Shuin on a shoestring

Confessions of a procrastinator

2011-05-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

So my lovely stripey corset is sitting in pieces, I totally ran out of time to finish it for the party I was supposed to attend, so now I'm going to take my time and be careful and finish it properly. In my mad rush to pull a costume together for the party that never happened I did finish the black under-bust. I have to admit its a shoddy piece of work. The lining 'just' fit and is very tight one side.

The reason for this post is not to talk about current projects but the loads of unfinished, half started things I have tried to make or the wonderful ideas I was going to give a go! Looking back through my blog, the wonderful rubbish bin of thoughts I'm shocked by my lack of finished garments. I do work full time now but back then I had no excuse, where does my drive go? I hope I'm not the only one who suffers from this!

For a while a big factor of producing things was money but now I have a little to spend I actually think my utter lack of confidence in my own skills might be more to blame. Yes I can sew but is that all you really need, it might sound strange but most of the time I get frustrated because I don't understand some basic steps. I think the things I make are too 'unfinished' to be worthy of wearing!...My big question is where do people learn how to sew like professionals?

After the stripey corset is finished to best of my abilities, my next project is to make a dress with a corset foundation as a true test of what I can do....So fingers crossed something doesn't come along and derail me back to the road of procrastination!

Yet another corset 'in progress' shot

2011-05-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

The front of my uber stripey corset, lets hope this doesn't become another UFO!!
I'm seriously in love with the stripey!! (Quiet proud of my matching too!)

Obsessions

2011-05-20T14:47:00.001-07:00

Everyone already knows I'm quiet utterly obsessed with Doctor Who, I think some of the costume designs are amazing on the budget they have to work with. Now lovely, beautiful Idris who becomes embodied with the 'spirit' of the TARDIS was dressed in mildly Victorian garb and I really love the use of subtle colour. I even re-watched the episode a few times, not only for the fantastic story but for the costumes too. Her skirt is a pretty multi layered mis match of colours with some stripes in there too. This is one I really would like to re-create!

Corset progress

2011-04-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

So here's the nearly finished underbust corset and boy this baby has been through some rough stuff!

First I thought it would be a FANtastic! idea to draw all over it with a pen that was supposed to disappear...fail! I washed this baby 3 times to get the marks out and then had to dye it black again as the washing had removed some of the colour from the coutil. So learning lessons as I go!

Below is before the wash, the inside shots are showing how I'm boning this thing, two either side of a seam and a shot of the awful pen but the nice lines it can make.....

The corset is going slowly as cutting and tipping bones kills my hands!....but loooook its getting there!!!

Underbust Corset underway

2011-04-17T05:25:00.001-07:00

I'm making the laughing moon underbust corset for a friend of mine, This thing has already been unpicked more times than I want to admit. At first it was going to be a two layer, with coutil as the fashion fabric with the bones sewn on with twill tape and a simple lining but I was having trouble making the bone channels straight. I then decided to unpick it all and add another layer the purple one, so I can sew the channels where ever I want without worrying about the placement of the tape inside.
So for this I've cut one layer of coutil, one of inside fabric(purple) and one of lining. Its feeling nice and thick and sturdy. I hope I'm constructing this thing right, after sewing the seam, I'm pressing it open then to the side. I then put a channel either side of the seam without sewing down the seam allowance, I'm just leaving them 'floating'...Like moving it to one side for one channel then moving it to the other for the next. I hope that explains it....
I've also got a white pen that disappears with an iron, its a bloody fantastic thing and helping everything go so much quicker!
I'm rambling!

Going somewhere?

2011-02-28T09:57:00.000-08:00

Me looking a little smug with myself. I made the skirt and the jacket, I'm so in love with mohair!
I had to admit defeat and buy a bloody corset, every alteration I made to the bust just didn't work! argh!
I started work in September, full time. Its good having money but finding the will power to go up to the sewing room and make things is...not really happening. A new machine will help!...My very own Janome MC4900QC, should meet my needs for the time being. I'm so excited!
I also have a wedding in April and two fancy dress parties! so more things to make :)

Snow

2010-11-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

Well Halloween came and went without much fuss, I've had to return the sewing machine to its owner after more than a year of desperately clutching onto it. I have vowed to save my hard earned cash to buy myself a new machine. (New as in never owned before, new, new to me). I'm opting for something in the £300-£500 mark. I'm wanting a machine that can do its own damn button holes and has a walking foot. I think if I'm going to start mucking about with corsets that will help lots. After the big buy I'm going to save again and hire myself a dressmaker/seamstress to be taught how to make quality garments. I have an over-riding worry that my garments are poor quality because I'm just winging it. I want the things I make to be neat and tidy and finished!....properly! Also to finally make my own coat from some wonderful purple wool I bought 4 years ago!!
Hope these aren't just daydreams brought on by the cold and the friken snow....I hate winter!

Halloween good news/not so good news?

2010-10-02T14:13:00.000-07:00

Well the good news...I have a job! Its a cruddy job, the moneys not good but better than being on the dole!...This alas has plans on Halloween, no time for a big 18th century in your face dress, I'm squeezing this 'Halloween' corset....Simple, pretty....fingers crossed I've enough time to finish it!!

