tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55893919217886597412024-03-13T21:30:57.183-07:00The Sewing Directorywww.thesewingdirectory.co.ukThe Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137533380922935904noreply@blogger.comBlogger317125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-20126824124475167972016-10-20T02:14:00.003-07:002016-10-20T02:14:53.835-07:00Simple Sampler Quilt Along<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tIvJaWatcOKkBzHgMHNuMjkIintROpzlyEHqPSyZkp7tSKD1kYK2u8giGQSBRkgQ_fxY5e9AhtcZEBoWQlrcFHf6Rb7ezWFTHP9GcBa4TJkRhknSf0YuVrJwSeG_ETPntMHZqIliXQg/s1600/Simple+Sampler+QAL+sharable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tIvJaWatcOKkBzHgMHNuMjkIintROpzlyEHqPSyZkp7tSKD1kYK2u8giGQSBRkgQ_fxY5e9AhtcZEBoWQlrcFHf6Rb7ezWFTHP9GcBa4TJkRhknSf0YuVrJwSeG_ETPntMHZqIliXQg/s400/Simple+Sampler+QAL+sharable.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two weeks ago we launched our first ever quilt along -<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/simple-sampler-quilt-along/" target="_blank"> The Simple Sampler Quilt Along</a>. We have an excellent series of tutorials written by Kerry Green from <a href="http://www.verykerryberry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Very Kerry Berry</a>, and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1844489671/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1844489671&linkCode=as2&tag=verykerryberr-21" target="_blank">500 Quilt Blocks. </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6N2RpLCNcX5D9a0u0LrhW0fCiyAdPTCLYElfrqIIPc0Ls0jc65m5xQQzgyj_2wP2IDKBkl6wpOzcNoaGYAGoa4lUsDc5-S5qxytZxDv8P1va0eNkPIKAeDr53eU8D_EtLMY8yLaoI_w/s1600/First+8+blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6N2RpLCNcX5D9a0u0LrhW0fCiyAdPTCLYElfrqIIPc0Ls0jc65m5xQQzgyj_2wP2IDKBkl6wpOzcNoaGYAGoa4lUsDc5-S5qxytZxDv8P1va0eNkPIKAeDr53eU8D_EtLMY8yLaoI_w/s400/First+8+blocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first few blocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kerry designed the quilt to be sewn by a beginner, growing their skills as they work their way through the tutorials. So it starts off with simple blocks such as the 9 patch and the bordered 4 patch, just sewing squares and rectangles, and works up to foundation paper piecing (which I have to admit I have never done before). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gjFIaceah7ekj_hDlLk-DCQ7J88VtCvTkgtmtWjggBf9QxB6y6ofHx7u10Wh3jxHYhQS0UOsjKolUtMbs0KRUYFdtmSfqCJReDP_nF9QlW92duz41LCI89x_v3ezJAkZwCRPzCrbv4A/s1600/Log+cabin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gjFIaceah7ekj_hDlLk-DCQ7J88VtCvTkgtmtWjggBf9QxB6y6ofHx7u10Wh3jxHYhQS0UOsjKolUtMbs0KRUYFdtmSfqCJReDP_nF9QlW92duz41LCI89x_v3ezJAkZwCRPzCrbv4A/s320/Log+cabin.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMWTev0I9Znzq5QKQo9sf5PRV4cZcG-7U-EK6NSb0x0bIfs4-NIVk_T0fbQM0j0ex7cRJQGWeef9EBuQgpvEDvfxf9gt4UP59QwandMZeC_ZCqgN2v5gAe5J00mfi-8YU-daqWxcp2ZE/s1600/Four+patch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMWTev0I9Znzq5QKQo9sf5PRV4cZcG-7U-EK6NSb0x0bIfs4-NIVk_T0fbQM0j0ex7cRJQGWeef9EBuQgpvEDvfxf9gt4UP59QwandMZeC_ZCqgN2v5gAe5J00mfi-8YU-daqWxcp2ZE/s320/Four+patch.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Julie's blocks</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kerry's tutorials are clear and concise, with lots of photos, to make them easy to follow. We are just on week 3, so there is still time to catch up if you'd like to join us. We've set a slow pace so it won't be hard to keep up with, and we're having a break over Christmas to allow people to catch up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Quilt Along is being sponsored by <a href="https://www.fabrichq.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fabric HQ </a>who are providing a month gift voucher for their site as a prize. There are already over 100 beautiful quilt block pictures on Instagram, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/simplesamplerqal/" target="_blank">click here</a> to view them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I do hope you'll sew along with us. Find the full schedule and tutorials on<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/" target="_blank"> The Sewing Directory. </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-10122657247200019032016-09-26T07:33:00.000-07:002016-09-26T07:40:30.839-07:00Sew BrumI've just realised how long it's been since I updated this blog! Sorry about that, I am still here but I've been busy sewing up projects for the <a href="https://www.minervacrafts.com/blogger-network/all" target="_blank">Minerva Crafts blogger network</a>, planning <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/simple-sampler-quilt-along/" target="_blank">a Quilt Along</a> for The Sewing Directory, writing my first fiction book (still looking for an agent/publisher) and planning a very exciting design competition for next year with an ex-Sewing Bee contestant...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-HDx1m1oi4ImAYDAPcPGg6WqXUNaiBt3mJLnVNaD-3WO6VvlluiDb96d_nJirjlr7h2KemDHyxueEa2tx87TMx0lifOvHEnEJUGL9QEPpDfG4drg3wYd3PE_HIfoQyLlLteDYYqUjow/s1600/6tag_240916-182003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-HDx1m1oi4ImAYDAPcPGg6WqXUNaiBt3mJLnVNaD-3WO6VvlluiDb96d_nJirjlr7h2KemDHyxueEa2tx87TMx0lifOvHEnEJUGL9QEPpDfG4drg3wYd3PE_HIfoQyLlLteDYYqUjow/s400/6tag_240916-182003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sew Brum at Guthrie & Ghani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've spent so many months stuck inside working, writing or sewing I thought it was about time I got out and mixed with some other stitchers. I spotted<a href="https://englishgirlathome.com/sewbrum/" target="_blank"> English Girl at Home</a>'s post about<a href="https://englishgirlathome.com/sewbrum/" target="_blank"> Sew Brum</a> on social media a few months back and decided that I had to go along.<br />
<br />
If you haven't heard of Sew Brum it's a meet up of sewing bloggers in Birmingham. It starts at some tea rooms, moves onto the rag market and then ends up at Guthrie & Ghani, the sewing shop run by Lauren Guthrie from The Sewing Bee. It's been a few years since I've been to a big meet up so I was looking forward to it all summer. Especially when I heard how cheap fabric was at the rag market! It started at £1 a metre!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpla5W6Y_HwDkj6SgBgePx_V-54-nNTB8sYDUX1hRt8muN0q0acBY4MoZI-KnOzuWspNxjHZ1KKZg_5a7t3tgndhD-LgebuXxmykvT1UGdxb8LGjDDdSLk1a67pqfK5cm5mnAMnltqSiA/s1600/InstagramCapture_ea0b7336-7cc3-474d-ab22-e847708356d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpla5W6Y_HwDkj6SgBgePx_V-54-nNTB8sYDUX1hRt8muN0q0acBY4MoZI-KnOzuWspNxjHZ1KKZg_5a7t3tgndhD-LgebuXxmykvT1UGdxb8LGjDDdSLk1a67pqfK5cm5mnAMnltqSiA/s400/InstagramCapture_ea0b7336-7cc3-474d-ab22-e847708356d3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were all £3 a metre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Coming from Devon meant I missed the tea room gathering but my partner Julie who lives closer by went along and enjoyed it. We caught up in the market where people were wondering around in small groups visiting the fabric stalls. We didn't get chance to meet many other stitchers here as we were all focused on shopping. I was pretty restrained and only bought 4m of fabric as per the picture below. Although there was a lot of cheap fabric most of it didn't feel that great a quality, I guess you get what you pay for. I ended up getting 2m of denim look jersey (£6 total), 1m of woodland animal fleece for a baby blanket (£5.99) and an antique map style canvas fabric(£10 a metre) plus we found a stall that had very cheap trimmings on so I got a couple of those.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vFCIIxMPtDb2bVxQJGxgoEBljL9r0HAVg-AhUKyiZ0Qzh6u-JmX9IyE8n0dJH0Yjy4rwLZQrIGPoEjiEzUq3OhJEwfrEGcBpuzbYkF0OTjW9aCvuAzhtZnqpbZy_shqX-N-zGSfR4L4/s1600/InstagramCapture_ba951f08-b4e9-4110-8448-c61a6f1665b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vFCIIxMPtDb2bVxQJGxgoEBljL9r0HAVg-AhUKyiZ0Qzh6u-JmX9IyE8n0dJH0Yjy4rwLZQrIGPoEjiEzUq3OhJEwfrEGcBpuzbYkF0OTjW9aCvuAzhtZnqpbZy_shqX-N-zGSfR4L4/s400/InstagramCapture_ba951f08-b4e9-4110-8448-c61a6f1665b8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Sew Brum haul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Also shown in the photo is the fabric I got in the swap later in the day (bottom left 2) and an ironing ruler and sleeve ham I bought at Guthrie & Ghani and some embroidery scissors from John Lewis. I was kind of fabriced out by the time I got to G & G and JL (nope I didn't realise that was possible either!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6Pdt9bNzY2pwc0CNhOKyHwBRSvYJiB_7gUiEZvYY0vCM9GnZ9lAL0Yoh0AS19rppdluqXoGTYumnD9dsM9HSLE2dIRxhy4tXvGMGB1CSDSgdwlo7004xAklKJ4E6o5x9MKA-IgHJ2Vc/s1600/Sew+brum+haul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6Pdt9bNzY2pwc0CNhOKyHwBRSvYJiB_7gUiEZvYY0vCM9GnZ9lAL0Yoh0AS19rppdluqXoGTYumnD9dsM9HSLE2dIRxhy4tXvGMGB1CSDSgdwlo7004xAklKJ4E6o5x9MKA-IgHJ2Vc/s320/Sew+brum+haul.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie's Sew Brum haul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the afternoon we all headed to Mosley on the bus and that's when we really started to mix and meet new people. I got to see a few people I already knew whilst having lunch in the pub and made a few new friends. Most the networking when on at Guthrie and Ghani after lunch. There were loads of people there which made it hard to meet everyone, I think I managed to chat to around 20 or so people, there must have been over 100 there in total. I did get to meet several people I've spoken to or followed online but hadn't met before so that was definitely one of the highlights for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvrjNQuVqe_21WmETzcz6txd9rExvMGIf13P0AC8mu1XBMg5W8I2h8UVrh79a36Smv7YvYXoyb7JMtjlRkufOTEnIjnZtBHSCjguLJs17SbS98Q8lcYlOS4Cmn7ub_x79Hb1PnL7Y2cs/s1600/prizes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvrjNQuVqe_21WmETzcz6txd9rExvMGIf13P0AC8mu1XBMg5W8I2h8UVrh79a36Smv7YvYXoyb7JMtjlRkufOTEnIjnZtBHSCjguLJs17SbS98Q8lcYlOS4Cmn7ub_x79Hb1PnL7Y2cs/s400/prizes.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raffle prizes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was a very popular raffle raising money for charity. We donated a couple of sea/mermaid themed fabric bundles as prizes. Sadly our tickets were not winners but there was lots of very happy ladies who went away with some amazing prizes! You can see the full list of prizes <a href="https://englishgirlathome.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGRbe-RLx6eZ8i0-Ew55sSHyyw_kyDAAm4r2e747D0FvbbA3xtsWpaTCadlxHUx5Xci5pdrZ83dmzns7QcFWlDeHwcjCErrJvUpXI_T5HyhGcleEf5HI3-bXgetjMXJgGspmtccl7R2I/s1600/Raffle+draw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGRbe-RLx6eZ8i0-Ew55sSHyyw_kyDAAm4r2e747D0FvbbA3xtsWpaTCadlxHUx5Xci5pdrZ83dmzns7QcFWlDeHwcjCErrJvUpXI_T5HyhGcleEf5HI3-bXgetjMXJgGspmtccl7R2I/s400/Raffle+draw.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte & Lauren drawing the raffle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Lauren was there for the afternoon with her adorable Liberty clad baby Sophia, who was very well behaved given how busy it was. I didn't hear her cry once. Charlotte, also pictured above, was the organiser and did a great job. I don't know how she managed to organise so many people! It must have taken a huge amount of work.<br />
<br />
It was really nice to get out and meet new people, and it was good to have Julie along too. I think many people still don't realise I now have a partner running the site with me so it was good for her to meet people too. I did find it was a very long day, I spent over 6 hours traveling to have 6 hours at the event, I felt exhausted and very headachy by the time I got home. It was very hot with so many people there which probably didn't help with the headache. I'm not sure if I'll make it back next year as I did find it totally wiped me out. However I am glad I went and it was lovely to meet so many people, I now have lots of new people to connect with on social media and lots of new blogs to read.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in going to Sew Brum next year keep an eye on <a href="https://englishgirlathome.com/sewbrum/" target="_blank">this page</a> for Charlotte to post the details closer to the time. Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-2496573063146305722016-03-18T08:12:00.003-07:002016-03-18T08:12:46.654-07:00Win a Daylight Lamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8Khp57xeYB_-mwicFcAGQEOP3riXvTIatTPgTwJrpW9jzYQOgL0H38oonqLmNP6QgsjLCDl5DcZ2kFNZMxv2znLlMXDjOePImWdVK0q8oJEVOeEcr5twIFysvWRF6_Qspv4VPbcf09g/s1600/Daylight+giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8Khp57xeYB_-mwicFcAGQEOP3riXvTIatTPgTwJrpW9jzYQOgL0H38oonqLmNP6QgsjLCDl5DcZ2kFNZMxv2znLlMXDjOePImWdVK0q8oJEVOeEcr5twIFysvWRF6_Qspv4VPbcf09g/s400/Daylight+giveaway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Can you believe that <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Sewing Directory </a>has been around for 6 years now! I officially launched the website at Sewing For Pleasure in the NEC. It has changed hugely in that time one of biggest changes I made just before launch. It intended for the website to be just a directory, but my market research told me that people wanted more than that, they wanted content as well - free projects, sewing techniques, news, competitions and more. Like a magazine but online, and free!<br />
<br />
So what better way to celebrate our 6th anniversary than to ask you to share pictures of any of the projects you've made from our site to be in with a chance of winning a <a href="https://uk.daylightcompany.com/twist-portable-led-lamp-daylight-35700.html" target="_blank">Twist Portable LED Daylight lamp</a> from <a href="https://uk.daylightcompany.com/" target="_blank">The Daylight Company. </a><br />
<br />
Just share a picture on our social media and use the hashtag <b>#sewingdirectory</b> to enter. Find all our social media links and the terms & conditions of the giveaway on our site <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/news/2016/03/10/6th-anniversary-giveaway/" target="_blank">here. <br /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/pyramid-purse-project/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/pyramid-purse-project/" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzZim1w3gpHJsJ4opnCmlzbJAMBHo0IhlRlMBUPxenNKqt68GKdWVkWgrFHYutSl4D-r_F2cWrRYny3ydP7XkDYBxqExxYfsJ6Xv5G6XWwVPF8-70Q89HNrLUyZyKVS5HhhXr4qpIeho/s320/InstagramCapture_5499e035-b860-426c-91cf-8a6e5376ead7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pyramid purse sewing project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you haven't made anything from the site yet there are plenty of quick and easy projects you could make over the weekend. Our <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/free-projects/" target="_blank">free projects </a>can be found here. I made the<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/pyramid-purse-project/" target="_blank"> pyramid purse</a> pictured above the other morning, it only took 20 mins and is ideal for storing wonder clips. <br />
<br />
The closing date is 6pm on Thursday so don't leave it too long to enter. There are 2 lamps to be won.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-11214302014415902252016-02-28T11:52:00.001-08:002016-02-28T12:17:23.767-08:00Star Wars Overnight bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszwYGsj5j3yg8kNTxPF5FoJ9NYj3DURN6l4a-vLjI94Tk33LMKDn7IgqdG1r9S0XBsrZPHrzkRnajwGgQjuO2ZO67WNNAZFUmXYzwzpXPmkyrvUnJm-CFtAxF_0qp1vBK8Yurfs7lGVU/s1600/InstagramCapture_4f742ebd-3eae-46dd-a8fb-516dfde2258f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszwYGsj5j3yg8kNTxPF5FoJ9NYj3DURN6l4a-vLjI94Tk33LMKDn7IgqdG1r9S0XBsrZPHrzkRnajwGgQjuO2ZO67WNNAZFUmXYzwzpXPmkyrvUnJm-CFtAxF_0qp1vBK8Yurfs7lGVU/s320/InstagramCapture_4f742ebd-3eae-46dd-a8fb-516dfde2258f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I haven't sewn much in February, I've been ill for weeks on end with a bad sinus infection which left me so tired I didn't feel like sewing. Thankfully the infection has now cleared so I spent this afternoon finishing off a bag for my son that I started a few weeks ago. He loves BB8 (the round robot thing) from Star Wars so I found a couple fabrics with it on from <a href="http://www.frumble.co.uk/shop/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=star+wars" target="_blank">Frumble </a>to make him this bag for when we go on holiday next month. <br />
<br />
The pattern is from Debbie Shore's new book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sew-Brilliant-Bags-Beautiful-Projects/dp/1782212566/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456684134&sr=8-1&keywords=sew+brilliant+bags+debbie+shore" target="_blank">Sew Brilliant Bags</a> which has some fab bag projects in it. This is just one of several I want to try. The thing I loved about this one is it's made from fat quarters (5 of them), I have so many fat quarters I'm always looking for ways to use them up. It's fairly simple as bags go, it doesn't require any specialist tools or hardware, just fabric, foam, a large zip and bias binding. It does suggest a foam board bag base but I didn't include that in mine as I don't have any and it seems fine without. <br />
<br />
I used <a href="http://simplysolids.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3945886-Bosal-In-R-Form-Plus-Double-sided-fusible-foam-batting-From-the-bolt-58-Wide.html" target="_blank">double sided In-R-Form Bosal foam</a> for the structute, which I've never tried before. The fact it was adhesive on both side meant I had to change the way I made the bag a little, I also swapped the rope handles for fabric handles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnUFoXkLWJZ6yiA1-GS09S5pyNKAYovRKKvMCX0JrcRXkpd_intL_RIDriqBPBEu5Il-ho217CXc7gNMWasxNUxKPNknzdlLFmLl4yzLiptp4sRoH3Toiqd68-UrKnYzJsWo-9vYtwyA/s1600/InstagramCapture_21808d3d-e905-402e-8d18-8df364d0cc69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnUFoXkLWJZ6yiA1-GS09S5pyNKAYovRKKvMCX0JrcRXkpd_intL_RIDriqBPBEu5Il-ho217CXc7gNMWasxNUxKPNknzdlLFmLl4yzLiptp4sRoH3Toiqd68-UrKnYzJsWo-9vYtwyA/s320/InstagramCapture_21808d3d-e905-402e-8d18-8df364d0cc69.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The foam was nice and thick so gave the bag loads of body. It did make it tricky when sewing the seams when putting the bag together because I struggled to get it under the needle. The one bit I really struggled with was binding the seams at the end. Partially because the layers of foam made it hard to get under the needle and partially because the bulk of the bag made it difficult to fit. Plus the weight of the bag meant it kept pulling the fabric out from under the needle. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S8zBw4GVxuN2iw8s5tSfmT97Mzw6I9u7bfm1kuk0gPFDqQr7vX4qsgax3AAakvjv5EQ4CMGH5upAj47tudIuqry2Gbu-4ogc5JMYMza_EhGxxeYTZxdfs_0ZotzZ12SFoNs68kXgMjw/s1600/InstagramCapture_7a40b5a5-b466-469d-be42-af18de889790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S8zBw4GVxuN2iw8s5tSfmT97Mzw6I9u7bfm1kuk0gPFDqQr7vX4qsgax3AAakvjv5EQ4CMGH5upAj47tudIuqry2Gbu-4ogc5JMYMza_EhGxxeYTZxdfs_0ZotzZ12SFoNs68kXgMjw/s400/InstagramCapture_7a40b5a5-b466-469d-be42-af18de889790.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The picture above is one of the better bits of binding, and even that is wobbly. I had to unpick several times and some of it looks pretty awful. But on the plus side it's all on the inside of the bag so no one will know how bad it looks! If I made the bag again I might overlock stitch the seams instead so I only have to fit the very edge under the foot or hand sew the binding. The other thing I was considering was to use fusible fleece instead of foam because then it won't be so thick but then it would lose some of the structure.<br />
<br />
There are a few other bags I want to try from this book, there are lots of great ideas in it. Plus it reminded me I ought to dig out her Sew Useful book as there was lots I wanted to make in there too. Overall I'm happy with the bag, it's bigger than I thought it would be which is great and very sturdy thanks to the foam. It's just a shame that the binding on the inside isn't as nice as I'd like it to be, but that's down to me not the pattern.<br />
