Crafting for Christmas 2010, lets begin again......

princesspoppypop

lucy.thornton wrote: »

This is my first post but I love this thread and you're all brill! :T

Liesa - I got some swatches the other day from Laura Ashley after reading some posts on this thread, and have sewn two of them back to back today to make a little case for my mobile phone. It's the first sewing I've ever done (after an intensive 1 hour lesson from my mum this morning on how to use her sewing machine!) and I'm so chuffed.

I've seen some more ideas on the Martha Stewart website along similar lines:
- handwarmer/cold pack: sewing two together (like a cushion cover) to make (filled with lavender mixed with rice so hand warmer if microwaved or cold pack once been in the freezer)
- tissue holder (I can't post links but search the martha stewart site and they're lovely - perfect for swatches)
- make-up case: sewing two swatches together with a little flap over the top, with a button fastener, for make-up brushes, eyeliner, etc.

I also saw a cool idea for a bookend - open up a teddy bear's bottom and fill with rocks, then sew back up and use to hold books up! I thought of you and your post about removing bear's eyes - not sure which is worse....

Hey Lucy... welcome and pleased to hear about your first project!

Poppy x

princesspoppypop

lucy.thornton wrote: »

I love this!! Well done! :T Are you an experienced sew-ist (not sure what the word is for someone who's brill at sewing!) or could a novice such as me manage this?? (Can't post your pics as I'm a newbie) I can hopefully add this to my ever expanding list of things to make............ hurray!

(Thank goodness I started looking at this thread in january this year and not November like last year )

Go for it Lucy, its fairly easy to do just grab your fabric cut, iron and sew.

Maybe start with a cushion cover first then do a throw.

Poppy x

in-the-beach-hut

princesspoppypop wrote: »

Go for it Lucy, its fairly easy to do just grab your fabric cut, iron and sew.

Maybe start with a cushion cover first then do a throw.

Poppy x

You make this sound deceptively simple.... not quite as easy as it sounds I bet but I'll give it a go (once all my free swatches arrive from every fabric company in the country.... Damn all this snow for keeping our lovely postman from his very important deliveries)

li'l_p

princesspoppypop wrote: »

Hi lil`lp ( if you are around) just wondering how you are getting on with the bear.

I`ve made a start this evening and have knitted his head.

I`m hoping to get to Hobbycraft 2moro ( Hubby driving) to select some more bear coloured wool as the colour I have is more caramel but I wanted to have a go!

The bear is a lot smaller than I first thought looking at the picture but still very cute.

I might even try and wire the limbs so he can move a bit.

I`m making mine for baby`s nursery as their first handmade bear.

Poppy x

Hi, yeah, I have done the 3 head pieces and the body front & back. I was surprised at how tiny he was but I like that in a way as it adds to his appeal. He's quick to knit up so he'll be good to make as a 'quick' gift too. I am not sure whether I am going to put him together the way they have with the reverse stocking stitch facing, I might just put him together with a normal knitted look about him. Not sure I like the jacket they have made either so might look for something else for him to wear.

Mine will probably be for my daughter too, she's only 6 months but I want to make her a bear as I collect bears but I think I will knit a larger one for her after this as her first proper handmade bear. I have plenty of patterns!

sparklygirl1

So my first monkey is nearly done, ears to do! He looks funny even tho he is pink! haha!
My next move is a heart hanger, cut pieces out already started hand stiching whic will tke forever so will machine tomorrow. Feel like a proper sewist, love that name, now I have pinking shears and a roll end of fabric, lol!
Totally loving all the links, my laptop does know whats hit it!

whoopidoo

lucy.thornton wrote: »

This is my first post but I love this thread and you're all brill! :T

Liesa - I got some swatches the other day from Laura Ashley after reading some posts on this thread, and have sewn two of them back to back today to make a little case for my mobile phone. It's the first sewing I've ever done (after an intensive 1 hour lesson from my mum this morning on how to use her sewing machine!) and I'm so chuffed.

