Finally... My First Block Quilt

It's been two years in the making! It's finally finished! I really can't contain my excitement.

Back in the summer of 2015 I really wanted to make a quilt. I think my words where "how hard can it be". Oh it was hard... Actually let me rephrase that. It wasn't hard, it just took a lot of time, patience and accuracy (not exactly traits I'm known for). As a result I returned to this project multiple times. In fact I mentioned this project in a post back in September 2015.

If I went back, would I start this project? No. But am I glad I made this quilt? Yes. The quilt feels like a personal achievement. It has proven to me that I can stick with and complete a project that lasts for more than a week. It is also another skill that I have tried, I wouldn't say I've mastered the art of quilt making but I have definitely tried new techniques. That being said, I don't think I'll be making another quilt in a hurry.

Christmas wreath base layer

So my Christmas posts have begun! (well you knew that already but I thought I might mention it again.)

Today I wanted to share with you a project that I've been working on. This year I've decided to make my own Christmas wreath and I wanted to share with you how you can make you're own wreath base layer out of bits and bobs you probably already have. So let's get started!

You will need:

Pipe cleaners (or the fluffy wires, as I like to call them), it's up to you how many you use depending on how large you want your wreath to be.
Fabric, cut into long strips that are about 7 inches wide.
White, or similarly discreetly coloured thread.

Method

Firstly join several of your pipe cleaners together to make a circle. The size of this circle will be the size of your wreath.
Then make a smaller circle, again out of pipe cleaners. The size difference of your two circles will be the width of your wreath.
Now get two pipe cleaners and cut them in half.
Attach these smaller pipe cleaners to both circles, evenly around the two circles, as shown in the photo bellow.

Next wrap the thread around the two circles joining them together. The thread doesn't have to be too tight, this is just to make sure the circles are joined.
Finally take your strips of fabric and wrap them around the joined circles, as shown bellow, tucking the ends in, so that they are hidden.

In front of you, you should have your base layer for your wreath. Now you can decorate it as you please and your finished!

I hope you found these instructions useful and of course, I hope this has inspired you!

Half Yard Christmas

Disclaimer: All of the following opinions and ideas are my own. I have not been rewarded in anyway to review this book. I simply found it very useful and interesting and so wanted to share it with you guys. 

So today I'm going to be talking about a book that was given as a birthday present to me (so don't even think about asking me how much it cost! :) ). With Christmas getting close it's the ideal time to start thinking about making Christmas decorations and Christmas gifts. Which is where the Half Yard Christmas by Debbie Shore comes in handy.

This book is great in giving Christmas ideas of what to do with your left over pieces of fabric. It also gives a step by step run through of  how to make each item shown, in a detailed and clear way.
The book is split into different themes and styles of Christmas decorations, with my favourite style being the Scandinavian style. I mean who doesn't love a cute little gnome decoration? But the rustic styled Christmas also interested me as well.

I've been totally inspired by this book and already have that lovely warm Christmas feeling inside.
Earlier this week I asked if you're ready for Christmas. If you're not then you should seriously consider having a look at this book.

I hope this has inspired you!

One hundred posts later...

I can't believe it! This is my 100th post and to celebrate I thought I would look back at some of my favourite posts.

I posted about this skirt back in February and since then it's become one of my all time favourite skirts. Its tartan pattern is similar to what's in trend at the moment but the fact that it's jersey makes it so comfortable. If you're interested in finding out more, take a look here.

 These shorts are made from a pair of old t-shirts and I made them for my sister back in March. Since having posted about these I have also made a pair for myself and the shorts have been a real hit with my sister over the summer. To find out how you could make a pair for yourself simply take a look at my post.

Although the headbands above where my most recent project, I still had to share it as one of my favourites just due to the amount of fun I had making and designing them. If you'd like to find out how you too could make a headband like these, then take a look at this post to find out more.

I hope you've enjoyed looking back on these posts as much as I have and of course, I hope this has inspired you!

My cousin's Headbands

I made these headbands for my cousin's birthday and I swear I'm in love, I could have easily made 10 or more of these, as they are just so easy to make.

