MachMade

I've not really joined in with many sewing community challenges. I think I tend to assume that my skills are a bit of a joke compared to the incredible talents of others that participate. But I'm working really hard at making time to sew, and part of that is finding as many reasons as possible to MAKE myself sew! The Refashioners is a blog series and community challenge that has been running for a few years now. There is a different theme each year, and participants need to refashion a garment into something new. The #Jeanius challenge last year pretty much blew my mind, and #GettingShirty the year before was fun too. This year was all about suits. The hashtag? #SuitsYou My participation keen-ness has varied throughout the month, from absolutely determined, falling asleep making plans, to feeling completely sorry for myself that I was probably never going to make it to the charity shop at a time when a)I have time to browse and b)they have anything decent. So I was incred...

I love getting a good bargain. I regularly trawl the local charity shops for hidden gems and try to keep an open mind for things I could refashion, refit or use for fabric.  I've found that charity shops are a brilliant place to find baby clothes in good nick, but I often find that the adult clothes are rather worn and past their prime. So when I found this tshirt, I was delighted! It isn't my style at all, but I liked the cute bobble trim and it was in excellent condition. Checking the label, it is Next, so I know it's good quality. I immediately saw the potential for a cute baby tshirt... Start point! I know it's hard to see from that rubbish picture, but there's a lovely white bobble trim around the neck and arms. I wanted to simply make a smaller version of this for Flower. Unfortunately as soon as I started to pull it apart, I realised that (being a Next tshirt) it was far too well made. Extracting the bobble trim would involve significant amounts of ...

Since Flower was born, time to sew has been extremely limited. I'm drawn to quick projects that I can finish off in a couple of naps. I have discovered that baby clothes are quick and easy, use small amounts of fabric and are really fun and cute! Brindille and Twig is a small US company, specialising in gorgeous kids clothes patterns (although there are a couple of women's options there too). There is a clear aesthetic that I completely buy in to - it isn't flowery or floaty, just practical, sensible, cute clothes. #dresskids_likekids  I've made quite a few of the Brindille and Twig patterns, but this is one that Flower fits into NOW, so I snapped some pics this morning. It is the harem romper, which I picked because it has lots of butt space (we're using cloth nappies, which are fabulous, but require more booty room). It has three sleeve options - long, short or sleeveless. You can also use cuffs for the legs or simply hem them. I seem to get a more profe...

I haven't posted anything here for a very, very long while. Initially it was because work took over my life, and since then I have grown a whole new person! Since she's been around I've realised the importance of doing things for myself and I'm making a really conscious effort to get myself into my sewing cave and get things made. When I was pregnant I made lots of button down shirts in preparation for breastfeeding. My Mum laughed at me and said that it wouldn't be very practical or discreet, but I was having too much fun to listen. And now those beautiful shirts are hanging in the wardrobe as I've discovered that yanking a top UP for access is easier, quicker and more discreet than unbuttoning (and having to rebutton afterwards). Mum was so right. So I found myself wearing the same ancient stretchy tank tops under cardigans day after day. Something had to change. I had limited funds (maternity pay), limited time (naps are shorter than expected) and limit...