Crafters Companion November Project- Christmas Tree skirt

Hi Everyone Since today is the 1st of December I thought I would do my first Christmas post!

For november my other Project for Crafters Companion was something from Debbie Shore's Half yard Christmas. I decided to make the tree skirt as this was the first thing to stand out to me when flicking through the book.

One of the things I like most about this book is that some of the projects could be changed for projects any time of the year and not just christmas. Take the felt gift bags as example. These could be any colour and would make a great Gift bag for birthdays.

For this particular tree skirt I used the Threaders Christmas fat quarter bundle. I Adore this bundle. I love the colours, so bright and festive. I love that there is still the Green that you would associate with Christmas but other bright and fun colours too which I think is very different to some of the more traditional Christmas fabric.

The pattern is very easy to follow. It tells you how to make the triangle template that make up your pieces.

What I would say is that I did the right size triangle and the right amount of triangles but it seems to make it too big and it ended up overlapping, I wasn't too fussed about this I added my buttons for decoration and didn't add the loops as they weren't necessary.

I hope you like my tree skirt and that it inspirers you to have a go at making your own Christmas decorations. Half yard Christmas is a fantastic book if your stuck for ideas.

Click on the images below and they will take you to the Crafters Companion website to buy them.

Happy sewing!

Half Yard Christmas by Debbie Shore

 9 Piece Fat Quarter Bundle - Christmas Collection

Crafters Companion November Project- Debbie Shore's Flower dies

Hi Everyone! Long time no blog.

Today I have got a post about Debbie Shore's new Flower Dies, Which might I add have got to be my favourite dies and one of my favourite products right now.

These flower dies are so versitile and there are so many ways they could be used to add a little umph to your sewing projects.

This is a project I have made using them, Plain makeup bags using the Debbie Shore charlie box bag pattern and the fabric is the linen look fabric in beige. This is currently out of stock on the Crafters Companion Website when I looked but I purchased mine from the Crafters Companion Chesterfield store, What a fabulous shop but that's something I might talk about in another post.

All I did was makeup the makeup bag as in the instructions then used the threaders felt pack (again sold out on the website but still available in store I believe,There is also other felt available on the website)to cut out my flowers. I have used the Rose, Peony and Leaves dies for these 2 makeup bags

I then rolled the flowers and used my hot glue gun as i was rolling. For step by step videos go to www.debbieshore.tv. I also used my glue gun to stick the flowers to the makeup bag, but you could so them either.

I have made a ton of these makeup bags now and I am experimenting with other things to use my new flower dies on.

As always click on the photos to be directed to the products I have used on the Crafters Companion website.

Fabric Flower Dies - Rose Flower, Leaves and Chrysanthemum Flower

Fabric Flower Dies - Daisy Flower, Peony Flower and Blossom Flower

Vintage Sewing Patterns- What i've made

Today I thought I would share with you some of my vintage sewing patterns that I have actually had a go at making. I have over 100 vintage sewing patterns and I would love to make every single one of them. Maybe one day I will have but for now I have only tried 2 of the patterns.

One of the pattern I have actually made 3 times I loved the pattern so much. I was so surprised at how easy they where, I was worried that with them being vintage patterns they would be harder to follow but I didn't have that problem.

Both patterns are by Maudella, a company that isn't around any more I believe. The first one I made is maudella 5336. I would date this around the late 30's/ early 40's. I have a really big stash of vintage fabric so I thought why not make a vintage dress in vintage fabric! The style of the dress is fitted and there is a curved seam just over the bust which is actually rather flattering. It also has 2 side panels which is very slimming. I chose a pink all over floral fabric and I am pleased with how it turned out.

The second dress I made was maudella 5068 which is a 50s dress, very much inspired by Dior's new look with a big skirt. I loved how the bodice is made with the panelling that actually makes up the sleeves too. This is the dress that I made 3 times! I originally made it in some of my vintage fabric. A lovely blue scattered flower fabric and I feel this one really screamed 50's to me! This dress just like the other fastens  up the back with a concealed zip.

I then made is in a blue spotty linen that I bought from a fabric shop. This was a custom order for a customer. 

I then decided I would like one for myself and made myself one in a pink and cream check. I then wore this to a party which we had the day after my uncles wedding so I needed something dressy and this was perfect. I wore it with nude heels.

If you liked this post then I would love to do more when I make more with my vintage patterns! I also need to organise all my patterns a little bit better and this is something I will most definitely post about.

New Kids Fabric and princess messenger bag

Hi again,

Yesterday I receive some fabric in the post that I had ordered from eBay. I love eBay for fabric. You can get some great quality fabric if you buy from the right sellers. Buying from eBay doesn't necesserely mean your getting something cheap.

