~End of July catch-up~

This last couple of weeks have whizzed past settling into the summer hols. I shall be speedy and succinct with a few photos thrown in...
Jack and I visited a PYO farm (Spuds and Berries near Selby see here)  The strawberries are nearly over but I wanted a few for some jam - PYO used to be the economic way to do this but I have to say the price of fruit per kilo was very expensive.  Picking fruit was part of my childhood; living in a Yorkshire village surrounded by PYO strawberry and raspberry fields. I think Jack enjoyed it (not exciting when you are 12) but I enjoyed showing him anyway so maybe it offset the cost a bit!

 

Nice set up with the strawbs on table tops for accessible picking, and rows of raspberries (a few ready) and blackberries (loads ready). The Farm Shop is nice too though we only bought some Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil

 

 

I'm making Chutney, Jam and Pickles as and when I can - the cheapest tomatoes I have found for chutney have been from Aldi.  I save my own tomatoes for eating as they're too tasty to put in chutney.  Looking forward to getting more donated glut fruit and veg from family and friends too.

 

 

 



I have finished my Polka Dot top, from the free Prima pattern I blogged about before.  This one fits much better - I made it a bit longer, adjusted the back darts and added a bit to the side seam.

 The invisible zip for the back cost more than the flipping fabric but never mind. A top for less than a fiver isn't too bad.

Much neater this time around!

I have been crocheting these flowers to make garlands as Christmas presents and also for my cousin's daughter who is visiting from Australia.  Fab way to use up odds and ends of yarn.  The pattern I based them on was from My Rose Valley blog (which is my current favourite blog to sit and read I just love it) and it can be found here

I'm also having a rationalising of cupboards/wardrobes and selling stuff on ebay to make some pennies. Holidays also give me the opportunity to visit different charity shops and have a rummage.  Latest find is this Early's of Witney white cellular single blanket, which was £2 and is like new

No expensive holidays here; just a couple of days away this weekend, and odd days here and there at Filey and Hornsea, with maybe some cheap camping in the Yorkshire Dales thrown in.   I've lots of odd jobs and decorating to do as well as crafty stuff, so I won't be bored -  though I'm sure my life might not be exciting to others it's what needs doing and I can't afford to pay anyone to do it!
See you soon x



~Gingham Shell Top~

I'm struggling with both money and time at the moment, but have managed odd half hours this week to make a top for myself. Have lost a stone and a half so I need some new work clothes but have no pennies :(

I get a free paper pattern each month with my Prima magazine subscription I got as a gift at Christmas.  This month's is this top and skirt...

 It comes as a full size paper pattern (great), but printed on 2 sides, so you have to trace some pieces off (not so great - grrr!)  I think the sizes are small too (Bust 34" Waist 26" for a 12) but I cut out a 12 as I'm usually a 10/12 now.

I used 90cm of cheap gingham (£2 a metre) so in effect it was a toile to see how it fitted.
How I wish I had a mannequin!
( If anyone's great aunt Gertie is getting rid of one please let me know.)
This is the finished top...

It fits okay but is snug on the waist/hips and is also quite short.  I'm going to add half a cm to the side seams below the bust darts on my next attempt.



 

Didn't have the requisite concealed zip so made do with a normal one, but it looks okay; although I look like a broad shouldered weightlifter in this photo.

 

 The edges at the top of the zip are a tad wonky, but isn't that what cardigans are for?

It will be fine for work.  When I am office-based I have to wear black and white as a uniform, which is at worst morbid and funereal, and best, like a Betty's waitress!
Next attempt is in this polka dot cotton...

Has anyone else been sewing clothes this week?

~New Look 6895 Ta-Da~

Sorry for the delay in finishing my top I started to sew last week here
I get easily distracted with my 'to do' list and have undercoated and glossed the spindles and handrails in the hall and landing as well as making a roman blind for Jack's room. Now I have a stinking head cold just in time for going away for a couple of days!
I had sewing machine issues too, bunching and breaking of thread and noisy sewing...Got my manual out, laid it on it's side and cleared the feed dogs of packed lint with a paperclip, needle change, tension adjustment...Running like a dream now - I felt like a mechanic and very pleased with myself!!
Here is the finished top...

I'm pleased with it though I made this one with the scoopier neck and I actually prefer the higher-neck version.



I left out the gathered sleeve band too and make straight capped sleeves. This photo gives a truer pic of the lovely fabric too...

 

And to finish off; a vintage button with a handsewn button loop.

It looks lovely with this White Stuff blazer I treated myself to with my Birthday money...

So tomorrow (with my Lemsip and tissues) I will be trotting off with Jack on a road trip to Bath.  As a big Jane Austen fan, or Jane-ite as my English teacher used to say, I am very excited. Not sure my son is, but we will have fun!

See you soon x

 

 



~Sewing in the hols~

Spurred along by Daisy's Sew-Along (click on the link opposite) and also the final of the Great British Sewing Bee on Tuesday, I've started a new sewing project...

