A bit of slow stitching

I have been very lucky recently, going to a lampshade making course and then meeting Heather Everitt at an embroidery class yesterday. The lampshade is now in use in my bedroom. I really enjoyed making it and can’t capture how lovely it looks.

 

I really want to make a Marna Lunt inspired one but that can wait until I have some time at Christmas. I want t be able to spend time on that project and leave it out to finish over a few days.

Today I managed to finish my embroidered bee I started yesterday with Heather. I have always adored her beautiful Liberty fabric butterflies and when I saw the workshop advertised locally, I knew I had to go. And it was brilliant. All of us had a pattern to follow and off we went. Three hours later and my bee looked like this :

A little unfinished but a good start. So today I was determined to continue him so that it didn’t become another unfinished WIP. And here he is now :

I have embroidered since I was a teen and it’s great for forgetting the stresses of life. This is definately one for me to keep.

 

Long time no sew

Although, that is not entirely true. I have had less making time but also l haven’t felt the need to post here. Life has been busy and the day job time consuming and so any me time has been limited. Here are just a few makes since May.

 

As you can see, it’s been a range of items using various mediums including my sons old school shirt in one. I love up cycling objects and so have also used up some fabric scraps, used up odd buttons, repurposed vintage doilies and decorated a box using mixed media. I loved sewing the animals for a retelling of Farmer Duck at work out of felt scraps. The hat was for my mad hatter costume in which I also took part in interviews at work!!

I have also made a few books since I attended a course in January. There is just one pictured here which I made from scratch. My next project is a swimming costume as I haven’t seen a garment since my Christmas dress. I am also determined to de stash over the holidays and finish some WIPs, including a junk journal for me.  Well that’s  the plan …………………..

I have linked my FB page below if you would like to se more of my makes.

SewingNikki

Wuthering Heights Inspired Embroidery

All the way back in December I posted about some wool, vintage doilies and paints. The colour of my wool made me think of moor land and I am a huge Wuthering Heights fan. And so now in the depths of spring I bring you my creation. A wintery, desolate scene, ready to burst into life at any moment. I ended up couching my tree and love the bark like effect. It now hangs next to my dress makers dummy ready to go to a new home if sold, although I think I love it too much to part with it.

It signifies a dark patch in my life that I have survived through hanging on in a desolate place. I am the tree and the tree is me. Remember change is around the corner, just hang on in there.

Dress update

So far it took me a whole day to cut out and sew two pieces together, as our boiler decided to breakdown half way through Sunday leaving us temporarily with no electric and for three – four days with no heating. Brilliant.

Also I had lots to cut out with the main dress in satin, the lining and the lace yoke all challenging me for whose hardest to cut out! 22 pieces for the main dress and lining alone.

On Monday I managed to sew the main dress together, alter parts, unpick parts and inserted the zip so now you can see a dress. Tonight will be the lining and boning, which I have never used. It’s a repeat of the main dress with some extra seams for the boning. I may even get onto the yoke. Hopefully.

Please excuse the photos but it’s dark and grey here in Devon and our light is rather yellow toned. Photography is not my strong point so I shall stick to the sewing.

Making a dress, quick!

I am a leisurely sewer. I don’t like to rush and normally have lots of time to finish a project. I only make clothes for me and my latest one is a dress. I have the paper pattern cut out . I have the notions and fabric I need. What I don’t have is time. I have today and an odd few hours in the week. And my work party is on Friday. Will it help my sewing get faster? Will I be wearing my gorgeous fitted satin and lace dress on Friday? Will I know how to sew a princess seam by tonight?

Who knows but I am going to have fun trying. See you later, maybe.

Projects this week and chaos

Its been a busy week with trips to hospital, plumbers, competition deadlines and some makes in between.

First my competition dress had to posted on Tuesday and so Monday and Tuesday was spent finishing this. The dress was the walk away dress for the Bamber Sewing Competition. Here is a sneaky peek.

The fabric was sent with the pattern and you have to make your dress with it. It is then up to you how to finish the dress. I opted to add handmade fabric roses, lovely pink binding and a lace up front rather than buttons. It is meant to be an easy make but at times it drove me insane. I lost count how many times I adjusted attaching the skirt to the waist and there is just so much fabric! Still, I plan to make my own as I just love the style. And I was pleased with my end result as it’s only my fourth dress ever.

Then making was interrupted by three days of plumbing and youngest son needing two trips to hospital and a plaster cast. Hopefully his wrist is not broken but he was in so much pain that they put a cast on. Two hours of rugby, no injuries, 2 minutes of goal keeping and hurt wrist! Both the plumbing and son are now fine.

Finally I had time for three makes. The first is a mixed media canvas of things my boys collected over the years plus some odd items that end up in the everything drawer. You know the one. Find a pen, put it in the drawer. Spare marble in pocket – in the drawer and so on. The poor items hardly ever leave the draw until you think to have a look for a paper lip, lost key or the like. What do you think of my treasure junk canvas, pre painting?

 I also made a cute felt rabbit hand embroidered brooch for a friend. There was also a second brooch of a little dog, but that is a surprise. She was so chuffed and thought I should make more for Easter. So if you would like something different, , please ask.

SewingNikki

 

Sewing dress woes

Grrrrr gr gr! As I mentioned before I am finishing a dress for a competition and it is beginning to drive me insane. I choose to enter, as I want to make a version of the dress for myself but after this I may need to wait a few months to erase this experience out of my memory! It has been a learning curve and it is helping to refine my dressmaking skills but at times I could just put it away and it could enter the ufo collection. If it wasn’t a competition then it probably would of.

Anyhow on a more positive note I am feeling more creative and have plenty of past projects to feel proud of. This selection is of my embroidered or small project makes.

I have some small makes I am working on besides my dress for other people and two other bigger projects bubbling along in the background. If you like my makes pop over and like my page at  https://www.facebook.com/sewingnikki/posts/904260729688765:0 and feel free to share, like , love or respond in any way you like!

Now back to the grrrrrr dress.

Dandelion wishes

Here is a little embroidery I finished today. 

The lace fabric top I was putting in recycling, made me think of dandelion clocks and so I recycled it and made this small embroidered piece. I think it would make a lovely book cover or framed picture. What do you think? If you head over to my Facebook  page, your idea could win this piece to keep. Good luck.

New found love

I attempted my second textile embroidery art today and I think I am in love! It’s like I have been waiting for this craft to come into my life for ever.

May sound extreme but it really does tick lots of boxes; art, sewing, embroidery, fabrics and complete freedom for where to stitch and how. I   can’t believe I waited so long to make this,

My blackberries and spider web textile art. I have enough hessian to make another one and then I thought I might try a sunflower next.

Available to purchase here