Embroidery Hoop Art

Adding More Vintage Charm to Your Embroidery Hoops

Hello,

So earlier on in the Spring I hosted a blogger meet with the Krafty Kat and the girls at Sew Essential. In the afternoon we made embroidery hoop art using templates, linen fabrics and stitched with gorgeous fabrics from the Sew Essential shop.

That was a few months ago and I've been hooked on the hoops every since. This post is how I add more than just embroidery into my embroidery hoops and some basics tips to get you started...it's addictive and perfect to pop in your bag for crafting on the go!

For this project, I started with a wooden embroidery hoop with a gold fastening and square piece of plain linen fabric about 5 to 7.5cm (2-3in) larger than my hoop. 

Firstly, put your hoop on your fabric and work out where you want your template. Prym do some fab plastic templates which you can trace around with a fabric pencil or felt tip. I always move my hoop around my fabric when stitching to a natural position where I can hold it. When you put your fabric in the hoop pull your fabric in your hoop tight as poss, a little bit like a drum so you don't end up with baggy stitching on your final piece.

I started with a basic back stitch using just two threads of embroidery thread. I love to use a gold eye needle for all my work as it means that you get less fluff on your fabric off the embroidery threads. I cut a piece of thread about the length of a small ruler and divide the six strands down to just two.

Once you have stitched around the edge start 'colouring in' the middle again using two strands of embroidery thread and using a long and short stitch on a 45 degree angel.  This may take a few hours, but it's perfect if you are on a train on whilst a baby is sleeping or if you just want to out your feet up on a rainy day!

I have to admit about half way through my stitching, I like to have a break and think of how I can add more to my final piece. It's a nice break. I've started to layout out everything, like EVERYTHING! I want to use and then start to pull out the fabrics or trims that would look great.

I then narrow down what I want and start to cut the fabrics and the trims up to add to my embroidery.

When I've stitched up my letter, I can then start to stitch on my fabrics and bows. This is the fun part, I recommend the more is less option and layer up the trims little by little.

                           

I started with the sheer fabrics as a base to build on and then added the pearls and beads.

Throughout the project I used a variety of small and large hoops for my work and swapped between the tow. It just made it quicker to stitch. I love the colours and textures you can create.

The project took about 4 hours to complete and all the materials (except the vintage fabrics are available from Sew Essential's shop.

Happy Stitching!

Love,

Samantha

x

A Wedding In Rye

Hello,

Just popping by to share some of my photos from our little break for a impromptu family Wedding in Rye. Rye is nearly four hours away from Derbyshire, so last week we took another holiday (our second in a month) to celebrate my brother's Wedding.

Rye was scattered with quirky little houses, cobbled streets and cafes. Here's a few snaps for my trip and a few of my brother's beautiful Wedding location. Yes, I make my own outfit and craft some lovely things. More to follow..

Bye for now,

Samantha

A Cornish Trip & The Poppy Treffry Store

Taking time out to re-charge Cornish style and a visit to the lovely Poppy Treffry's store.

Hello,

I'm so excited to be writing again after a little break by the sea and a chance to soak up seaside life. Living literally in the middle of the UK makes you want for the sand, sea and time with the family winding down by the coast.

Today is a travel blogger style post but hey...I've added a little crafty bit here too! Here are a few pictures I took with my Olympen Pen E after learning a lot from Emily Quinton on the Makelight course.

Pastel houses, VW campers, boats and Cornish Palms ....

One of the highlights of my trip was a visit to the Poppy Treffry store in St.Ives.

I love her pretty Cornish life inspired fabric prints, quirky cards and her orange lip balm is just gorgeous (oh it has a Singer sewing machine on the lid, so what's not to like?). I love that Poppy and her team of sewers hand make all the items in the store on vintage Singer sewing machines, similar to the ones I use at my Crafternoons.

This trip I picked up a stash of cards for the sewing ladies in my life. Would you love to receive this card on your birthday?

And all this pretty print fabrics....

I can't wait to pop down to Cornwall again to get my fix of Cornish life and pretty sewing supplies.

We stayed at The Old Dairy, Godolphin Cross Nr. Helston , a very family friendly self catering stay. Our Little L loved feeding the hens and pigs, it was very quiet with a short walk to the National Trust's Godolphin Estate.

I'm now ready for a wonderful Summer of Crafternoons!

