Charlie bear and it's variations

Well, I've been bad and I've been away for a while.  I made the mistake of trying to lower my pain killer dose and was poorly for a bit, had some dental issues (might put a post up about it later as some might find it useful!), had the best birthday weekend ever with my best mate, and generally had a bit of a mixed time of it.  I've not done a huge amount of crafting the last month or so, but I am back!

As you may remember from a previous post, I got into bear making, in a big way, and got friendly with lovely Becky who runs Amazing Craft.  She contacted me a little while ago asking if I'd be happy to test a new pattern that she's made, so of course being a tester and really rather enjoying bear making, I happily said yes.

The new bear is Charlie.  He's designed for a beginner, so doesn't have the paw pads that you see in the other bears.  And considering that those parts are the challenging ones, it's good that they're omitted in a beginners pattern.  The pattern can be used for traditional mohair, or another fabric that can be used as a memory bear (more on that later).  The pattern is extremely well written (better than the previous ones I've used), and goes into detail about how to do the nose (which I always struggle with) and how to do the joints, eyes, and head, which some people find tricky.  I find this new style of instructions to be way better than the previous ones, and I learnt a lot from using this one.

First of all, I did a traditional version in some mohair that I had spare from an old bear.  I used the traditional glass eyes and wooden cotter pin joints.  The result is beautiful.  I'm not a huge fan of the feet without the pads, but for a beginners pattern, it's ideal.  Otherwise, he's a very handsome bear.

First Charlie bear in mohair

Next, I decided to give a memory bear a go.  My best mate and I have been to Vegas a couple of times, and we're both fans of going to gun ranges.  Yeah I know, sewing and guns don't seem like likely hobbies that crossover, but shooting is a whole lot of fun!  The range that we go to gives you a big t-shirt and you shoot at it.  I have a couple now and wasn't really sure what to do with them.  I decided that a memory bear might be in order.  As the t-shirt has quite a lot of bullet holes in it, it's obviously not ideal for stuffing, so I got some digital camo fabric from eBay, and after cutting out all the pattern pieces, I used a double sided bonding web to attach the t-shirt fabric to the digital camo.

Pattern pieces placed on top of the digital camo

It obviously meant that I was sewing through 4 layers of fabric each time, and 8 layers on the ears/head, and it ruined my fingers just a tiny bit, but he came out lovely and is now sat in my lounge.  A nice little use for a t-shirt that I had sentimental attachment to, but was sat in a cupboard.

Remington bear (named for obvious reasons) 

Now, the next one, I am really really proud of!  A friend of mine is in the RAF and is being deployed later in the year.  He has a new baby daughter that he will be leaving at home, and this is the first time of being deployed since she's arrived.  So I suggested that I could take one of his t-shirts, and make a bear from it, so she has something that smells of her dad to cuddle while he's away.  I thought that seeing as he's a manly man, he'd say it was a daft idea, but he happily handed over a t-shirt.

Because there is a big seam down the middle of the bear, I decided to make the bear just in the sand colour, but make a miniature t-shirt with the small logo on the back, so it looks like the big logo on the full sized t-shirt.  I also decided to put paw pads into the feet, just because I really like them.  And making a pattern for it was really quite easy after working out the length of the foot seam.  I used plastic safety joints (available on the Amazing Craft site) as well as the safety eyes.  I obviously wanted to make sure they were baby safe, but also means that they're washable.  The instructions from Becky are really great on explaining how to do these.

Now, because I'm seriously fricking proud of this one, I'm going to go bonkers on pictures.  I went maximum autism and on the t-shirt, I used the neckband from the t-shirt as a miniature neckband on the bear t-shirt, and even put in the label.  I'm really quite proud of it, and hope that it gives my friends little girl something comforting to cuddle while he's away until he comes home safely.

The finished 'Tiny Rick'
(Rick and Morty fans have permission to chuckle now)

 So I think you can agree that the one pattern can completely change depending on the fabric used, and some minor tweaks.  Becky is currently doing an offer where people that purchase the physical copy of the pattern  in August (not the PDF version, which is also available), she will put a set of 30mm safety joints in and a pair of 8mm safety eyes for free.  So get on it and get making!  I already have an order from my best mates mum for me to do her a bear from one of his old t-shirts, so I'll definitely be doing more!

 I still have the pattern for the t-shirt, so I think I might make a pdf version and some brief instructions and send them to Becky for her to put on offer on her site, if not, I'll put it up here.

A real quick infinity scarf tutorial

[Note: I realise that I'm posting a tutorial on how to make a scarf while London is in the midst of a terribly sticky heatwave, but I actually made mine at the beginning of the year when it was lovely and cold, but I forgot to take pics.  As usual.  But I promised to make one for a friend, and actually remembered to take pictures, so thought I'd post a tutorial.  Maybe save it for when summer is over, should only be a week or so]

I love a scarf, and I needed a really simple jersey project to practice using my overlocker.  I figured that a jersey infinity scarf would do the trick nicely.  I got a meter of beautiful Mexican Sugar Skull fabric which I just want to make everything out of.  It's very me.

