Handmade trousers = hunk magnet

Ok, ok...maybe these two hunky fellows didn't  make a bee-line in my direction in order to admire the handy work on my trousers. I may have gone to see a Dreamboys show, as a birthday 'treat'. Not sure treat is the word, but it sure was an interesting experience! Large groups of girls dressed up in glittery dresses, novelty tiaras and excessive amounts of pink, while me and my two friends were looking rather awkward and under dressed. But not as under dressed as the men! Sorry, couldn't resist that one.

Anyway, the point of this post was so you could see my trousers in action, so try to focus on the trousers people! *Focus*

Arty Tools

Here's another illustration I have been working on over the past few days. I thought it would compliment my 'Sewing Tools' image and thought I could do a whole series of them eventually! Although the image is ultimately created using photoshop (after hand drawing everything from observation ofcourse!), I have incorporated as many of the different mediums that I have drawn into the image. So if you look close enough you will see that the colour used for the crayon for example is made up of crayon scribbles! 

Trousers and Jacket

As promised here are some pix of my trousers I made over the Christmas/New Year break. They're made from green wool crepe and are super warm and comfy! I downloaded the pattern from the Burda website and printed it on my printer at home. It's so nice to have a pair of trousers that fit perfectly and have all the elements that I look for in a pair of trousers. Up until now that was impossible, so I barely wore trousers for this reason. Now I cant get enough of them!

I have also recently made this tartan jacket from the Sew Over It 'Coco Jacket' pattern at work. There were a few mistakes in the pattern, so it's not perfect, but I am pleased with how it turned out. I'm also tempted to make a matching pair of trousers to go with it. I may end up looking like Rupert the Bear, but he is awesome so it's all good! :-)

Only in America.

Another illustration  This one is inspired by the many odd, funny, tacky and just totally insane signs I came across in America. This is just the tip of the iceberg!

xxx

Happy New Year Everyone!

Happy New Year to all! Hope you're feeling refreshed and ready for the new year!

As it's the time for resolutions, I thought I would share a few of mine with you all.

1.) Make, not buy. I have always made things instead of buying here possible, but this year, I'm going to take it a step further! Seeing as 99% of all the clothes I buy need altering in one way or another, I have decided to make (most) of my clothes this year. That way, I will avoid having a build up of clothes I don't really need or like any more. Obviously, I'll still buy some bits (tights, underwear and things!) but I want to aim to make around 80% of all that I wear this year! Despite dressmaking being more expensive than buying (most of the time) and most definitely more time consuming, it's a labour of love. Not only will it help me develop my newly discovered dressmaking skills, but will also have lots of one of a kind garments! I have already complete a pair of trousers, and I LOVE them! Picture to come soon, but in the meantime, here's a picture from the pattern I made them up from.

2.) Learn to Crochet. It's a craft I have never been able to get the knack of. I really want to have a craft skill that I can do one public transport, as I spend alot of time on trains. Even though I usually use this time to read, it's always nice to mix it up a little.

3.) Give Illustration a Shot. Despite being 'trained' in it, I never really gave it a real shot. I love it as much as I do my sewing and other crafts, so I have started to build up a new portfolio of work (separate from my embroidery work). Here's one I JUST finished!

4.) Travel. Since my American adventure in August, I have wanted to get away from London more often. If not for good. SO, even if it doesn't happen this year, I would like to plan another trip and possibly live somewhere for 3 months - 1 year.

Quite ambitious resolutions, but I think that's a good place to start.

Poppy Cushion on The Alan Titchmarsh Show!

Branded beautiful by Alan himself! Thanks to my boss Lisa Comfort for taking it along while promoting her book Sew Over It! To get your hand on one yourself, they are now available to buy here.

My Top Selfish Creations for the Year 2012

No matter how much I make, the itch to create something new never subsides. Here are my favourites of this year (clockwise from top left)...

1.) Matching shorts and crop top (my first official attempt at dressmaking i.e. I actually stuck to all of the rules and didn't blag it!)

2.) Polka dot dress with removable peter pan collar. This started out as a shift dress, but upon completion I realised it wasn't the most flattering of dresses for my petite frame. It was far too big, despite being the right size, and my fabric of choice didn't drape very well (it's all a learning curve!). So, in an attempt to save it I made it more tight fitting and added a peter pan collar.

3.) Oilcloth wash bag. From Lisa Stickley oilcloth remnants.

4.) Leather backpack for my travels. This is made from Mulberry leather remnants that my mum snapped up at a car boot sale!

5.) Embroidered armadillo leather bag. Inspired by what I wanted to see in America (but didn't). The shape is similar to an overpriced bag I saw in Topshop and ofcourse thought 'I could do that'. And I did :-)

6.) Weekend holdall bag. Made from the last of the Lisa Stickley fabric and based on the weekend bag class  at Sew Over It.

7.) Polka dot purse. Also made from Lisa Stickley fabric remnants.