I rarely make gifts these days, I'm a very selfish seamstress, and lately with teaching most weekends at Ministry of Craft, plus working on various other freelance projects and putting together a collection for college, there is not much time to sew for myself at all.
Despite that though, I made an exception for India's boyfriend, John. He is a stylish young man with very clear ideas about the kind of clothes he likes, (I realise my description of him makes me sound about 110 years old! ) as you can see from his blog.
He showed me a tote bag he liked and lost for ideas of what to buy him for his birthday a couple of weeks ago, I thought I would make him a bag very similar to the one he showed me.


I used denim recycled from some of Woody's old jeans, making use of some of the seams already in place, added an internal pocket with visible top stitching to the outside, a little denim inseam label and a kilt strap to fasten it.
I *think* I got the aesthetic right, of course John is far too polite to tell me if I haven't, but India assures me he likes it and is using it for University.
I don't usually enjoy this kind of sewing, but actually I really did! Very refreshing to work on something I wouldn't usually.

I've had a kind of pottering sort of few days. I've been playing with wet felt, and scraps of tweed; making roses and well just pottering really.
The scraps left over from my Delphine skirt were just too lovely to consign to the scrap bag, and for once I've kind of enjoyed fiddling about with little bits. I don't usually enjoy that kind of sewing if I'm honest.



I had a couple of purse frames knocking about so thought I'd combine the scraps, the roses and the frames into a couple of little purses.





The larger of the two is the least technically successful, but still pretty. I used some lovely quilting cotton to line both purses.



The scraps from the lining also got used up for some scrappy rose brooches too.



My little mindee likes to help me choose buttons to sew on these. He loves playing in the button box.



This one even has a spare button from when I made his Mummy's wedding dress a little over five years ago.

Today's efforts to keep busy meant sewing up this bag I've had cut out for a few weeks now. I used my gorgeous Sandi Henderson, Meadowsweet fabrics, (I decided a bag was a safer bet than a dress at this stage of my enourmousness.) and the "Here We Go" pattern from Anna Maria Horner's book, "Handmade Beginnings".
I'm pretty happy with it, it's lovely and roomy for carting about nappies and the like, plus it's pretty, and I like pretty.

I had no idea the contents of my UFO basket would be so popular. I have allocated the following on a first come first served basis, sorry for anyone disappointed.

Hannah: Park Slope bucket bag
Mummytothec's: Ladybird lunch bag
Ally: Chocolate Lollipop bucket bag
Becky: beige/blue bucket bag
Tulip: green pinafore
Albert: beige/blue lunch bag
Samaymay: Petrol pinafore

If you could all email me your addresses to jeanette dot archer at gmail dot com I'll get them in the post later this week.

Don't forget it's still not too late to enter the draw for the give aways a couple of posts down...just scroll, I've been busy today!

..and I'm impatient, so I'm listing here a few cut out ready to sew items from my UFO basket that someone else might have more use for than me.

Firstly lunchbags:
One brown lady bird corduroy with blue corduroy lining.
One pale beige/blue printed cotton with pale blue corduroy lining.

These are not complete, you need to sew them up using the lunchbag tutorial instructions in my side bar over on the left. They do not include an insulating layer, and you need to supply a button.

Next, Bucket Style Bags

Just like this one.

One in mixed green/brown florals (chocolate lollipop), with natural lining
One in blue floral (park slope), with natural lining
One in lovely beige, and pale blue cotton, with pale blue corduroy lining.

Again, you need to sew these yourself. They are pretty straightforward, though I'm not at all inclined to write out instructions, so if you want one of these then you'll need some sewing knowledge.

Lastly, Pinafores, just like the ones in my previous post.

Petrol blue, size 12-18 mths, with large flower applique pieces.

Green, size 18-24 mths, with large flower applique pieces.

Sorry guys, but again, no instructions, but fairly obvious to anyone with a little sewing experience. You will need bias binding for the arm holes and neck opening, and you will need either snaps or buttons to fasten the back of the dress.

