sewing blog – Page 2 – Sew Do It Emma

My Sewing Room

Published on February 11, 2018February 11, 2018 by Emma_Ciarrocca2 Comments

Having “had” to sew in living room because of my lack of tidying up mojo of the sewing room this week I’ve been focusing trying to find the floor of it.

I had a great idea last year to wash all of my fabrics, iron, fold away whilst measuring and recording them. It was such a monumental task, it all became quite overwhelming to dealt with. It was all very well in idea form but when you decide to get a puppy all things and plans go out of the window. I’m not blaming the puppy nor myself here, I’m simply addressing the matter that I took too much on and something had to give.

Move on 4 months and I finally can sneak up to the sewing room and finally get to grips with the hoarding of fabrics and goodness knows what else! Don’t think for one second did the puppy stop me from buying fabric nor the billion bags of fabric already up in the S.R. Ha!

I’m seeing a clear path now. It’s looking pretty organised now. There’s a plan to go through all the magazines and pull out projects that I might get round to. I’m going to be stopping my magazine subscriptions as I’m finding I just don’t have the time to read them just now and feel I can keep up to date with other methods. Plus I’ve got to keep the momentum up with my make nine and need space to concentrate on that!

Here’s some photos of the progress so far – sorry don’t have any “before photos” but just imagine lots of bags on the floor!

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ks for popping by!

Happy Sewing xx

Sewing Plans: My #MakeNine2018 Choices

Published on January 13, 2018January 13, 2018 by Emma_Ciarrocca6 Comments

DRUMROLL PLEASE …

So, it’s taken me until now to get my shit together. Yeah I know I’m already slipping!

However, rather than ramble on anymore to delay it even further here are my choices for #MakeNine2018 …

1. Cleo – Tilly and the Buttons (TATB)

2. McCalls Top 7360

3. Seamwork’s Mesa

sw3013-mesa-03-thumb-7857ee3564fe3915ef4de3c43e6ce241bc4db51b1675b17884a6ff17924fe557 — Seamwork’s Mesa Dress

4. Penny Dress By Colette

5. Toaster – Sew House 7

download-1 — The Toaster by Sew House Seven

6. McCalls 7536 Dress

7. Colette’s Moneta

8. The Washi Dress – Made by Rae

pattern_RAE_washidress_a_1024x1024 — The Washi Dress – Made by Rae

9. The Scout Tee by Grainline Studio

I’ll be able to match them up with Fabric without purchasing anything new. Most of the patterns I’ve also got. You may know That I’ve already sewn a Cleo and the McCalls 7536 but definitely attempting another of both!

Once I’ve dug out my fabric choices, I’ll do another post.

Here’s a sneak peak of my 2018 Sewing BuJo too, which I’ll leave you with!

Thanks for visiting!

Sewing projects: The peg bag

Published on June 13, 2017May 31, 2017 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

Ever since the plastic peg basket broke earlier this year (shattered into a thousand pieces) I’ve been meaning to sew a peg bag.

It’s been on the list for a wee while and now I’ve done it. The peg bag was fairly easy once I figured the way to do it. Another reason for doing such an easy project was to get my confidence on my sewing machine a wee boost.

Okay, there are a couple of flaws but apart from that, I’m reasonably chuffed with myself.

Next time I make one, I’ll move the hole further up, so there’s less chance of pegs escaping! I’ll also add some bias tape around the edges and take my time measuring (i.e. I will make a paper temple to avoid a patchwork “I need to finish it job” style effect).

Disclaimer: All photos are my own and all opinions are my own!

Sewing: Simplicity 4789

Published on November 25, 2016 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

It’s week 4 at Fabric Focus’s Beginners Dressmaking class and I’ve not had to unpick a single thread – woo hooo!

31068742412_7501bdabe4_m — Simplicity’s 4789

Amazingly I’ve not had a tantrum with pockets (Simple Sew’s Sophia Skirt has the blame for that). It went a bit like this with the skirt hitting the floor and scaring my husband in the process. It went a bit like below!

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So moving on (quickly) (in fact, the speed of light quickly)… I’m seeing this cotton fabric is quite slippery whilst getting it on the sewing machine. I’m still in love with it despite it trying to escape the sewing needle.

Darts are now in the front with the front part of the pockets attached. I’m going to attempt to attach the back pockets on the back bodice/panel then tack the sides together.