Sewing progress and a wee pic

2010-09-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

Parts of an underbust toile I'm making. The only thing about making corsets and the like, they have to be nearly finished to get a true feel of how they are going to fit. Also made handbound eyelets, not as hard as they look but these were done quick, so they don't look great(my excuse!)...think the old sheet is fetching in those 'lovely' browns...ick!

Quick snap of Faraday, think this is one of the best pics I've ever taken of him, mams wee sook!

trims?

2010-08-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

The front of my stays, having to wait for boning..sucks! Hope your liking the groovy cheezy ass 80's wizard bedspread. This has three layers all cotton blends, eh dark enough and no-one should see them anyway!

This is actually pink lace, didn't photo well.

Ribbons I found in my stash...ew...pink...

My personal favorite....black velvet ribbon and the rose print...awww...could see some tiny shiny black dome buttons on there too...

Fabric choices?

2010-08-28T07:03:00.001-07:00

White with light pink roses

Light pink with cut out work(think this would make a great skirt!)

Light pink 'baby' cord

Large coloured roses with light yellow stripe(possible lining)
I'm making an under bust corset/waspie for a friend, it's her birthday in November but this is for part of her Halloween costume. These are the fabric choices, can you tell I'm not a pink fan?
Making this while I wait for my boning to come for my stays.

Thinking about Halloween...

2010-08-23T03:08:00.000-07:00

This Halloween I'm going all out, I normally give it a really good go and get totally overlooked by those ladies who like to go 'sexy' for every costume *deep sigh*
I've long admired 18th century style and can't resist the challenge and what can be more eye catching that a massive dress with massive hair and a massive hat!
I'm going to 'goth' it up for Halloween though and have some lovely black and white pinstripe to play with. I'm also playing with the idea of having a little black galleon ship, perched on my hat and the only bit of colour will be my red stockings!! *insert silly grinning face*

Birthday Costume!

2010-08-23T03:05:00.000-07:00

I made this costume for a friend, Shes the evil queen from Enchanted, not as detailed as I would have liked but still turned out good!

la test corset and some progress

2010-07-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

Jodie in her corset, she was full of compliments and it seemed to fit very well, a few tweaks are needed though but looking great!
I've also knocked together a petticoat from two previous petticoats for my mary poppins costume and should get it done in a few days.
My sister and kids are due up monday...guess who's going to be roped into helping me!

Mary Poppins

2010-07-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

I'm totally trying this costume for a friends fancy dress party coming up in August. Things have been really slow and I haven't sewed anything for a while. Being unemployed is really starting to get me down and it doesn't help that jobs here are Nil. My family are coming up in the next few weeks so that should be nice and theirs a chance D and I could be going to Leuchars airshow in september, which I want to dress up for. Eh...things are just a bit...bleh...

Old Photos

2010-07-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Dressing up seems to be something I've always liked. Daisy duck(top) a gala day fairy(middle) ah one of those things :)
For cuteness and mad clashing prints, me and my two sisters, taken about 15 years ago!

Corset tester

2010-07-10T05:07:00.000-07:00

I'm using the Laughing Moon, Dore pattern and it's been really easy to put together. This is a toile for fitting and I'm worried it's too big already as there is no gap at the back. I've temporarily boned it with cable ties and I think it's looking great! I am aware this is not the correct lacing method but I didn't want to waste eyelets. Once the fitting is done this will become a white with black stripes tight lacing corset. My first one and I can see it becoming addictive!

More fabric thrifty

2010-07-09T07:35:00.001-07:00

Money is normally tight and I don't have the luxury of a local fabric shop anymore*pout* but I do keep an eye open for bits of fabric in our local charity shops. Today I found this dark blue check, I think it might be a wool blend with a pronounced weave, quite thick but soft and the best bit 6 yards for £8! I also got the green bit, might be a poly/cotton blend for free! will do for lining.

18th century Thrifty

2010-07-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

Gathering things for 18th century costuming.
Straw hat picked up for free by Isobel.
Red 50%poly/50%cotton twill curtains - Caraco?
White with light pink rose print curtains, another freebie from Isobel - Dress?

What the?

2010-07-02T03:52:00.000-07:00

Finishing the Gaslight dress seemed to make my sewing mojo do a Harry Houdini on me...again!
I've taken the dress apart and now really wish I hadn't, I think I'm just going to put it back together with some alterations.
I did get a friend to lace me into my test stays and they wern't that bad, still I think I'll redraft them to see if I can get a better fit.
I also got another box of dresses from my neighbour, nothing much to shout about but some nice filler.
The sewing list in my head seems to grow daily, why does there have to be so much stuff on the internet that is amazing!
Acht....off to the sewing room!

Gas Light shoot

2010-06-05T09:03:00.001-07:00

It's so great to see my work on a model!, I had a fab time working with Jodie - model and Brenda - Photographer. I'm also turning the dress into separate pieces to be more versatile and there is a jacket to come! Jodie is such a fantastic model, enthusiastic and willing, it also really helps we have a similar taste in style. Brenda too is a great photographer and really caught the vibes of what I was wanting for this shoot, many thanks to you both.

