Zip It!

This week has been all about the zippy pouch, purse and accessory cover. I have been having a jolly old time fiddling and faffing about with my fabric stash, my buttons, ribbons and thread. It's been great, I finally feel like I can say I'm a sewer again.

I started off with the fabric I had cut that I showed you in the last post. The linen outer was from a bargain bin at my local fabric store, the flowery interior is Ikea. Originally I had planned to use buttons and ribbon only on the outside, but when I cut the excess from the interior pieces, I knew they would look great on the outside. So here they are.

I had a good old rummage around in the bags I was given by my lovely neighbour and found some more neutral fabric which I married up with some treasured Kokka linen that I only have a tiny amount of, bought from The Makery on a trip to Bath last year.

With another Kokka swatch I cut it more generously so it only covered three pouches. But don't you agree they look fab! I am rather proud of these. The trim is vintage, bought at one of the fairs I did last summer.

Next on the hit list was some Cath Kidston fabric. I had a special commission from my teenage daughter to create a purse with a dividing piece of fabric so that she can stash her phone and ipod together safely. She loves horses, so there was really only one choice of fabric for her. I only have the cowboy print in haberdashery weight, so I used heavy weight interfacing and an interlining for strength.

Thankfully it was well received. Phew!

I made these two with a tutorial in mind. Would you like to make one for yourself?

This morning, having another rummage, I found some dark blue hessian-type fabric. With so much red, white and blue everywhere, I had to have a go. Didn't I?




This is quite possibly my favourite. I have to confess that my own 'bits and bobs' went straight in it and it has become mine.

I had a little helper for the photo shoot. I think Edward is choosing which purse he would like.

He's not having mine.

I'm currently uploading about forty pictures taken for my zip tutorial. Hopefully I will get them edited and arranged tomorrow so I can post again soon and you will be able to have some fun with your own stash!

See you soon,

Beth x

edited to add: the zip tutorial is now ready. You can find it by clicking here x

Some lovely presents and a new skill!

Last week, my Mum came over and brought with her a cardboard box, brimming with goodies for me to go through.

Mum is a sheltered housing officer and told me that a gentleman had been clearing out his mother's house when he found this little lot and hadn't known what to do with it. His Mother was an accomplished sewer and he wanted this lot to go to someone who would appreciate it. Unfortunately he didn't leave any contact details, so I am unable to thank him properly, but I would just like to reassure the universe that I am indeed thankful and will put this little lot to good use.

I was over the moon to go through this lot and there are some lovely things in the box. I'm not sure I dare to use the unopened bias bindings, it would feel like wrecking a piece of history! I am especially pleased with the pinking shears which have been so reverently looked after, wrapped in their original box. I have ruined my own by cutting oilcloth with them and they cost so much to replace. The tape measures are lovely too, I really like the one that is closed with a snap fastening.

Later on in the day that Mum visited, I popped into my next door neighbour for something and she gave me another little bag of sewing goodies!

If you remember, I received another lovely bundle from the same neighbour in this post. Those pieces were perfect for making purses and such with, but this new bag is full of bigger pieces, so I may be able to get to work on some new cushions, and perhaps even my table runner!

Finally, I am very happy to share with you that after much, MUCH practice (and swearing; and throwing stuff) I can now crochet, or sort of. Last Thursday at the evening Knit and Natter which, I am reliably informed is actually Stitch and Bitch (or SnB as I will now refer to it), the ever patient Bex and Vanessa sat with me until I had at last grasped the basics. Bex made me feel better by telling me that as a very experienced knitter she too found crochet quite alien at first, but once it clicked, it clicked and there was no stopping me.

The above samples are in double crochet. I am obviously still doing something wrong as the sides should be straight, not decreasing, but hopefully I'll get there. I used a really ancient book (again given to me by Mum) to get the pattern for Granny Squares, which I have always wanted to be able to make and managed to produce these all by my own self! I am not thinking of anything as grand as a blanket yet, but thought I could aim for a small cushion cover. Another project on the list.

Anyway, thanks as ever for visiting and for all the lovely comments you have been leaving. Any of you lurkers out there don't be shy, I'm quite friendly really and love to find out who you are and what you've been making too,

Beth x