Fibre Dreams

S free Design resource...

2011-06-02T10:08:00.000+01:00

Peruse peruse!

I'm questioning whether my Experimental piece is not experimental!
So yesterday I googled experimental embroidery and this was one of the addresses it came up with -

http://www.vads.ac.uk/

I was on here for at least an hour last night (the lost time zone place is the Internet!) instead of working on the embroidery!!

There are pages and pages of images for inspiration in all areas of the Arts...I am going to wash one of my samples to see what happens...perhaps that could be the experimental bit(?).

2011-06-01T01:24:00.002+01:00

City & Guilds Embriodery Level 3 course.

2011-04-09T20:37:00.000+01:00

Hi go over here to find out what I'm doing now!!
http://cityguildsembroiderylevel3.blogspot.com/2011/04/module-1-drawing-designing-line.html

I've put it a separate blog so as people can find it if they're attempting the same course!

See how this came to be and how it transforms into an Experimental Sample to be assessed.
I'm a lonely ole sole there with no one reading it!!

Edie's Quilt from Patchwork & Quilting Mag 03/10 Issue

2010-10-24T13:02:00.000+01:00

Hi!
I have been closeting this beautiful quilt design for months....as you can tell by the title it was in the March issue.

And that was months before I knew my sister managed to get pregnant! She's been trying for a couple of years now so the news is absolutely wonderful...a miracle!

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DONOT BUY OR MAKE ANYTHING BABY RELATED....I didn't realise how superstious she was...she the level headed one out of the two of us!

Anyway she is now safer and nearer the edge of the woods!!!
1 month to go and I've been allowed to make a quilt....(NO CLOTHES YET!)

Arn't these fabrics gorgeous....various pink patterns on brushed cotton fabric....so soft!
Oh yes she's a girl!

I bought them from Creative Quilting when I went shopping at the NEC (oops and some gorgeous embroidery threads!)

Here's their web address http://www.creativequilting.co.uk/.

I bought two Jelly rolls (is that what theyr'e called?!). 10 strips x (why o why can i never find a tape measure when i need one)...DUH...cutting board Jacqui!!
10 strips which are 2 1/2in wide x 43in long.

So I'm just starting...I'm going to make 1 block up first to see how much actual fabric they take and to see if I need to order more....see I am still a quilt novice!
I need to remember to be accurate. Easier said than done!

Off I go....

Please say hello when you stop by!

PUT THE THREAD DOWN AND WALK AWAY!

2010-08-29T15:28:00.000+01:00

REPEATE AFTER ME YOU WILL PRATICE SELF CONTROL AND NOT LET LOOSE WITH SELF ABANDONMENTWITH THE THREAD!

I really want to get to the bottom of the Free Motion sewing technique....

I am totally entranced with this technique....the day disappears when I’m Free motioning!

Here’s the next instalments of my Surface Embellishment course....by the way this is still only lesson 1!

I DO have a very good reason...Ooohh yes there’s been trouble at mill here in Miss Dee’s home! And to think all I wanted was a new sink!!

Anyway back to the interesting stuff.....

The first photo is of my Leaf and Dragonfly which are attached to my window looking very realistic!

Looking at the leaf I should have put more veins on it. I found zigzagging hard to control and some of the main veins have lines of straight stitch showing...

However, I feel I did well on the control front with the fill in pattern on the Dragonfly wings. Gorgeous hey...gold thread on the wings and splodge dyed satin for the body.

What do you think?

The next photo is my attempts at Moss using a garnet stitch and various green plus variegated green.

Ha ha ha yes I'm afraid the moss is too thick!

If it feels stiff you have gone overboard (ME!) and it should be a bit drapey. It should feel soft but has good coverage, AND THEN it is perfect.

My ‘moss’ remains stiff even after thorough rinsing AND soaking over night! It’s too dense.

This photo shows a close up on the machine. And when I look at I think I should have stopped on the first layer of thread!!! Now I know!

I thought whilst I was away in Free Motion land oh this looks like an Island rather than moss! Still, part of my book has a treasure map so this will look perfect!

So I will curb the over working of thread and keeping control........will have to be done by me!!

As always please say Hi when you pass by!

Fibre Dreams has moved to Ebay!

2010-08-18T22:48:00.000+01:00

GOOD NEWS AND SAD NEWS...

A lot has happened since i last wrote.....
I have a new full time teaching job..permanent...so I havent been able to put in the time promoting Fibre Dreams web site so I closed it down.

No don't get me wrong I am up for this new teaching job, I feel as if I got my teaching mojo back there (well half the time!) and I want to keep merchandising crafts stuff too. Plus i want to learn and get better at the Fibre things I do.
Funny though the Ebay shop Miss Dee's Fibre Dreams was selling more anyway so I decided to focus my efforts on that.
So a good decision all round!

And hey hoo some fab news too I sold some of the fabric that I hand dyed...this one below with the 12 colourwheel colours.

And the feedback was brill when she recieved them (it's such a buzz when someone else likes your made stuff hey?)

Yep you guessed it, it spurred me on to put up some more of my Hand Dyed fabric.
What do you think?

This is how they are packaged with a ribbon and a bow with my Fibre Dreams tag on!

You can find them here, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/100-Cotton-marbled-hand-dyed-3-colours-bundle-FQ-/270619379388?pt=UK_Crafts_Fabric_Textiles_SM this links you to the 3 colours one of orange, purple and green!

I've started another Quilt University course this time on MACHINE EMBELLISHED SURFACE

I really want to get to the bottem of the Free Motion sewing technique....it's something I've always wanted to master but wasnt sure of the tricks to perfection!

The picture below shows my Trees Overlay for a Fabric Adventure Story book.

This page is called the Forest Dell.

The wooden Throne will house a Gem stone to collect.....AND YES THIS IS MY OWN STORY AND SUBJECT TO COPYRITE!

The weird swirly swirls is the cameras fault(!)
The leaves and trees have organza backing with fabric snippets then free motion to clarify the outlines and details.
All made possible with water soluable stabilizer (yes you can find some in by ebay shop at competitive prices!).
I am happy with the trunks of the trees but the leaves look clumpy to me so I will have another go.

I have had this story designed for so long, in my design book I have some school stuff written in there from 1996!
At that time I used to do a lot of hand embroidery and I had made some decisions using those techniques.....then just put the book away without doing anything.
The pages are perfect for embellishing on this QU course!

But that won't be until after I've completed the single leaf and moss exerises.
Pictures to come for those!

I keep telling myself GET ON WITH YOUR SCHOOL PAPERWORK! I wasted at least 3hrs today feeling guilty about it instead of just getting on!!

So as always please say hello if you drop by....

SPRAYIN' AND PLAYIN'!

2010-07-25T21:59:00.000+01:00

I've been spraying and playing!
An artist impressioon!

This is my home made strecher frame for my dyeing!

<> ,Orange dyed over yellow

Orange spray dyed with mountains and rivers of colour!

Sorry this is so short the blog programme doesnt want to play...so not sure how this looks!
Don't forget to say hello.

BLOOD, SWEAT AND LUSCIOUS COLOUR!

2010-05-29T22:26:00.001+01:00

LESSON 4......Right roll your sleeves up and concentrate!

