More Buttercup bags!

Following the success (if I do say so myself) of the Buttercup bag I made the other day, I decided to make some more for my mum, boyfriend's mum, and friend from work. I made them production line stylee to save time and head scratching between steps.

As I discovered last time I made this, the Buttercup pattern turns out a very small handbag (10" across), so I decided to adapt it into a zippered make up bag pattern instead. I added a little extra height and flat tops to pieces A+ C, and followed Flossie Teacakes' extremely clear instructions for covering zip ends and sewing zip and fabric layers in the right configuration.

This one is made from the Liberty reproduction of an 18th century print that I bought from the V&A Quilts exhibition.

This one is a Tanya Whelan print, correctly identified by Jane as the leftover fabric from my Sencha blouse (a blouse I have never worn, BTW - the fabric is much better suited to bags!).

This one is from a tiny piece of one of my favourite fabrics ever, with a darling vintage beauty product print.

And this is what my street looked like while I was busy stitching in the warmth!

Love from Tilly x

Christmas Aprons......

Further progress on my Simplicity 2512 will have to be stalled while I knuckle down to sewing up a couple of little cuties for J's Mum & Nan for Christmas. From my stash I've dug out a lovely chambray for the main fabric and a Cath Kidson floral (which began life as a duvet cover!) for the contrast.

The pattern is Butterick, a collection of 1950's style pinnies that I bought about 2 years ago as a beginner project but never used. The final aprons will be a "fusion" of the styles on the envelope. A half apron, with a wide shaped waistband and ties, with 2 patch pockets, one floral and the other cut from the chambray but emroidered with each of their names.

I didn't like the shape of the waistband piece, so did a little re-shaping of my own. It's testament to what a bit of practice and training can do for your sewing confidence. When I bought this pattern I was too scared to even cut it out, let alone start adapting the design and reshaping the pattern pieces. Hopefully finish these tomorrow....

Leafy Lace Scarf

Hello Crafters

I posted a while ago with ideas for a couple of projects (neckwarmer and fingerless gloves) which could be knitted using just one ball of wool. This is another, the Branching Out scarf by Susan Lawrence. The pattern can be downloaded for free. Find it on Ravelry here too.

It is a pretty easy lace pattern which creates a lovely light scarf - perhaps more suited to spring and autumn rather than the freezing weather we've had (in the UK at least) in recent weeks!

I used just one ball of Rowan Felted Tweed (Merino Wool/Alpaca/Viscose mix) in a lovely soft green. The scarf is for my mother in law, who enjoys gardening, so I though that the leafy pattern of the scarf was perfect.

Happy Knitting!

K x