Summer making

Well I think this will be last post of the holidays. I know there haven't been many but that must be the sign of a sunny or productive holiday - for once both.

Work is looming. A 9am test run today before real life resumes on Monday.

So besides enjoying lovely SUNNY Dorset what've I been doing?

Well making stuff mainly.


My top make has to be my 'Garden Birds' suitcase

I love making these and feel so on trend with birdies it's hardly me at all.

 A few suitcases have found themselves new homes or holidays this summer so I topped up with a couple of wallpapered ones too...

This one badly photographed by me in the late sun because I couldn't wait

and this one photographed rather nicely by my eldest jammer!

 
 

There have been a few bags thrown in there

  but I had a sudden urge to use up small pieces of fabric with 'Back to School' pencil cases.
 
 

 Funny how they all seem to be made in my favourite colours...

 

 The dresser I display my stock on at Custard Hall sold last week which was a bit of a surprise as I'd forgotten there was a price tag on it. I had visions of my stock in a heap on the floor but luckily I bought this one from a neighbour.

Some Annie Sloan French Grey and lovely new handles from Shy Violet and it was ready to go.

Now I'm just throwing in a couple of gratuitous shots of sunny Dorset because looking at all your holiday snaps I realise how lucky I am to live here.

 

Off for a last weekend trip to London again tomorrow whilst the train is SO cheap and favourite friends visiting on Sunday. 

Enjoy your last few days of Summer holidays.



Summer's here, time for a beach bag or 5

I've been busy making beach bags over the last three weeks so boy was I pleased to see the sun this week!

Just what I needed for a photo shoot and an excuse for the beach.

I knew where I wanted to photograph them...

Lyme Regis on the beach huts of course!

Want to have a look?

First up is this lovely stripy towelling with seagulls.

As you can see three of them are waiting for ribbon for their rosettes. I was hoping it would arrive on Friday so I could get them finished but unfortunately not. 

They will all be finished like this!

Fishy towelling lined in blue pvc ready for your wet cossie.

My own not so little model helped me set up the photos.

We found the perfect pink chair for this pink and grey bag.

The red one is a pre order (I'm beginning to see the instant joy of Facebooking).

But I think I've got one more.

And last but not least a one off.

 I couldn't resist buying this fun piece of towelling at The Vintage Bazaar last Saturday.

 Just enough for one bag!

 So which one is your favourite?

 

All bags are interfaced for strength and lined in plastic. I'm also thinking that stuffed with your clothes they'll make a comfy pillow too.

And of course I'm going to tell you I'm about to pop them in my Etsy shop this evening!

Have a sunny week

x



Making resumed, vintage sheet style

After a little sewing machine break some new makes emerged with a bit of a vintage sheet theme...



Summery t-shirts for my little jammer and a couple of little Dutch girls I've not had the pleasure of meeting yet. I'm thinking of making up some more of these to sell as I'm attending a fair next weekend. What do you think?

Whilst the sheeting was being patchworked my eldest jammer to a shine to it and reminded me I'd promised to make her a new bag.

She's really enjoyed the Great British Sewing Bee on TV and wanted to assist.

She arranged the patches herself and chose a purple sheet to line it with.

Now this is the girl who lugs the heaviest rucksack to school each day and insists everything is essential. However all of a sudden she has been ruthless with the essentials and this pretty bag has been taken to school each day!

 

 

 



If you know me, you'll know..

I shall struggle to part with these...

 All my favourite colours in lovely barkcloth.

Really I could keep them and they'd match anything in my wardrobe!

But no, I've already made myself two new bags this spring, needs must and they're heading off to my Etsy shop.

I've loved using my big yellow tote this holiday so I've made smaller ones too.

Also a larger version of the painterly squares.

These go over your shoulder nicely and I can confirm you can stash a whole load of stuff in them! Perfect for car booting etc...

I was disappointed to miss Talent for Textiles this week as I was on the look out for more fabric but the little jammers just could not be persuaded along.

Instead we headed out on foot to our local market just round the corner. I had plants in mind but what should I spot...

I picked up this lovely blue and grey barkcloth...

 

  so all was not lost!

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You can also find me on Facebook now.

x



Making for others

Not only were the last ten days busy with making stock but I've been making for others too - oh and something for me!

After posting off the umpteenth tote bag I decided I needed one too only a bit bigger for all my clobber. I bought the most amazing barkcloth curtains at the Vintage Bazaar's Rag & Rummage a few weeks ago and knew they were destined to be turned into a bag for me.

Whilst I was making it a friend turned up who'd bought a tote the week before. She wanted something similar to contain a Cath Kidston picnic set for a colleague who was leaving... well this was just perfect. So I made two identical ones and my bag is waiting to bump into it's twin around town!

Another leaving present was for my boss. I'd not done a suitcase for a while but now I've remembered what fun it is I shall attack the stack of six in my bedroom over the holidays!

 Sorry the pictures are a bit rubbishy. The colours are actually really vivid but I took these before I wrapped it late at night! 

Yesterday one of my FB 'likers' came to Custard Hall. She had ordered this koala and monkey cushion for her daughter who's travelling in Australia.

 Hope she likes it on her return!

Finally for my little neice...

 Easter bunny tops made from vintage sheets!

Now I've got my eldest hankering after a vintage sheet tote bag, Vanilla wants a coat like Emily's and Emily Button wants a scooter (gulp).... that's a day or two taken care of!

x