Happy Crafting,

Samantha

More Self Drafted Dresses...The Elsa Dress

Hello to a Sunny May,

I hope you are well? Today I wanted to share more on my self drafted pattern journey and this time is for my Little L who is obsessed with Frozen's Elsa! Plus I'm testing out a brand new sewing thread from Korbond which claims to have '15% less breaking strength compared to other sewing threads'. Sounds perfect for me. Sewing for children requires very durable fabrics and durable threads.

As part of the Craft Blog Club Spring challenge, I challenged myself with getting more confident with my self drafted pattern making especially on knitted fabrics. You can read more about my first dress here inspired by Chinelo from The Great British Sewing Bee.

I bought this sparkly stretch mermaid inspired fabric last Autumn at the Sew Brum meet from Barry's fabric store. I'd already tested out the stretch stitch on a Christmas dress for Little L so I knew that the neckline wouldn't sag or the armholes wouldn't look all wobbly!

For this dress, I decided to self draft the bodice, making reference to You Tube video's of Elsa plus my gorgeous daughters input! Yes, I do have a budding fashion designer here. I was told that I had to put a point on the bodice and a big skirt. (She's 4 but knows her mind!) I used a sparkly light blue voile and lined it with pale blue lining fabric to get a princess floating shimmer. Little L wanted it for a party, so it needed to be more fitted than a dressing up dress and soft play party proof too.

For the bodice, I took one of her favourite knit dresses and copied the pattern onto pattern paper. I did this by laying the dress onto the bodice and with a pencil and pins, transfered the neckline and the arms. Then I allowed 1.5cm or 1/2 inch for turnings. It can be fiddly but you know it will fit! This took about 30 minutes to do. If you want to find out more about how I did this, I can write a separate tutorial, just leave me a comment.

For the skirt, I cut a circular skirt by measuring her waist and length and then creating a paper pattern. I created a skirt pattern for use on the fabric bias by halving Little L's waist measurements and adding this as a scooped circle on a square of pattern paper. I then measured down each side of the square her length. This gave me half a skirt pattern to cut on a fold. You can read more about circular skirts maths on By Hand London's blog .

I stitched the bodice to the double layer of lining and toile and created the Elsa point, then cut away the skirt excess inside. I then stitched it three times with using the Korbond professional sewing thread using a fancy scoop stitch to make sure it was really, really child proof!

At the hem and on the puff sleeves I wanted to make the toile stick out so it looked like ice (Frozen right?) so I stitched it with the same white thread about three times, over and over with the same fancy scooped stitch. I love it!

And here is the back view and the detail of the puffed Princess sleeves we added. I have to say sewing with my daughter's instruction is really rewarding. We finished off the dress with an iron-on Elsa transfer which you can buy similar here .

Little L has worn the dress three times now and I've washed it twice. In making the dress, the thread never broke. I usually snap my thread in my machine as least once. To get science-y, I looked at the twist per cm (which determines how strong a thread is) of the Korbond thread and the others in the sewing box. This thread was twisted the most out of all the sewing threads I own, so it was the strongest thread in my sewing box! It was smooth through my sewing machine and easy to thread through the needle. I will be using it again. I thought a child's party dress was a good starting point.  I want to thank Korbond for letting me try out their new sewing thread.

Have a great sewing weekend. I will be searching for a pattern for a Wedding in June. That's another post.

Love,

Samantha x

Spring to Summer Bedding

Today I’m teaming up with The Yorkshire Linen Co. to share my plans on moving my family’s bedding through the season from Spring to Summer. I love adding textiles in my home; creating texture and pattern that fits with our vintage-scandi style.

It's that in between time of year; Winter and Summer quilts, thick fluffy bottom sheets, hot water bottles and blankets. I’m writing this as my heating keeps clicking on and auto off so my post is very fitting.

I like to create a clean calming look with our bedding using white cotton quilt covers, pillowcases and a bright fitted sheet.  A good friend once said that white was an underestimated colour for interiors and I tend to agree! The bottom sheet picks out the colours in my cushions and throws, it’s not too fussy and frilly for my husband’s taste and it’s a long way from the crazy patterns we grow up with in the 80s and 90s! These days we love our pale bedding and throws.

Ikea bedding is one of my favourites (and so is Swedish tea when we go to buy it!). I bought these throws a few weeks ago in preparation for a warmer Spring and to get our a Summer quilt out (if only). The throws start at just over a fiver, I really love the cosy pink and grey strip throw  which my daughter likes to snuggle in. Our cream linen effect waffle blanket is super cosy and washes really well. I also keep Ikea's polar fleeces in the airing cupboard for the cat. Cats love beds but that's another post.

