My First Drawstring Bag - I Love It!

I have a very old apple tree in my garden however it still manages to produce a few apples each year, good to eat but even better in pies.  However my favourite bit is the blossom, I love the pinky shades it produces every year.

So when I found this lovely bit of embroidery in one of my favourite Highland antique shops I had to have it.  It was a small tray cloth with stylised flowers on each corner but what caught my eye was the colours, lovely shades of pinks. It was not sewn on the usual linen but instead a soft cotton so not really suitable for a cushion.  So I thought I would have a go at a drawstring bag.  

I had already looked at a number of patterns but none were quite what I wanted so it I had a go at producing something to my own design.  I wanted a cuff at the top so I got a bit of a frill when the bag was closed plus a neat finish around the top of the bag on the inside. 

The final version is very pretty but it took some time as I had to rework the top so this ones a keeper!  






Having now been through the process I have worked out how to do it, giving me the finish I want but taking less time.  Now to hunt through my fabric stash and look for some suitable embroidery and fabrics so I can make some more.  So watch this space for news on my new range of drawstring bags which I hope to add to my collection in the next few weeks!  

Love My Work Table

My new sewing machine is going well.  It's slower than a full size one and I wouldn't want to make curtains on it but for the short lengths of stitching that I do most of the time it's ideal.  It has a large foot but being clear plastic its easy to see what you are doing, great for when you need to stop stitching at corners etc.  Also the spool is drop in and has a clear cover so you don't get caught out when the thread runs out!

My other great buy is a cake stand from http://www.dotcomgiftshop.com.  I was looking for something to store my reels of ribbon and this has proved to be ideal.  

So having set up my worktable in the conservatory I have a great place to work with a lovely view of my garden.  That is what I call inspiration!

Lovely Auriculas!

I have always loved auriculas (a type of fancy primrose) and longed to have an auricula theatre to display them.  

However given this is not practical (!) I bought a lovely metal stand a few years ago in the wild hope I would have enough plants to fill it one day.  

Well that day has arrived and despite the dreadful weather enough plants have survived to fill it.  I am especially pleased as I propagated a lot of them from a small number of original plants.   

Not only did they survive to produce good healthy plants it looks like they are also going to flower.   So this year I am going to be very organised and make sure I take a photo of each one so if I am tempted to buy any more I will know what colours to avoid! 

What do you call a group of hedgehogs?

I was wondering what the collective noun was for hedgehogs so looked it up on a few websites.   The official term seems to be "Array" however a couple of sites also suggested a "Prickle"!

So here is my "Array of Hedgehogs": pin/brooch cushions made from some lovely vintage Laura Ashley remnants. The back is made from contrasting gingham and has a woven label. 

After the cutting, sewing and stuffing I add ric-rac trim, gingham button eyes with contrasting embroidery thread and black pom-pom noses.  Just waiting for some orange gingham buttons to finish, then they will be added to my shop.

UK Handmade Summer Showcase

One of my favourite cushions is being featured on the UK Handmade Summer Showcase.  

This is a great site for anyone who is a maker, it has interesting articles as well as a forum where you can post your your makes.  

The showcase allows makers to be featured and will be promoted by UK Handmade so fingers crossed I get some new followers and may be some sales.

http://ukhandmade.co.uk/showcase/summer

  

My New Sewing Machine

I have had my old Toyota sewing machine for over 20 years and it does have a lot of features.  However it is metal so very heavy and now and again plays up!

So when I saw this little beauty in John Lewis I had to have it.  See further details....

It does straight stitch, zig-zag and scallop so given this is what I use 99.9% of the time its ideal.  

Its very light and can be lifted by one hand and is so small I won't need to keep moving it off the table.  But most importantly it looks great!!

I will keep you posted as to how I get on with it but at £35.00 its got to be a bargain. 

Gingham Glory - The Start

This is my first attempt at a blog!  

I have always loved vintage items spending many hours in jumble sales when I was young moving onto charity shops as I started to get more pocket money. Although a lot of my collections have moved on I have always kept my linen, some of which came from my grandmother.

 I have also enjoyed sewing and in the past made a lot of clothes and home furnishings. However as work commitments increased over the years collecting and sewing took a back seat.

Now I have the time and having been inspired by programmes such as Kirstie's Handmade Britain and magazines such as Making I looked at what I could do that was different.  So Gingham Glory was born. http://folksy.com/shops/lal179

The first range for my shop was Linda's Linens, hand made cushions from rescued vintage embroidered table linen with contrasting gingham backs. 

My love of fabric also extends to vintage and retro patterns which I have used to produce 1960s and 1970s inspired cushions. 

Another of my favourites is my hedgehog pincushions, they can be used by sewers or look equally cute on the dressing table with brooches.

I had forgotten how much pleasure sewing gave me and double so now as it gives me a good excuse to go out hunting for old table linen, retro fabrics and lovely trimmings. 

I am aiming to give updates via this blog on my new makes and places and things that inspire me.  And if the weather improves you might get to see some of my garden!