Dice Bags

Some very simple dice bags!

 The bags are unlined and the drawstring channel is made with bias tape.  The black bag has a decorative hem stitch round the top.  Both bags are cotton, the black bag has a cotton bias tape and a drawstring of black cord, whereas the blue bag has silver satin bias tape and a blue satin ribbon for a drawstring

 Next week I have some cushions to show off.  In the mean time my new larp dress is coming along well and I have completed two bits of kit though I only have photos of one atm. 

Bow Ties

Very quick post today!  Here are a couple of bow ties I made for a friend.  The blue one is taffeta and the purple one is satin.

 

I found the tutorial here.  It was very easy to follow and I am quite keen to make more, so lovely husband might acquire some!

Fingerless Gloves

These are about the only things I've knitted this year that haven't been my lace shrug.  I made them in August when we were redecorating our lounge as I didn't have any access to the rest of my craft supplies.

They are knitted on 4mm needles and I used Sirdar Soukie DK/  The pattern is Diagonal Eyelet Handwarmers by Creative Yarn.  

I enjoyed knitting these, though I am glad I knitted them for a friend with small hands because I find they come up really small!  Certainly, I think I'd need at least one more pattern repeat added in if I wanted to fit my hands.

In case you're wondering why I'm spinning out the Christmas presents, I've got two big projects on the go right now, but neither will be done any time soon! So a few more weeks of Christmas presents and the stuff I made over the Christmas holidays and then I might be able to show off some larp kit!

Quilted Table Runner

Ok, so not my usual style of sewing at all, but this Christmas present was surprisingly good fun!  I used the length and width of the table to work out the size of the runner.  Then picked out fabrics that I thought would appeal and cut them up.

Once I'd sewn all the strips together I decided I wanted it a little bigger, so I added a plain cotton border. The back is also a plain cotton, green but I failed to take a photo.

The middle is quilted with a free motion wiggle and then the edge has a wiggly line and a loop in each corner.  The bias binding is a satin one that I felt provided a nice contrast.

I really enjoyed making it and I've got plans for a table runner of my own now!

Lavender Sachets

These are lavender sachets, filled with lavender I picked and dried myself.  the fabrics are a mix of cottons, velvet and a brocade.

 I really like the shape of these sachets and I'm very sorry you can't smell them through the internet as they smelt amazing!

Next week we're going to look at table runners and fingerless gloves!  See you then!

Adipose!

For Miss Small Bean's Christmas present I had considered making her a doll, but when I found this tutorial, well I knew it had to be done!

Her parents were apreciative but as per usual Miss Small Bean prefers wrapping paper to actual presents!

Quilted Notebook Cover

This was a wonderfully fun make!  It's a slip on quilted notebook cover.  I confess to being inspired by Katy's covers but I wanted to put my own spin on it.

 

I used some spotty cotton, bamboo wadding and lining fabric.  I cut them a little taller than the notebook and a lot longer, pinned the sandwich and free motion quilted it with rainbow variegated thread.  I then located some plain cotton and chain stitched a name on to it with rayon variegated embroidery floss.  I stitched that onto the cover, folded it so it fitted and added bias binding tot he top and bottom.

It ended up being one of my favourite things and I have plans to make more of them!

Crafting New Year's Resolutions

As ever, I am starting the New Year full of ideals and wanting to sort out some of my Crafting habits for the better.

1. Knit more.  Ideally at least a little a day.  I really want to get my lace knitting project finished and start something new!
2. Do more embroidery.  I really enjoy embroidering and it's a great way to embellish larp kit.  Also, I have a load of Urban Threads designs that I've bought and am itching to use.
3. Use up Stash fabric.  I've made a good start with some cushion covers but I really need to do more!
4. Make my own trousers.  This feels like such a big thing, but I really want to be able to make my own!  So I need to get over my trousery hangup and have a go. 

 So there we go.  My fairly modest aims for the year.  With that in mind I am off to knit in front off the TV for a bit.  I'll be back on Thursday with more Christmas present makes!

Crochet Hook Roll

Happy New Year!  Next week I might have some sewing resolutions to talk about but for now, here's a crochet hook roll I made!

This was made for Katy.  I'll let you in on a secret for making for Katy, she's the best to make for!  because she asks for gifts (so you know exactly what to give her) but then totally forgets what she's asked for (every single time) so you get to look like an amazingly thoughtful gift giver!

As she wanted a crochet hook roll and her favourite colours are blue and yellow this was a very easy thing to run up! 

I used a yellow satin for the lining, blue cotton for the outer and trimmed it with copious amounts of blue and yellow ribbon.

I think it turned out really nicely!  Which reminds me, I must get around to making myself one at some point...