Gas Light Dress

2010-06-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

Well my sewing mojo returned on sunday night with a weird dream of a dark fairytaleish edwardian/victorian style dress. Something a little weird and huge...so....so HUGE!
I wanted chevron stripes on my bodice and a cartridge pleated skirt, two very new things that I think I did okay on, The pleats had to be hand stitched onto the bodice and once I got the hang of it they went on pretty quick and I enjoyed it.
Major fail tho as it didn't fit my model but some great pictures should be coming soon. I think I will tweak it untill it does fit(means redoing the CB). Also adding little washers on the inside of the skirt so it can be pulled up.

oooh you can still see my markings...naughty pen!

Neighbours

2010-05-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

My dress collection hanging up in their new home.
The day has finaly crept upon us, moving day for our neighbours. They will be missed, no more trips just across the road for sugar or a wee mid-week gossip. It was great to have surrogate grandparents who are lively, telling stories for hours about their younger days, sneaking out to dances and flying a mosquito plane in Germany. Sad but they are only 15 minutes down the road.

The story of 57 dresses

2010-04-28T10:38:00.001-07:00

My dear neighbour is moving and for the past few weeks, we have been going through her attic that was filled with clothes. Some fourty years of clothing, kept for some unknown future use. I have taken 57 dresses from various eras, the ones shown here are my favorites. The very first one is a dress made in 1956 by a local dressmaker, it is in remarkable condition.
I have loved every story, the history behind each piece as it was removed from its storage box and passed on, either to me or to the two charities my neighbour supports.
I will treasure them as she did.

You can see the rest here

If anyone finds my sewing mojo, please return

2010-04-11T11:02:00.001-07:00

Some snaps from our front and back garden. I seem to have lost my sewing mojo and the craft room is a real mess and I just can't be bothered with it!

Dresses

2010-03-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

Made for my nieces

Embroidery Adventure

2010-03-16T13:30:00.001-07:00

A wip of a velvet front panel for a bag I'm making my aunt. I'm really loving it, simple and cute. There are supposed to be some irregular circles...

Overlocker is win

2010-03-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

Made this skirt from four full circles, didn't pay attention to the lines when cutting them out, silly me, for part of a dress I'm working on. My overlocker BTW is pretty amazing!!

Birthday Bracelet

2010-03-10T07:22:00.000-08:00

Made from a mix of clear/white and cream coloured buttons for my Aunt. Don't think I have any clear buttons left! but hasn't made a dent in the button collection!!!
My overlocker came yesterday, very quick delivery, haven't had a play yet, need to clean the bomb site that was once my craft room...*sigh*

Quick Snap - The Harbour

2010-02-23T08:26:00.000-08:00

Stays mock-up finished!

2010-02-20T09:45:00.001-08:00

Eh...well the stays mock up is done, 50 handmade eyelets on this baby!...They were a nice learning curve and I think some of the last ones came out pretty good. The fit needs more tweaking, more taking in at the bust and out between the waist and hips, I'm a little heavier than I thought, haha! I do like the way it supports the figure and doesn't really feel like theirs a clamp around your lungs...
Some excellent news, my dear mam is giving me money to buy an overlocker, I'm looking at a Frister & Rossmann Epochlock from sewing machines direct, since I'm nowhere near any retailers their 5 year cover sounds great and they have a wonderful reputation.

Stays - WIP

2010-02-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

The front pieces of my stays, I'm really excited, working on the rest tonight...

Box of Mysteries

2010-02-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

My neighbour bought this for me, she works in a charity shop and is a force on my side, she may be old but we get on like a house on fire. She is me in the future and that makes me happy!!

All of this for 2 quid!!

Also made this bracelet below for Morgan, silver steampunk glory!!

18th Century Stays

2010-01-28T00:21:00.000-08:00

Well I'm one of those people who jump between ideas, dismissing one over another by taking in factors like money, fabric, time and money...wait did I mention that twice...ha, this is sewing on a shoestring!!
Well I'm kinda side stepping the Galliano Jacket, as wonderful as it is, I don't think I have the Patience needed to redraft the whole thing to my size, or wait for everything I need to complete it. Even if it is awsome!

So I'm moving onto 18th Century stays, I'm fairly confident I can draft my own pattern with the help of this site. I also think I have enough linen bedsheet somewhere to make a mock up, the only thing I would need to buy is cable ties, I'm hoping I can get those for under a tenner. After having a really good look at lots of others with all their excellent and helpful tips and advice, I'm not dreading it, they look, dare I say it...FUN!!

The Galliano Jacket

2010-01-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

This is the Galliano Jacket, you can get the pattern for free here!
Over on craftster there are two threads dedicated to it. An older one where the lovely folks have finished their own versions and a new one recuiting people to do a sew along. I'm giving serious thought to having a go and will be popping off to see if I can get it printed on monday.
Wish me luck!

making the most of....buttons

2010-01-21T12:26:00.000-08:00

Button bracelets, red one for me and the white one for a friends mother, just a break from sewing and finally using some of my button stash!

