Summer days

Hi again,

Summer has taken a long time to get here this year. Supposedly it has been one of the coldest springs for many years in the UK. But today it feels like it truly arrived. It's been warm and quite lovely. Just the sort of day that makes you think of summer treats...

One of my favourite things is having a high tea. We do our own version, smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches, pâté on water wafers, scones, strawberries and clotted cream, thin slices of cake and any other dainty cakes that come to mind. All served with a pot of tea - Quite delicious!!!


I wish the photos were better... They don't do it justice- but I got enough complaints making everyone wait while I took two quick photos so I didn't dare go get a better camera.


The perfect end to a lovely day in the garden.

Until next time
Gillian

I love owls

Hi again,

I thought I would show my gorgeous owls that I popped into my new craft bag yesterday. I made them a few months ago but they are so sweet I want to share them with you.

Here are Hottie and Hoots.




They are from a Whimsicals booklet called Buttons and Blooms. I used some Japanese linen fat quarter fabrics I bought early last year to make them. The texture of the linen makes them look so much more interesting than patchwork fabric alone would do.

The booklet also has a pretty bag I want to make soon...




... How lucky I bought the picture panel at the same time I bought the booklet... oh, and a meter each of some small print green fabric and a pale green fabric with owls, birds and branches. I am sure I can find some other matching fabric in my stash to be able to start the bag as soon as I want.

Until next time
Gillian

Craft bag

Hi again,

I've been away from blogland for a while, busy with real life making things.

The Great British Sewing Bee has been inspirational, taking me back to my sewing machine. I've started with sewing dolls clothes and now I'm moving on to bags and clothes.

Today I completed my Butterick b 5741 multi pocket craft bag.


It's a good size, 31 cm wide, 31 cm high and 23 cm deep.


There are four small pockets, 16 cm wide by 19 cm tall...perfect for a pattern envelope and multiple bits and pieces.


There a two side pockets big enough for a booklet or magazine at 23 cm by 24 cm.


It also can hold an A4 file and a large Plastic tub easily with lots of room to spare. I am so happy with that.

It took longer to make than I expected, mainly because the handles were awkward; thick seams and heavyweight fabric do not go well with curved facing and topstitching. My inexperience means I got impatient and just got on with it instead of pausing and thinking of a better way- I was desperate to finish today.

So on reflection, the good bits- great size and pockets too. A bag that will be useful.

The bad bits- the awkward handle, maybe I'll square off the top and make a strappy handle next time.

What did I change- I didn't use interfacing, I felt the canvas I used was thick enough. It would have been really hard to sew if it was thicker still. I also only had one metre of fabric, instead of the 1.4 m needed per the pattern so had to raid my scraps for facing and lining material.

What will I change next time- maybe change the handles, or maybe not as they do look good. I also think I might use a plain fabric with some bias binding to edge the top and pockets.

The biggest surprise- I didn't like the fabric at first, I originally bought it to make a present for someone with different taste to me. Maybe it's because it just reminds me of British summer flowers, but I just love it now.

Until next time
Gillian