For this, you'll need (not many things):

• 90x150cm wide light/medium weight jersey fabric
• Co-ordinating thread

Start by cutting the fabric in half lengthways, so you have 90x75cm pieces.  Put the fabric right sides together.  Sew the two short ends together on one end only.

I used an overlocker, but you can use any stitch on a standard machine that you have found works with jersey (usually zigzag stitches, and some machines even have a jersey zigzag).

Now at this point, I sat at the overlocker for about 5 minutes, making sure that I'd done everything right and trying to put off the moment when I actually pressed the pedal down.  My overlocker is incredibly loud and I'm still ominously aware that it cuts fabric, so I'm still very nervous about committing to putting any kind of pressure on the pedal.  But I managed it, hurrah!

Once you have the two short ends sewn (again, on one end only), you will have one long piece of fabric that is 180x70cm.

At this point, you might want to see if you want to change the length, try wrapping it round two or three times (I tend to wrap mine three times so it's nice and cosy) and you might want to cut off any remaining fabric if having it wrapped twice makes it too loose.  Give it a try and see how you feel.

Fold he fabric lengthways with right sides together, and making sure that you line up the centre seam.  You know it will annoy you later if it's wonky.  Decide at what point you want to have a hole to turn it inside out.  I think this is kind of personal preference, but you basically want a gap of about 15cm.  I marked the opening that I didn't want to sew up with pins, just so I don't go past it by accident.  I usually mark it with a couple of red ended pins.

Sew along the edge, making sure that you don't go over the opening (it'll really take a crap on your day, especially if you're overlocking).  

Now take the long windsock type affair, and put your arm through it like a sleeve, take hold of the end and pull it through so that you have half of the tube inside the other half and the right sides are together.  Line up the two short ends of the tube so they're nicely together and sew in place.  

You might need to remove the arm of your sewing machine like you would with sewing a trouser hem or sleeve.

Turn your project inside out using the 15cm gap so the right side is facing outwards.  Sew the gap up using a slip stitch.

Then you have permission from us all to then try on your scarf.  Cosy!

Online or in store?

It occurred to me recently that I absolutely cannot get to grips with in store fabric shopping.  I was at another sewing show yesterday and I was mooching around the fabric stalls and it occurred to me that I just don't like shopping for fabric "in real life". As you know I'm pretty new to all this sewing stuff, and I still haven't quite gotten to grips with what fabrics are, and sometimes the descriptions aren't too elaborate.  I just sort of stand there stroking the fabric and not too sure what to do next, it's even worse if I'm buying for a specific pattern that requires a specific type of fabric.  Then if I do end up buying something, it ends up costing me way more than I thought (I get carried away sometimes), I buy more than I need and then I get home and go to wash it only to find that I have no idea what washing instructions are needed for it. It frustrates the heck out of me.

Whereas online, I know I can sit with a mug of tea, search through endless pages, search for very specific fabric types for specific patterns I'm planning to make, do that last minute recheck of how much I need so I don't buy too much, and I can budget, I can put things in my basket and only click "checkout" when I'm happy.  I don't think I've ever bought anything online and been disappointed with the quality, feel or colour.  I know that if I buy something super cheap from eBay then I'll set my expectations low and use it for cheap disposable projects. Otherwise, I use places that have a big selection, and some even have videos posted of someone scrunching and holding the fabric so you can get a feel for the drape.  And when it arrives and I've inevitably forgotten the washing instructions, I can go back online and check.  It also makes it super easy to reorder in the future, instead of going back into the shop and asking if they still have that kind of blue-ish light cotton with the kind of circle pattern and them looking at you like you're nuts.

Does anyone else feel this way about online vs in store?  Or am I missing a technique or something?  It'd be really interesting to hear people's views!

The Making of Eddie Bear

As you know, I went to the Knitting and Stitching show at Kensington Olympia last month, and I gave myself a pretty tight budget, because it was inconveniently just before payday.  Sad times.  I came across a stall for a company called Amazing Craft, who sell teddy bear making kits (also rag doll making kits, and all related stuff).  Now, I’ve never really had an interest in making teddy bears, but they're pretty cute.  I mainly have ones that have sentimental value (ones that awesome people have bought for me, and usually have hilarious names like Bearemy Clarkson or Bunnydict Cucumberpatch), but I love the heirloom style bears, and never had one as a kid.

