Tae Kwon Do Bag

As I've been asked to make a couple of Tae Kwon Do bags, I thought I better have a practise run with some fabric I'd got in stock already.  I was thinking of making the bag from the same pattern I'd done Natasha's swim bag, but then changed my mind at the last minute and adapted the Pleated Beauty Bag pattern from Bend the Rules Sewing book.  I added the club logo  DTKD (Dynamic Tae Kwon Do)  which I had to trace off the back of Natasha's suit and Natasha's name for that personal touch.

I was quite pleased with the finished bag.

As was Natasha.

Now she has a bigger bag she's told her dad that he can order her some pink fighting boots.

Wahoooooooooooo Exciting!

I've just received my first paying order!

Two Tae Kwan Do style bags.  Now I've just got to put on my thinking cap and come up with design.....

Wonky Book

My first attempt at a baby book - made especially for my niece Zoe, in Australia.

It's abit wonky and the front/back cover could do with being bigger.

I think if I made it again I'd probably do a single colour at the top of each page as it's very time consuming doing all the little patchwork squares.

Lets hope she likes it and it doesn't fall apart as soon as she starts playing with it.

I love sales

Beacuse we had no water at work today we were lucky enought to get sent home early so I used this opportunity to pop into town and buy myself a Rag Doll pattern - My friend Mandy was talking about Rag Dolls last night so I decided I'd make one for Tash.

When I got to the fabric shop there was a sale on New Look patterns, they were reduced to £2.50, so as you can see I treated myself to a couple of patterns.  I may have to go back and see if they have a trouser pattern too.

Hopefully mum may bring me back some nice Aussie fabric - I'll have to hope Cat takes her fabric shopping before they come home.

Having a swimming time

Today I've made Tash a swimming ready for when they start going swimming at school.

I'm a bit early as swimming doesn't happen till the summer term (June), but better to be prepared. 

I've made the bag in the same colours as their summer uniform - red gingham, that way she should look really smart walking down to the pool in the village, I've lined it with a waterproof type fabric so hopefully she won't get a soggy bum on her walk back.

Funny Face

Not quiet sure what happened to her face - just looks...funny!

But Tash loves her and that's all that counts.

Girly Cushion for Tash

Well it's taken me most of today to make it - but at last I've finished (7.19pm).

A very girly pink cushion for Natasha.

 Idea from "Applique for Little Ones" by Sylvie Blondeau.

Doesn't really go with her yellow bedroom, but I didn't have enough yellow material in my material box, so she's had to have pink instead.  The finished cushion cover should measure 20" square, but I reduced it slightly as I knew I only had a spare 14" cushion.

Pocket money dilemma

As Richard had gone out with Ian to the "Classic Dirt Bike Show", I promised Tash a quick trip into town to spend her pocket money.  She seemed to have saved quite alot of  her pocket money found £50+ in her money box (her welly boot one off Aunty Cat & Uncle Sid.)  Didn't tell her how much she'd got mind you or we'd of been out all day.  She was desperate for a pair of high heels, and even managed to find some with a 2" heel in her size (size 13), but luckily I had my negotiation head on and talked her out of that idea!  So instead she brought some prety pink flip-flops from Next, some bracelets, heart head band and hair bobble with brown plaits and pink ribbon from Sainsburys, nail varnish, tattoo/transfers and lip balm (missing from photo) from Claires.  In the car on the way home she changed into her flip-flops although it was only about 1c and put her head band in, and of course the first thing we had to do when we got home was paint her nails!

We did look at clothes and she even tried some outfits on in Next, but we liked styles but not colours.  So we decided we'd leave clothes for another day.  We saw a lovely T.shirt set for Zoe in Next - guess what it had on it.......yes Ladybirds! 

Cushions Finished

Well thats one job ticked off, now whats next?

Richards bedroom fines

I noticed the other day that Richard had stuck a note to his bedroom door, when I looked closely this is what I saw,

I'm presuming this is aimed more at his sister than me or his dad!

This should be a laugh!

Is it just me? or do you find that whenever you go clothes shopping they've never got what you want in your size, colour you want, fabric you want and if they do it's usually too expensive or doesn't fit?

Well I've brought this book that claims to make pattern designing easy - lets you creat a pattern from a favourite item of clothing without taking it apart etc etc.

 The blurb reads "Both a primer and a book full of basic pattern know-how, Design-it-youself Clothes is written by an experienced fashion designer who  has an approachable voice and an eye toward a modern aesthetic.  You'll learn to draft and fit, and then eventually customise and expand on key wardrobe staples, skirts, t-shirts, blouses, trousers and dresses."

I'll let you know how I get on - once I've made my cushions, cushions for Sid's (Chris') birthday, had a go and the dress pattern I've got out of Prima magazine (using some old fabric first - in case the design doesn't suit me).

Alsions birthday present - Peg Bag.

She's so pleased with it it's hung up in her bedroom so she can look at it, until we have the right weather to put your clothes outside to dry.

Bibs I made for Zoe months ago, but kept forgetting to buy the velcro to finish them off.  I'm sure they're too small for her by now, but Abbey can always use them on her dolls.

First order completed!

I've just completed my first order for a Pleated Beauty Bag.

My friend who gave me her sewing machine asked for one, so I won't be charging her obviously, but it's nice when somebody asks you to make something for them.

The fabric I intended using for the pleats I wasn't happy with, so I cut up a pair of brown cords to use instead - not wanting to  let anything go to waste I used the back pockets off the cords as inside pockets on the bag. I even used a proper magnetic bag clasp on this one too.

Lets just hope she likes it.

I've brought it!

Well I've been brave and invested in an Overlocker a Husqvarna model.

I went to a small, but very busy sewing machine shop in Shrewsbury had a chat with the lady in there, who demo'd a few models for me and this is the one she recomended.

There are 3 and 4-thread capabilities for seaming and over-casting.

The picture isn't one I've taken - I've not been brave enough or had enough time yet to take it out of the box, but maybe tomorrow after all the ironing and kids homework is finished I'll have a quiet hour to have a play! and with mum & dad  away visiting Cat and my brother for the next 8 weeks I should have plenty of spare time for a change.