Winter wool ball flowers...

A while ago I had seen a lovely piece of decoration with some sticks and pompoms on top, which looked like little frozen snowball-flower-thingys. So first I thought I could just also do some pompoms, because I lived under the impression, I had some white felting-wool leftover somewhere. Well, there are either still somewhere - or I haven't got them anymore. Both is possible. Anyhow, I also was given some wool fleece, which I then decided to needle-felt into little woolen balls, then collect some straight sticks with the kids and tadaaa... finished.

It really didn't take much time to make these 5 balls, but I did manage to stab myself about 6 times, and gosh, those felting needles are sharp, it only starts bleeding first and hurst afterwards! I'm impressed. I was not really impressed by the combination of white wool and red blood though... not very winterly peaceful... :) I did manag to make 5 unstained ones in the end, miraculously. :)

I really like them, even if I have to admit, they are a little random and serve no real purpose but it was a fun thing to make. :)

Edit: The felting wool did turn up in the end to I made a few pompons with the kids (all sorts of colours). They are all made from felting wool, the white ones I sort of felted with water and soap and the green one is "as it is".

Christmas window decoration

So Christmas is here and as we traditionally do, we put up the tree and most of the Christmas decoration on my husbands birthday. This years, I've tried out this "christmas twig" decoration for the kitchen window (hanging is really the ony ways to decorate our home, because we have no windowsills!- apart from the one in the kitchcen, which is so close to the sink, that it is unsuitable)

I got the idea from one of the neighbours and despite my inability to take fancy photographs, I find it is really pretty. :)

How I messed up the Ishihara Birthday cake...

So this year I even managed to make a cake for the best husband of all. And because he has a red-green-colourblindness and I am just a little bit mean, I wanted to make an Ishihara cake for him. Like this - with smarties...

Only I ran out of orange and green so I made it all colourful and even people with normal colourvision can't see the number. Brilliant, eh? :)

Here's the recipe though, the cake was delicious:
Original Recipe in German on Chefkoch.de: https://www.chefkoch.de/rezepte/1030221208238044/Schwarzer-Kirschkuchen.html

English translation

Black Cherry Cake
Recipe for 26-28cm round baking tray

Zutaten

250 g	granulated or caster sugar
125 g	flour
125 g	ground hazelnuts
150 g	chocolate chips
2 TL	baking powder
1 TL	cinnamon
4	eggs
ca 500g	dark cherries from glass
125 g	butter
	Butterfor the tray if needed

Preheat the oven to 180°C
Mix soft butter and sugar und whisk "fluffy". Add the eggs and whisk in.
Add the rest of the ingredients, bake for about 1 hrs. If necessary, cover the cake with some tin foil.

Autumn window transparent

I made this little girl with a kite Window Transparent about a month ago... and while hanging on the window it sort of curled up a bit, hence the blurry background. It kind of suits the stormy weather in the picture, so I didn't do anything about it. After autumn, I will store it in a big book, so next year it will be flatttened. :)

I took the inspiration from the book "Mit farbigen Transparenten durch das Jahr" by Marion Kronshage und Sylvia Schwartz.

Tiny doll "Flora"

I've been up to quite a lot in the past months, only I didn't manage to take pictures... shame on me...

It only 11 months to finally make this little doll - she's called Flora, she's about 13cms tall and made on a metal wire frame, so she's quite bendy and great to play with. The girls are already mothing her, so I'm curious how long she will last.

Because of the flowery dress we've called her "Flora".

I made her following the wonderful instructions by Cristina Cevales-Labonde in her book "Biegepüppchen selbstgemacht" (German).

I can really recommend the book, she gives really good instructions and tons of inspiration for making little dolls. What I thought was really touching was the loving way she wrote about the little dolls in the pictures that she describes, they all have names!

Ginger Jeans - I did it!

I can't quite believe it myself, I made jeans!

And they fit. 

After a long long time of contemplating, of procrastinating and fretting about fabrics, my sewing skills and the "oomph" of my machine - my existing 2 pairs of jeans were slowly but surely falling apart. And despite my best efforts of mending them repeatedly...  it was time to face the fact: I need new jeans.