Here’s a photo of my attempts at the Colour wheel Spectrum. I’m afraid there wasn’t time to take photos!

I was with the mad ones on the course and had to have a go dyeing them all in the one go!!

It was a bit of a sweat on.

It was so intense setting out 12 jugs.

Keeping to the right measurements for the 12 separate dye colours, particularly at adding the Salt & Soda stage

But fab fun.

My last purple looks like a reddy brown? But I see that in the student Gallery at the Quilt University a couple of peoples fabric were the same colour...so maybe not wrong!

The true yellow, red and blue are not as noticeably mottled and when I commentated on the Discussion board the tutor asked how many times had I squeezed and flipped the fabric!

So, I will remember next time to not squeeze twice and flip twice. (oo must ensure I make a note of squeeze and flip times for my folder).
And they sat like flowers on a very warm window sill.

BEAUTIFUL!

Rinsing...rinsing....aching arms!....

2010-05-23T13:22:00.000+01:00

Whoo Lesson 2 I enjoyed this too!!

I think I have achieved more intense colours this time.

I’m guessing the water stayed warmer for longer...perhaps!

The jugs of fabric and dye were resting on top of my laundry drier (saving on the chore of hanging out to dry the weeks now clean laundry!) keeping the liquid warmer for longer.

The purple had 3-4 tones in there ranging from light blue to deep violet. The exciting part of pulling this colour out is that while it was in the jug it just looked very dark and all one tone.

I love the secondary colours...especially the green. The mottling on the green was subtle, regularly irregular (!), 2 colours/tones.

Arrhhh little did I suspect that after rinsing...rinsing.... aching arms!....rinsing some parts of the pattern formed in ‘waves’ across the fabric.

The orange was out first to be rinsed right on the hour, followed by green then purple. The purple took so long to rinse...I know I’m repeating myself!

I think I will do more scrunching of fabric on the next go.

The orange has the most colour contrast between the light and dark.

I pinched some dye from here whilst the dye was still fresh...I couldn’t help myself I wanted a go at the Shibori Bonus lesson...then chickened out when I saw how much dye the folded fabric drank!
So the orange was sitting in less liquid than others.

Just waiting for the Shibori to rinse and dry. And I’ll save them for next time!

And just a little sneak preview on some buttons I've bought to sell in my online shop http://www.fibredreams.co.uk/!

Freshly Coloured Fabric.

2010-05-08T22:56:00.000+01:00

My decking looked lovely last Sunday with the freshly coloured fabrics moving in the breeze!

They reminded me of the Medieval jousting tournaments with brightly coloured fabrics gently flapping from poles and tents!

Ha and talking about breeze with the instructions and advice of the course tutor the process of dyeing the fabric was a breeze too!

The first lesson was dyeing the three primary colours using the full immersion technique.
The salt and the soda ash were added a bit at a time.

I’m most pleased with the fabric from the show, 100% unbleached cotton.
Although the American Muslin is good too!
It’s all in the mixing of the chemicals....oh and the stirring...10-12 times in the last hour....yes I failed at that! Well the hour went so fast and I was doing something else...the red juice was so enjoyable after concentrating so hard!!

The picture above shows the experimental one after the main dye has been used.

The tutor told us to do it!! She writes that she wanted us to find out why certain amounts of dye are linked to dyeing amounts....

I can’t describe how I felt during and after all this fun!
I do know I felt relieved that there wasn’t mucky or bizarre colours’ hanging there!

The second lesson is already up on the Quilt Uni to start when you're ready...I'm doing mine tomorrow after walking the dog and buying some food...well I have to eat too!

Lesson 2 is achieving mottling patterns on the fabric and mixing the Secondary colours of Orange, Purple and Green...so looking forward to tomorrow!
I'll post the pctures of the results!

OOOO TWO DAYS TO GO!

2010-04-28T20:46:00.000+01:00

Two days two go for my fabric dyeing course...I can't recall the Dyeing jokes I've had thrown at me at work!!!
They just don't understand me! (you would think I had teenage problems!)

I have just washed my 6mtr of unbleached 100% Cotton...drying over the banister, off the landing!
I acquried a plastic covering today of the houskeeper at my school...thank you!
I have two more days to get the plastic containers together!
My box of Dyes are sitting there like a Christmas chemistry set....antisipation!

I will be recording and photoing for future references! I'm going to buy a special ring binder too!!
So tune in, save the posts, post your comments and questions, if you fancy learning Basic Dyeing too!

At Last April and Spring.

2010-04-18T16:18:00.000+01:00

At last the Spring has sprung!

So when the snowdrops suddenly show up I make a pact to hoover the lawn once a week and plant some colourful flowers again...my single daffodil has come and gone and there is still no bedding plants or decent soil!
Anyway moving on quickly before the garden center guilts set in!

Last month I wrote that I had started a pieced quilt...

I suppose it's not the usual shade grading for a Log Cabin Patchwork block.

It came about because I had already bought the fabrics with the idea of making a Patchwork quilt....KINGSIZE!

I had been messing about with making patches using the fabric, when perusing TSF, I came along http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=19093 this thread and thought I'd love a go!

I think I've made at least 6 or 7 mistakes an this quilt...I know you can't see them!

Things like the fabric is polycotton and moves alot when you press it....

The strips were cut too big so my blocks are HUGH!...oh on and on!!

I guess the main one is my usual problem I try to run before I can walk and just sewing the blocks together was arkward because of their size!!

I gave up on the idea of actually quilting this top!

I decided to use just 18 of the blocks and pair them up with plain and Brodrais Anglais polycotton squares to make a duvet cover instead.

And lets not talk about finding a not too expensive fabric to make the duvet cover. Do you realise how expensive that width fabric is! Ok buy a kingsize flat sheet...are they spun from gold...flatsheets? I gave in and bought a cheap duvet set and attached the quilt top to it! Et Voila...I really like it....so much it's on my bed now still with threads hanging out!

The last six of the blocks have been made up to quilt. The blocks have white strips joining them all into a cot sized quilt. I have white polycotton backing fabric and I've used my iron on wadding to pad it out for quilting.

They are still pinned together to make sure the fabrics don't roam and bunch up.

Well I am pleased with the result if I don't say so myself!

Mind you I have just wasted an hour unpicking the quilting I did last night as the stitches from the top thread are loose on the back side of the quilt! I'd sewn all along the white sections in rectangles.

1. Is the thread too thick for the a) needle or b) the bobbin.

2. Is this the right needle size now the fabric is three times thicker.

3. Is the top tension too loose or the bobbin thread to tight.

I'll let you know......Oh well these are the pains and triumphs of a sewers world!

One last bit of news...I've enrolled in the Quilt University! Yep it's an American site!! I tried so hard to arrange human classes here, but the ones that were similar to what I wanted to learn were cancelled twice. The one I did start was too beginner for me and then they cancelled that too, not enough takers????.... I contacted another college, their courses arn't starting till Sept...Hhhmmm....what do think?

So watch this space for some colour the course is called 'Cotton Dyeing Basics'!

My garden might be just shades and tones of green but indoors there'll be riots of colour swatches! And hopefully not too many items stained!