There was a minor incident at the Sew Over It stall where I managed to blow through the majority of my budget (post coming later on the Anderson Blouse that I bought), so when I got to the Amazing Craft stall, I was seriously lacking in funds.  But I made sure to take a card, so I could buy online later.

After the joy of payday, I decided to get a few kits to get me started.  I emailed and spoke to Becky and asked if she could put a few things together for me and do a deal.  Becky is an absolute sweetheart and said that she could sort out what I wanted and because I was spending quite a bit (two large kits and a medium kit), she arranged a bit of a discount for me.  Huzzah!  I went for two kits of the Eddie bear, one with safety eyes as I plan to make one for my friends baby (not to play with, more of an heirloom piece, but wanted to do the safety eyes just in case).  Becky was kind enough to suggest the best eyes to go with the bear that match the standard glass ones that come in the kit.  She also said that because the glass ones are put in at a later stage (after the head is complete) and the safety eyes are put in before the head is put together, its best to do the glass-eyed bear first, then I can use that one as a reference for the safety eyed bear later.

The parcel arrived very quickly and well packaged.  Firstly the kits themselves are beautiful.  You get some kits where they’re just in a white box, and that’s fine, but these really are gorgeous.  I’d be more than happy giving this as a gift.  And you get everything, barring scissors, a basic sewing needle, the standard thread and a pair of needle-nose pliers.  You get everything else that you’ll need, which for a first timer, is just great.  I hate when you buy a kit and you find that you need a ton of stuff that you didn’t have, then have to go venturing onto eBay and wait before stuff arrives before you can start.

The day that it arrived, I had a stinking cold, I had cancelled all my plans because I felt like crap and I didn’t want to infect my friends with the lurgy.  So I had a full weekend where I could sit in bed, watch TV and make a bear.  Silver lining to every cloud, right?  Seeing as I’ve never made a bear before (and it’s general practice for me anyway) to read the instructions first, all the way through, just to get my head round the process.  The only thing that I couldn’t visualise was the eye insertion process, but I remembered that Becky had told me that there was a video on the site explaining how to do it.  I had a watch and it cleared the whole thing up for me.  Superb!  Otherwise, the instructions are very clear and explain it very well.

It’s pretty standard process, cut out the pattern pieces, lay them out on the back of the mohair (following the pattern layout in the instructions), draw round using biro, etc.  I won’t go through the whole process, because the instructions are so good, you can just follow those.  They’ve worded it far better than I ever could!

I managed to get him finished in little over 2 days, and I have to warn you, it is incredibly addictive.  I can’t wait to start the next one, and have about a dozen more planned.  I actually took a heap of photos this time (better than I usually do) as the process is slower and I was able to take photos at decent intervals.  Please excuse the background, that is my duvet cover, and possibly the odd shot of my pyjama bottoms.  As I said, I was in bed with a cold, don’t judge me ;)

Considering that it’s the first time I’ve ever made something like this, and my hand sewing is pretty appalling, he came out really well.  And I think that’s down to the comprehensive kit and instructions.  They really are beautiful.

Becky has said that the Amazing Craft business is a pretty new one, so the website is still in its infancy, but if you want to ask questions or see if she has something that isn’t on the site, just send an email.  She’s one of the nicest people I’ve dealt with (although to be fair, us sewists usually are quite lovely!) and nothing is too much trouble for her.  They also have refill kits, that only include the fabric, cotter pins, eyes, etc. so you’re not buying the pattern and instructions all over again.  I asked if it would be possible to get a refill kit with a different colour mohair so I can make the same bear, but in a same colour, and Becky said it would be totally possible.  So please ask!

I love that these little businesses spring up and would much rather support them than go to some of the bigger places (I don’t need to name them).  So if you fancy giving this teddy bear (or rag doll) making malarkey a go, please give these kits a go.  You’ll get addicted, so don’t hold me responsible for you filling your houses with tiny homemade teddy bears, but it really is fun!

A quick mention for Sewing Kit HD

I don't know about you, but I'm forever searching for the perfect app that is going to revolutionise my life.  I think I've found the app to organise the sewing part of my life.  And it does pretty much everything.

Organising and logging:

Patterns

Fabrics

Threads

Books

Projects

Loads of stuff!!  It took me a while to get all the data in there but it's been super helpful.  I went to the Knitting and Sewing show at Kensington Olympia on Thursday and partway through a pattern buying frenzy, I wondered if I already owned one of them.  Pulled out my phone, typed in the pattern number and it came up that I didn't have it.  Bingo.  I'll never accidentally buy two of anything ever again!!

And you know how annoying it is when you leave a project for a while and you forget what thread you were using?  Yeah it cheeses me off too.  But with this, you can add fabrics, threads, patterns, etc. to a project and you'll know I'm future what you used.