OK, that's it, if anyone wants any of this stuff, just leave me a comment, I'll work on a first come first served principle for these,and sorry guys UK mainland only cos I'm gonna go bankrupt from postal charges otherwise. Please don't ask for more than one item.

And yeah, I know I said no instructions for the bucket storage and the dresses, but I might stertch to an order of work at the very least.

Come on, help me clear out my craft space!

Well, you can now buy them direct from Spoonflower. (At least I have added them to the market place,but I think it might take a short while for them to show up, so it might mean checking back a few times.)

Firstly there is my large scale Grey Dahlia print. This is lovely for home dec, would make great curtains, cushions or blinds.








Secondly there is my small scale Blue Dahlias. A lovely small scale print ideal for childrens clothing, or handbags, I'm planning to make some Christmas ornaments with some of mine.



This fabric used in the outfit below was a mirror repeat, the fabric available to buy is a half step repeat which works better.





Just click on the designs if you'd like to buy. The prints are available in a choice of fabrics, including organic sateen, organic cotton knit, and bamboo. I'd recommend either the upholstery weight or cotton sateen for the Grey Dahlias, and quilting weight or organic cotton knit for the Blue Dahlias, but the choice is yours.
And if anybody does buy either of these, I would love to see what you make from them.
(you can email me direct at jeanette dot archer at gmail dot com )
Maybe this will finally give me the kick up the bum I need to get my sketchbooks out again, and work on that collection of fabrics I've been planning for so long.

Very gently easing myself back into life.
This morning was the first day back at school, a daunting prospect for us all. We've pretty much cocooned ourselves away over the Summer while we've been dealing with our raw grief. Life, however does go on, and today we all had to face the new school year.
Woody has taken the week off work so I don't have to face the school run alone. He held my shaking hand while I walked Sid into his new reception class.
I've also managed to do a tiny bit of sewing. My concentration levels have been at total zero since Florence was born, a combination of grief and post natal baby brain I think. Most days I've simply been concentrating on getting through the next minute, the next hour..

The bride came over today and before taking her dress home had one last try on,allowing me to take a couple of pics.
You have to imagine all the trimmings...seamed stockings,vintage jewellery,etc.



Oh and I'm not at all up to date with all this twittering stuff,but I got an email earlier from a good friend to tell me Craftster had twittered about the dress, how cool is that? I think it is anyway!

It's finished! I'll be relieved when it's out of my house and away from my four often sticky offspring,but I'm very happy with it, and just hope Heather is too...I think she is.




I didn't make this fab petticoat, but it totally makes the dress, and I want one to spin around the house in!!

Oh and I ran up a quickie buttercup bag to keep her lippy in, the corage is by A Alicia.

The older children went back to school today, and Woody went back to work. Sid and I are feeling a bit lost and lonely,but trying to find our usual groove.
Five weeks till half term....

After making up the little grey bag earlier today,I was inspired to make up this little clutch using the same pattern, but minus the strap and button tab.
I used a fat quarter of some Garden Party fabric by Anna Maria Horner, and lined the bag in hot pink silk. All finished off with a sparkly brooch. This one is a pressie for someone very special.

I spotted this great tutorial on whip up the other day and instantly knew I had to make it up in this piece of vintage cotton I've been saving since last years antique textile fair.
Really lovely patttern, I'm not usually a little bag girly,but I love this design.
I'm not 100% happy with the button tab, that's quite tricky to get right,but it's not terrible,and I doubt anyone else will really notice..I hope!
Oh yes, and I scanned this fabric before cutting into it. I love it so much I'm probably going to get it reproduced at Spoonflower sometime, or at least a version of it.

OK, I'm going to attempt to give instructions to make one of these. I have made three so far,each one slightly differently,but the photos that follow are of the construction of the one pictured above.

Firstly gather your materials,you will need:

Outer Fabric, A fairly sturdy cotton or linen is what I have used,but you could use PUL or similar for a wipe clean lunch bag.