First I actually went to town and looked at jeans. Tried some. And got annoyed. I want low to just-mid rise flared jeans. Not too much "use" on them. Not too thin. Indigo blue. Really dark. This is not in fashion at the moment. I tried everything that was proclaimed to be my size. I even tried the very fashionable high waist skinny jeans - which sort of went up to my rib cage, were too long, to tight and just "uuhhrgh". It was a very very very frustrating experience.

And then I bought the much acclaimed Ginger Jeans pattern (with Flared Jeans extension pack) by Closet Case Patterns. 

I followed the instructions of the sewalong https://Closetcasepatterns.com/ginger-jeans-sewalong/

and it all went together fine. Surprisingly, the jeans are a little on the widish side... I am not entirely sure, why. I might have lost some weight (hm... how likely is that... hm...), the fabric has a poor recovery (doesn't seem like it, but who knows...), the pattern runs slightly wide (possible and most likely), I was taking my measurements too loosely (possible), I didn't cut close enough to the pattern, added some width while copying... I did notice this after basting them, so I used a more generous seam allowance (instead of 5/8" I used 6/8, but it's still a bit wide in the bottom and back thigh, especially after wearing them for a few days)

Anyhow - the jeans fit. They fit well enough for me. I have no issues with the crotch, no issues with matching, they don't twist and they are super comfy.  - it was a real WOW experience. Also my machine didn't buckle up once and sewed through up to 8 layers of jeans like butter (I did use a jeans needle though). 

What do I think of the pattern? - I LOVE IT! - 

The size is accurate, not supertight, but I didn't aim for that. The instructions are superclear, the sewalong is great and the possibilities for variations are SO vast. Heather also gives lots of instructions on fitting, in case you do have frown or smile lines. Or whatever other issues occur.

If you want to make jeans - make these! 

What I really liked was the precision of the pattern. Notches match, clear instructions, no blahblah and - if she says low rise it means low rise. Precision this is. 

I admit, I was VERY sceptical. My experience with sewing trousers is very limited to say the least. My confidence wasn't very big and because of my unique shape, I only anticipated problems. 

Just to give you an idea: My waist is a size 6 in her pattern, while my hip is a size 12 (although I would probably go down a size in the hip with the next pair... ). And in addition to this big waist-hip ratio, I have a sway back. And I am smaller that "standard women" (whatever that is... have never met one). 

I followed her fitting/grading instructions in the sewalong and the resulting pattern looked - curvy. I stuck with it bravely, because I thought - I calculated this, I followed instructions, it MUST work. And it did. The only thing I had to adjust was the waistband - which gaped. Like it always does. I could have cut a new waistband, but I took a shortcut (because I wanted to finish the jeans and going back to cutting fabric felt like a backstep... and I was lazy and impatient...). I made two darts in the waistband inside, clipped the excess fabric and transferred the changes to the pattern waistband. For next time. Yes, there will definitely be a next time. I might even use contrasting topstiching. :) 

I also really like her suggestions about the "insides" - coloured serger thread, nice fabric for the pockets - turned not inside the pockets but in a way you can actually SEE it when putting on the jeans. Yes, that makes me feel good. Talking about a serger. I own one - I didn't use it. I just zigzagged everything. I was plainly too lazy to put up the machine. 

The biggest challenge for me (sewing wise...) was the topstitching. Who would have thought that sewing two completely parallel lines is SO difficult. My husband giving me a glass of red wine with the sewing boosted my mood, but I wasn't sure about the topstitching skills... As I noticed later, it didn't do any harm, my parallelity the next day without wine looked exactly the same. I might have to practise that a little more and continue using toned down topstitch thread. :) 