I recently got asked to make some kids bags and pencil cases so set out on the internet to find some fabric. Thats when I came across this fabric on eBay.

My favourite type of fabric is Cotton canvas/ linens, which I think i've mentioned before. These children fabrics are a cotton canvas and I was so impressed with the quality when I received them.

There was so many different designs to choose from and I deffinately want a couple more. I chose the princess fabric and owls for girls and diggers and dinosaurs for boys. They are really cute!

Here is the link to the fabric listing on Ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Cotton-Rich-Linen-For-Fabric-Curtaining-Upholstery-54-Wide-56-Designs/201607044453?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D38661%26meid%3D7bfd498660f242d8a0ac7bd873da02ee%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D7%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D112142979287

I have already made a Girls messenger bag with the princess fabric. I am really pleased with the outcome. I used a plain hot pink fabric for contrast and a white dotty cotton for the lining.

Most of the things I make are available to buy on my Facebook page
www.facebook.co.uk/emibdesigns   

Another Jewellery Roll

Hi everyone,

Today I am sharing with you another make. I have already shown you one I have previously made in other fabrics but I love making this so much that I couldn't resist making another.

I made this particular one in cotton canvas fabrics. I love using these kinds of materials weather it be cotton canvas, cotton linen, they just give a lovely look to your project.

This particular fabric has dressmakers mannequins on it which I felt was quite fitting for a jewellery roll. I used a black cotton canvas with white spots on for the inside. The lining (which I haven't shown in photos) is just a white dotty polycotton.

I have used the same black and white dotty cotton canvas for the bias binding around the edge which is a great contrast with the mannequin fabric.

To finish it off I have used a bright red ribbon which ties around the front in a bow and really makes the whole thing pop.

This jewellery roll is available to buy for only £15.99 on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/emibdesigns 

The pattern I used to make this is from Debbie Shore's Half yard Home, It is really easy to sew if you have good knowledge on sewing or your not afraid to give anything a go.

Debbie shore Half yard home

I photographed my jewellery roll in front of my new sewing machine which I haven't shown you yet, it is a vintage singer, hand crank sewing machine. It was a birthday gift for my 21st. I am sure I will be doing a blog post all about it soon.

Hope you enjoyed this post and I am going to be doing another blog post later today so stay tuned for that!

My Debbie Shore Christmas Templates

Hi everyone!

Today I am going to show you my new Debbie Shore Christmas templates that I got a few weeks ago now. I couldn't wait to buy them when they where launched.

There is a total of 6 all together. There is a santa, penguin, angel, reindeer, stocking and a snowman. Each template also comes with a project book which shows you how to make each of the projects shown on the front of the packaging which I think is an amazing added bonus!

The santa is my favourite at the moment, I haven't used them all but I have used the majority of them and I think I will be defiantly having a go at the projects in the project book.

I thought I would share with you a little project I made with the Santa and Penguin template. I used felt to make up the characters then added these to gift Jute Bags. I hand drew the facial features such as eyes and mouth. I am really pleased with how these turned out!

These are available to buy on my Facebook page for only £4.99! They make a great gift bag for christmas and then it is also a gift in itself.
www.facebook.com/emibdesigns

Have you got the new christmas template? I'd love to see what everyone is making with them.

If you would like to purchase any of these templates click the image below and it will direct you to the Crafters Companion website.

Debbi Shore Template sheets

Crafters Companion- September Project- Half yard kids cushion

I still can't believe its September, where has the year gone? Its been great making all these lovely projects as part of the Crafters Companion Inspirers Design Team. 

Anyway heres another projects for September where I could make a project of my choice. I sat and had a thought and a flick through some books and decided on making the kids Pillow pal cushion from Debbie Shore's Half yard kids book. 

Heres my result! Obviously it does take a while to make because of all the different pieces required to make your character but wouldn't this make a fab gift for a child for Christmas or Birthday.

I would rate this as an intermediate project purely because of time and the different pieces. 

I chose pink and blues as the fat quarter pack I chose to use had these colour in them. 

As usual I will post pictures and links to the products I've used. I have also used extras from my stash such as felt, toy filling, buttons and trims. 

Cotton craft co fat quarters 

Adorn it half metre fabric

Half yard kids

Crafters companion- September Project- Woodland wonderland fabrics

Hello again,

For september I was given a brief to make something using the new threaders woodland wonderland fabric. Being a bag Junkie the first thing that came to mind was to make a bag!

My favourite sewing book at the moment is Debbie Shore Sew Brilliant Bags and my favourite bag to make in there is the three pocket bag. This bag is so functional as when its opened up it expands. if you've never made bags before then I would probably start with more of a tote bag but then again it is easy enough to make once you get your head around the instructions.