My original inspiration come from the book "half a yard heaven" by Debbie Shore. However I was unsure if the headband that I first made would fit my cousin, so I sort of started making up my own pattern.

So today I'm going to share with you how I made the last two head bands. They're so simple and easy that you'll be making loads of them out of your scrap material.

You will need:

• Ribbon (two lengths measuring 13-14 inches)
• A rectangle of fabric (as wide as you like, mine were between 5 and 7 inches wide, but roughly 11 inches long)
• A needle and thread

Method:

1. Take your rectangle of fabric and sew the two 11 inches long sides together, right sides facing.
2. Turn the long tube inside out, so that the patterned side of your fabric is showing.
3. Place the seam in the middle of the tube and flatten by ironing. 
4. Next, take one length of ribbon and place the shortest side on top of the shortest raw edge of the tube, with the rest of the ribbon running along the length of the tube. 
5. Now fold the top of the tube into two right angles, with the straight sides covering up the ribbon.
6. Then sew along the sides covering up the ribbon and turn inside out. Your fabric should now be hiding the joining seam of the ribbon and tube. 
7. Repeat the last 3 steps on the other side of the tube.
8. You now have your basic headband, decorate as you please and you're finished.

Sadly I forgot to take photos during the making of these headbands but leave a message in the comments section if any part of this is unclear and I'll see if I can help.

As always, I hope this has inspired you! 

The shirt Pillow cover

I had to share this pillow cover, that I made the other week, with you guys because it was soooooo easy!

1. To make this I measured the height and width of the pillow and cut out two rectangles from an old shirt (which I had buttoned up). 
2. I then simply sewed the perimeters of these rectangles together (right sides facing). Remember to leave on button undone as it makes the next step easier.
3. Finally I unbuttoned the shirt from the outside and turned it so that the right sides where on the outside and places the pillow inside. The buttons act as a closure, which is what makes the pillow cover so nice and easy.

Also If your shirt had any added details on it, then you can make a feature of these on your pillow cover.

To make this cover, I used one of my sisters out grown shirts, but if you don't have a shirt you can use, you'll often find shirts at a super cheap price in charity shops.

I had so much fun making this pillow cover. If you have any questions on how to make one for your self, leave a comment (as I know I don't always explain things thoroughly).

I hope this has inspired you!

T-shirt pillow covers

I may have mentioned a while ago that my little sister is growing unbelievably quickly, which means that she's growing out of most of her clothes. My sister absolutely loves her t-shirts and so didn't want to get rid, even if they where to small for her. So I had a brain storm and decided that they'd make brilliant scatter cushion cases.

I must admit that the cat one is my favourite. If you'd like to make one of these for your self then you might find this video quite useful.

I used the second method to make these pillows because I personally found that method to be a lot easier (I can also take them off to be washed, when ever I need to).

 As you can tell from the photos, I used only the fabric from the t-shirt for the cat pillow but due to a lack of fabric, I had to use a contrasting fabric for the GAP pillow.

I used the sleeves of the shirt to make the bow, if you'd like me to give a run through of how I did this, let me know.

I found this to be a really quick and easy sewing project that instantly lightened up my room.

I hope this has inspired you!

Old t-shirt to new pyjama bottoms

Recently my sister's been growing super fast! She's loving the fact that she's almost as tall as me but isn't loving the fact that she has to say goodbye to all her old t-shirts. My sister is known for her funky t-shirts, so when the chance came for me to make her beloved out grown t-shirts into something new, I leaped at it.
Although there are lots of ideas out there, I couldn't find something that would allow me to use the amazing prints on the fronts of the t-shirts to their full advantage. After a while I realised that I had to approach these t-shirts as just being fabric. "If I saw this fabric in a shop, what would I do with it?" Well that's quite simple. I'd make them into a pair of pyjama bottoms. You can see the outcome in the photo below.

See what I mean about funky tops! If you're interested in making your own, then keep reading.

You will need:

• Two t-shirts 
• Sewing machine (or needle if you are hand sewing)
• Thread
• A pattern for a pair of shorts

Method:

1. It's simple really, lay the pattern piece onto the t-shirt and cut it out. This will make one front piece and one back piece. Makes sure that you place the bottom of the shorts pattern at the very bottom of your t-shirt, so that you can re-use the hem. This is what makes the project super quick.
2. Repeat the last step with the other t-shirt. 
3. Then simply assemble the shorts as you would with any other trouser project. If you are unsure how to do this, then I have included a video for you below.