My other issues are (and none of them have anything to do with the pattern fit...): the blue of the fabric. It is a little too blue. And even. I am not used to that. I might try and find some real indigo jeans fabric. Also the front pockets are quite wide. Which is ok in a way, because I CAN put my entire hand in it in case I have nothing else to do. But I think I would make them a tiny bit narrower next time. I also have the idea to copy the coin pocket my "nearly fallen apart jeans" - it's a small single welt pocket in the pocket lining -very cute). Other ideas for next time include more belt loops (I don't even own a belt...) and back pocket designs. My back pocket is plain, but I have this idea about an ECG or a WonderWoman logo thing. I would also move them up a tiny little bit. But maybe with making the next pair tighter, I won't need that. I might also try the mid-waist and high waist version with those shaping pockets. Maybe I could even try skinny jeans (the last time I wore skinny jeans was in 1999). I also had this GREAT pair of jeans (that also fell apart...) with add on front pockets that were square... I think I have a picture of me wearing them somewhere... but only a front view...) . ideas, ideas, ideas... why is sewing jeans so addictive? 

Finally, here are my Ginger Flares! Brand new! First time!

Ready?

I've casually put my hand in that pocket, so nobody has a chance to evaluate the fit.
You just have to believe me it's good. :) 

Posing naturally, this is what I do with walls on a normal day.
At least I didn't have to worry about my expression this way...
You can also see the jeans are a bit wide on the hip and leg after a couple of days of wearing them.
I don't mind, this is what my jeans usually look like. :) 

On the left you can see the adjustment darts for sway back I made on the waistband back.
And on the right my beautiful happy lining, which used to be a pillow case. :) 

_____________

Cost

Pattern: 17 euros

Print in Copyshop A0: 40 Euros (I wanted to try it out...very comfortable, but expensive.)

rivets 5,50

Buttons 4,70

Fabric - Stretch Jeans (97% cotton, 3% elasthane) 40 Euros

Yarn (sewing and topstitch) 4+3 = 7 Euros

jeans zip 3 Euros

I am planning the next pair already... :)

Sewing plans for 2018

Photo by Fleur Treurniet on Unsplash

You wouldn't believe it, but I have plans for 2018. A lot of plans and also sewing plans. Here they are.


- A Dirndl (Bavarian style) for Little Miss No 1 for her first day to school (September). I have the pattern already and a book on Austrian Dirndl making, so I am trying to make it in a more traditional style, sort of a mix between Austrian and Bavarian (sorry), with cartridge pleats and apron and maybe even smocking. I have chosen a fabric already and I hope it won't be sold out by the time i get around to buying the supplies (probably July). (#DONE - I didn't have the time in the end to make it really traditional, but I think it's ubercute anyway - blogpost to come soon).

- Maybe a Dirndl for myself, using the same traditional techniques. Although that's not really a priority.

- It also seems my jeans are giving up - which means I will have to face the challenge to make trousers for myself. -  #DONE! I made Ginger Jeans!!! (I fact I made several n 2018 - FOUR! and I am planning Morgan Jeans...)

- black linen trousers for summer (remake of favourite summer trousers - which are falling apart, too... all trousers seem to be giving up on me this year) (#DONE!)

- also I would like to make a shirt with a massive cowl collar (check out gaiaconceptions.com's super cowl shirt; I ALSO really like their "love me 2 times sari simplicity" thingy ... would be nice to make that and dye it with natural dyes... some day...)

- and my biggest plan Using up fabric from the stash. I also have this lovely black satin jersey in the stash, which I might make into a pencil skirt, or into a backless shirt. Or a backless dress, if I have enough fabric. But again, I have to draft the pattern first, then make a muslin and then see... :) - which means I have to go through it thoroughly and think about what I really need. Maybe a Jade Skirt?

- I've also got a lot of scraps of knit fabric... maybe some undies (#DONE!)

- make a pillow cover from an old (favourite) t-shirt (that shrunk...) and fabric from stash

- I could do with a proper swimsuit and/or bikini that fits... I am tempted to make the Bombshell Swimsuit by Closetcase Patterns,  I need some good instructions (update: I got the pattern...)

- A woolen winter coat to replace the one that is falling apart... an "everyday winter coat"

- I am really eyeing up that Wrapped Cardigan by Seamly - that could be an Autumn Project. Or maybe I take the pattern from a cardigan I've got, which I really really like.

