Saturday, July 31, 2010
Fail...
Ok people, I need help. What do YOU do when you seem to be a on a run of failed projects? It's been a week now and there has been very very little success and a lot of screw ups. A week doesn't sound like long, but when you're trying to make this your job, a week of no productivity is bad! New products aren't working and even very slight (ie different fabric type) variations on old products aren't working. I'm not sure I can face another failed project and another day down the drain, so, help! Please!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Pattern review: Nicole Mallalieu Design - 150mm Purse Frame Kit
1. Name of the pattern
150mm Purse Frame Kit
2. Difficulty rating
A beginner really could do this because the actual sewing is very simple (mostly straight lines) and the instructions are incredibly detailed.
3. Were the instructions easy to follow? (And did you learn anything new from them?)
Nikki's instructions are the best I've seen. I'm normally terrible at following patterns/instructions - they always seem to be written in a different language, but not these ones! It really is like a sewing lesson in a kit. Lots of extra little bits of detail to help you improve your sewing techniques and I learn something from each pattern I try!
I'd tried to make frame purses without Nikki's patterns and they were one of the most frustrating things I've ever attempted! Nikki's work EVERY SINGLE TIME.
4. Did the finished project look like the one on the pattern cover or did you 'tweak' it? (If tweaked, what did you do change?)
The basic shape is exactly like the pattern cover. My only tweaks were extra embellishment in the form of the fabric flower and the beaded detailing.
5. Were you happy with the finished project?
Absolutely! Every purse I've made from this pattern has been a success!
6. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love that you learn to make a purse 'properly'. All the edges are finished - no raw edges shoved into the frame like other pattern makers suggest. The purse is glued and crimped into the frame unlike so many that I've seen. I also love the general shape of the purse and the fact that extra attention is paid to things like interfacing to make a nice professional finish.
7. Would you make this pattern again? Would you recommend it to others?
I've made it many, many times and will continue to do so! And I would absolutely recommend it to others.
150mm Purse Frame Kit
2. Difficulty rating
A beginner really could do this because the actual sewing is very simple (mostly straight lines) and the instructions are incredibly detailed.
3. Were the instructions easy to follow? (And did you learn anything new from them?)
Nikki's instructions are the best I've seen. I'm normally terrible at following patterns/instructions - they always seem to be written in a different language, but not these ones! It really is like a sewing lesson in a kit. Lots of extra little bits of detail to help you improve your sewing techniques and I learn something from each pattern I try!
I'd tried to make frame purses without Nikki's patterns and they were one of the most frustrating things I've ever attempted! Nikki's work EVERY SINGLE TIME.
4. Did the finished project look like the one on the pattern cover or did you 'tweak' it? (If tweaked, what did you do change?)
The basic shape is exactly like the pattern cover. My only tweaks were extra embellishment in the form of the fabric flower and the beaded detailing.
5. Were you happy with the finished project?
Absolutely! Every purse I've made from this pattern has been a success!
6. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love that you learn to make a purse 'properly'. All the edges are finished - no raw edges shoved into the frame like other pattern makers suggest. The purse is glued and crimped into the frame unlike so many that I've seen. I also love the general shape of the purse and the fact that extra attention is paid to things like interfacing to make a nice professional finish.
7. Would you make this pattern again? Would you recommend it to others?
I've made it many, many times and will continue to do so! And I would absolutely recommend it to others.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
What I am not...
Is a quilter!
I have a baby niece due any day now, so I got it into my head that I wanted to make her a quilt. I've made one before (although I didn't quite finish it) so I should have known this would be hard work. Backing it with dot minky (stretchy and slippery), didn't make the job easier! I cheated and didn't do a traditional binding - instead choosing to make a fringed type of border that will fray and soften with use. I definitely don't enjoy the quilt making process. Probably something to do with being a perfectionist and it being so difficult to wrangle a big heavy quilt and sew perfectly straight all at the same time.
I love the outcome though!
The prints are from the "What a Hoot" collection by Camelot Cottons.
I have a baby niece due any day now, so I got it into my head that I wanted to make her a quilt. I've made one before (although I didn't quite finish it) so I should have known this would be hard work. Backing it with dot minky (stretchy and slippery), didn't make the job easier! I cheated and didn't do a traditional binding - instead choosing to make a fringed type of border that will fray and soften with use. I definitely don't enjoy the quilt making process. Probably something to do with being a perfectionist and it being so difficult to wrangle a big heavy quilt and sew perfectly straight all at the same time.
I love the outcome though!
The prints are from the "What a Hoot" collection by Camelot Cottons.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
24 hour sale on hand embroidered clutches!