The Jacket!

2010-01-07T12:32:00.001-08:00

This is my new jacket, a snip at 20 quid from Peacocks, almost didn't see it, thank god for mams!!!

This is the sewing room all painted, thanks to my dad, again. The colour he recomemned was jade green and although it is lighter and more green than blue, I think the colour is perfect! Now just to decide on the red carpet staying or painting the floor white?

New Year

2010-01-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

Well had a quiet christmas and new years, was nice to see the family but just as nice returning home.
I got quiet a bit of stuff, mainly wintery warm stuff and also got to do a bit of shopping, I managed to buy whole outfits this time and a wonderful bright red coat for 20quid!!
I normaly don't do new years resolutions but this year I have a couple.

To lose weight, slowly, the normal way through diet and exercsie
To save money
Complete sewing projects
To learn how to knit at the knitting group

Hope you all had a great 09 and all the best for 2010!

Tis a pink elephant

2009-12-21T11:50:00.000-08:00

Emily's Elephant is just about finished, can't quiet get the hang of ladder stitch tho, away to watch videos on youtube. This went much better than the tartan one, hope the little babie likes it!

Todays Random

2009-12-18T12:33:00.001-08:00

New boots, I know I'm supposed to be buying things for other people but my other pair leak, lets hope that the 14 quids was worth it.
A wee snap of Faraday in the bathroom, I often find him asleep on the edge of the bath, weirdo.

Stuff it

2009-12-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

Well I've sewn up all the bits for the two Doctors, I've ran out of stuffing tho but more should be on its way. I also got the baby cord from ebays, oh so soft and cuddly, altho feels weird if you rub it the wrong way. Starting on another embroidery bag, more focused on flowers and circles this time, with various shades of purple. Did I even mention that both the bags have been recycled from skirts, hehe, thrifty fee!

I feel I should explain the name change, I am Just-Fee, a nickname I hated once but now kinda love it, but I wanted something more local, more sewing related. Shuin (pronounced shoo-in) means sewing in Doric, there are probably lots of ways to spell it and shoestring?...Well I hardly ever have money to buy in new stuff and most of my stash is secondhand, given by friends and family. There you have it, Welcome to Shuin on a shoestring :)

Introducing Edgar

2009-12-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

A quick test run of the elephant pattern, I used an old woolen kilt that had been deconstructed many moons ago and forgotten about. This one is going to 'the other half' as I get complaints about all my sewing being for someone else, he should take a ticket and get in line!!
For making Emily's one I might enlarge it by 50% and omit the tusks, just so I can get a neat seam under the trunk, I think using contrasting fabric on the foot pads, inside ears and belly might look cute!
Ignore the scary white pin eyes btw!

I'm also making....

2009-12-11T16:50:00.001-08:00

This amazing elephant care of funkyfriendsfactory, it was six quid for the e-pattern and you get another one free. I adore all of the toys on the site, even the t-rex, which I was very tempted to get instead! I'm making this out of pink baby cord for Emily (D's niece). It works out at 13.30 for the pattern, the cord and 1kg of stuffing, funny cuz I was going to spend 10quid on a teddy that goes in the microwave....

Nude Doctor!!

2009-12-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

My mock up for the Doctor Who dolls I'm making for my two nieces two are massive Doctor Who fans. I'm liking him already although I have a problem with his wee feet, they are pointy at the sides, I've tried to curve the seam inside with no luck, Any suggestions?

I'm making ten, he's the kiddies Doctor, he will have a blue striped suit, blue shirt, red converse and his long brown coat.

The Christmas Casualty

2009-12-09T18:34:00.000-08:00

The first Casualty of Christmas, a robin caught by our cats.

Loving and hating

2009-12-07T17:44:00.000-08:00

Loving

Finishing sewing projects
Weird films like 8 women and Kontroll
Seeing my family at New Years
Learning how to knit
My blog name change
Anything to keep me warm, yes, thermals are on my xmas list!

Hating

Horror movies that everyone says are scary when they are not!
Leaking shoes
The cold
Trying to find a job

It all started with an idea...

2009-12-05T12:28:00.000-08:00

My idea was simple, to make a bag for my mum but my simple idea quickly turned into the velvet bag from hell. Every damn seam on this dumpy little mishap is wonky and I know it 'looks fine' but the velvet was a nightmare to work with. Gaze at my first bit of childlike embroidery madness and let it distract you from all the faults....

Velvet Skirt

2009-12-02T05:32:00.000-08:00

Velvet skirt I made lasnight.

The jacket I made ages ago for college, Green Tweed, fully lined and oh-so itchy!

Faraday

Caiaphas

2009-11-30T10:06:00.000-08:00

Our lord and master, Caiaphas.

First time embroidery

2009-11-28T12:18:00.000-08:00

I Started this the other night after having spent a few restless nights thinking about what to get my mum for Christmas, she showed me a black velvet bag with some frayed ribbon on it, that she liked and I thought I could go one better.