Front Pockets on!

Darts in!

Remember in my first project I said I wasn’t going to go full steam ahead of the rest of the class, well I’ve kept the pace – woo hooo (again)!

Also, I’ve learnt how to do tailor’s tacks, which I will be using from now in my sewing!

I’m still collecting fabric and patterns, that won’t stop (now that would be weird if I did) and in a few days time, I will release a post about my November Haul! Plus there will be a post on the #SewScottish / #ScottishBloggersMeetup and also on my visit to Dovecot Gallery. Plenty of reading for you to look forward too (plus lots of photos!!).

Only 2 more days until #SewScottish / #ScottishBloggersMeetup (at the time of this post-release) Woooooppppppeeee!

Over and oot!

Disclaimer: All images are my own and opinions are too, in no way are they sponsored!

Not sew much sewing: A little refresh …

Published on November 22, 2016 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

Some of you already may have noticed the new look on my blog …

I decided that the original header was a little too busy and wanted something simpler.

I used Canva and Photoshop to come up the new header. I’m fairly chuffed with the end result.

When it came to the crunch, I also changed the layout as well, why not!

A new page will be introduced soon … It’s like a fabric shop directory. That’s all the dish I’m going to spill for the moment!

Till next time!

Sewing Adventures: Susie D Designs, Penicuik

Published on November 14, 2016 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

With being quite close to me and pretty easy to get to by car, I’m wondering why it actually took me until now to visit this cute little shop in Penicuik.

The ideal opportunity to pop by was one of the monthly “open days” but I was suspicious with my sat nav when it started to direct me further into more of a residential area than the high street. I stayed with the sat nav, which I’m glad I did as I arrived outside the shop with parking spaces to spare.

The open days look quite popular as there were a few ladies in buying fabric. It’s great to see offers too (20% off non sale fabric and selected tools) – before you ask I was straight in at the sale fabric but didn’t really spot anything for a dress making project. Instead, I went for an Art Gallery Fabric with a geometric print. I totally see a dress in this.

As well as art galley fabrics, Susie D also stocks Cloud 9, Dashwood Studio, Tilda, Micheal Miller and lots more!

There is also a small selection of wool with knitting and crocheting tools. With some haberdashery staples like buttons and machine needles there is a good choice of D-rings, wadding and much more.

Susie D runs classes as well. I’m intrigued as would love to make a bag. I spotted these patterns, but then thought I would (should) go to a class rather than purchase one and have it stored doing nothing as I’ve got lots of patterns doing exactly that! Don’t get me wrong – I probably will end up getting a couple as they look good, but I will do a class and see how things go!

I’m really liking the look of those patterns but I’m proud of myself for refraining myself!

I’ll definitely be going back as I’ve had a few itches to make a bag – especially a weekender. Also there a good range of fabric, even tho it’s normally used for patchwork or quilting it’s still cotton!

Susie D Designs has a Facebook page and a WordPress blog too! Do check them out!

Disclaimer: All images are my own. I got permission to take them. All opinions are my own.

#thelittlereddressproject:Update 2

Published on November 5, 2016 by Emma_CiarroccaLeave a comment

Well, I think I’ve found the pattern for my LRD in regarding to #thelittlereddressproject …. Cue the drumroll everyone … meet Alix, the new pattern from By Hand London.

Alix is only available in PDF form, so I’m going to have to get my skates on if I want it printed out by a print shop (i.e. I can’t be bothered sticking numerous amounts of A4 pages together!) buts it’s such a me dress! I love the long length as well as the short length so at the moment I’m toying with the final chosen length!

Ohhhh which one!?!? Because I’m short, I think having it just below the knees will suit me best and I’m pretty sure if all goes well I might even do the long version!

“Light to medium weight wovens will bring out the best in Alix – cotton lawn, voile, chambray, annel, double gauze, cotton silk, sandwashed silk, silk noil, wool crêpe, viscose crêpe, rayon and cupro.”

Oooooh – cotton lawn? Chambray? Silk? Crêpe?

Which should I choose?

I think 💭 Alix will look stunning in red silk … but I haven’t worked with silk before – eeeek!

What is sand washed silk? Silk noil? That’s something I’ll have too look up and see if it’s a viable option x

Until next time

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