Month: December 2016

SEWING: SMART GOALS FOR 2017

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca5 Comments

So, a few days ago I added a picture on my Instagram, showing off the projects I intend to do in 2017.

Processed with MOLDIV

As you can see there is still space for another two patterns/projects but I’m still deciding which ones from my stash – yes I’m trying not to buy any patterns.

I get quite a few free patterns from my sewing magazine subscriptions.  I have 4 – yes four! It’s definitely one, two many, so I’m deciding which one I don’t need.  It’s actually harder than I thought.  It’s like going through a break-up.  Which one should I ditch?   They overlap each other on some degrees, so I have to make a decision. Geez, it’s tough!

Right, back on to the free patterns, yes I have a good stash of patterns, paid and free and I ought to put them to the test and also put myself to the test of actually making a few things.  So the Granville skirt and the waterfall jacket (free with this issue 25 simply sewing mag) are on the planner.  Simple Sew’s Bardot dress (free with love sewing) is also up there (I swear I’m going to make this red dress, even though it might be past it and out of season!).  Sew Over It’s Ultimate Shift Dress is finally up there too.  If anyone knows of any exercises to get rid of middle fat on hips (FAST) – please let me know – it will avoid me altering the patterns hugely.  That being said, I’m going to hit the swimming pool this year to try and work it off.

There I go again … always going off piste with the chat!

On the topic of SMART goals and because it’s actually the title of this blog post here are my SMART goals for early 2017.

sweet-carolsvelvet-cupcake-1

Next topic, fabric.  Urghhh Ummm, yes I have a confession.  I bought fabric in December when I specifically said I wouldn’t.

Moving on swiftly – ha ha  …

Vlog time.  I’ve been canoodling over this for a wee while.  I’ve done a rough draft (yes it was fairly rough as I bed head and I was still in my pj’s so that’s not going to go viral) so next is to re-do it and get a little less uncomfortable with the camera.  That way I can show you the latest fabrics and talk you which projects I’m going to try in January/February.  See what I did there RE: Moving on 😀

I’ve set up my YouTube channel – you can, of course, subscribe to it so, you instantly get notifications of when the first vlog goes live!

I got a few sewing goodies for Christmas too – one of which was on my last blog that I did and that was the sleeve board! My Brother In Law wasn’t too sure about getting me this as he thought it was too do housework but I said it’s fine it’s for sewing!

screenshot-2016-12-16-08-45-51

 

See you soon!  And Happy Hogmanay when it comes to you all!

Emma

Sewing Stuff: December 2016

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca1 Comment

Over the last couple of months, I’ve seen some things on the internet and instantly feel in love with them because they are sewing related.

I’ve decided to share them with you because, well it’s just nice to share isn’t it?

First up are these monthly sewing boxes  …

https://www.mysewingbox.co.uk/collections/monthly-sewing-subscription-boxes-uk/products/one-off-deluxe-monthly-box-vintage-sewing-uk

There are full of goodies and can have a theme.  They can be a one-off or a monthly thing too!

Photo courtesy of My Sewing Box
Photo courtesy of My Sewing Box

 

Next up are these rather cool wooden vintage bobbins from Pedlars …

https://www.pedlars.co.uk/shop/1940s-vintage-wooden-bobbins

Photo courtesy of Pedlars
Photo courtesy of Pedlars

 

As some you of you know, I love a good sewing book – what’s better than something to hold all these sewing books?  Well, it’s of course, a sewing machine bookend!

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My growing sewing book collection!

https://www.wayfair.co.uk/Castleton-Home-Singer-Sewing-Machine-Shelf-Tidy-Bookends-12503-CCOO1857.html?source=hotdeals

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Photo Courtesy of Wayfair.co.uk

I didn’t know how useful these were for ironing out the darts until I used one at my class just recently!  Found one similar to the teacher’s here –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leifheit-71816-Sleeve-Board/dp/B000B8J4CG

 

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Photo Courtesy of Amazon.co.uk

 

Talking of ironing I intend to put an iron board up in my sewing room but lack space for a big one, so I’m going to get this wee one from IKEA!

 

screenshot-2016-12-16-08-45-51
JÄLL, IKEA (£4) – Photo courtesy of Ikea

 

Now – sit down, this may bowl some of you over!  Soap dish and sewing, surely not.  Get a suction one, attach it to the side of your sewing machine and you can keep tabs on the seam ripper and fabric marker!

 

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Photo courtesy of www.sewmanyways.blogspot.co.uk

 

Hope these have inspired you!

 

Emma

Disclaimer – All photos have credit to their sites.  In no way was this sponsored.  All opinions are of my own!

Sewing: Project Deadlines 

Published on by Emma_Ciarrocca4 Comments

How many of us try to set up a deadline and never actually finished the project on time? I’m one of these sewists that really find it difficult to get things done on time. To be honest, it’s maybe more than a month for certain projects (or even a year) to get finished and modelled.

This dress has be shamed so many times since all I need to do is the darn hem!

I’m scratching my head and really thinking if I will actually take part in the #sewmystyle challenge – one it’s sizing for most patterns (my hips are chunky and my back is short) and two, its timing. 

Yes, know you can adjust patterns but there is only so much give on the patterns themselves before you have to move darts, calculate where else it needs to be adjusted and then “lose” it. There is definitely a couple of patterns from #sewmystyle I’d love to try. Maybe not pressuring myself to a deadline might be a wise decision. So many things tend to go wrong when I rush and material is precious! 

My favourite Patterns from the #sewmystyle challenge. 

The Toaster Sweater

I’m definitely thinking with going to try and kick my “never worked with jersey” box if I do this one. 

These dresses just cry out at me! I love this style … yeah I will do this one. I personally like the back! 

 Dresses always get my appeal first – probably because I don’t have to think about separates until this blouse / such a lovely piece – yeah the dresses can wait on this one! 

So after purchasing the “Bennett Dress” – I now see another Megan Nielsen dress that gets my heart pulsing! 

I have the “Anna Dress” already, so I won’t have to get another – I love the look of this pattern – it’s screaming “make me, make me”!

So if I’m going to do any challenges, if may not be the whole thing unless miracles happen but st least I’ve tried some and hopefully can wear them too as well as maybe learn other sewing skills from them – who knows?!! 

Another deadline and it’s coming to unveiling it very soon –  is the little red dress. 

You bet right, I’ve not even started cutting the pattern out! Argh – what is wrong with me! Then again, I have been rather busy with other life adventures and usually exhausted before I get even near the sewing machine! Mmmm, lets see if I can do this in a week, which will be interesting, very interesting!