SEWING IS MY FIRST LOVE

SEWING IS MY FIRST LOVE from the beginning of my crafting life,the toys, through the weird and (I think) wonderful dressmaking explosion of my twenties, the you can sew come and join our re-enactment group to now when I am just seeing where my imagination takes me hoping that people will like my creations and buy them.

My hand made creations and their inspiration - sometimes I get the smallest thought pop into my brain and that starts a whirlwind of forgotten housework and stitching,  my recent purchase of a bias tape maker has lead to these cute little potholders, an old picture of a collection of little felt dolls is reponsible for the burlesque keyrings that I am enjoying the creation of, and a piece of beautiful fabric found while buying some nets for my mother has triggered the desire to make aprons for children.

not the best or clearest picture but it is old

This small photo shows a small part of the collection of mini dolls I made years ago. A mix of bears, hula dancers and frothy skirts. I made a huge pile of bodies first and then had a wonderful time dressing them.

The new generation of mini dolls two finished burlesque dancers and one ready for costume and make-up.

 

A stunning little dancer ready to start her routine http://folksy.com/items/4218182-Burlesque-dancer-keyring

A new idea taking shape - my sketch before making the pattern and begining work.  My task for today.  There are quite a few different voodoo pin cushion styles

Sewn up, stuffed and ready to give life to.

http://pinterest./pin/55521007878201545/     This is my take on a current trend - I quite like the idea of voodoo pincushions.

Although these ones seem to have a zombie feel to them.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126713933/zombie-voodoo-pin-cushion

 Catfish laying on the material I will be using for the next 'catch'.  http://folksy.com/items/4217686-Keyring-CATFISH

Making my own bias tape

Craft shops are a must on any shopping trip and I found this little gadget for making bias binding (bias tape) just after Christmas.  I had not realised I 'needed' to make bias binding until I saw these.  I brought the 3/4 inch one because it would be the most useful size.

 It is very simple - the fabric is cut into strips 'on the bias', is then threaded through and ironed flat.  It takes very little time to make, although it is a bit fiddly.  Lots and lots of co-ordinating bias binding ready to be used for my next project.

  Having started to make my own bias binding I wanted to be able to make other widths.  While I was looking I saw this - a Simplicity electric tape maker.  
 http://www.simplicity.com/p-2902-simplicity-bias-tape-maker.aspx

 A nice compact unit that will be easy to store.

Very simple to set up and use.



 

Just cut the fabric into the right size stripes.  Join together.  Thread into the machine.  And press a button.

A little help needed to go over seams but so simple. 

No need to iron the fabric, wind the cut fabric onto the roller, press the start button and away it goes.  A nice pile of bias binding ready to use.