Diary of a Chain Stitcher

In amongst trying to get on with some other bigger sewing projects last weekend I couldn't resist getting into the Christmas spirit early and doing some Christmas crafting. I was inspired during a visit to Hobby Craft and promptly came home and whipped up these festive stockings for me and my boyfriend. I was going to keep them as a surprise until we put the decorations up but I couldn't resist showing him straight away! They were very simple and quick to make as felt is so easy to work with. There are plenty of tutorials and templates online but I simply drew up my stocking shape on a piece of greaseproof paper and used that as a pattern to cut out two of the shapes in each colour. I then used a long machine stitch to join the pieces leaving the stitching to show as decoration (good practice for sewing curves neatly on the machine!). I hand stitched on all the trimmings, including the cheated ready made pompoms! To make the tags I cut the letters out of the wide tarta...

Over the last couple of weekends I have been out and about hunting for particular things I need to complete certain projects and it occurred to me how useful it would be to have an idea of where was good for what all written down in one place. So I thought I'd start a little series of blog posts about my favourite places to shop to pass on some of my contacts I've collected over the years and also see if anyone has got any other brilliant additions. Most of the places will be in London, although most now have shop online options for others elsewhere. So first in line are Haberdasheries, I think the most important places to know (and also a word I can never spell correctly first time!). Here's a selection of my favourites. Barnett Lawson  - 16-17 Little Portland Street, Oxford Circus One of the biggest haberdasheries I know of. They have a HUGE supply of all different trimmings; ribbons, braids, fringes, buttons, cords, tassels, you name it they've got it. They al...

I've read many reviews of books about sewing techniques and dressmaking on other blogs but as yet I have not come across anyone mentioning this little gem. Admittedly I don't have many other books covering similar topics to compare it to but I really think this has all you need. It is a fantastic book for a beginner as it guides you from the very basics, such as which equipment is essential to begin with and what it is useful for. But I think it is going to be equally useful to me over the years as a reference for new (or perhaps coming back to brush up old) stitches and techniques. There's an excellent glossary (very useful for those 'huh?' moments when following an unusually worded pattern!) and a detailed index at the back which makes it easy reference when you just need to confirm a few details about a particular technique. It makes an interesting and coherent read from the basics and through the following sections of step by step projects; it's divided in...

So today I discovered a couple of interesting/exciting things that I thought I would share/make a note of to remind myself to do something about! The first is a fantastic charity project to help little girls all over the world to feel a little bit happier - Dress A Girl Around The World . I often wish I could help charitable organisations in some way other than dishing out money; there are so many it is difficult to know where to direct your spare pennies first and this is a brilliant idea. A quick and easy way to help, making the most of your sewing skills and giving you a bit of fun in the process. What could be more satisfying than making something and for the benefit of others who need it?! It's deffo on my to do list to make my contribution to the project over the next couple of weeks. Photo from http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.com The second is the upcoming  Leonardo Da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan  exhibition opening at the National Gallery early in N...

One thing that has spurred me on in my sewing and to start my blog is that my nan recently gave me her old patterns which she had kept from the 1960s/70s. Firstly these are just amazing to look at from a historical perspective (not sure if she'd like me describing her possessions as 'historical' but i couldn't think of a better word!). Secondly there are many of them i want to make and wear. I'll post some pictures of my favourite patterns which I want to work up to making later on but for now I've chosen quite a simple skirt pattern to tackle to begin with, Style 1033. I've already spent a whole evening trying to decipher the pattern but I think I've finally got to grips with it! I'm toying with either view 3 or 4 as I want to be able to wear the skirt through the winter with my opaques so I'm thinking of using quite a robust fabric. I've had a look through the bits and pieces I've got at home and I think there's two possible opti...