Category Archives: Sewing

#craftblogclub, Inspiration, Sewing

#craftblogclub Upcycle Reveal

I have taken part in the latest #craftblogclub challenge and I am excited to reveal my make. For this upcycle challenge I decided to revamp a sad looking stool for the lounge. I enjoyed cutting off the old grey discoloured fabric and I picked a vibrant orange to recover it in. I used the grey fabric as a template and was able to make the perfect fit. I also got out the glue gun as the foam seat wasn’t secured and would move, so the glue sorted this out.

I am so pleased with the result and I feel I have saved an old but of furniture from going to the tip/charity shop. Do you have anything that is on its way out that you could give a little love to and upcycle? Do share your projects with us.

I look forward to #craftblogclub chat on Tuesday 2nd August from 7pm as everyone reveals their upcycle makes! Hope you can join us :)

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#craftblogclub, Inspiration, Sewing

#craftblogclub New Year Crafty Resolution

CBC set its first challenge of the year back in January. With the New Year came the idea of a new craft. We were all set the challenge of trying our hand at a new craft. Now, at first I was reluctant as I had promised myself I would focus purely on sewing this year. As often is the case I’m too busy trying so many different things I am not growing my skills in one particular area. However, I did have a thought that I would try my hand at cross stitch. Strictly speaking this wouldn’t be my first time. I have completed 2 or 3 very basic and small cross stitch projects before. But for this challenge I wanted to set the bar high and decided I would complete a special cross stitch to mark my parents Ruby wedding anniversary.

I found this challenge a challenge before I had even started stitching! The trouble was there were just so many lovely samplers and packs online I couldn’t decide. In the end I opted for a simple yet effective design from eBay. The pack arrived promptly and had everything I needed. I was really surprised that it took me just 4 evenings to complete. It grew quickly which helped with my confidence. I am thrilled with the outcome and hope my parents will be too! 

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#craftblogclub, Inspiration, Knitting & Crochet, Sewing

Spring Show Fun

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know I am a big fan of the @twistedthread Knitting and Stitching shows. Earlier this month was the Spring show at Kensington Olympia and I went along with my friend and co-host of #craftblogclub @fizzijayne. We had a wonderful time :) The stall holders were pretty much the same as those I had seen at the Harrogate show last November. The show is so vast so I was pleased to have the opportunity to take in all these fabulous stalls again.

I fell in love with this foxy quilt! Being a Leicester girl (and with our current football success) foxes always catch my eye and I will certainly be making one of these for our home.

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Another high of the show was having the chance to catch up with @JenniBobTaylor. Jenniffer is a wonderful supporter of #craftblogclub and so it was nice to finally meet in person. It gave us a chance to talk about a guest host slot with Jenniffer and an exciting up cycle challenge – more details to follow!

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All in all, these shows are fabulous for being inspired and meeting likeminded people. So get out there and visit a show near you and be inspired!

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Sewing

Simple Fabric Basket

Last week my fab sewing teacher introduced us to a Great British Sewing Bee ‘Sew Your Own Sewing Basket’ kit. The kit included 2 fat quarters, interfacing, fusible wadding and instructions. The whole class loved the look of the completed basket and we could see its potential for so many different uses – craft tidy, fat quarter tidy, bedside table tidy, cutlery holder, perfect for christmas and birthday gifts, especially toiletries. I had been looking for ideas for fat quarter projects and so I decided to give it a go. The instructions are really simple and the project is made in no time – seriously 45 mins max. Needless to say this really is my kind of project, quick and simple!

I didn’t have any fusible wadding so for one of the baskets I used fleece and for the other I used an adhesive spray and this worked perfectly with the wadding that I had. I had never used a glue spray before but it worked just fine and although it was £7 I can see myself using this a lot in future projects.

Everything you need - plus a sewing machine!

Everything you need – plus a sewing machine!

Cutting out - 2 fat quarters, interfacing and wadding all at the same time

Cutting out – 2 fat quarters, interfacing and wadding all at the same time

All cut out and ready

All cut out and ready

Ironing the interfacing to the outer fabric

Ironing the interfacing to the outer fabric

Adhesive spray - wadding to fabric

Adhesive spray – wadding to fabric

Pinning short sides together

Pinning short sides together

With shorter sides sewn together I placed them inside one another with the right sides of the fabric touching

With shorter sides sewn together I placed them inside one another with the right sides of the fabric touching. Then I sewed around the top – leaving an 8cm gap.

Ta-dah!

Pull the fabric through the gap, sew it up and Ta-dah!