- Probably by the end of this year I will need to make some black t-shirts... long and short sleeved - mine are slowly gowing thin from washing... or maybe something like the Bethioua Shirt... maybe self drafted...

- I am thinking about making leggings, but these are not a priority

- I also am keen on making a Jade Skirt  by Paprika Pattern. So wonderfully asymmetrical! (' DONE  and I've even made 2 - picture and blogpost to come!)

- I've got the fabric for another Satsuki Tunic and a Vogue 8728 dress... in black.

I have the distinctive feeling, my plans for 2018 will make it into 2019 and possibly 2020. :)

A Ruffled Skirt for me!

Yes, this is actually me. 

I've finally managed to make another skirt for myself. I had been wanting to make this ever since the weather had become colder (so for about 2 months...). And finally I managed.

I took the pattern off a skirt I had made before "The forest skirt" (that's 3,5 years now...). Back then I had taken the pattern off a RTW skirt, had extended the skirt (more pronounced, or broad-legged A shape). What I didn't do was to adjust for sway back, so on that skirt I still had to make to darts in the waistband back after finishing it, because it was gaping. Hm. Nevertheless, that skirt with its flounce and that supercute pattern became one of my favourite skirts. So I decided, I should make another one. Because I am in a "I should wear more skirts"-mood at the moment.

I still had a nice piece of wool twill from my husbands wedding suit in the stash (matured 7,5 years...) that I initially had planned to make into a Victorian riding habit but never got around to it.  uckily I should say, because when am I going to wear a Victorian Riding habit? I can't even ride horses...
I also had this black cotton voile sitting around for some years (I had planned to make a Regency gown from it... which also never happened...). These fabrics are perfect for my purposes.

I didn't find the pattern for the forest skirt any more, so I just copied the skirt itself (which means I sort of automatically adjusted for sway back because I just included the waistband "as is" and not with those darts). It worked perfectly well.

The fabric was behaving very well, even the voile, and in about 3 hours the whole thing went together. I still have slight trouble with "invisible" zippers - despite the correct zipper foot they are never really invisible. I probably don't stitch close enough to the little zipper teeth. Also the zipper is not black, but dark grey, which was all I had in my stash and it HAD to be done that day.... :) Also, my zippers hardly ever match...

For the finishing of the seam of the wool overskirt I used a cotton checkered bias tape that was lingering around in the cellar. I love finishing hems with bias tape. They come out so neat and tidy and also you can add "hidden colour" to a skirt. They also give thin fabrics a bit more substance and they have a nicer drape. I've always wanted to try out horsebraid in that aspect, but haven't managed yet.

So, nothing breathtaking this time, but a quick and easy supercomfy and very girly skirt. The ruffles are swinging with every step around my legs, I nearly feel like a princess.

I'm sorry you can't see much on the pictures - black in bad lighting ....

Three Holy Kings - Window transparent

Another transparent for Epiphany (which is also my birthday...). I've made it around christmas and we put it up just after christmas and will stay there until the 3 Holy Kings have made their way to Bethlehem.

This is also made with the book "Mit farbenigen Transparenten durch das Jahr" by Michaela Kronshage und Silvia Schwartz.

I really enjoy the layering, which is something I've just recently discovered and I can't wait to make a sprint transparent. :)

Winter landscape - window transparent

As I don't find much time at the moment for big (sewing) projects, I made this transparent for January.

The carton is actually light blue, but I didn't manage to get the colour right AND show the transparent's layers.

I have the book "Mit farbigen Transparenten durch das Jahr" by Michaela Kronshage und Silvia Schwartz, which offers 15 or so transparents with detailed decriptions. Not all of them are 100% to my taste, but they are all really good to learn about the layering and how to achieve certain effects.

Christmas lantern Special

For the Christmas market of the kindergardens, I had to contribute something. So I thought I'd do some arts and crafts. I've not got tons of time but they luckily don't expect masterpieces. So I thought I'd try something I've always intended to try and never did - making oiled paper lanterns. :)
I really enjoyed folding these lanterns, so I can really recommend making them even if you don't have to supply a christmas bazar. They create a very cosy atmosphere.

