confusion, wonkyness and pom-poms.

Good Evening folks,

Well today I had every intention of finally spending the day working on my dress. I got it out of the project bag, ironed the calico placed the pattern on. I was hoping if all goods well to actually finish the toile and if no tweaking needed to start on the fabric. So there I was looking down at my table and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what to do first, do I trim the pattern to my size before I cut it out, but I thought I had already done that. I read the instructions on the packet and I still wasn't sure. So time for a cuppa while I think about what to do next (yes, I am a tea freak. I do like a nice cup of earl grey when the going gets hard.). In the end I decided to pack it all up again I didn't want to make a mistake, will try again another day when the kids are in school/colllege. And i can devote my full attention to it.

Talking of 'full attention' or rather the lack of it. This is what did happen today,

  A cute little purse which went a tad wonky. Ah well I am pleased with the little pom-poms though.
So not to be defeated today I tried again and this time decided to extend the length,

Again with the pom-poms. So now the little purse has turned into a sunglasses case. And tomorrow I hope to attach the frame sans wonkyness.

And oh yeah, I have managed to procure lots, lots more of the double curve purse frames. yipee. So shortly I will be finally showing my evening and make-up kits.

Happy Sewing Vala. x

Fabric Addiction - Stash Busting - the in thing.

Yesterday I came back from a fantasic weekend away spent with my man and his children. While there I can never resist a little stop at the lovely Mr Suman, a little fabric shop in Letchworth Garden City. As usual it doesn't end there I always find new fabric that I must have. On the way back I took a little diversion in St Abans to visit Fashion and Fabrics, I have often seen the small advertisements in the sewing magazines and they were even on TV having a shop window makeover. WOW Iwas amazed. how it it possible to get so much fabric in the shop. Truely an Aladins cave. And such gorgeous fabric too. so as usually out came the check book, (luckly I had it with me as they don't accept cards).

So today when unpacking I realized my immedate fabric area was in dire need of a tidy-up. (I also have fabric stashed many in boxes and cupboards in the conservatory and the kitchen. So after much rearranging, folding and staking this is a small area of the easy to reach to fabric.

  The pile on the left Fashion and Fabrics, the pile on the right Mr Suman. This weekends shopping spree only.

So now my hallway looks like a fabric shop. This is when I realized I may have a problem. Is it a fabric addiction or am I just a horder. My guess is a bit of both.

Also when I bought alot of this fabric I had the perfect project in mind. I have designed two bags, an evening bag and a make up case both using the same frame, only now it looks like I can no longer get any more of this particular frame. I have emailed the company I have previously bought them from and currently waiting egerly for their reply. Watch this space for an update. While I wait I will be working on another design.

While following my usual bloggers I have noticed there is a current trend for stash busting. Is this my solution, maybe? And also to be a little more productive in my makings. But I just cann't resist fabric that makes me 'oh, look thats so pretty' and yeah I am also a sucker for shiny sparkly things too.

Half terms, Bankholidays and time off.

I have had a fab busy week. I have been working on insurance, and studying business plans, while actually drafting some new patterns. Got the pictures taken and my daughter is typing up the instructions (thanks babe).

I have been using the vintage fabric I blogged about last time both the Mary Mary and the Hey diddle diddle. It felt wrong to be cutting up fabric thats older than I am. But thats why I bought it, to give it a new lease of life and hopefully turn it into something both useful and beautiful. When the patterns are ready for release I will upload the pics.

I also found time to make my daughter a bag and her friend. They are off to Malta this half term, Have fun girls.

My daughter Pollyanna's bag, she choose the skull and crossbones

And Pollyanna choose this fabric for her freind Beth, although I used the same red handles as in Pol's bag.

I am actually taking this weekend off. And have travelled down to my good man's place. Although if time permits I did bring the knitting and hope to do some more on his Dennis jumper.