I was inspired by this lovely embroidery, the colours and shapes are just so bright and cheerful.

I'm going to do more and fill some gaps but how does it look so far?

Any suggestions?

Why dads are the best

2009-11-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

My dad bought me this dress form, I'm so excited about finally having one. It was second hand and still in the original box, barely used! I'm going to name her Tootsie, hehe!

The orange thing is a winter coat toile, the sleeves are a massive pain in the bum, I really can't get them to go in right!! I'm going to change the front so it's double breasted with a slight military feel.

The black and white thing is a dress, almost finished, I can finally put the zipper in by myself!!

Back from a long weekend visiting my mum and dad and my sisters 16th Birthday, can't wait to see them all again for new years.

Shorts and skirts and a whole lot of brown

2009-10-18T10:21:00.001-07:00

The skirt is almost finished, just needs to be hemmed, I'm wearing my long petticoat underneath, thats why the shape is so unsightly. I'm going to make a knee length petticoat to wear with it and more wintry style skirts, just might have to rethink the drawstring waist option as it adds bulk. Anywhoo....how big does ma bum look in that!! hehehe
Below ma ebay shorts, very nice brown check, very nice fit too.

Skirt making, oh the joys...

2009-10-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

Well I decided to make a vaguely steam punk style skirt, something thick and wintry. It's almost finished and I tired it on and damn it's too big, this top picture shows were it sits, doesn't that make me look fatter, blegh...I know I'm fat but I don't need a skirt to give me a helping hand.

Below is where the skirt should be sitting, the waistband needs a good 3 inches taken off it but the idea of unpicking it all is just so tedious. I still can't decide if this is a good shape for me?
(gosh I look like Godzilla in front of them sofas!)

The pleating at the back and the fly type button closure are the only things making me want to finish it.
(just a note to say it will NEVER be worn with purple tights and black boots!)

polyvore, creative tool or creative waste of time?

2009-10-11T17:25:00.000-07:00

I joined Polyvore out of curiosity and fiddled around for a bit. My visage of what I wish my winter wardrobe could look like. I like the database of drop dead delicious clothes that you can scour to put onto your own little mood board and help pull ideas together visually, although I can't escape the fact is it yet another way to whittle away time.
I'm starting on a new sewing project tomorrow which involves brown with a mustard check fabric and a white cotton petticoat, I think I've fallen in love with a swishy petticoat.

Costume done!

2009-10-08T08:55:00.001-07:00

My costume for Halloween, was supposed to be Victorian style but I'm not convinced, it's just falling short of the mark for me and I can't figure out why. Is it too plain?.
My bodice is just okay, you can clearly see my corset poking out, there are other things that irk me, the buttons don't run straight down the centre front and there is a pinch worth of give at the shoulder seams, yet the armholes are snug, it just kinda feels loose, like it runs a half size bigger, kinda like wearing a life jacket, haha.

Thoughts?

knitting patterns website

2009-09-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

My sister is a big fan of vintage knitting patterns, she's made her own website adding more as she finds them. Hope you all have a good look!!

http://cherryvintagepatterns.wordpress.com/

Updating

2009-09-26T09:50:00.001-07:00

This is what I have been up to, I'm making a Victorian style outfit, So far I have my petticoat and my skirt(picture soon!) and I'm working on the bodice, the toile below is the fourth go...getting there finally!!

Also Faraday, he is 28weeks on sunday, he's so big!

New living room...

2009-09-01T12:42:00.001-07:00

My new look living room, my dad has worked very hard! I'm totally in love with it!

Seymour and Faraday

Er....hullo

2009-08-14T12:05:00.000-07:00

Hahaha, Faraday says hullo!
I've been neglecting my poor blog, just a small update though. Had me mam, my sister and two nieces up for a week, mad but fun!
Also more kitty cat incidents, our vet thinks Aggie may have been shot, at first she though her leg may have been broken but an xray showed nothing, so no proof of a shooting. Shes healing well and got some painkillers and antibiotics, shes doing fine now, altho very grumpy!
Still loving my volunteering at the Cancer Research uk.
Working on a cape pattern too!
So more updates soon...

Pink and Red

2009-07-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

My pink and red for HSMSHS, might be my last post for a while! Enjoy!!

Purple

2009-07-15T10:33:00.001-07:00

My purple for today, after a strange day of weather it's nice and bright.

Green

2009-07-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

My green for today, my little japanese red maple, once it's all grown up it's going in the front garden :)

I have a love of the humble bumble bee and they really seem to love this giant bush in the back garden, you can actually hear it buzzing, so cute, I will buy them a bee nest one day!

I'm really happy with these, they were total flukes all the others are blurry!!

Yellow

2009-07-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

See a theme?

HSMSHS is having a theme week natures beauty and day one is yellow.

The second pic is a jacket I got at work and I'm undecided if it suits me or not!

Black and yellow wool that I plan to make into a cape, it will happen, I just have a fab vision of it being all glam and capey!

The best things are free!