P.S. I must apologise for my spelling mistakes last month, the QUILTERS and learner quilters are NOT QUITERS!

The Ides of March....white rabbit!

2010-03-05T23:37:00.000Z

Did you remember to say white rabbit three times on the 1st of March...I did.
I used to have the pupils saying it to!
Saying it three times is suppose (for those of us who love old suspicions) to ward of evil and bring good luck.
I always live in hope!

Well what you see below is my own design.
It was something floating in my head....I love Leg of Mutton sleeves...I love the honey coloured stripes and I love the contrasting rib and crochet collar.

Will I wear it...mmmmm...perhaps the design is a little young..I loved knitting though.

So how did my Crazy Patchwork fabric get on, I hear you ask!

Famously.

A few more stripes have been added here. I am trying for a balance of colour and texture.

You can see the backing fabric of white muslin. The trick to this technique, on muslin is to press carefully after each piece has been sewn.

So a few more pieces on and this is where it gets hairy! I have got to the place where two blocks are meeting. This is repeated four times as there are four blocks of patchwork. I solved it by leaving some parts unsewn and pressing the loose edges of the last strip to top sew.

I now breathe a little. All of the muslin is covered.

The next job is to sew each seam down. Oh yes that's after you press, press and press...don't forget to leave to cool before it's moved!

I decided to put variegated green embrodiery thread for the top stiching. And so here's more fun using the embroidery patterns built into my machine. Now machine is not an expensive dude by any means but there's more than fourty different stitches....oh design decisions.

My goodnes just think in the past they would do this with hand embroidery. It must have taken an age.

And then the couching swirls are added. I have green sparkly thread, multi coloured thread, diagonal white and grey yarn and black and sliver thread couched over with invisable thread.

Great as you can't see it but bad as you can't see it!

And some more sparkle by the way of green seed beads. Locked off every now and again.

I realise if I am going to make some thing out of the fabric I will have to bast around the pattern so the beads do not fall off.

You can get the texture from this close up compared to the pictures that are of the whole piece.

I really enjoyed making that....even the pressing and the overlocking to make it square. You have heard of the wonky table leg?

I don't want to make anything with it.

Any ideas??

Anyway I have already moved on I am now making a pieced quilt for my bed!

First time I have done this so I'm looking forward to it....as I said to the Sewing Forum quiters I always have to run before I can walk! I'll post pictures next time.

So thanks for coming over and please leave a hello. I would like to see what others are up to in the fabric world...my next door neigbour is a Ravelry knitter...cool!

A new crazypatchwork take on Life!

2010-01-31T16:22:00.000Z

Dear friends of blog world!

I cannot believe how long it's taken to get back on here! I must say it has been a bit busy here with working with the children!
I have managed to get in loads of creative things though since last year.

Did I make a New Year’s resolution?
NOPE!
Well I suppose I did, it was to not set myself up not to be able to carry things through!!
And surprisingly I've done more!!
Read on for some of the Fibre things I've made.

My very latest fibre challenge....I'm back onto making some crazy patchwork fabric.
I will be looking forward to using my extra large sewing machine extension for free motion embroidering. Take a look below for pictures of my solution!

So onto some of the things I've made so far....

Dresses for Daughter!

I had to undo the skirt part three times...I should have made sure I marked wrong and right sides!

The drapey part can go over the shoulder.....This is made from Jersey.
I strengthened the bodice/skirt seam with stretchy knit interfacing...which made sure it did'nt stretch when the parts were sewn together.

The Tartan and Brodre anglais (sorry for the miss spelling!) I really enjoyed making...I seem to like the handle of these types of fabric more than the stretchy ones!!
It's not finished yet as Madame thinks it's too long so wants the hem taken up.....not until she visits again!

Oh and this I made for myself but I don't like it...you know when you have an image in your mind!

It's Jersey again, using the same pattern as the Tartan dress of daughters. It feels lovely and soft.

But the fabric is so frustrating...I had to re-sew one side seam three times and now I've given up!!! It'll end up looking like a tube!!!

I think where i went wrong was in the cutting stage...I think the grain is out on the front skirt...oh well live and learn....cut each section out single...next time!

This is my lovely Bernina. I bought it as seen here, no table. I bought it to free hand embroider with...a job it does perfectly without moving tension discs or anything!

But as there's no table my work flops over, the hoop goes off at an angle...I definately need a flat surface around the sewing arm.

First stop Bernina site...no my poor girl is too old for them to stock. Try ebay....wow really expensive or buy another machine with the table...RIGHT (!) am on The Sewing Forum for ideas...after following all the leads from my sewing pals (SO helpful!) I was still table-less.

"You teach Resistant Materials...can't you make your own?" Thanks good friend...why had'nt I thought of this (truth be known I know these things are laden with possible problems, mostly to do with my skills!!)

Ok 1st step measure

Then make a card template, test this!

Then mark out and cut Acrylic....then do the tedious filing smooth the cut edges.

Oh boy do I sympathise with my pupils!!

So after what seemed like an eternity it was time to drill...four corners and supports inbetween.

The legs are bolts with chair feet on the end! The picture does'nt show that the table edge is further back...so after the first testing I realised that I need another support in the front.

I will take it back into work for the last drill hole...and go buy a pack of 6 bolts (anybody need five bolts!) and another pack of rubber feet.

I am pleased with it, it will be useful and practical but it so lacks finesse. I wish I worked in a really posh school that has all the lastest machinery!!

Oh well it will be in time for the free hand embroidery on my crazy patchwork fabric.

The piece I'm planning on is 31cm wide by 120cm long, this is the width of the muslim fabric.

I'm going for the green colour theme. I started with tafeta as the base shape with various print cottons surrounding.

Oh that's a better photo!

My texture is coming along nice too!

The yellow solid cotton reflects the tones in the lace and the green upholsery fabric.

Press Press Press...right I'm off now to sew on some more onto to my crazy patchwork fabric!

I hope I've furthered your interest in THE FIBRE WORLD!!

I will get back soon for the latest installment of the crazy patchwork life.

Please don't forget to say hello when you stop by.

2009-10-28T21:33:00.000Z

BEAUTIFUL BUTTONS for laina!!

October all ready!!

2009-10-10T23:46:00.000+01:00

Hello it's been a while....I have been busy but not so much in the sewing area!!

I think it's five weeks since starting my long term Supply work in an Emotional, Behavioural Difficulties school...oh and what a whirlwind of five weeks it's been!!!! Obviously I can't talk about it in details but you can get the flavour when I tell you I slept most of last weekend away!!!

So this weekend I was going to vacuum my house and get on with some sewing projects that are quickly becoming UFO's!!!!

BUT a certain somebody bolted off his lesh in persuit of some poor small mammal and I now have a very swollen wedding ring finger.....

Yes he looks innocent enough hey....I am just hoping the finger is just bruised....I'll have to see tomorrow.

Onto nicer thoughts!!!!

I bought my Extreme Tunisian Crochet hook a few months ago now and at last I've organised some yarns!!!

I have a few yarns but I keep finding 'better' (!) uses for them...anyway I think I parted with 10 yarns to start and I have 8 on there now....