Lining fabric, I have used a heavyweight calico,but again feel free to use a fabric of your choice.

Inner stabilising/insulating layer. Here I have used polyester fleece as a stabilising layer,but you could use insul brite,heavy interfacing,another layer of calico....

Matching thread

Co ordinating button

Start by cutting out your pieces. The sizes I used were decided by the amount of fabric I had,but if you'd like a larger bag simply adjust the measurements below accordingly.



You can click on the pic for a larger image,if it's not too clear.
You can see I have cut the bottom section of the bag pieces at an angle,leaving enough of the top section to fold over and fasten the bag once complete.

The two pieces at the top of the pic are the wrist strap and the button loop.

Make the wrist strap:

Press the wrist strap piece in half lengthways



Then press each side into the middle,use the crease you have just pressed as a guide.



Press together and topstitch close to the edge.



Make up the button loop in the same way.

Making up the bag:

Attatch stabilising layer to wrong sides of the outer fabric layer. Here I have used a tacking spray glue to attatch the fleece.




Pin wrist strap in postion, on the right side of the outer fabric,ideally it should sit about 7.5 cms down from the top edge.
Pin Outer fabric pieces right sides together and stitch a 1.5 cm seam along the sides and the bottom.





Clip corners,and trim any excess fabric.



Press seams open

No need to neaten seams as all raw edges are concealed.

With seams pressed open,pinch the bottom corners of the bag together,and press again with seams lying on top of each other. Stitch across about 2cms in to box off the bottom of the bag.



Trim if necessary. (I don't bother on thinner fabrics,but with a heavy stabilising layer it's more important)
Press again.

Make up the lining in the same way.

Pin button loop to the centre front of the top edge of the outer bag.
With right sides together pin the lining to the outer bag sandwiching the button loop in place.



Start stitching the top edge from appox 3cms from the centre front. Stitch around (1.5 cm seam ) leaving a large enough gap to turn the bag the right way out.



Turn the bag right way out,and press. (make sure the raw edges of the top edge you didn't sew are pressed neatly inwards.

Topstitch the top edge of the bag close to the edge.



Mark the positin of your button and sew on securely. I like to use a buttonhole stitch on the reverse,it looks neat and is very strong.



Give your lunch bag a final and thourough pressing,then fill it with yummy treats.

I hope these instructions are clear,I realise the pics are not the best quality,and know I have a habit of skipping detail,so any suggestions or bits you don't understand just say so in the comments, and I'll do my best to help.

I've had a very busy sewing day today. Firstly I was working on a custom order,then I altered the wrap blouse I made the other day to be more flattering. I added darts and used the belt to make ties at the side. You'll have to just believe me that it looks better on than it did,because I might break the camera if I take a photo of myself today.
Then I made another lunchbag,this time for India and using fleece as an insulating layer. I used fleece simply because I have rather a lot of it,and India is pleased with it. I think it's a touch too bulky,and prefer the one I made me with heavyweight interfacing.Though I might buy some insul brite if I make any more.
I am pondering adding a tutorial for the lunch bags to the blog if anyone is interested? I took pics today as I went along,so I could add one tomorrow.





I also finally got to grips with the rolled hem on my overlocker and ran up some napkins and some hankies. I used some Indian cotton fat quarters I've had in my stash for some time.





Phew! That's it for today.

tuppence a bag..
I had that song in my head the whole time I was sewing up this lunchbag for me.
This time I used these gorgeous fabrics from Cicada Studio,and made a co ordinating napkin.

I spotted the cutest fabric lunch bags on Etsy earlier,and as Eden's current lunch bag is full of holes,I thought I'd have a go at making her a similar one. This took only 30 mins to run up including the time we spent choosing the fabrics.



I've used Japanese cotton lined with heavyweight calico. I haven't insulated this one,but might make a slightly larger one for India with a stabiliser/insulating layer.