I’ve been searching for some Autumn/Winter fabrics that would be lovely enough to make pants, jackets, coats and capes out of. I think I have found some, but I’m still yet to decide. There are some wonderful colours in there that I would love to sew with. Anyway, I thought I’d share a little preview of some that I have found and what might be to come.
What would you love to make out of these wool blends?
I stumbled upon this book about making your own rubber stamps. Even though it’s all in Japanese, there are so many pictures which means you can figure out what to do. The book also has all the rubber stamps as a template to trace. There are so many cool ideas on how to use the stamps on paper and fabric. It just makes you want to make gifts for everyone!
Since discovering this book I’ve been carving up rubber stamps which I’ve used on paper with ordinary ink pads, but I’ve also tried them on fabric. You need an ink pad that is designed for fabric (I used VersaCraft, which used to be called Fabrico). I always prewash my fabric and you really do need to if you’re printing on it. To set the ink you need to iron your print, which will also make it washable.
I have made prints before from stencils and other various objects, but using a rubber block is definitely my favourite because carving into them is like cutting soft butter. It takes practice and patience to get a feel for the tools and knowing how much rubber you need to take off. It’s one of those things that you need to do a little at a time because you can always carve out more rubber if you need to, but you can’t put it back if you’ve made a mistake!
I started making the rubber stamps using the templates in the Japanese book, but the bicycle stamp was one I made myself. My husband loves bicycles and asked me to make him one. I had to make the wheel twice as the first wheel was too small. It’s tricky lining them up to stamp, but he loves it. Now to make him a coin wallet or something so I can print the bicycle on it.
Before I discovered this Japanese book, I had a couple of other books in my collection about printing which is where I learned how to use other kinds of materials for printing. So if you’re after a how-to book and some projects to get you inspired, check out Lotta Prints – Lotta Jasndotter and Printing By Hand – Lena Corwin.
You can also buy a PDF tutorial on etsy through MemiTheRainbow. If you want some stamps, but don’t want to bother carving them you can also buy them through her shop. She has sooo many cute designs and I am totally in love with her washi tape stamp!
Have you tried printing?
This brooch is out of the Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts, you can also find out how to make it on her website. It’s actually supposed to be a boutonniere, but I thought I’d turn it into a brooch for my sister as she loves wearing brooches.
The self-covered buttons I used were 28mm, 22mm and 19mm and I used left over fabric from my jacket. I ordered the floral tape and wire off ebay and as I had no idea how to use floral tape, I found this tutorial on youtube. I think it takes practice to get a perfect finish!
It was tricky to get the floral wire to wrap around the button shank tightly so that the buttons wouldn’t flop about. They still wiggle a tiny bit, but I don’t think it matters. Instead of the ribbons around the stems, I just used an extra piece of floral tape to wrap around it. To turn it into a brooch, I glued on a brooch clasp to the back of the leaf. It’s a simple brooch to make using left over fabric scraps, which I’ll definitely be making again.
I also found this brooch under the same gallery on Martha Stewart’s page. It took all of about 10 mins to make.
Now to post them to her!
I have a serious brooch crush at the moment. They just add a certain something to an outfit. I made my sister an owl brooch from Aimee Ray’s Doodle Stitching, using felt and embroidery – it was super cute and I hope to make some others. I always thought embroidery was quite old fashioned and grandmaish, but that was before I discovered Aimee Ray and Jenny Hart. If you haven’t checked out their patterns, books and kits… you must!
Do you have a brooch crush?
Here are some cute brooches I’ve spotted:
Bags were one of first things that I loved sewing – mainly because you can’t stuff them up too much as they don’t need to ‘fit’ anyone. I self-taught myself how to make various bags and I wished this book was around when I started making them. It would have made so many of my first attempts more professional looking!
The Bag Making Bible is the work of Lisa Lam – you can find her over at U-Handbag (UK) and her blog here. I believe she has a second book coming out soon. The book covers everything, and I mean EVERYTHING about making bags. She gives you a solid understanding of how to make fabulous bags, but more importantly the book is like a springboard for you to design and construct your own.
Lisa covers the equipment you need, working with the patterns, choosing fabrics, interfacing/interlining, working with colour and prints, how to give shape to your bag, zippers, closures, handles and straps, edges and trimmings and pockets.
I also love how she shows you the techniques and then gives you a bag to make using those techniques. There are a range of bags to make: A simple book bag, reversible bucket bag, cocktail ruffle clutch, organised office bag (satchel), oversized fashionisata’s bag, a great getaaway bag (totally awesome for weekends away), a multi-tasking tote and a piping hot hobo bag. There is simply a project in there for everyone.
I’ve made the Reversible Bucket Bag, but it was a present for a friend so I don’t have any photos to show you – perhaps I’ll make another one! Though, I have the great getaway bag in mind to make next and the organised office bag for my man.
Great Getaway Bag
Organised Office Bag
I love making bags with cotton/linen blends as they are sturdy and long lasting. Here are some places to buy bag hardware online:
