Vintage Style Faux Fur Wrap..Stitch Me In One Hour for #JungleJanuary

Hello

Here's a post for a one hour sewing faux fur wrap.  I saw the hashtag on instagram  #JungleJanuary and throught what about a lioness fur mane...roar!

Run one up whilst it's snowy and chilly this weekend to give your coat that vintage look. If you are going to a special occasion it'll save you about £20.

Chic vintage wrap for chilly days

 It's ideal for any level of stitcher, so if you had a sewing machine for Christmas, this is a perfect first project.

wear it to accessorise a your coat as a faux fur collar

The Sew

Faux fur is a great fabric to use, I actually upcycled my wrap from a charity shop gilet that I cut up. It cost me £6 and I have enough to make two. The wrap is a rectangle of faux fur with a lining and two 50cm lengths of double satin ribbon sewn on the top. 

I measured around my shoulders and the depth I wanted my wrap to be and added on seamage allowance of 2.5cm onto each edge.

Or wear it as high necked collar

Faux fur is best cut with the furry side up, it will shed and look like you have shaved your cat but this is fine. I always cut faux fur in old clothes and vacuum up afterwards. I use a 100 needle as when you turn the wrap right side out it needs to take a lot of thickness. 

I stitched the ribbons on inside out and turned the stitched bag leaving about 15cm gap to turn. Once pressed I hand sewed the raw edges closed.

snow day

 I've been wearing this wrap, whilst it's been snowing (it was snowing yesterday whilst I was taking pictures with my lovely new tripod) and it's so warm and cosy. You can wear it nice and cuddly or off one shoulder or just how you feel on the day!

Let me know if you like the vintage wrap by leaving me a comment.

If you liked my Jungle January, follow your favourite bloggers and their makes on #junglejanuary

Take care,

Samantha 
x

Spring Treat Size Crafternoon Teas

Happy Monday! 

  


I've just been having a Spring clean on the blog. All bloggers need to clean out old widgets, bits and bobs. It's a little blog detox. Let me know what you think?

I have updated my treat size classes and about me sections if you want to find out how I set up Crafternoon tea click here.

                                                                       


I'm excited to be back at Pickford's House in February and March hosting Treat Size Crafternoons for only ten pounds!

Both classes are from 2-3pm

Saturday February 14th 2015 
  
Create Textile Jewellery
 

Want to make an accessory that's one of a kind? Then this class is perfect for you! Using old fashioned fabrics plus high quality jewellery findings to create your own jewellery. A perfect Valentines gift.
Book Your Place Here

Saturday March 7th 2015     

Stitch A Pretty Postcard 

With Easter just round the corner, stitch and sew a postcard style quilted embroidery. If you are new to stitching or looking for new ideas, this class caters for all experiences. We will be looking at embroidery used in the Georgian period that you can add to your creation. Looking forward to it!

Book Your Place Here

Places are filling up, it's a great chance to try a class with lovely vintage style tea and cake!

Bye for now,

Samantha

Five Creative Challenges To Banish Blue Monday

So today is Blue Monday, statistically the most depressing day of the year. Boo for that and let's shake it off and look ahead to new creative challenges for 2015.

Why join in on a creative challenge?  

Most of us create on our own, in our homes after work or when the children are in bed. It is our time to be ...well us? I love when I host a Crafternoon tea that crafters share tips. Classes are great to join but we aren't available to catch up with like minded people. So social media challenges are fab to keep you motivated, keep you focused on your goal and a great way to meet new creative friends. 

Challenges really keep you motivated, improve your skills and build a on-line community and they are FREE or under a fiver!!

So what are you waiting for!!

Let me share some of my favourites -

For the stitcher...

 A Stitching Odyssey's vintage sewing challenge #vintagepledge 
 
 Last year, Marie pledged to make up a number of vintage dress patterns. Join in and follow her developments as well as the lovely sewing #vintagepledge community. Full of ideas of wonderful makes from other sewists of all levels, it will give you the confidence to make the jump into vintage sewing. And when you are hooked, it gets addictive.

For the creative...

Daire from Open Way Designs inspiring art journal dairies are prompted from the Documented Life Challenge, a weekly mixed media challenge for to stree-e-e-tch your creativity. 

Go and check it out, have a look through the what has been created in the first 18 days of the year. The ideas are fabulous. I followed Daire's journal for 2014. This year's won't disappoint I promise.

For the home stylist...

 

Styling the Season's from Katy's blog Apartmental Apothcary is a monthly styled shoot under a theme. 

Follow Katy and Charlotte at #stylingtheseasons on social media as others shared their (very) pretty styled shoots for the home and time of year. 

If you are looking for a photography challenge and to rethink how you decorate your home, this is a feed to follow and take part in. 

Your home will look like a magazine shoot within a few months. Perfect for decluttering and redefining your living space.

For a lifestyle challenge...

 

I love reading  The Every Girl as it pretty much covers fashion, home, beauty and much more for the modern girl. 

Each month the ed team put together a 30 day challenge. Follow them on social media at #teg30daychallenge . This month is about hydration, previous challenges have been about waking up 30 minutes earlier and delaying your social media posts to make more out of your social time with friends. 

I find it gives you time to look at your lifestyle and if you really want to do something (like for me make a dress but have no time available), these monthly challenges really make your find the time. 

Worth a trip to the site and a follow on social media too.

For the homemaker...

                                  
                                     

If 2015 is your year to declutter, this is a bible. 


A monthly planner to get the house how you want it, get rid of the negative items in your home and fill it with happiness! We all need that? It costs around five dollars but well worth it if this is your 2015 mission.

Here is a sneaky peak..tempting hmmm?

January – Kitchen
February - Dining room
March – Living room
April – Bathroom(s)
May – Master Bedroom
June – Kids/spare room
July – Office
August – Basement
September – Garage
October – Laundry room
November – Closets
December – Attic/Storage

I hope this post inspired you to start a challenge tonight! I find Instagram and Twitter the best place to find inspiration.

Are you following any challenges in 2015?

Samantha x