<br />
We've added a few new bag projects to the site this month if you fancy making your own bag:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/bucket-bag-project/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/bucket-bag-project/" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim65xGQ4mAHeLVy4XSKkzNtBkFiow_-1EYFZlc3jIMkRxSnfklrRFfHxv3bnf3J29e1X-O7o-TXXPk4rRuH6GyS46aEw9q5vNc5RzLCg97FQq-H2DnZawgIw1HO5aK18x6wSVggX_X5lY/s400/Bucket+Bag+sharable.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/bucket-bag-project/" target="_blank">spacious bucket bag </a>from Helen Rhiannon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/messenger-bag-project/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/messenger-bag-project/" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8WurevdnKxvu8T90NbkupOrZFjif-1kO_mqpwsgHJS2OmxHa_89IkD4PdrFiDPfpsRKcyjqfruB0989EzZeT6e8GiE3OfniZMRcv1zENxuwGid7Yq6AHY0CLOf3K_paDCFGiJZfbh1A/s400/Messenger+Bag+sharable.jpg" width="400" /><span id="goog_126478114"></span></a><span id="goog_126478115"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plus a useful <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/messenger-bag-project/" target="_blank">messenger bag project</a> from Becky Skuse<br />
<br />
We also have lots of other <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/bag-making-projects/" target="_blank">bag projects here</a> for you to choose from. </div>
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-8815364293900649442016-01-22T13:03:00.001-08:002016-01-22T13:27:37.070-08:00Bag Making One of the things I want to do more of in 2016 is bag making. I've started the year off by making 3 new bags, a handbag, oversized tote and shopping bag. I also plan to make an overnight bag, a camera bag, more shopping bags, a couple of big bags for carrying sewing supplies to group or class.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51-OQuEFLzF9UM7ONA-8qjrN74YsLCERKgn5R5QtFgZkXTFYRFRWcmPHt1bdf1_jL56A_ixBom22fpZmI5NCHcr4DpjhHxKNnBO3KnuXFuhAQ4mWk61rlTNolXcJvJotrZp7vxXCfYI0/s1600/handbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51-OQuEFLzF9UM7ONA-8qjrN74YsLCERKgn5R5QtFgZkXTFYRFRWcmPHt1bdf1_jL56A_ixBom22fpZmI5NCHcr4DpjhHxKNnBO3KnuXFuhAQ4mWk61rlTNolXcJvJotrZp7vxXCfYI0/s320/handbag.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campfire Messenger Bag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The first bag I made, which actually I made end of last year over Christmas was a new handbag - <a href="http://noodle-head.com/product/campfire-messenger-bag-pdf-pattern" target="_blank">Noodlehead's Campfire Messenger. </a>I spent about a year trying to find the perfect bag pattern! I like a smaller cross body bag and one with lots of pockets too. I also like there to be a zip closing the main compartment so nothing falls out if I fling it around! Plus a large pocket at the back of the bag which will fit a book in as I often carry a book with me. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSmSbeqx03H2mY4a4ChncnkrwNNdObg7X-YKLqXz7xUTTE1mRt6kP-yk84afF439XBe3i_rToTK9QRMYdgO9cT2FK_q-Wlr8HCyZn9u8hyphenhyphenEDgSEPwLfYc5bZKgxR5T30GFGi4OmLjLuA/s1600/2015-12-24+12.29.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSmSbeqx03H2mY4a4ChncnkrwNNdObg7X-YKLqXz7xUTTE1mRt6kP-yk84afF439XBe3i_rToTK9QRMYdgO9cT2FK_q-Wlr8HCyZn9u8hyphenhyphenEDgSEPwLfYc5bZKgxR5T30GFGi4OmLjLuA/s320/2015-12-24+12.29.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear book pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This bag had a lot of pockets and included some techniques I hadn't tried before but I did find the instructions were easy to follow. It took me a full weekend, lots of cutting and interfacing then lots of sewing too. I used Tua Pink fabrics from <a href="http://www.blacksheepwools.com/" target="_blank">Black Sheep Wools</a> for the flap, rear pocket and lining. For the main fabric I wanted something a bit more durable and heavier weight than quilting cotton so I used a sparkly <a href="http://www.u-handbag.com/collections/fabrics/products/japanese-linen-glitter-stars-brights?variant=1260602548" target="_blank">star print canvas fabrics from UHandbag.</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjfJyCwmCtP_0RAW8Z0PIZ7cZFjhPK2VJU5hamwhQCvUmAV_HTCnPcsK7sy3UBeZHhcfthGaTVNmXqJOoOKIjfopIJcFyNAGlBAxAQ8zS56IYv0qXISUd9dqww7j1oTR1cOThx1a5HMA/s1600/2015-12-24+12.29.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjfJyCwmCtP_0RAW8Z0PIZ7cZFjhPK2VJU5hamwhQCvUmAV_HTCnPcsK7sy3UBeZHhcfthGaTVNmXqJOoOKIjfopIJcFyNAGlBAxAQ8zS56IYv0qXISUd9dqww7j1oTR1cOThx1a5HMA/s320/2015-12-24+12.29.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the flap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I did have one issue which I contacted Anna at Noodlehead about, my gusset ended up being about an inch to short. If you look carefully at the image above you'll see the binding around the top dips down on the left, it's the same on the right too. It made it very difficult to bind around the top. Anna did talk me through it and it looks like it must have been a cutting mistake. She was very helpful and sent me step by step photos to show how it should have gone together.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUNvUotw6-iPMyb7kPE4Gy4HqKJ7WKbNBTdXfj9QEu2k-DSdSzDMydgOEYd0BWqd7auUGdIcFklYt6KYs6xFwYHeAhEheaygZeXxSbWi9A0dUom9Xg4cCwGkcSmCBWYSOpOCpGnw4L1I/s1600/oversized+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUNvUotw6-iPMyb7kPE4Gy4HqKJ7WKbNBTdXfj9QEu2k-DSdSzDMydgOEYd0BWqd7auUGdIcFklYt6KYs6xFwYHeAhEheaygZeXxSbWi9A0dUom9Xg4cCwGkcSmCBWYSOpOCpGnw4L1I/s320/oversized+bag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The second bag I made was an oversized tote bag. I received a free piece of faux leather with my Simply Sewing magazine and was trying to think of what to make with it. A few days later I visited my local wool mill, <a href="http://www.coldharbourmill.org.uk/" target="_blank">Cold Harbour Mill</a>, where they make their own tartan fabric. They had an open day so I could look around and see how the wool was made, and how it was made into fabric. I ended up buying half a metre of the Devon Blue Tartan and realised when I got home it went perfectly with the faux leather.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0VdSkwShhShKMvEW5UMmsZd-W8iqV-U8830eH3H9G5pSj2eKiQhZXn18F_ngakMnQs1u3zj4in137ikKKzhn3SfS6BKfVPRzxGQScY9E_HTJxnMkezg_Etk0XpCUpa7YNdO0H1nqQkY/s1600/InstagramCapture_b2cda705-692c-4ac5-80a6-3b4447f9ad9e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0VdSkwShhShKMvEW5UMmsZd-W8iqV-U8830eH3H9G5pSj2eKiQhZXn18F_ngakMnQs1u3zj4in137ikKKzhn3SfS6BKfVPRzxGQScY9E_HTJxnMkezg_Etk0XpCUpa7YNdO0H1nqQkY/s320/InstagramCapture_b2cda705-692c-4ac5-80a6-3b4447f9ad9e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I didn't use a pattern, I just made it up as I went along, using the faux leather to decide on the side of the bag. I lined it and added several pockets inside, and used some gorgeous leather handles from <a href="http://sewchristine.org/" target="_blank">Sew Christine. </a>As much as I love the bag I don't think I'll use it that much so I'm going to gift it to a family member who will get much more use from it than me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEQ8-6BQVjgPM3EP7ARrtKGg_xVdx4l36uoEe9iImdioI4ezQ2R9lzWxIj8ukvwsB5F47ZPC1-hLH_tdewfKHgCVbRgxT2lzcWR3cRsYE3c2WkKg08EjzYChRgbAUpAxmeYFvZTgqkmE/s1600/Woodland+shopper+W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEQ8-6BQVjgPM3EP7ARrtKGg_xVdx4l36uoEe9iImdioI4ezQ2R9lzWxIj8ukvwsB5F47ZPC1-hLH_tdewfKHgCVbRgxT2lzcWR3cRsYE3c2WkKg08EjzYChRgbAUpAxmeYFvZTgqkmE/s320/Woodland+shopper+W.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<br />
The last bag I made with a single layer (unlined) shopping bag. I use these instead of carrier bags, and keeping them single layer means they roll up neatly to fit in my handbag. I was approached by a new company called <a href="http://www.kallosphere.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kallosphere</a> who make bespoke acrylic templates. So you send them a design and they cut it for you in a solid reusable template (brilliant for quilting, or any designs you make repeatedly).<br />
<br />
I fancied making a bag with woodland animals on so I found so I sent them outlines of the woodland animals that I wanted. They then took those designs, they tweaked them to make them into shapes which would work well as templates. They sent me the designs to give my feedback, and after tweaking a couple of things we had the final designs. A few days later my templates arrived in the post. I was impressed by how thick and sturdy they are, they will survive years of use.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TQa5Js-GsNIiQ157spcWkvbDgiBoKw9dpYjeHZQ53siF5LZAZq4fpZkZuadOeAwDvuE0usgY-gPqLmfOQROOiyqpsXHEBpeAwVzIxRJUkReP23ZcDrjmPmkY8dwtmofvOIyIa5nJpg0/s1600/templates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TQa5Js-GsNIiQ157spcWkvbDgiBoKw9dpYjeHZQ53siF5LZAZq4fpZkZuadOeAwDvuE0usgY-gPqLmfOQROOiyqpsXHEBpeAwVzIxRJUkReP23ZcDrjmPmkY8dwtmofvOIyIa5nJpg0/s320/templates.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I wrote up a tutorial for the bag<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/shopping-bag-project/" target="_blank"> here</a>, you can make it with or without the applique. It's well worth making a few of these, it'll save you a fortune on carrier bags. Plus fabric is pretty strong, they'll carry lots of weight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hm9Lblo9u45SahjXo5u-o6LL8DS0kF0Kli9yE0NzhgnZTzZdWRS7O2AkM0ojLGs7LevMyrcdHPORgSjgDTKgvduTmx6V1mAnGZ85JrCZr-nCF6KOAGRGehqs-r4XizMGEJefI8iJWcI/s1600/bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Hm9Lblo9u45SahjXo5u-o6LL8DS0kF0Kli9yE0NzhgnZTzZdWRS7O2AkM0ojLGs7LevMyrcdHPORgSjgDTKgvduTmx6V1mAnGZ85JrCZr-nCF6KOAGRGehqs-r4XizMGEJefI8iJWcI/s320/bag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I haven't quite decided which bag to make next but I'm considering this one which is from Debbie Shore's new book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sew-Brilliant-Bags-Beautiful-Projects/dp/1782212566/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453496505&sr=1-1&keywords=sew+brilliant+bags+debbie+shore" target="_blank">Sew Brilliant Bags.</a> I love that it uses fat quarters, I have hundreds to pick from! I reckon it'd make a great weekender bag. It's either that or a camera bag, I have a<a href="http://sewsweetness.com/2015/05/ansel-camera-bag.html" target="_blank"> fab pattern </a>for one from Sew Sweetness waiting to be used. <br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-922800371936412202015-12-26T13:10:00.000-08:002015-12-26T13:50:32.291-08:00Look back on 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
2015 was a pretty epic year! There was a lot of change, and a lot achieved. The biggest change of all was taking on a business partner after 5+ years of running The Sewing Directory alone. Former Sewing World editor <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/news/2015/02/27/new-business-partner/" target="_blank">Julie Briggs joined in April </a>and from that point on I was able to work part time and suddenly had time free for other things!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkA0RA1f9lOofcmLumqqSNCRDlPI7jx1M5GjJtN3HE5MoD9LOABdOi92cq75OvpmEpHoKGCw89yAiS3lenGOe8NxEtPC2k1vYWDnwO7VS8Srtntg784GZq_mlpVHa-qOh1VXsOfwr2qk/s1600/2015+makes+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkA0RA1f9lOofcmLumqqSNCRDlPI7jx1M5GjJtN3HE5MoD9LOABdOi92cq75OvpmEpHoKGCw89yAiS3lenGOe8NxEtPC2k1vYWDnwO7VS8Srtntg784GZq_mlpVHa-qOh1VXsOfwr2qk/s640/2015+makes+1.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />
Most of those other things consisted of sewing! One of the things I'm most proud of is making my Tula Pink sampler quilt (top right), it took forever (about 4 months) but I do love it. I've also done several Instagram swaps (the pouches are for one of them). I've made lots of stuff for my son, and even some things for me. Next year I'm going to try and make more for friends and family if I have time, I also still have lots of I want to make for myself too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh19YhzyrXHR-J_AoaOLjur2Y0dfBC8UTxKkipmhNt5NL7RqDJGxODtm4qehqNC0csA2mo2LZyK-pzcXRcLOl9fbb-14wBSPx-5EAIVpMtSvvLwg8nRf03b1XPI5oPmNSDyIyYqTlsRI/s1600/2015+makes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh19YhzyrXHR-J_AoaOLjur2Y0dfBC8UTxKkipmhNt5NL7RqDJGxODtm4qehqNC0csA2mo2LZyK-pzcXRcLOl9fbb-14wBSPx-5EAIVpMtSvvLwg8nRf03b1XPI5oPmNSDyIyYqTlsRI/s640/2015+makes+2.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
One thing I wanted to get into this year was bag making and as you'll see above I've managed to make a few but there's several more on my to do list. I also got hooked on making <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/home-decor/1-hour-basket-tutorial/136408" target="_blank">1 hr baskets</a> and <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/other/the-owl-you-need-sewing-buddy/77148?rceId=1451162065751~b551rixm" target="_blank">owl sewing buddies</a>, I'm sure there will be more of them in my future.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbBLn_28GHyCM4LJLtF3ZJYYbvEqqiUU1_mWziwZElU5msnUZFALLlz6VFOGBMW9x9T1ucQqh1S_7UCmUDwl7Z9jcV4U6sFyjmBQeQlNuXRj__0DLUggOy2MSCOKE-MnKj_NGUk1Tym4/s1600/sewing+room+fme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbBLn_28GHyCM4LJLtF3ZJYYbvEqqiUU1_mWziwZElU5msnUZFALLlz6VFOGBMW9x9T1ucQqh1S_7UCmUDwl7Z9jcV4U6sFyjmBQeQlNuXRj__0DLUggOy2MSCOKE-MnKj_NGUk1Tym4/s400/sewing+room+fme.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
<br />
Something I want to conquer next year is free motion embroidery. I had a go at teaching myself over Christmas and this was my second picture (above), not too bad for a beginner I reckon but I want to get in lots more practice and improve.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbFfbki7N6dlDISeyhyphenhyphenPFRCkRMHJZlq8PinOCiOyAaFqfzGQs6ETq3xx8SiaYt4iXrt_pEKz11n1frePkDOLGOoaVlAQxLycle815bnZvXoM3I7TelwdrH6IyZn0Mrjs6afzDwfZeP4k/s1600/52+Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbFfbki7N6dlDISeyhyphenhyphenPFRCkRMHJZlq8PinOCiOyAaFqfzGQs6ETq3xx8SiaYt4iXrt_pEKz11n1frePkDOLGOoaVlAQxLycle815bnZvXoM3I7TelwdrH6IyZn0Mrjs6afzDwfZeP4k/s320/52+Books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One other thing I did a lot of with my new free time was reading! I was aiming for a book a week, 52 books in total. I hit that by the summer and I've now just finished book 134! I should be around 136 by the end of the year.<br />
<br />
Plus not only did I read a lot but I also wrote a lot, I started my second book in November and I'm 70,000 words in now! My new book is not a craft or business book like my last one, it's fiction, a thriller. I don't have a publisher for it at the moment so no idea whether it will ever make it into print but I'm enjoying the process plus it's even got sewing in it! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/660022/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_b_1_4_last" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/660022/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_b_1_4_last" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmfnpFhbSq6ZQ5c4HTIJoDAY9wGcSV7RqInGyNryngm3Dhzr_SbClA5WPZzdMEQq1azVDe3-lMLwkdkPAINjEE-l8CMYpxsEGoLBVBHsRVLszVcH3c5N326B96Dl-uQ2ay9LHWEADtHo/s320/book+cover+low+res.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Speaking of my other book,<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Craft-Creative-Business-Marketing-Successful/dp/1782210520/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435228326&sr=1-1&keywords=craft+a+creative+business" target="_blank"> Craft a Creative Business,</a> it got published in the USA and many other countries in early 2015. Plus it went to a second print run early this year! It's kind of surreal to think that people all around the world are reading my book, Japan, India, Australia, Canada, all over the place! Plus despite being on sale in the UK for over a year now it's still in the top 20 of the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/660022/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_b_1_4_last" target="_blank">starting a business chart </a>on Amazon, sometimes even top 10. <br />
<br />
I don't know how many copies have sold yet, I only get a statement once a year but I should find out next month :) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/free-projects/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/free-projects/" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5lOoCh76nIw6XslkxLWTqrW37VHTj8UaArzvG42DZcglpqtBuer9dUc2Jw4Dzs4faRCR9Bmc4cg4V240xifyjiKRiGvfoRdRivxWMAb6zH8h3Jc5428yby0Y1FX9ReCTDJSr9RQzuZM/s400/projects+section.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The other thing I'm really proud of this year is how much we have achieved with The Sewing Directory. Having an extra pair of hands working on the site has made a huge difference, we've gone through and revamped tons of older content and added huge amounts of <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/free-projects/" target="_blank">new projects,</a> <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/features/" target="_blank">features</a> and <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/how-to-guides/" target="_blank">techniques. </a><br />
<br />
We're up to almost 100,000 visitors a month and have some brilliant things lined up for 2016. Plus if you haven't seen it yet we have a fab Christmas giveaway running with <a href="http://weaverdee.com/pages/prizedraw" target="_blank">Weaver Dee</a>, you can win a new sewing machine plus a leather sewing case. <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/news/2015/12/22/weaver-dee-christmas-giveaway/" target="_blank">Details here. </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://weaverdee.com/pages/prizedraw" target="_blank"><img alt="http://weaverdee.com/pages/prizedraw" border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pBXCttqzJ0abJyENq2ZRZAGawRJ6a_BCPQZhx5jfIcebSBwobzjv6cZFbkMzrog60hriAyhQB4hmXKLIYpztqOhRMU1GjezL-XBBZo2JLnyEfsdvUde8ibmAkLSN4zQdSx1tktwcdBc/s400/PRIZEDRAW_FB2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So how did your 2015 go? What have you got planned for 2016? Any projects in mind, new skills you want to learn?<br />
<br />
Hope you all have a fabulous 2016!<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-61241470312652018612015-12-03T13:33:00.005-08:002015-12-03T13:35:00.890-08:00Donate unwanted quilt blocks to charityDo you ever make a quilt and find you have a few blocks left over? Those that weren't quite the right size, or didn't quite match colour wise? Or do you have a mountain of scraps that need using?<br />
<br />
If so you could help donate quilt blocks to charity, to be used to make quilts for children in Great Ormond Street Hospital and Boston's Children Hospital.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJt8YoxWhlX27t_jZgFbGgNJG_aAqp63FLg_hm3_gFKmShAb-ECbqSKnhj5ctUK1ndFwaVlZ_43su82jgH_PRg9xhAUGnThMzt7gxwC7B9sgTRQUXcw8X89Rki_tuWDMGB44AceWdaeM/s1600/donateablock2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJt8YoxWhlX27t_jZgFbGgNJG_aAqp63FLg_hm3_gFKmShAb-ECbqSKnhj5ctUK1ndFwaVlZ_43su82jgH_PRg9xhAUGnThMzt7gxwC7B9sgTRQUXcw8X89Rki_tuWDMGB44AceWdaeM/s400/donateablock2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The campaign is called Donate a Block 2, you can get more information about it <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1z4Si5lhU5AxSRa47Eqj4CrJT6NtRb5hmvKuWEOaTjqA/viewform?c=0&w=1">here. </a><br />
It's also the link you need if you want to take part, fill in your details and let them know how many blocks you can send. Even just one is a help. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5j7cMsSI6kaYjdCWktv3mtqQkxq78sfOPZdUCCcRWpA8DOIDSRnktQd_kvpZyENC9mUsCrRx0JHMOMC9w17XCrxsHxa9zE99JhUpVrusWBDi-yHNxHCrAh6aMhEntuwzitYQW38DtrI/s1600/donate+a+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5j7cMsSI6kaYjdCWktv3mtqQkxq78sfOPZdUCCcRWpA8DOIDSRnktQd_kvpZyENC9mUsCrRx0JHMOMC9w17XCrxsHxa9zE99JhUpVrusWBDi-yHNxHCrAh6aMhEntuwzitYQW38DtrI/s400/donate+a+block.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
