Monday 24 March 2014

Pinterest Challenge - Fabric Baskets

Continuing on with the sewing theme for my Pinterest challenge I choose this Fabric Basket tutorial for my challenge.

I already had the perfect fabrics in my stash - they are a heavier weight than a regular fabric, which I thought would be great for this project.

And here are the results


This size is the small one from the tutorial finished dimensions 5x6 inches base, 8" high - I used the Ikea Fredricka fabric and interfacing too. Lined in a red cotton from my stash.


The second basket I made in the large size - finished dimensions 6x7 inches base and 8" tall. This fabric is also from Ikea and I used Pellon 809 interfacing in this one and it stands up so much better. Pink cotton lining from my stash.


And just to try a different method I followed this tutorial to make this fabric basket, but I made my own size up. Finished dimensions are 10x5.5 inches, 8 inches tall. Fabric used I bought in Australia, it is a heavier weight cotton and perfect for this project, I decided to line the inside with felt and I really loved the results.


I added a quick oilcloth bag to the mix, lined with hessian/burlap and I added a sturdy woven strap as a handle.

and lastly, see the little rainbow basket (front left in photo) this was made following this tutorial and is probably the most sturdiest fabric basket as it is stitched on all four sides - but I would say the only downside to this is it uses a lot of fabric (15x15") to create such a little basket (5x5")


All in all each basket did not take long to make - I already have one in use collecting fabric scraps, Ruby has her eye on the Ikea Fredick fabric one (front right), the blue giraffe one will be going to a friend as part of her baby gift and the oilcloth one will get used for our garden.

This was a quick and easy project perfect for organizing.

You can find me here on Made By You Monday - Skip To My Lou
And check out some other great projects

I've already picked out this weeks challenge I'll be knitting some washcloths



Wednesday 12 March 2014

Handmade Gifts



I love sewing, knitting, baking and just generally making things, so I wanted to share why I love giving handmade gifts and why I love receiving them.

A handmade gift isn't just made - it's created through a series of small personal steps, a lot of thought goes into the gift and the person receiving it.

It's about spending hours choosing the right pattern/item to make for that special person

It's about selecting the perfect fabric/yarn/color/recipe for that special person

It's about thinking about that person and what they like, what are their favorite colors, what fabrics do they like or you think they will like, what do they like to eat, wear etc

It's about going out shopping or online to buy the perfect materials you need to make that perfect item

And then, when all those steps are in place, it's about making that garment/item - every stitch is knitted/sewn/made/baked with love.

Every step is carefully executed and if it's not quite right, it is unpicked or redone until it is perfect and ready to give.

And why I love receiving handmade gifts is for the reasons above - the time, effort and thought that is put into each item blows me away every time, it's not just plucked off a store shelf and paid for, it's made and given with love and I take great delight in this.

Here's a very small selection of my our handmade gifts that we've received over the years


Hand knitted by Auntie Joan - one of my mums best friends, she knits in her sleep I am sure. Joan knitted this gorgeous cardigan and booties for Ruby which Ruby came home from hospital in - I still have it to this day and plenty more of Joan's hand knitted items we still have - check out that cloth nappy!!!!


And look at this beautiful shawl that we received for Ruby from Grannie when she was born too - it's just beautiful and I'm only showing a quarter of the size there.


Here are some of the gorgeous cardigans Grannie has knitted the girls - look at how beautiful they are


And a very small selection of the hats Grannie has knitted us over the years which are still going strong and used so much.


And it's not always clothes we've received, my gorgeous friend Lesley made this cross stitch for Ruby when she was born, we've got personalized bunting up in the girls bedroom made by Lesley too. 

And we've received so much more which we love, use and are grateful for.

I am thinking this year I may do one handmade present for everyone for Christmas, but I'd better get started soon as I have a lot of thinking to do.....

Do you like making and/or receiving handmade gifts? what are your thoughts on them?






Wednesday 5 March 2014

Last's Week Pinterest Challenge - Dribble Bibs



Sewing the bibs and burp cloths for Tilly's Preschool Benefit got me looking through my Sew Baby pinterest board, which gave me the inspiration for the pin I chose last week to execute.

I decided on this pin and this pin (as they are nearly the same) for last week's challenge and I had the perfect fabrics for it.


I mainly chose my British inspired fabrics for this challenge, as along with some bibs and burp cloths these little dribble bibs will be making there way into my Etsy shop at some point in the near future.

The other fabric I chose to use is a gorgeous blue beetle bug car print - it's a Japanese fabric made by Kokka and again I'm making a baby bundle up, not for my shop though, instead this will be a gift.

All backed in a soft polar fleece - I chose fleece over flannel as it is thicker, and over terry toweling as terry toweling is a little bulky and can be a bit scratchy. Fleece is nice and soft, absorbent and dries very quickly.

I also chose a velcro fastener, which I find works well with bibs of any kind.


You can see the difference in the sizes between the two dribble bib tutorials.

The dribble bibs on the left are the Bundles and Buttons tutorial and the ones on the right the How Does She tutorial.

I loved this little project, the little dribble bibs were quick to cut out and sew - which makes this a great project to do if you don't have a lot of time and a great way to use up some of your fabric stash.

I didn't have my usual camera at hand so I decided to instragram this post instead, I hope you like it.

And before I go did I mention I accidentally ordered some fabric last night from Hawthorn Threads (I love this fabric shop) - I absolutely adore the Children At Play collection by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller and I have finally ordered the Balloon in Aqua and On Parade from this gorgeous collection and I can't wait to get sewing with it.
 
Now to decide on this week's challenge - just another good excuse to keep pinning.

And find me here on Made By You Monday - Skip To My Lou

And see me here on Show & Tell Tuesday - I Have To Say