Saturday 29 March 2014

{Something for the Rosebud} A Tilda toy ironing board cover

The creation of an item out of scrap fabric is always accompanied by an immense feeling of accomplishment.  Really, it's just making do; but what a great thing to be proud of, right?

Rosie was given this ironing board by her cousins.  One of the best kinds of hand-me-downs.  It came with a cover her Gran made many years ago, but it was pretty tired looking, and its elastic had given up the ghost a while ago.

So after rummaging around in my overflowing scrap bin (which made me realise I really need to do this kind of thing a bit more often, as well as have a ruthless clean out!) I decided on the Tilda.  This collection is a couple of years old, I think, but it's still pretty.  

Randomly placed squares of 2.5" x 2.5" size.  Just big enough to show off the Tilda patterns, but small enough to fit a few across the top of this teeny tiny ironing board.

And a faux bow at the end.

Tuesday 11 March 2014

{Pretty Pillowslips} Something for me

It's not often I make something for myself - something I really love and can't wait to use.  So, these pillowslips are a bit of a treat.




And the fact that my husband, my dearest, darlingest husband, is letting me have florals in our bedroom???  I mean, really?

I used one of my most coveted vintage sheets for this project, and splurged on 100% premium cotton for the crochet trim, which I made a bit more scallopy by adding in a couple of extra treble stitches.  Crochet is fast becoming one of my favourite past times.  It's so transportable, and extremely fulfilling.

Very soon I'll be making vintage pillowslips with crochet trims available in my Etsy store.  I'll let you know when ;)
I can't show you photos of these in situ just yet.  Let's just say that if there was such a thing as a Pinterest Test, my bedroom would fail miserably.  Currently, it's a beautiful palette of cardboard box brown, with a feature of texturised baby poo brown.  Needless to say, we will be painting.  Daniel is in the process of painting the rest of the house and it's myriad colours (mustard, red, aubergine, khaki, green... seriously, the previous owners must have been colour blind!).  Dulux Antique White USA, I love you.I had a strawberry-covered 'helper' while photographing the slips this afternoon.  He thought it was hilarious to put his foot on my lovely white board.  
Me: "Lewis, take your foot off, please." *I remove his foot*Lewis: *giggles, and puts his hoof back on my board*I tells ya, if he wasn't so squishy and cute...

Saturday 8 March 2014

The "Winter doesn't have to be a drag" Bag

Since I've already admitted to having an addiction to vintage sheets, while I'm at it I might as well mention my penchant for old woollen blankets.


They're just so puuuurdy!  But they're SO under-rated.  I remember hating them as a kid.  Too scratchy!  Just not snuggle material.

But they sure make nice bags!


I'm always a little scared when I try a new project.  I hate wasting fabric, and boy, have I wasted a lot in my time!  And unfortunately, I'm the kind of sew-er that gets completely disgusted by the offending article.  If something doesn't work the first time, it takes a lot of energy for me relook at it.  I'm lazy like that.

Thankfully, this one worked, first time.  

It's a bit out there, I admit.  Hence, the title of this post.  I don't think there's really any sitting on the fence with this one; you're either gonna love it or hate it.  And people are gonna notice it.  






















































Not only is it bright, it's big too.  It would make a great nappy bag!

























The pattern is one of Amy Butler's.  It's quite involved, even though it's labelled an 'easy' project.  And it was definitely made more difficult by the thickness of the fabrics used.  Trust me to pick the thickest woollen blanket ever made! 

The bag is fully lined, and inside is a pocket with two sections.  The pattern had pockets on both sides, but I was like, "Ugh.  It's late.  I'm sick of cutting out fabric.  One's enough."

























Do you like my new labels?  Very 'boutique', don't you think? ;)




And finally, here's a very bad un-photo of me holding said bag.  Just so you can get an idea of the size. 

Don't mention the messy sewing room.