It does'nt look much as yet and has'nt grown much more than this but it's wonderfully thick. I was thinking it would be lovely to put my little tooties on in the morning!!

Another ongoing project in the making!!!! I once had an embroidery on the go for 5 years...hhmmhhmm!!

Is'nt this a beautiful Brocade! I have no project for it. I think it's going to have to be sold along with the other 3 or 4 other pattern Brocade pieces....I think I bought it to make men's waistcoats but there was no interest...I love a man in a waistcoat???? Suits and Hats and ties hey girls...I think I was born too late!!!!

And this is my latest project....Gloves....Did anyone else read the Threads magazine article on making Gloves...I LOVE gloves even if I don't manage to keep them that long!!

To start with I wanted to experiment.....work out how the parts all fit together and practice the hand sewing...I rummaged around my remnants boxes to find some stretchy fabrics...

I came across this Green Velvet...

This is a picture of the Gloves with the pattern on top of the green velvet....a little bit of concentration was needed when cutting the finger tips, so the shapes are nicely rounded....

This is the thumb part sewn...easy enough but because of the velvet pile you cannot easily distinguish the light purple sewing thread...

It was very engrossing trying to get the stab stitches even and identical to each other!!!

This part was very tricksy(!)

Sewing the thumb piece into place was not made any easier using velvet fabric...so velvet is definately out for the Gloves proper....I ended up putting fray check on to hold the seams together!!!! Which ofcourse has made them quite stiff!!!

I was thinking I should just stop and try another fabric but woa no I have to persevere!!

I am really enjoying them...

I'll let you know how I get on with them and whether the left glove gets made or I decide to move onto another fabric....

Before I go a call to any Liverpool lads or lasses who would like to join a sewing club in Liverpool City centre. We did alright on the first meeting 8 people turned up, the second meet we had another 2 new people...so we might be gathering a good sized group together!!

The next meet is the 12th October, News From Nowhere Bookshop, Bold St, Liverpool City Centre...all welcome....

I hope this blog finds you well!!

Don't forget to say hi if you stop by!

Blogger: Fibre Dreams - Manage Posts

2009-10-10T22:03:00.001+01:00

Blogger: Fibre Dreams - Manage Posts can anyone see me!????

The Summer of my Content!!

2009-08-31T23:21:00.010+01:00

Thank goodness I've got round to finishing projects....slowly but surely (will it win the race?)

And tidying my living space!! Garage, loft, living and sleeping rooms...nearly sparkling like a new pin! BUT all this clearing and cleaning is showing up the things that need repairs!!
Oh well back to work (paid!?) this or next week...just shows you how out of touch I am...I'll have to ring the Supply agency up!!!

On to better stuff...these are the things that make me happy!!! And I'm happy with the results...what do you think?

First up are my Stitch Keepers....

I love my Stitch Keepers I just think they are so useful and beautiful....and they look better in use!!
But I had a problem....they looked handmade instead of handcrafted...you know what I mean?!

So I set about designing the packaging for them....my logo and a little info on a luggage tag....something evocative about a luggage tag...travel i love it...and how to put these elements together......the magic Transparent PVC Film, self adhesive from The Inkjet Paper Girl on Ebay!!
All you card crafters probably have already used or know about it. It's a sticky back plastic sheet that can be printed on and then stuck onto to anything......

This is one of the latest Stitch Keeper designs. They have rubbery spectacle holders on the ends. The rubbery textured ends grip onto the needles so no slipping off which keeps stitches on in transit or storage. The jewel drops are all individual.

It's taken some intensive EBay trawling to find the little cellophane bags to put them in!! There still not the perfect size I wanted but they do leave room for larger pieces of needle jewellery!!

Stitch Keepers on their tags, packaged and ready to go!!

This is the back (obviously!) just a little about the design.LOADS OF OTHER STUFF THAT'S BEEN DONE TOO!!

What else have I been doing...ar ha..I've designed and made my own skeins up for my Flutterby Scarf

There's a larger luggage tag for the skeins I've designed. Along with the usual ball band information you get on yarn like needle size, tension and washing instructions, I put the pattern for the Flutterby Scarf on the other side of the tag!!

It's a scarf which flows downward into loose waves. This one has striking Amethyst hues and I have Deep Summer Greens made up too. The skeins are made of assorted lush, and luxury yarns ensuring an elegantly textural design.

THE UFO SECTION!!!!

This lovely is nearly finished!! I could wear as is while I'm deciding whether to add pearl or mother of pearl beads to the Silk yarn border....to make it even more special!! The main body is Silk/Mohair Boucle yarn...yup it's light as a feather, soft to touch and warm and cool to wear perfect.

The longest UFO ever!!! Nearly 3 years would you believe it! The problem was the collar I found sewing the two sections on the seam so hard to match up!!! AND it didn't help the instructions being in Spanish!!
This dress is nearly finished barring a hem, belt loops and a belt....now I'm not sure I like the fabric pattern...although the fabric type is perfect...swishy when you move thus showing off the kick box pleats on the skirt!

AND THE BEST TILL LAST!!!!!

STOP!......EXCITING NEWS.......WE ARE STARTING UP A SEWING CLUB IN LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE.......

So it/they(!) will not let me copy and paste the flyer proper!!!

It's got a photo of ladies sewing in mop caps and old sewing machines!!!

Well anyway's this is the content....if there's anyone out there that would like to be part of this do pop along on the 14th....there's no rules or signing up to do!!!!

"Join the Liverpool BurdaStyle Sewing Club!
Want to meet other people who are into sewing? Then join our sewing club for people of all abilities, including show & tell, problem solving, inspiration and general sewing fun and of course a good old fashioned natter over a cuppa!
1st meeting - 14th September 6 to 9pm
Then meeting every 2nd Monday of the Month 6 to 9pm
The News from Nowhere Social Center
News from Nowhere Bookshop
96 Bold Street
Liverpool,
L1 4HY
(access is from the door next to the News from Nowhere bookshop)
For More Information, E-mail:
Beth at beth@bethedmondson.co.uk or Jacqui at Jacqui.stan@tiscalli.co.uk
And visit http://burdastyleclubs.ning.com/group/bscliverpooluk"

So lots of happenings and not enough time to blog!!! All I have to do now is sell something!!

Fibre Dreams and the Five happy thoughts.....

2009-07-13T15:10:00.008+01:00

I wish I'd painted this!!

I have lent my car out to another person!!!!

So this means I'm doing a lot of walking.
Yes good for the body and soul!

I'm afraid my making mojo is taking a holiday.....just when I need it!

So here I am walking along...my feet are not agreeing with the exercise by the way!

Trying not to speak out loud the conversation I'm having with myself!

So....think of five things that make you happy with yourself....in my present mood I wasn't hopeful...

1. My daughter....she is such a lovely person (on a good day!), loving, hard working and ambitious....

2. My making ability....this is all important to me!

3. My life has certainly been varied....so I can smile without regrets when I'm old!!!!

4. I gained an Honors Degree....and the first in my family and the first woman!!!

5. I'm glad I did'nt do too badly raising my daughter...yes number 1 and 5 could be the same but for the fact that I raised her by myself...

