Flashback: Less Sewing, More Crafting

Hey Guys,

I didn't get a chance to show this off back at Christmas, because I'm one of those people who makes gifts and then wraps them instantly. Without of course photographing it first. Dumb, eh?

Well when I went home last month, there it was hanging out in my sister's room so I took the chance to finally get some sneaky pics!

So, for those of you who have not come across one of these before in a twee gift shop, it's a memory board (or inspiration board, if you will). You can stick all your bits and bobs behind the ribbons (they're nice and taut to keep all your sewing inspiration pictures and scraps of fabric, etc, in full view in your sewing space.

Believing I had ALL the necessary materials (bar some wood), I thought - perfect Christmas Gift, SIMPLES. Cheap cheap.

I did of course end up re-buying almost all of the bloody materials again. Thought I had wadding - didn't have enough. Thought we had a staple gun - didn't have staples. Thought I had the material - found a nicer one in a shop, and needed backing. Thought I bought the right colour ribbons - decided I only liked the pink. Had to go buy more pink. Couldn't decide which colour pins - bought three colours. Bought tacks for the back - didn't use them as they were too long.

See what I mean? Bloody hell.

In actual fact, for all my haphazardness, it turned out pretty nice! And not very difficult at all!
The ribbon spacing could have been a bit more even on one side, but that's what you get when you use your eyes and not mathematics. There should really be some way to hang it up, but I didn't get that far. I think I was worried about ruining all my good work! My brother was supposed to help in that regard after Christmas I think, but clearly it didn't get that far.

All that matters is that she was happy! I also whipped up a simple make up bag to match. And if anyone remembers, I used the fabric to whip up a sewing machine mat for Winnie too! Only scraps left now, glad I got full use out of the piece!

I still have a big piece of MDF left. I was going to make a big one for me! I have a small one from John Lewis that I bought in a sale, but bigger is always better!

Do you guys ever make presents thinking you've got everything, and it'll save you lots of money??

Emmie xx

Is Life Under the Sea, Is Better Than Anything They Got Up There?

Hey Dollface,

What have you guys been up to lately? I've been getting caught up in the show 'Bomb Girls', which is based in a WWII bomb factory in Canada. The clothes are amazing, and are giving me loads of inspiration; especially after going to the 'Fashion on the Ration' exhibition with a bunch of Spoolettes a few weeks ago.

Today I bring you one of the latest offerings from Tilly and The Buttons, the Arielle skirt. I tested this pattern for Tilly, so this was made up a while back. There are some cool features in this little skirt, but of course I made some silly mistakes!

The first and most obvious mistake I made was to cut out the front wrong. I gots the overlap the wrong way around. Whoopsie.  

I don't think that matters though! Looks just as good either way to me. I used the remainder of the black cotton twill/drill from my Rigel Bomber. Haven't worn them together yet, haha. It didn't work out too bad, but it crumples like a bitch. Standing room only!

I used some of the awesome anchor buttons I got from the tailor. I think the buttons down the side are a lovely feature.

I was a little worried about using the buttons because they have a deep looped back and I was concerned it may pull on the underlap and possibly rip through the fabric over time, so I faced them with some green cat eye buttons from the stash.

It really worked a treat. They feel super secure now and they sit great. As well as ripping through, I was concerned they might distort how the underlap would sit but no problems now!

I started off making the full length version, but I realised I was a bit short in the wonky piece of fabric I had left. And seeing as I was at sewing club without any other project, I had to make do! I've never been left with such tiny scraps of fabric. So I think this ended up about 7cm shorter than full length. Another mistake by Emmie! But I seem to have this fluke of accidentally hemming things to the right length. So YAY mistake!

CHEESE!!

So all in all, a nice black skirt! Nothing as awesome as Tilly's promo pictures though - I love them! The way the colours pop is so amazing. Nothing bad about a wardrobe staple though.

So plans for the weekend... I am having a wardroble clear out. Like a serious one. I promise I am. 

I'm seriously sick of opening a wardrobe full to bursting and not being interested in anything I see. I've been hoarding clothes for a stupidly long time. You will see me on an episode of 'The Hoarder Next Door' at some point in the future. Sitting, waiting for the avalanche in the middle of a precariously filled room.

And here, as a little outtake treat, is my favourite broken doll photo from the set :) What is going on with my legs? Crackerjack

So, how are you guys feeling about your wardrobes these days? Are you finding they're coming together or falling apart?

Emmie xx