They have 2 phases of donations, the first one ends 31st December, so the sooner you can send the better. The second one ends 31st January so if you don't have chance to do it before Christmas you could do it after.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYH6m60aDdQGqG-LpffBFMF-sH3A5u5FtM3G-0K6OkJ3GTjdYj-erH1m8dMfyM6l_WtZVph0SzTx-RfwPpObP-Jtm7hgn1cydYiHdDRH0CIwS0w0dPo2w_6Wq_FCXUSg1Nb8yqs-tM24/s1600/Quilt+blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYH6m60aDdQGqG-LpffBFMF-sH3A5u5FtM3G-0K6OkJ3GTjdYj-erH1m8dMfyM6l_WtZVph0SzTx-RfwPpObP-Jtm7hgn1cydYiHdDRH0CIwS0w0dPo2w_6Wq_FCXUSg1Nb8yqs-tM24/s400/Quilt+blocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I had some blocks left over from my Tula Pink quilt which I was planning to donate, but of course I couldn't find them anywhere when I looked for them! So Instead I decided to make some blocks using some scraps and fabric samples I had. I went for fairly simple designs so I could make as many as I could. In the end I managed 14, most are pictured above, many made with <a href="http://www.makoweruk.com/collections/">Makower fabrics. </a><br />
<br />
I'm hoping I might get time to make some more after Christmas. It was quite an enjoyable experience just making it up as I went along and not having to worry about following a pattern or making them match.<br />
<br />
If you'd like to find out more <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1z4Si5lhU5AxSRa47Eqj4CrJT6NtRb5hmvKuWEOaTjqA/viewform?c=0&w=1" target="_blank">click here. </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-33263218206503013232015-11-02T03:14:00.003-08:002015-11-02T03:18:25.948-08:00Fabric Giveaway!!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.izabelapeters.com/">Izabela Peters</a>
is a traditional British homewares company with a passion for textile
design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have recently decided to
make their beautiful fabric designs available to buy in fat quarters so you can
make your own creations with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Their
fabrics are available in affordable <a href="https://www.izabelapeters.com/fat-quarter">themed fat quarters bundles</a>
in 2 different fabric types – a silky soft 100% cotton fabric, and a more
structured medium weight linen union material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
<br />
A few of their beautiful bundles are pictured below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Izabela Peters are giving 2 lucky winners the
fabric bundle of their choice. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdYz_G2I5JlkANvaodx7mDe6qpXiIcHqWg_P6MIg5jqAjXw-2xnHannj7wDNurLQstc0qkT5lAYGxgn7fA7O8KSXb50hISnQTxjNHjlpZDUdzwHWfOnjHnboi60hrQKqNmfoPdnGtke8/s1600/Izabela+Peters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdYz_G2I5JlkANvaodx7mDe6qpXiIcHqWg_P6MIg5jqAjXw-2xnHannj7wDNurLQstc0qkT5lAYGxgn7fA7O8KSXb50hISnQTxjNHjlpZDUdzwHWfOnjHnboi60hrQKqNmfoPdnGtke8/s640/Izabela+Peters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izabela Peters Fabrics - designed and printed in the UK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">To Enter</b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pop over to the Izabela Peters website and have a look at
their <a href="https://www.izabelapeters.com/fat-quarter">fat quarter bundles</a>
and comment below to tell me which bundle you’d like to win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please also let me know if you would prefer
the 100% cotton fabric or the Linen Union, if you don’t specify a preference
the 100% cotton will be sent.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t forget to leave a way for me to contact you – an
e-mail, Twitter account, link to a contact form on your site etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two winners will be chosen at random and will
receive their choice of fabric bundle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Terms &
Conditions</b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One entry per person, multiple entries will result in
disqualification. Please leave a method of contact so we can get your address,
we will have to draw another winner if we cannot contact the original
winner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Winners will be chosen using
random.org.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prizes can be shipped to
an address in the UK or Ireland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
entries must be received by 6pm on the 10<sup>th</sup> of November 2015. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-44856493416092599382015-10-18T10:39:00.002-07:002015-10-18T10:39:50.237-07:00Why I don't sew for moneyLike many of you I sew as a hobby, although I run a sewing related business I don't offer sewing services. However, there are a lot of people out there who think that because I sew for myself, or make things as gifts that I would be happy to sew for money and make things for them. <br /><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUZTWQlIGgu7uRe10YtmbUlxi88NFa4ggfiuZjdkStRra8a0Yn0twmas_VW7RAGay7qQXzEqtPKckgtjW1SvsJHa-BLh5zK9gpaSo4YzwC_f5dFV5GRbMq2O2f7qSzhYg_DLy8zp_eAI/s1600/Tula+Quilt+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUZTWQlIGgu7uRe10YtmbUlxi88NFa4ggfiuZjdkStRra8a0Yn0twmas_VW7RAGay7qQXzEqtPKckgtjW1SvsJHa-BLh5zK9gpaSo4YzwC_f5dFV5GRbMq2O2f7qSzhYg_DLy8zp_eAI/s400/Tula+Quilt+finished.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my recent finishes, my Tula Pink City Sampler quilt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />In the beginning it was friends who needed 'little jobs' doing, trousers taken in, straps adjusted, skirt shortened etc. In their eyes it was a quick and simple job so surely I'd do it for them.<br />
<br />
Then as I share more photos of what I've made for myself on social media the bigger requests started coming through. One job I was asked to do was to sew a bespoke large bag for sports
equipment requiring several metres of fabric plus zips, strap, buckles
etc the costs would be over £50 before I even picked up a needle. Then
I'd have to draft it (I'm not a pattern drafter) and then I'd have to
spend several hours making it. Even if I only charged costs and my time
at a basic hourly rate it would be well over £100 and they would think I
was ripping them off. Also the person who asked was an acquaintance that I barely knew and had only spoken to a few times. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NWKOna1u_7R8hPUrdA9CFwNylh6TownPuE-fx25f3cEQM5TWDUNDvNt2p61tmINbnrbkLi2-WfSrEjFsbkRpwCCO2_IvO0HaxGGN0qSp3vA81clQqQKcHtaIPD2-A0U-Z_8XYfx39yo/s1600/Applique+bag+for+swap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NWKOna1u_7R8hPUrdA9CFwNylh6TownPuE-fx25f3cEQM5TWDUNDvNt2p61tmINbnrbkLi2-WfSrEjFsbkRpwCCO2_IvO0HaxGGN0qSp3vA81clQqQKcHtaIPD2-A0U-Z_8XYfx39yo/s320/Applique+bag+for+swap.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bag I've made recently for a swap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
Another person spotted somethings I'd made on social media and asked me to make the same for them. I ended up saying yes, because to be honest I wasn't too sure how to say no without sounding rude. They were fairly simple items, just a couple hours to make and under £10 of supplies. The first time I just gave it as a gift, then a few weeks later they asked again so I just charged the cost of the fabric because I felt uncomfortable charging a friend, and the true cost would have been much higher than they expected. However I didn't want to get into the routine of making things for free on demand either which is why I charged for materials. I'm not a dressmaker so I don't get my fabric and habby wholesale, when you are paying full retail price for supplies it makes the finished item expensive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCXYEIAqNl6mDqzpRLxQfqkKgm9zzraYV3epUYP1Oxk2wyZXym4nYem8pl7HlfQhd7grpUlgMaEEjdBhyphenhyphenI9FyIBmMYRIJbu3eajNmBg1B2dwtwdckZrewqXmP0_qAHvoPJdkE42SL6hU/s1600/bag+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCXYEIAqNl6mDqzpRLxQfqkKgm9zzraYV3epUYP1Oxk2wyZXym4nYem8pl7HlfQhd7grpUlgMaEEjdBhyphenhyphenI9FyIBmMYRIJbu3eajNmBg1B2dwtwdckZrewqXmP0_qAHvoPJdkE42SL6hU/s320/bag+finished.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handbag I made a couple months ago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As soon as I said yes to making the smaller items a strange thing happened... Despite having enjoyed making them for myself I really didn't want to make them. I kept putting them off and making tons of other things but not the ones they wanted. The minute someone wants me to make it for them it becomes a chore and then I no longer want to do it. Sewing to me is fun and relaxing, I can make whatever I want whenever I want. When I feel that I have to make something it losses all the fun aspects and just becomes another job that I have to do. It's 4-5 hours of my time that I wanted to spend doing something I wanted, not something I felt like I had to do. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpl76RDTSCIbRKxx3IDrSB-R8YtY39mFFH-SaW49gTXEC-UB2W3v2n3UpdsyN5tmCdmU1d6T5OFUm0uQERnL2yn6wfQ9VXTULYKCX0hgh6o1zaVtixV39MNkb-00ES-pAkaYAmF2R62c/s1600/owl+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpl76RDTSCIbRKxx3IDrSB-R8YtY39mFFH-SaW49gTXEC-UB2W3v2n3UpdsyN5tmCdmU1d6T5OFUm0uQERnL2yn6wfQ9VXTULYKCX0hgh6o1zaVtixV39MNkb-00ES-pAkaYAmF2R62c/s400/owl+family.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been hooked on making these owls lately</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The other thing is when you are making for someone else, especially if they have offered to pay, you have to sew to a high standard. If they are paying for it they expect perfection just as if they bought it in the shop. My sewing isn't bad but it's in no way perfect and quite often I'll do things the quick and easy way which may not be the neatest, but I'm happy with the finished item so that's all that matters when sewing for myself. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPAH594bty4TjwL3dRLyI_iRtsvojnzT5u85BnaYlWJo7Go52ZgIEI2wv75He3LKjkipAVtrwcfIlzOXBwHN66Q0QKbeh9GYA7o9VAptULguRhaZnvythf4UGtsUsdfQY5GC5Vpb7Ht8/s1600/stitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPAH594bty4TjwL3dRLyI_iRtsvojnzT5u85BnaYlWJo7Go52ZgIEI2wv75He3LKjkipAVtrwcfIlzOXBwHN66Q0QKbeh9GYA7o9VAptULguRhaZnvythf4UGtsUsdfQY5GC5Vpb7Ht8/s400/stitching.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visible stitches when closing a hole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />For example the picture above shows the bottom of one of the owls shown in the picture before. These are the fabulous Owl You Need Sewing Buddies - free pattern on <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/other/the-owl-you-need-sewing-buddy/77148">Craftsy </a>by <a href="http://www.shanniloves.com/2013/07/tutorial-owl-you-need-is-sewing-buddy.html">Shanni Loves. </a><br />
<br />
If I was making these to sell I would use an invisible ladder stitch to make sure the closure isn't at all visible. However I'd not great at this stitch and given that the owl sits on it's bottom you don't see the stitching so I do the stitch above to close the gap quickly. So If I was to make this in exchange for payment I'd have to change the way I sew it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxlv8GEq3tsVe4bMGphQeIFE3Oj9QUtxDB1vSeuHkfSj8wSMv6WdO4fn04ihb6SqdwehtA5Bux0_ZjGxd5f7URFCo4MEpVccQMwDZDV6Dnv_UF2CgqKrt9eePrVCs5J1dZKHxeKZEghw/s1600/owl+wing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxlv8GEq3tsVe4bMGphQeIFE3Oj9QUtxDB1vSeuHkfSj8wSMv6WdO4fn04ihb6SqdwehtA5Bux0_ZjGxd5f7URFCo4MEpVccQMwDZDV6Dnv_UF2CgqKrt9eePrVCs5J1dZKHxeKZEghw/s400/owl+wing.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl with top of his wing sticking out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Plus if one of them didn't turn out perfect, just like the owl above who has the top of his wing poking out I'd either have to unpick and do it again or I'd have to remake it. <br />
<br />
Sewing for money, or even just for someone else at no charge makes the sewing process much more stressful for me. Apart from the fact that I feel like I have to do it within a certain timescale, I feel like I have to do it perfectly, adding to the pressure.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong I'm happy to sew for friends and family as gifts, for a special occasion, because I want to sew it for them. But it's being asked to do it when I had no intention of doing so before that point that I find stressful. <br />
<br />
So the next time someone asks me to sew something for them, paid or not I'll be referring them to this blog post!<br />
<br />
What about you, are you happy to sew things on demand for friends, family, random acquaintance? <br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-56627322057143245392015-09-14T04:38:00.002-07:002015-09-14T04:44:13.515-07:00Sew busy!I hope you all had a great summer, I've been busy sewing lots over the last few weeks. One of my first projects was to make a new purse, using <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/ladies-purse-project/">this fab tutorial from Emily Levey</a>. I used a bundle of metallic prints from Dear Stella which I got for Christmas. Unfortunately I realised after that it probably wasn't the best choice, the metallic print starts to wear off after lots of handling which for a purse which will be handled daily is not ideal. But it does look good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNMP-h2K7dkP1Kx-troIUUqyajp3QoARBZ6j_EoHfIVQqy954htNAc9jbpfrLVbbXW8VSbOSackw6pQ4OQaHgpEgrptoW183UcGTT6BWWYqGj7iOSDTWTd1hyphenhyphenlG9NUxSGoJw307UrmGU/s1600/purse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNMP-h2K7dkP1Kx-troIUUqyajp3QoARBZ6j_EoHfIVQqy954htNAc9jbpfrLVbbXW8VSbOSackw6pQ4OQaHgpEgrptoW183UcGTT6BWWYqGj7iOSDTWTd1hyphenhyphenlG9NUxSGoJw307UrmGU/s400/purse2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4FTo74tN5wxmsxjC5nq_eQonxDU-vxl5z95V9-OEbSTTCfO4hmVr31DRQubZkhKSXsooKlPhyphenhyphenUb8wS2s0OwNDVd_YxNn5k6Nbq9M0hiGl6rPKmNFEb79E4ixZkpDdTnx-n76-tiOBEQ/s1600/purse+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4FTo74tN5wxmsxjC5nq_eQonxDU-vxl5z95V9-OEbSTTCfO4hmVr31DRQubZkhKSXsooKlPhyphenhyphenUb8wS2s0OwNDVd_YxNn5k6Nbq9M0hiGl6rPKmNFEb79E4ixZkpDdTnx-n76-tiOBEQ/s400/purse+v2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I have to admit I made this purse twice. The first time I followed the exact pattern but then I struggled when it came to adding the metal snaps. I didn't have a pair of pliers to attach them and couldn't get them through all the layers of fabric without. I then had 2 holes left in the fabric which looked awful when I tried to cover them so I gave up and started again. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCi3tynxIx8NUVEkXqASZV9ExF9PGgY3nGtxoPSVWhbmxlQDgJWV_ZMsnB_j-hiuiIVilYuV3xolkWoJ6UGx6so6o_FGmaihbbIaHVy140JH8Q3Ml0n5eDuf9ejJaUvtB5xh-9urIVf8/s1600/Planner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCi3tynxIx8NUVEkXqASZV9ExF9PGgY3nGtxoPSVWhbmxlQDgJWV_ZMsnB_j-hiuiIVilYuV3xolkWoJ6UGx6so6o_FGmaihbbIaHVy140JH8Q3Ml0n5eDuf9ejJaUvtB5xh-9urIVf8/s400/Planner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I decided to re-make it using magnetic snaps, I added a tab to put one of the snaps on and put the other on the back of the card pocket. I also added a loop for my keys too. Luckily I was recently sent one of the new <a href="http://www.sewcraftyonline.co.uk/product/sew-crafty-sewing-journal/">Sewing Journals</a> from Sew Crafty Sewing Centre (they are fab, check them out!) so I made a note of the changes I made so I can repeat it again in the future. Handmade purses all the way from now on!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VxvJTEvNFlsN_FywjK9M3tWXc3UEeybxioSOl69jWmhUuNtIugZ0OpEaZ_ZGj5WfzTrBkr4FDYZOGBJytxxPvD7Y8hEyXXmCoJ92h6RSvP-y0c6-F9BNhCjO1bz377BJgnk_E_DcsoA/s1600/applique+bag+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VxvJTEvNFlsN_FywjK9M3tWXc3UEeybxioSOl69jWmhUuNtIugZ0OpEaZ_ZGj5WfzTrBkr4FDYZOGBJytxxPvD7Y8hEyXXmCoJ92h6RSvP-y0c6-F9BNhCjO1bz377BJgnk_E_DcsoA/s400/applique+bag+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-iYdQDGk4qjhK80QTShzxIzChVt9hFzkmX9K09BgOQu1QPRo60KOPbFCtkv89SETza1RlSX5vdU-JeXgYo9vkvyiLHLdXB3_8trTJlGNaAKTn_mxhLbJ5992abDYVHsL0ox-wzWzNpU/s1600/Applique+bag+for+swap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-iYdQDGk4qjhK80QTShzxIzChVt9hFzkmX9K09BgOQu1QPRo60KOPbFCtkv89SETza1RlSX5vdU-JeXgYo9vkvyiLHLdXB3_8trTJlGNaAKTn_mxhLbJ5992abDYVHsL0ox-wzWzNpU/s400/Applique+bag+for+swap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Next up was a tote bag I made for the <a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/easyswapuk/">Easy Swap</a> on Instagram. I made an applique tree on one side, and a tree print fabric on the other side. However when I made it I loved it so much I knew it'd be hard to give away. So I made myself one too (pictured below). I didn't do the applique again as that took ages.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YoTFF8PE_-mZBqpgpjED0kmnR5rFNJd_aaRe-0kDsbHhzTjePrlv3f06OlhVpdSxRiDV0fNhzUk6cycn70l6kbDlxypK7TtsUg4VsYsiJfATtuJzQFXUhBxx2Hx2ZiCe1TBLhr9f2xE/s1600/Tree+tote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YoTFF8PE_-mZBqpgpjED0kmnR5rFNJd_aaRe-0kDsbHhzTjePrlv3f06OlhVpdSxRiDV0fNhzUk6cycn70l6kbDlxypK7TtsUg4VsYsiJfATtuJzQFXUhBxx2Hx2ZiCe1TBLhr9f2xE/s400/Tree+tote.jpg" width="371" /></a></div>
<br />
My son has been doing well out of my sewing too, I made him Lego curtains to go around the den under his bed. The curtains that came with the bed were a couple inches too long and that meant we kept standing on them and they ripped. So I made these ones a couple inches off the floor so that won't happen again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzX9Th4cbFoSg41rpg8VV886AWrWjWIhs4MfXrMSyf-YIWdp9lbR9PmzuXUrpUqeOzEbvFxPDrAM3pxkQdXHojM_QdBqRooj_XIfdmPkeEKOMPf-gUZpws90HMW221rd-h-rDbadTBJs/s1600/bed+curtain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzX9Th4cbFoSg41rpg8VV886AWrWjWIhs4MfXrMSyf-YIWdp9lbR9PmzuXUrpUqeOzEbvFxPDrAM3pxkQdXHojM_QdBqRooj_XIfdmPkeEKOMPf-gUZpws90HMW221rd-h-rDbadTBJs/s400/bed+curtain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The fabric was some vintage Lego fabric a friend was selling off because it was a little sun bleached but you can only tell if you look up close. My son hasn't noticed at all. For £10 I got enough to make 3 curtains to cover 2 sides of the bed (the rest is against the wall). Bargain!<br />
<br />
I also had some pirate themed quilt panels that I made a couple years ago intending to make my son a quilt. I never got around to finishing it and when I bought him a quilt from Lynne at <a href="http://lilysquilts.blogspot.co.uk/">Lily's Quilts</a> he didn't want another because he loves hers so much. I rather than let them go to waste I had the idea of turning them into a toy storage bag, with a few internal pockets for toys too. He has tons of toy animals so this will keep some of them tidy at least.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCp382SdjMUmwuAWUKylnWUfnDCBuPVVB23OhUZIt0TeRt1nww5v7OA2exQPm99zCr3lDqB5keOz1Y7XM81z3UtgoeI6hyphenhyphenHrK440xkhQRFZRx-Chyphenhyphenkaxywpb04bXShVcQtyq77crEQj4/s1600/Toy+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCp382SdjMUmwuAWUKylnWUfnDCBuPVVB23OhUZIt0TeRt1nww5v7OA2exQPm99zCr3lDqB5keOz1Y7XM81z3UtgoeI6hyphenhyphenHrK440xkhQRFZRx-Chyphenhyphenkaxywpb04bXShVcQtyq77crEQj4/s400/Toy+bag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Last and not least I made myself a quilted mat for my sewing machine. Sometimes when I'm sewing at high speed the sewing machine rattles on the table top so hopefully the mat will reduce the rattle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1sp9pTH4MaO1Ewb6xhAwkYpPpPnTTu98XFFr_w1XOvWnuQxtS1DC9rjHCRmCmn4UMG-v49PHm1NcmO8MJg3KtnngUN4LshM3xt1N8JZiQD5vPRsDPpGazH630ntreD06EBs4MQdnB00/s1600/sewing+machine+mat+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1sp9pTH4MaO1Ewb6xhAwkYpPpPnTTu98XFFr_w1XOvWnuQxtS1DC9rjHCRmCmn4UMG-v49PHm1NcmO8MJg3KtnngUN4LshM3xt1N8JZiQD5vPRsDPpGazH630ntreD06EBs4MQdnB00/s400/sewing+machine+mat+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF2imW3QEIlh-k3N6IBqHGYpAmb5R-EXM81kaCKMX0MkLhlEOKLF055AQUZtDjKP8dOefVlDjuD5Sn5nhHHJ_d2prk-x41dDrGsIt4p38yZBjyaxJBr2THIin3CE8dTz8BcAZfiSf57w/s1600/sewing+machine+mat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF2imW3QEIlh-k3N6IBqHGYpAmb5R-EXM81kaCKMX0MkLhlEOKLF055AQUZtDjKP8dOefVlDjuD5Sn5nhHHJ_d2prk-x41dDrGsIt4p38yZBjyaxJBr2THIin3CE8dTz8BcAZfiSf57w/s400/sewing+machine+mat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So plenty of sewing done this summer, I've cleared a few of my WIPS and a couple of things off my to sew list. Hopefully I'll manage several more over the next few months.<br />