6. My cats....both long dead but barely any time goes by without thinking about them!

So I realised on my three hour walk around the near by countryside that yes I do make ridiculous mistakes BUT I have got at least 6 things I can shout about with pride in my heart!

And today....well today my feet have won out as I have blisters all over my feet and I'm restricted to the house walking around like a goblin witch!!!!

But I've done the vacuuming and after this I'm sorting out my sewing room...a bit late for a spring clean but hey ho!!

And then onward to completing the Hot in the City bag range...I'll post some pictures when they're finished.

I'll start with making an abstract shape button for the closure decoration of my huge flat purse clutch....you know like those clutch bags in the black and white Hollywood movies....I'm clear about this bit!!!!

Well I'm signing off to make sure I do the bag things!!!

And you know it really does work...thinking about those things that make you happy.....Are you thinking about yours too????

I hope I've made you think about happy stuff....Does this sound like Hailey Mills!!!!!!

See you soon.....happy thoughts.....Jacqui

Hot in the City! Part 2!

2009-06-17T20:50:00.011+01:00

How beautiful is this little girl!
I was looking for something and found this picture (as you do!). She's dressed in one of my first attempts of dressmaking....as I remember there was a hat and she little red wellies (yes I know paddington bear!!)
I was very proud of my achievement!
When waiting at a bus stop one day an older lady remarked,
"Is'nt it lovely the things you can buy them these days"!!!!!!!
Arrh enough of memory lane!

Here's some more making stages of Hot in the City!

This was where I was up to last post. I still did not like it, it felt incohesive?!? Well scruffy! And I wanted it to glisten.
I played about a bit.
I know I wanted more gold mesh. I like the effects of the mesh on the gold organza rather than the burnt orange.
I also wanted to solidify the pattern which meant to me that bold strips across, going with the base fabric could bring it all together.

Then I pressed it like mad until it was pan flat!

Y0u know I was thinking that the fabric did look like a cityscape of roads and houses. I thought of the images when you see the car head lights in darkness moving at high speed.....a red glitsy thick embroidery yarn, couched with the orange thread was added....

The whole fabric got another pressing and it's time to cut out the bags peices...this is where I'm up to now!

What do you think?

Well this is where it's been up to for the past week as I'm waiting to purchase some magnetic bag clasps. I'm working on a oversized under the arm clutch bag with the larger section....I'll post pics of that next time...I think I really like it!!!!

So this is my life in my sewing world to date!

Don't forget if you stop by please say hello....'til next time take it easy and enjoy your moments,

Jacqui

Feelin good....feelin Hot in the City!

2009-06-04T20:36:00.028+01:00

I've fab news!

I....(drum roll)....sold my first clutch bag and change purse!!

They are SOLD...SOLD...SOLD...somebody else loves my fabric creations enough to buy one from me... giggle giggle...oh really!!

This is my Croation Sea fabric made into a clutch bag and coin purse!

These close up photo's are of the closure treatment...wire crochet and a button, bead. The dream of finding a real pearl in those beautiful waters around Croatia did seem real!!

The coin purse sits inside.The person who bought it is going to a posh doo on Saturday and she will be using it...it never even made it for public view!!

Hot in the City, Hot in the City....tonight....(wish I knew how to get the sound track on!!!).

After that success I decided to make another fabric....perhaps this is my niche??

So I thought I would challenge myself (oh dear!) I was to use colours that I'm not so attached too and I would try to make half a metre of it in one full piece HA!

So I measured my muslim, got out the fusable double sided fabric adhesive....

Oh no the adhesive is not as wide as the fabric but I want 60cm width....oh cut it in three....one down the middle and the other two down each side...only leaving a 2cm gap of adhesive....

The gap....THAT was my MISTAKE!

This photo is suppose to show the gaps in adhesive....a picture and the memory will remind me NOT to do it again....(I think the camera lies again!)

But it does show it's nearer the true colours....trying to get texture, pattern, sheen, reflection, balance and that little something!

The bumps, bubbles and pieces are just acting like themselves and they're on the loose!....as the double sided fusable fabric adhesive bonds the layers together all the fabrics act as one, no matter their previous life was....hhmmm I think I get too involved with my fabric making!!

AAAaaaRRrrhhhh! Look...look.....what happened......my normally well behaved Bernina 807 was eating the fabric.......

That was the last straw....I was having bad feelings about this fabric....."give up, you don't like the colourways anyway...."(MGH it's only fabric I'm getting emtionally involved here)....strange!

I GOT FED UP AND CUT IT INTO THREE PIECES! No second thoughts or worrying.

It had to be done.

I just could'nt manage it under the sewing foot because of the size and the fact I'd been stingy with the double sided fabric adhesive.

So eventually (and under strict instructions from my friend Maddy Beth! to have another go!) I decided to fuse a layer of wadding to the underside.

The Croation Sea clutch had a layer too but I'd attached it after the fabric was finished and cut. I thought a little padding would finish it off....

Now that was better my fabric base layer was tamed!

So to the next layer.....

I've laid burnt orange, gold organza and gold mesh ontop of the base cloth. It's fixed with varigated orange embroidery thread in waves and swirls.

So I swirly free-hand machine embroider over the organza and then artistically (!) cut away to revel the base cloth.

So Hot in the City started life from this.......

.............to this....with organza overlay.....I'm now considering my next move....red sparkly thread....red thick wool...have got some handmade organza ribbon, red or yellow ribbon, gold sequins.....ooooo the possibilities!!

Watch this space for the next layer of surface treatment of 'Hot in the City'!!

And finally here's the work blouse washed and ironed!! I put the top button on for safety sake!!!! But the front goes slightly off line...I don't think others would notice.....Makes me feel fresh wearing it!!

What a week, beautiful weather, no school people, creating fabrics and Stitch Keepers...aarrhh now they're another story!! Purrrrfec.

Don't forget to say hello and tell me your thoughts on this installment of

"Jacqui's fabric adventures"....

My NEW Fabric's!

2009-05-15T23:35:00.001+01:00

Hey and Hi!

I'm so excited today...why....because the fabric I ordered back in February has arrived!! Yeah!!!

And I have been creating some more fabric myself!!

And I successfully sewn buttonholes onto my work blouse!!

The Japanese Designer fabric's I had ordered are as lovely as I'd remembered! You know what I mean you build it up in your mind then when it happens it's never as good. Well this time it's better!!

This first one is called echino by etsuko furuya

This fabric is beautiful!
What a wonderful print of zebras, fawns and trees! So distinctive!
It's look favours the Linen side, so you are getting the crisp summery appearance. However, you get the soft feel to the skin and the easy iron qualities of the cotton content!

I've got a Shift dress in mind for summer for myself!!! And I think longer length skirts, casual summer trousers and bags will look perfect in this gorgeous fabric!

And this fabric is beautiful too!

This one is by KOKKA and is called Trefle.
What a fabulous print of trees and flowers on a purple stripe background! Really unique!
This striking fabric has a soft feel to the skin and the easy iron qualities of the cotton content!
Suggested projects by Darling Daughter: Shift dresses, blouses, tops.

I have been hard at work too, well at least on the latest batch of textile art fabric (now that's got to be a good marketing buz word!!).

I call it The Croation Sea!