 

I used two different fabrics like in the book but decided to use the same fabric in two different colours to see what effect I could get and I am very happy with the outcome.

I really enjoy working with the threaders fabric, the quality is fantastic and so easy to work with.

I haven't made any of the other bags from sew brilliant bags yet but if anyone else has I'd love to see them. Comment below I'd love to see photos of your projects using the threaders fabric too!

Sew Brilliant Bags 

Threaders wonderland scene- Blue

Threaders wonderland scene-Pink

Crafters Companion- August Project- Debbie Shore box kit

Hi everyone,

For August I was asked to make up one of Debbie Shore's box kits, In particular Fetch the Dog which is a lovely little dog that can carry all your sewing bits and pieces.

To look at this dog it looks quite complicated but it couldn't be more easy! The instructions are so easy to follow and the kit comes wit everything that you need, the fabric, buttons for the eyes and toy stuffing.

I am very eager to have another ago at this lovely pooch in a brighter material.

Have you made fetch the dog yet? i'd love to see leave your photos in the comments below.

Fetch the dog Box Kit

Crafters Companion- July- Extra Project- Wallet/ Purse

Today I have another extra project for you. I made this wallet out of Debbie Shore half yard gifts.

I haven't made a wallet before so decided to give it a whirl. I can't believe how easy it was ! It was another quick make and I loved how it turned out. I think these would look fab made up in different fabrics and as the book says, they would actually make great gifts!

The project took up very little fabric. This project also requires interfacing so I used fusible. I am also thinking that wadding would make it even more sturdy so I might give that a go next.

I used left over pieces from my beach bag (Debbie Shore high style handbags cd rom- The cats out of the bag) see my previous posts to see that! And I also used some of my threaders fabric. I had a half metre and I don't even think it took half of it.

I also think this project would look nice with some sort of appliqué on the front to jazz it up even more so next time I make one, that't what i'll do.

See below for the links to the products I used.

See you soon!

Linen Look teal fabric

Threaders- Blooming Bouquet- Coral 

Zips on a roll

Crafters Companion- July- Extra Project- Wine Bottle Holder

Because I love sewing! I decided I was going to make a few extra projects for July. I decided to make a project out of sew inspire issue 4. There is so many projects in there and it was hard to chooses which one I wanted to make. I decided to go with the wine bottle holder and make it very summery.

I used fabric I had left over from The cotton craft co pastel patchwork pink fat quarters and some wadding I had lying around. 

I also Used my Debbie Shore heart frame die to put some appliqué on the bottom.

This project was quick and easy, I would say the hardest part was the binding around the top.

I love how it turned out and love that the fabrics I used give it a lovely summery theme!

The cotton craft co pastel patchwork pink fat quarters 

Debbie Shore fabric dies heart frame

Sew inspired- Issue 2- Fold away shopping bag

A couple of weeks ago I made these fold away shopping bags that are from sew inspired magazine, issue 2.

I first made myself one and ended up using it loads. It's great to just pop in your bag or even keep it in your car and the next time you end up bobbing to the supermarket you know your not going to get caught out with a 5p carrier bag charge.

I then went on to make a couple more, there a great project because it uses calico, which isn't expensive and I tend to always have it in my stash. Then the pocket parts I used fat quarters but I had loads left over!

Another good thing about this make is that when the bag is folded out the pocket is on the front and is usable.

I thought these would be a good edition to my products that I sell! I have these along with lots of other Debbie Shore projects www.facebook.com/emibdesigns

The fabric I used comes from my local fabric/quilt shop www.ohsewsweetshop.co.uk

Crafters Companion July Projects- Jewellery Roll

For my second July Project I could do a project of my choice. After flicking through my Books I came across the jewellery roll in Debbie Shores Half yard home book.

I had ordered some of the super soft faux leather and thought that it would look great in that! I hadn't got anything in for the lining and wanted something bright and a match both the pink and blue faux leather, so I went to my local fabric shop for that.

I used the zips on a roll to get the perfect length zip that I needed. I also found a lovely piece of blue lace in my stash that looks perfect for the ties.

Once I had finished i felt the roll needed something a little extra so I used my easy crystal for fabric to bling it up!

So here it is I am so pleased with the outcome I ended up using the pink faux leather for the pocket linings I think this will protect the jewellery a little more. I love the little ring toll in the middle too and it isn't as fiddly as you would think to make.

Heres what I used for the project

Debbie Shore Half Yard Home

Super soft Faux Leather- Pink

Super soft Faux Leather- Blue

Zips on a roll

 And my lining is from Oh sew Sweet Shop 

http://ohsewsweetshop.co.uk