That Sewing Urge

The BBC TV programme called "The Great British Sewing Bee" has been back on the television for about a month.  Since it returned to the screen, I have been feeling an urge to sew, as I've not done any for ages.

Like most crafters, I have a stash of stuff and that includes fabric.  As soon as I buy new fabric I wash it, to get rid of any shrinkage, then iron it and put the fabric away, that way I know that all my fabric is ready to use when the urge to sew comes upon me.

Sewing Bee was on TV last night, which inspired me to pull out a selection of fabric.  Today I will be sewing.  I wouldn't call myself a confident sewist... wish me luck!

Sewing - A Shell Top

My urge to sew has continued today making a Shell Top, which featured in The Great British Sewing Bee book called Fashion With Fabric.  This is a really handy book as it has the full size patterns and very detailed instructions.

Cards, Tags & Sewing Bee

Yesterday afternoon, I had a little paper crafting session and made a birthday card for a male. I'm quite happy with the way it turned out, as it will be suitable for teens or a more mature male. I'm still no further forward with making a birthday card for Hubby!

Some time ago, I rescued an old Welsh hymn book that was going to be thrown away. I didn't have any specific ideas on how I would use it, but decided to use one of the pages on a tag. 

Last night the final of The Great British Sewing Bee 2016 was aired on TV. Due to other commitments, I wasn't able to watch it at the time & was disappointed that some "kind" person felt the need to state the winner in a one sentence post on Facebook. I will watch the final episode later today, but it won't be the same knowing who the winner was.

Edited to add:  I've now watched the final episode.  It was a close thing with all three contestants.  They all had issues with their creations and excelled in other areas.  I applaud all three finalists for their makes in such a small timescale.  I for one, would not be able to do it in the time they were given.  I suspect Monday evenings may become a bit of a void for a few weeks now that The Bee has come to an end for this year.

A Crafting Niche Weekly Update 2nd July 2016

Here's a quick over view of this week which has flown by.

No sewing this week but I have been creative with paper crafting. Still on a Christmas theme, I made more tags. I am especially pleased with these two which are so pretty in different ways.

I also made these other more simple tags:

I also found a card I had stamped some time ago but had never got round to doing anything with it, so I coloured it in using a brush & water colour pencils. I die cut the "thanks" using a Stampin' Up thinlet.

Other news is that my baking has continued, although due to the mixed weather, the builders have not been around as much to eat it so I had a gain at Fat Club! 

Here's a pic of the Malteser Traybake which didn't hang around. You can find the recipe here.

It was absolutely yummy!

The building of the craft room hasn't really progressed much as we're waiting for a delivery of steel which is holding things up a bit.

That's about it from me for now. 

P.S. Don't forget the final of The Great British Sewing Bee is on TV tomorrow evening (Monday 4th July 2016). xxx

Love Sewing Magazine (issue 28)

While in the supermarket this morning, I spotted the new issue of "Love Sewing" magazine.  Initially at £5.99 it seems quite expensive, but when you take into account you get a free pattern and other bits as well as the information in the magazine it is actually good value.

The free pattern in this issue is by "Sew Simple" and is a beginner level tea dress (covering sizes 8-20). It has suggestions for both knee and maxi length of this dress. There are also two other free gifts - a pair of thread snips and a handbag sized sewing kit too.  All this along with other patterns for skirts, tops, bags and more.

There are a host of sewing tips in this issue, including how to create a perfect exposed zip in a garment, working on fine slippery fabrics like silk and satin.  As well as the usual May Martin page.

Talking of The Great British Sewing Bee, I see that on page 42-43 there is a feature on "Sewing The 60's" with pattern suggestions for vintage style dresses & tops from Simplicity.

So having flicked through the magazine, I'm going to sit down with a coffee and study it in more detail.  Have a great Saturday x

The Great British Sewing Bee - Relief for footie widows

Are you also a footie widow?  It seems that I can not turn on the TV without there being a game on.  Last night there was an hour of light relief from the football in the form of The Great British Sewing Bee (Monday at 9pm on BBC2).  This is the fourth series of TGBSB and just like the previous ones, I am totally addicted.

I have quietly championed Jade, an 18 year old who is so talented for her years.  In the episode last night, which featured garments with a 1960's feel, Jade was successful with her beautiful jacket as "Garment Of The Week".  Jade has a personal blog on Facebook which is called "The Girl With The Bright Red Hair" .

The book that accompanies the series comes complete with a pattern pack and costs about £10 from Amazon at the moment.  I have all four books and they are fabulous bibles of information on how to create items that will actually fit you.  A must for any budding dressmaker.