...she be fierce

We've been in the house a while now and there is still plenty to do - but we're getting there. With limited time and funds the smaller jobs are easier to tick off the list.

I've really like the idea of a phrase or quote on Sophie's wall but didn't like the decals I'd seen - too cutsey or twee for me and my gal. I decided to hand paint it and as soon as I saw this quote I knew it was perfect for her:

'And though she be but little, she is fierce'

The quote is from Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (Act 3 scene 2) (she's shouting at me as I type this!)

Although this task has been simple there are several steps here's how I did it.

Once I had my words I needed to find the look and right font. I knew i wanted it to be handwritten but didn't want anything with too many flourishes. It needed to reflect the sentiment. From my pinterest board of fonts I found the perfect free one, BlackJack via Formal Fringe.

I downloaded the font and then typed out my quote in size 72 letters. I then printed this at 100%. I stuck the pages together, making sure that all the pages aligned perfectly and cutting out any bigger gaps where words started on the next page.

I then used masking tape to stick to my wall, checking it was straight and in the perfect place.

Next I used some carbon paper (bought on Amazon for less than £2) and slipped a sheet between the paper and wall. Using a ballpoint pen I traced over the outline of my words, pressing super hard to make sure I left a visible print.

Next was the fun bit - colouring in! I used my gold flat paint first (two coats) and then finished with two coats of gold glitter.

I do!

So I'm married now!

Yep its only taken two and half years since question was popped (and that was after ten years together!) to finally make it happen. To be honest, what with kids and house moves, its been very low on our to-do list. However, the sad news of Dad's illness gave us the kick we needed. I wanted to make sure Dad was there - to give me away and be part of our memories. And so we arranged the whole thing in less than 4 weeks!

Once we'd got the legal stuff started it didn't take long to find a venue for the party and email, text and Facebook friends and family to invite along. With only a couple of weeks to pull it together we made quick decisions and ignored anything that wasn't necessary!

Obviously the dress was important and luckily I'd been keeping a board on Pinterest with lots of pictures of things I liked. With our minuscule budget, and the timeframe, I decided my only option was to make my own dress! I choose this one as the 'ideal'

I liked the shape. particularly the sleeves. After enlisting the support of some fashion-forward and design savvy friends we met one Saturday to work out how to make my version. 

We quickly decided that a skirt / top version would be easier. I'd brought along my newly acquired Mathilde blouse pattern from Tilly and The Buttons.

The sleeves on Mathilde are identical to the 'ideal' dress! After a quick napkin sketch we worked out the replacing the tucks with gathers (as suggested by Tilly herself!), making the neck more scooped and removing the button back would give a pretty close version.

Next the skirt! After rummaging through the pattern books in John Lewis we decided that Simplicity 2058 would be our best bet. Although the pattern itself didn't appeal - the shape and simplicity did!

I ordered it online straightaway whilst working out how much muslin I would need to make a toile.

It was then onto Berwick Street for the fabric. The wonderful staff at The Silk Society understood what I was looking for, offered some great examples (wrapping me in fabric so I could see!) and finally settled on a good deal!

I took my fabric home and soon set to work adapting patterns and making my practice dress. The skirt was easy it fitted fine on my first attempt. I lengthened the pattern by 9" to make it floor length.

The top was more tricky. It took three attempts at the neckline yoke and back to come up with a version I was happy with. Once done it was onto the real fabric.

I decided to make the skirt lining and lace top separately so they would move nicely. I joined them at the zip and waist. The top was was lined in the bodice with the arms just the lace. I decided to master French seams to ensure a top notch finish and was pleased with how easy these were to do.

And so the final result...

Not too far off the 'ideal' - it would probably look more like it if I looked like the model!

I also used by Pinterest board as inspiration for my DIY table decorations - the coral bow is the same on my dress.

I loved Hydrangeas and used these for my bouquet and button-holes for the boys.

Finally, a sneak peek of our Thank You cards - currently being written. I tweaked one our wedding photos and added a simple message before sending to Vistaprint.

So it turns out you big day can be done quickly, on a budget, and with lots of personal touches!

Thank you to everyone who made it so special.

x

Twit-Two

Cara is two today, I made her a simple smock dress and matching owl bag.

This lovely medium-weight tartan fabric is just right for a spring day.

The bag uses the same fabric with simple fabric and felt shapes appliquéd on using a small zig zag stitch on my machine. The ears of the owl are connected to a long handle to go across little bodies, making it easy to collect and store precious bits and pieces!

All tucked in

Although it took no time to knock up the mattress and pillows for Sophie's Christmas doll's bed, the quilts, have taken a little longer. But I've finally finished them all

I used the opportunity of making min quilts to test new techniques that I couldn't do on a full size quilt, mainly traditional paper piecing hexagon patchwork quilt. Its taken me a lot longer than I thought but worth it. I don't think I'll be contemplating a full size one any time soon!

I also made a very pretty strip patchwork mini quilt with some hand stitch quilting.

And a simple two tone mini quilt with piping made from mustard polka dot fabric.

Best of all Sophie loves using them to tuck her dolls and toys in at night.

A dress for Sophie

The eagle-eyed amongst you will spot that the beautiful fabric used for Sophie's latest dress was first seen as my maxi dress last year. 

You may also spot that the pattern I've used is simply a lengthening of the lovely top I made for Eva in my last post.

Such a simple dress that took no time to put together but I think Sophie looks lovely in it, although she wasn't keen to pose for photos! I have a feeling more versions will follow.

Eva's New Wardrobe

When Nina asked if I could make up a pattern she'd bought I knew it would be a great chance to test my new overlocker. After watching several YouTube films it was threaded it up and I was away.

The patterns Nina had bought were by a company called Minikrea from Denmark. The English translation seemed brief but after a couple of read throughs I felt confident enough to tackle them!

I started with the simple smock top. I copied the pattern pieces onto special pattern paper I'd found on Amazon and added my seam and hem allowances - I knew I might forget when cutting out later!

Within minutes I whizzed up the basic top with super neat seams. Flipping over to my sewing machine to hem and make the neckline and cuff channels for the elastic.

From the material Nina had chosen I made two tops, a plain pink and lovely mustard and turquoise pattern from Cloud 9.

Nina's second pattern was for lined dungarees. I used her soft blue and off white polka dot fabric with the Cloud 9 as a lining.

I adapted the pattern a little by making tie straps and adding a pocket.

I really like how the lining fabric peeks out now and then!

I'm sure it won't be long tip I'm making more of these!

A Roman Blind

I've been chipping away at home furnishing for our new pad - curtains being top of the list. The ones I've made for the living room and our bedroom are not particularly exciting - yet functional and a good stop gap until these rooms are properly thought about and decorated.

But in Finn's room I had a clear idea of the overall look I was after and wanted to use a lovely old map fabric I had stumbled across.

I decided that a roman blind would be perfect and after browsing the tutorials online felt that the one on the Channel 4 website offered the most clear instructions.

Finally after weeks of doing a little bit here and there its up and finished.

I had to sew two pieces together to get the width and it took a little redoing to match the pattern but having the longitude and latitude lines in the design was a big help! I covered the baton with matching fabric so that there was less chance of any gaps showing. 

I think next time I'll think about positioning it on the wall rather than set into the window so it doesn't catch on the window handles. I'll also think more about the size of gaps between each rod so that a better layer effect is created when the blind is pulled up.

My final tip is to avoid stick on velcro - all the tutorials advise you to use it but DON'T! I ended up stapling my bit to the wooden baton that was screwed into the window and then hand sewing the strip to the curtain. It would have saved a lot of time and bother to simply sew it from the start.