I really enjoyed how quick this project is and the result is brilliant! I can see myself making lots of these. I am even planning on altering the size of the basket to make it longer and slightly deeper to fit perfectly on my sewing shelf. You really could pimp up these baskets with small pockets on the outside and maybe even handles? I have searched and searched the internet to find a link to the Great British Sewing Bee Kit and I can’t find it anywhere – so I assume it has been discontinued. This kit was picked up from a charity shop for just £1 – so keep your eyes open for them. Should you come across this kit (or another, as there are several in the series according to the booklet) please do let me know.

Happy Sewing!

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#craftblogclub, Sewing

Happy New Year & #craftblogclub Secret Santa 2015

Happy 2016! Hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Most of you will know I co-host #craftblogclub and this Christmas was our third Secret Santa. This Christmas I was given the lovely Jenniffer Taylor @JenniBobTaylor. I wanted to make Jenni something she would really love and so I had to put my thinking cap on. I know Jenni loves an upcycle project and so I thought I could use this opportunity to make use of some fabric I had left over from a quilt I made. I decided I would make a fabric wreath. Fortunately the fabric was already cut into strips. I purchased the hoops for the wreath from Amazon. I finished off the wreath with a hessian bow. I was really pleased with how it looked and even more thrilled to hear from Jenni that it arrived in one piece and that she loved it too!

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I was the lucky recipient of a gift from @IcySedgwick I received my secret santa gift on 21st December and was rather naughty as I couldn’t wait until Christmas day and open my present then! Icy made me some wonderful handmade items of which I love, particularly the crochet snowflakes to hang on my tree.

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Thank you so much Icy and thank you to everyone that took part in this years Secret Santa. I cant wait to read everyone’s posts and see what wonderful gifts were exchanged. Remember to join us for #craftblogclub this Tuesday from 7pm when we will be sharing our Secret Santa makes and gifts. I can’t wait!

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Inspiration, Sewing

Rocky the Reindeer!

I have never attempted a stuffed toy before, but when I saw ‘Roger the Reindeer’ in a Sew Home & Style issue last December I fell in love! A few of us at the sewing class I go to decided we would all have a go at making him. It was so lovely to work on a project together – we had a bit of a production line at the beginning for the cutting out which was a great help. I hate cutting out so to reduce the time spent on this was brilliant.

Cutting out!

Cutting out!

I don’t know why I had been apprehensive in the past about making a stuffed toy – yes there were a few fiddly moments but nothing too stressful.

It was a great way to use up bits of fabric and some wooden buttons I have had lying around for a long time. For the eyes we used a fabric pen. I wasn’t sure about this at first but it actually works really well.

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I am really pleased with him – I don’t think he is one for cuddling (for fear he will fall apart) but he will certainly brighten up a shelf or arm of the sofa at Christmas! Sew Home & Style called their reindeer Roger but we have christened ours Rocky; in memory of our amazing trip to the Rockies this year!

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Little and Large!

Little and Large!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

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Inspiration, Knitting & Crochet, Sewing

Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show 2015

On Saturday I attended the Knitting & Stitching Show in Harrogate. To say I was excited is a HUGE understatement. The night before was like Christmas Eve – I just wanted it to be morning and show time! I had wonderful company with me, Hilary, my mother in law. This was actually a Christmas treat from last year from me to her. I thought we would go all out, so I got us VIP passes which was fab as it allowed us to jump the queue, have a goodie bag and get a reduced price on the workshops.

My favourite stand by Amanda Blackwell at Joe's Toes

My favourite stand by Amanda Blackwell at Joe’s Toes

Festive Robin

I just love this Robin!

The show had the most wonderful stands and suppliers of every craft you could possibly imagine. There was also an ‘artists in action’ area which allowed us to see the artists at work, plus fabulous exhibitions of stunning projects.

It sure was busy but everyone was so lovely – especially the stall holders. We had a lovely chat with Jane Greenoff, founder of the Cross Stitch Guild, and she was kind enough to sign Hilary’s book.

I've made lots of fabric brooches - this has given me the idea of building them up to make a wreath.

I’ve made lots of fabric brooches – this has given me the idea of building them up to make a wreath.

How cute is this quilt? Love the bunnies tail!

How cute is this quilt? Love the bunnies tail!

I couldn’t get over just how vast the show was – we were truly inspired and ideas were flowing over lunch as we discussed our crafting goals for 2016.

We ended the day with a Dressmaking workshop with Sandra Togher of Bowey Gallery. We both want to get into dress making next year and so we thought this was the perfect kick-start, and it certainly was. We were given a free pattern and both now feel more confident to give it a go in the New Year.

