Christmas Gifts

If you know anyone who loves sewing I can't recommend this book enough.

Its been out for a while, but this book, is fantastic, 

it includes 30 full size patterns to make the different projects, 

with the instructions printed in the hard back book.

You will have to use spot and cross paper to trace of your project and size.

The instructions range from very simple i.e. the sleeveless shell top

( good for a beginner) to more challenging, i.e. 

the tweed and faux leather jacket.

How ever there is plenty for the beginner.

Many of the projects I have made again in different fabric,

as I have been so pleased with the shape.

I have often found when I have bought a book that I will only

make a few of the projects inside !

But...... with this book I have or some in the sewing class has made all but 5 of
the projects !

 If you love sewing a need a little treat, this is it, enjoy.

Sunday cake

This week for the Sewing classes I tried this recipe for

Cherry, choc and coconut tray bake, which I found here,
WOW not only was it super simple, it definitely hit the
spot. The perfect accompaniment to a lovely sewing
class.

Half term Happiness - even if you are not on half term

On a recent trip to Lewes, East Sussex,
I found these little gems at abigailsdrapery,
they reminded me of
the Cloth Kits of the seventies.
Instant sewing success for all ages.
You very simply cut around the
dash line and hand sew or machine together,
clip, turn in side out, stuff, and you have the sweetest
Tiger or Orangutan.

Patchwork Quilts

Making a patchwork quilt is the perfect way to use up
all you precious bits of vintage fabric, that are not
big enough for any thing else. Grouping colours together
as Natalie did, stops the quilt looking too busy.
I have found that the most important buy is the
wadding or batting as its called in America.
Bamboo or cotton wadding makes the sewing SO much
easier. Well worth the few extra pounds that it costs.
A packet of safety pins holds the quilt together nicely
as you assemble it.  The Beginners Guide to Quilting
is full of handy tips to get started, creating your own
heir loom.

Simplicity Patterns - half price ...... but hurry

Simplicity has a great range of Retro
 and Vintage dress makers patterns

Until the 6th of October 2014 they are on offer at half price.

I have ordered these three, to make some winter tops !

I thought they would look good with A line skirts.

Summer Shifts !

Summer 2014 is the Summer of the shift at Sew Retro,

These patterns from New Look and the vintage patterns,

are being whipped up

into fantastic dresses for  the summer. If you are new to sewing the
shift is a good starting point, most of the styles have a bust dart,
and a back zip, it presents bit more of a challenge than a simple
a line skirt, but if you have mastered that, this would be a step forward.

Love Retro and Vintage Fabric ?

Do you, like me, love Retro and Vintage Fabric ?
But find it hard to buy, and some times the original pieces are very small,
more suitable for craft projects than dress making .

Look no further John Lewis has developed an amazing
range to celebrate their 150 year anniversary.

They have collaborated with designers and searched archives

to produce a fabulous range of retro and vintage dressmaking 

and furnishing fabrics. Sadly they do not seem to be available on line !

(expect for some furnishing fabrics ) 

But at the Bluewater branch and the Oxford Street store,

you will be spoilt for choice. The fabric is around

the £16.00 per meter mark, but taking into consideration

how hard it is to find decent quantities of original

fabric, plus postage etc, Yes ! I feel a fabric shopping trip coming on.