Hello Banksia

Hello Banksia - Pattern Review

Banksia Woven Fabric Top

I have days when all I want to do is throw on a comfy top and a pair of jeans. These days as I work at home, I want to get dressed, dress my daughter and go! But I still want to look like I've made an effort and here is wear my pretty fabric Banksia Top by Megan Nielsen Patterns comes in.

Made with a woven cotton fabric in  just one metre, the Banksia top was launched last Autumn. I was lucky to be a pattern tester last year and I have worn this top again and again. It's so relaxed with a soft drape, no buttons and easy to pull on and go with a lovely fitted sleeve.

 I choose to hack mine and put a contrast bias binding on the collar and a pretty bow to a little vintage style touch. The rounded neck fits so perfectly and doesn't gape.

The top flairs slightly at the waist so it's doesn't need any darts and looks great with shiny jeans to balance the tunic style waist and give a slimming effect. It would look great as a maternity top in the early stages of pregnancy and it's bump perfect!

The PDF pattern was so easy to stick together and the waste paper after piecing up so so minimal. I would really recommend this pattern if (like me) you don't like putting PDF patterns together.

I now want to make a Spring version with longer sleeves. Follow me on Instagram @crafternoonteas for more sewing chat on my stories.

I have made it my new years resolution to blog more and make more. What's yours?

Have a great weekend!

Sam x

This Christmas Sew A Gold Cork Fabric Make

 

Hello,

This Summer I designed and stitched these two lovely bags for Minerva Crafts using gold cork fabric. I'm writing this in November as I haven't put this lovely shopper down since! It would make a fab-u-lous gift to make for a friend for Christmas or buy the fabric for your sewing friend!

 

I used the purse bag for holiday but it's too Summery for the Autumn but the shopper is now a must have for my college books, Mummy days and days when I go into town. I can fit so much in it and with the double stitching it pretty strong. You can read my tutorials over on the Minerva Crafts blog.

 

Here are the best three reasons to sew/gift gold cork fabric - 

 

 

It cut just like cotton fabric, no way! And you can use your  everyday sewing scissors on it.

 

 

You can see it with your regular sewing machine and a 100 needle.

 

 

The fabric has a soft handle and you can fold it, pin it and stitch just like a cotton twill.

 

So grab a cuppa and read how to put some sparkle into your Christmas with this pretty gold fabric.

 

Have a great Wednesday,

 

Samantha

 

 

My Handmade Holiday Bag 3 months on

 

 

 

 

 

Hello,

 

Welcome to my first post under my new blog name 'Crafternoon Teas', I wanted to re-name my blog with what I love and crafting and tea sounds the best way forward. More on my new blog soon...

 

This post, after my blogging break is a look back a my gorgeous holiday bag I made in April. I was over the moon with this bag as it ticked all the boxes of being contemporary, unisex and very practical for family trips. Here's how I got on with it three month later...

 

 

In the last three months we have taken the bag on long weekends, it's been thrown in the back of the car for days out and Mr. Crafternoon has taken it on a cycling trip away. It now lives at the bottom of his wardrobe (his choice).

 

 

I love the fabric as it's so easy to wash and the large handles are perfect so you can pop it on your shoulder.  The deep side pockets made without the zip are great for maps and tablets. Being able to make something that works like this is what I love about being able to sew.

 

If I was to make it again I would make it with a heavy duty zip. The pattern didn't specify a heavy duty version but the amount of use it's been getting I would sew one in when I made this again.

 

 

I want to thank Minerva Crafts for supplying the materials and publishing the review on their site. Have you made a bag or want to for you holiday?

 

Happy Sewing,

 

Samantha x

 

 

Fabric Meet Birmingham #fmbham Are you there?

 

 

 

Hello,

I'm popping by today to invite you to our super-duper fabric meet a week on Saturday. As the seasons are changing (very rapidly), we thought it would be lovely to get together in the middle of the UK and shop for Spring fabrics!

The meet is open to anyone, so you don't need a blog or a huge social media following to come. It's about getting to know other sewing and stitching people, sharing advice and having a very relaxed day out.