It has organza, blue furnishing fabric, blue metalic mesh with gold patterns, black withblue wool suitingand blue/green lining stripes.

Here's a close up of part of the fabric. You can just see the mesh and the free hand embroidery in metalic blue/green.

I'm thinking of making a Clutch bag with a small coin purse....then a friend called Nina suggested I make a picture with some of it...you know I might!!

And finally my Work blouse...well I have finished it...nearly! I wore it for work and in practice I think it needs another button further up from the last one at the boobs! Everytime I bent over I felt as if people were looking down!! I know funny, but thankfully for me and et al, I wear a vest!

So why arn't there any photo's well that's because it had an arguement with a tomatoe!!

I have a long drive to and from work at the moment, at least half an hour to three quarters....rush hour...pooh!

So I get board....and thirsty...and I remember the un-eaten tomtatoe I had brought to eat at lunch and did'nt get a chance...

I bit into it without thinking of the burst effect!

I thought I'd gotten away with it...NOOO...tomatoe seeds splattered down the front of the blouse!!

In to soak with it and a wash...I'll post photo's when it's dry and buttonholed complete!

And that is all for now except to say if you like the Japanese fabrics go to my online shop and you can buy some. Fibre Dreams.

See you all soon and I know you will learn from my mistakes....tomatoes and thirst in a car do not mix!!

Hi!! I'm back!

2009-05-03T15:30:00.000+01:00

Well howdy there people!!

That was a very long time away....and why because a well known electronics company have no idea what customer service is all about.

Anyways lets not harp on!!!

Do you like my new Aviator? Specially design for me taken from my online shop background and colours!! I like it....it's probably what I would do if I was asked!!! But I'm not that computer literate....

So what have I been doing besides ringing up un-mentionable electronics company!!!

Weeellll......I designed this Love Heart for Valentines Day and I put it up for sale in Folksy, Etsy and my own Fibre Dreams shop....

I thought right after Valentines I will make them in various colourways thinking they can be used to celebrate all kinds of Love.....

But and a-haaa....A nice girly commissioned me to make this one for her parents Golden Wedding Anniversary.....50 years married...can you believe it....

I think it turned out well.....I sent it Friday just gone so I'm waiting all anticipating nervously like for her feedback!!!!!

Errmm...!!Oh and this brooch came from......

This bag for my lovely sister, called the Boho Bag!!! It's made from an old suede jacket of mine cos I couldn't find any soft leather I could afford...I think she's pleased

And this is what I'm doing now a double collar work blouse....I'm pretty pleased with so far...

Then I was watching an old movie on TV about three girls looking for to marry millionaires (they end up marrying for love aaaarrrhhh) with Marlyn Munroe and two other beauties.....

Anyways... (!) their clothes were beautiful too....Among the outfits, a blouse that had huge puff sleeves....so I want to finish this quick, like(!??),... to make a blouse with huge puff sleeves....I wish I'd recorded it so I could re-drool over the costumes they wore.....

Right onwards and upwards, a list of things I want to make is needed now I'm back in outside world working(!?)

1.finish that blouse

2.and finish the border around my shawl I've designed and knitted

3.then onto the bloke at home xmas jumper (I still maintain there's a mistake in the pattern!!)

4.while I'm doing that get my odd balls of yarn together to use with my extreme tunisian crochet hook I bought at Aintree last week!!!!!

5.join in the KAL at Lion Brand

then....then...invent more hours in the non-working day.....

As always.....

TSF mother's day challenge.......I won!!!!!

2009-03-25T21:09:00.000Z

How are you!!

Well I won the Sewing Forum challenge with my clutch bag!
I couldn't believe it...I tell you I have never won a single thing...barring ten pound....I have never gotten an excellent on anything or manage an `A' score!
Ha ha ha I am ssooo pleased!! And with the other talented fabric lovers beautiful and brilliant offerings I don't know how I did!

Technology let down
I am really frustrated with my computer (grrrr). The new computer monitor blacks out within minutes of turning on......so sorry no photo's of makes this time as I'm on my old laptop....xp and really snaily slow!

And finally!!!!
I'm back at work and getting dusty! I teach children how to make things (yes I know a mixed blessing job!) Actually I am enjoying it! Working from home can be a little isolating and lonely! So now my week days are filled with noisy and fast working little people (and not so little 6ft- ers!!)
So for now see ya

P.S please feel free to comment

P.P.S join in if you too don't manage to win things as I can sympathise and tell you there is hope!!!!

Fairy tales and whiskers

2009-03-08T18:29:00.000Z

I just been a visiting I believe in Fairytales blog ssooo funny and dry!

On there is a thingy taking you to somewhere (!) for your own Fairy name....This is mine....I must tell you I wasnt very impressed with the Goblin bit (:(.

Your fairy is called Tangle Goblinshimmer
She is a bringer of riches and wealth.
She lives at the bottom of tangled gardens and in hedgerows.
She is only seen when the first flowers begin to blossom.
She wears tangled dresses of multicoloured petals. She has gentle green wings like a butterfly.

Reading it though and looking at my neglected garden it does ring true a little! So strange too as my birthday is Spring time!!!

Right I'm off I have to `do' my roast potaoes...we always have dinner late on a Sunday....

My Mother's Day Sewing Forum Challenge!

2009-03-06T18:13:00.000Z

Hey Happy March,
Did you remember to say white rabbits three times on March 1st morning!? I did! It suppose to be good luck!

I am a member of the Sewing Forum (TSF)(very Chris Evans!!).
Anyway I've signed myself up for the Mother's Day challenge! A little something to make for Mumsy!! She actually wants earings to match the necklace I made her for Xmas! I will make them!! Oops I better get a move on with them too!

I know what I wanted to do.

Firstly I wanted to use the fabric I'd made for the Easter Egg because I just loved the pattern and the colourways of the fabric.
Secondly I had down loaded a FREE clutch bag pattern from the Kwik Sew patterns website!
I reduced the pattern by 50% as that's all that was left of the fabric after I'd cut out the egg sections!

And there's the finished mini clutch bag! Perfect for evening..just big enough for phone, lipstick, make-up mirror and taxi fare!!

Cute eh!!! The picture below shows some details....the blue closure is a shaped button onto a wire crochet back. It's lined and piped around the edges with purple Taffeta.

Yet again the camera lies!!!! The gold mesh over the fabric catches the light and gives the fabric depth and luxury feel...

Now this strange shape is the body of a Stump Doll!!!! The bloke at home thought I was making a lamp base!!

I'm hoping when she has her face, arms and clothes she will be fabulous!

This a detail picture of the fabric I made. Again, like the Egg, it's strips of fabric with gold mesh on top. It is then free hand machine quilted.

Honestly I'm not happy unless I have at least two projects on the go at any one time!!!!

Right have to go I'm making Fish kedgeree ( Nigella recipe...mmmm)

Bye!

P.S Hello autumnrose!

P.P.S anyone who stops by, don't forget to leave a hello, please!

I'm to be a volunteer Knitter at the NEC Birmingham show

2009-03-03T12:54:00.000Z

I am so excited I’m going to the NEC in Birmingham on the 14th and 15th March 2009!!
I LOVE going to this event so much creative inspirational vibes going around. AND so much luscious fibre stuff too!

