Sew for Victory

I've finally got around to sharing my Sew for Victory project!

Way back in March I decided to join in Rochelle challenge. Crazy I know as I'm not the best sewer in the world & can't remember the last time I made an item of clothing from a pattern..... when I was in my teens I think!

So the pattern was brought

I love the style of the trousers & have purchased 2 pairs online in the past few years only to find they fit in some places & far to tight in others. I thought this would be a chance to get the perfect fit as this pattern goes up to a 28.

The sizes are listed on the back so armed with this information I headed to the fabric shop to buy the cheapest fabric I could find. It didn't go to plan & I ended up spending £20.... much cheaper then the online ones but a lot of money to waste if they didn't work out.

Ever since I mentioned I was making trousers a few people had told me how hard they were & I would be better starting with a dress or skirt. It was too late now I had to make them work!

I chose a black twill fabric & had excellent service from the little fabric shop called Percy's in Exeter.

The man made sure I had everything I needed to get going.

On Good Friday I headed to mum's...... she worked in Gossards in the 1950's making bras so I knew she would be a good teacher. I wanted her to be there just in case things went wrong...... me & Bob bobbin don't get on & I always fiddle with the tension which results in the cotton snapping & me getting very angry!

So we started cutting out when disaster struck...... the pattern only went up to a size 18!!!

I was planning on making the 22 so I could have ample space for my huge hips.

I was gutted & as we had started I couldn't return the pattern so had to go for it.

I was very pleased with my first darts

I even had a little helper with the trying on stage

Unfortunately we had to remove my lovely darts as I needed every bit of fabric :(

We also had to do a visible zip to save fabric!

But at the end of the day I had a completed pair of trousers!!!

Yippee..... I can't tell how thrilled I was. 

They do look long in the picture but I measured & they're the same length as my current work trousers. The waist band has a gap at the back so more work needs to be done on that & I need to sort out a button hole as the popper I used keeps popping open which will drive me crazy.

After investigating the pattern on Amazon I see you have to order size bb for the larger size but it didn't make it clear on the page & they've now added the larger size. After several emails complaining they gave me a complete refund so I'm now planning on ordering the larger pattern so I can make another pair.

I want a light weight denim fabric for the summer.

I'm also planning on making these culottes for summer. 

The pattern was very easy to follow so top marks for Simplicity.

Thank you so much Rochelle for giving me the kick up the bum I needed to make an item of clothing.

Get Crafty!!

I've had a crafty week!

I made a duck for a friends little girl..... she loved it!

It duck from Sarah & duck of course!

(I've never heard of it!)

I sold some cats from my website

I'm cracking on with my blanket, only 5 more squares then I can join them & do the edging. I want it finished by Christmas..... I started it in March 2008!

On Friday I visited the Stitch, Sew and Hobbycrafts Show in Exeter.

Les Miserables costumes

This is all knitted!!! Amazing :)

My goodies..... far too much fabric!!!

And to top the crafty week off I did a new window display

It took forever & lots of balance to hang the net curtains but it was worth it as we had our best day so far yesterday, most of the things in this display sold...... the animals will be eating well today!!

And to top it off I received an email from a retail buyer for the Imperial War Museum.

She had seen my red & white tea cosy & said it was very much like one they had from WW2, she wants me to make a similar bespoke tea cosy to sell online & in their shop!!!!

I'm so flattered they asked me!

I need to contact them to find out more details but I don't think it'll go ahead as they want to retail it for £10 so I'm guessing I'll get about £5. That's the cost of the yarn & as they take approx 5 evenings to make I can't see it's worth my while...... but hey they asked me!!!!!!

Crafty day

Today I've been mostly making a mess!!
With only 5 days to go until my first fair I've been panicking & falling out with my sewing machine yet again!

OH has gone back to Majorca for 6 days so I'm home alone....thankfully!
I was up really early this morning & with all the housework done I thought I could have a full day crafting. The day has gone so fast & I feel I haven't got much done.
I'm really hoping this fair will be the first of many but if I don't get my act together it could be my last. I've been selling my knitting for about 15 years & always talked about doing fairs etc but never got around to it.
2 years ago when I met Penny we've talked & talked about it, finally the day is nearly here & I'm not ready!!! I know I can sell..... I'm pretty good at it at work, lets face it if I can sell a £3k sofa surely I can sell a few corsages...... but I'm worried I won't sell anything!