And that's all there is to it.
I hope this has inspired you!

Christmas Present No.2

I made this rug/ blanket form my close friend and it took about 1 week to complete. I would have like more time, so as to get it just right, but I was seeing my friend for the last time before Christmas yesterday, so it had to be completed by then.

All of the fabrics used where either scrap fabrics or came from an 80p pack, which might sound wrong if it's going to be a present but I wouldn't have made it if I didn't think it would turn out nicely.At the end of the day you just want to give something you know the other will like/ love. 

I also choose to add a quiltish border to this rug, so as to highlight how beautiful the owl fabric is. I'm not sure if this project counts as a quit (in fact it most likely doesn't) but whatever it is classed as I love it and would definitely make it again.

I hope this has inspired you!

Scrap curtain pieces top!

Free Pattern
Awhile ago my perants put up new curtians in their room, the only problem was that they where to long. So my Mum cut off the ends and gave the scraps to me. At first I wasn't to sure what to do with them but then I hit upon the idea of a layered top. Althougth I made mine from curtian scraps, this top can be made from any scraps (if you have enough; see below).

 

 You will need

• long thin scraps of material (prefrable overlocked or instead pre-hemmed), these should be roughly 15cms long (width is less important as you will be threading elastic through; just make sure they are wide enough to fit the full length around the largest bit of your top). x8 or 6 if you are making a strapless top.
• Thread
• sewing machien (set to straight stich)
• Elastic (measureing the length just underneath your armpit, about 4-5cms bellow)

Meathod

1. Layer 5 of your pieces one over the other, so that one edge of the pieces is obscured by the piece above it.
2. Sew them into place.
3. Next get another one of your pieces of material and fold it in half.
4. Secure it with pins onto the top of your layed piece with the rigth sides facing (i.e overlocked edges touching each other).
5. Now sew the pieces together.
6. Then thread the elastic, using a safety pin, though the folded over piece and secure it at the ends.
7. Sew the two ends where the elastic comes out together, right sides facing. If you want to make a strapless top you are now done, if not keep reading!

 

Making the straps

1. Fold the two remaining scrap pieces in half and then in half agian.
2. Sew along both of the longer edges.
3. Finally attach them in the correct possition for you, with one on either end of the tube.

I hope this has inspired you!

Simple recycled bag

Free Pattern

When my little sister came home from Brownies saying that they had to make a bag out of recycled material it was obvious she was going to use the sewing machine. Because she had never really used a sewing machine before, I said I'd help her. So while she was looking through the pile of all the families' old clothes (which is conveniently situated at the bottom of her wardrobe), I drafted an easy pattern for her to follow. The item of clothing she used in the end was an old dress of hers that was way to small for her.

27cm and 35cm are the numbers stated.

You will need:

• Old clothing/material (from which you will need 2x A and 2x a strip of contrasting fabric with the Measurements of 75cm x 9cm)
• Thread
• And a sewing machine (this is opional as it can be sewn by hand)

Method:

1. Sew the 2 A pieces of fabric together along the curved line with wrong sides facing, to create your basic bag shape.
2. Next hem along the top to get rid of the scruffy edges.
3. Now get your 2 strips of contrasting fabric and fold in the two scruffy longer edges into the middle.
4. Then fold the material in half so that the scruffy edges are hidden.
5. Once this is done sew down the side with the two inner folded edges to secure it in place. These two pieces will become your handles.
6. Finally turn your main bag inside out and attach your handles to it so that they are evenly apart and the bottom of the handle is hidden. 

    7.   Now you have your new basic bag.

This bag can be decorated in many different ways. For example my little sister used the ruffle of the dress to make a mid ruffle. This effect could also be achieved with a ribbon. If you want to do that, before you start sew the ruffle to where you want it to be on both of pieces A with the scruffy edge folded inward so that it isn't visable. The folding wouldn't be needed if you used a ribbon as the edges would be finnished off for you.

I hope this has inspired you!