Mollie Makes subscription packs - your makes so far!

We were very excited to be asked by Mollie Makes magazine to supply this months subscription pack. We put together a gorgeous little fabric bundle with buttons and ribbons. 

We have been asking for your pictures of what you have made with the packs and we have received some fantastic pictures. So we thought we would share some of them with you. 

Firstly, These cute baby booties made by Anna.

A great little handmade gift as it used up some scraps and will be totally unique.

Then, cushions! we had two different designs sent in. The first lovely cushions were made using the fat 8ths (which were the perfect size to make an envelope cushion back who 
knew!) Anna has even made little ties to hold them closed like on the Sewing Bee! 

The 2nd cushion has been turned into a patchwork seat pad. Vickie has cut 5"squares and sewed them together to cover a foam pad to go on the hard chairs. Perfect for her mum's new chairs.

Becki has created note book covers. There was enough fabric in the pack to cover 3 notebooks, with additional decorations using the ribbon and buttons. 

Making a frame purse, worked really well in the baby blue polka dot. It was a sew on frame so no glue needed! Decorated with a bow and button naturally.

The last project is still work in progress. This hexagon quilt is being made up of 2 1/2" hexagons cut from the fabric in the bundle. The hexagons have been hand stitched into flowers and then placed on 10" squares of plain ivory cotton. There will 21 squares altogether and a boarder to create a quilt approx 1m x 2m . All the fabric has been prepared, now its just the hand sewing of the hexagons to finish. 

We would love to see more of your projects. Please send us in any pictures you have of your makes using your fabric bundle or any of the Millie Moon fabrics. We love seeing what you are making. 

And if you haven't picked up a copy of Mollie Makes yet, then its well worth a read, with loads of ideas to inspire you. 

Great British Sewing Bee

Okay hands up who was a little hooked on BBC 2's The Great British Sewing Bee and is missing it??

Those of you who know me, know I'm not much of a dressmaker  - that's Anna and Lucy's forte and boy they do create some lovely pieces. Have you seen Anna's beautiful tulip skirt in store? She will be teaching this as a class - perfect for those summery days, yes I know what you're thinking but positive thinking will bring the sun out I'm sure. Sorry I'm wittering on again mmmmmm....where was I, yes the Sewing Bee - as a non dressmaker but a lover of sewing I found the series inspiring and I was somewhat in awe of these amateur dressmakers (the judges words not mine!) Getting the perfect finish is tricky to achieve at the best of times as you and I both know, so under such tight deadlines and conditions I was very impressed with what they were creating. My favourite piece was in the first episode when Mark (the male contestant with the long hair) made a beautiful monochrome spotty dress - very elegant.

I like how all contestants varied in age, ability and sewing background - it just goes to show that
anyone with a little patience and passion for creativity can give sewing a go. You never know where it may lead.

If you're like me -  a little inspired and itching to learn a little dressmaking we have classes to caterer for beginners and those at a more intermediate level. I spent a day with Lucy Litchfield on her Beginner's Dressmaking class, to learn a little more....

Whilst spending the day with Lucy I soon began to realise the Beginner's Dressmaking class is perfect for those, like me, who can already machine sew but are new to dressmaking and know next to nothing about patterns. With Lucy's help and guidance the ladies made a simple A-line skirt from a fabric of your choice. The class began with everyone taking their own measurements which were then transferred to the pattern paper to draw out a simple skirt shape. The pattern was then used to draft a simple skirt in calico. Making the pattern in calico may seem like double work but it allowed Lucy and the ladies to tweak and make adjustments to their skirt if needed.

Once the adjustments are made and the calico pattern fitted nicely, the choosing of fabric and constructing of the skirt began. A waist band and a zip was put in - a little fiddly but all the ladies managed it beautifully.

A little more sewing and perfecting and before we knew it the day was coming to an end and the ladies had completed their a perfectly fitted skirt. It was a jammed packed day but very satisfying to see the ladies so amazed at their own capabilities and the finished articles were lovely.  Final thing  - I asked the ladies to try on their skirts' and to show then off! They were only too happy to oblige.

If you are interested in dressmaking beginners or the next stage on we do have a range of dressmaking classes with different projects. The one I have my eye on is the two-day 50's Vintage Dress with Anna. Visit our website for further details or do pop into store for more details.....we may even have a sample of what you can make in store.

Bye for now and happy making,
Angela