<br />
What have you been sewing this summer, do feel free to post links to pictures or blog posts below so I can take a look. Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-6648396101370478402015-08-09T12:08:00.001-07:002015-08-09T12:08:23.414-07:001 hour BasketsI've still been busy working on my Tula Pink Sampler Quilt (It's now ready to quilt) but I need a break from it and wanted something quick and easy to do. I'd seen lots of people on Instgram making the<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/home-decor/1-hour-basket-tutorial/136408"> 1 hour baske</a>t so I decided to give it ago and see what all the fuss is about. <br /><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayEnirBlt6BtEZSjpgsd8cXu-36CFs0Kl7EJ9Gp8DSCJQyTkaK_UtmguWLs_K6FOiDptavdfLmdOCIku1MWx4ZwU05UTBXolaF0hUylAzog8fH1UCyi0E-fRX9sN6pam83btHRf5gJu0/s1600/1hr+basket+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayEnirBlt6BtEZSjpgsd8cXu-36CFs0Kl7EJ9Gp8DSCJQyTkaK_UtmguWLs_K6FOiDptavdfLmdOCIku1MWx4ZwU05UTBXolaF0hUylAzog8fH1UCyi0E-fRX9sN6pam83btHRf5gJu0/s400/1hr+basket+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a free pattern which you can<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/home-decor/1-hour-basket-tutorial/136408"> download from Craftsy</a> create by <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/4391285/pattern-store?_ct=fqjjuhd-ijehu&_ctp=136408,4391285">Hearts and Bees </a>(you need to sign up but it doesn't cost anything). It's a large storage basket made from 2-3 fat quarters. The first one I made is pictured below, unfortunately as I was cutting the fabric I realised the map fabric for my outer was not quite a full fat quarter so I had to add another fabric in too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1qmJ2F6Rq_a6qb62GJ0sZ21_4xyBU-3P0KwXxn5E-4TIEYoW-K1SC8KMRnWH2IMWf7r_3-RgFJz3Li8C6qx0gaP2LIp893Uzmso9tnCI-PsLs9MizB9TLmbe_vJfIE1CVpjbjtGf5n0/s1600/1hr+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1qmJ2F6Rq_a6qb62GJ0sZ21_4xyBU-3P0KwXxn5E-4TIEYoW-K1SC8KMRnWH2IMWf7r_3-RgFJz3Li8C6qx0gaP2LIp893Uzmso9tnCI-PsLs9MizB9TLmbe_vJfIE1CVpjbjtGf5n0/s400/1hr+basket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As you can see it fits a ton of fabric in, ideal size for fat quarters. I used quilting cotton with my first basket (the project recommends home decor weight) and fusible fleece to give it body as suggested in the pattern. It turned out pretty floppy and struggled to stand up alone when empty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzlfqR3msf8k3v4yrFGwrAwslEKmyDXPnKbEBhoJbR8Am3kYrIdLqUP4-OQd9ElFdb87yaZgTSStM51jLSIw_Ri_i7SbjOQV19IjEhubO0mf2pOskzfCayGrESACDZEY01s5NxkV9WwA/s1600/Fat-Quarters-Vintage-Rose-Duck-Egg-Set-of-6-10ea524_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzlfqR3msf8k3v4yrFGwrAwslEKmyDXPnKbEBhoJbR8Am3kYrIdLqUP4-OQd9ElFdb87yaZgTSStM51jLSIw_Ri_i7SbjOQV19IjEhubO0mf2pOskzfCayGrESACDZEY01s5NxkV9WwA/s400/Fat-Quarters-Vintage-Rose-Duck-Egg-Set-of-6-10ea524_main.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I had recently been sent some beautiful home decor weight fabrics from<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/4391285/pattern-store?_ct=fqjjuhd-ijehu&_ctp=136408,4391285"> Izabela Peters,</a> a UK company who print their own fabrics, so I decided to try them for the next basket. They were much thicker, I used their fabrics for both the outside and the lining, and used the fusible fleece too. The basket had more form to it but still wasn't as structured as I wanted, I wanted something that would stand up alone when empty. <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvbBL_TjoZTHInCgJ23aVUm4EAbb9lmwExv3KmivzzoloQLeTIllsEW1vPBssjV0E6vIEPa6BKYLES4x18WFCvqkMaLYYTJacUplTEn_FjumOwq-CTxJTGijVHpOA_1C0l6LgpfBc19I/s1600/basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvbBL_TjoZTHInCgJ23aVUm4EAbb9lmwExv3KmivzzoloQLeTIllsEW1vPBssjV0E6vIEPa6BKYLES4x18WFCvqkMaLYYTJacUplTEn_FjumOwq-CTxJTGijVHpOA_1C0l6LgpfBc19I/s400/basket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Although I filled both these baskets up with fabric and am using them I wanted to have another go at getting a firmer basket. I rummaged through my stash and found some super firm sew in interfacing (almost like a sheet of card). My concern was that it was so thick I wasn't going to be able to turn the basket through at the end, so I left a larger hole at the bottom of the lining (about 6-7 inches) and luckily it turned through ok. The result was a much firmer basket which stood up perfectly when empty. Once my husband and son spotted the baskets they wanted some too so pictured below are my final 4 that I made using the very firm interfacing. <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ34DHrXqo1NghSuRm9kAzEFeP25WhpiSXXWldUPWJ4qmOWDKI-sx3n1PdWQNXOP7jQqP4iFHUqNVDtGYYHO-SxXk5Ui62QzoikH0Vx3BIhdR-Pax1cpCVj1uRLDpdG-amfjzZcShZd0w/s1600/baskets+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ34DHrXqo1NghSuRm9kAzEFeP25WhpiSXXWldUPWJ4qmOWDKI-sx3n1PdWQNXOP7jQqP4iFHUqNVDtGYYHO-SxXk5Ui62QzoikH0Vx3BIhdR-Pax1cpCVj1uRLDpdG-amfjzZcShZd0w/s400/baskets+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As they discovered the baskets are not only the perfect size for fat quarters but also for dvds and Xbox games. I've already had a request from my husband for a few more so I suspect there will be many more in my future!<br />
<br />
Have you tried the one hour basket yet? How did you get on with it? <br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-3867257953433243092015-07-23T01:18:00.000-07:002015-07-28T13:12:25.094-07:00Win tickets to the WI Centennial Fair <!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1027"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<u><b>WI Fair Ticket Giveaway</b></u><br />
<br />
<b>*** This competition has now ended - the winners are Harry's Mum and Crafts @ Home. Congratulations to both the winners, hope you enjoy the show*** </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItIEyJxRk5VX-RbflqB4cVGIwmHcc6AJEnw7SiSUGfWn3x-DBYgXGhRUBNVkOYwQHcHFG-3m3cqCgVV0nHiGz1GNtXEuSOMmlcGLP7ooZVEFeKGPu0lbIEwvE5p3Ox9h3ksHzIbeU6hg/s1600/WI+Centennial+Fair_logo_AW_RGB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItIEyJxRk5VX-RbflqB4cVGIwmHcc6AJEnw7SiSUGfWn3x-DBYgXGhRUBNVkOYwQHcHFG-3m3cqCgVV0nHiGz1GNtXEuSOMmlcGLP7ooZVEFeKGPu0lbIEwvE5p3Ox9h3ksHzIbeU6hg/s320/WI+Centennial+Fair_logo_AW_RGB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To celebrate 100
years of the <a href="http://www.thewishow.com/">Women’s Institute a centenary
fair</a> is being held in Yorkshire from the 3<sup>rd</sup> to 6<sup>th</sup>
September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The show is open to both WI Members and non-members and will
be full of craft and lifestyle stalls, demos and workshops. Carol Smillie will
be ‘talking pants’, Lisa Comfort will demonstrate a vintage project from her
new book and the Royal School of Needlework and tutors from the WI Craft School
at Denman will show you embroidery and patchwork skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There will also be lots of exhibitors from which you’ll be
able to stock up on sewing, knitting and crafting supplies whilst there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The show is being held at the Harrogate
International Centre and tickets can be purchased online <a href="http://www.thewishow.com/tickets">here</a>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have 2 pairs of tickets to the show to giveaway. To be in
with a chance of winning please answer the question below in the comments by 28<sup>th</sup>
July 2015. Don’t forget to leave a way for us to contact you if you win
(e-mail, Twitter name, web link etc).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each winner will receive a pair of tickets, valid for one visit on any
day.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Question: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you were to attend the show which </b><a href="http://www.thewishow.com/workshops"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">workshop</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> would you want to take part in?</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also if you <a href="http://www.thewishow.com/janomeprize">join
their mailing list</a> you get entered into a draw to win a Janome XL601 sewing
machine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6o1DZvD7w5K8Ua0wZQFuSGbFbIh9YyoQVlw7MYkXBZIGsOuYxliGh8U_GNfPKCFseFniNu1NDM_FHCy33ih1UstfaS4toG-lgqaieGOnNbYnaqLVgwitQOXxk2Q9_t36QzepHcB4Cyzs/s1600/WI+Show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6o1DZvD7w5K8Ua0wZQFuSGbFbIh9YyoQVlw7MYkXBZIGsOuYxliGh8U_GNfPKCFseFniNu1NDM_FHCy33ih1UstfaS4toG-lgqaieGOnNbYnaqLVgwitQOXxk2Q9_t36QzepHcB4Cyzs/s320/WI+Show.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
Terms & Conditions</b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 winners will be chosen at random to receive a pair of
entry tickets to the WI Centennial Fair. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One entry allowed per person, multiple entries
will result in disqualification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
must leave a way for us to contact you to notify you of your win and get your
address.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any prizes unclaimed after 2
weeks will be drawn again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prizes
can be sent to an address in the UK or Ireland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All entries must be received by 6pm on Tuesday the 28<sup>th</sup> of
July 2015. </div>
Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-4892233483729196582015-07-13T12:18:00.004-07:002015-07-13T12:18:54.874-07:00Quilt ProgressI've been a busy bee for the last 2 months working on my Tula Pink Sampler quilt from her <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tula-Pinks-City-Sampler-Quilts/dp/1440232148">City Sampler book.</a> I have to admit when I started I didn't realise what a time consuming project it would be, hours and hours on end of cutting, pressing and then sewing just to make a few blocks. I normally cut in one session, and then sew in the next. Here's a pic of several blocks ready to be sewn, I have to put the block number on the top or I forget which blocks I've cut! <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_vH8rQc50z4s0wwh3sBtZSQuLYcLT_0nHjCuA_CDvLSzy5YTE4d2uL-8XCmgR47tqv76lH9hPMQNdkoXAH4UimoRsmuXMktgqVQoGYIPhDO6ujSSj2Wa8IUguo1P8dMRDfD_sbK69Rg/s1600/cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_vH8rQc50z4s0wwh3sBtZSQuLYcLT_0nHjCuA_CDvLSzy5YTE4d2uL-8XCmgR47tqv76lH9hPMQNdkoXAH4UimoRsmuXMktgqVQoGYIPhDO6ujSSj2Wa8IUguo1P8dMRDfD_sbK69Rg/s400/cutting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I soon decided I wasn't going to make all 100 blocks in the book as some are very fiddly and involve lots of fabrics and pieces (and I hate cutting!) so I've been making the blocks in pairs. Today I did a count up and layout on my bed to see if I was close to having enough to make a quilt...<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalpMHXc2vQKVIg9779IrL0qnIgHWfxt03F4YUvqK2NU1RYvYgl2LAB8XTmvmo6D97sTHyNftB9wYSEnzW8kWDUpj_AGjSSGx8Pee_lWGjNlArPsDUKsdn1BAAS1aJbPc4rDbV1dvDjrY/s1600/Sampler+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalpMHXc2vQKVIg9779IrL0qnIgHWfxt03F4YUvqK2NU1RYvYgl2LAB8XTmvmo6D97sTHyNftB9wYSEnzW8kWDUpj_AGjSSGx8Pee_lWGjNlArPsDUKsdn1BAAS1aJbPc4rDbV1dvDjrY/s400/Sampler+quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />I'm only 2 blocks away (represented with white pieces of paper for now). I decided I'm going to go for a random layout so spent hours playing around with this giant jigsa puzzle trying to make sure I didn't have any similar blocks or colours too close together.<br />
<br />
This is going to be my final layout, I just need to finish the last 2 blocks (which will be red and yellow) and then I can start joining them in rows. I managed to get some turquoise Sketch fabric for half price in the sale at <a href="http://weaverdee.com/">Weaver Dee</a> so I plan to use that for the borders and maybe the backing too if there's enough left.<br />
<br />
Their <a href="http://weaverdee.com/">sale</a> is still on if you fancy a bargain, use code DIRECTORY10 for an extra 10% off :) <br />
<br />
Hopefully my next post will be showing the finished top. I'd really like to have this finished by the end of the summer ready to use in the autumn. Then I ought to finish my son's quilt which I started a year ago... whoops! <br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-20425586925630759632015-06-17T03:02:00.002-07:002015-06-17T03:02:15.899-07:00Sewing Time!Since Julie has joined The Sewing Directory as my partner I've had much more time to sew so I've been working through my projects list, plus dealing with a few special requests from my son! I thought I'd share a few pictures of what I've been making lately. <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eOgPHLIR9iHGTLhH8vijojjEYiWTERDTJGlj-QcVvNGnZWbI9V_WSA8SK83vbAbLyxLtcE5DdPp3njt8inlpKLG5_GRMbrIj87G7cLsL4VkxF8qvkOwC2VzKPanNCI9aKfRNk8Ro8h4/s1600/piggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eOgPHLIR9iHGTLhH8vijojjEYiWTERDTJGlj-QcVvNGnZWbI9V_WSA8SK83vbAbLyxLtcE5DdPp3njt8inlpKLG5_GRMbrIj87G7cLsL4VkxF8qvkOwC2VzKPanNCI9aKfRNk8Ro8h4/s400/piggies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />My son has suddenly decided that pigs are his favourite animals after rearing them on Minecraft! Unfortunetly this also means he will no longer eat them and in fact he's become pescatarian! Luckily Sew Magazine had a piggie pin cushion in their lastest issue so I adapted it slightly to make him a pig toy. The pink one came first but then apparently he got lonely and wanted a golden pig as a friend so I had to make another. He now wants a whole rainbow of them but I think 2 is enough! <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3xEa2Np1Sp_XflGBPIRPcsyG73r93v9kG1cWYg0xvzx8UQ9w6tqxrdHbL7-CgtzGkuHZjFUqxOhyphenhyphenMGrsq8myjD1hk8qDDvGBraIN3ExaKlJzzXeommdKd67a4bvEEhyphenhypheno3dOrTCDRp9c/s1600/Pillowcases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3xEa2Np1Sp_XflGBPIRPcsyG73r93v9kG1cWYg0xvzx8UQ9w6tqxrdHbL7-CgtzGkuHZjFUqxOhyphenhyphenMGrsq8myjD1hk8qDDvGBraIN3ExaKlJzzXeommdKd67a4bvEEhyphenhypheno3dOrTCDRp9c/s400/Pillowcases.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've had these gorgeous organic prints from Birch Fabrics for ages and wanted to make something that would allow me to see them regularly, so I decided to make pillowcases with them. Now I get to see them every single day and they have certainly brightened up my bed. I didn't follow a tutorial for these I just used the measurements of the existing pillowcases and added a 1/4 inch seam allowance.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MQiWCP8weoqiuvfqX51T_LqWKYFsCauuLlp4e_UinL9tPZFCPgEBT59IK1WCZsdiO3D1b8zpk7O6PrPkiddB7vUJMvQsRI00MHiQw1mVceOPcYryBuRy2r-oQhpbKqAkk8uD8wFFVSU/s1600/pouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MQiWCP8weoqiuvfqX51T_LqWKYFsCauuLlp4e_UinL9tPZFCPgEBT59IK1WCZsdiO3D1b8zpk7O6PrPkiddB7vUJMvQsRI00MHiQw1mVceOPcYryBuRy2r-oQhpbKqAkk8uD8wFFVSU/s400/pouch.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This large zippy pouch is big enough for me to fit my embroidery supplies, including hoops in. I used some of my favourite fabric, the peacock print from Cloud 9's Alegria collection and I thought it would go quite nicely with denim. Plus the denim gave it some structure without me having to use interfacing. It's lined with a turquoise and gold print. My mum had a big destash recently and I came away with a huge piece of denim so I suspect there will be more denim projects in my future.... I'm thinking it might be good for a handbag, I need a new one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugpBxYys1oShCBa8aWxYus7H3jksaACu1o1zXuJXOnb6h2NJPf042amh4y5MlPxr5v8MauTOQF4mej71s69pO67fdwwUcJVNOYh__fGPBjhGDUQdqDh9v6_Esd-Pglqv5piSue00qq_8/s1600/Tula+blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugpBxYys1oShCBa8aWxYus7H3jksaACu1o1zXuJXOnb6h2NJPf042amh4y5MlPxr5v8MauTOQF4mej71s69pO67fdwwUcJVNOYh__fGPBjhGDUQdqDh9v6_Esd-Pglqv5piSue00qq_8/s400/Tula+blocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Lastly I started on something I've been wanting to make for years, the Tula Pink Sampler quilt. I got her book when it first came out and have been stashing her fabrics for the last 2-3 years and now I've finally gotten around to starting it. There's 100 blocks in the quilt, but some are a bit small and fiddly for me (I don't have the patience to faff around with tiny bits of fabric).<br />
<br />
So I've decided to pic my favourite blocks from the book and make 2 of each, sometimes more but in different colour ways. I've made 24 blocks so far so still have a long way to go, but I'm hoping to get another 10-20 done this week. I have to admit I hate cutting out which is what makes me slow with things like this, I just want to get on with the sewing and not spend hours cutting. But I'm sure I'll get there in the end.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/projects-to-make-as-gifts/"><img alt="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/projects-to-make-as-gifts/" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5a02MN9kMFVnNigEm_AUs-FBNqW66O_8T5Q4nIdToJWp_CKOB9AB4H56Q7QyIMzPc714pZQt6sWsdOAFzjS10VOJJ7iwrIMe3Aa7zBRlSBaG0Bl5C3x5sPJIRag-xvVyRFLdVIsqu2Mo/s400/Man%2527s+wallet+project+sharable.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Speaking of sewing projects we have some brilliant new <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/free-projects/">free sewing projects </a>over on The Sewing Directory, including this fab <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/projects-to-make-as-gifts/">man's wallet </a>which would be ideal for Father's Day. If you haven't perused our <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/free-projects/">projects section</a> for a while do pop over and take a look.<br />
<br />
I also think the <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/bear-kindle-case-project/">bear Kindle case</a> below would make a great project for the man who loves his e-books, or you could adapt it to use for a tablet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/bear-kindle-case-project/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUd8j5xDywDZn8gvFQByUKZb4dy2UxSw-8RQu1bnW78kHV_-nIcsq0JICiPLz7Ff2lSHFXPkr4GdhZAsg2uz5F18vZzlA8cDqaMNDCLn-PfIx5m272rsSc_KAv2pREXIn87XIfWBRrABU/s320/Bear+Kindle+Case+Sharable.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/bear-kindle-case-project/"><br /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So what have you been sewing lately? <br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-984181527268990112015-05-09T12:36:00.003-07:002015-05-09T12:36:54.657-07:00The Sew Together BagIf you use Instagram you will probably have spotted many pics of the Sew Together Bag (pattern from <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/sew-together-bag/36309">Sew Demented</a>). I don't think a day has gone by where I hadn't seen another version of it, just take a look at all the pics with the <a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/sewtogetherbag/">#sewtogethertag. </a><br />
<br />
