Sew Sunday

Today has been a sewing day. If you look through the past posts on this blog, you'll see I'm not much for sewing - more of a crocheter and knitter.

However, I have been wondering for a while about the pull through method of lining a bag (I think that's what its called anyway!). That's where, in order to get a nice neat zipped bag or pouch, you leave a small gap in the lining fabric at the bottom, and pull the exterior out through that gap. Sounds weird doesn't it? Well I always thought so too, but today I plucked up some courage and gave it a go, and to my suprise, it works brilliantly!

I made a little simple zip up purse - no gusset or sides - I have yet to figure out how to do those well! As you may be able to tell, the zip is a little wonky, but I'm pretty proud of it. This was inspired by a tutorial I found on Pinterest for a box pouch. I wasn't brave enough for the box pouch, but maybe next time! I'm also thinking, crochet purse with fabric lining using this method.

But, the big thing I made today was a fabric tote bag, for carting my bigger crochet and knitting projects around the house. I'm actually pretty proud of this - I actually managed to get the seams on the lining and outer fabric to line up pretty closely, and I'm usuallu rubbish at those kinds of details!

Its sort of reversible if you look at the way the fabrics are arranged - opposing fabrics for the sides and gusset on the lining and out, if you see what I mean.

The fabrics I used for both the tote and the purse were Amy Butler Gypsy Caravan - Almond Velvet Vine and Mocha Hammock Stripe


Well, I'm not sure when I'll be back here - studying is really kicking in now, and its tough going! Data analysis using Excel (sigh - not something I'm good at it turns out!). I'll try and keep up at least one post a week though.

Wherever you are, have a lovely evening and a great week!

Bristol and Bath

I'm back from my and S's little trip down to the West Country over the weekend! We left from Paddington on Thursday morning and came back this morning (Sunday). As you can see from the shot of Bath's Royal Crescent the weather wasn't great every day, but given what this summer has been like it could have been worse!

We managed a trip to Bath on Friday (including a walk along the Crescent in the rain!), and then to Bristol on Saturday. Of course I managed to work in a little craftiness to the trip, despite the main purpose being to visit S's family.

I had time to visit a little quilting supplies shop, Country Threads in Bath. I discovered this shop when we visited the City earlier in the year. It's an Aladin's Cave of fabric, with so may fat quarters, charm packs and jelly rolls for sale! There are baskets of various makes and colours of fabric arranged in rainbox order just inside the door, and I had fun picking out a big bundle of fabric fat quarters for myself!

I'll try and show you the colours and patterns I went for - a theme of pale blue, pink, green and white, with roses and more geometric patterns to break it up a little. Some of them are Tilda fabrics - so pretty!

I'm afraid the colours haven't come out brilliantly in these pictures. I'm planning to use these for some more patchwork cushion covers - still trying to improve my skills! I'm thining it will complement some crochet cushion covers I am working on at the moment too - more soon!

If you're in the area of Bath, definately try and visit this store, Country Threads - their website has the address.

Our Saturday visit to Bristol also took in a stroll down the Crescent - I think its a little more impressive than the famous Bath Crescent actually!

Back in October last year when we visited Bristol, I went to a little independent yarn shop in the Clifton area of the City, called Woolly Thinking - I even blogged about it. Unfortunately when we went back over the weekend, I discovered that the shop has closed. I also checked their website and discovered that they have also ceased online trading. I think it's a real shame - it must be such a struggle for these independent stores to survive. I'm in the sad position that I don't actually have a local yarn shop in the form of an independent retailer - the nearest and most convenient physical stores for me are John Lewis and Liberty's on Oxford Street. I often wish I did have a store close to home, so that I could support it rather than shopping at chains (not that Liberty's and JLs aren't great for range and colours).

Well, thats all for now - I'm off to squeeze in some work on that ripple throw.....

Patchwork cushions

I made my first attempt at making a patchwork cushion yesterday, and quickly discovered that it's very addictive!

First patchwork cushion

My inital creation came out ok - it fits the cushion pad it was made for, and the lines are fairly straight (for my sewing that's good!). However, I didn't do brilliantly at cross matching the patches in different rows. I'm sure an expert quilter would be appalled.

Second patchwork cushion

On the second attempt I took more care in cutting out my sqaures, and also pressed the seams open before stitching the rows together. This cushion still wasn't perfect as you can probably see from the closeup above, but I think it was a distinct improvement, not bad for a second attempt!

I wonder what it is about patchwork that's so addictive. Is it the thought of being so thrifty and using up all your left over scraps - you get to feel so virtuous! Or is it the opportunity to show your creative flair in matching the colours and patterns together in different patches? I also discovered from my experimentations this weekend that I prefer smaller patches to larger ones. The small patches on the secon cushion I made are so interesting I just can't stop staring at them!