRATIONS

As I love a good list, here's one capturing my crafty aspirations and goals for 2017!

1. Make a macrame plant holder

2. Build my homemade wardrobe - top of the list is a McCalls M7313 dress, Cleo pinafore/dungaree dress, anything from Sew Over It!, more Sewaholic Rae Skirts, a Cambie dress.....

3. Develop a range of items using free motion sewing - make up bags, bunting, pictures, cards...

4. Create some lino prints

5. Make jewellery using welsh sea glass

6. Design my own fabric

7. Finish all the things I have half done and use kits ready to be made!


    and I'd love to eventually set up my own etsy shop selling my makes!


    Handmade Wardrobe....Margot Pyjamas



    Pattern: Margot Pyjamas by Tilly Walnes, from her Love at First Stitch Book

    After impulse buying a sewing machine at Ikea, I'm now attempting to hand make some wearable clothes. I often find I have an idea of an item of clothing I want to buy but can't quite find the right fit or colour in the shops. I decided to make a start by following the wonderful Love at First Stitch book by Tilly Walnes - the step by step guides are perfect for a beginner like me and the book comes with full size patterns. This is my first item - the Margot Pyjamas. 




    The step-by-step guide made it feel less daunting and was easy to follow. I didn't make any changes to the pattern - I used the size which fitted best to my hips and waist, but allowing for lots of room as I like my pj's nice a baggy. Making them again, I would adjust the pattern to make the legs slimmer. I'm tempted to make a shorts version for the summer and try adding a lace edging.



    I used a pretty blue floral cotton fabric, found in an independent haberdashery shop in Haverfordwest. It wasn't that expensive so I brought 3m - allowing myself some extra fabric in case I went wrong! I used ribbon as the drawstring. 





    Links: 
    Tilly and the Buttons blog - http://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/