The first few times I spotted it I thought it looked cool but not something I wanted to to make. But the more I saw the more I wanted it so eventually I gave in to Instagram peer pressure and bought the pattern! I'm not so keen on pdfs so I bought the paper version from <a href="https://www.sewhot.co.uk/product/sew-together-bag/">Sew Hot</a> and spent a while looking for the perfect fabrics. I decided on the beautiful Winter's Lane collection pictured below. <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2URieYdJZhmgukMbmYjiafiDsfoCTdTXXSLIaTCyGQB10gAgvrzo9wXCCuVbiDvzoFFm6W4xeik3MO7lXlrIgrvt4d-Kc1w8_MbVlNcY1Ul8JRrTF_dNqAKtOwC5kbiv8AWA9NXN9o5I/s1600/fabrics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2URieYdJZhmgukMbmYjiafiDsfoCTdTXXSLIaTCyGQB10gAgvrzo9wXCCuVbiDvzoFFm6W4xeik3MO7lXlrIgrvt4d-Kc1w8_MbVlNcY1Ul8JRrTF_dNqAKtOwC5kbiv8AWA9NXN9o5I/s400/fabrics.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />I'm not a fan of project prep I have to admit, I'm impatient and just want to get on with the sewing so I was a bit frustrated at the time this took to get everything cut and interfaced and find zips the right size and colour. I decided to do the prep on one day and sew on another, I was pretty excited about making it and seeing the finished results. <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERbqzldeFwBQQpNvJPYE0DxBVV2R52bu4PKLAFoKgOmnjxl5uzjvD9X5T-toUh7NdD7my4m9sX-kQSVA-9_-8AUhP_cSyrqCQrAjoPFEc8C9RbtJ9yB8yGMYkCb6aEYrkvo9c3rt_pE0/s1600/zips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERbqzldeFwBQQpNvJPYE0DxBVV2R52bu4PKLAFoKgOmnjxl5uzjvD9X5T-toUh7NdD7my4m9sX-kQSVA-9_-8AUhP_cSyrqCQrAjoPFEc8C9RbtJ9yB8yGMYkCb6aEYrkvo9c3rt_pE0/s400/zips.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Firstly I have to warn you if you are thinking of following this pattern unless you are very experienced you are likely to find the instructions lacking. I was a bit concerned when I first read the instructions as a lot didn't make sense and there are very few photos , it's very text based. I have heard from a few people that it's a bit of a tricky pattern, and there are plenty of blog posts out there with people sharing their tips and experiences. <br />
<br />
Luckily a quick search on Google and I found the brilliant<a href="http://quiltbarn.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/sewalong-day-1.html"> Quilt Barn Sewalong </a>which has photographs of every single step, plus much more detailed instructions. I highly recommend you have this next to you as you sew. I couldn't have managed without it.<br />
<br />
I had expected the zips to be the tricky bit but they were simple, the whole first part of the project was easy, constructing the lining and making the zipped pockets. I was feeling pretty confident by the time I got to the end of that - and then things got much more difficult!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PyM5pjL8TLNPrZiV1vk8Ak5aBego_nXDAITXu2z7brNI58AWJoENIvpOzY3rv4l4lKyHQquFjqwZ-dFmjBUc8gqSyzDxqtPwyB8VEE2lmTYMw9ccJeQH-iBWvUVvIVhCWWdThcR51iE/s1600/sides.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PyM5pjL8TLNPrZiV1vk8Ak5aBego_nXDAITXu2z7brNI58AWJoENIvpOzY3rv4l4lKyHQquFjqwZ-dFmjBUc8gqSyzDxqtPwyB8VEE2lmTYMw9ccJeQH-iBWvUVvIVhCWWdThcR51iE/s400/sides.png" width="386" /></a></div>
<br />
I have to admit I didn't have any light interfacing to hand so I used medium, but this made it harder when it came to joining layers. The sides were my first little struggle but I got through it and it was all looking pretty good at this stage (although I wish I'd tucked my zip ends in a bit better on the blue and grey zips).<br />
<br />
When it came to joining the lining to the outer layer things got more difficult when sewing along the edges where the side bit (in red) was. My machine did struggle in a few places and I had to drag the fabric through. I also somehow ended up with a fold of excess fabric on one side so had to unpick that side and restitch it. <br />
<br />
But the binding was a nightmare. Firstly my machine struggled sewing through so many layers in places (1 layer interfacing, 2 layers fabric, 1 layer zip and 4 layers binding fabric!), and with the size and weight of the bag and trying to manuouvre it under the machine made it very difficult to keep the stitching straight. You are also stitching the zip into place whilst sewing the binding so everything needs to be really well pinned. My binding ended up with folds or creases in a few places. <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFfCLSavEb1w55v0ivrwxYfRdbx4zDRv8dK5eqM4uW4DBPMq0aRYXNjDgWKi92ntOSb99HGpQXrJAEWhOXl8A7955hhAVBhrTEOM1g2UtPrYvdrfQMuaRYO1w9MHbMBPyHyh_4Uicjks/s1600/Sew+together+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFfCLSavEb1w55v0ivrwxYfRdbx4zDRv8dK5eqM4uW4DBPMq0aRYXNjDgWKi92ntOSb99HGpQXrJAEWhOXl8A7955hhAVBhrTEOM1g2UtPrYvdrfQMuaRYO1w9MHbMBPyHyh_4Uicjks/s400/Sew+together+outside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Sewing the second side of the outer zip (and binding) is even harder because with the first side attached you have much less maneuvering space. I was totally gutted to finally get to the end of sewing the second side of the zip only to find when I tried to close the bag that the zips weren't aligned and it twisted the bag. The zip must have gotten pulled out of alignment when I was trying to force it under the presser foot :( Make sure that both sides are lined up perfectly before you stitch because it took a long time to unpick and restitch the zip and the binding. I was pretty sick of it by then and almost gave up!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkhPtHZ_sQOA8vUUWDvkpEpr3rUXDIHO70UcNbTr126K9GaPhrMKffSb7nuLdGQSK9rVfkA_ysFnySrXLHt8N-zqb_qDntNeexVin2S_Cg75dcZsYi6G6KpXJA2ojEjeOzdWzy_C-9pk/s1600/Sew+together+finished.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkhPtHZ_sQOA8vUUWDvkpEpr3rUXDIHO70UcNbTr126K9GaPhrMKffSb7nuLdGQSK9rVfkA_ysFnySrXLHt8N-zqb_qDntNeexVin2S_Cg75dcZsYi6G6KpXJA2ojEjeOzdWzy_C-9pk/s400/Sew+together+finished.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I did persist and finally got the bag finished but I have to admit I'm not overly happy with it. The binding doesn't look good in a few places (the unpicking damaged it slightly and there were a couple of folds/creases in it). I feel like it wasn't worth all the hard work to make it and I can't bring myself to use it at the moment.<br />
<br />
I'm sure when I feel less frustrated with it I'll probably realise it's totally fine and useable, but I won't be rushing to make another one any time soon. For now I'm just going to put it away and come back to it in a few weeks when I'm less annoyed! Then hopefully I'll find a good use for it as it's be a shame not to use after all the blood sweat and tears! <br />
<br />
I did buy a pattern for another Instagram favourite at the same time as this one - <a href="https://www.sewhot.co.uk/product/hazel-hedgehog/">Hazel Hedgehog</a> - by Elizabeth Hartman (see pics<a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/hazelhedgehog/"> here</a>) so hopefully I'll have more luck with that one when I give it a go!<br />
<br />
Have you tried the Sew Together Bag? How did you get on? Are you tempted it give it a go?<br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-17337043979613284492015-04-28T02:42:00.001-07:002015-04-28T02:42:45.727-07:00Style and Swing Bag Making BookMany of you have probably come across Susan Dunlop aka. <a href="http://www.susieddesigns.co.uk/">Susie D Designs </a>through her bag patterns in magazines, including Sewing World Magazine and Love Sewing. When I heard she was writing a whole book on bag making I was very excited.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.susieddesigns.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3703402-Style-and-Swing-12-Structured-Handbags-for-Beginners-and-Beyond-by-Susan-Dunlop.html"><img alt="http://www.susieddesigns.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3703402-Style-and-Swing-12-Structured-Handbags-for-Beginners-and-Beyond-by-Susan-Dunlop.html" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeelgD6BcksdrzDsPBKugWdTfJjtTmnOPWL1aF8N5SVGn5KVR1XUnuVbNr3EqqZO528mJbpLschVRw13H_SSWac4-xaST9Qb7x1osWaXErsBqJjHDdigKpu8DzqC0POT7V86BigMLfclo/s1600/b1280.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've been wanting to have a go at bag making for ages but just hadn't had time to get around to it. Now I have Julie working on The Sewing Directory I actually have a couple of days a week off to sew. So when I got a review copy of Susan's book I just had to make one of the many beautiful bags in the book.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLrtPXhCqy6AtJKWbSbH-uaDCbsfmShyphenhyphenn4xKPzfC2FOMRAkNVOQiKwLNq5NQ6U-9NRfpQqaBCUAw7und0dv1CYHPp9ungYdcXyG5UrCVHHacqOdGZY6S3pTSum-ey2rlY6m9cBZ6sE40/s1600/Pg44_HoboHandbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLrtPXhCqy6AtJKWbSbH-uaDCbsfmShyphenhyphenn4xKPzfC2FOMRAkNVOQiKwLNq5NQ6U-9NRfpQqaBCUAw7und0dv1CYHPp9ungYdcXyG5UrCVHHacqOdGZY6S3pTSum-ey2rlY6m9cBZ6sE40/s1600/Pg44_HoboHandbag.jpg" height="400" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hobo Handbag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I decided to make the Hobo Handbag as pictured above. I have to admit I spent ages trying to pick the perfect fabric, the one Susan used in the book was so pretty it was hard to find something as good, but I think I managed it with Cloud 9's Peacock print from Alegria (a 2012 collection). I'd been stashing it for a while waiting for the right project and this was it. <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYv68-wrRQCeS4t8DzJwcpdT-6ZvACMXzZl9vG5dhh6Nltfhu5iHrdX9GSpa0k5fSvTsq6gaUi1yxQxzDXG3AzKZixhR_aiYBLg7Dq_ApdWWQXOSpw9s-xSTCfztLSWIgJ9B9DyI2x5s/s1600/bag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYv68-wrRQCeS4t8DzJwcpdT-6ZvACMXzZl9vG5dhh6Nltfhu5iHrdX9GSpa0k5fSvTsq6gaUi1yxQxzDXG3AzKZixhR_aiYBLg7Dq_ApdWWQXOSpw9s-xSTCfztLSWIgJ9B9DyI2x5s/s1600/bag2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />The most time consuming part of the whole project was the cutting and interfacing, I spent most the morning doing that. But the instructions were simple to follow plus the book has full size patterns for you to trace and use. Books with patterns that require sizing up totally put me off so it's a definite plus point for this book.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUMxD1xHDLx6sp_woecDZPyJMXI7r__-yfWvJg8q1HFUBWo-zp_0mGwgofmtv0BclXQHQBYOQB8gVXKYpoLtU7T2mo1A3-BtR4o-328hv7xQML0xD8tRv3ypKfLos-gvsYvJndSxfLJE/s1600/bag3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUMxD1xHDLx6sp_woecDZPyJMXI7r__-yfWvJg8q1HFUBWo-zp_0mGwgofmtv0BclXQHQBYOQB8gVXKYpoLtU7T2mo1A3-BtR4o-328hv7xQML0xD8tRv3ypKfLos-gvsYvJndSxfLJE/s1600/bag3.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />One of the reasons I picked this project was that you didn't need any special bag making supplies other than a magnetic snap (but you could use velcro if you don't have a snap). The actual construction was quick and simple, I added a few extra pockets internally so I could fit everything in, this is simple to do. The instructions were easy to follow, not confusing at all and there were useful diagrams to help guide you too. <br />
<br />
The most difficult part was the final stitching when sewing through 4 layers of fabric and several layers of interfacing, it got a bit tricky but all turned out ok in the end. I was very impresed with my finished bag, this is the first handbag I've ever made. <br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGvwPDxeG8EIMtsVXgyOjtOd0R-C1PTvXe4A36TqUJv0CiPyHuiEE_J-ovWmB3oDbAcg3_Ipxvw7OnM5rjCwX_VW7UpRh5b5kek5eL5Fx4X2BxmN1CrxQNRv5Kq_ahZzzIdcsxOfXP74/s1600/bag+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGvwPDxeG8EIMtsVXgyOjtOd0R-C1PTvXe4A36TqUJv0CiPyHuiEE_J-ovWmB3oDbAcg3_Ipxvw7OnM5rjCwX_VW7UpRh5b5kek5eL5Fx4X2BxmN1CrxQNRv5Kq_ahZzzIdcsxOfXP74/s1600/bag+finished.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Although I split the project over 2 days you could easily make this in one day. There are several other bags in the book I want to make, especially now I know how easy the book is to follow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8P8xOQCYLrlaeP7S9yn7H60MCGH3y5Nziy3LW29flaue8IMywIBW_oorLwO-zafqhJb98CBooeJIMQJ6mpJ7qQFg3KQwuhohLATL6t6INHbNshkL2M30dQ2p0Kc7Ryd-6CXgQw6fdLU/s1600/susan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8P8xOQCYLrlaeP7S9yn7H60MCGH3y5Nziy3LW29flaue8IMywIBW_oorLwO-zafqhJb98CBooeJIMQJ6mpJ7qQFg3KQwuhohLATL6t6INHbNshkL2M30dQ2p0Kc7Ryd-6CXgQw6fdLU/s1600/susan.jpg" height="320" width="279" /></a></div>
<br />I think this will have to be my next one, it looks really spacious. I'm thinking it'd be a good project bag for taking supplies to my sewing group. It'd also be a good beach bag too. <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_GTDLEZe56mI1jPIjwPblxpZ9s-jooePVSq91Zt_7xd7b_I0IIdY2SZ7erRuwLeFrk6HX_fyUCd_qEKFvUklIs8EmI5m_XHPP_QFsapsf65HKO3AxCwumt0lYDlvxnCyw8FhD3mbIRI/s1600/susan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_GTDLEZe56mI1jPIjwPblxpZ9s-jooePVSq91Zt_7xd7b_I0IIdY2SZ7erRuwLeFrk6HX_fyUCd_qEKFvUklIs8EmI5m_XHPP_QFsapsf65HKO3AxCwumt0lYDlvxnCyw8FhD3mbIRI/s1600/susan2.jpg" height="320" width="280" /></a></div>
<br />
I also like the look of this bag too as a bigger handbag, I like wearing cross body bags. You can see more of the bags in her book on the look inside feature <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Style-Swing-Structured-Beginners-Patchwork/dp/1604684674/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430212426&sr=1-1&keywords=style+and+swing">on Amazon. </a><br />
<br />
When it comes to buying the book through do pop over the<a href="http://www.susieddesigns.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3703402-Style-and-Swing-12-Structured-Handbags-for-Beginners-and-Beyond-by-Susan-Dunlop.html"> Susan's site,</a> not only is it available early there (not published on Amazon until the 28th May but available on her site now) but it's £5 cheaper than Amazon and comes signed!<br />
<br />
I think the book is great, and even if you haven't made a bag before it's easy to follow and covers all the bag construction techniques you need. She has rated the projects by difficulty, the one I picked was an advanced beginner one but was still simple given that I've never made a bag before.<br />
<br />
Hopefully this is the first of many projects that I'll get to sew now that I have a little more free time :) <br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-60052074905048338122015-03-24T02:57:00.000-07:002015-03-25T03:31:10.860-07:00Sewing Bucket ListOver the last 5 years, since launching <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/">The Sewing Directory,</a> sewing has been something I have had to squeeze into the odd hour here and there when I wasn't working. There have been so many things I wanted to make and no time to do it. I've been limited to quick and easy projects to make the most of the small amount of sewing time I had. <br />
<br />
I finally decided last year that working 7 days a week every possible hour was not good for me or my health so I have a <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/news/2015/02/27/new-business-partner/">new business partner </a>starting and I will drop to working 4 days a week. Which means suddenly I will have time to sew!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksIxki9XfJLEqTBv39ihCxsB4jpvTbxFiSmOBVuZwUT8Om-wI_PX7CQUmgat5c74ncKXHBcY_KhU4x-4R4ZMSoWltzlgF2N9ZgvYrGev4I6MLOcZW9S8gdqtanVkF1iylgeNFnl_xo7E/s1600/applique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksIxki9XfJLEqTBv39ihCxsB4jpvTbxFiSmOBVuZwUT8Om-wI_PX7CQUmgat5c74ncKXHBcY_KhU4x-4R4ZMSoWltzlgF2N9ZgvYrGev4I6MLOcZW9S8gdqtanVkF1iylgeNFnl_xo7E/s1600/applique.jpg" /></a><br />
So now is time to remember all those projects I wanted to make and make a start on them. I've decided to write a sewing bucket list of things I want to sew and new techniques I want to learn. It's in no way a definitive list but just the things I want to start with first.<br />
<br />
<br />
I've bought a couple of books in preparation for a couple of the new techniques I want to try: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Applique-Art-Freehand-Machine-Embroidered-Pictures/dp/1844488683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427189327&sr=8-1&keywords=applique+art+abigail+mill">Applique Art </a>(for free motion embroidery applique) and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Steps-Free-Motion-Christina-Cameli/dp/1607056720/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427189380&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=freemachine+quilting">First Steps in Free Motion Quilting.</a> I definitely want some time to work through the techniques in these books and have a go at some of the projects.<br />
<br />
I've also bought a few of the patterns I've seen online that I wanted to have a go at including the<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/accessory/sew-together-bag/36309"> Sew Together Bag</a> that I've seen all over Instagram and really want to make, <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2014/07/introducing-hazel-hedgehog-new-pattern-and-giveaway.html">The Hazel Hedgehog pattern</a> from Oh Fransson I have plans to incorporate this block into a project bag I want to make.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLlBhordt_MhMdI5rchXVjt5EvSXj2r_3beDpAwK204ppA-AgDLLvdNABgEOqczowGVo4s4VEJXUbNUd_vdWO-pLbUxjvS8lFsd_qbUBdxsuN6yWxdioYocrVvCHG2Iec32rW-6e48WI/s1600/hedgehog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLlBhordt_MhMdI5rchXVjt5EvSXj2r_3beDpAwK204ppA-AgDLLvdNABgEOqczowGVo4s4VEJXUbNUd_vdWO-pLbUxjvS8lFsd_qbUBdxsuN6yWxdioYocrVvCHG2Iec32rW-6e48WI/s1600/hedgehog.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How cute is Hazel Hedgehog? Image © <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/">www.ohfransson.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've been wanting to make an oven glove, a project bag for taking supplies to my sewing group, a new handbag, storage pockets to hang from the bed, a bag for my embroidery supplies, a pencil case, new cushion covers, a rag quilt for my son to finish plus I have close to 100 sewing books that I want to make projects from so I suspect I have enough to keep me busy for years!<br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to rediscovering my love of sewing an trying new projects and techniques, and blogging about them as I go.<br />
<br />
What do you plan to sew this year? Any new techniques you are looking to master? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-47409929461823766522015-03-16T13:40:00.001-07:002015-03-16T13:50:44.671-07:00New Business Partner and more Handmade GiftsApologies for the lack of blog posts lately. It's been a manic few months, I have a new business partner starting next month and it's taken a lot of work to get to that point which hasn't left much time for blogging.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv8pIcNSAZhRN1Pnc0YMMveTzo_6K3znKNXDe7LYu7VxFOBQmc7Zy6Xk7hLNo5UneK4ABnEXngvJGSlH758U9VujO2W_rM2kxUyUOf4f8PFxIgiNzbo14l5VhGM6N4Oj9h7s1aUKRmEQ/s1600/Julie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv8pIcNSAZhRN1Pnc0YMMveTzo_6K3znKNXDe7LYu7VxFOBQmc7Zy6Xk7hLNo5UneK4ABnEXngvJGSlH758U9VujO2W_rM2kxUyUOf4f8PFxIgiNzbo14l5VhGM6N4Oj9h7s1aUKRmEQ/s1600/Julie.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm pleased to announce that Sewing World editor, Julie Briggs, will be leaving the magazine at the end of this month and then starting with me me at The Sewing Directory mid April. She will be focusing on the content side of the site building up more great projects, tutorials and features for you to read. Find out more <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/news/2015/02/27/new-business-partner/">here. </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN98PyVp3k3qNW2HX7yQzRXh6hpCh7Jyhxef0d47zvv7p213q4jP1b88XaJPL8E81iX6wM3VFFof4YAdQuI2n-T5Es01whfO4Czku_TF0BQHCtrcY9mb3CK3uvUX1scYAbe31C76Na8s/s1600/knitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN98PyVp3k3qNW2HX7yQzRXh6hpCh7Jyhxef0d47zvv7p213q4jP1b88XaJPL8E81iX6wM3VFFof4YAdQuI2n-T5Es01whfO4Czku_TF0BQHCtrcY9mb3CK3uvUX1scYAbe31C76Na8s/s1600/knitting.jpg" height="380" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've managed some sewing in between all the business side of things and have kept on track with my pledge to make a handmade gift a month. In February I made my mum the yarn holder she wanted from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sew-licious-Little-Things-projects-beautiful/dp/1782491902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426537831&sr=8-1&keywords=sew+licious">Sew-Licious Little Things by Kate Haxell. </a>It was a mother's day present so I have it to her this weekend and she loved it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4h-pGwsxqJiJncRilDb96w-ioSmjYfC9ndaz2EdgfBguU5TsmS6zAWWKr0II54SoIkg3ooemcKJeFE7FNbXDgF0DibsfQvWgDmYTuGPFkT6MmGJ41GD14RDefGN2KupK9F0kO1iXqSU/s1600/mothers+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4h-pGwsxqJiJncRilDb96w-ioSmjYfC9ndaz2EdgfBguU5TsmS6zAWWKr0II54SoIkg3ooemcKJeFE7FNbXDgF0DibsfQvWgDmYTuGPFkT6MmGJ41GD14RDefGN2KupK9F0kO1iXqSU/s1600/mothers+day.jpg" height="345" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
