Getting ready for...

It's almost painful to post this,  but it's time to start selling...

Day 102

Trying out some new silk colours.

Day 101

365 days of craft: Day 101

Attempting some 17th century braiding,  or tying my fingers in knots using a different method.  So far I've got it looped up to the Viking card weaving loom as an anchor and the correct fingers in the correct loops.  This has taken an hour.  Now to attempt plaiting it... Unfortunately the instructions are a little hazy.

Day 100

365 days of craft: Day 100.  Tying my fingers in knots,  in this case literally.  Nalbinding. 

Am not going to say how many attempts the second row has taken.  Even now it's suffering from an extra loopy bit on half of the row.  It should look like the 6 stitches at the bottom of this picture,  and although the extra loops look pretty as an edge I've yet to figure out how to recreate them.

Skirt complete

After a few makes I have managed to get the construction time of this skirt down to around 3 hours for the unlined version and 3.5 hours for the lined. Its proving quite popular so I am going to grade the pattern up to a size 18 and see how well they do. Selling price will be around £85 depending on materials. Made to measure of course will also be available at an extra £60 for new clients and £30 for existing clients. Peticoats are sold seperately at £45 each.

Origami flowers

I have been trying out origami flowers to go with my butterfly project. These are my first attempts and im quite pleased with the result!!

Jetted pockets

These are simple but daunting.  One mistake and you can wreck 16 hours of sewing.  Tomorrow I make the cut. 

Making the butterfly templates

First I drew a line down the centre of the paper,  then sketched the outline of one wing of the butterflies.  Next I folded the sheet of paper along the line and cut out the wings making the complete wing template.  I now have 12 unique templates to work with. 

Butterfly templates

The templates I made for a butterfly project came in useful for making a birthday card for my girl.  It's very quick and easy and I could have spent more time and glitter on it,  but she loves it!

Design sketches

Here are a few design sketches from my latest project. 
In the process of toiling the short dress.  It's going well. 

This week's project.

Currently making this little lot into something interesting. 

Silk paper vases, experimental stage.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been experimenting with silk paper again and perfecting a method for covering a vase in silk paper for a decorative effect. my first experiment has turned out reasonably well but I hope to be able to create a cover that can be removed from the vase so that the vase can be washed.

The experiment so far...

Starting to lay the tops over the netting.

Building up the layers.

Preparing to roll the vase.

All rolled up. Ready to paint on the solution.

Solution on.

The finished vase.

Back to work

It was nice to take a little break over Christmas, spent the two months before Christmas buried under several metres of taffeta in various colours for the ball season. All over now so back to concentrating on a bespoke trouser and top combination for a client.

Also planned for the coming month is a major website overhaul and the construction of as much stock as possible for my online store. Its all cut out, it just needs attacking with a sewing machine to turn the heap of fabric into the fabulous garments they are destined to be.

Then its on to planning for the Easter craft fayre, silk paper is going to feature heavily, I have plans for several vases and experiments with colours and textures to complete. As the phone and tablet computer cases sold well pre Christmas, I think a few more of those might be in order too. I have ideas for quilted, crochet and leather work pieces, the latter aimed at a more masculine customer.

Pattern cutting

New project, copying a pair of trousers for a remake.

Egg hats.

Something silly I crocheted in a spare 5 mins before bed. Easy chain 6 then complete circle, continue with doubles for 2 rows then trebles for 5 rows. Add alternate colour or texture for final row and a little matching bobble!!!!

Kept the girl entertained, Cinderella now has a new hat!!!!

Weaving magic.

I've been having a bit of an experiment with textures, not sure what I will make out of the fabric yet.

Christmas

I know its a bad time of year to be mentioning Christmas but with just over 3 months to go and lots of things to make in readiness, I find the sooner I start the better. This years gifts are going to include patchwork tablet computer cases (one for me too) cushions (mum is redecorating the ground floor of the cottage) and fabric vases. Oh and there are the obligatory tree decorations to think about too. But that will be time dependant!
Work a also continues on the Vintage collection with 4 skirts and a blouse now complete, as soon as I have 8 garments ready I can call in the photographers!! I have already started work on the design of several summer dresses, these are 1940's style, very chic with the advantage of using as little fabric as possible.
I have one wedding dress commission on the go too, this is an odd one being a complete fantasy design, unfortunately no photos will be available until after the big day, for obvious reasons, but trust me it will be fabulous.

Update 24/10/11
See picture

Block Party

Block Party |

Jersey basics

Love designing and making jersey pieces because the process is so quick! Drew the pattern with all style adjustments in about 15 mins, using this picture as inspiration, expect to spend 10 mins laying up and another 20 sewing it together.

New season

This is a sneak peak of the new season collection that will be available in the next 2 weeks. Its all vintage inspired, expect 50s style with a modern twist... For info on how to buy go to my website.