I settled down at 11am with my machine....... why does my cotton keep breaking?????
I can't even sew one seem without it happening, I've tried everything....... including shouting quite a lot!

So after making rather a lot of mess I decided to stick to what I know & sat in front the TV to do my crocheting!
I watched Cliff Richard's 'Summer Holiday'................fantastic!
I love that film & after 2 hours of singing & some armchair dancing (!!) I felt much calmer & happier! Not sure I can face the machine again just yet though.

Now I think some of you ladies will be very jealous. I was hunting for my flat cat (more about him later) when I came across this white box that I haven't looked at for 3 years!
I wonder what's inside???

Lots of fabric & some knitted things from when I was planning on setting up a web site, I think I should take those tanktops to the fair....you never know!
Now lets look more closely at the fabric.....

Do you know what it is???

Here's some still in the unopened bag!!!
How naughty, at the time I really wanted it........ it makes me feel so bad..... I'm such a spend thrift......no wonder I don't have any money!!!!
So now I'm thinking about what I can do with it that doesn't involve my machine.....hahahaha!!

This is my flat cat..........

The picture's so bad, I can't believe how dark it is at 4pm...hardly worth drawing the curtains.
I made him years ago but thought he may go down well at the fair, I need to work out what I did....... I never write anything down as lots of my things are one offs.

Another bad picture!!
These are my gifts I received from some lovely bloggers.......

They were included in the hat parcels....... thank you Hen & Karen.....sorry it's taken so long to post about it & I don't think I've done them justice with the terrible photo!!!

Things just aren't going well at the moment...... do you ever have days like that????
Well mines lasted 4 days now & I'm starting to get a little bit fed up with things going wrong!
I think it because my back it still bad & the tablets I take make you feel yucky.
Hope to be back soon to show you some things I've made, have a good week.

Fab day out & the end of my time off

Hello everyone, hope you're all enjoying the beautiful weather we're having.....why wasn't it like this last week????

However I do think it may be a little bit too warm today.... I was up nice & early to do my house work before it got too hot but I can't even go in the garden this afternoon without roasting...... I don't do sunshine!!!!
I need to sort out a sheltered spot for next year but then who's to say we'll have a good summer next year!

I'm a little bit behind with my blog so first up thanks to everyone one who left a comment on my last post..... it was great to meet so many new friends through Floss's birthday party..... what a great idea.

On Friday I had a great day out in Totnes with Sal......I'm not used to taking photo's for my blog when out & about so you can read Sal's post here.
It was great to be with a like minded person & not dashing about while OH waits in a near by pub!!!

This is what I brought......

A doormat from Amanda..... it's too thick for my front door but I've found another home

The goodies below ......

I've been looking for the Ladybird Crochet book for a while now so I was very happy. The plate & bowl is for work..... think everyone will know it's mine!!!

Some more red spotty fabric and gift bags for my friend's birthday gifts.

After shopping we spent the afternoon at Sal's beautiful house..... her blog does not do it justice.... the garden is fantastic.... so beautiful..... & her craft room??? Well I'd still be there now!!! I never seen so many goodies, it would take you hours to look at everything.

She very kindly let me take this home....

Thanks for a great day Sal, so nice of you to invite me to yours to have lunch & meet the family.

I showed you theses flowers on Saturday.....

Really beautiful but they didn't last long.... you were right Sal!!!

So it got me thinking........... what do I have in my garden???? Now I'm more into veg then flowers but I managed to pull together this....

I think they look lovely............. lots of cat mint, mint, lavender, jasmine & roses.

Wonder how much that would cost in a shop??

I must tell you a funny story about our parasol..... on Friday after my fab day out I returned home to noticed our large green parasol was missing!!!! I looked around the garden but couldn't see it..... I didn't want to ask OH as he would be angry because he hates living here. All night I sat & pondered where it could have gone, in the morning I had to point it out to OH to ask if he had moved it....NO!!! I was right he was angry, as you all know we've had a few problems since moving here with the terrible children. After we both walked around the garden looking for signs that some one had climbed the gate we gave up.