If you are interested in coming, please message me at createitsamantha  (at) gmail.com and I can give you all the details. We are looking to go to about 5/6 fabric shops, the event is free but we have some lovely goodie bags so we do need to know numbers before the day.

Have a lovely sunny Monday,

See you at #fmbham,

Samantha x 

How I Wear 1966's Simplicity 6535

Hello,

Today I want to share with you my most worn item of handmade sewing from 2016. After spending time sorting and clearing this January, I found quiet a few photos on me in the same dress.

The pattern was from my Gran's stash which I was given when she passed away a few years ago. I felt that I should make it is celebrate all the sewing inspiration she had given me. I have called it my 'Gran dress', it's so easy to wear and you can make it modern with pearls and a swing coat or make it retro with bright tights.

So here is in it's gorgeous old sleeve. I love all the illustrations so much. I made version two without the contrast trim.

I made it first for Sew Brum and loved that it went together without any unpicking and resewing. The fabric is a gorgeous crepe I picked up in My Fabric Place . I was lucky to find a turquoise 22in zipper to match which made my day and I thought this dress is meant to be! Gran is looking down at me!

I made this in October 2015 and meet Tilly Button's in it last February ('16) where she had a sample of soon to be released her Martha . The cut and feel is very similar if you want to try and modern pattern with a vintage feel.

For me, I love the darts on the front and the dart on the elbow. Here's a few pictures from the last year..

It looks fab with pearls.

                                            Shopping at #sewbrum with a grey wool swing coat.




                                                          Christmas 2016 with green beads

And it's perfect for picking for little girls!

Happy sewing!

Love,

Samantha xo

I've also just revamped the website so do pop over and Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Make Your Own Marbled Box DIY

 

A big trend at the moment is marble. I've designed a marbled wooden box tutorial which you can also create with a wooden box from your local craft store, some nail varnish and paint primer in about 30 minutes. I got the inspiration for my box from Oh Joy! Marble Bead Jewellery. I found the link when looking for crafts for my birthday party last Autumn . It does smell so please dip in a well ventilated space. The effect is immediate and so quick to create.

For this post I've partnered with Parcel Hero to support their online auction for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Parcel Hero are looking to raise £1500 for G.O.S.H. this Christmas, so please do give generously to the link below. Thank-you guy's for sending me the box to DIY and then gifting towards the appeal.

For this DIY, you will need-

- A wooden box with a close fasten clasp (for dipping and the lid staying on!)
- Duck tape
- Three matt nail varnishes
- One glitter nail varnish
- One skewer
- One plastic bowl to dip the box in
- Paint primer or matt undercoat
- Fine sandpaper

Take your box and give it a light sand, Then paint it and let it dry before giving it another coat. When the box is dry tape the edges up with masking or duck tape so they are water tight.

Then it's time to get ready for marbling. Take your plastic tub and fill it half full with tap water and place on a protected surface.

Then add your nail polish starting with the lightest one first. Add a few drops of each and then stir with your skewer. You have to be super quick as the varnish dries really quickly.

Hold the box around the taped sides and dip it. The varnish will stick to the primed painted surface and ta-da it's marbled!

I let the box dry before I peeled off the tape and painted the edged with glitter polish.

And leave to dry before closing.

 

And my box is finished. I really love this technique, it reminds me of marble inks at school.

For other bloggers creations check out the #PHWinterWorkshop  tag on social media. You can read more about the Parcel Hero support of G.O.S.H click  here .

Happy Crafting!

Samantha

 

A Little Bit Of Weleda Mindfulness At Christmas *

 

 

 

 

 

Today is the 14th December, so ten whole days before Santa (the big man) arrives. I have the most excited five year to put to sleep every night and like most families things are crazy!

 

So, I was delighted when Weleda asked me to sample their new Mindfulness Colouring Book and Bath Set. I was over the moon to be invited me along to their Derbyshire offices to meet Lizzie Hobbs the artist and have a moment out of everyday life to colour in, drink herbal tea and relax.

 

time out at Weleda

 

meeting Lizzie

After feeling totally energised by my morning colouring in, I realised that this would be something we could do at home as a Mummy and Daughter activity before bedtime. Colour in, chat about our day and then have bath time with the pack's body washes. Now Little L is at school, I'm looking for activities to do together that she is not tired out to do.