2009-07-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is our free piano, all the way from Aberdeen. It's from Paterson Sons and Marr Wood, Union Street, Aberdeen but as you can see its originaly from Lestel, London. I'm in love with it and we will look afer it as well as Mrs Mcleod did, can't possibly thank her enough. All it needs is a tune up and a little repair to the surface scratches it recived in the trailer. Also want thank my uncle for helping us move it and then squeeze it into our living room!

This is Seymour, one of the kittens, were watching him for the weekend, he is SO small compaired to Faraday. Will try and get a picture but he is an energetic little kitty, could only get him sleeping, how cute!

I'm a charity case

2009-07-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

Well I volunteer at cancer research UK, three days a week and this week has been both good and bad.

Monday was great, sorting clothes and having a wee hake about, in the upstairs bit if found two huge petticoats, a blue one that looks homemade and a black one, the manager said I could have them for free!

On Wednesday I was on the tills most of the afternoon, someone stole the managers purse right out the backroom, so 'fab' intro on the second day!!

Today was good, a mix of sorting, tagging and hanging up, then on tills. I was given more things, a cool leather bag I was eying up, three brightly coloured Tae Kwan do belts and a small heap of fabric! The manager also said I could take the buttons off anything in the bin...how great is that!

I LOVE my job!!

This lovely photo is the gaping band of my skirt, I take it my actual waist must be a 14, cuz the skirt fits fine which was cut to a 16. Typical!!

Also excellent news! A customer commented on my skirt and took my number, she said, she would phone and I hope she does!!

Red and blue skirt

2009-07-03T02:45:00.000-07:00

Pattern : Kasia 6012

So whats rockin

2009-06-29T10:39:00.001-07:00

Made myself a pincushion jar lid, thought it was cute!

Got this huge petticoat from the cancer research uk, charity shop, for free as I am now a volunteer.

I bought these old zips from the same charity shop last week, look at the lovely rainbow colours!

For a little update, I had my college garments in the local art and crafts exhibition from friday to sunday. I went for a job in lidls but did't get it and now I'm volunteering at cancer research uk to fill my time and help out. Still looking for a job though, methinks thats going to be fruitless!

Rusting experiment dress 1

2009-06-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

Get your fabric, mines is 100% cotton, natural fabrics work best but I have heard rust will transfer onto almost anything. I placed four nails and then made a pleat, as I wanted an intended pattern rather than a block of texture. After all the pleats with the nails in I gathered them up and tied them with wool. I just put the nails around the hem of my cruddy primark dress which had been tea dyed before hand.

I left the bundle in a 50/50 water/vinegar solution adding rock salt a few hours later and left it over night to soak.

This is it after a few hours out of the vinegar/salt/water bath, I'm really surprised at how quick the rusting started after it was taken out and left in the sun for a few hours.

I stopped it here, you can see how much the rust has soaked up the fabric, which I quiet like but I wasn't wanting it to go any further. So I cut the ties, took out the nails(kept for later) and admired my rusty dress.

I really like it and can't wait till it dries so I can wash it and reconstruct the hideous dress into something better. I kinda like the little marks left by the pins too, next time I might do a pattern with pins and let it rust.

Hats have it

2009-06-18T08:42:00.001-07:00

Bought this hat today, now normally I have an aversion to hats, I really don't suit them but I just had to buy this one, it's wool and really soft. I bought it with a 1950's costume in mind, can anyone tell me if this is the correct style and shape? I think eventually I will remove the decoration, dye it black and add some yellow ribbon in kinda the same way, I really like the fan of white ribbon on it now.

Alternatively I think it kinda looks like a bowler hat...oooh forgot to mention it was only 50p!

Back to the blog

2009-06-18T05:09:00.000-07:00

The word over at HSMSHS today is Contemporary.

This is my old Raleigh Cameo, given to me by my wonderful neighbour Isobel. My try at taking a contemporary photo of something old.

Was also tagged by Bobs!

The rules are, you have to mention six unimportant things you love, link to the person who tagged you and tag six others.

1. I love sewing and can't wait to really finish up college so I can start sewing for myself. I'm not at Bobs' level yet! Altho Bobs I do plan on making a whole Victorian ensemble at some point form here...*drool*

2. Spying unique, quirky and handmade clothes on Craftster, Deviantart and just out and about.

3. Taking lots of pictures of my cats, garden and town. I just like taking photos of the things I love.

4. I love collecting buttons and fabric but I'm always convinced I need more!!

5. I love writing and have a story that has been plaguing me for years but I doubt it will ever get finished.

6. Blogging I love it, even if it is just to ramble or moan about your day, I love it.

It's good to be back and blogging, okay it wasn't a very long break but I'm almost done with college, will be getting photos of my garments in the following weeks for you all to see!

I'm being naughty and not tagging anyone but feel free to do it.

Break

2009-05-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

I'm on hiatus from blogging until the fashion show is over, I canna believe it's on the 4th of June, annoying thing is Bathgate Gala is on the 6th, I'm going to have one mad week!!

I'm coming along nicely with my garments, I will try to post pics but you will get to see them eventually. Found out on Friday I will have to model my own garments, KT just has too many to wear, acht its only seconds of embarrassment!