Later that afternoon I spoke to my neighbour to see if he had seen anything odd...... well yes he had...... the parasol had been lifted by a big gust of wind into the garden behind!!!

It was in a base so the wind must have been very strong..... thankfully it didn't damage anything although it was a shame that none of the horrible kids where hurt...lol!!!

So all that worrying was for nothing....... how silly!!!

It was back to work on Monday.... boy I sometimes wonder how they manage without me..... my tray was full of things that should've been sorted last week!!!!!

I will be back soon to tell you how how my Brownie night went on Tuesday.

A day in the big smoke

Hope everyone made the most of the last sunny day before the bank holiday weekend... I've just seen the weather forecast & it's not looking good. Shame as I have 3 days off.

Yesterday I took the train to the big smoke. It was a lovely journey leaving Exeter at a very bright & early 6.55!!! The sun was out, I read my book & enjoyed the peace & quite.... that is until the lady behind me started to eat a packet of crisps!!!!

I had a managers meeting in the Tottenham Court Road Store..... it was ok but I did feel like Alan Sugar was going to walk in at anytime. Maybe I should enter the apprentice next year...LOL!

The meeting was planned to finish at 4pm but at 3.15 she called it a day...yippee!!!

I was asked to go for coffee with the other people before getting our trains but I thought heck no...I'm off..... I have a date with...........

Yes that's right I had to pay Cath a visit. I was really pleased with myself because I normally just come home because I don't like walking around London on my own...boring....but yesterday I went for it. So after a bit of a (hot) walk I found Cath & all was well. I went to buy the boat hankie but they had sold out...never mind I found some other things.

Some dusters, a very cheap box (only £1!!), a lovely red spotty bowl & some fabric. Now I'm not sure what I'm going to make but I'll think of something.

So why stop there..... normally when I go to London I leave OH in the pub & hurry around but yesterday my train didn't leave until 5pm so I took a wander in Marylebone High Street.

I went to VV Rouleaux & brought some ribbon.....



I had really been looking forward to visiting but I wasn't impressed with the service.

Then I headed back to Baker Street tube & I spotted good old Emma Bridgewater....





Just had to buy this mug, I looked at it in Bristol but didn't buy it.... it takes along time for me to spend money!!! I knew as soon as I got home I would regret not buying it so I did it....

Now I need to sort my shelves out in the kitchen as they're too full.

Today was back to normal rubbish shops!! I did pop to Oxfam & another charity shop in my lunch break & brought theses goodies......

I love plastic knitting needles & I also found a crochet hook, I did have to ask & they brought out a big box...LOL! The lovely hankies were 50p for 3 ....bargain.... cheaper then CK but maybe not as nice!!!
I've been collecting ladybird books for a bout 6 months so I was pleased to find these.
I must show you my collection soon.

Only 1 day to go before my break.

Sunny Sunday.....

Hope you're all enjoying the lovely sunshine today. I was hoping to get out in the garden but as I haven't had a day off since Monday the housework took over.

I did remember to get batteries for the stupid camera yesterday so as promised here's the gift Mel sent me......

A lovely little bag that just the right size for my lunch box & book, at the moment it's full of craft things as I had to clear the table to clean it!!! Inside the bag was some really helpful cooking leaflets.

Also some fantastic vintage CK fabric...... thanks so much Mel..... I hate cutting up fabric but I really must make some thing with this so I've decided to make a cushion cover. Now the problem is my sewing machine has a red bobbin at the moment & I'm not sure how to change it...... you see me & bobbins don't get on, when I was young my mum used to let us use her sewing machine & I used to always get the bobbin all knotted up. When I left home I brought a 1960's singer & I had the same problem, Dad was so fed up of collecting it, mum mending it & him bring it back only to do the same thing a few months later that it now lives at mum's. The new machine is supposed to be easy but I to scared just in case I mess it up!!!!!

Thought I would try to make my plant stand look a little better.....

I've just chucked some small plants on until I can find the ones I want...... not sure what they've called but I'll know them when I see them. OH hates it, it reminds him of his childhood....his Auntie had one but I think it's his fault for being so old...LOL!!!!

Sal did a great post about Otto retro, hope you all saw it.

Do you like the union jack flag I found????

Is anyone else collecting this magazine?????

