Annoying eye problems …
… have kept me from doing any close work for the last month or so. I’ve been suffering from migraine auras and had to resort to a change of glasses, from my usual ones which were just for distance, to new vari-focals. I don’t know whether these will help with the migraines in the long term but it’s certainly worth a try.
I am surprised and very happy that it only took a few days to get used to them – after hearing so many people saying that they couldn’t adjust to vari-focals and had to give up. I didn’t have any problems at all and now, for the first time in quite a while, I can see without peering under or over my glasses – I’m absolutely delighted! If you’re facing the same dilemma I would say give them a try.
I will be back to blogging over the next few days and get round to posting some of the bits and pieces which I have managed to do over the last few weeks in between the dreaded attacks of headache and distorted vision!
Add comment November 12, 2009
Beverley
Great Northern Needlecraft Show
I love it when the shows come round! Mum and I went to the Great Northern Needlecraft Show last Friday and relished the opportunity to browse round the stalls, buying fabrics to add to the stash and think about new challenges and the opportunity to try something different.
I bought some fabrics to make mum a ‘twisted roses bag’ and some bits and pieces to make ribbon Christmas decorations. Plus a lovely book of Japanese inspired designs (including another bag pattern – can’t wait).
Add comment September 8, 2009
Beverley
Not to give up …
… on dressmaking I have decided to try a shirt, similar to the one I bought. The pattern is McCalls 5665 and I’m making the long version with 3/4 sleeves.
I will post a picture when I’ve done.
2 comments September 8, 2009
Beverley
Not happy with Simplicity 4180
I did as I said I would and replaced the faux vest in the pattern with a sewn in ‘V’ but whilst this bit worked fine I am not happy with the fit overall, I think the cotton fabric I used is too stiff.
So item scrapped and I cheered myself up with buying a shirt dress from Tesco which is shown (below) in the online Tesco magazine
Needless to say (as a 48 year old size 18) I will be wearing it with jeans or leggings but it still looks good (even on me!) When it is worn out I will take it apart to get a pattern from it as the style is very flattering.
Add comment August 20, 2009
Beverley
And for the next item
This time I’m going to try a pattern which I’ve used before, Simplicity 4180 view d.
When I tried this before it fit OK but I didn’t particularly like the faux vest/camisole which is sewn in behind the front yolk and held by straps sewn into the shoulder seam. This forms the ‘v’ in the centre which looks fine on the pattern sleeve. It would probably be OK for a less well endowed person but it tended to move around when I wore the top and didn’t feel comfortable. Some other reviewers on the pattern review website seem to have had the same problem. So this time I’m going to stitch in an inset which will stay put – will let you know whether this works.
Add comment August 17, 2009
Beverley
Simplicity 4277
Having tried out Simplicity 4277 view c in some inexpensive leafy cotton fabric I wasn’t very happy with the fit of the sleeves (they weren’t full enough so ended up quite tight round my arms at the bottom) so on that basis I scrapped that attempt and decided to make up view d (without sleeves).
This time in a checked seersucker fabric with two shades of ric rac trimming.
This is the finished top, it needs to be washed and ironed to stop the hem from sticking out (and apologies for the poor quality image – tried out a new camera not very successfully). Anyway, altogether I am quite pleased with this I just hope we have some sunshine now or I’ll be wearing it with a cardigan!
Add comment August 17, 2009
Beverley
My Creative Space 2
As promised earlier these are the ‘innards’ of my room where the most interesting stuff often lurks.
Above – my cupboard with a real mixture of things including embroidery threads, knitting patterns, patchwork, stencilling box, Christmas decoration bits & pieces and, of course, the spare sewing machine!
Right – a drawer containing all my art stuff, sketch pads, paints, pencils, brushes and my calligraphy pens.
Left – my craft drawer in which I have separate plastic boxes (each one has a large section at the bottom & a divided shelf at the top) containing jewellery findings, wires, beads and tools; ribbon embroidery stuff; friendly plastic, heat gun etc; and one miscellaneous box containing all sorts of goodies like stamps and stencils, glitter and feathers.