I find it easiest to first fold and glue the lanterns and then gently rubbing them with baby oil or rapeseed oil (or any other neutral oil). You could even add a drop of scented oil (e.g. lavender or cinnamon, but that's not necessary). I also recommend putting a little glass inside, to protect the paper and prevent fires.

Here are my results

Lampion 1

Lampion 2

Try the Lampion! (A4 sized paper)

Lampion Laterne

English instructions:Lantern

I've made slight alterations to the pattern above, because I like very crisp folds. And the version in the original patterns always ended up a bit tattered. But the method behind it is the same. Just the red lantern has two folds more, and the yellow a few less.

Here is the folding pattern for the red lantern above https://goo.gl/LrJTYV
The pattern for the yellow lampion lantern can be found here: https://goo.gl/vvL5oT

Waldorf star shaped lantern

The Waldorf/Steiner Star shaped light (A3 sized paper)

Waldorf lantern
There is also a video how to fold it, it is in German, but not too difficult to follow
Video Waldorf lantern

English instructions: Star shaped lantern

Tealight holder - I didn't fold these, it's from bastelreich.de

This is also a very pretty, extremely simple tealight holder and you can also make 24 of it in rainbow colours and use it as an advent calender! Super cute!

table light (includes pattern for paper lantern cut, pentagon), I couldn't find english instructions, but it is supereasy. :)


And talking about Pentagons, there is this classic Waldorf lantern, too! (it is made from pentagons and results in dodecahedron with stars!). I found it easiest to cut 10 pentagons (so you leave to top and the bottom open) and then just light a candle and put the lantern over it. After printing the pattern on yellow (or any other sort of paper), cut them juuuuust inside the marks, otherwise you have the marks left on the lantern (like me...)

Dodecahedron lantern - I LOVE geometry!

Pentagon star lantern (with pattern)
English instructions: Pentagon star lamp
my pattern: https://goo.gl/yxWnMe (A4 sized paper)

**** Be careful with fire and candles. Put them on a heat proof surface and don't leave them unattended. If you don't know how to handle fire, use LED candles, they are safer****

short url:https://goo.gl/aWvixW

Macramé lights

Just imagine I HAD actually lit the candle inside!

So today I did some DIY again. And it was so supereasy and though I'd share it.

I've always wanted to try out Macramé. I can't really tell you why, because I've never really seen anything made from Macramé that I wanted to have. Possibly it is because my mother always made fun of people making stuff with Macramé technique. So for years this wish to do Macramé was there... and then this happened:

(I know, the video is in German, but just switch of the sound and follow the pictures, it is SO easy)

I really like the way those lanterns look (especially the hanging one), so I though, why not give it a try, especially as I had all material required (empty glass, anything goes here) and string (it is 24meters juteyarn in dark green, which i normally use to wrap parcels and presents).The glass is from jam.

And because it is November, you see this lantern NOT swaying gently in the garden
but peacefully hanging from the back of our door. 

Super easy project, took me about 30minutes (the kids helped, too).

Nora - My first attempt at dollmaking

Because I always need something to do and create, I ventured into dollmaking. I can't exactly remember how that happened, but I thought I'd try out to make a Waldorf-style doll for Little Miss No 1 myself.

Anyway, I found this lovely homepage (in English and German)
http://www.mariengold.net/
http://www.mariengold.net/english-2/

And as it happens this lady not only makes dolls, but she is generously sharing her knowledge. She's teaching dollmaking and you can purchase pdf patterns and material kits online (on etsy and dawanda).

I got the instructions for "Baby Twink" and a set with material and then set of and enjoyed every second of making Nora. And Little Miss No 1 absolutely loves her, too. Which is great, because she usually doesn't go for toys...

The instructions are clear, very precise, with a lot of helpful pictures and graphics. It was no problem to follow them step by step. And there are a lot of useful tipps and techniques in it, too. The pattern includes 5 different dolls: 2 babies (30cm and 45cms) and 3 children (30,40,50cms).