Next week see's the start on the work of the conservatory which has a leaking roof and has resulted in a crumbling wall. So the conservatory is being knocked down and in it's place will be a new extention, which will be my studio/workroom. Well it kind of is now, in that its jam packed with fabric, jewellery making equipment etc. And i still work at the kitchen table. But by the end of it I hope to have an organized area. The kids will be pleased. As i currently seem to have stuff everywhere (their words not mine).
My lovely man has just cooked dinner and so for this weekend I hope you all have a lovely bankholiday.

Waldybag, 1950's fabric and the perseverance purse.

It's only the begining of the week and i have been a terribly busy gal. Yesterday i was determined to finish a pattern I was working on, it was a kit so I could learn how to make a purse with 3 frames, unfortunally the kit didnt fit so it got left on the back burner a few weeks ago. So yesterday i persisted and tried cutting several different patterns after about the fourth attempt I finally got it.

I choose this fabric I ordered from The Cotton Patch. I think it suits the shape rather well.

And the inside of the purse that has caused much cursing.

Now then this causes me a conundrum. The orignal pattern I got did not fit, so I designed my own. Is the finished product considered to be my work or does it still belong to the original designer. I didnt alter the pattern so much as draw up a new one ?

I have also still been working on my own patterns for other bags, as of yet they are still works in progress.

And since last weeks news of my little shop on folksy. I have been studying up on business, start-ups, insurance and all that jazz. It's actually alot more interesting than it sounds. I have now three stalls in the future and another awaiting confirmation. All systems go here.

I have today received a fansatic bundle of vintage 1950's fabric that I can't wait to get my pin pricked hands working on,

Isn't this just gorgeous,

Hey diddle diddle and Mary Mary, rather cute I think

And no, I wont be using these two fabrics together, but they are lovely.

Now all I have to do is decide what I am going to make with these fab goodies. Many thanks to vintagefabricmarket.blogspot.com for a brillant and quick service. I also found this little beauty

My first Waldybag, (mm, note the 'first' guess that means there will be more.) A vintage 1950's Waldybag, I adore it.

And look it even still has the attached little purse on a chain.

This week hasn't all been about shopping, it's only Tuesday so I hope not.

Last but not least my next project is already cut out for tomorrow's sewing day.

Glorious sunflowers with cream and light green lining. Hopefully I will have the finished project to share with you later in the week.

Happy sewing, take care

Vala. x















The shape of things to come

I have been trying to update my blog for most of this past week but I have found myself reading all you interesting people out there, there really is so much to learn. It's great how many people are willing to share their knowledge, what a great community this is. I must admit i didn't really understand the blog world but now I am here am I so glad I joined up.

Last time I wrote about my bags currently in progress and here are a few pics of the finished articles.

The '1950's Lucite inspired bag' I used pelmit interfacing to keep the stiffness in the bag shape.

This is one of my favourites, it has a bright orange lining.

And this little cupcake number seems to be the favourite of everyone else. In fact I've had a couple of orders for it already. This bag was the first time I had designed a pattern to fit in a metal purse frame, and I am actually quite proud of it.

The shape of things to come- well I finally restarted on the Dennis jumper. It had been left with 1 sleave and the back, today I started and finished the other sleeve. So far it looks like this,

  I am using Rowan chunky wool, which is lovely and soft and knits up really quickly. I have a niggly feeling that I have bought double the amount of wool than I actually needed, so I think I just may have to knock up a cardy in the red with maybe a black edging.

I have also been working on another design for a metal frame handbag, here is a sneeky peak, its not completely finished yet. But if it goes well and I get a good response about the design, I hope for it to my first pattern for sale in my folksy shop.

  Oh yes folks, I almost forgot to mention I opened a shop on folksy this week. And my that lovely lovely man of mine has been working hard on his little computor and this is what he came up with,

Yeah that little ole me, aint photoshop amasing.

He's coming down to visit this weekend, I am so excited, he has worked very hard for me and what plans do I have in store for him. I am taking him to Quilts UK AT Malvern. After all a girl will need someone strong to carry all those fab purchases of fabric etc.

Amazing Wallpaper

                                                                   Waiting Eyes

                                                                 Amazing Eyes Looking

                                                                  Beautiful Eyes