 

oooh pencils

So for the last month, we have been working through the colouring book then matching bathtime with the body wash relating to the picture. I have to say this pack is a perfect dual present for a little girl and her Mummy. It's time out together to make, create, chat and learn about flowers.

 

 

Here is our Turkish Rose page, we coloured in together and enjoyed a little bit of mindfulness in the run up to Christmas.  I would also take this pack away on holiday, so if you know someone travelling over Christmas and New Year, this is a perfect little £17.95 gift.

 

Mummy time as well...

 

After school colouring in

 

And we are still using the pencils

I want to thank the lovely people at Weleda who gifted me the pack and invited me the launch morning. We have loved the pack so much.

 

The gift pack includes a beautiful designed colouring book by a talented local artist Lizzie Hobbs and four treat sized body washes including my favourite Wild Rose.

 

If you can't wait until Christmas you can always buy your own here .

 

Happy Crafting,

 

Samantha

 

* This is a sponsored post

Apple Spiced Meringue Pie

 

 

 

 

One of things I love to do is create my own recipes. I love lemon meringue pie but with a load of apples in the garden, I tried something new and it works and I'm really happy to share. It was very good and very easy. Every apple is different so if you need to play around with the cornflower/starch in the recipe please do so and it needs be thick so it will set.

Apples and spice are beautiful together and I've put these over a ginger biscuit base. Oh and I've cheated and ginger nuts are shop bought.


Serves 4

You will need-
Half a pack of ginger biscuits
4 oz butter
2 apples stewed in 1 tsp of mixed spice and 1 tsp of cinnamon
2 egg whites
1 cup of sugar for the topping
1/2 cup of sugar for the apples
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of cornflower /starch

 

Method

1. Smash up the biscuits in a freezer bag with a rolling pin. if it's been a bad day you will feel better after this!
2. Melt the butter and add to the smashed up biscuits to it and press the contents into a 6" flan dish. Pop in the freezer whilst you prep the filling
3. For the filling, heat the stewed apple and combine the water and cornflower to make a paste. When the apple juices have reach bubbling temperature / boiled up, then add the cornflower and stir like crazy until it make a thick paste. Spoon over the ginger nut base. Don't worry if you are new to this, if it goes lump, pop it through a sieve. 
4. Whip the egg white until they form soft peeks, add the sugar and spoon on top of the apple spice mixture. A sprinkle of cinnamon looks good on the top.

Bake for 20 minutes at 180C or similar.

 

 

Enjoy this November with a warm tea,

Happy Crafting,

Samantha x

Party Dress! Butterick 3493 #vintagepledge

Hello,

I want to share with you a #vintagepledge shift dress I made for my birthday party two weeks ago. The dress was a last minute make as I picked up the fabric the week before my birthday and thought I should make a new party dress as the fabric was so gorgeous!

                                            

 The fabric was from My Fabric Place who have a great selection of fabrics online and in their Nottingham shop. I popped in as the shop is now opposite the new tram stop and within ten minutes I walked out with a bag of fabric for £6. My dress which is made of a double layer of crepe with a gold knitted top layer actually cost me £3. I cannot honestly believe it that in 2016 I can make a dress for £3! True vintage prices!

The pattern is a very faithful Butterick 3493 which is sadly out of print buy available on Etsy and Ebay. Both the shift (no bust darts and no zip) plus the strappy dress (with bust darts and zip) have been sewn time and time again by me since the 90s!

I cut the dress out first with a layer of pink crepe but it needed two to make it less sheer and more floatly. I stitched up both layers of crepe first and then the knitted layer as a separate garment and securing at the back seam and shoulders. Once I'd made it, I shared this photo over on Instagram .

Here are a few photos of my party dress with a 60s/90s vibe.

                                   

shoulder detail with the three layers attached together

nearly matching the gold circles at the seams

I love the way it whooshes with the three fine layers

I finished the dress just above the knee with the crepe as one hem (hand hemmed) and the knitted hem as a machined hem to get a tidy non-frayed finished.

You can explore more #vintagepledge sews over on Pinterest

Happy Crafting,

Samantha x