Thursday 29 September 2016

2 Towels + 3 Nighties = 12 Cleaning Cloths

For some time now I have been wanting to repurpose some of my nighties & towels into cleaning cloths & today was the day.

My soft knit nighties have seen better days (you know how they get after wear around the neck line & arm holes) but are so soft & comfy I just kept wearing them but the time had come to retire them & treat myself to some new ones.

I had a couple of towels that I wasn't using, one because it had scrunched up at each end when washed & the other one a lovely fluffy towel that had been a gift but not used as it doesn't match my decor.

So today I repurposed them into some soft, absorbent cleaning clothes.

After cutting off each end of the towels, & trimming off the edges, I cut them in half lengthwise & then cross cut them each into squares (each of my towels yielded 6 x 12" (30cm) squares.

I chopped off the top of each nightie just below the button placket & then cut out 12" squares from the skirt pieces.

For the first few, I sewed them on my machine using my walking foot, turning them & topstitching them closed, even trying cross hatching across one.

But then I decided to try using my overlocker & decided this was quicker, easier & a better finish.......I didn't fuss toooooo much about perfectly straight sides or evenly finished squares - they are just cleaning cloths after all! (Quite freeing for the inner perfectionist in me.)

So just a short time later........ 2 towels + 3 nighties = 12 Cleaning cloths. 
They are so soft & absorbent, quick to grab & can be washed & reused as needed.

Until next time,
Robyn

Sunday 10 April 2016

EYMM Capsule Skirt Blog Tour

Welcome to Sewing The Seasons and the EYMM Capsule Skirt Blog Tour
(check out their Facebook page here).
I love sewing with EYMM patterns and was so excited to be included in this current tour.

The Capsule Skirt is the first EYMM pattern I made last year when I was fortunate enough to be included as one of the pattern testers.

Kymmy's patterns are so clearly written, easy to print off, and her instructions, diagrams and pictures make sewing a breeze. If you are new to knit sewing I would recommend this pattern as one to try, I can't see how one could fail.

I had recently purchased this glorious fabric from Smoogie Fabric and Design but wasn't sure whether to use it for the EYMM Active Wear Leggings or the Capsule Skirt....as you can see the skirt won! So many colours mean so many options of what to wear with this  one.                                                      
                                                 
                          



                        
 Same skirt, just an example of
3 different looks, ideal to take you through the changing seasons........




 
 Some helpful details: 
  • pattern sized XS - 5X (yes those of us more curvy are included in the EYMM pattern range), 
  • hints for lengthening/shortening skirt, 
  • maternity option & varying hem line for fuller figures all clearly given in the pattern instructions.
  •  from cutting to sewing time - under an hour! 
  • this version I left a tad longer than my previous ones due to work requirements




As we head into Autumn (Fall) down here in Australia, I am planning several more Capsule Skirts as they work so well with leggings or boots, a truly versatile item to take me through the various seasons.

Follow these links if you want to see some of the other Capsule Skirts already in my wardrobe...






  
                         Here's some amazing other blogs to check out, I love being part of a blog tour and discovering not only other blogs but seeing the finished items from round the world.

2016-Capsule-Skirt-Tour-web
Make sure to check out all the other stops on the EYMM Capsule Skirt Tour. (Note: The links won't be live until the day they're scheduled, but feel free to click through and check out†other blog posts any time.)
Wednesday, April 6
Thursday, April 7
Friday, April 8
Saturday, April 9
Sunday, April 10
Monday, April 11
Don't forget to pick up your copy of the pattern†while it's on sale! †Use coupon code PERFECTSKIRT to save 25% on the Women's Capsule Skirt, Girl's Capsule Skirt, or Capsule Skirt Bundle until April 12 at 11:59pm PST.

Until next time, 
Robyn

Friday 18 March 2016

Pattern Release - HunnyBunny Basket



When Leesa from SewBox Subscriptions contacted me and asked me if I could design a basket for Easter, maybe with a bunny and chook design, my ideas started flowing. Rather than the more traditional round basket, I went for more of a bag shape which led to other ideas...........

What followed was the HunnyBunny Basket

Simple steps give you the option of a bunny with ears or a cheeky chook.

The basket can be made from any fabric and depending on the thickness of the iron interfacing used, will have a very soft or more structured look. This is a quick sew project too.

I gave some of my sample bags to a friends 3 & 4 year olds and they carried them around for over an hour as they played - a huge hit right there!

This pattern is really versatile, made in pretty floral with a lace trim and you have the ideal basket/bag for a young girl to keep her trinkets or hair ties in.


I can also picture this in bright chook or farm fabrics, ideal as a kitchen tea or housewarming gift filled with treats or even freshly laid eggs from your chooks.

The design lends itself also to a baby shower gift basket, pick some cute baby fabric and fill with some gifts for a new bub.

Pattern is available from my Craftsy store here.

I would love to see any HunnyBunny baskets you make, pop back with some pictures to share.

Until next time,
Robyn

Sunday 21 February 2016

Craft Show - Old Friends and New Discoveries

For the second year now, Stitch - By Craft Alive has held a show at Castle Hill, just a few minutes from home. I really like these smaller shows and especially that it is so close to home! An opportunity to support small businesses from around the state, easy parking and opportunity to meet and chat with the stall holders.

Saturday morning my friend Marilyn and I met for another wonderful few hours of browsing, shopping and fun.

I caught up with Maureen from Stitch Between the Bridges in Tamworth (way back in the 1980's, Maureen ran an amazing fabric and yarn shop in Baulkham Hills and I spent a lot of time there.) 

It was great to catch up with Karen and Brendon from The Stitching Post. We have met them at a few shows but also thoroughly enjoyed a weekend retreat up the mountains last Oct that they ran. If you are looking for a fun weekend of stitching, yummy food and lots of laughter, check out their page and the information on this year's retreat.

Shows such as this give you the opportunity to meet new store owners, discover new businesses that also offer online services if you like their product range.

I was excited to come across a new business by the name of Mercier. Marie is so friendly and I loved her style of stall presentation and range of fabrics and nick nacks too. You can check out her facebook page here. 

I've signed up for her "Happiness Is..." club, love having the opportunity to discover new designers, patterns and fabrics. 

Oh and see those cute scales in the background of the photo? A set is now sitting happily in my guest room holding some Tilda fabrics..........

I also managed to pick up a couple of kits to do when I manage to find the time.

A great day and look forward to next years show. 

Until next time,
Robyn

Monday 1 February 2016

Summer Sewing

Over the summer break I managed to whip up a few items for my wardrobe - all colourful & easy wear.

As I've shared before, I love the EYMM Active Wear Leggings, such a great pattern & this hydrangea fabric was too pretty to pass up from Boo designs right here in Australia.


I also wanted a couple of easy wear dresses to pop on in our how weather so decided to trace a pattern off one I like wearing from my warddrobe.

This super bright and cheer knit is easy care & I receive lots of comments when I wear this one.

Same pattern but different fabric & slightly shorter due to the amount of fabric I had to work with.
Love the fact that knits are such easy care fabrics to work with & wear.

Whilst it's a bit too warm to wear the leggings as yet, am looking forward to some slightly cooler days to pop these on.

Until next time,

Robyn