For March's handmade gift I made fabric boxes from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Torie-Jaynes-Stylish-Home-Sewing/dp/1782491937/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426538066&sr=1-1&keywords=stylish+home+sewing">Stylish Home Sewing by Torie Jayne</a>. I made the celtic one for my mum, and the woodland one for my mother in law - again both as mother's day gifts.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4AvVTGm6cjCUh8dqjay37nNZKksSeRnOkXuealxgJlceCtqs6GO6LtOmudEp8lKKkQ5XV5mkXWycNLPKB_nAD_2g59TgxIxxf_u3zAzDQ82vtkmBTDiexpPR3U_tKCzZcHcrTfsFZJQ/s1600/box.jpg" height="380" width="400" /></div>
<br />
I couldn't resist making a few for myself to, they perfectly fit fat quarters of fabric in (around 25-30 per box) so are great for organising your sewing room. I made the black one above for myself plus another woodland one. I'm sure I'll be making more in the future too.<br />
<br />
If you'd like to make your own one the publishers, <a href="http://www.rylandpeters.com/">Cico Books,</a> have kindly let me put the project from the book onto my site - <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/fabric-storage-cube/">find it here.</a> <br />
<br />
I'm hoping that once Julie starts I'll have even more time for sewing (and blogging).<br />
<br />
What have you been making lately? Do feel free to include links to pics/details in the comments. <br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-32979205760333064502015-02-01T04:43:00.000-08:002015-02-01T04:50:30.435-08:00January's Handmade GiftI decided to start my year of Handmade Gifts (see <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.co.uk/p/year-of-handmade-gifts.html">this page </a>or the tab at the top of this blog for more info) by making a quilt! I have to admit although I love starting quilts I have never actually finished one... I tend to lose interest after piecing the top and move onto something else so this was quite a personal challenge for me too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFFO2AOKttvigrjnWVzi9lDU8GJXp4LlduY-E3RCPivS5wu8vP2KHQUs2-dvlNWB3dyanerGJyzYEFotD3MUkHHWMMJ0Bcf2VJm2_SkGByUHg-O5knnoCyAjtqLRV3Bs3dR19n2R3Ec8/s1600/fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFFO2AOKttvigrjnWVzi9lDU8GJXp4LlduY-E3RCPivS5wu8vP2KHQUs2-dvlNWB3dyanerGJyzYEFotD3MUkHHWMMJ0Bcf2VJm2_SkGByUHg-O5knnoCyAjtqLRV3Bs3dR19n2R3Ec8/s1600/fabric.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My best friend is having her first baby, a girl due in March, so I decided to make a baby quilt for her. <a href="http://www.makeitcoats.com/en-gb/explore?vanity_url=1&pg=bhandari-collection-by-victoria-and-albert-museum&fh_params=fh_location%3d%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_US%2fpublicationid%3dtcm_0_71_1%2fschematitle%3dcrafts2eproduct%2f71_product_groups%3E{71_product_groups__dir__fabrics}%2f71_designers%3E{71_designers__dir__t_z}%2f71_designers__dir__t_z%3E{71_designers__dir__t_z__dir__victoria___albert_museum}%2f71_product_fabric_collections%3E{71_product_fabric_collections__dir__bhandari_collection}%26fh_view_size%3d12%26fh_sort_by%3d-publishdate">Coats Crafts</a> kindly sent me samples of the new V & A collection (on sale this month I believe) which is called <a href="http://www.makeitcoats.com/en-us/discover/moodboards/victoria-and-albert-museum-bhandari">Bhandari </a>the collection has strong colours and prints inspired by traditional Indian fabrics.<br />
<br />
It may not be the obvious choice for a baby quilt but my friend loves pink, and I didn't want to make something too babyish that the baby would grow out of quickly. I wanted to make it fairly large and in a fabric which would hopefully appeal for a few years.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI0eEQJzyvMCd-jiqggQ5lNv5nMaoO3oGVWfujO6klNqy5UAwZkngGndgDUAUAzq0napYtjW4Wdl3Ll1SYzUobkt5QwcMoSRn1EkBR6HFDYeJ1O3Fj1coCpptEjwvNvQlSS5Oqq-wnEY/s1600/2015-01-06+16.07.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI0eEQJzyvMCd-jiqggQ5lNv5nMaoO3oGVWfujO6klNqy5UAwZkngGndgDUAUAzq0napYtjW4Wdl3Ll1SYzUobkt5QwcMoSRn1EkBR6HFDYeJ1O3Fj1coCpptEjwvNvQlSS5Oqq-wnEY/s1600/2015-01-06+16.07.12.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The exact fabrics I received are above. I decided to pull out the turquoise one and add in a few pink Kona Solids which matched the pinks in the fabrics. The prints are quilt bold so it needed some solids to break them up a bit, and to add in more pink. In total I used 8 fat quarters but had about 1/3 of each left over at the end so I could done it with less. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzi6j_LQ0hv3G5bLpRJ5cSscHm_H3X1KbY4tiUp_FHuNtM1N25s5f5uFkuUronUTCpjs_Vz-hcsH5Ykp0dfgw0KUa5DKnAfBQBHMpBwzbn7FDDoZr9q_8bn6iyaDJVMpgly7j5vl2ZcRY/s1600/2015-01-18+14.07.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzi6j_LQ0hv3G5bLpRJ5cSscHm_H3X1KbY4tiUp_FHuNtM1N25s5f5uFkuUronUTCpjs_Vz-hcsH5Ykp0dfgw0KUa5DKnAfBQBHMpBwzbn7FDDoZr9q_8bn6iyaDJVMpgly7j5vl2ZcRY/s1600/2015-01-18+14.07.38.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I decided to cut the squares 6 inches, and have 5 rows across and 6 rows length ways. I started by laying all the squares out on my new cutting table to decide on the layout, I wanted to make sure each row and none of the same fabrics, and none of the same fabrics were next to each other but other than that the order would be random.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTDvboOeWd9-O1ngs-mcEkymcXYBQi78Ca4Cv9AZTKwcQG8noPGV1JQf2V4VryAsTZzUDHkhhSJNfu2wx3kS-R88ftqigMN-X8qHnWCO7B58Aes6xICidY1bMShVJjTipGTd37jdgm7c/s1600/2015-01-18+15.36.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTDvboOeWd9-O1ngs-mcEkymcXYBQi78Ca4Cv9AZTKwcQG8noPGV1JQf2V4VryAsTZzUDHkhhSJNfu2wx3kS-R88ftqigMN-X8qHnWCO7B58Aes6xICidY1bMShVJjTipGTd37jdgm7c/s1600/2015-01-18+15.36.34.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I then pieced one row at a time, putting them back on the table after sewn so I didn't lose track with what was going where. For the backing I had a piece of fleece from <a href="http://www.abakhan.co.uk/">Abakhan Fabrics </a>which I thought would be ideal. It was navy blue, and would be nice and soft against the baby and keep her warm too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xoYhjqT1yWMJT-bubwmLCGI4VG2-d7ptucH9tVaKBlz02TUiePehNU3BCnBNk5igo5Kw7XiALUKZbx0Ow9MBgH4f-B_jHYDbIeh6dAukt-aUDX8vgiEYrJ8PE6lu78yTO15hnX267oc/s1600/2015-01-24+12.46.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xoYhjqT1yWMJT-bubwmLCGI4VG2-d7ptucH9tVaKBlz02TUiePehNU3BCnBNk5igo5Kw7XiALUKZbx0Ow9MBgH4f-B_jHYDbIeh6dAukt-aUDX8vgiEYrJ8PE6lu78yTO15hnX267oc/s1600/2015-01-24+12.46.48.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I decided to quilt it diagonally across the squares, which created larger squares in the quilt as you can see in the picture above. For the binding I opted for pink pre-cut bias binding. I wanted to make the overall quilt a little pinker as there is more purple than pink in the fabrics. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF7CNLeb298vPY4tEOHc1kidYi04ctZkZw20fXycyI7K1qikIDoZZ-u4DZ76xFJAsjICQYKbS8yo11vXsR9DQjtwu-UBqswlQLfrBuswYdEshXY8qIykc4JZ8x86p-_BxuwmgFRRr75Y/s1600/2015-01-24+13.23.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF7CNLeb298vPY4tEOHc1kidYi04ctZkZw20fXycyI7K1qikIDoZZ-u4DZ76xFJAsjICQYKbS8yo11vXsR9DQjtwu-UBqswlQLfrBuswYdEshXY8qIykc4JZ8x86p-_BxuwmgFRRr75Y/s1600/2015-01-24+13.23.34.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Below is a picture of the finished quilt, my first ever quilt finish! Plus I did the whole thing in under a month (I started mid Jan). I only get the odd hour here and there to sew so normally projects drag on for months but this challenge to do one per month made me do it a lot quicker than I normally would as I was conscious of finishing before the end of the month. I cut it bit fine and finished 6pm on the 31st Jan!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuZl_wLoL8Doo2oAoNIRYK-xTuzCclQlCO7HFxr-Nh26QAKZ-Kj4vI-NnXfISE0Glicj6eAh0uPBfALjXARa7oMRdFS1uO-A3PqSrcWAenEQjHfhapopsa1ZpEWaXZ3nSLRKBlX7U6js/s1600/2015-02-01+11.18.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuZl_wLoL8Doo2oAoNIRYK-xTuzCclQlCO7HFxr-Nh26QAKZ-Kj4vI-NnXfISE0Glicj6eAh0uPBfALjXARa7oMRdFS1uO-A3PqSrcWAenEQjHfhapopsa1ZpEWaXZ3nSLRKBlX7U6js/s1600/2015-02-01+11.18.15.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSn5EakikqMca7qrzJEiFpiYJOpxtHRMmfWA9kYrfHw_yAiCAiTJ2KzRnpm_QuefWbRnYWJUHFMCJYteoqSPXWWqs1GwjcXuXW-e9SFHbH22cmzAoyAzoRMiA8R5M68SY_RsOIm899xk/s1600/quilt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSn5EakikqMca7qrzJEiFpiYJOpxtHRMmfWA9kYrfHw_yAiCAiTJ2KzRnpm_QuefWbRnYWJUHFMCJYteoqSPXWWqs1GwjcXuXW-e9SFHbH22cmzAoyAzoRMiA8R5M68SY_RsOIm899xk/s1600/quilt+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My next project will be a mother's day present, I had intended to make an embroidered notebook cover but my mum was flicking through my new craft books a couple weeks ago and spotted something she wanted. A yarn holder from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sew-licious-Little-Things-projects-beautiful/dp/1782491902/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422791945&sr=1-9&keywords=kate+haxell">Sew-Licious: Little Things</a> by Kate Hexall. my mum uses larger balls of yarn than the ones it is made for so I'll have to make a larger version for her but hopefully it won't be too difficult to adjust the pattern.<br />
<br />
The one in the book is pictured below. I haven't decided on fabrics yet but I'm considering using the striped fabric from the new Amy Butler collection ,<a href="http://www.makeitcoats.com/en-us/explore?vanity_url=1&pg=violette-collection-by-amy-butler&fh_params=fh_location%3d%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_US%2fpublicationid%3dtcm_0_72_1%2fschematitle%3dcrafts2eproduct%2f72_product_groups%3E{72_product_groups__dir__fabrics}%2f72_designers%3E{72_designers__dir__a}%2f72_designers__dir__a%3E{72_designers__dir__a__dir__amy_butler}%2f72_product_fabric_collections%3E{72_product_fabric_collections__dir__violette_collection}%26fh_view_size%3d12%26fh_sort_by%3d-publishdate">Violette. </a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28ZxVYLVpIK0f68Sz615BgjltxHKZ06u_0zyHlidYxfq4H7LA9IBsi_67W4nOhp_a2oo_qsPc3MCZNERZ9jyC6-KFPg0aVddHM7U3Ist06UXdrNYwm-W4wUPzxlUH1w7CvkSicXNG7tw/s1600/p89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28ZxVYLVpIK0f68Sz615BgjltxHKZ06u_0zyHlidYxfq4H7LA9IBsi_67W4nOhp_a2oo_qsPc3MCZNERZ9jyC6-KFPg0aVddHM7U3Ist06UXdrNYwm-W4wUPzxlUH1w7CvkSicXNG7tw/s1600/p89.jpg" height="400" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yarn holder from Sew-Licious: Little Things by Kate Haxell published by Cico. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
To find out more about the fabrics I used visit the <a href="http://www.makeitcoats.com/en-us/discover/moodboards/victoria-and-albert-museum-bhandari">Coats Crafts</a> website. </div>
Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-12557215575223927732015-01-14T09:47:00.001-08:002015-01-14T09:47:31.561-08:00Feature on Sew Mama Sew and giveaway!I am very excited today for 2 reasons, firstly my book is charting in the US. Not particularly high yet, number 79 in reference books on<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Creative-Business-Marketing-Successful/dp/1782210520/ref=la_B00LB7HM70_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415444287&sr=1-1"> Amazon.com</a> but I'm still excited nonetheless I wasn't sure whether it would make any kind of splash over there or not. It only went on sale in the US and Canada yesterday so I'm hoping it's going to build over time.<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZXPgsZxHQweA2zWLS8a1mptYdzNlqmV4UXTg9wLQB-1xI8xwtmzLUzhGbrsTZhSLRpisp5fxWhQYM_DxCUhvpss2sW0Em2WUa02xS5gK11ILdsSiz6sKyJsWiKlfISJsKXL8gK3v5t8/s1600/Charting+in+the+US.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZXPgsZxHQweA2zWLS8a1mptYdzNlqmV4UXTg9wLQB-1xI8xwtmzLUzhGbrsTZhSLRpisp5fxWhQYM_DxCUhvpss2sW0Em2WUa02xS5gK11ILdsSiz6sKyJsWiKlfISJsKXL8gK3v5t8/s1600/Charting+in+the+US.jpg" height="190" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The second reason is that an article I wrote for <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/">Sew Mama Sew</a> has been published! You can read it <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2015/01/how-to-cope-with-the-sense-of-isolation-when-working-from-home-giveaway/">here</a>, they are also giving away 5 copies of my book too. I wrote about the sense of isolation you can experience when working from home alone, something I'm sure many of you can relate to. <br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2015/01/how-to-cope-with-the-sense-of-isolation-when-working-from-home-giveaway/"><img alt="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2015/01/how-to-cope-with-the-sense-of-isolation-when-working-from-home-giveaway/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqceEki3zzu3y6REKmKriOoZkrPtVo4Dmdqqwb8Enq4tv39JkobchtWLXxUcV30RSmQi2lr_zlRAYdmrKQ1cRLZV_VoIbucpF879Xu8z8VX9MJK5ZgnD36D1PYluza0pynVCYjAKzLB9E/s1600/sms_contrib_red_300.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />As well as all that excitement I have also had a really busy few days shooting photos for a whole set of new tutorials for the site, techniques guides. There will be guides to different hem and seam techniques, pressing tips, sewing tips from an expert stitcher, a guide to hand stitching stitches, a guide to machine stitches and some alterations tutorials. <br />
<br />
I'm going to be busy editing photos and uploading the tutorials for the next couple of weeks and then I'm going to put the live 1 per week over the next 3 months. <br />
<br />
I'd love to know what sewing techniques you'd like to see featured in the future, please do comment below and let me know and I'll see if I can get them into the next lot I do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYINmZVVWqp01s65FSDqeNifCekiV6yKkKf0M9c3HRaEs0SuRY_6VTXVF1yRDOTDd6QKZPxqaNjZvyO0cD2k1T8GlcZbjDvY1NkMFG9cegLKxlJQwvdrQTEM4YsmBCrxCyVtNCi4f4WfY/s1600/2015-01-14+11.36.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYINmZVVWqp01s65FSDqeNifCekiV6yKkKf0M9c3HRaEs0SuRY_6VTXVF1yRDOTDd6QKZPxqaNjZvyO0cD2k1T8GlcZbjDvY1NkMFG9cegLKxlJQwvdrQTEM4YsmBCrxCyVtNCi4f4WfY/s1600/2015-01-14+11.36.43.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-53223898117781171922015-01-08T03:07:00.004-08:002015-01-08T03:10:43.646-08:00Year of Handmade Gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51dc7hckMGLwgwbg8R5h87OlUDGQPBzBMrxuUyYU0Ws3lQwB319Rlv5ESBcvUOu7Rkb1CP1IpbQg9qZvSNH2VCrezxkUroDmIHvLbAEkTSLWGYTPIP4F_K1R9bwZd52gFtB9gg4JOCXo/s1600/Year+of+handmade+gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51dc7hckMGLwgwbg8R5h87OlUDGQPBzBMrxuUyYU0Ws3lQwB319Rlv5ESBcvUOu7Rkb1CP1IpbQg9qZvSNH2VCrezxkUroDmIHvLbAEkTSLWGYTPIP4F_K1R9bwZd52gFtB9gg4JOCXo/s1600/Year+of+handmade+gifts.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hello everyone, welcome to 2015! I realised at the end of last year that as with every year I planned to make several people handmade gifts, even bought the fabric ready and then never got around to it so I decided this year I will aim to make 1 handmade gift a month and share my progress through my blog.<br />
<br />
I'd love to have you sew a long with me, making your own handmade gifts too so please do either post links to what you have been making in the comments section each month or come and join <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/975331135828805/">the Facebook group</a> I've set up. I thought we could share our pictures, links to useful projects, ideas and inspiration in the Facebook group. Do feel free to nab the image above to use on your blog and link back to this post for anyone who wants to join in. <br />
<br />
I've decided I'm not going to be too strict with myself so will aim for 12 handmade gifts in the year, but not necessarily 1 made each month. I'm sure there will be some months I might manage 2-3 and other months where I don't manage any. So as long as it averages out to 1 per month I'll be happy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFSZ-yGltw875M70PJHudquJXwG3ZJaC2Y-cc1hVOu4p5KjPocfor_5TR3FtLMNW1qz193v8PUpSRuX4XataNhLOtCs1SV7-I4ZUURwUnuWJd8uJSYVvv1GiZdu_B9x0LONBQ9SGAuFI/s1600/pin+cushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFSZ-yGltw875M70PJHudquJXwG3ZJaC2Y-cc1hVOu4p5KjPocfor_5TR3FtLMNW1qz193v8PUpSRuX4XataNhLOtCs1SV7-I4ZUURwUnuWJd8uJSYVvv1GiZdu_B9x0LONBQ9SGAuFI/s1600/pin+cushion.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is the last handmade gift I made, a pin cushion and needle book set for a secret santa I held at my sewing group. I'm sad to say that is the only handmade gift I managed last Christmas and even then it was a last minute rush! I was so busy with book promotion I didn't have chance to make anything else. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_h7sN9cy8a66EJGhNgzt2LDzx4uFFvG2_W-dnL960RENyqnApxC70jN67SiAuJ1I0AqO_33CZA3fWll0alct4lu0adrNuSRrF44og9e3dBPdNcsNmRkxUVxF_pDty0W21q2b_USuQbE/s1600/2015-01-06+16.07.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_h7sN9cy8a66EJGhNgzt2LDzx4uFFvG2_W-dnL960RENyqnApxC70jN67SiAuJ1I0AqO_33CZA3fWll0alct4lu0adrNuSRrF44og9e3dBPdNcsNmRkxUVxF_pDty0W21q2b_USuQbE/s1600/2015-01-06+16.07.25.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm going to star the year off by making a baby quilt for my best friend who is due to have her first baby in March, a little girl. My friend is obsessed with pink so I'm sure the baby's room will be very pink! So I'm planing to use the fabrics above, the new V & A collection - Bhandari, to make the quilt as the purples will go well with pink plus it has pink in the prints.<br />
<br />
I'll probably mix in some pink and purple Kona solids, any will probably leave out the turquoise print as it doesn't quite fit the colour scheme. The fabrics aren't in the shops yet but will be on sale shortly. I am going to try and write a tutorial for the site whilst I make the quilt, just deciding on the design. It will be pretty simple, either squares or I was considering bricks like a brick wall kind of look. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy4FvWZ3VypB5BB7GN8DdfCJ7CKroBYSZA79BuG3rHFa0vIyaqhhtbb5osk2aw1BAFkz61rUWUo1EUc8q05NOKhgThUxPjTRsEDpIROIOKtaKAMVQuHqBlPvC1tI-72awsHkwFLNXfsM/s1600/2013-10-19+16.44.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy4FvWZ3VypB5BB7GN8DdfCJ7CKroBYSZA79BuG3rHFa0vIyaqhhtbb5osk2aw1BAFkz61rUWUo1EUc8q05NOKhgThUxPjTRsEDpIROIOKtaKAMVQuHqBlPvC1tI-72awsHkwFLNXfsM/s1600/2013-10-19+16.44.59.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then after the quilt I need to start thinking of something for mother's day. I made these gifts for my mother in law a couple years ago and she loved them. I'm considering personalised notebook covers for this year maybe. <br />
<br />
So will you be taking the handmade gift pledge in 2015? If so do comment below and let me know what you plan to start with or come join the conversation in the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/975331135828805/?fref=nf"> Facebook group.</a> <br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-49189512645360716042014-12-22T13:15:00.000-08:002014-12-22T13:16:25.994-08:00A look back on 2014Well what a crazy year 2014 has been, I think I've done more than most people do in 3 years in this year. It started off very stressful with my son just out of hospital after an operation on his throat, my husband in hosptital for 2 weeks, me finishing off writing my book and putting my house on the market....and that was just January!<br />
<br />
It only got more manic from then, The Sewing Directory got super busy whilst <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/sewing-bee/" target="_blank">The Great British Sewing Bee</a> was airing. I was busy interviewing many of the contestants, and writing up the supplies and techniques featured in the show (find them<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/sewing-bee/" target="_blank"> here</a>). <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9evG32zQuM9GMpC6uModUvot79b3Pbdk5TdwlcnBTK2096YxehcF0sMERWrm2nImE6WtU2zZ4SD_7ntonqDzOFFg-nL22ojN_0fSIYRekq6JE3csOMNewYDJgpnuUwBMzeOb5TktqRew/s1600/editing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9evG32zQuM9GMpC6uModUvot79b3Pbdk5TdwlcnBTK2096YxehcF0sMERWrm2nImE6WtU2zZ4SD_7ntonqDzOFFg-nL22ojN_0fSIYRekq6JE3csOMNewYDJgpnuUwBMzeOb5TktqRew/s1600/editing.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Editing with my red pen (just like school!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
