Working on a new design

Insomnia sometimes has it's uses. I dreamed up some little capes a few weeks ago at around 3am, scribbled a little drawing on a scrap of paper and pretty much ignored it. Or rather had no time to do anything about it until today.
My mother in law recently gave me some of her beautiful woven welsh wool blankets, sadly they are really damaged from years of not very careful looking after, but I managed to salvage two pieces from this blue blanket to make bed throws, and with the remnants piece together this prototype cape.
Far from perfect, but the beginnings of a more refined design are at least now taking shape.
Sadly, I don't have a supply of wool blankets, but I do have some lovely blue tweed and some gorgeous chunky corduroy.
I'm thinking, hoods and arm holes, and seam detail, collars, lining, matching mittens and hats....

Handmade Market September

We were at the Handmade Market in Stockport again today. This time I had help from my eldest, India in return for a corner of my table to sell her headscarves, which she modelled beautifully and to the delight of many of the shoppers, especially the older generation who seemed quite pleased to see a "Land Girl" dropped in the middle of Stockport, lots of mutterings about Bletchley Park





Another fun day chatting with customers and fellow stall holders, and we raised another £10 for SANDs too. (10% of the days takings)



Time to get stitching for the Christmas Markets that are fast approaching, I'm working on several new designs right now, including party dresses,coats and capes.

Meanwhile, how about some snuggly upcycled woolly slippers? These '(and more) will be in the Etsy store very soon.

Getting ready to do it all over again.

I will be at the Handmade Market in Stockport again next Sunday, with that in mind I've been gathering stock together. Today I used up most of my wrap scraps to make these darling little bootees and a couple of taggy blankets too.







I'm also working on some scrappy doves:



These have been a work in progress for some time, something to work on during those quiet moments...hmmm yeah, when exactly do I get those?

Oh and any babywearers reading who want to help me name all these scraps, please go ahead. Some of them I've had for such a long time, gathered from all over the place. I don't know all the names, though mostly I know the brands at least.

This weeks news, and a give away winner.

Hello September! This means it's only two weeks until the next Handmade Market in Stockport. We'll be there again with some new stock, including something pretty made up with this fabric and trim.



The end of the Summer hols and the beginning of the school year are just days away now, and my juggling of Flossie's Garden alongside all my other commitments is going to get much more difficult, but hey I like a challenge!!

Time also to announce the winner of the give away for the Flossie's Garden cut and sew pinnie kit. We had 28 entries including all comments from the blog and Facebook, plus all likes and shares. I used Random.org to pick a winner, and that lucky person is Stella Raven, who I have already contacted.
Thank you to everyone for taking part, I wish I had 28 prizes to give away!

Give Away?

 

The Flossie's Garden Pinafore cut and sew kit is now available to buy from the Etsy store. (0-6mths)
The kit includes:
One yard of cotton poplin printed with all the fabric pieces printed out ready to cut and sew, with all instructions printed right there on the fabric.
One reel of gutermann sew all thread in white.
Two buttons. (these might differ from the ones pictured below)



The fabric also includes a printed border, so you can make matching bootees, bunting, or anything else that takes your fancy. (I'll be posting some ideas soon, and a tutorial or two.)





 

The kit costs £22.50 from the Etsy store, and makes a great gift.

Alternatively, the fabric can be bought by the yard directly from Spoonflower, that way you get to choose the fabric it's printed on. I like the cotton poplin, but why not try it in one of the other choices? (just click the photo above of the fabric or the linkie over there to the right)

Or how about entering this give away for a kit?
Just leave me a comment here, telling me who you'd like to sew this little dress for, or who you'd like to gift the kit to.
For a second chance of winning, please comment, like and share on our Facebook too.
This give away will be open for one week, closing 31st August, and a winner will then be chosen at random.org.

Etsy

here is just a sample of stock now available in our Etsy store.

The Market

Yesterday at The Handmade Market was fun. Unfortunately a rainy day in late August didn't exactly encourage the crowds, but I had some very enthusiastic responses to my stall, met some lovely fellow stall holders, check out Woad Butterfly , Lucy had some gorgeous items for sale. I treated myself to one of her embroidered needle cases.



I'm going to be there again next month, and following some tips from other stall holders might venture to some other locations in and around the North West.



Oh, and despite the lack of customers I still managed to raise £10 for SANDs.