Perfect day for sewing!

What a  miserable day. Wet and windy all day but the sun did peep out for a little while this morning.  Someone collected my glass dining table set this morning.  A little sad to see the chairs go as they were so comfy but we have this regency style dining set in the shed that I bought for a bargain price of £20...specifically bought to make over...Dh likes the dark wood but I scratched the top when I was trying to put it together (unintentionally, of course!   ) Similar to this one from gumtree.  The chairs are not the comfiest so I plan to put foam before recovering.  Oh, yes I did DD's high chair because the cover of the chair was torn apart and padding picked by a curious toddler. 

   

I would like to turn them to this:

 

Photo from Eb@y

 

It's a pvc cloth from Laura Ashley, £12.50 for a metre and something from their bargain bin. So unlike me to spend that much on a material.  Looks good though and just what I was looking for so I guess it was worth it. It was tricky to get the back smooth as it is slightly curved so had to glue the pvc first before stapling. I would like to sand this high chair/table one day too. 

It is a perfect day for sewing or any indoor activity really.  I sewed a smaller cardi for DS from DH old golf cardi.  Not happy with the result. I didn't get the neckline right and the shoulders could've been narrower.  I don't think DS will wear it though.  I got this £4 size 20-22 pj bottoms in Asda in the sale rack, fabric feels nice so I decided to buy it and managed to make 2 trousers for DD and DS.  They can't keep still long enough for me to take pics though...lol

 

A little vest from my old pj top.  Following this tut by Craft Gemini . The head was too small though and it won't fit through DD's big head...haha But I enjoyed making it and will definitely make again.

Remember the apron, I added a frilled pocket to the front.

And made one too for my miniME... :0)

 

Linky parties:

Sew Many Ways... 

Blissful Bucket List 

My 1st Ever Follower!

I am so excited that someone has actually signed up to be my follower.  How cool is that! LOL

Thank you Emma Kate of painted style. One of my favourite blogs.  An esteemed member of the Shabby Chic forum in MSE. 

While I'm here I thought I'd mention the sofa cover that I whipped up and forgotten about.  We have a chunky black leather with 2 lazyboys? both end.  We don't want to get rid of it but it's black so I made a cover from one of those kingsize bed in a bag from primark.  It was an old one so I thought I'd use it before using a proper fabric so it wouln't matter if I mess up.  I can't find the tut I referred to but this Sofa cover tut by honeybearlane looks good for instructions so am going to save for my next one.  The very first easy envelope cushion cover I made in the sewing class. (below)

Sewing catch-up!

A couple of things ticked in my sew: to make list;

Tie-backs - First time I used interface, because the blue fabric is so thin. It made it a lot stronger/stiffer.  I think I will be using it a lot more.  I bought the one that you iron-on for £1.50/pm not sure if it's the cheapest but it's a local craft shop that I go in often for a browse. I think it looks too short and wide but it looks fine when up.  I want to make another one for DS Chelsea curtains so that one will be slightly better or maybe just a rectangle shaped one. Waiting for Dh to drill and put hooks.



reference:
https://sew4home.com/projects/curtains-panels/modas-half-moon-modern-sewing-room-tab-top-butterfly-curtains

Fleece trousers - my first clothing project. Both are blankets to start with. 1 for 2yr DD and 8yr DS.  They were really useful, DD wore hers over her tights and it didn't matter when she kept falling/tripping in dirt/mud :) DS said his is very comfortable. I need to make the next one slimmer as this was a little wide. And learn to do pockets.

I have a problem with my machine.  My thread keeps breaking and stitches skipping. Is it because it's fleece and it's thick.  It doesn't do it when I sew cotton or thin fabric, just fleece.  Maybe someone can help? Do I need to do adjustments and change needles or something?

 

This lady has some great tutorials for kids clothing:

http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-and-pattern-kid-pants-the-basic-pants.html

Apron  - A friend was looking for an apron when she did my washing up for me :) so I searched for a simple tut. The same fabric as my curtain, basket liners, and peg bag.

Catch up on DIY's

Stairs - the parts arrived last week and Dh got stuck in and fitted it in a week.  The parts were ordered from fleabay. We went to B&Q and it was goin to cost twice as much so we thought it was wise to order online.  It was from a shop near Wales.  It arrived promptly and was well packed so Dh was pleased.  I have a lot of painting to do but I'll leave the preparation to Dh.

finished

Display cabinet - slowly... but getting there 1 more door and then the 2 big pieces next. Not sure now if I have enough paint.  The small tin did a coffee table and a round dining table (which is now out of the way)

1 coat of primer

Peg bags #5

Yey! I finished my peg bags for the fun day stall for Saturday.  We have an extra lesson tomorrow and I plan to help out finishing whatever needs finishing.  I do find am improving on each one.  I hope they sell and the others too so we can raise some funds for the class.

I followed this tutorial if I haven't mentioned already.

Stairs update

This is what Dh is working at the moment.  The stairs used to have these planks all the way up and he asked me if I wanted to change it.  Yes, I want spindles! Like these 2 photos below.

Link

Link

The 2 'boys' and 'girls' pull-out shoe drawers that Dh built.
This is one of the things he did first cos there was nowhere to put our shoes when we come in.
I have a box inside for our hats, scarves and gloves too. Now, why is my scarf hanging on there? gotta get in the habit!

Before

Before

Peg bags #3

I have made another 2 peg bags for my sewing class.  We are going to raise some money for the nursery where our sewing class is held.  It's a small and friendly group. It's free to whoever wants to learn so it's nice to give something back.  They offer free creche too which is great for DD to ease her into going to 3+ (big school) next school year.

I need to do 2 more but don't have suitable fabric at home.  I made a pattern though so it's quicker to finish in our next session.  The others are doing bag carriers, kids pinnies, pin cushions etc...

Cushion cover with zip #1

I found this tutorial for an easy cushion cover with zip.

Note to self: do not zip it all the way when stitching all the sides together.

My new sewing box

A recent purchase from fleabay.  Perfect for storing threads, needles, button, etc..  I haven't filled it yet cos my little DD kept putting her own bits and pieces in.  I will tidy, line and it paint in cream.  Added to my to do list.

Autumn break

We've been away for a short break in the seaside of Cleethorpes.  Lovely golden, fine sand but you don't see the sea as it goes out really far. Typical autumn english weather.  Stormy. It was wet, windy and cold.

At the Fishing Heritage Centre in Grimbsy town.

 A little visit in a park in Lancashire

I found this in the market. Happy Halloween!