It's really pretty cool

Look for Sewing Kit HD on your phone App Store

Sewing Room Reshuffle and the Godsend that is Pegboard

My sewing room has been a bit ad-hoc, and I just ended up putting things were they seemed to go at the time without much forethought.  And once I got my overlocker (will need to do a review of it at one point), I realised that my room wasn't very well organised at all.  I ended up having to keep the overlocker on the floor, and when I needed it, I had to push my sewing machine out of the way, lift the overlocker up, use it, put it back on the floor, then pull the sewing machine into the correct spot again.  Was a total pain.  My best friend was due to come down and he said that he'd help me reorganise it and move the furniture around.

Then I had a stroke of genius.  Pegboards.  I love buying notions, and the only thing I love more than buying notions, is organising them.  And I realised that if I had a pegboard attached to the back of my main sewing desk, I could use hooks to hang scissors, packs of pins, etc. and have them all within arms reach of my sewing machine.

My usual first search point is eBay, and I found a company that sells pegboard and hooks.  I got one that was pre-cut to the exact size of my desk. I also got some L shaped brackets that I could screw under the desk and and rest the pegboard between the back of the desk and the bracket.  Simples.

Now seeing as the pegboard is a hideous shade of brown and my sewing room is on its way to having a vintage feel, it didn't really go.  I got some primer and some beautiful powder blue paint.  While I was at it, I figured I'd add some rose decals to make it look like the Kath Kidston fabric that I use for the soft furnishings in the room.

First of all I covered the pegboard in a couple of coats of the primer, it covered well and knocked the brown right out. Then went with a couple of coats of the powder blue.  I left it so it was slightly patchy as I wanted it to have a slightly worn feel.  I then added the rose decals.  They were pretty easy to attach following the instructions.  I won't go into how I did it as you might have a different type of decal that has different instructions.

(I left a gap at the bottom so the decals weren't covered by the desk)

When my best mate turned up, we moved the room around a bit.  Used my big Ikea shelves as a room divider to make it nice and cosy, attached the L brackets to the desk, and moved the desks around so I had a nice L shape desk area.

I got all the hooks in, and my notions organised, and tada, beautiful sewing room where I can sew and overlock without having to keep lifting, and I have all my notions organised and within easy reach.

I also got a Really Useful drawer unit to keep my ever growing fabric stash in.  And I got some adhesive pockets that I stuck on the front of the drawers, and printed off some cute labels in a vintage font.  When I use some fabric and the drawer is empty, I can swap over the label to keep up with the stash.

The other side of the room divider is my fitting area, where Veronica (my fitting dummy) stands, and I can change without people seeing me through the balcony doors, handy!  I'll take some more photos the next time it's tidy and update.

I have a few projects on the go, and will be updating on those, so check back soon :)

Happy sewing!

Sew Over It - 1940s Tea Dress

It seems like such a long time ago that I started all this and I was reviewing sewing magazines, but the one that I went with (Love Sewing) came with a kit from Sew Over It for a pink skirt.  I haven't finished the skirt yet as its not something I'd wear, so I don't really have much motivation for finishing it.  But I liked the concept and I liked the pattern and instructions.  I had a look at their website and spotted that they had a load of patterns that looked beautiful and what was really helpful is that they have their fabrics also categorised by what suits what patterns.  Makes it very easy.

So when I went to the sewing show at Alexander Palace, I spotted that they had a stall and had a look.  They had the 1940s tea dress pattern and some beautiful fabric that I loved (Amelia Petal).  Seeing as I was on a fabric buying high, I went for it.  Anyone that knows me knows that I have a thing for tea dresses.

I won't go through the process that I took as I just followed the instructions.  I didn't alter the pattern at all as I just wanted to get it done as is.  I still don't have my head around the whole pattern alteration thing, but I'll probably look at it one day, maybe.  But I did get to make my first self covered buttons.  That was interesting!!  But it really makes the dress I think.

It was all pretty straightforward, but I did notice some errors in the instructions when it came to the sleeve construction.  It was really very annoying, and I found that I was sewing, unpicking, sewing and unpicking.  I was pretty fed up and went searching for a blog that maybe covered it and would be able to clarify.  Luckily I found that Sew Over It did a sew along that was most helpful and the instructions were considerably better than in the booklet.  So if you plan to do this dress, definitely use the sew along instructions too http://sewoverit.co.uk/blog/sewalongs/1940s-tea-dress-sewalong/

I'm really pleased with the finished dress.  I think it looks really quite pretty and the fabric is beautiful. I'm also very pleased with the fit.  Considering the fact that I did no pattern alterations, it fits really quite well.  Despite the issues with the instructions in the booklet, I'll definitely give other Sew Over It patterns, they might just need a bit of patience.

And just a small mention of my new tattoo
that can be seen in the picture - yes that is
a Mexican Sugar Skull Lego head :D