We had the most wonderful day, needless to next years show dates (1-4 Dec) are already in the diary! This really is a show not to be missed.

Workshop time!

Workshop time!

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Our free pattern :)

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Inspiration, Knitting & Crochet, Sewing

Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate Ticket Giveaway!

Are you a lover of all things creative? Looking for some inspiration? Then I have just the thing for you. I have 3 pairs of tickets to giveaway for the Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate. Yes, 3 pairs!

The show runs from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th November at the Harrogate International Centre.

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Working Studio Harrogate

Aisle - Art van go

Described as ‘The definitive event for anyone with a love of stitch and crafts’ you really will find every kind of creative craft. The show is packed with the best suppliers, workshops, demonstrations and interactive features including ‘Artists in Action’ where you can watch as textile artists create new pieces. I am particularly excited about The Dress Making Studio!

So, fancy coming along? Here is how you enter this amazing giveaway:

There are a number of ways you can enter the Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate ticket giveaway. Each of the below will be counted as 1 entry so do all three and you will be entered three times!

  1. Please leave a comment here on this blog post sharing why you would love to go to the Knitting & Stitching Show, Harrogate
  2. Share this post on Twitter tagging @katiegetscrafty using the hashtag #KGCGiveaway
  3. Give the Katie Gets Crafty facebook page a like and leave a comment on why you’d love to win.

Terms and Conditions The giveaway is open to UK entrants only. The tickets are NOT valid for entry to the show on Saturday 28th November, but are valid for the Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Deadline for entries is 14th November at 5:30pm. The 3 lucky winners will be picked at random using random.org and announced at 8pm on 14th November 2015. I will make contact with the lucky winners via Twitter and Facebook.

Good Luck!

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Inspiration, Sewing

Craft Shop Favourite – Exeter Sewing Machine Company

As part of my Craft Shop Favourite series I would like to introduce the Exeter Sewing Machine Company. As well as selling fabrics and hosting a variety of classes, they also sell and repair sewing machines. I would love visiting the shop when I lived in sunny Devon. I have remained in contact with shop manager Jenna and I am delighted to share this interview with you. There is also an amazing giveaway!

What Sewing Machine could you not live without?

My new Brother Innovis VQ2. Sewing machines are often designed with a particular craft in mind and the Brother VQ2 is for the quilters. It has a 11 1/4″ long arm and fantastic lighting system.

Brother Innovis VQ2

Brother Innovis VQ2

What are your top 5 tips for Sewing Machine Maintenance?

1. Check if your machine needs oiling – many modern computerised machines don’t and oiling can actually damage them. Generally speaking the computerised machines with a top-loading horizontal bobbin do not need oiling, but check your manual to be sure.

2. Gently clean the surface of your machine with a damp cloth and wipe it again with a dry cloth. Remember to unplug the machine before doing this.

3. Clean the bobbin case. Dust and lint gathers here. Use the cleaning brush supplied with the machine to remove any lint and dust.

4. Use the best needle for the job, remember to change your needle often. This help prevent possible damage.

5. One of the best things you can do for your machine is to use a good quality thread. Poor quality threads, or those actually intended for overlockers will shed more lint and break more easily which will clog up your tension discs.

What is your favourite item that you sell?

There are so many essential sewing tools available now and we are always seeking to stock new and exciting products! My current favourite has to be Aurifil thread. I first heard about it on social media and knew it was creating quite a buzz in the quilting world – so I had to find out more. Since using Aurifil I haven’t used any other thread for my quilting projects. What makes it so special is the superior quality and reliability of the thread, combined with strength. We’ve started stocking the finest weight, which is perfect for applique and piecing as well as quilting.

Check out all this thread!

Check out all this thread!

We are happy to give one lucky Katie Gets Crafty reader a pack of Aurifil threads as a giveaway. The pack contains five reels of thread!

Win me!

Win me!

To enter simply:

  1. Like Katie Gets Crafty facebook page and leave a comment on the giveaway post letting me know you would like to enter.
  2. and/or send me a tweet @katiegetscrafty and use #KGCgiveaway

Here’s the important stuff: The giveaway will close on Friday 8th August at 6pm and the winner will be picked at random. I will announce the winner on Saturday 9th August. Sorry but this giveaway is only open to UK residents.

A BIG THANK YOU to Jenna for her tips and advice and especially for the FANTASTIC Aurifil giveaway. If you find yourself in Exeter then you MUST visit the shop. Also please make sure you visit www.exetersewing.co.uk and follow @exetersewing and www.facebook.com/exetersewing

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