Bringing Back the Pinafore

In between some new softie designs and custom orders, I've continued to sew for my girls. Having enjoyed making the Boo! Designs Twirly Skirts recently, I purchased the Design your own Pinny pattern. It was a little step-up in terms of complexity from the skirts; some top stitching, the addition of interfacing and exact pinning and stitching of the straps, but not difficult to handle. Once again, the instructions were clear with lots of pictures and as someone who still considers themselves a beginner, I appreciate the basics being explained well.

I fell in love with the fabric (from Spotlight) a couple of months ago and I'm glad I didn't waste it on a skirt and created an (almost) complete outfit with it. Heading into the cooler months addition of a long sleeve top and tights will be perfect. Thankfully I do have some fabric left which might stretch to a skirt with a coordinating trim for Miss H.

Cute little bow addition in the centre bodice

 

Check out my top stitching!! Neatie neat!

 

Nearly five hours later but ready for the hem.

Does it pass the twirling test?

 

 

 

Yep! Officially passed

 

There's A Mouse About The House

Melly & Me is one of my favourite softie designers. Their designs are so quirky and fun and from a softie making perspective, have helped to develop my sewing skills immensely.

I found this pattern online recently and was asked to make one for a customer using some bright and bold fabrics. After an initial glitch with the printing of the pattern (I didn't enlarge it enough and didn't realise until making the teeny tiny limbs) this curious mouse came to fruition. Enormous ears, a curly tail and inquisitive eyes, such a little cutie. Or not so little actually as you can see along side my machine. This softie did take a few hours to make but as always I choose to hand stitch the details like the tummy patch and sew around the ears three times which requires a bit more time.

Want to make Mabelle the adorable Mouse? Pop over here for the free pdf where you also receive three other Melly & Me softie patterns.

Needle Books

Hi! Long time, no see. Sorry about that but I've been spending a lot of time in my craft room completing orders, playing around with new patterns and watching episodes of Grand Designs and The Great British Sewing Bee. I have, however, been taking photos of my newest creations which I plan to share over the next few days.

What are your thoughts on needle books? daggy? old fashioned? I think not, and after making this one a couple of months ago, I refuse to stick a needle in a pin cushion or tin again! So I recently decided to create my own couple of designs. The structure is relatively simple, an outside cover featuring a design and a felt sheet in the centre to secure your needles and pins. I am enjoying designing the covers and, of course, I love hand stitching. They also add a decorative touch to a craft space.

The babushka and owl designs are both available in my madeit store and the chook was a custom order. 

 

 

 

Product Styling

 

Unfortunately I have very limited photography skills. I bought a digital SLR camera last year in an attempt to improve my skills and be more proactive with taking photos, and to date this has happened. Enrolling in a course is on my list along with reading the 'how to' books on my shelf. But the reality is that I will just play around with my camera, the settings, light and composition myself when I can.

A light box arrived this week so I've started to play around with it and a couple of items. I will need to add another lamp to the setup and again, to do some reading about to get the best out of it. The main reason behind purchasing the light box is to be able to capture the small details in my work, ie the stitching. Quite clearly the 'styling' also needs some work but I have to start somewhere. I love seeing pictures of beautifully and creatively arranged items, hopefully I'll learn to take some myself.

 

 

It's live!

I finally got around to purchasing two domain names for my business a couple of months ago. After the kerfuffle with my business name registration, I realised that I needed to purchase these before they too became unavailable. My initial plan was to have a simple landing page that directed people to my madeit store, Facebook page and this blog. However, a couple of weeks ago I came across a 4 page web design package on special and within a few short days of working with the designer, www.little-cloud-factory.com.au went live.

I am overjoyed with the final result; the colours, the design elements and layout, all of which make it an easy and colourful site to navigate. The multiple emails and design tweaks were carried out effortlessly by Wendy, the designer, making the process quick and very easy. (Site Fresh Web Design) I will be able to update the site with new designs and future market details.

I'm in love with it and am hoping that it will be a wonderful tool to help me build my future business. What do you think of the site?

This post was not sponsored by site fresh web designs.

And the winner is.....

This giveaway was fun! So much fun that I'll definitely be doing it again in the not too distant future.

Thank you to all of the lovely people who left comments, each one made me smile and I truly appreciate the continued support from so many of you. This handmade community is really something special so it is nice to stop and say thank you.

My trusty assistant did the random draw.

The winner is......Becca Lavery who left the comment:

Hi there, I am a FB fan and have shared your post. Congrats on all your milestones, 20,000 blog visits - shoot! I would ♡ a new pin cushion! My current one is about a decade old... it was my first hexagon patch project - it's so thin now I stab myself and curse it all the time!

Becca, I hope your new pin cushion means no more stabbing incidents! Happy sewing

Skirt Making

I made a promise to myself in January that I was going to make birthday presents this year for Michaela's friends. And so far, so good. I've made two girls dresses and more recently, three twirly skirts using the Boo! Designs pattern. The bunny fabric skirt is for Michaela and is awaiting a matching Easter T-shirt for this Sunday. I'm still getting the hang of the gathering, might look into purchasing a gathering foot or just get in some more practice. This design is the Twirly skirt.

I also recently ordered some wooden buttons from etsy which make a lovely addition to my clothing items.

Don't forget to visit the previous post to enter my pin cushion giveaway. Just leave a comment to be in the running with the draw taking place next Wednesday.

Until then, wishing you a chocolate and fun filled Easter. Hope you get to relax with your loved ones and enjoy the Easter break.

Penelope x