The material kit was great, enough of everything available, more on the generous side (much appreciated here).

I also got the "Oh girl" dolls clothes ebook, so we could dress Nora immediately. Plenty of knitting, crocheting and sewing projects. What I particularly enjoyed was the fact, that Little Miss No 1 actually helped making the dolls clothes. She cut AND machinesewed the entire shirt.

Oh and the colours are a choice of Little Miss No 1, too.

If you ever toy with the idea of making a doll like this - these are brilliant instructions.

I think she looks a lot cuter in real.

one happy oven glove

Today's small DIY is one happy oven glove. I still had so much thermolam (link to company) left, that I though I'd make some oven gloves. Yes, I did make an pot holder just last week or so but to be honest: we don't use potholders. We use this kind of oven glove.

So I sat down and made a quick pattern, which you can download (including short instructions) here (it's a pdf). The pattern has added seam allowance (the thick black line), about 1/2 inch.

https://goo.gl/Mab4IK

It took about 2 hours to make them and I've had all th necessary material at hand. The green "grip area" is made from wool felt, about 2,5mm thickness.

Here are some pictures from the "making of"

inside cotton layer quickly quilted on one side of thermolam

all layers pinned, right sides together.

Alternative usage for the pattern:

A hand puppet (just add eyes on the top and maybe some wool as hair and if you want a tongue hanging from the mouth).

this is not my arm. :)

_________________
Cost:
No additional cost, I had all the material at hand.
If you can get the exact quantities, it would be about 5 Euros, I guess.

My machines

Today I want to tell you about my sewing machines. :) I've been asked quite a few times in the past what machine I can recommend to beginners and what I find important. 

The thing about buying a sewing machine is, you have to know what you need. As always.

Are you sure sewing is your thing?

What are you going to sew? Jeans? Jerseys? just mending here and there? Do you want to do machine embroidery?

How often are you going to sew? Every day? Every weekend? Every 6 months?

How much do you want to spend?

I can't help you answering these questions, because only you know what exactly you do and need. 

But I can tell you about my experiences with my sewing machines. 

I own a Brother innovis 950 and a Singer Professional 5 (combined over- and coverlock machine)

Brother Innovis 950

I love this little machine. It hasn't failed my but once in 8 years (and that's really because I didn't take it to the inspection and cleaning and it was all dusty inside). I have tons of different stitches and it also has a small embroidery frame (10x10cm) for machine embroidery. 

Now, to be honest with you: I hardly do any machine embroidery. Very rarely. Usually I make something for the kids and then I think - oh, that pocket would suit a little bit of stitching, but then the garment is made and I missed the right time to add the embroidery. So, to be honest that was a bit of an extravagance, as I don't really use it. 

What I absolutely LOVE is the threading automat (or whatever that's called in English). It's SO good! I wouldn't want to miss it if I ever have to get another machine. 

I also really like the auto "restitch and cut thread" button, so I don't have to manually go backwards/forwards and then cut the long threads, it is a real help. Another thing I wouldn't want to miss. 

I strongly recommend a walking foot though, it has no differential presser foot, so sewing stretch fabrics or thick quilts might be a problem. It has a special "stretch" stitch, so sewing jersey shirts is not a problem, I do tend to use the overlock for that, though. 

I like to use the double needle to achieve a "coverlock"-look when sewing with the overlock.

Also very thick fabric (jeans, 2-4 layers) can be a problem, but you can "walk" over the thick bits with the hand wheel. 

Something I do miss is a longer "arm" of the machine to have more workspace. It's not a huge thing, I am doing fine with my machine, but sometimes I would appreciate a bit more space on the right. So that's something I might look out for next time. But only if it doesn't up the price ridiculously.  (I do hope my little machine will last me a lot longer, though!). 

Singer Professional 5

Buying the overlock machine was one of the best ideas, ever. I love sewing with it, it is fast, things look really tidy and sewing stretch material works a treat. It is also very strong, thicker layers of jeans fabric  didn't impress it much. Sewing thicker layered fabric (e.g. a quilt with a thick inlay) was a but fiddley, but also possible. 

