handmade

My dressmaking journey begins.

- TracyB 2 Comments

Today I started a 12 week course in dressmaking. This is something I have been wanted to do for ages since getting hooked on the Great British Sewing Bee. I started my sewing journey earlier this year with a basic 6 week course learning to use a sewing machine, basic hems etc and even went on to make some cushion covers and a tote bag!

I thoroughly enjoyed this course after years of being almost frightened of sewing after horrible memories from secondary school ( bet I’m not alone there!). I was desperate to get a close enough proper dressmaking course as I want to get patterns and make things for myself. I daily see people’s makes on IG and am very jealous and even bought the Dottie Frock pattern as most people said it was suitable for beginners. It probably is but I excitedly opened the pattern and then had instant confusion and folded everything back into the package! Sad but true. So I am hoping this course I started today will sort out any confusion I have that puts me off trying things.

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Christmas craft night

- TracyB Leave a comment

I’m a crafter of sorts as an avid knitter and have actually done quite well on this run up to the festive period earning a few extra Christmas pennies.

However, I’m not the greatest one for handmade decorations, my forte is more in the cooking side of things giving homemade treats as part of family presents.

I did recently though attend a Christmas craft evening in a local church hall with a good friend of mine. The idea was to make some items that would easily be replicated at home to use over the Christmas period.

There were four tables set out to make a wreath, a table decoration, a glass filled with flowers, and cards and I managed 3 out of the 4 on offer. Everything that you needed was included in the small fee ( only £8) and they even supplied us with a cuppa and a cake!!

So not to be outdone by the others that looked as though they knew what they were doing here’s my efforts:

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My favourite thing I made was definitely the wreath. It turned out pretty well even if I say so myself! Using the fresh cinnamon sticks and dried orange pieces with star anise made it smell amazing. I would definitely have a go at this again next year myself as it was actually much easier than I ever thought it would be.

So what have you all been crafting?