 

It's New Look 6895, which is a multi-size pattern for 6 tops - I'm making view C, top right, which takes 1.5m of fabric.  It's got a gathered scoop neck, and gathered short sleeves.

I made another of these (view E) in 2012...

 

 

I'm using this navy soft cotton lawn, which I bought a few weeks ago for £5.99 a metre from the fantastic Fabworks millshop here in Dewsbury. It looks a bit faded in my photo, but it's a true navy.

Talking of the Sewing Bee; I did apply for this year and made it to the phone interviews but no further. *sad face*
That said, as I do my cutting out on the floor in a most unglamorous fashion, oofing when my knees hurt and I put my tongue out whilst concentrating - all these things would have not made easy viewing!
Here are my 4 pieces cut out, notches cut out and tailor-tacks done, all ready to start after tea. See how messy my sewing room is now you can see the untidy side! 
And now, Small Dog has just wondered in to have a look a la Claudia, Patrick and May just to check up on me...

I will return tomorrow with some progress (hopefully).

 

 





~My Sewing Room~

I'm always intrigued to have a peek at other's sewing rooms. Do you want to have a look at mine?  I only ask as I've had a tidy up!  I've done a bit of painting this weekend - painting the walls and ceiling white and I also bought 2 sample pots of Farrow and Ball Estate Emulsion in Calamine and Nancy's Blushes...

These sample pots are £3.95, and are a good way to experiment and paint furniture on a budget. Nancy's Blushes must be a new colour as it wasn't on my 2012 colour chart (which I look at for recreation!) I know lots of you love Annie Sloan paint, but I still like F&B and always get good results. Here are the pinks...

I painted the legs of my sewing table in Calamine and my Ikea storage drawers in Nancy's Blushes,
both had 2 coats then a coat of Colron Finishing wax...

So here is my sewing room now...this is the finished storage chest with my button tins and jars.  The vintage medicine tins have my darning needles in.

Tidy ribbon in a basket...velvet ribbon is my favourite trimming.

To the side of my trusty Janome sewing machine is my Cath Kidston pincushion toadstool which Laura bought me years ago.  The round pin tin was my Nana B's and the rose needle book was my Nana F's.

The crochet bunting was made by a friend. The pine shelves and table are Ikea from years ago - the table legs in Calamine look lovely now.  The piano stool is next for the pink treatment...

The spotty bags under the table are filled with fabric scraps I can't bear to throw away!

A pile of folded  fabric...

And some more fabric I've bought to make some new clothes.  I also found this Merchant & Mills pattern for a Madison Dress - totally forgot I had it; so that will be on my 'to do' list.  

This cute 'I love sewing' rack by Sass and Belle was a present from a friend and holds vintage Sylko wooden reels...and a random evening bag  :)

And from a different angle...

How long will I keep it tidy?

~Bedspread Upcycling~

I found this fab double valanced bedspread for £3 in a charity shop this week.  Nostalgic memories of the early 1970s of sheets and blankets and bedspreads...prior to the duvet revolution!

Late 60s early 70s quilted bedspread with valance 

This is a close-up of the quilted top - who else can remember having a 'housecoat' or dressing gown in this type of wadded fabric?

I thought about selling it on eBay but decided to chop it up upcycle it into a mini-quilt eiderdown. Don't be too cross with me - the valance has also given me yards of floral fabric for bunting and aprons! These small quilts are so good for camping, as an eiderdown on your bed or just as a sofa blanket.

I use a single duvet ( a light 5.5tog cheap one from Dunelm approx £5) chopped in half and hemmed. So one duvet makes 2 quilts.  This gives a size that will sit nicely atop a double bed. I then cut out the quilted top, allowing 1.5cm seams all round, and backing fabric (I used a vintage flannelette cot sheet).  Sew along three and a bit sides, leaving an opening to insert the duvet. Zigzag edges, clip corners and turn rightside out.  Slipstich the opening.  

I place securing handstitches in each corner through all the layers, and also sew buttons through the layers, to stop the quilt moving around and also to give the appearance of an eiderdown.

Here it is on my bed finished...

~Simple pleasures - a new Peg Bag ~

A warmer sunny weekend up to the dizzy heights of 11 degrees has meant lots of washing on the line! Good news for me as I do not own (or believe in) a tumble dryer.
My previous homemade pegbag was looking a little forlorn and mildewy so I did a bit of sewing.
Here is my new peg bag...

...hastily run up using a cheerful floral fabric from my pile, with a lining of sage green polka dots. A good use for a vintage wooden hanger too.
Back soon x

~Busy making and crafting~

In amongst all the usual family stuff this half-term, I've made a few things to sell and also to give as Christmas presents.  I'm having a stall at J's school Christmas Fair, as well as a shopping evening in the next couple of weeks.
These brooches were made using Homemade Gifts Vintage Style by Sarah Moore . I used loads of felt, wool blankets, velvet, vintage fabric, doilies and vintage buttons.  I'm a bit too safe and precise with crafting, but I did try to be random with my fabric choices, which worked out better than over-thinking it. These will be lovely gifts along with some wristwarmers!