Right – then there is the pattern drawer which holds all my collection of dressmaking patterns collected over the last 30 years or so. Along with bags of interfacing.
In addition to this, fairly organised space, i also have homes about the house for my knitting machines, scrap fabrics and tons and tons of wool. Maybe one day these will be given proper storage?
Well one can always dream….
Add comment August 16, 2009
Beverley
Been Chillin’ in the North
Not done much creatively this week as we’ve been away, taking time to relax and re-charge the batteries.
The former lead miner’s terraced cottage which we stayed in, in Northumberland, (found at the last minute on cottages4you.co.uk) was lovely, very homely and comfortable, with a wonderful outlook giving panoramic views of the countryside. This is the view in one direction from the cottage garden, the views were the same all round this side of the cottage which was partly subterranean being built into the hillside.
Using the cottage as a base we enjoyed days out to nearby Hexham, Carlisle and Newcastle for a bit of retail therapy and visited Hadrian’s wall and the coast at Tynemouth too.
Our visit to Hadrian’s Wall (in August bear in mind) caused one to wonder how on earth the Romans ever managed acclimatise and cope with the Northumberland climate. Even in the middle of summer the fort which we visited, Housteads, near Hexham, was clouded in mist and drizzle and this was the only time during our holiday when we had to wear raincoats to keep both warm and dry!
Anyway we’re back at home now, feeling refreshed and happy to be reunited with the hounds, Harry and Meg who, as usual, relished their midsummer baths (I don’t think!) 
Add comment August 16, 2009
Beverley
Twisted Rose Tutorial
Thought it was time to have a go at this.
For one twisted rose you will need a piece of fabric for the rose (shaded batiks look good for this project) and backing fabric, matching cotton thread, pins, a needle, scissors and ruler. I found that a thimble was necessary because when stitching the rose you will have to stitch through quite a few layers of fabric. (I tried without but after doing a few of these I ended up with punctured finger ends!)
To start you will need to cut out one 7 inch square of the main fabric and one 4 inch square of backing fabric. I would recommend that you use cotton fabrics for both the ‘rose’ and the backing as cotton is sufficiently fine for you to be able to stitch through multiple layers and rigid so that it won’t stretch when being twisted.
Pleat and pin the main fabric on to the backing as shown in the image below (I used 3 pleats of varying size along each side).
The following two images show the back and front of the pinned fabric square.
Where the main fabric is bulked up by the pleats pinch the top with your finger and thumb then twist it fairly tightly and push it down so that it looks like a rose or rosebud.
You can lift the mound up and twist again until you are happy with the appearance of the rose, then all you need to do is stitch everything in place. A part finished rose is shown below.
To stitch the layers down I used a combination of stitches starting with a stab stitch in the centre to hold the bud (more or less) in place. Then ladder stitch (invisible stitch) along the edges of each of the ‘petals’ and pleats; sewing through all thicknesses of fabric to hold the rose and pleats in place.
Nine of these twisted rose squares were used to make the Twisted Roses Bag.
Easier than it looks – I hope!
(Hope you find the instructions clear enough as I’ve never written a tutorial like this before but wanted to share! Let me know if anything needs more explanation.)
Ive added a pdf version of the tutorial for download if you would like to have a printed version Twisted Roses
Add comment August 9, 2009
Beverley
My Creative Space
Now that No1 son is away in Newcastle on a more permanent basis, time to take over his room (gleeful rubbing of hands – sorry S).
I actually moved in on a sort of temporary basis 3 years ago but I think I can spread out a bit more now without feeling too guilty. Since it’s still his room for family visits I have left his posters in situ but one day these may be replaced too, will have to see (I am finding that somehow it is really quite hard to let go).
Contents of the drawers and cupboards to follow.
Add comment August 7, 2009
Beverley
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