Learning to use my new Singer C440 sewing machine - How to use a blind hem foot.

I found this little tutorial on YouTube and it really is very good. Tried it out today, but didn't get it quite right. Practise makes perfect! I'll try again tomorrow.

A New Sewing Machine

I am excited about getting a new sewing machine for my birthday. It will be a Singer C440 like the one in the video above.

As I start using it, I am hopeful that all the new features will be easy to use.  It is several steps up on the machine I already have so I expect it will be challenging for me while I get used to it.

I have watched the video several times and find it very good to follow. I won't say 'easy' but everything is strange to start with, isn't it.

Looking forward to showing you what I make with it soon.

Vivienne Dress for one/two year old

I just finished this Vivienne dress for my grand-daughter. It is all cotton, fully lined and this time, with sleeves.

If you want to make it for yourself you can find the pattern here or just click on the Frocks and Frolics button on the right hand side panel.

The dress has a circular skirt of 2 metres, which is great for a 'spin'.

This pattern is not just for little girls. It is for big girls too. The pattern is available for all ages to adult size (just) and comes in a variety of guises: circular skirt, box pleat skirt etc. with or without sleeves and all from one pattern. It's a real gem.

Here is the video which shows you how to make it up (although it does come with instructions too).




I'd love to see what variations you come up with?

Happy sewing!

How to sew in an invisible zip.

This was the best video I found to teach you how to sew in a perfect invisible zip. The video is quite long, but it is well worth watching it to the very end.

Good luck when you try your first one. You will find this video very helpful, I am sure.

Vogue Pattern V1550

I was entranced by this video of Imani demonstrating the Vogue pattern V1550 in blazing colour. Just want to share it with you.

I have asked her to make a video to show how to make and put on the attractive head-wrap she is wearing.

Dog blankets for Battersea Dogs' Home

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The pattern for the above blanket is also suitable for a baby blanket.

Using double knitting wool and 4 mm. (8 u.k) needles cast on 155 stitches.

First row:  k1, *k2 tog, k4, yarn forward,k1, yarn forward k4, slip1, k1, psso, k1, rep from * to end.

2nd row - purl

The last two rows set the pattern. Continue working in pattern until blanket measure 76 cms ending after a wrong-side row,

Cast off in pattern

These three dog blankets are destined for Battersea Dogs' Home in London. Just as soon as I find the right box to pack them in, they'll be winging their way to comfort a soon to be rescued dog. Once the dog has bonded with its blanket and found a new home, the blanket will go to the new home with its owner, again to give comfort to the dog in its new environment.

Have you ever considered knitting?  It's a lovely hobby, which you can do from the comfort of your own armchair whilst watching television or listening to the radio and it's really not that difficult.  Think of the satisfaction you can get from making something for someone you love or a stranger even.

The pattern below is in basket stitch. Appropriate name isn't it! Once you have mastered knit stitch and purl stitch, you will soon be able to make this because it is basically four knit, four purl for four rows and then reverse (four purl, four knit). It makes an effective pattern without holes, which is perfect for the dogs so they don't get their claws stuck in the blanket.

Perhaps you need a little help to get started?  Here is an excellent video on how to knit.

A Mimi dress with side pockets - 25% off this weekend!

I had this lovely cotton fabric left over from a previous project - a quilt for my grandson Sammy. I thought it would make a lovely little dress so I have made the Mimi dress from Frocks and Frolics. It has very attractive side pockets, which can be embellished or left plain as I have done.

The dress is fully lined.

This is the back view.

Why not click on the Frocks and Frolics button on the right hand side and purchase your own Mimi dress pattern, which you will be able to download to your printer and make up yourself?

Kitty Dress - Indian style

I just finished the Kitty dress, see below, in an Indian style. The video above will show you how to make it and you can personalise it to suit your own particular tastes.

NOW AVAILABLE FROM AGES 1-12

This pattern has it all. Tons of video support, 4 different length options, two pockets and a round collar yoke that you won't find anywhere else.

And from the 1st  until the 7th of August get a special subscriber discount of 25%!
Use the Code:
KittyCoupon
Pop on over to frocksandfrolics.com and get yours and start sewing today!

If you need a bit of extra help with the yoke, follow the video below by Marina Brumpton at Frocks and Frolics.

My Vivienne dress complete with video instructions from Frocks and Frolics

I made the Vivienne dress for my grand-daughter in a very pretty alphabet pattern material, cotton fabric. The red accents are from an over-sized tablecloth that I bought from Sainsbury's for Christmas last year.  It was so big (and such good value) that I had to cut quite a bit off to fit my table. I wish now that I had bought lots more of them because the colour is so rich and the fabric is beautiful.
I looked again at Easter for a yellow one, but sadly, there were none. Perhaps next year?

This size is for a one/two year old and has a circular skirt.  However, if you buy the pattern, you will discover that it is very versatile indeed.  The skirt is available as circular or box pleats and the bodice, with its panels, makes for almost endless varieties in pattern.

If you want to try the dress for yourself, just click on the Frocks and Frolics picture button on the right-hand side.  It will take you direct to the website where you can download the pattern and print it off for yourself.

Have fun and happy sewing!

A Blue Millie dress completed.

I finished a blue 'Millie pattern' dress using left over pieces of material I had from patchworking projects. The plain dark blue material was purchased from Ikea, but the spotty material is available in all good patchwork suppliers. Both materials are cotton.

You can purchase the pattern from Frocks and Frolics, see the button on the right hand side. That takes you direct to the website where you can download the pattern yourself. Also available are excellent video instructions, which you can follow from start to finish. Have fun!

This is the 1/2 size, but other sizes are available too.

Dresses for Ruby

I'm loving having a little grand-daughter to sew for and soon we are expecting another one! So exciting. Maren is due at the end of June and she will be just over a year younger than Ruby.
I have been sewing for Ruby and made her three little sun-dresses. The first one is a ladybird dress, green patterned with a red lining. Pattern from Frocksandfrolics.com

The second one is from the same pattern, but with different colours.  Which one do you like the best?

The third dress is a commercial pattern and I've used a teddy bear cotton fabric.

Ruby is trying to walk. She is nearly one year old.  I think when she can walk she will look very nice in the dresses I've made for her. I shall try and get a picture of her in them one day.

A new shawl for a new baby.

I'm never happier than when I'm making things. Recently I finished a crochet shawl for our new grandbaby, due in June. Maren is expected in June, but I don't know when yet so I got on and finished the work in good time.  Sometimes babies come early. Half of our family are across the pond in America so the shawl was packed away in a box and posted off with love.

I can't wait to see what she looks like!

Spinning with merino and corriedale

I am currently spinning with a mixture of merino and corriedale, graduating the colours for the finished garment.  I need to spin another two of these cakes at least to make anything decent so it is quite time consuming.  However, spinning is very therapeutic because it alters my brain waves to beta and makes me feel very relaxed. Add to that some soothing music or a cat or dog at your feet and you're away with the fairies.