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DIYs

Clothing, Crafting ideas, DIYs

Making a dress: Part one

April 29, 2013

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So, I’ve decided to make yet another dress and, in true blogging fashion, I thought I’d share this process with you.

I’m following a proper pattern this time (Simplicity K2444, a freebie from Sew magazine) which, if you’ll remember, is not something I’m used to doing. It’s not so bad though and I’m pretty sure the properly finished dress will be worth it.

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Buying a duvet set is often a cheap alternative to buying from a fabric shop

Although making a dress can seem daunting, if you know your way around a sewing machine and the basics of sewing, it’s really not that hard. I think the key is to choose the right pattern (or make your own) and take your time. Taking regular breaks is also good, as it helps keep you calm and focussed.

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A close up of the floral fabric I’m using to make my dress

I picked up an amazing duvet set from a charity shop which I’m using as the fabric for my dress. The set has never been used and even had the sticker still on, so I’ve avoided this disaster. It’s a floral, vintage style, but I doubt it’s actual vintage. There is, however, a lot of it and it doesn’t matter if I mess up, because if I need to redo a part of it, then I’ll have plenty more fabric to choose from.

I started as I always do, by cutting and ripping the seams so I was left with two pieces of fabric. Then I attached, pinned and cut my fabric pieces. I find this easier to do on the floor, with a pair of fabric scissors, because I don’t own a cutting mat or a cutter.

Once I finished the cutting, I used tailor chalk to add any pleat and dart marks and now the next step is to sew it.

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When I turned my back, this happened

Finally, I wanted to let you know that my friend Charlotte from Sustainable Fashion Cardiff has blogged about me here. If you want to know more about how and why I got into crafting, then take a look.

Crafting ideas, DIYs

Knitting a snood

November 26, 2012

When the weather is cold and dreary outside, what nicer thing to do than to stay inside and craft? Lately, I’ve been knitting again and it seems apt to share my experiences on the blog.

This time, I decided to make a snood, which in terms of knitting is a pretty easy task to do. I’m not the world’s most experienced knitter, but I can knit one, purl one along with the next person and a snood is a perfect way to while away an afternoon or two and build up my knitting expertise.

The wool was so thick that I needed to buy longer needles halfway through

A snood, or cowl scarf, is also one step up from the beginner’s scarf, is a fashionable and cosy addition to any outfit in this horrible weather and would therefore make a wonderful Christmas present for friends and family, or a little treat for yourself.

I started off by visiting my local market stall and picking up two balls of wool in a lovely, raspberry colour. The wool I chose was 50% alpaca wool and therefore a little on the expensive side, but it had such a soft feel and I knew it wouldn’t itch like a lot of wools do.

I started by following this pattern, which I found online. The tutorial is ideal for beginners as it is made using a garter stitch and won’t take too long, but I adapted mine so that it wasn’t a wraparound snood, as the wool I used was thicker.

The finished snood

It didn’t take me very long to complete the snood, because of the thickness of the wool and the size of the needles (UK size 10), but in hindsight it is a bit on the tight side. My initial plans were for a wraparound snood, but because I cast on 40 stitches, this simply wasn’t achievable unless I wanted to spend a lot more on wool.

But, overall, I’m happy with it. It’s very snug and thick and, I think, a good result for my first snood.

DIYs

Easy DIYs: Turn a pillowcase into a wearable skirt

October 20, 2012

An elastic skirt can be fun and easy to make. We show you how to transform that old pillowcase into a new skirt to wear to brighten up those cold, autumnal days

What you’ll need:

You will need a pillowcase, a length of elastic, a safety pin, a sewing machine and a pair of scissors

-A pillowcase

-A length of elastic the size of your waist

-A safety pin

-A pair of scissors

-A sewing machine

How to make:

1. Turn pillowcase inside out and cut at the seams

2. You should now have two pieces of fabric. Put these aside for a minute

3. Measure your waist with the elastic. Subtract two inches from this length and cut

4. Return to your fabric. Fold the longest side (width) of one piece over by 1 1/2 inches to make a casing for the elastic. Pin and sew, but leave the edges free as your elastic will go through this. Repeat with the second piece

Pin about an inch away from the edge to create a casing for the elastic

Sewing the casing for my elastic

Sew a casing for your elastic about an inch into your fabric

5. Attach the safety pin to one end of the elastic and thread through the casing of the first piece, bunching the fabric as you go. Repeat this for the second piece and then pin the two together, so that the skirt is inside out

Once you’re done sewing your casing, thread the safety pin through and bunch up the fabric as you go along. This creates the waistband of the skirt

6. Sew the front and back of the skirt together. Take the safety pin out and sew in the edges of the elastic

7. Hem the skirt and you’re done

Crafting ideas, DIYs

A trip to London

September 28, 2012

I spent last weekend in London, welcoming my brother back from a 12 week trip to Tanzania.

One place I always, always go to when I visit London is Liberty’s. The thing about Liberty’s is that I feel at home there and it’s so timeless inside that I can always imagine it through the ages.

Liberty’s always makes me feel at home

Some pretty plates on show at Liberty’s

Getting some crafting inspiration

Obviously, being the crafter that I am, I went straight to the fabric department. Unfortunately, I always find that you need a mortgage to shop there and, in the past, I’ve only bought small things like fabric covered buttons. But this time I was lucky enough to find a lovely piece of fabric, in the offcuts section.

This fabric offcut will make a lovely scarf

The fabric is a nice, long length and I think it’ll make a nice scarf. Plus, it only cost me about £6, so it’s really not an expensive project. Expect a DIY in the days to come, as I make this beauty into a wearable scarf.

DIYs

Easy DIYs: Making friendship bracelets

September 20, 2012

This is what I’ve been making lately.

Isn’t it odd how making friendship bracelets can really remind you of being young? Many hours of my teenage years were spent making piles of bracelets to wear under my shirt at school, or as presents for best friends.

Rather than giving you a DIY today, I’m simply going to direct you over to Honestly…WTF’s blog where you can be reminded of how to make friendship bracelets once again.

And, if you’re feeling extra crafty, here’s a second tutorial on how to embellish friendship bracelets.