Fabric Pairing

If there is something about shopping for fabric that makes it so much easier than going out hunting for the perfect pair of Winter boots, (or whatever it may be), it is that I know what I like when I see it, usually with that reassuring certainty of THAT is the fabric I need right now ! My most recent purchase along these lines was a fabric in fact designed for home decor and furnishing. However, for my purposes, it made the perfect, heavier weight fabric for Winter wear and I made the following...!

Having bought this gorgeously bold, grey floral, I quickly decided ~having already laid my eyes on some grey velvets in Berwick Street, that I would partner it with a different texture in a complimentary tone as a band at the bottom of the dress. I settled on the darker of the grey velvets I had found and love the combination of the two together.

The pattern I used was New Look 6022 and classed as 'EASY'. I was in need of an 'instant gratification' make at the time and running a bit short on time, so it fitted the bill perfectly! The only bit I changed (yes, I know, getting to be a bit of a habit), was that in adding the velvet panel at the bottom, I cut it as a more A Line shape than the pattern, which itself is more of a straight up and down affair. I wanted to give the velvet a bit of 'flare' at the bottom in all senses!

The usual challenge of pairing two very different fabrics applied of course ! There were moments attaching the velvet panel to the rest of the dress, where it felt as though the two fabrics were moving in different directions under the needle ! An extra cup of tea, deep breath and taking it slowly made the difference ;o)

I love a gathered sleeve and so also snuck in an extra one in the top of the sleeve for good measure. These work beautifully in a heavier weight fabric in holding their own shape. 

The pleats on the neckline are another pretty feature of this pattern, but fairly shallow. My toile version also revealed a rather wide and baggy neck, so this offered the perfect opportunity to make the gathers a bit deeper and draw in the neckline a little.

All in all a pleasing result and a pleasure to play with pairing different fabrics and create a happy union with some sumptuous velvet - always a winner!

           

Sew Successful ;o)

What an amazing week ! Last Saturday saw the close of the St Dunstan's Artists exhibition. It was an inspiration to be a part of - not least in the admiration of other exhibitor's talents in the fields of ceramics, calligraphy and sculpture, (to name a few), but also a joy speaking to visitors and being involved in something so positive and creative! It also got me away from behind the sewing machine and the laptop for at least part of the week !

Of my framed prints, books and hot water bottle covers, it was the hotties that were the outright forerunner. Ironic given that the photography had been the main purpose of joining the event and including something of a home-sewn nature had been a bit of an after thought ! There were interested viewers of the prints (which perhaps on reflection I had displayed more as 'exhibits' than available to purchase) and some copies of my books were also purchased, with another copy bid for and won in the Silent Auction in aid of the hospice, even better. However, it was the hottie covers that seemed to sing people's name as they came towards the table and there was a gratifying amount of fleece stroking and purrs of interest along with the sales. 

On the Friday I was running off more hotties in a hurry and found myself still in PJ's behind the machine at midday (did I just admit to that ?!)

So, having perfected my hottie cover 'prototype', (after a few trial runs and one hot water bottle that simple refused to slip into its new cover - the early stages!), I now have my dream template and button, ribbon and applique embellishments down to a tee...and I don't want it to stop there ! So, the production line remains open and I have been taking orders as Christmas gifts  - and gifts to self, through Facebook and email.

There are three different motifs, a bird with sparkly Swarovski crystal eye, a Scottie dog, or a heart and I currently have super soft, non-pilling fleece in a Christmassy silver grey or sumptuous purple. All £15 each.

So, if you have someone special that deserves a bit of extra cosiness and comfort this Winter, (that includes yourself !) or you want an excuse to avoid the annual pavement pounding with the Christmas shoppers, then place your order! 

Every hottie cover is made with love and with a smile (and under the watchful eye of two attentive feline assistants, Ruby & Betty)

Please contact me by leaving a comment or email sew4thesoul@gmail.com with your order and choice of colour and motif.

Winter Warmers

The sewing machine has been working at full tilt, though not as much on Winter wearables as on Winter Warmers, AKA some hand crafted hot water bottle covers! Now I do love my home comforts, but these are not all for me! I am in excited preparation for the above exhibition, in which I am taking part with 7 other artists of different mediums, including ceramics and sculpture. I am primarily exhibiting and selling a selection of my framed photographs, but of course could not participate without including something of the sewn variety - so, the season called for cosy hottie covers! 

I sourced a super soft, non-pilling fleece - perfect for warming chilly toes or even propping behind a tired back after raking leaves! The rest was a bit of an organic process, deciding what applique motifs would work best, without being so labour intensive that they fought with the speedy production line I rather ambitiously had in mind ! Then, with a little digging around in the depths of my sewing box, Swarovski crystal beads became bird's eyes, grosgrain ribbon an embellishment for the overlapping fabric on the back of the cover and I also decided that everyone deserves a Winter scarf, even a hot water bottle! So little heart and flower shaped buttons became the finishing touch here. You may also recognise the purple, floral fabric from its other incarnation as a dress! (Nothing wasted!)

Also, on offer will be some red and purple, velvet brooches, Perfect for securing a scarf or wrap on a blustery day, or as a fun embellishment to a Winter coat!

Oh and why not, I know it's a sewing blog, but herewith a sneak preview of some of the wall-ready, framed prints I will have on offer too ;o)

www.sarahhopperphotography.co.uk

Hope to see some of you there !