Some stockings made from wool felt - and I'm going to make some larger versions from a cream Early's blanket...

A hot water bottle cover made from a felted fairisle jumper (accidentally felted I have to say, but never mind)...

I love the velvet ribbon on this.  Remember to keep a look out in charity shops for jumpers suitable for felting. 
Is anyone else making their own Christmas gifts this year?
ooh and by the way, I have started work on the Lavender Attic shop, but being a technophobe it's taking me a while to plod through the process, but I'm getting there...

~Cosy & Thrifty Door Curtain~

Yesterday I managed to get my door curtain up with the intention of saving energy through the colder months. Apparently draught-proofing your home is a very efficient way of saving appoximately £55 per year, as well as then being able (hopefully)to turn your central heating thermostat down, which could save an additional £60 per year.  See the Energy Saving Trust website for tips here. 
We live at the top of the street, in a slightly elevated position and get the cold air whistling through the keyhole and letterbox, despite having a modern solid front door. Our thermostat is in the hallway too, so hopefully it won't kick in as often as it usually does in winter.
So here is my thrifty version of a door curtain...
Rather than spend on a posh 'portiere' curtain pole that lifts the curtain out of the way, we used a wooden batten (local woodyard £1) fixed to the wall above the door, painted to match the wall...

...and fixed the curtail rail (simple rail approx £5 from Wilkinson) to the wooden batten - a good idea as door curtains are so heavy.
 I'd kept a look-out in charity shops for a suitable sized curtain (approx twice the width of your door) and found this one a couple of months ago for £4. The curtain is a heavy brocade, yellow/gold striped, fully-lined, and already had suitable header-tape.  As the drop was only 170cm, I added a border and additional lining at the bottom.  I already had the Laura Ashley striped linen fabric and lining. Make sure the curtain 'puddles' on the floor a bit so it acts as a draught-excluder.
Here's the snug hallway now; I promise you it's instantly warmer and looks cosy too...

 During the day it can be kept out of the way and it's easy to pull to the side if you need to open the door.

Altering an existing curtain is a good way to learn how curtains are made too, for future reference.
Keep warm and have a lovely weekend x

~Sewing Room Tidy Up~

The messy state of the sewing room has been a bone of contention in our house for a while now.  It's always way down my list of things to do, though I admit it's a source of stress as it's where all the home paperwork is dumped filed, and I store my candles and made-up stock there too.  After some baking and picallilli-making this morning, I've made a start sorting fabric - as you know stroking and folding fabric is a favourite stress-busting pastime of mine - and I've put some aside to list on eBay tonight. There are some FQ's and wool skirt lengths and upholstery fabric, so if you fancy a look my eBay link is in my sidebar, username  lavender_attic. Here's a bit of tidy shelves...

Now, if I can stop getting sidetracked by discovering long-lost patterns, books and half-finished projects I will get it tidied!

~Finished projects & Knitting Book Giveaway~

The good thing about time off in the Summer is the opportunity to catch up on the myriad of unfinished sewing and craft projects.  I called into Me and Mrs Fisher for tea and yummy lemon drizzle cake last Friday, and was talking with one of the owners, Hannah, about how I feel I've lost my motivation and crafty mojo lately. It's all about time, priorities and opportunity... I have to say my first week off hasn't see me go far at all, but it means I have rediscovered my sewing machine (under the piles of stuff awaiting eBay listing, ironing and paperwork...)  So many projects I have got started - half- made dress, odd wristwarmers (all unfinished), hexagon patchwork, tea cosies as well as my dresser to finish painting...
Anyhow, I completed this name bunting for a friend to give as a Christening gift....

...using some Cath Kidston stone paisley, Ikea Rosali dot and Laura Ashley fabric.
I also repurposed a piece of hexagonal patchwork that I'd once used on a chair, to make this cushion which would be lovely in a caravan or VW Camper...

Then finally, my favourite thing...I bought this Liberty fabric ages ago; I absolutely love it and decided to have a go at a Summer top.  I used New Look pattern 6895, which features 6 tops with gathered necklines, bias binding trim, ruffles and fabric flowers (eeek!)  I am getting a bit braver and re-learning the proper way to do things.  I also used a vintage button and the  'Made with Love' ribbon, bought from Me and Mrs Fisher as a label...

Here's the finished article...I love it!

And for a crafty-mojo celebratory giveaway, I have this lovely book....
Knitting Classic Style by Veronik Avery
which has 35 patterns inspired by vintage fashion, with some lovely photographs.
All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment below by Sunday 12th August 12 midday, and for an extra entry,  please cut and paste my message -     Knitting Book Giveaway at Lavender Attic at http://lavenderattic.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/finished-projects-knitting-book-giveaway.html - Please let me know you have tweeted about my giveaway.
Many thanks and good luck!