BB8 Orla Dress

I don't ever remember not knowing about star wars? I think that must be a side effect of having an older brother and sister who were both big fans. Which also means I never had the shocking "Luke I am your father" moment either because I always knew. 

I don't know how many times I've seen the original three movies [ya know the best ones!] and I've seen the next three a fair amount too [can we appreciate how gorgeous Ewan Mcgregor was as Obi Wan Kenobi for a minute please? ]

But I've only seen the first of the new ones so far. I think I had a bit of a "OMG THEY ARE GOING TO RUIN STAR WARS MOMENT" As it goes I did quite enjoy it so I really do need to get around to watching the last two!

Which is why when the Craft Cotton Company sent me this BB8 fabric I was chuffed! I decided to use it as an excuse to make a cute dress and introduce my lil boy to star wars! [Obviously whilst wearing the dress!]

Because its such a busy print I decided to opt for a really simple dress pattern. I chose to use the Orla Dress Pattern by French Navy Now [This pattern is actually free!!! So GO GO GO!]

The pattern is really simple, it had two darts in the front bodice, cute capped sleeves and a gathered skirt. Its also meant to have a zip in the back but after the success of my button back, Mr men, orla dress I decided to do another button up version.

Because of the busy print you can't really see the button placket or the buttons. In hindsight it might have been really cool to do a orange button placket to make it stand out a bit more but so it would still match the print. 

That said I do really like the button placket on this dress and the fact that I only need to undo the waist button to pull it over my head. 

You can sort of see the buttons I used here [although they do blend in very well!] They are small mosaic style buttons that came from my friends mums house. I don't think I'd use them but they sort of remind me of lil bb8s so they are perfect for this project. 

Normally I'm a fitted girl through and through but I really like the boxy loose style of the Orla dress and its a great pattern for show casing fun prints! The only changes I made to this pattern are to add the button back and to line the bodice. I always line my bodices because I think it creates a neater finish and lets face it with living in cold England an extra layer of fabric/warmth never goes amiss! Even in summer!!

The gathered skirt isn't as full as I normally go for but I have noticed it doesn't blow up as much in the wind. So maybe a skinnier gathered skirt is the way to go dignity wise!

The fabric is cotton so it behaves beautifully when your sewing it. As much as I love sewing with tricky fabrics and textures sometimes its just so nice to throw something together with a fabric that doesn't shift and holds a crease when you want it too!

 And I like how the print just looks like a crazy geometric deign from the distance. It means the dress will be a lot more wearable in the summer months.

And that's it really. I love making summer dresses like these but it does make me wish it was summer already! 

This morning we woke up to SNOW! Although its stopped now and it doesn't seem to be sticking which is a bit gutting because I was hoping school would be cancelled.

In other news! 

Our tumble dryer is sort of working! It makes a loud banging noise but its drying clothes so that's good.

However then the washing machine started fritzing. It was draining but not as much as it should be. Anyway Rikki pulled it out of its hole put it on its side and after about an hour and a half of swearing and banging he proudly came into the living room brandishing a sock that had been caught in the filter! Which begs the question how on earth did it get there? I've had a good look and I can't see anyway of a sock escaping the drum? And it wasn't even a kids sock, which are small and easily misplaced it was an ADULT sock! 

But now that's fixed I've been working on pre washing the small pile of fabric that I brought from the Abakhans Sale! A full video of the fabric I brought went up on my you tube a few days ago and you can find it here! 

 

I warn you though Its a long one!!! So make a brew and enjoy!

Much Love 

Frankie 

xxx

Busy Little Bum Bum Bee

I'm sure to the outside world and to anybody who reads this I'm looking pretty darn lazy right now. I bet your all picturing me sat on my bottom eating biscuits, drinking tea and watching project runway marathons. Well your wrong! Sort of.

 

I have been sat down, I have been drinking tea and yes I might have dunked the odd biscuit or two three four packet. And project runway hasn't left my telly for a loooonnnnnng time! but its all for a good cause!

 

I've been working on two custom orders! (yes two!) As well as trying to prepare for this craft fair! To say I've been busy would be an under statement! Today is the first day I've found enough time to blow dry my hair after my shower, And not just leave it to dry in a bun! Which usually results in a curly mope of hair that resembles the love child of Diana Ross and Russell Brand.

 

Anyway it feels like its been ages since I've posted anything I've made recently! And I'm afraid you were nearly out of luck today as well! Until I remembered a painting that I started last week!

