Sewing Sisters

Eliza M Ruby Dress Pattern 

Well we finally had 5 minutes to do a bit of sewing. We both decided to make a dress for our 5th birthday, so we went for the Eliza M Vintage sewing patterns.  Becki chose the Daisy dress and I chose the Ruby dress. 

Eliza M Daisy Dress Pattern

That was the easy part as we have both chosen patterns that flatter our shapes, the hard part was choosing the fabric. 


Becki settled on a Moda print  'Beacon Cove'  with Lobsters. Bright and summery and perfect for this weather we are having at the moment. Using approx 3metres of fabric for the full skirt the dress cost £44.50 (plus pattern) Not bad for a summer frock.

Becki in the lobster Daisy dress 

I decided to go for a simple denim which will be a great staple in the wardrobe all year, but also an inexpensive way to test the pattern out. But, now I've made it successfully, which fabric next?? I added a red polka dot bias to trim the armholes and the neck. In total my dress cost me £12.30! (plus pattern) what a bargain. 

Rachel in the Denim Ruby dress

The patterns were easy to follow and simple to put together. We worked on the separately, and everything was going well until we got to the fitting. Then the text messages started to flow and a conversation on how to alter the shoulders began. It turns out that we both have strange shoulders and short bodies (blame the parents!) so we had to make similar alterations to the patterns. This was nice and simple and the dresses were finished in a day! 

We are both really pleased with them and had so many comments about them that we thought you might like to take a look. Its so nice to be able to say "I made that!" 

love
Rachel x

The Eliza M vintage sewing patterns are available to buy on our website www.milliemoonshop.co.uk £14 each and free postage. 

A little bit of advice...?

Dear ladies 

I received this on Facebook and thought I must share it with all the lovely sewing ladies out there.  Now I know where I have been going wrong all this time... 

If I had the technical skills, I would enable a sound track to play Andy Williams crooning  " Hey, little girl, fix your hair, put on your makeup" !






Love Vickie, Fromemaid 

Make and Cake Evening 26th April

I still have Tuesday's where I pinch myself; I can't quite believe I'm part of  the Team  for my favourite shop.  It get's even  better this month as I'll be spending an evening at Millie Moon with my friend Tamsin of Tea 'n Cake, running our first make and cake evening.  I'll get to combine two of my favourite pleasures; sewing and food!
The "make" will be different each time we run these evenings, our first is  a Vintage Style Tea Cosy as we felt it teamed the two enterprises together nicely and it felt a particularly British item; relevant for St. Georges week and the whole 2012 vibe.

I'll be providing a choice of  fabrics, in kit form, so you'll have the instructions to go forth and multiply Tea Cosy's once you've made your first with us!  The kits themselves would make great gifts I think. Please visit Tamsin's blog where she describes the format of the evening:  http://www.teancake.co.uk/index.php/events/

  Phone Millie Moon or pop in to book a place, I look forward to seeing you there!
By Vickie the Fromemaid

Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic fabrics

I am not sure when Rachel Ashwell first appeared on my radar but I have been an avid fan for quite a while. I love to drool over the beautiful furnishings and fabrics and dream of owning a house that is completely furnished with Shabby chic. Unfortunately my house, my kids and my husband would not allow the beautiful girlie pastels so I keep dreaming over the fabulous website and Rachel's inspiring blog.


In January this year I was lucky enough to take a trip to New York City for my birthday. On my list of 'must do' , was to visit the Rachel Ashwell store in Soho, and... yes I did! 
Oh my, it was heaven. Gorgeous plump pillows, eiderdowns, feathers, grown up spaces... 'sigh' (My husband did venture inside but only for a few moments and then left to wait outside). 


When I heard the news that Rachel was launching a fabric range 'Treasures' Shabby chic, I knew we had to have it in Millie Moon. Its such a different range for us, Millie Moon is well know for its bright and bold prints but I twisted Becki's arm that it would be a wonderful new addition.





Well the time has come and the FULL range has arrived in store. With 32 bolts of shabby chic pastels now available in both shops. I feel a quilt coming... Maybe I will finally be able to have my own little grown up space, or at least be able to hide under a shabby chic quilt with my book and a bar of chocolate and shut out the madness for a little while. 


Rachel x 

also new cross stitch and embroidery kits just arrive

Pleas take a look at the website and blog, you won't be disappointed 
www.shabbychic.com
rachelashwellshabbychic.blogspot.com

Scrapiana

Scrapiana's blog is an inspirational and creative blog, covering all aspects of vintage and upcyling, with a real passion for vintage haberdashery. Every post contains beautiful photographs and images of lots of  handmade loveliness. Scrapiana also sells beautiful vintage haberdashery on Etsy, such as reused cotton reels, buttons, thimbles etc and of course the needle cushion grit.


Eirlys @Scrapiana first came to Millie Moon in Spring 2011 with her Vintage strawberry workshop. The Strawberries were featured on the cover of Mollie Makes magazine and we jumped at the chance to have Scrapiana come to the Frome shop to run a workshop with us.

At Millie Moon in Frome

The workshop was a big success, and the ladies made a wheelbarrow full of sweet summer strawberries.  Scrapiana is now back at Millie Moon with two new workshops. 

Sunday 11th March will be Scrapiana's first visit to the Wells shop where she is making these gorgeous Vintage strawberry pin cushions.  Still a couple of places left if you book soon. 10.30-2pm £35 inc all materials. Lovely little mothers day gifts. 

Also on Saturday 31st March, in the Frome shop, Scrapiana will be making Easter Bonnet needle cases based on a vintage design. Again a beautiful gift or something lovely for your own sewing box. 

10.30-1.30pm £35 all materials included. 

Please take a look at Scrapianas blog.  www.scrapiana.com You will be inspired by her enthusiasm and eye for details. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook 

Mary Jane Baxter - Emergency Hat

Mary Jane Baxter is a milliner, with a love for vintage and recycling. Her hats are regularly featured in fashion press and TV. A well known name in the craft world, Mary Jane has contributed to Mollie Makes, Cloth and Sew magazines as well as writing for Selvedge and The Guardian on-line. Her monthly column in Homes and Antiques magazine, "style on a shoestring' led to the development of her first book "chic on a shoestring"which was launched at Libertys in 2011.

Mary Janes beautiful blog and website www.maryjanemakes.com has regular updates and is a host of creative ideas.  The pictures and descriptions inspire as she talks about all things vintage. The 'Cheap chic tip of the week'  shows projects and quick ideas.

On Saturday 17th March we are very excited to be having Mary Jane Baxter holding a workshop at our Frome shop. Yes, our little shop in Frome!!

Mary Jane will be making 'The Emergency Hat' from  her book "Chic on a Shoestring", All materials will be provided too make a lovely little vintage style pillbox hat.

There are a couple of places still available on the workshop. 

 £65       10.30-4.30pm. 

Please contact the shop for more details.