At the same time I sold my house, started packing up and getting ready to move and then the sale fell through! All of this was going on whilst editing my book, reading the 240+ pages over and over again to make sure every little thing was right. I've been blogging about the whole book writing process <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.co.uk/p/writing-craft-book.html" target="_blank">here</a> if you'd like a look. <br />
<br />
The house had to go back on the market but luckily we found another buy fairly quickly, although we had to take quite a big financial hit. But on the plus side by the end of May we moved from Cardiff to Devon, city life to country life. It was quite a big lifestyle change but I am really enjoying it, we're loving having our own garden to grow veg (pictured below). <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87pkcAnJYakGHp7dArTDfuMvrds3S3WElKiKjBAkRhxEYbb6wKSRqD685GEpTGB4d8RPUDTuE-GSMu69BvZFHzG8KClH-bYvg8G77AwwAYAGxLSxI8581JyMQq7CUYhI_-HpHe6_HX6w/s1600/garden1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87pkcAnJYakGHp7dArTDfuMvrds3S3WElKiKjBAkRhxEYbb6wKSRqD685GEpTGB4d8RPUDTuE-GSMu69BvZFHzG8KClH-bYvg8G77AwwAYAGxLSxI8581JyMQq7CUYhI_-HpHe6_HX6w/s1600/garden1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half of our back garden before we planted veg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also in my new house I now have sewing room which is in the house. In the old place it was in the garage which was cold and a bit damp (I had to wash my whole stash when I moved!), now it's half of my bedroom so I can easily sew whenever I feel like it and I'm surrounded by my stash!<br />
<br />
There's a post about my sewing room, with photos<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/new-sewing-room-at-last.html" target="_blank"> here. </a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJVXJkS64sHKZ8oHsAMoFqqLO98fiIt_1-z6N19e_e9ViQrVF24_ndlcb0I4fsUlNgRhg97MFUECii-7V7hbvEtbi3hs3kxjZpH8MN7HPEcny1QhPy-uRQAdfBir5EGCaLgsRSznlDSo/s1600/Sewing+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJVXJkS64sHKZ8oHsAMoFqqLO98fiIt_1-z6N19e_e9ViQrVF24_ndlcb0I4fsUlNgRhg97MFUECii-7V7hbvEtbi3hs3kxjZpH8MN7HPEcny1QhPy-uRQAdfBir5EGCaLgsRSznlDSo/s1600/Sewing+room.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new sewing room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By the time we moved and unpacked it was the summer, most of which was spent entertaining visitors and exploring our new area. Although I did squeeze in a trip to the Festival of Quilts too which was brilliant, I did buy a large amount of fabric whilst there (blogged <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/festival-of-quilts-2014.html" target="_blank">here</a>)! Also in the summer my book went to print so I had to start on the promotion to ensure people would be talking about the book in October when it went on sale. Plus start of the summer I set up a new website to accompany the book, full of business guides and advice for craft businesses: <a href="http://www.craftacreativebusiness.co.uk/">www.craftacreativebusiness.co.uk</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5t7Wtr9i5KRuHSmfUBYTQgzFUdqQbl7sBisBxJpWch6kxjRys7Ck1JyjkzqziqIvajQdRddKWGcTVnKdwauDto-gi71N7O8nl6kJBsAlglbPytVwNt3utY0U_uZ5xk6WYsbyTRorHdXY/s1600/2014-08-10+17.37.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5t7Wtr9i5KRuHSmfUBYTQgzFUdqQbl7sBisBxJpWch6kxjRys7Ck1JyjkzqziqIvajQdRddKWGcTVnKdwauDto-gi71N7O8nl6kJBsAlglbPytVwNt3utY0U_uZ5xk6WYsbyTRorHdXY/s1600/2014-08-10+17.37.22.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My haul from FOQ! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The autumn and the winter of 2014 was pretty much taken up with the book, all the PR, the book going on sale, the book hitting number 1 on the Starting a Business chart on Amazon! I also managed to squeeze in a trip to London to meet the amazing Zandra Rhode and talk about her new fabric collection. Do take a look at the stunning pics of her studio <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/meeting-zandra-rhodes.html">here.</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopnT_o_rBDXwUJhoeBJXBjiqmSL3gE0ziji96ICNZOj9cqOeSjDWIeIe98Qn6Lylp_7o3KYZipgu5fK2Rgdsc4LnxtC5xL0bEjeVz0xfO6BjTAifIlpqztcFWsNVJKqss18hQloXAhVA/s1600/DSCF1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopnT_o_rBDXwUJhoeBJXBjiqmSL3gE0ziji96ICNZOj9cqOeSjDWIeIe98Qn6Lylp_7o3KYZipgu5fK2Rgdsc4LnxtC5xL0bEjeVz0xfO6BjTAifIlpqztcFWsNVJKqss18hQloXAhVA/s1600/DSCF1205.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Zandra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On top of all that I was of course still running The Sewing Directory, and freelancing for many magazines. The Sewing Directory has grown hugely this year with around 50 new businesses listed plus a large amount of new content. Some of the most popular includes the brilliant <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/bag-making-techniques/">bag making serie</a>s, Lauren Guthrie's guide to making <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/thermal-lined-curtains-project/">thermal lined curtains</a>, Lorna Knight's <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/accurate-fitting/">tips for accurate fitting</a> and the <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/how-to-cross-stitch/">beginner's guide to cross stitch</a>. Plus there were over half a million unique visitors to the site this year. I also managed to blog quite a lot this year, this post is now my 300th post on this blog! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/accurate-fitting/"><img alt="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/accurate-fitting/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EItVK2nWjiOsqRBi9Iff_7lfA9G4v4kbgmLnK10Cq69LK0YWAi62ZASXaxW5ZU1RpEa4SF2CwbLDTieceBCN7rsSJLwvhQHEwHdR3tvJn_VGrJIcXlJNB9D0qcMMDRzQThHhTP_PV2U/s1600/Accurate+Fitting.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It has been a whirlwind of a year, I'm not quite sure how I managed to fit it all in. To be honest it has been very stressful and exhausting but I did manage to get a lot done. I'm hoping that 2015 will be much more relaxing! <br />
<br />
The one thing I really didn't get much time for last year was sewing, my list of projects that I want to sew has grown hugely and I barely managed one or 2 things of the list. So next year's plan is to sew much more. I'm setting myself the challenge of sewing one handmade gift per month for 2015, if anyone wants to join in and blog their progress throughout the year please do. I've blogged about it <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/Handmade-Gifts-Year.html">here </a>and will set up a Facebook group for it in the new year where we can share projects, photos and ideas. <br />
<br />
So how was your 2014? What have you got planned for 2015? <br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-79921763606032060262014-12-19T06:46:00.001-08:002014-12-19T06:46:29.934-08:00Book Promotion - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69ZGRqBVeoXlrzVlf7kmq1A4r0G2rTvh9yRjTEQmDTdbKbAgY1ldvNjxTbeK0CrDMQuSizt3cjxGlI6DY0zi-lbF8-iDqCca3wH0vO8yiDZ1aBqnpEY-q_aJ-HkN5joVB0F7tyRskSeA/s1600/How+I+promoted+my+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69ZGRqBVeoXlrzVlf7kmq1A4r0G2rTvh9yRjTEQmDTdbKbAgY1ldvNjxTbeK0CrDMQuSizt3cjxGlI6DY0zi-lbF8-iDqCca3wH0vO8yiDZ1aBqnpEY-q_aJ-HkN5joVB0F7tyRskSeA/s1600/How+I+promoted+my+book.jpg" height="228" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As promised this is the second part of my post on book promotion, find the first part <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/book-promotion-part-1.html" target="_blank">here. </a><br />
<br />
<b>Facebook Advertising</b><br />
<br />
The only form of paid advertising I did for my book was Facebook advertising. I was promoting the book on my Facebook page anyway so I decided to pay to boost a couple of the posts and ran one sidebar advert too.<br />
<br />
I spent just over £5 on the sidebar advert and got 228 clicks through to the book listing on Amazon so I thought that was well worth the money. If even 10-20% of those people bought the book it would have lead to 22-44 sales.<br />
<br />
I think I spent about £12 on boosted posts as well, so in total £17 on advertising. I think I might run another sidebar ad in the future for the book, you can target it very precisely to people who like crafts and business.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bNwK5DY9BYtYE2O1u6LDXitLuYGIYmh9g2vPWsyYwU7QSHfw8x2x0RM6tIVEwXH0ZmzbGNZKjXQqpUkQTevMbwB3GtV_v7j-2TXcamgxhaJuvhu7dPxgf1oaBuFGcE86cb-HDl6LZJo/s1600/Facebook+Ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bNwK5DY9BYtYE2O1u6LDXitLuYGIYmh9g2vPWsyYwU7QSHfw8x2x0RM6tIVEwXH0ZmzbGNZKjXQqpUkQTevMbwB3GtV_v7j-2TXcamgxhaJuvhu7dPxgf1oaBuFGcE86cb-HDl6LZJo/s1600/Facebook+Ad.jpg" height="217" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facebook advert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Social Media Promotion</b><br />
<br />
I used all my social media platforms to promote the book several times in the week of the launch and around once a week after that. I shared pictures of the book on Facebook and Instagram, I pinned it to Pinterest and tweeted about it. I also retweeted or shared reviews, offers and giveaways of the book on social media too.<br />
<br />
The one thing I was a little wary of was overdoing the social media promotion, I didn't want to be going on about it all the time and boring my followers so I tried to make sure I spaced the posts out well and still posted lots of useful content in between. There's a fine line between sharing your news and spamming people with it.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping I got the balance right, no one has complained about me posting so much about the book so that's a good sign! Luckily most the people reviewing the book, and many of the people who bought the book also posted about it on social media so I think plenty of people will have seen it and become aware of the fact the book exists.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSKNyvP4BMgd4xtI-5wlm7iA_cKhZp_bt1E4bxQS-tsbSj4CMa5o9eunKDVTnSV8f5xT6m9Inuu3EVffaMDK7N137nJ6oLQLadjsKLratknrN-Xqys5ER5TzM7DgIttRIztcfgDL9D1o/s1600/2014-11-14+17.26.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSKNyvP4BMgd4xtI-5wlm7iA_cKhZp_bt1E4bxQS-tsbSj4CMa5o9eunKDVTnSV8f5xT6m9Inuu3EVffaMDK7N137nJ6oLQLadjsKLratknrN-Xqys5ER5TzM7DgIttRIztcfgDL9D1o/s1600/2014-11-14+17.26.01.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books piled up at the launch party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Launch party</b><br />
<br />
The launch party is something I was a little unsure about whether to do. I don't really like being centre of attention, and I know from having run sewing meetups it takes a lot of planning. I got a few offers to do ones several hours away from Devon in big cities, but I declined. By the time I considered travel, hotel, providing food & drinks for the party etc it would have cost me more than half my advance. Although I didn't write this book expecting to make lots of money I still wanted to keep some money to compensate for all the time and effort that went into it. I can see that you can quite easily spend your entire advance promoting the book and buying copies for yourself (I got 6 for free which were soon handed out to family members). <br />
<br />
Then in the summer I was chatting with a friend on Facebook who runs a local sewing shop, Jenna from <a href="http://www.exetersewing.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Exeter Sewing Machine Company </a>and she suggested we team up for the launch. Jenna's shop is only 45 mins away from me, and also close to my family and friends which meant it would be easy for them to get to so we decided to go ahead with it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjr2awn0RQJHJ8ExGYZco1N6y9346OiZ-WqQo8T7A2bR-RT2-PdoBf66obV2UdABA5ikgpmQfI9F_aAPvZqCAr2kUo2Wx3zyn2Y4MtlcvOZZ9F89y4jC6iquuccef-PnAH_CTjoiZIGhk/s1600/goodie+bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjr2awn0RQJHJ8ExGYZco1N6y9346OiZ-WqQo8T7A2bR-RT2-PdoBf66obV2UdABA5ikgpmQfI9F_aAPvZqCAr2kUo2Wx3zyn2Y4MtlcvOZZ9F89y4jC6iquuccef-PnAH_CTjoiZIGhk/s1600/goodie+bags.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Launch party goodie bags</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It took about 3 months of planning (most of it in the last month) to sort out where and when, and to get things for the amazing goodie bags (see my <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/the-book-launch.html" target="_blank">post here</a> about the party itself & the goodie bags). We also had to promote the event on social media and locally to make sure people came along. It did get a bit stressful as the night approached making sure everything was ready, and we were unsure how many people would come as many didn't RSVP which made it difficult to calculate how much food and drink to buy. But in the end we had over 60 people and the night was a big success. It was great to meet so many new people in the area who also run creative businesses, plus many of my friends from my sewing group in Exeter came along too. <br />
<br />
I've made a couple of new friends thanks to the launch and that was definitely worth more than book sales. :)<br />
<br />
So as you can see a huge amount of work goes into promoting a book and what I've written about is just what I've done, the publishers have also done a lot of work promoting it too. I never realised when thinking about writing a book that there was so much work after the actual writing was finished. I guess until you've done it once you don't know the full extent of what is involved, which is why I have written <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.blogspot.co.uk/p/writing-craft-book.html" target="_blank">this series </a>to share my experience with you all.<br />
<br />
It's not over yet though.... no I'm not about the announce another book! Now that the majority of the UK promotion is done it's now time to focus on America. My book is published on the 13th of January in the US & Canada so it's back to the start on the promotion cycle again. It will be a lot harder this time as I have much less contacts outside of the UK, but I still want to give it my best and do what I can to make my book succeed. <br />
<br />
I also just realised it's now exactly 2 years since I came up with the idea for my book and starting drafting the plan and setting up meetings with publishers. What a busy 2 years it has been!<br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-29540247349593538722014-12-17T09:20:00.003-08:002014-12-17T10:05:45.871-08:00Book Promotion - Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGGy7AE9Yr4ASM-kFW6423m_XXdLq0SP0-u9KnHxjhtPAVJsmzySdBkGxz2P_9OmURdWL_W-YzNDlMqZIOPyf7i0JADne5gxE6p8hDE0Xzbo1MROquHWbBAuIfzXF0BUd8crV5b_cimQ/s1600/How+I+promoted+my+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGGy7AE9Yr4ASM-kFW6423m_XXdLq0SP0-u9KnHxjhtPAVJsmzySdBkGxz2P_9OmURdWL_W-YzNDlMqZIOPyf7i0JADne5gxE6p8hDE0Xzbo1MROquHWbBAuIfzXF0BUd8crV5b_cimQ/s1600/How+I+promoted+my+book.jpg" height="228" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is the last stage of the book writing process, after spending so long writing and editing your book you need to convince people to buy it. No matter how great your book is unless people know it exists it won't get purchased.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMniiUVgsVWR_gbiA7ihLjprIWpO_nY_aMGcsbCQJEPdesDawXTaBvOCMD-uVMoXmje6vXbvdn3nQkA5VkycOpOweajKzUNlUan_A-E4X8XMyMwUos1NFzOeB0rUqu6OIr9USuyKfgq8/s1600/mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMniiUVgsVWR_gbiA7ihLjprIWpO_nY_aMGcsbCQJEPdesDawXTaBvOCMD-uVMoXmje6vXbvdn3nQkA5VkycOpOweajKzUNlUan_A-E4X8XMyMwUos1NFzOeB0rUqu6OIr9USuyKfgq8/s1600/mary.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Ellingham from Search Press</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Most publishers have their own marketing staff whose job is to promote their books. However they are promoting many other books at the same time so your book will not be their sole focus. Whereas for you the author it is, meaning you can put more time and effort into the promotion than they can. After spending so much time working on the book it seems silly to not put the effort into promoting it too. Although I do have to admit by that stage having just re-read the book several times over whilst editing I was feeling a little sick of it. But you only have one launch so you have to make the most of it no matter how tired you are by then. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.searchpress.com/" target="_blank">Search Press</a> have a lovely PR called Mary, and I told her from the outset that I wanted to work with her on promoting my book and not just leave it all to her. Luckily she was more than happy with and we have worked closely to make sure we are not duplicating work and contacting the same people, and she gave me a lot of autonomy to set up reviewers and giveaways etc without having to refer back to her on every little thing.<br />
<br />
I understand from friends of mine who have written books with other publishers that not all PR's are as friendly and helpful and sometimes you have to go at it alone without knowing what the publisher is doing which is obviously a lot more difficult.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttCK9BDUeZWHe72zymVWr5XKBn0p4Breb6V2-IMDO2sv-yvODwLt7q25588iC73DMHcoF646L7u9jiJ9dtCbKM0wXWzbyD9m2uPy2G7Vq9kEzCG_ARrWgoN7LLpfn98lv1DH5r3qarXk/s1600/First+review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttCK9BDUeZWHe72zymVWr5XKBn0p4Breb6V2-IMDO2sv-yvODwLt7q25588iC73DMHcoF646L7u9jiJ9dtCbKM0wXWzbyD9m2uPy2G7Vq9kEzCG_ARrWgoN7LLpfn98lv1DH5r3qarXk/s1600/First+review.jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 1st press review of my book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>How to promote the book</b> <br />
<br />
So onto the how, I tried several different methods of promoting the book.<br />
<br />
- Blogger reviews and/or giveaways<br />
- Magazine giveaways or reviews<br />
- Book launch party<br />
- Writing free content for magazines or sites/blogs to promote the book<br />
- Social media promotion<br />
- Facebook Adverts<br />
<br />
<b>Blog promotion </b><br />
<br />
I'm not going to lie, it is very time consuming, lots of e-mails to and fro. For the bloggers I went through a mental list of who I know, and who has the ideal audience to promote the book. I drew up a spreadsheet I contacted all of them by e-mail (individually not an impersonal group e-mail) to ask if they could work with me in some way to help promote the book, offering them review copies, free content or giveaway copies. Once I'd gotten all their responses, details of what they could do to help promote the book and their address I sent it all over to Mary at Search Press so she could ship the books out. <br />
<br />
I have to say I feel very uncomfortable approaching people asking them to do what is essentially a favour to me. I wanted to make sure they got something out of it, so copies of the book, free content and social media promotion from me. I've been sharing the features and giveaways so help send traffic back to the people who featured the book. As someone who doesn't like to ask other people for anything it was quite a big hurdle for me to overcome to ask people to promote the book for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jidpZWcCFMJcwrP1TP57fi088cmg8SpC927C7ApxOORsjaLZtXjzXR6YBCB5ot-2qriz1p0hdHBWsmHN7KLGMJTRSjOrPEdI8VsLGTEcEm4iX1BsD8xlD7CIuXF3PxUyaCT5luF4R34/s1600/lilys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jidpZWcCFMJcwrP1TP57fi088cmg8SpC927C7ApxOORsjaLZtXjzXR6YBCB5ot-2qriz1p0hdHBWsmHN7KLGMJTRSjOrPEdI8VsLGTEcEm4iX1BsD8xlD7CIuXF3PxUyaCT5luF4R34/s1600/lilys.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giveaway and review on <a href="http://lilysquilts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/craft-creative-business-by-fiona-pullen.html" target="_blank">Lily's Quilts</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have to say I am so pleased and grateful to all those who did, the sewing community really got behind and helped me to spread the word, sending my book straight to the top of the Amazon chart I am in (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/660022/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_b_1_4_last" target="_blank">Starting a Small Business</a>), and even now almost 2 months later it is still top 3, holding steady at number 2 most days. I couldn't have done that without everyone who shared the news about my book and their lovely reviews.<br />