I always try to get there so nothing unusual about me going again….except…well this time… I’m going as a volunteer knitter…WooHoo!!!
I been given the chance to pass on my skills (although they are not specialist…I wish!!) and more importantly my deap love of the craft to others!
The NEC…then we’ll take over the world…world dominance is what we’re going for!!!

I and all the other volunteers can be found on the Learn to Knit stand (W10)from Thursday through to Sunday.
So please feel free to come and say hello and sit and knit a while with us….you can tell us what you have found and bought!! As I suspect we will all be too busy to wander around when it is our turn on the stand! Oh also perhaps discuss knit problems or queries too!

Click on the link, opening hours of the show are 9.30am - 5.30pm on Thursday - Saturday and 9.30am - 5.00pm on Sunday.
Please visit http://www.ichf.co.uk/creativestitches/ for more details on the show, including travel info.

Leave a message here if you're going too!
So see you all there…so excited!

Folksy shop! And better image(?)

2009-02-24T12:25:00.000Z

Here's a better image of my Faberge inspired Easter egg. What do you think?

I want to see if I've done this properly!

Oh that seems small???? And it doesnt turn up on the preview :::::(aaarrr

Well I can't tell whether I'tll be there or not....probaly repeated!!!

The above blabber is about whether or not the Folksy image as copied or not!!!

I'm much better with a piece of fabric!!!!

Hi! Look what I made over the weekend!

2009-02-23T12:46:00.000Z

I was trying to think of things to make and sell for
the Easter Holiday and my first thoughts were the
Faberge Eggs.
Here's some of the info I found during my research!

"Eggs, as symbols of creation and new life, have been exchanged for hundreds of years. Faberge Imperial Eggs were commissioned annually for the Russian Czars Alexander III and Nicholas II. Peter Carl Faberge is deservedly the most famous creator of these stunning gold, silver, and jewel-studded treasures. The first Faberge Egg was presented in 1885 as an Easter gift from Czar Alexander III to his wife Czarina Maria Fedorovna and was proclaimed the most beautiful gift ever given."

The other information is that they are extremely expensive (eggsellent!). I guess another gorgeous lovely I couldn't possibly afford.........The idea of making my own started to materialise!(material-ise, eggsellent...)

Firstly, I wanted to make my own fabric.....I lay strips of fabric onto muslin and`Bondaweb' and ironed them so they stay in place. The fabric's were purple velvet and taffeta, pink satin, grey taffeta and blue/green lining.
I then put gold mesh over the top of this and machine quilted the layers together. I was aiming for a landscape effect on the fabric.

Then after well over a day I designed the perfect egg shaped pattern! I couldn't believe how long it took and the changes I made, even though the changes were so slight!! In my sewing room there are five mock-up's which doesn't include the ones I chucked sooner!!

Hey u perfectionist!! This picture shows where I cut out the pattern, I liked the pattern width ways better.....

Tadaa, here's the final design....
Then of course Faberge eggs are on stands and I had an idea in my mind what I wanted my egg to look like.......

Sorry!!!!! I can't delete it either!!!!! This sideways photo shows my test stand made from garden wire! I did try covering this stand with gold pleated fabric and PVA glue but it was ugly!!

So I made another with gold wire.

I then threaded some seed beads onto gold metallic machine thread. Each beaded thread was then wrapped around several of the ending arms.......It looks lovely eh! So lovely I did put on a few more beaded threads...

I thought it might be so flimsy that it wouldn't hold the egg but it does!

I wanted the egg to have the carry the gold wire to enhance the encrusted feel that the Faberge eggs have as part of their design........I know theirs are real gold and diamonds and gems....you can't blame a girl for wanting more bling!

So this picture shows the gold wire extensions which are hand couched onto my egg. Each of the four seams have this on, each one different.

And here's the finished one...I am a little disappointed with the photographer! I'll have another go.....with the photography.....perhaps if we get a sunny day!

So this lovely Faberge inspired Egg started life within this fabric.......amazing!

So if you visit please leave a comment I'd like to see what you think...Leave a link to your Easter creations so I can see yours!!!!

P.S sorry about the Tidy I lost interest and it was taking too long!

P.P.S.Feel free to eggsell in the egg eggstravaganza!!

Fibre Dreams: SEW Hip dress!

2009-01-20T13:07:00.000Z

http://www.fibredreams.co.ukFibre Dreams: SEW Hip dress!

SEW Hip dress!

2008-12-31T15:58:00.000Z

Hi all!
This is the Hip sew dress....For a city, Liverpool does'nt offer much choice for impluse fabric passions!!

Don't get me wrong, I loved the pattern of the fabric, but the quality is not so cool! I had to fix stretchy interfacing onto all of the pieces. You guessed it I was not smiling.
I could'nt get hold of wool blend Tartan...That day ...Know what I mean!

(Sorry about the mess! I'm about to get ready to celebrate New Year! YES it does take me that long to get ready!!!!!)

However, the dress was quickly made...now that's the type of make I like!!

With the interfacing on them there is not as much length in the bias pieces.

A ha a use for my Pilson (Chez) buttons!

And no your bum does'nt look fat in the dress! Looks weird by this photo tho'!!!?

That's all for now....time for face pack and wine!

HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

Special Girls!

2008-12-28T17:49:00.000Z

A HUGH THANK YOU to

Allybea

Bovey belle

Nita

for your lovely comments and encouragement.

HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO US ALL!!

Jacqui.

Complete the Sewing table tidy!

2008-12-28T15:08:00.000Z

Well I don't believe it four people have left comments...yeah I am talking to real people instead of myself!!

It's been a while since I wrote, it does'nt help when I forget the password each time!

And what with Christmas well you know what I mean!

Actually I was pleased with my makes...Apart from sewing Xmas cards, I made:

A fake fur jacket for my sister.

I reworked a dress I'd made before my Europe travels.

I did'nt like the shape on me. I decided I would cut the length shorter and used the cut bits to make a belt and hem for the organza overskirt!

I hand beaded the back at the zip...I'm never happy with my zip attempts!

And I made that wool tartan dress in the Hipsew magazine. No photo's yet!!

So on with the Sewing table tidy....where was I up to...So far the pin cushion, the two small utensil pockets, the larger waste fibres pocket and the base fabric have been made.

On to the last large pocket. This is large enough to fit a patterns instructions or pattern pieces in. It also adds balance!

Materials

6 pieces of cotton fabric

11cm wide x 10cm high

1.5 cm seams for sewing

Making up.

Sew a rectangle two squares wide by sewing the 10cm sides together. Then sew the rows of two together along the longer sides to make up three rectangles high.

Press all seams as you go.

This makes up a piece approximately 18cm wide by 20cm high.

Stabilizing and strengthening.

Materials

Medium weight iron on non-woven interfacing.
Waste pocket piece.
Two small pockets.
Large back pocket.

Making.
Lay the above fabric pieces onto the interfacing and cut out.
Then, making sure glue side is facing fabric and a cloth to protect your iron, apply heat to fix.

(You could do the same to the long base fabric, I did'nt and there's been no problems with pocket stress so far!)

The Lining and the Interlining
These are the pieces of fabric that makes everything O.K!