 

 

Growing up Star Wars was religion in our house, we even had the Gold Edition box set on vhs, yeah we were that good! The boy down the road only had the silver!

Any I knew that sooner or later I was going to end up doing a star wars related piece and this guy popped out at me when I was searching through one of my books. This is just the beginning phase i'm hoping that when i'm finished he's going to look really awesome, I'm hoping to go for a sort of illustration feel!

 

Other than that, and my custom orders (cannot wait to tell you about these! but mums the word for the moment!) I've added two new items to my Etsy shop!!!!

 

My voodoo Doll Plushie! - £7.50 

 

 

 

 And

 

Blue Tit on Branch, watercolour and Ink Illustration - £8.00

 

 

 

Both of these items can be found on my Etsy Page (there a link on the right hand side of this page) And both come with gift wrapping as standard.

 

For anybody who doesn't know what the gift wrapping looks like here's one I did recently!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx

Star Wars: Return of the Knitting

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....... one of my most favourite customers placed her third custom order with me! (She's a beaut that one) and this time when she asked me instead of being worried, I became so excited I squealed at my phone! Something that is fine in your own home but entirely inappropriate when out and about in public!

 

But basically she asked me to make her a knitted Yoda! I kid you not! YODA! For anyone who doesn't know who Yoda is, he is an incredibly wise, little green, Jedi in Star Wars! And possibly the coolest character ever created!!!!! (I realise this description doesn't help at all, so I recommend you rent the films. You will have the time of your life!) But anyways this is what Yoda looks like and an example of something wise he might say.

 

 

Strangely enough Yoda actually reminds me of my Mum. In a GOOD way! This is just the sort of advice she gives me when she's trying to motivate me into believing in myself! But she's definitely not as wrinkly as him. 

 

Anyway enough of the soppy stuff, here's what I made.

 

 

He photographs a little weird but he's actually a lighter green and his light saber is detachable so you can , erm, play with him. Which I totally didn't! Not for long anyway!

 

 

 

Posing by the door in case the Sith attack!

 

 

 

His Light Saber can go in his hand or his belt! Every Jedi needs storage! 

 

 

He even has his own hood! Well sometimes even Jedi Masters have to be sly!

 

 

I definitely think he falls pretty high on the adorable scale! Cant say I'd ever thought I'd be knitting Yoda but I had so much fun making him! Incidentally I made my own pattern again but have it written down just in case I ever need to recreate him! He was also the surprise under my packaging post here!

 

Sadly Yoda isn't a part of Pinterest fortnight , but come back later for Day 5 ! If I ever get it finished that is!

 

Much Love

 

May The Force Be With You

 

Frankie

 

xxx

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away.....

So its Day 4 of Pinterest fortnight and trust me making a project everyday is really starting to take its toll! I'm fairly sure I have a project in at least every room of the house! But onto todays inspiration!!!! And if you haven't already guessed its a Star Wars one!

 

 

I'm not 100% on the origin if this design but I think its from witchcityink.com, if any one can confirm this please let me know and I'll amend this blog and set up a link! I absolutely love this, it popped up when I was looking for sugar schools and it seemed so perfect!

 

My entire family is Star Wars obsessed and my Dad used to be called Darth Vader by his work colleagues. I think they'd all be proud of me crafting Star Wars goodness!

 

I started off by tweaking the design a bit because I wanted mine to be completely my own and this is the design I ended up with! Apologies for the crumple Little Knitwit decided to help me out on the photography!

 

 

Then it seemed pretty clear to me what I needed to do with it! Embroidery of course! So I think it officially needs to be called "Star Wars a New Hoop!" I'm going to stop with the bad jokes now! Or at least I'll try!

 

 

I really don't see why they didn't go for this look in the movies..... much more friendly

 

 

I'd show you what the back looks like but my momma taught me that a lady never shows her backside in public!

 

 

 Hearts for a nose and flowers for eyes not Darths usual look!

 

 

I loved doing this! I'm finding the more fun I think the finished product will be the quicker I'm getting it done!

 

And I have one more surprise! There is going to be another star wars craft coming very soon in......

 

Star Wars: Return of the Knitting!

 

Please Lord let me think of another star wars project so I can have the trilogy!!! Please!!!!

 

Much Love

 

And May The Force Be With You

 

Frankie

 

xxx