My SOI Zoe Dress For Christmas

Saturday, 28 November 2020

Happy Saturday, 


I've just finishing the beautiful Zoe dress for the new Minerva site   in brocade fabric.  Read my review on this pattern and how I used brocade fabric (shh! it isn't very tricky ). I love way it drapes and beautiful Christmassy pattern. 

My review is here and whilst you are there do have a look at the shiny new site. Minerva have created  a creative platform, it's easy to shop and interact with other crafters. A great way to meet new new friends to support your creating.

The fabric and pattern were kindly gifted by Minerva for their site. 

Here are a few photos if you are inspired to make this dress -










Happy Sewing,

Love, 

Samantha x

Why I Love Simplicity 8292

Monday, 19 October 2020

 


Hello,

My latest Minerva Blogger Network post is live and |I'm thrilled to share this gorgeous baby cord dress. 

Read how I made Simplicity 8292 in a few evenings, it has a brilliant fit and the baby cord it so soft. Why stop wearing your favourite colours just because the season has changed?









I'm thinking of wearing this dress with leggings and flats this Autumn and with a long sleeve top under the dress so it's like a pinafore. I love the sleeves and they feel so feminine and floaty.


Happy Crafting,

Samantha x



Personalising My Cross Stitch With The Folklore Company

Thursday, 18 June 2020



I love cross stitch and to have my own unique kit arrive in the post was so exciting. I designed it using software from The Folklore Company . I opened the kit and there it was everything I needed; aida fabric, embroidery threads, needle and a pattern. This blogpost is a review of the kit.


I decided to use a quote from Jackie O so I can hang up my finished piece in my little girl Pearl's room. Pearls are always appropriate aren't they? I used an embroidery hoop to stretch out my cross stitch (aida) fabric, found the centre of the fabric and off I went. 

The process to create my own design was really easy on The Folklore Company's website. I chose my colours and had a series of templates to choose from to get started, I created my design in about half an hour, pressed OK and within two weeks I had the kit on my doorstep.



I liked that I had two cross stitch charts  (colour and symbols) in the kit plus a web link to my design too. I decided to flip the colours when I received the kit and have the dark pink as the border motif. I really like this.


The kit took six evenings to finish and I found it so relaxing. It was something to look forward to at the end of the day. I sat down with a cuppa and got my stitching out and watched it grow.


I really loved this design, it looked very Nordic. Stitching with just two colours is perfect for beginners or if you want a simple project. The threads were DMC, which are beautiful and shiny. I still have over three quarters of my skein of threads so I could easily make the kit again if I bought some more fabric.


I want say a big thank-you to The Folklore Company for sending me my own personalise kit to stitch in return for an honest review. I really enjoyed the whole process and now the piece is now waiting for a frame when I can get to the shops!





Let's Make VE Day Bunting

Thursday, 30 April 2020


In these very unique times, let's make some bunting and celebrate VE day at home...

At the moment, I'm home with both my girls and we are looking at crafts that are easy and fun to do in a few hours. Today I'm sharing a easy child friendly craft which you can do with materials in the home and a bottle of textile glue.



Making the bunting flags

·    Make a template. To do this, get a piece of paper and fold in half. Then draw a triangle from the top unfolded edge of the paper to the bottom folded corner. Unfold your paper to get a flag. 

     To cut out your flag, line up the top edge of your flag to the edge of the fabric. You want your flag to hang straight, if you cut your flag on the diagonal or ‘on the cross’ your flag will hang with a twist! You can trace around your template with a pencil.


     Cut out your flags using your template, ideally with pinking shears so the flags won’t fray.


You can attach your flags to a ribbon or string with textile glue or thread them using a sewn channel.



If you want to create a channel and thread your flags, stitch the channel at the top of the flag turn over once to give a 2cm channel and stitch. Thread in the loose threads and trim off excess fabric and threads.  


You can stitch the channel with a sewing machine or if you don't have a sewing machine you can use a hand stitch. Make sure you fold the edges in to stop it fraying. You can then thread your bunting flags onto a ribbon or string. If you thread your flags on, you can rearrange these when you fancy.


You can make and decorate your flags using old pieces of fabric in the home. Use up old tea towels and duvets. if you don't like the pattern but like the colour, cut up the fabric to make letters, shapes and dates. Use your textile glue to glue the shapes onto your flags.

I really enjoyed making this bunting and I hope you can to. Share your makes with the hashtag #crafternoonteas on social media.

Stay safe,

Sam x

Deer And Doe Aubepine Review

Monday, 10 February 2020

Hello Friends,

I hope you are well? After a crazy few months with a house reno and a young family, I wanted to share with you some of my favourite sewing makes from the last few months on the blog.

This is the Deer and Doe Aubepine  that I reviewed for Minerva in October. I haven't taken this dress off, it's so comfy with leggings and boots this Christmas and Spring.

The original blog post is here



It was such a joy to stitch and now four months down the line, my Aubepine has washed so well and so easy to wear.


I loved the cute pleated detail on the bodice and sleeves.


The skirt length, originally I thought I'd rock Autumn coloured tights but jeggings are more Mama friendly. But it's a dress up or dress down pattern and that it's charm.

Here's a few photos...




Happy Monday and happy dressmaking,

Love, Samantha x