So catch you lot later!!

kitty pictures

2009-05-19T07:10:00.000-07:00

Cats, keep ye on yer toes! Top is 'little' Faraday, Aggie looking grumpy cause I woke her up to take pictures and Io with his eyes on the nesting birds next door.

HSMSHS - Juice, Trust, SPS

2009-05-16T04:23:00.000-07:00

My wee baby cat Faraday sleeping, his mama is back from the vets and has been really good with her stitches, the 'patch' they had to shave is massive! Aggie has been a petted wee beastie since Thursday, she was still doped up and was wobbling everywhere but shes well on the mend now.

I've started a gardening blog, should have started ages ago but better now than never, I'm going to keep details of how D and I get on, our greenhouse comes in 5 weeks, we are so excited!

Of memories past

2009-05-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

These are some photos from 2006 when my dad came up for a while, he doesn't get to visit often but he had a great time. He wont like me putting up a picture of him but I think this is a fab photo, he look nice and relaxed and happy, standing at the door of a massive windmill. Below is the view of the Cullykhan Bay, the second picture is the walkway back up to the car park.

This is the cave that cuts right through the rock out to sea, it makes the most wonderful noise when the tide is coming in, almost like a dragon :)

HSMSHS - Rock

2009-05-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

My rock, I have three that I took when my dad was up visiting, as you can see that was almost three years ago! We had a fantastic time and this rock is from the Cullykhan.

HSMSHS - Guard

2009-05-12T11:55:00.001-07:00

Hope a mud guard counts!

Its been a beautiful day today, gave some strawberry plants away and got Lily's in return.

I'm searching for some motivation to finish college...anyone got some.

Oh all the kittens went to their new homes last week Wednesday, Faraday is still the same tho, diving around the house and annoying his cat mama :)

HSMSHS - Carry

2009-05-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

The word over at HSMSHS today was Carry, dunno how many times I had to haul my pink watering can round to the front. Finally got some planting done, fingers crossed for the bulbs that went in, I'm very late with planting but if nothing comes it's no big loss. Worked hard in the garden today dug up half of my rampant strawberries and potted them up to give to anyone who wants some, the rest will be thinned tomorrow and put into wall mounted troughs. We also took the plunge and bought a 10f by 6ft greenhouse, the 5 week wait will be well worth it!! D and I are also reconsidering getting chickens, we have a 12f by 5f bit of garden that would be ok for two and the BHWT have more than enough chooks wanting a new home. We saw Alex Salmond and his lady wife buying plants and compost at our local garden shop, nice surprise. Below is a shot from my garden, last year we cleared a lot of overgrown bushes and these have just taken over the whole space, dunno what they are but they are pretty!

Fab finds

2009-05-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

The top two are dresses from local charity shops £3 each, love the first one, reminds me of 70's wallpaper!

These are my finds from Thainstone today, yellow vest top £1, Cute print dress £1 and these amazing boots £2! I also got some buttons, a big bowl with saucer and a dainty china cup and saucer. The last two are for my sister who is dressing up her garden for the Gala, her theme is the mad hatters tea party!

SPS

2009-05-09T16:46:00.000-07:00

Ah me, after a lovely day at the cinema, some Chinese and a nice bottle of wine. D and I went to see Star Trek at the cinema, now I love sci-fi and this film was just amazing! I couldn't really fault it, there are some things I could pick over but I'm not going to. I could happily watch it again and not just for Zachary Quinto (grrrrr :P)

HSMSHS - Free

2009-05-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

A quick shot, an advert in the sew hip magazine. Not in the best of moods today, my saas didn't all go in so I'm still skint!

I wish I could win the euro millions, do you think that would cover the costs of a textile mill, haha. I think I would stay here, sounds sad but I would love to build eco homes and really change Fraserburgh for the better. It needs someone to love it, to invest, to force some changes. I would save my beloved Dalrymple Hall, open the cafe again and have it full of kids. I would give the Lighthouse a massive donation to make a great museum, to save the small vandalised hut beside the tennis courts and turn it into a tearoom, to give the skaters a proper skate park, to give the kids a brilliant play park down on the beach, to buy the Toolies and maybe turn it into working museum.
Ah but one can only dream.....
Rant over :)

Heat - HSMSHS

2009-05-07T11:55:00.001-07:00

The word over at HSMSHS today was Heat, here's my straighteners, not that I use them a lot, and yes that is 220 degrees Celsius, I have very thick hair.

kitties...

2009-05-06T06:12:00.001-07:00

Aw my wee kitties will be 8 weeks old and leaving the nest on Sunday, even though we are keeping little Faraday I will miss their little hippity hoppity feet running up the stairs and the amount of noise three tiny kittens can make running about in the bedroom and chasing bed mice.

I'm a massive fan of Burdastyle even though my computer doesn't like it most of the time, they have a blog called Craft Fail, its a good pick me up. I also think that 'spam soap' would be good in the Hawkins bizarre, haha.

My worktable is going to be left for a while, until I have the time, or I might get D to do it, it just took longer than I though it would.