Issue 2 is now out...... unfortunately I haven't had any spare time to sit & read it cover to cover but it looks really good. Every year I plan not to plant too much because I don't have the time to look after it but I always get carried away.

This is my salad bar last July....just look at that sun. My dad made me this to try & stop the cats from getting in (it's waist height)..... I think you know why..LOL!!

I've just enjoyed some lovely curly kale from the garden..... I thought it had died but it's come back with a vengeance....yummy!!! I also have loads of spinach so I'll be eating something with spinach for dinner next week. Can't wait to get growing again..... so rewarding.

My goodness it's nearly 3pm.... that can only mean one thing..... tea & cake....must dash!!!

Interesting day

Hello everyone, thanks for all your comments on the last post... I'm still feeling rubbish but better then I felt on Saturday/Sunday.... thanks to drugs!!!

I went to work yesterday at 7.45, the store manager was due in at 10am so I was planning on waiting until he arrived & then heading back to bed.... when he came in he asked how I was feeling & was I OK to stay... he then said I could go home later.... well the day went on & finally at 4pm he said I could go.... I was due to finish at 4.30 anyway!!! Don't think he likes being the only manager in!!!

When I got home I had an envelope from Cath... my samples that I ordered 19th Jan from the web site.... I'd forgotten all about them!!!

The small ones on the right are from LA. I really wanted the circus one because I had plans to cut out Stanley on the bike & frame him..... can you see what they did......

Meanies!!!!

Today was thankfully my day off & I was hoping to spend time with my OH as I haven't really seen him for over a week..... he was trapped in Majorca by the snow this end & had to stay another day.... so what with that & me working we've been like ships in the night. However he had other plans..... things are a bit tense here at the moment with the forthcoming move. He had to see someone at the bank today to sort out the money needed but it didn't go well........ he wasn't very happy so has decided to stay in his office tonight... there's a flat out the back. He was cross with me for going to work as he said I look 'terrible'... thanks I thought!!! It's not that easy phoning in sick. So that meant yet other day alone for me. Men!!!!!

My Valentine swap arrived yesterday but I was working :(

It will be re delivered to work on Thursday..... yippee.

I was supposed to post my swap on Friday but due to the snowy weather I couldn't get to the post office.... I also realised that I didn't have a jiffy bag big enough... not a problem I thought I'll get one on Saturday... I forgot.... never mind I'll get it on Monday..... I forgot. So today is the last day for posting & I can't do it.... sorry Jayne!!!

I promise I'll take it to work tomorrow where I know we do have jiffy bags & I'll get one of the staff to run it to the post office.... I'm the only manager in for the next 2 days so can't leave the store for 10 hours :(

I'm sure it'll arrive before Sauturday.

Here's a taster of things to come........

I've been fiddling around making purses for the last few evenings... I'm doing some summer fairs & I've also got a few shops interested in selling some of my things. I finished it off today & got out the iron to press it before sewing on the lining..... I unplugged the iron & then lent across burning the inside of my arm......arrrrgh!!!

I went to the shop on Saturday to buy a zip for the purse... I had it on Saturday evening because I was measuring with it..... & now it's gone!!!!

No .....I really mean gone..... I've looked everywhere & it's not here.....

Now this is a bit weird because my mum gave me a knitting pattern last year for a toy she had made me as a child..... I made one for Liv & I was planning on making one for Bracken & that's gone too...... now I'm not the most tidy person but I never lose anything.

And here's another thing.... I lost my hankie yesterday at work.... about 10 years ago I went to John Lewis in Oxford street & brought some lovely hankie which I use all the time..... they have seen me though many a cold & funeral..... I didn't have a pocket yesterday so I tucked it in my waist band.... as I was leaving the store at lunch time i noticed it wasn't there..... OK so it must have fallen out in the locker room.... nope.... we have searched the store top to bottom & it's not there..... yes I did make my staff look for my used hankie.... they love me!!!

I'm very upset about this... now I know it's just a hankie but I hate loosing things & it reminds me of a happy day spent in London.... happy days are few & far between these days. Tomorrow I shall phone CK & buy one of the new boat hankies to cheer myself up.... if I order from the web site it may be here for next year's winter cold!!!!!

Hope you've all had a interesting day!!!