Throws are great for this time of year, I use two or three on my bed at any one time as our toddler and cat are usually on the bed in the night or in the morning!

The Yorkshire Linen Co. have a great range of throws to add to your bed this Spring.Create your own shabby chic feel, here's my pick from the online store.

Anti-clockwise: Lille Gold bedspread,Cotswold stripe fudge throw,Azure Faux Mohair throw, Vintage Postcard bedspread 

I always look for easy care throws and wash them every time I change the bed. Usually,  I choose a waffle or fleece throw for my cats to snuggle in on the top (if it's not a rainy day), a woolly textured throw and a patterned tassel throw for me when I’m reading in bed. Yes it is a sewing book that's my current bedtime reading!

I feel it's fitting to partner with The Yorkshire Linen Co as I studied my textile degree in Yorkshire and I’ve been shopped here since my student days. The bedding from them really does last and the service is fabulous. Thank-you for letting me pick my favourites!

What are your tips?

Love,

Samantha

This is a collaborated post.

Ruffles and Bows and a #vintagepledge

This year I've decided to sign up to the #vintagepledge dressmaking challenge .

I know that it's April but thanks to my Mum and my pattern haul I'm going to join! Today I'm sharing which patterns I'm going to sew up this year and why...

 Yesterday Mum was over and I were going through my pattern box (we do this from time to time a Mother and Daughter thing!), we were searching for a jacket pattern for my brother's wedding. Mum commented on how many old fashioned patterns I had. I thought why not take part in Marie's vintage sewing pattern challenge. Here I am....

I love sewing old patterns from my Mum and my Grandmother's old sewing boxes, they are just...beautiful and mean so much. Even my Wedding dress had a bolero jacket made from two of my Gran's old patterns. It's a little part of family history, some families keep books, we keep dress patterns.

So this is my #vintagepledge 2016

 I have chosen four lovely patterns -

Style 4771 - a knee length skirt with a pretty detailed shoulder detail. The shoulder detail is really unique with a kind of bolero look. I think this would be great for the Autumn.

Simplicity 8217 - a pattern from Gran's box. The dress has a flair skirt and V or scoop neck. I love the bow and the side curved darts.

                           

Simplicity 6535 - My Gran's shift dress with long curved shaped darts on the bodice. This pattern has so many variations on the sleeves, neckline and those bows!!

                    

Style 3686 One from the family pattern suitcase again, a puffed sleeved flair dress with a ruffle front.

So there you have it, a lot of bows and ruffles and a 60s and 70s style going on. I've picked dresses as I need more dresses in my wardrobe for Summer days, less toddler picking up (dresses have been a no for a few years!)

For more vintage inspiration visit the Pinterest board -

Happy Sewing,

Samantha x

Tea Set Treasure & My Tips To Find Vintage China

Hello,

As you may know I love old china and collect it for my home and for use at my tea party business.  I started five years ago just after our Wedding collecting pretty tea cups from charity shops. I think that having a vintage Wedding started me off on a trend and I love it!

Today, I want to share with you how I find my vintage china and my newest pretty tea set I'm keeping for my birthday party in September and it's sooo gorgeous!

Hunting for vintage china does take time and gets very easily addicting. You can find sets in charity shops, car boots and vintage shops. In recent years it has increased in price, I think many sets have nearly doubled in price as dealers and charity shops a like get on the vintage trend. I picked up in 2012 a vintage suitcase full of china for £5, in the same charity shop this week I'm paying that for a cup.

Ebay is a great place too, I only use it if I want to add to a set and buy the odd thing. For example I found a beautiful Royal Crown Derby set for my sister-in-law and it's missing a cup. I'll go to Ebay for one as many seller split up the sets and sell it one by one.

I find the best way is to spread the word around your family and friends that you collect vintage china. This new set with a pretty thistle design was bought from a lady in my village whose father had sadly passed away and she wanted it to go to a home where it would be loved and used. I bought it off her, got it home washed it in Milton and washing up liquid two or three times. Here are my photos of my lovely new vintage Royal Albert set.

My blue thistle tea pot, tea cups and vintage linen

Playing with patterns, cloths and petals!

If you have any questions or tips on how to buy vintage china leave me a comment. I'm on Google+ comments at the moment but will be moving to Disqus one we can iron out the widgets!

Happy Hunting,

Samantha x