I have to admit though: Buying a combined overlock/coverlock machine was a mistake. I hardly ever use the coverlock function (I am using my normal sewing machine with a double needle for the "coverlock look finish"), because it takes so long to thread from overlock to coverlock and then back again. And getting the tension right. And you can't keep all the coverlock things until the end and then do them.

So I would recommend getting a good sturdy overlock machine if you plan to sew a lot of shirts or stretchy trousers. You can maybe get a coverlock machine if you find you are really doing an awful lot of coverlock sewing. 

You don't get the huge variety of  stitches with an overlock machine. It's more like industrial sewing, no nonsense, efficient, strong, fast.

Be warned though: You need to start a very close relationship with your overlock machine. Threading it can be tricky (I use plyers to thread mine) and you have to get the tension of the several spools just right. Once it is installed, it works absolutely perfect, though. I suppose there are now automatic threaders out there, but mine requires patient threading. 

I can definitely recommend the machines I've got, but there are plenty of companies that produce superb sewing machines that last long. 

If you are a beginner, you could start with a cheap machine of a good company and then trade it in when you see you want to have more gadgets. But by that time you might just love that machine. :) 

If you want to purely sew, just get a "workhorse" no frills no gadgets machine, sometimes shops have second-hand ones that work a treat (more metal parts...!). Getting fabrics can be a bit of a nightmare, but consider bedlinen, tablecloths and alike a super fabric source and  also huuuuuge second hand shop finds a really good source.

pot leaves - Topfblätter

I had seen a pot holder like this somewhere on the net ages ago (unfortunately I don't have the source any more, so if you know whose original idea it was, let me know!). And today I managed to make one. I used thermolam ( padding made for this purpose) and some cotton scraps I've had and a piece of wool felt - so none of it should melt. :)

This is what the other side looks like:

We usually use oven mitts, but it was a nice little project to do and I've had all the material there. I might try oven mitts next, because that's what we actually use. :)

Anyway, if you want to try, here is the pattern (A4 paper)

goo.gl/hEeynX

Print twice so you can cut top and bottom leaf.
Then cut the fabric (for the bigger bottom leaf with seam allowance, for the top leaf without) and one thermolam padding the size of the bottom leaf.
Applique top leaf onto bottom leaf for each side of the pot holder.
Then attach the first bottom leave by folding the seam allowance around and topstitching.
Attach the top band where indicated. 
The other side is attached by folding the seam allowances under and then putting it on top of the other side of the thermolam padding.

 ____________________________
Cost

Material: Thermolam 6,50 Euros (this is the price for the 1 meter, I only needed 1/10th of it, but as I had the entire meter here... so that piece would have been 0,65 Euros), 3 scraps of leftover fabric, 1 piece of wool felt (1,50 Euro), a bit of yarn in black cotton.
Time: 2 hours (including drawing the pattern).

DIY Mobile recharging holder thingy.

Don't get distracted by the many switches. It's about the felt pocket.

As you can see from the picture, it is a good thing, I'm not in advertising. I don't even know what to call this. Mobile recharging pocket from felt?

Anyway, I've been a bit fed up with the cable-mobile-lying around thing and stumbled over a box with felt in the cellar and remembered I actually had seen something like this for sale (for about 5 Euros... but why buy something when you can make it yourself?!). So I made this. I found out there are lots of tutorials to make these online, but here you go, this is my pattern. 

The entire piece is 38,7cm x 10,5 cm big, the felt is about 3mm thick. (15,23" x 4,13", thickness 0,12"). The width is exactly half of an A4 sheet, it's a bit longer, though. 

If your piece of felt is big enough you can cut and fold the pattern on the dotted lines. If not, you can make up to 3 pieces (cutting and extra "pocket piece" and an extra "enforcement piece" for the top). Don't forget to cut a small hole at the bottom (or if you don't fold the bottom over, just leave the seam open about 2cm for the cable). Then just stitch around everything - fini. 

