Happy Birthday to Me!

Lots of lovely pressies and cards. Ian did me proud - a box filled with clinique make-up. I was running very low on stocks so timing was perfect. My friend Steph gave me a lovely Cath Kidston pin cushion and button tin - so me!

The only sewing I've done today was this morning to complete my customers dress. I'll post pictures when it's complete and she is happy with it.

We're off to Bristol tomorrow to see my sister and her hubby for a bbq. Finger crossed the weather holds and Jack behaves himself.

Here's a picture of JackJarvis at a few months old. He's certain grown up and filled out since we got him!

Rain, rain go away, come back another day.....

Bloomin' weather...... where has all this rain come from? It's not inspiring me to start any new projects....

I bought some duchesse satin yesterday in a very, very pale pink to make a 1950's style dress as seen here. The plan is to interline the skirt section with dress net to give it a little oomph and make a net petticoat to wear with it. The dress will be very plain and I intend to dress it up with a diamante belt or a pale, pale coffee coloured corsage. You know me, I make a plan and change it! It's called being creative.....

Circles = Maths.....

I made a full circle skirt earlier this year (ahead of trend - take a look at the Louis Vuitton ads in Vogue this month!!!) and promply forgot how to work out radius, diameter and circumference. Had to Google and ask Ian. Anyhoo, if your maths is as weak as mine here's a simple way to work it all out:

Pi = 3.14
Radius = 2 x 3.14
Diameter = 1 x 3.14

SO.....
If you know the circumference of the circle (ie a skirt hem, sleeve opening, waist measurement) but need to work out the radius use the following - Circumference divided by 6.28 = Radius

I'm liking Pi.... That's Pi, not Pie xx

PS Pec, I need to measure the length before I can make your skirt I promised in July xx

Can You Guess What It Is Yet?

In true 1970's Rolf Harris stylee, here's something for you to have a guess at.... It is an embroidery done on my Janome 200 last weekend, but can you tell what the finished picture is going to be?

It's a filigree fairie. I'm not really into fairies but thought this was pretty, rather than "cute". It's embroidered onto 100% wool felt and I will make it into a handbag - when I've got my customers dress finished in a couple of weeks.

Get on with some sewing

Right, today I MUST focus on getting some sewing jobs done. I have two projects underway (if you don't count the ones hidden in the corner); One for a customer and one for myself. My customer is having a one shouldered, sleeveless, fitted dress with a circular ruffle in a lovely quality satin in coral - pics to follow. My project is a classic shift dress in Navy wool crepe with navy lace 3/4 length sleeves -pics to follow
Today I MUST:
1. cut up customer toile and cut in main and fabric lining
2. alter trousers for work - I work in a popular high street fashion shop 3 mornings a week and we have our new Autum/Winter uniform allowance.
3. sort out sewing lesson diary for September to December 2010 - yes I know, I've left it a bit late in the day.....
4. get Ian up in the loft so I can raid my stash. I have a corset design in my head so want to check out a particular fabric that I have in mind before starting anything new...
5. order new books from Amazon. I'm a sewing book hoarder and know there's a couple of new books due out around September time. I'll let you know what they are when I'm more organised.

Phew! I need to crack on with the day....

Well done hon xxx

Ian had his aerobatic lessons signed off this week - I know he has really enjoyed the lessons, but don't think he will persuade me to join him doing loop-the-loop or barrel rolls any time soon!

Friday 13th

Just realised it's Friday 13th today so here's a black cat for luck - stay safe!

Hello and Welcome

Hello and Welcome to my blog. I will be sharing with you some of the work I create at my small studio in Wiltshire; plus other things that happen along the way!

I also run sewing lessons at a local fabric shop, Cloth of Gold, during the evenings and periodic Sundays.