All the pieces, except the felt pin cushion, need to have a lining piece and an interlining piece the same size.

Materials

Lining:

Matching, contrasting or more patchwork pieces(up to you!)of fabric.

Size:same as main pieces.

Making
Pin pieces onto lining fabric all lined up with the edge of the fabric. (Selvedge edge and grain).

Cut out.

Materials

Interlining

Calico.

Making
Complete as for lining.

Please study photo above....three pieces of fabric for each section of the make! Oh except for the felt pin cushion!

Fabric Sandwiches!

The next step is to sew each patchwork fabric with interling and lining together. This makes alot of untidyness go away!

Place lining down first with right side facing up.
On top of this put patchwork fabric with right side facing the lining.
Lastly put the calico interlining on top of patchwork fabric.
Sew all together using a 6mm seam allowance.
Leave an unsewn space so the section can be turned the right way round.
As you can see in the photo I have trimmed all the allowances, calico being the smallest.
Turn right side out tuck in unsewn bit and press as flat as you can get it.

So the next set of steps will be putting it all together.
By the way please don't worry if you do not get exact sizes as I've written, it'll still work, I promise!!!
You know if you are making this please drop me a line...can you post photo's...or better yet msg me at:
fibredreams.co.uk@btconnect.com I will start a Gallery of photo's!!!!!!! That'd be brill!
Bye for now,
Jacqui.
(don't forget to say hello if you drop bye!)

Waste pocket and net spiders!

2008-11-28T18:49:00.000Z

Hi all,

so are you ready for the next installment?

I was going to do this a day or so away but I read a thread in the Crafts Forum about getting on the top page for google...I can sense an obsession thing starting!

You can put your website address into the web of things when you write a post......Then one thing led to another....I learnt another thing..then another and before you know it two days have........ dissapeared!!!

AAarrrhhh!

So back to sanity world creating!

The Waste pocket

Materials

4 pieces (of same fabric type)-

8cm x 15cm

Sew together along the 15cm side with a 15mm seam.

Again press until it's flat.

This should get you a piece that measures
24cm long.

O.k. Leave this to one side.

Next up are the Two little pockets for essentials, snips, needles, ripper.....

Two little pockets

Materials
2 pieces(of same type fabric)
9cm x 9cm.

Just cut these two ready.

Next bit is a bit fiddly.....but is so essential. When I sew I don't tack but I don't like to sew over pins either. I end up with a pile scattered everywhere!!!

Pin cushion

Materials

3 pieces of felt

9cm x 6cm.

Pin them together overlapping them along

the 6cm side by about 2.5 to 3cm

to get a piece that measures 14.5cm long.

Sew them together with a 6mm seam allowance.

This measurement is taken from the fabric edge.

Picture shows the right side, the side you've sewn

on.

This bit is fiddlyish!

I pleated and pinned so the 9cm side measured down to 5cm. It might be easier to tack it before

you sew (I don't tack...so lazy).

Sew across to keep pleats steady.

The last bit for this time. Fiddly, fiddly! I pressed upwards a 1cm section around the longer edges.

This is to make sewing onto the base fabric easier!

So that's it for now.

The next time I show the pattern pocket and stabilizing everything.

Once you finished those two steps everything else comes together really fast. Cool eh!

Also, I will need to tell you the list of the other materials and sizes needed.

Now pizza and red wine...well it's Friday...teah...yeah!!

Please don't forget if you do pass by please leave a Hi! I won't bite!!!

Jacqui

A Sewing Table Tidy

2008-11-23T00:22:00.000Z

Hi! Welcome to the first instalment of how to make a sewing table tidy.

I do a lot of sewing! Now I've decided to try and make a business of it I thought I would organise my space making me more productive! That was the hope!

Meaning not wasting time picking pins off the floor because they get swished, they are next to the machine where I'm working!!

Here below is what I came up with!

So if you would like to have a go making it here are the instructions.

To begin with the top fabric.
Materials
Top fabric body:cotton
9 pieces of 16cm (selvedge edge) x 18cm
Method
Plan out your colourway preference.

This is mine!
Then sew each together, along the 18cm measurement, taking a 15mm/5/8th inch seam allowance.

It needs to be this wide as they are load bearing seams, weight of your sewing equipment will pull.

Next you need to finger press the seam open ready for pressing.

Press using a cloth, steam and iron! Press until they are as flat as they will go. I press on the wrong and right side for the seam to be flat.

Repeat the steps above until all 9 pieces are sewn together to form a strip that is 18cm wide and 120cm long.

The picture below shows you all the pieces you will need to complete the sew tidy.

Next post will be about making the Waste thread and fabric pocket (bottom pocket on the finished tidy photo at the top).

I was just grateful I could do some sewing after inputting with technology fiend (yes the right spelling!).

See you on the next instalment!

Jacqui.

Arh yes Marketing!

2008-11-15T21:31:00.000Z

I find that now I am working for myself I just do not stop! Don't get me wrong THE best decision. I'll have to go out the house you know this will not do!!

So busy me has been doing this:

1. Sewing my sewing table organisor.

How wonderful is that old sewing machine there!! It's nearly the same as the one I learnt to sew on when I was 5 ish. My dad taught me....his talent was fixing machines...he loved machines...!

Oh yes it is in my sewing room and it does work!

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2. Setting up my Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/etsy_mini.js /etsy_mini.js'>

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3. Doing admin stuff. Boring.

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4. Chatting with friends on the Sewing Forum organising our fortnightly meet and jollies days!! I sew a pocket on the wrong way, concentrate stop chatting!

GET BACK TO WORK!

--------------hey ho hey ho-----------------

5. Registered with the search engines.

Frustrating...aarrhh..grrr! The BAH is no good either so I have to bodge on by myself. Ask for help I hear you say.... help is either in Ireland a lovely web designe, nearly part of the family!! And the big bro is at work!

How funny is that line thing up on no. 2!!!

Have you see that stupid adsense thingeoer on my eshop. And i tried for two days to sort it out...Oh well sigh for a 'technophobe'!

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What I did enjoy doing the most the sewing organisor ofcourse!! I am really very disorganised. The drawers in the sewing table are full of un-related to sewing objects!

Anyway,I took pictures of the stages to make it. So if anybody would like to have a go at making it the instructions will be here!

Moving on....and coming up in the next instalment are the photo's of the Sewing table organisor.

2008-11-15T12:24:00.000Z

Creation of a dream

I should have started this two years ago! That`s when the dream of Fibre Dreams began to take shape!

So after this long journey i am ready to start on the road trip of a lifetime.

I shall boldly go onto the Internet with my handmade products.

I have a transporter full of the extra materials and equipment i think other fibre craft people would like to have as well...

I`ve got the stuff now i need to learn how to set up a website...

http://www.fibredreams.co.uk/

I will even learn how to post photo`s of my products.

But a successful day on the knitted blooms brooches!!

So at this point in time if you have experience setting up fibre craft websites i would be grateful for any positive comments! If you have any interest in the fibre arts i would apprieciate discussion!

2008-11-12T01:46:00.000Z

Hi,

i have just visited Dawn Gold's blog and was inspired. I can't wait till I find out how to make this interesting!!!