I've seen some more ideas on the Martha Stewart website along similar lines:
- handwarmer/cold pack: sewing two together (like a cushion cover) to make (filled with lavender mixed with rice so hand warmer if microwaved or cold pack once been in the freezer)
- tissue holder (I can't post links but search the martha stewart site and they're lovely - perfect for swatches)
- make-up case: sewing two swatches together with a little flap over the top, with a button fastener, for make-up brushes, eyeliner, etc.

I also saw a cool idea for a bookend - open up a teddy bear's bottom and fill with rocks, then sew back up and use to hold books up! I thought of you and your post about removing bear's eyes - not sure which is worse....

I love this idea but OMG these poor teds :rotfl:why does this make me think of piles?? :rotfl:

BabyFranny

li'l_p wrote: »

There are tonnes of ways to do them. Some people use jars and some people use bowls. Basically the general idea is to fill them with choc gold coins, sweets with a gold wrapper (usually Werthers Originals are best or you could use toffees) and people also usually include a lottery ticket or scratchcard. There are a few poems around as well that you add.

I did these a few days before Christmas - they weren't as good as I would have liked as they were all a bit last minute. The jars were 3 for £1 from Poundland, and the contents were choc coins, wethers sweets and a rolled up scratchcard. My SIL loved them so much she wants me to make her some as end-of-term presents for her pupils next year (obviously without the scartchcards!). I also did snowman poop jars!

Thanks, I might have a go at making some myself!

princesspoppypop

li'l_p wrote: »

Hi, yeah, I have done the 3 head pieces and the body front & back. I was surprised at how tiny he was but I like that in a way as it adds to his appeal. He's quick to knit up so he'll be good to make as a 'quick' gift too. I am not sure whether I am going to put him together the way they have with the reverse stocking stitch facing, I might just put him together with a normal knitted look about him. Not sure I like the jacket they have made either so might look for something else for him to wear.

Mine will probably be for my daughter too, she's only 6 months but I want to make her a bear as I collect bears but I think I will knit a larger one for her after this as her first proper handmade bear. I have plenty of patterns!

Ive knitted the whole pattern in garter stitch rather than reverse stocking stitch.
It is so easy to knit up but I`m not looking foward to the sewing bit! Will be fantastic for gifts tho as it has real charm and Ive seen similar in shops selling for quite a lot.
Ive used 4ply wool but I fancy having a go with something a bit more wooly as in the picture.
Ive just got the arms and legs to do now.

Poppy x

in-the-beach-hut

Hurray! My material swatches have arrived today (along with a lot of very boring bank statements and credit card bills - boo hiss! Thank goodness for MSE to help me pay for them all)

The Natural Curtain Company is by far the best - good size samples (13cmx17cm), nice quality materials - can't wait to get the sewing machine up and running again.... Not sure this is such a money saving tip though as I'm now very tempted to order a load of the material to make cushions and blinds with :rolleyes:

liesauk

lucy.thornton wrote: »

This is my first post but I love this thread and you're all brill! :T

Liesa - I got some swatches the other day from Laura Ashley after reading some posts on this thread, and have sewn two of them back to back today to make a little case for my mobile phone. It's the first sewing I've ever done (after an intensive 1 hour lesson from my mum this morning on how to use her sewing machine!) and I'm so chuffed.

I've seen some more ideas on the Martha Stewart website along similar lines:
- handwarmer/cold pack: sewing two together (like a cushion cover) to make (filled with lavender mixed with rice so hand warmer if microwaved or cold pack once been in the freezer)
- tissue holder (I can't post links but search the martha stewart site and they're lovely - perfect for swatches)
- make-up case: sewing two swatches together with a little flap over the top, with a button fastener, for make-up brushes, eyeliner, etc.

I also saw a cool idea for a bookend - open up a teddy bear's bottom and fill with rocks, then sew back up and use to hold books up! I thought of you and your post about removing bear's eyes - not sure which is worse....

Oh Trust me lol, removing eyes is worse, when you are just left with his 'skin' they look kind of well... skinned lol
Thank you for those ideas, the handwarmers would make lovely presents, I have searched the CK site though and still no sign of the swatch button, so may pop into Selfridges today and see if they will give me some, although I doubt it they always seem so distainful in there.

Liesa
xx