Just a really quick note to mention my really quick sale! 20% off all of the hand embroidered Adorn clutches in my Plus 1 Design Etsy store. The sale ends at 5.30pm Sydney time. While you're over there, you might notice a small announcement too!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Studio rearrangement
This week my studio got rearranged! Previously it was cramped, and with the addition of the ironing press and overlocker, it was getting difficult to work in there. So a trip to Ikea and I'm all set!
New shelves and containers (from my kitchen actually) to organise all the little things! And a home for the overlocker.
And another new shelf for the ironing press and other assorted bits.
Now the only problem here is the ironing board, which no matter where I put it, is in the way. It's currently stashed under the cutting table as you can see, but that's not practical. Think I'm just going to have to take it out and move it around everytime it's in the way. It's a million years old and weighs a tonne, but what else to do?!
Oh and trying to add a little life and colour in there too... I love indoor plants - especially these babies that I've grown myself!
PS. Please just pretend that I've emptied the recycling bin and vacuumed the floor!
New shelves and containers (from my kitchen actually) to organise all the little things! And a home for the overlocker.
And another new shelf for the ironing press and other assorted bits.
Now the only problem here is the ironing board, which no matter where I put it, is in the way. It's currently stashed under the cutting table as you can see, but that's not practical. Think I'm just going to have to take it out and move it around everytime it's in the way. It's a million years old and weighs a tonne, but what else to do?!
Oh and trying to add a little life and colour in there too... I love indoor plants - especially these babies that I've grown myself!
PS. Please just pretend that I've emptied the recycling bin and vacuumed the floor!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Who knew that $12.50 could buy love?!
Despite being one of the busiest people I know, Nikki is amazingly generous when it comes to giving advice and sharing her knowledge. When she told me a few weeks ago to try to find a second-hand Elna Press because it would be a lifesaver when it comes to fusing interfacing to fabric, I figured that this was something I definitely needed to do. The timing couldn't have been better cause when I looked on ebay, there was one - local pickup only, just 15 minutes down the road. Now the crazy thing is that I managed to get it for $12.50. Yup - you read right - $12.50.
I picked it up this morning and I'm in love already. A little bit of elbow grease (and some bicarb and vinegar) was needed to clean the plate, a $5 ironing board cover for the base, and we're in business!
Oh and fusing this interfacing takes approximately 10 seconds!
The ebay equipment love doesn't stop there either! In the last couple of months I've also managed to get my hands on a second-hand overlocker, and a brand new electric rotary cutter. All of this has cost me about $300 and means I have all the essential appliances for my studio!
And speaking of the studio - these recent acquisitions mean that I need to rearrange it, so I'm in the midst of doing that now. If I can get some decent photos when I'm done, I'll post them here. Even though it looks like a bomb has hit it at the moment, it's already looking bigger and more user friendly!
I picked it up this morning and I'm in love already. A little bit of elbow grease (and some bicarb and vinegar) was needed to clean the plate, a $5 ironing board cover for the base, and we're in business!
Oh and fusing this interfacing takes approximately 10 seconds!
The ebay equipment love doesn't stop there either! In the last couple of months I've also managed to get my hands on a second-hand overlocker, and a brand new electric rotary cutter. All of this has cost me about $300 and means I have all the essential appliances for my studio!
And speaking of the studio - these recent acquisitions mean that I need to rearrange it, so I'm in the midst of doing that now. If I can get some decent photos when I'm done, I'll post them here. Even though it looks like a bomb has hit it at the moment, it's already looking bigger and more user friendly!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Preserves
I sold these two pieces outside of Etsy and realised that they aren't really preserved anywhere anymore, so I thought I'd blog about them. I have a feeling I've mentioned the first one before:
Such a pretty one off piece! 3 days of work... Luckily it's gone to my next door neighbour so I can visit it if I need to!
And a piece that few people would have seen:
This was the first of my new Inessence range of bags etc made from natural, eco friendly, reclaimed and vintage fabrics. The outer is a very nice recycled hemp/organic cotton blend, with a scrap fabric applique. It's lined with a vintage fabric. I'm looking forward to making more like this!
Such a pretty one off piece! 3 days of work... Luckily it's gone to my next door neighbour so I can visit it if I need to!
And a piece that few people would have seen:
This was the first of my new Inessence range of bags etc made from natural, eco friendly, reclaimed and vintage fabrics. The outer is a very nice recycled hemp/organic cotton blend, with a scrap fabric applique. It's lined with a vintage fabric. I'm looking forward to making more like this!
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