HSMSHS point

2009-05-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

My three sets of knitting needles, all charity shop finds, 20p a pair if I remember correctly.

HSMSHS Catch up

2009-05-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

Mondays work over at HSMSHS was mix, here's a crappy shot of Angels on bare skin from lush, a face cleanser of rose oil and lavender.

Today word is Wire, This is some wire knitting I have done for a project at college, it took ages and it came out too small!

My work table is onto its first coat of white gloss, its taking a lot longer than I thought, making it hard to get any homework done!

What I have been mostly doing....

2009-05-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

My work table, needing a repaint, the before picture.

During, one coat of undercoat, the finished design will be white, red and light blue.

My sos for today, my three little kittens are seven weeks old and love a hop about the garden.

Horace the horrible, sock monster for Darren, he was quick and fun to make!

Yellow skirt

2009-05-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

Started this at three and finished about half seven, its not quiet finished, just need to hem it but I think I will wait so I can buy some yellow thread. I also used navy cotton for the waistband as there wasn't enough yellow, its short but it was a skirt previously and how awesome are the pockets!

This is the Marie Skirt from Burdastyle, a free pattern and sewing website, some patterns do have a charge but they are small.

I have a dress to finish off too, maybe tomorrow..

SPS

2009-05-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

Or should it be Someones portrait Caturday, hehe!
My oldest cat Caiaphas who is four years old, my big baby or his other title, Caiaphas our lord and master.

And danced the skies

2009-05-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

'Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter - silvered wings'

High Flight - J.G Magee

It should come with

2009-04-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

okay I'm cheating a little bit for HMMSHS, but pattern drafting should come with a warning!

It's not that hard to understand its just insuring you do it properly, I have redraft a fitted jacket pattern because somewhere along the lines I got my numbers mixed up and ended up with an armhole fit for a kid.

Pattern Drafting may cause serious harm to those around you.....haha, yeah might be a safe bet to remove all scissors from the area.

With a nice cuppa

2009-04-29T08:33:00.000-07:00

How I relax, a nice cuppa outside in the sunshine with the kittens, can't believe they will be gone in two weeks!

Oooh Fabric!

2009-04-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

Ooooh I got three bits of red/pink wool fabric from the lecturer, she was having a clear out, she is my new best friend, so being ridiculously early in the mornings does have its advantages!

My purple for HSMSHS, This is a lovely purple (might be denim) with a black paisley print, my aunt after two years of harassing gave me the bit she had left, it might be possible to make it into a cute shift dress but I LOVE it sooo much I can't bare to take scissors anywhere near it! I also have to find the perfect pattern first and then maybe I would consider chopping it up.

SOS

2009-04-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

I took this last year, I love the walkway stretching out into the distance and how tropical the north east looks, it was a bitterly cold day but you can't tell!

My favorite picture ever!

Fabric for college

2009-04-25T14:06:00.001-07:00

My tea staining efforts are not impressive, the numbers down the side are the amount of tea bags I used. I dyed plain voile and Egyptian cotton to compare results. I'm liking the subtle colour that two tea bags give.

The fabrics I'm going to use for my tribal garment, cotton, tweed and brass pop studs, I think they work really well together.

SPS and garden update

2009-04-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Couldn't choose between these two for SPS, I think they are both totally adorable, mama cat Aggie top and little Faraday sleeping.

This is my garden update, not done much just cut turf and rounded the edges, D also repainted the gates and the fence in lovely purple! (doesn't look very purple in this photo)

so tired.....

2009-04-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

Well my first two days back at college were alright, scary that there is only two months left!

My graded unit dress came out purple rather than a nice rich dark blue but its far too late in the day to change it. Made the orange lining and will hopefully get it all finished next friday.

We had the tribe wifies in on thursday and KT got picked to design for Lisa, which means I'm going to make mine for myself, I've bought three different fabrics to try tea staining plain cotton voile, egyptian muslin and butter muslin. I would like my dress to be very feminine and floaty with layers and layers of light fabric with a yummy bright red underskirt and my cute little tweedy waistcoat. Inspired by this very cute top worn my Nina Persson..

Fruit

2009-04-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Fruit of my labour....not a very long amount of labour but hey it looks cool!

Been at college today and I'm totally fecked! Dear D made mushroom rissotto was devine, just what I was needing!

Container

2009-04-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Glass jars full of buttons, still to find the perfect storage solution for all my buttons! Back to college tomorrow!!

Paint

2009-04-21T08:29:00.001-07:00

My HSMSHS shot for today, just a quickie. Silk paints for a college project.

Garden Progress

2009-04-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

Starting in progress shot, it's mainly grass, really boring!

In progress shot, earth mound made and boarder cut, still to round the edges and cut a curve on the opposite side from the earth mound. I realised very quickly that including bee nests into my mounds would make them massive, so the bee nest is in the back garden in a nice shaded secluded spot.

HSMSHS wellies

2009-04-20T10:57:00.001-07:00

My 'boots' for HSMSHS. Spotty wellies, they arn't exactly watertight anymore but thats what I get for buying cheap ones fae B&Q. They do look cool tho!