Keeping busy

There hasn't been much time for sewing lately; between uni work and keeping the newest member of the family occupied there isn't much time left for anything else. So I thought I would include a couple of pictures of the puppy until I get a proper post up later in the week.

Trying to sleep while I practice taking pictures

Shep 'not' playing with his very favorite toy

 

Pretending as if he wasn't having a whale of a time by himself

Being busy exploring

That's Shep; hope I didn't bore you!

J x

Under Pressure

After finishing the chef's hat last week I was totally on the ball with a matching apron, I cut all my templates and pieced the skirt and then I got to a bit I decided I couldn't do- so I went to bed.

All I had to do was long stitch across the top of the skirt to gather it up, I have done it before, but for some reason I decided I could not do it on a curve, so it sat on my dining room table... for FIVE DAYS, slowly getting pushed further aside by the other projects I had to get done this week; see my post here about knitting needle cases and a fancy dress costume.

Close up of the apron front;

Close up of the apron back;

Until this morning, I had 3 hours left before I went to meet the birthday girl... and the apron was still in pieces on my dining table. I had to face my fear and get on with gathering the waistband... guess what; it was dead easy! After umm-ing and arrr-ing over it a little more I decided to do it by hand and it took about 1 minute.

It didn't take long to piece together the ties and waistband and getting it all attached (after ditching the pattern because I had no time to decipher what it was trying to tell me) if it wasn't for the time pressure and the attention seeking puppy there might have been photos of this stage; but alas there are none!

Here is the completed article being given its first run through, at the restaurant- it's ok; it was a quiet day!

Note the helper;
Stephen: you need a prop, here take this spoon
Sarah: I'm not sure
Stephen: Okay... *checks out table* how about a bowl?
Sarah looks puzzled, maybe just a nice smile instead!

Thanks for sticking with me until the end of all that!

J x
ps. linking up with stitching weekend at thatgirlthatquilt

Mug Rug Madness

Despite my late joining the mug rug community, I loved the little one I made for my dad a few weeks ago and can see it turning into a little addiction of mine; as if I need another one of those!

I found Erin's blog this morning and can't wait for this little baby to start...

it's MUG RUG MADNESS

10 days of tutorials and tips to make some beauties make sure you go check out her blog at twomoreseconds to stay updated on all the mug rug goings on.

J x

Finally got something finished!

Well, I think it has been more than a few days since I finished the chef's hat and guess what; the matching apron is still not complete! I have to finish it today/ tomorrow thogh because I am meeting the brithday girl for lunch! Whoops! I promise I have started it... just need to add the waistband and ties.

I was surprised how simple yet complete the tutorial was; I think I am only a zip away from a fully lined half circle skirt- which makes me quite happy and I think I might have to try a proper skirt at some point; who knew clothing wasn't that hard afterall... unless I am missing something vital that is.

At least I have a couple of finishes to show and tell; first is another birthday present for a friend who wants to learn how to knit.

  The needle case was a nice simple and quick pattern after the apron; two identical rectangles sewn right sides together and then folded and sewn into a pocket shape. I added parallel lines roughly every 2cm to create separate needle pockets and they fit nice and snuggly.

Next I have been working on a costume for a party themed; what did you want to be when you grew up; I always wanted to own a sweetshop (because I thought I would get free sweets)
so I simplified the apron I have been working on for Sarah, to a half circle skirt, altered the pockets to fit my chocolate bars in neatly and reduced the work involved in the waistband (it means I can't tie a bow in the ties, just a knot, but that's all I really need anyway)

and to complete my costume I needed a fun shirt to go with it... my first t-shirt transfer...

I didn't have the iron on hot enough the first time, but once I read the instructions it was super simple and it looks great, I added I ribbon the the lollipop stick to make it a bit more special. As childish as it is, I think I could get away with wearing this as a normal t-shirt- it would definityle make  great design for a kid's shirt.

Here's a closeup of the transfer,

If I had realised how much of the transfer sheet you would be able to see, I would have been a bit more careful with it, next time I will get it right!

thanks for reading
J x

ps. I am linking up to sundae scoop at Iheartnaptime

Beginning a birthday present

I sat down last night to start making a birthday present for a friend who loves to bake and I couldn't think of anything better for her than an apron and hat! I found a pattern for the hat here while googling madly (you can see it listed under her tutorials) as I couldn't be bothered with the maths although I altered some of the sizes and I am going to leave off the velcro fastening and even with my slow beginner style it only took about an hour and a half, although I did have some help...

but he decided it was too much like hard work and soon fell asleep, leaving me to carry on alone.

There was a lot of finger pricking when I was trying to fix the pleats; until I realised that I should be pinning down the brim, and magically there were no more sharp edges for me to hurt myself on- duh!

All in all I am pleased with it and can't wait to show my friend; I hope he loves it as much as I do (and my model; Jen de Bear thinks it fits perfectly too and thinks she is getting to keep it)

Next up is a cute flirty apron to complete the set, I have found a great one that I will be testing and showing you in the next few days!

Thank you for stopping by,

J x

edit: linking up to the sundae scoop party at I <3 naptime
and fabric tuesday at quiltstory