Etsy sale!

Just thought you lot ought to know...

I HAD MY FIRST ETSY SALE! 

I'm so very happy :) 

Working on new projects...

Some new items being developed for the shop...https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhyDidIMakeThat

Sneak peek... 

I did it!

Well, you all know I've been at uni for what seems like forever, but I finally graduated this week!

Best of all, my husbands graduation was on the same day, so we were able to get some photos of us both in our gowns which was lovely.

Our graduation was on Plymouth Hoe, so of course we had to get Smeatons Tower in our pics!

It feels awesome so have finally finished uni, it's been the hardest thing I've ever done.

Oh, yes that is the dress I refashioned a few posts back :) I got some compliments which was nice!

Speak soon!

I branched out!...

Ok guys, I have been suuuper busy on the craft front recently. making lots of clothes for myself which is nice :) I have also decided to venture onto etsy. So please do have a gander at my shop and tell me what you think, or what I should list there, that'd be great!!

Here's the link: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WhyDidIMakeThat?ref=s2-header-shopname

You may need to copy that into your browser bar, I'm not so tech-savvy, did know how to make it clickable haha!

Oh, by the way, I do plan on updating you all with this crafting malarkey I've been doing. It just happens that I work all day, then I craft in the evening, so there's never any decent lighting around. I will do it soon. Promise :)


Byee!

Charity shop finds...

I know I know...I've been lazy with the blog again. *slap on the wrists for me*

BUT...I have been very busy.

I got married :) 

So far it has been the best 5 months of my life. I love being married. In all honesty, not much changes, but in another way, everything changes. In a good way :)

I've also now finished my degree in Architecture!! So I've been busy for good reasons.


Anyway, no crafty bits to show you...YET! So here are some charity shop finds.

Black and white floral skirt. £1.

I don't tend to wear skirts at all, but I am always drawn to them. This one is a light cotton fabric, and I quite like the length - it falls just below my knees. I'm also tempted to make this into one of those high-low, dipped hem-type skirts that are popular now. I'm a fan of anything that makes sure it covers my bottom!

A nautical looking jacket. £1.

Yes this jacket is a few sizes too big. But I love it anyway. It is a light jersey fabric - perfect for summer. I like these sorts of jackets because they look posh, but they are cool and comfy to wear even as it gets hot.

Look at that pinstripe sleeve turn-up!

I also love the pinstripe bias-binding on the inside of the jacket. 

No one will see it but me, but it's so cute!

That's all for now guys. Now that I have some free time, I do plan on blogging more, I may just have to save up all of my interesting posts and then blog them all at once. I don't know. we shall see :)

My newest little sewing treasure...

Hi guys, no crafting updates today, but look what the Mr bought me!!

How stunning is this?!


It's a little pin box (I think), and it's all enameled with little gems stuck on in places. The machine is a deep purple colour and the base is a pale baby pink. It even has a little cotton reel on the top!

I love this. I love my Mr for buying it for me. I'm so very lucky.

An actual wearable item of clothing!

Hi guys! So I've not had much time for crafts lately, final year at uni and 11 weeks until my wedding is just consuming every waking minute right now. BUT! I had a spare evening last week so I decided to knock something out that I've wanted to do for ages...

(not the best pic, hastily taken in the mirror with my new camera that I still don't know how to use!)

Ok, so this may not look like the most technical blouse ever, but it had a lot of elements that I wanted to try. I've made clothes before - I used to make those massive dresses you see in old western re-enactments, but a lot of those techniques are different to what we do nowadays. 

(what I often made. Gorgeous pattern)

I've made clothes for myself before as well, but they were things like summer dresses, pyjama bottoms etc. Things that were allowed to be baggy and wonky looking. But I wanted to make something I could wear all the time.

I drafted the pattern myself, based on a favourite blouse I already had. I made a few changes. I allowed for the back to come down a lot lower, to allow for my builders butt that often comes out when I'm working in the studio!, I added darts, and I added bias binding around the neck and arm holes. The original top just had a seam and it was a bitch to iron!

(here's a blurry pic showing the length at the back and the lovely drape of the fabric)

(This shows how I made the sleeves thinner and added bias binding)

(Close up of my bias binding. Bit wonky now I look at it. Too scared to use the 

machine on my first attempt at it!!)

Now I was quite naughty. I didn't make up a practice top (muslin?) I had this beautiful silky fabric and only 3 hours. Luckily nothing went wrong and I had almost no wastage or anything like that. I got lucky!

So, things I learned:

-how to do bias binding

-how to hem a curve

-where to put a dart in without a pattern

-that this fabric was lovely to sew with and to stop being scared of anything new and just do it!

-that I'm smaller than I think I am! I tend to allow loads of room for movement, but I've actually lost weight!

-use a zig zag stitch in replacement of an overlocker

Most importantly, this little project has given me more confidence. I am good at sewing. And I'm not saying ti to brag or anything, but it's something I can actually do quite well. After finishing this blouse I had the courage to take in one of my cardigans that I've been meaning to do for ages. Bit scary cutting the sides of the knitting, but it worked and it's lovely now. I may show you that when I get another free evening.

Just remember guys, just do it. If you're afraid of a new technique, just have a go at it anyway. It might be easier than you think, and it'll open up loads of opportunities for you!

First order done!

The order from the other day has gone well. All 15 items are made, packed and posted. I also included an extra one that I mocked up for a new design. Hope the lady who ordered them likes them!


Here's a little peek since I'm so pleased with my first official order...

 

 





Well I'm super pleased with myself!

Ooh, I'm also close to 100 views! Hooray!

Contacts...

Hi everyone, if you could all take a look at a lovely little Facebook page that'd be great. It's called seconds away, and they specialize in vintage china. It's all so adorable! They may also be featuring a few of my items as part of a set soon, it depends on how it all goes, but it's looking good :)

So happy!!!