Embroidered portrait

Stitching a portrait, this time for a friend, weighed the task down with more responsibility. Would she like it?

Getting other eyes to look at my stitching always helps and they make useful suggestions.

I was so pleased with this piece that I wanted to keep it!

Initial sketch

Stretched & ready for framing

A close up!

Colette - Sorbetto top

Sewing a summer top on a wet Easter Sunday? Well I did. I improved on my technique by using a Bias Maker, rather than the method I used on the last top. here's the link to the patterns and the first top I made: Colette top-free pattern.

Using the Bias Maker was fab and it has made for a better finish on the top.

Here's the finished top. Now I just have to wait for some sunshine to wear it....or I could just chuck on a cardie!

P.S. Fabric from Flo-Jo Boutique.

Long sleeve t-shirt tutorial

It's spring - I visited Flo-Jo's Boutique today, and picked up some stretchy fabric. 

Using this tutorial here at Stripes and Polka dots blog, I made myself a slouchy top - sleeves 'n' all. I love my overlocker!

The back!

The front!

Blog School

OK, so I'm a teacher, but that doesn't mean I can't go back to school, learn something new and improve my blog. I've joined up with a blog school as I want to improve the way my blog works and how it reaches people.

Lesson 3 is all about images, so whilst sewing and making, yesterday, I paid more attention to taking shots and rigged up a mini studio, like this one here, using natural light, a lamp and a piece of light card - high tech, I know!

Look at the photo taken before, at night, using lamplight. Blurch..

The next day, using natural light in my 'studio'!

Here's another before and after.

The colours of the fabrics are a true
likeness on the second image.

I also had a go at telling a story and using Pic Stitch to show how the make-up bag was made.

The fabric pieces, the pinned pieces,
partly made bags to completed bags.

I also used the studio to take better pics of my new bags.

I'm pleased with the results of my 'homework' and now all I need to do is learn how to make a widget to link to my Fabcebook page! Until that time, you can find and 'like' me here at Alli Handmade.

Happy Saturday

Alli :)

Fishy embroidery gift...

Here's the latest piece of embroidery I made while we were on holiday - a bit of hand sewing kept me close to my need to sew while away from my sewing machine!

Thank you!

When a friend gives you the gift of staying in their house for two weeks over the summer and the house is in Cornwall, you need to say more than 'Thank you', but this paper bunting, made from old and modern maps of Cornwall, was just one of the ways we showed our gratitude! 

We stuck the maps onto card, cut out the flags and stitched them onto some red binding.

The original idea comes from one of my fav blogs and can be found here : vlijtig.blogspot.co.uk

Happy September

Alli x

The Embroidery bug!

While 2012 Olympic fever has filled the house, my 10 year old and I have caught the embroidery bug! I bought a lovely book called Doodle Stitching by Aimee Ray. 

I set my daughter the task of creating a sample of all the stitches, shown in the front of the book.

Progress was good...some frustration too!

Once she completed the apprenticeship, she was away, tracing the motifs and marking them on the white fabric.

Here's what she did..

The green duckling was a creation from Lace Club,
run by a teacher my daughter's school.

I also got involved in the bug and made an elephant - soon to be properly framed.

Luckily for us, my mum was visiting and she organised the stray and messy threads! Thanks mum x

Now our neighbour has returned from holiday she is now creating a sample of stitches, the embroidery bug is infectious!

Whizzy messenger bag!

I like the challenge set here - 32 minutes to whizz up a messenger bag. You'll find the challenge here: tutorial here.


With two birthday presents to make, I accepted the challenge and made them both within an hour! 

• With extra time, I'd interface the outside fabric and put wadding on the straps. 
• Remember, if your fabric has a one-way pattern, then you will need to make the outer piece 3 cm longer, fold in half and cut in the middle, turn one piece 180 degrees and stitch along the bottom seam so fabric is right way up on both sides of the bag.
• I've included a hook to keep keys safe.

Happy stitching....

Alli

X

More birds with houses

Paper from Paper Village in Bristol

Handmade paper from Paperchase, bird from Paper Village

Here's the link to a tutorial on these houses and a thanks again to Claire Leggett for the idea.Click here for template

Memory quilt progress.

In January I posted about a new quilt project here.

I got waylaid by image transfer and making decisions about the fabric, but we chose a Moda Layer Cake of fabric, Little Apples mix by Aneela Hoey which I bought from Poppy Patchwork.

My daughter decided on the images she wanted on the quilt and I stitched the fabric from old clothes onto the panels of fabric - not very expertly!

Next I added some embroidery. All embroidery images are from various copies of Mollie Makes magazines.

At this stage the squares have all been stitched together and now I'll need to seek some advice about the edging and basic quilting. Thinking of making some mini-bunting flags to incorporate into the border.

Big enough for a single bed

Starting school

Big brother

If this bear could talk the adventures it could tell us, especially
about the workings of the postal service! 

Cheeky pose does not express her views about school -
first day photo

Turning 4...

Will post pics when finished....

Happy June! Alli :-)