Sunday Sevens #12

So there goes another week. 

This week started with my grandson coming for a sleepover. He wanted to come on his own so he could play with his cars without little sis! 

Managed to drag him away from them to go up to Plymouth Hoe on the Monday. 

I think the promise of an ice cream helped. My grandaugher came with us to and she certainly enjoyed her ice cream😃

I had a long weekend off work but still had hair cutting to do, didn’t want to waste the sunny weather doing it inside! 

With the wedding countdown ticking down I went to the venue with the bride to be. Plans were run though and of course we had to sample some refreshments while checking out the view.

Been cat sitting this week too so evenings have been spent with this furry duo. They only seem to actually want my attention when I have treats. 

With the sun continuing the garden is in full bloom & starting to look a bit like a jungle. 

Gadget Bean Bag

I recently did my first Tutorial for The Craft Cotton Company.

They produce some great fabrics, I love this cute Mr Fox, and have lots of free tutorials & ideas on their blog. 

The bean bags are quick & easy to make, can be made in any size and would make great gifts.

I’m making use of mine to watch as I sew! 

Sunday sevens #11

It’s been a little less hectic since my last Sunday sevens. I’ve actually made a start on my daughters wedding dress (but of course I can’t share any pics of that process yet) so my post may be a little infrequent for the next few months. 

These pics are from the last 2 weeks & it started with a rainy Sunday so what else can you do apart from put your feet up with a cuppa. 

Luckily it didn’t last all day and by late afternoon we were out enjoying a drink in the garden. 

This relaxing day was followed by a very important event…The Sewing Bee final! As I was in London I was lucky enough to go to a meet up of other bloggers & sewers. I’d seen them talking about it on Twitter & it only took to the final week to get there! It was fantastic to put faces to names. 

There was plenty of sewing chat as well as a fabric & pattern swap before the main event. I came away with some lovely bits and I won a copy of the new sewing bee book…a very happy me. 

Back at home I visited a friend to meet her new puppy Bronte, so cute. 

Picked some fresh berries in the garden 

And had another little doggie for a sleepover while her owner was away. This is Lola and we had a lovely evening walking. The weather seems to have now realised its summer so let’s all make the most of it 😃

If you would like to join in with Sunday Sevens read more about it on Threads and Bobbins

Special makes

It’s always lovely to find out someone trusts in your skills enough to ask you to make that special something for them. 

Having had a break from sewing for many years I’ve surprised myself how much has come flooding back, so although I mainly sew for myself I do enjoy making for others. A couple years ago I was asked by a friend to make a dress for her for her wedding, a sundress using a favourite blouse as a pattern. Don’t seem to be able to find my pics of it but it was great to be involved. 

Then recently I was asked by a friend to make a prom dress for her daughter. She had a selection of pictures of dresses she liked…the skirt from this one, the bodice like that, back view from that, fabric like this!! 

So that’s exactly what I did with the pattern choice too; skirt from one pattern, bodice front from another then self drafted the side panels and over skirt. 

The bodice had a lace overlay so I pinned & tacked the fabrics together on each panel before stitching. 

Once made up this bodice was hand beaded and the diamanté were glued on.  

You can’t see from the pics but the dress has an a-line satin skirt with split under the chiffon. The chiffon over skirt was a straight gathered panel with a larger split at the same point. All edges on this panel were finished with a double narrow hem. 

I was really pleased with how it turned out.

I was there to see her set off (I was there to do her hair too!) & it was great to see her looking so happy😃

Prom dress crossed off the list so on to the next requested make, my daughter’s wedding dress. The fabric is now all sitting looking wonderful in my sewing room. Time to take a deep breath & start cutting out! 

Sunday Sevens #10

Not so much of a Sunday seven as a fortnights fourteen!

June was a really busy month & ended in a blur. 

A train journey ment time for a Sewing Bee re-watch! 

I had a little helper in the salon… Got to start training the grandchildren early 

A day at the races. Great day but didn’t pick a winner. 

Morning walk with a cuppa by the river. 

Walk in the park to make the most of the dry weather 

I even tried to eat my lunch outside but the rain hammered down seconds after this pic. I wasn’t giving in though, I just moved my chair under a tree! 

Rainy Sunday afternoon, at least I’m inside here & listening to it fall.

All this rain is at least making the garden grow. Lots of pears this year.

Unusual modes of transport seen in Cornwall!

Visit to the Edem Project to see Sir Tom Jones strut his stuff!! 

More music, I managed to fit in some sewing as I listened to Glastonbury 

Beautiful flowers bought for me as a thank you from customers moving away 

Saw this beautiful Heron as we walked around Battersea Park. 

Making the most of my day off. A cycle along the river with a stop for tea & cake. 

What a busy few weeks… Here’s looking at what July has to bring😃