This prototype (which is fully functional, so I doubt I will make more of them, unless asked) is just plain, but you could add a label on the front pocket, or insert it into the side seam. You can use different colour felt or pieces in different colours. You could use contrast coloured yarn (maybe extra thick?) or paint it, or embroider something on it. Or do some appliqué. You can add an extra pocket for the cable (on the front or the back or both) and you could add a press-stud at the very top and the very bottom to take it with you and not loose the cables. You can lengthen it if you want to include your mobile in that pocket. You can widen it or make it smaller if your mobile is smaller than mine (it fits a Samsung Galaxy S3 fine). Ahh, the possibilities!

jersey knit neckline band - different options!

Today I quickly want to share with you the different ways of attaching knit fabric edging.
I like these two tutorials, so I share them with you:
No 1. http://hamburgerliebe.blogspot.de/2014/08/tutorial-tuesday-kleines-kragenlatein.html
No 2. http://hamburgerliebe.blogspot.de/2012/08/kleines-kragenlatein-3-teil.html

Also, I want to emphasize, that the techniques have their advantages and disadvantages. I usually like  Technique No 1, because it is quick and easy. However, with the Technique no 2 you get a smaller tape at the neckline and if you want to make an "American Neckline" it might be more suitable because of the "inside" or "outside" curves. You can have a look at my "American neckline Disaster" to see what happens if you use the wrong technique in the wrong way. :)

Just saying.. :)

Have a great day sewing!

Size Tags - Print your own

I used to try and remember the sizes of the garments I made... which now seems a really silly idea to me... because I really can't keep track of what is what... especially with the children's clothes... so I came up with this idea of marking the sizes.

I bough some of these  t-shirt iron on transfers (although I can't quite remember whether it actually is this brand, it might be another one, but I think you get the picture. Important: it has to be for DARK clothes, so the background is white) http://www.avery-zweckform.com/avery/de_de/Produkte/Kreativprodukte/Textil_Folien/Textilfolien-fuer-farbige-Textilien_MD1003.htm?N=0&Ns=&refchannel=259c8e9a44f8c110VgnVCM1000002218140aRCRD

then i used word.docx to create my own labels which look like this. :) 

The top left is left blank intentionally: with a textile marker I fill in the different sizes. Like that I can always print of a while sheet and then fill in the size accordingly. 

I usually iron them in after I've finished them, but you can also put them in, before you put the garment together, sometimes that is easier. I don't know, why I've not come up with this idea a long time ago... So I thought I'd share this idea.

The cost depends entirely on the paper you buy (the tags are about 6x3,6cms big, I printed 21 tags on an A4 sheet so in my case that was about 5 cents per tag) plus the cost for a washproof textile marker.

I've washed them quite a lot already (children...), I have no complaints so far, the labels don't come off, the colour does fade a little bit but not too much and it is not itchy. I think it's pretty nifty.

Klinkerklunk aka Yoki the fat dragon

Not at all related to hat making or historical sewing ...
I've made a toy dragon for Daughter No 1.
I just couldn't resist.

The starting point was this book that I am reading to her at the moment (again and again and again...)
"Heute ist Lucy Prinzessin"
and also "Heute ist Lucy Piratin"
http://www.isabel-abedi.de/buch_anzeige.php?id=000169
 They are actually really nice and this Lucy has a dragon called "Klinkerklunk" who is adorable and loves rasperry jam. So I made a Klinkerklunk, too.

I ordered a kit (just batting  needed extra, very recommendable for stressed mothers...) and it all went together nicely. I recommend sewing it by hand. It's far easier than with the machine because of all those small part.

Here's the link to the dragon pattern
Yoki the fat dragon pattern on etsy
it's also availabe on dawanda.de
She also sells LOTS of other uber-cute patterns and kits (yeah!!) to maky fluffies yourself. :) 
Have a look at her page (and the hippo and giraffe and the octopus OH MY!!)

Klinkerklunk has joined her to nursery today AND survived it. :)

Have a great weekend, 

Hertzwerk