<br />
I actually feel like it has helped me build my bond with many people, and has lead to me making several new contacts along the way so in hindsight I'm really glad I did it despite feeling uncomfortable asking for help in the beginning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsIn8xmRst3E2lvbvKtlYoA3mnJ4OukbdN9FnMLSvjwK5PyysIzu0qTTTLiq6w6jaIcmjQsjfm78QLQTvE3MI4tEUrye1L2Cbe4fkp3KTlAbqhL3qYoCRgQy7IoRLWXWUtfVPOTCWpQo/s1600/1+and+5+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsIn8xmRst3E2lvbvKtlYoA3mnJ4OukbdN9FnMLSvjwK5PyysIzu0qTTTLiq6w6jaIcmjQsjfm78QLQTvE3MI4tEUrye1L2Cbe4fkp3KTlAbqhL3qYoCRgQy7IoRLWXWUtfVPOTCWpQo/s1600/1+and+5+star.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to number one! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I started contacting bloggers around 3 months before the book came out, and then they started posting about the book about a week before the book went on sale and some are still posting now and I've got some guest posts lined up for the new year. I didn't want to do a blog tour as I think they can sometimes be a bit artificial. I wanted people to be free to feature it how and when they wanted so it was a more natural spread of posts rather than 1 solid week of everyone blogging about the book.<br />
<br />
Some people featured it on their blog, some on their social media and others on both. There was no strict schedule of who would post when. I left it to them to do it how they saw fit and to say whatever they wanted to say. There's nothing worse than when you see several 'cut straight from the press release' posts about a book. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG7JBIUoWf692DLwjDLlXw4-uFAGnzgzqNuFwGpM-yTK31c0Zzy69tLGbyHBQ_57d-If1Ppk6cg2bxfGd2Ntz8KADWLPrTwMISf6mt_CqUiZ5Erm5vI3KYIzbIJ416IXFYlbgJ02i4c4/s1600/Inside+Crochet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG7JBIUoWf692DLwjDLlXw4-uFAGnzgzqNuFwGpM-yTK31c0Zzy69tLGbyHBQ_57d-If1Ppk6cg2bxfGd2Ntz8KADWLPrTwMISf6mt_CqUiZ5Erm5vI3KYIzbIJ416IXFYlbgJ02i4c4/s1600/Inside+Crochet.jpg" height="228" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Magazines</b><br />
<br />
When it comes to magazines I was lucky that I write for many sewing and craft titles so I already had a lot of contacts. Plus the magazines are the first place most publishers go to promote their books so they contacted those that I didn't have contacts at. <br />
<br />
I've managed to get interviews and features in more magazines than I can count! Including Sewing World, Craftseller, Craft Business, Craft Focus. Making Jewellery, Love Sewing, Workbox, Inside Crochet, Pretty Patches, Sew Magazine... Plus more coming up in the new year like Quilt Now, The Beadworkers Guild Magazine and new features in a few of those named above. <br />
<br />
However, for most of those magazines I wrote free features in exchange for promotion, most magazines like to have unique content (rather than an extract from the book which another magazine might use too). I lost count of how many features I wrote but I do recall writing 12 in one day! Also do bear in mind that time spent writing their features is time I'm losing money, instead of writing paid features for magazine at around £100 each I wrote well over 20 free of charge. So although I managed to secure a lot of press coverage, the book sales it will generate is nowhere near the amount of money I could have earned getting paid for the writing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovfubh0TW1mNP-0SMNUXdhtPa9wVx6FMuZ8tVeYo0KZUmjvbqfuEXrxB6MJfu9g7_O8rQO8CVb-OsKlBI31On2zZO9ptMw_iMIkEjzQ5w85bXqFLJUC_GBVdNJkbPmjK1y1CWzdE2Aws/s1600/Pretty+patches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovfubh0TW1mNP-0SMNUXdhtPa9wVx6FMuZ8tVeYo0KZUmjvbqfuEXrxB6MJfu9g7_O8rQO8CVb-OsKlBI31On2zZO9ptMw_iMIkEjzQ5w85bXqFLJUC_GBVdNJkbPmjK1y1CWzdE2Aws/s1600/Pretty+patches.jpg" height="227" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feature in the current issue of Pretty Patches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
However, it did ensure that thousands of people have heard of my book, and hopefully a decent percentage of those will buy it. Plus it introduced my site to many people who may not have come across it otherwise. In the first month after my book came out the traffic to The Sewing Directory jumped by 30,000 visitors so if you are viewing your book as a PR exercise it does pay to get the magazine coverage as well as blog promotion. If you are in it for the money you would probably want to limit the writing for free and just see if they could do a news post or giveaway instead. <br />
<br />
Given that this post has become so long I'll continue is in a second blog post on Friday.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PS. Whilst we're talking about promotion there is still time to order <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Craft-Creative-Business-Marketing-Successful/dp/1782210520/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406119376&sr=8-1&keywords=craft+a+creative+business" target="_blank">my book</a> and get it for Christmas! There is currently 30% off on Amazon, click on the pic below to be taken to Amazon.</b> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Craft-Creative-Business-Marketing-Successful/dp/1782210520/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406119376&sr=8-1&keywords=craft+a+creative+business" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Craft-Creative-Business-Marketing-Successful/dp/1782210520/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406119376&sr=8-1&keywords=craft+a+creative+business" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOzq_NWRTe9CC97ox_6uTUYt2MzF1lbK1ZPve5ID4jG-Yl5QTSjxX8HZ2glkAS5mDVqF9MnXIskYec5T62RYlaK39AT0NsM7x1bgcm1mDNhcNl-WK0qFrmoe0eBj_OkdpMb-tPiR9Ql0/s1600/book+cover+low+res.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope you've found this post useful, and see you for part 2 on Friday.<br />
<br />
If you'd like to read my other posts about my book writing experience find them <a href="http://thesewingdirectory.blogspot.co.uk/p/writing-craft-book.html" target="_blank">here. </a> </div>
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5589391921788659741.post-87331660761231765072014-12-04T01:40:00.001-08:002014-12-04T04:16:10.079-08:00Meeting Zandra RhodesBack in October I got a very exciting invitation from my site sponsors <a href="http://www.makeitcoats.com/en-gb" target="_blank">Coats Crafts </a>to meet their new fabric designer...none other than <a href="http://www.zandrarhodes.com/" target="_blank">Zandra Rhodes</a>! Obviously I jumped at the chance and took my good friend Julia from <a href="http://www.sewcurvy.com/" target="_blank">Sew Curvy Corsets</a> along to take photos whilst I was interviewing Zandra. Please note that all the photos below are the copyright of Julia Bremble and cannot be used without her permission. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR_Kx4Xm5gnGtStC58qpjZhKyNAUARY0y0jvBezyT6ROflJ4XKYJr9s4HjNKC4RoxgbwyXvdJWIazLbw7k0-rAlKxODbi9WvO3QWbuvuyuS36vULEH9Arp7PKMuJCV4x0xZCVsHyC0B4/s1600/DSCF1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR_Kx4Xm5gnGtStC58qpjZhKyNAUARY0y0jvBezyT6ROflJ4XKYJr9s4HjNKC4RoxgbwyXvdJWIazLbw7k0-rAlKxODbi9WvO3QWbuvuyuS36vULEH9Arp7PKMuJCV4x0xZCVsHyC0B4/s1600/DSCF1205.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Zandra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Zandra has just launched her first fabric collection with Coats Crafts, called Lace Mountain. It was inspired by her trip to Ayers Mountain. As with her clothing collections it is bold and bright, I love the blue and red colourway pictured below. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIK7wERgvrk8HC6hXiHk3IOD8zmMNDXfp_3XFAP6U7OBoakTKeshcs_3vV9Fn2rk-Fu6nrtmr84JGtGzLDv5Ha5_Xox7twhbnOzJvOW433qBLVJWyrOXlrFM4Rw6KbPsNJUuuqd7AScE/s1600/Ayres+rock+blue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIK7wERgvrk8HC6hXiHk3IOD8zmMNDXfp_3XFAP6U7OBoakTKeshcs_3vV9Fn2rk-Fu6nrtmr84JGtGzLDv5Ha5_Xox7twhbnOzJvOW433qBLVJWyrOXlrFM4Rw6KbPsNJUuuqd7AScE/s1600/Ayres+rock+blue.JPG" height="320" width="295" /></a></div>
<br />
Plus have you seen the <a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/quilted-bathmat-project/" target="_blank">quilted bathmat project </a>on my site made with Zandra's fabrics? <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/quilted-bathmat-project/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/quilted-bathmat-project/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCr3kppYsYsXZzd3leRODOaJZMs-nePYeqtDI-1nqRy50u67GlxC342msG2mjveeBXR5sUCxRu0xJqivaL1XIRqaYLjXrGuoLn-6iMO9rU8JYIY9ZRnzry0m_VNxufFjPJXPFWr5EBBoA/s1600/bathmat+13.jpg" height="292" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilted Bathmat Project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you may be aware Zandra owns the<a href="http://www.zandrarhodes.com/" target="_blank"> Fashion & Textile Museum</a> in London, and she lives in a big penthouse apartment above, plus one floor is her studio which is where we were invited to meet Zandra.<br />
<br />
The first thing that caught our eye as we entered the building was the amazing floor in the entrance! It had beautiful crystals in it and sparkled and glittered as you walked through. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZO0SfBUp_a5ch2Q-WNRsEHtGLLsFUl5xMoNJfCQMOUO7ixQPRnxJyyUd04qFxirss6V9_6MohDM77ClUtGdvTd2Jyfw41teRrogyO1nbtKR5BhvPoWFe_E9MLjIUGLYqP6vG1AKdq2Bs/s1600/Floor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZO0SfBUp_a5ch2Q-WNRsEHtGLLsFUl5xMoNJfCQMOUO7ixQPRnxJyyUd04qFxirss6V9_6MohDM77ClUtGdvTd2Jyfw41teRrogyO1nbtKR5BhvPoWFe_E9MLjIUGLYqP6vG1AKdq2Bs/s1600/Floor.JPG" height="361" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We then walked up a few flights of stairs to enter Zandra's vibrant studio, the pictures below show you around her studio space.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE8acmvE2FBlxxdhKQr7QR8sVV7VsOB-H7ZhJDicWAq4avf2TK09Sq44BJ_nw70U2wHP-YTsglvUA7lOBSvqRwE4_gpp9SsNX4cK38n91pZR2Q3zR9FzoLtcGq-6XSdjamQjwZDeWI1k/s1600/Apartment+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE8acmvE2FBlxxdhKQr7QR8sVV7VsOB-H7ZhJDicWAq4avf2TK09Sq44BJ_nw70U2wHP-YTsglvUA7lOBSvqRwE4_gpp9SsNX4cK38n91pZR2Q3zR9FzoLtcGq-6XSdjamQjwZDeWI1k/s1600/Apartment+3.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4SOEFsyrIVvjmkggCWt0HOrY9HKoS3tO0r5Jw_Pb8rcDTrTws3vnnrTgF9hVllcuQBHvRuq73MBY1HX7b-i3dvDBxPZU23Qb_asGwse53BDoD2Mqk9HmfMP3_w9LM-k5r2fIXBwh78s/s1600/Apartment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4SOEFsyrIVvjmkggCWt0HOrY9HKoS3tO0r5Jw_Pb8rcDTrTws3vnnrTgF9hVllcuQBHvRuq73MBY1HX7b-i3dvDBxPZU23Qb_asGwse53BDoD2Mqk9HmfMP3_w9LM-k5r2fIXBwh78s/s1600/Apartment.JPG" height="640" width="513" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1wWRhRcTQC8o1rlISwIsb5Wa3TXhtQAM2kyYI84Z-WpO3Mww1DsxlIckWD4E6QDDoEE5fM4z1FtgG3hDC8ZAvBeNpeewnWwpsfgKmxNjQfJk6up8y2iQr-9PU4RrwCt5XjPbFGJ8fKs/s1600/Stuarts+Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1wWRhRcTQC8o1rlISwIsb5Wa3TXhtQAM2kyYI84Z-WpO3Mww1DsxlIckWD4E6QDDoEE5fM4z1FtgG3hDC8ZAvBeNpeewnWwpsfgKmxNjQfJk6up8y2iQr-9PU4RrwCt5XjPbFGJ8fKs/s1600/Stuarts+Quilt.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmPE1EWqVd8vIxSQZHfeDygehbMn6SP6PYkPgdSLnlGzGlSkEDSWCqqd-d24VHQhmtBN-SquzY-c8x_Cug_Ldn5xwz_jxptr7WG2rRehrzGPgrANbU2OazHefNpk_1Q5n5NaIJ3bDzE8/s1600/Apartment+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmPE1EWqVd8vIxSQZHfeDygehbMn6SP6PYkPgdSLnlGzGlSkEDSWCqqd-d24VHQhmtBN-SquzY-c8x_Cug_Ldn5xwz_jxptr7WG2rRehrzGPgrANbU2OazHefNpk_1Q5n5NaIJ3bDzE8/s1600/Apartment+4.jpg" height="400" width="372" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFg376p1IMMSiNTga2mbN929vBChyphenhyphenPIHhaemIsJQW9qxXT7Qn6rf7MxkI2c2JM2fDdTpr4s1FkyDGMiCq8rWEQWCi1sGcJZWjkN-i9UbTs5xMD_x_tba6HQb7t_tMzAvCXWZGPf9iSREc/s1600/Floor+Lamps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFg376p1IMMSiNTga2mbN929vBChyphenhyphenPIHhaemIsJQW9qxXT7Qn6rf7MxkI2c2JM2fDdTpr4s1FkyDGMiCq8rWEQWCi1sGcJZWjkN-i9UbTs5xMD_x_tba6HQb7t_tMzAvCXWZGPf9iSREc/s1600/Floor+Lamps.jpg" height="335" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHzKOVOsjKioRZgk5dLgqnZD6ktP59TVrDbr-XKJDOG9ES5oSSlC7XZ2GKFa9isL0TPvgrmoDEdelmBzJ87yyOeWoVtgPh-MtoWVoBsBvIW9PTmidx2EufVuGiOsIfMIQ25oe3_cgl0M/s1600/Zandra+Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHzKOVOsjKioRZgk5dLgqnZD6ktP59TVrDbr-XKJDOG9ES5oSSlC7XZ2GKFa9isL0TPvgrmoDEdelmBzJ87yyOeWoVtgPh-MtoWVoBsBvIW9PTmidx2EufVuGiOsIfMIQ25oe3_cgl0M/s1600/Zandra+Head.jpg" height="320" width="291" /></a></div>
<br />
As you can see much like the lady herself the studio was an explosion of colour and almost like a gallery with quirky works of art scattered throughout. I particularily liked the 'Z' chandelier which was designed especially for Zandra by her friend Andrew Logan. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOwkMi5ejX2LyVsvhfsimtuUrmzYPHpVQHTIrkyIMAElOsKuJSv8vL-6Rc88ejfn_blXWTt8sAZuLrSyL86DntUm0n0Dfbt0UDX2boHC3axsqPkaHh8mdCfx7vQnxlFWR3KTkxfn85ZM/s1600/Chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ua_HvjyrlzIlbL7xRXLVZdWpAN5WD183bMGA36l4Ufu3HhhQcxclvdtTlHdc-GHFYN5OfI47SwSwphE2MIQtWJmZqPzYNwR-ImC9SVrJ-VxbV0zGdL_zb0LAXZfUMlNCDeGr13VsQ9Q/s1600/Candelier+by+Andrew+Logan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ua_HvjyrlzIlbL7xRXLVZdWpAN5WD183bMGA36l4Ufu3HhhQcxclvdtTlHdc-GHFYN5OfI47SwSwphE2MIQtWJmZqPzYNwR-ImC9SVrJ-VxbV0zGdL_zb0LAXZfUMlNCDeGr13VsQ9Q/s1600/Candelier+by+Andrew+Logan.jpg" height="400" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOwkMi5ejX2LyVsvhfsimtuUrmzYPHpVQHTIrkyIMAElOsKuJSv8vL-6Rc88ejfn_blXWTt8sAZuLrSyL86DntUm0n0Dfbt0UDX2boHC3axsqPkaHh8mdCfx7vQnxlFWR3KTkxfn85ZM/s1600/Chandelier.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOwkMi5ejX2LyVsvhfsimtuUrmzYPHpVQHTIrkyIMAElOsKuJSv8vL-6Rc88ejfn_blXWTt8sAZuLrSyL86DntUm0n0Dfbt0UDX2boHC3axsqPkaHh8mdCfx7vQnxlFWR3KTkxfn85ZM/s1600/Chandelier.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also rather liked this amazing mirrored artwork on her wall. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpIZm4JlRmc0F4cb6clBhnoG3Ywpg2mln4-4vxGBAes1U9NxS9JSpPSb2y5x7lElodHqu-aiR_R0MBX1GAumKOQgi2yDPltvkjnniDvLnrqPgsZFf9niIXzt8Yf8ebviYK12OfPqbgTM/s1600/Wallart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpIZm4JlRmc0F4cb6clBhnoG3Ywpg2mln4-4vxGBAes1U9NxS9JSpPSb2y5x7lElodHqu-aiR_R0MBX1GAumKOQgi2yDPltvkjnniDvLnrqPgsZFf9niIXzt8Yf8ebviYK12OfPqbgTM/s1600/Wallart.jpg" height="320" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8EiAHpwh0sFanPe5Jt-A5bXDOPF9xhhPWppUfTksYI9_4nSlqKSdb333oOMwg_7LOls-tmUjfF1m66oXXk4gZumm810tSm3oWvWIatmj9PZonoOn4RvfkKnHF28etjcX2KANLIDKseE/s1600/Wallert+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8EiAHpwh0sFanPe5Jt-A5bXDOPF9xhhPWppUfTksYI9_4nSlqKSdb333oOMwg_7LOls-tmUjfF1m66oXXk4gZumm810tSm3oWvWIatmj9PZonoOn4RvfkKnHF28etjcX2KANLIDKseE/s1600/Wallert+2.jpg" height="400" width="378" /></a></div>
<br />
The stunning quilt you can see over a screen there was made by<a href="http://www.stuarthillard.com/" target="_blank"> Stuart Hillard</a> of The Great British Sewing Bee fame, using Zandra's fabric collection.<br />
<br />
I then sat down with Zandra to interview her for <a href="http://www.lovesewingmag.co.uk/" target="_blank">Love Sewing Magazine. </a> The interview appears in issue 8 of the magazine which goes on sale this week. I have to admit I was feeling a little intimidated about meeting such an icon, Zandra is the most famous person I have interviewed. But I am happy to report that she was absolutely lovely and immediately put me at ease, it was like chatting with a friend rather than a formal interview and the time flew by. I was rather sad when it came to an end. When our time was up she kindly offered to pose for pictured with us both, my picture is at the top of the feature and below is Julia with Zandra plus a shot of Zandra alone. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-wkKNs_wsV517HvVKW0C9zYawJ2ep9HW3QXO_59n-Oezzigvgeivy6fL2yYBoFS4ZsGZu__AH2QreYq8MQfMFuTHDXIlySmd3hXipF6jiPvPferIwscRDi2qNYhwNiuC2W1thCGL-xk/s1600/Julia+and+Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-wkKNs_wsV517HvVKW0C9zYawJ2ep9HW3QXO_59n-Oezzigvgeivy6fL2yYBoFS4ZsGZu__AH2QreYq8MQfMFuTHDXIlySmd3hXipF6jiPvPferIwscRDi2qNYhwNiuC2W1thCGL-xk/s1600/Julia+and+Z.jpg" height="274" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-jJKokH58AmLUb58tTpwOvb1I6e-xJFwO05gtOyUDyVTEu_PFmfwrala3Soo5o7jkDGTUv53o8UTflcPFbQDA6_oY_AIkz7qcc-kiJH-YZjpGSCxciVnytkZS41t_voYjJAiJ5M42QU/s1600/DSCF1204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-jJKokH58AmLUb58tTpwOvb1I6e-xJFwO05gtOyUDyVTEu_PFmfwrala3Soo5o7jkDGTUv53o8UTflcPFbQDA6_oY_AIkz7qcc-kiJH-YZjpGSCxciVnytkZS41t_voYjJAiJ5M42QU/s1600/DSCF1204.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Whilst I was chatting with Zandra Julia got to have a good look around and went outside to explore the roof garden.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3Nfy1RN-qFLY3RZlVDGe3jPXuk-TuHhoT_nyRoubo0Di2FFlvOohjYK0_qXASniQF6YFsGHZWvsLLGrwWomO5HP2B6KW0lC78r3j2ufns2bheD13Se2LFUmNOVTUaaXLOwUWJ1GYqSc/s1600/Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3Nfy1RN-qFLY3RZlVDGe3jPXuk-TuHhoT_nyRoubo0Di2FFlvOohjYK0_qXASniQF6YFsGHZWvsLLGrwWomO5HP2B6KW0lC78r3j2ufns2bheD13Se2LFUmNOVTUaaXLOwUWJ1GYqSc/s1600/Garden.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNSKfE3Z_u3UKasftSo2P1027qP-k6D-bIl6vP47SXCEEkIH5jBB6t84byl6WeFFzkryCItj1WeK2sRtoQZkkhsq9YJSAfC0T87_sbwc7fFz47puSff1N8aRxa7FOJvYFbRCvfgySxes/s1600/outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNSKfE3Z_u3UKasftSo2P1027qP-k6D-bIl6vP47SXCEEkIH5jBB6t84byl6WeFFzkryCItj1WeK2sRtoQZkkhsq9YJSAfC0T87_sbwc7fFz47puSff1N8aRxa7FOJvYFbRCvfgySxes/s1600/outside.jpg" height="400" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EVM9PIYeEMnLXdK67I0bGdV6QCJajiPQMGhseGIbgGLBVpm0-oofknjKXUOC5YaJ9XYvwN-rAUs36qTWN29E0FOgo0C3Ucedv3isCWPudxHfou3nfCwNgYT8Zemz_mJ4j0VvbGQ_a1c/s1600/garden+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EVM9PIYeEMnLXdK67I0bGdV6QCJajiPQMGhseGIbgGLBVpm0-oofknjKXUOC5YaJ9XYvwN-rAUs36qTWN29E0FOgo0C3Ucedv3isCWPudxHfou3nfCwNgYT8Zemz_mJ4j0VvbGQ_a1c/s1600/garden+decor.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I have to say it was a pretty epic day, one which I will always remember. Meeting Zandra was a great experience, plus getting the chance to catch up with Julia too was brilliant. Before we went to meet Zandra we had lunch in the Fashion and Textile Museum cafe with with lovely Claire-Louise from <a href="http://thethriftystitcher.co.uk/" target="_blank">Thrifty Stitcher</a> (the brains behind The Great British Sewing Bee), she had some very exciting news which will be coming out next year. Do keep an eye on <a href="http://thethriftystitcher.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">her blog</a> or social media to be kept updated!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyE58RGmHhkhte6SXkUWOPtzyWwRanwRQiX322-RxKe9V3SRzIbVb7cd2BYYrh6gE2n_kog64GuEncTyNfDDsHLWTHoRLEFTjiYekercOQE2RlFSRx0UmX1ucCsLMGNPxMweYUlGNSZc/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyE58RGmHhkhte6SXkUWOPtzyWwRanwRQiX322-RxKe9V3SRzIbVb7cd2BYYrh6gE2n_kog64GuEncTyNfDDsHLWTHoRLEFTjiYekercOQE2RlFSRx0UmX1ucCsLMGNPxMweYUlGNSZc/s1600/book.jpg" height="320" width="305" /></a></div>
Oh and one last picture, I took my book along to show people as it was just before the book went on sale so we got a little pic of my book in her studio - that pretty much makes it famous doesn't it? ;)<br />
<br />
So don't forget if you'd like to read the full interview with Zandra look for issue 8 (Jan issue) of <a href="http://www.lovesewingmag.co.uk/" target="_blank">Love Sewing</a> on sale tomorrow I believe. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>All images © Julia Bremble</b></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Sewing Directoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09064192242528310174noreply@blogger.com1