Thoughts we all have when we are fitting ourselves.....

Okay so fitting is the bane if every dressmakers life. I mean it's all well and good if you've got a handy second person to help you but what if your alone? Or what if the second person doesn't know what their doing? 

So here's a post about all the thoughts that go through my head when I'm fitting........

It's time to fit.........

• I should have basted the seams.... Why didn't I baste the seams. If I have to unlock them I'll scream.

• am I wearing the right pants for this dress? (I can guarantee that I am not wearing the right pants) 

• changes knickers 

 • how on earth do I pin the back seam? 

• folds self like a pretzel 

• where's the mirror? I need a mirror?

• whys it so loose? Is it meant to be this loose? 

• checks pattern.........HOW MUCH EASE???????? 

• Takes a few inches off the seams

• puts dress back on....

.• can't breathe...... CANNOT BREATHE 

• Maybe it's my pants......

• puts on big scary stomach sucking in pants and bra that makes Pamela Anderson jealous

• are the darts in the right place? Surely my boobs don't look like that?

• dress fits

• why did I choose this fabric? Do I like this fabric? Oh it was on sale.....what a nice fabric!!

• that hems quite long? I'll take off an inch or two

• hems dress...

• oh hello pants! Gosh that's a bit short... Maybe I shouldn't have cut it? I'll have to do a smaller hem..

• finishes dress, shows husband "it's alright" 

• necks a bottle of rose 

Who else hates fitting projects to themselves? 

Much love 

Frankie 

X

Inspirational Signs!

I like Inspirational quotes. They make me feel warm and fuzzy inside and this week when lil man was having one of his "I'm bored!!!!!" moments I decided to let him help me so some messy painting using my posh watercolours. Naturally it only kept him occupied for ten minutes till he declared that also boring.

I had an ulterior motive though, I'd seen some really cute inspirational posters on etsy and knew I could make my own. 

Basically we chucked some paint down on drawing paper. Waited what felt like ten years for them to dry. Then I perused pinterest searching for nice quotes which I wrote in pencil and tehn went over in either sharpie or fine liner. Depending on the font I'd used!  

Not all who wander are lost - J RR Tolkien 

This is one of my favourite quotes from one of my favourite books!

Enjoy Today

I think I need to remember to enjoy the little things in life more. I seem to spend a lot of time stressing and not much time relaxing. Especially when life is so good right now!

Shine like the Stars

This is so cheesy it makes me cringe a bit. Like in our GCSE leaving assembly where the head teacher was all like reach for the moon you just might land on a star? *cringes*

The best is yet to come

For a long time the future scared the bejeezus out of me but now I can't wait to see whats around the corner!

I can & I will

I had a lot of people give me side eye when I told them I was pregnant at 18. I mean "OMG your life is OVER! Do you need me to drive you....ya know to sort it out??" Yep I actually had someone offer to drive me for an abortion.... after I told them I was pregnant and showed them a scan picture. At the time I was fuming but now it makes me laugh because although my life took a different route it doesn't mean it was a bad one. In fact I like this road it pretty darn tidy and without popping out a kid at the ripe old age of 19 I would never have thought to start a blog or take up sewing again, or become addicted to all things crafty!

Much Love

Frankie

xxx

P.S Please don't be too outraged my my friend suggesting I have an abortion when I told people I was pregnant I got of lot of obnoxious comments thrown in my direction! 

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10 Home Truths About Sewing In A Shared Space

Whether your sewing space is crammed into your dining room, or kitchen or a spare corner of your bedroom, its a fact that sharing your sewing space can cause some issues!

1. You will have to be careful, seriously pins are an absolute nightmare and can you imagine of they stuck in another family members foot? or god forbid your own.

2. You will try and be tidy, you'll buy boxes and jars and all kinds of things to keep your bits and bobs in. You might even label them with pretty paper and set them up like your own personal haberdashery

3. You will still make a mess, thread everywhere bits of fabric half finished projects! Mess is inevitable and your hoover will become your best friend, Its also worth investing in a bin! You can't even close the door on the mess after a long sewing session you have to clean it up *sobs*

4. You will get used to the creature comforts, whether is being close to the kettle or being able to see the t.v sharing your sewing space will have its perks!

5. You will dream of having your own space and resent anyone who has a spare room..... "SPARE ROOM WHY DON'T YOU JUST SEW IN IT!" so ungrateful.........

6. You will be more organised, you'll know exactly where your best scissors are and your favourite patterns! When you have a small space you have to be organised!

7. You'll take over pieces of furniture, the dining table is now a sewing table and you can forget about using the floor folks that's my cutting table!

8. You'll need all the the electrical outlets to plug your sewing stuff into, "awww sorry babe were you really using your games console?"

9. You'll gain some awesome muscles, there's nothing quite like taking a sewing machine on and off a table to build up your biceps. I'll consider that my daily workout thank you!

10. You'll find inspiration! especially if you can see your sewing space as your relaxing. Many times I've put something on my dummy looking not quite right only to have a eureka moment as I'm sat watching telly in the evening!

And whilst having a shared sewing space does have its highs and lows we all know I'd rather have a sewing room!!!!!

Much Love

Frankie 

Soft baby toys tutorial

I've got a new tutorial up on the craft cotton company website! 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3W6ct5H1sa7Z1owTHMweFF4eGc/view?pli=1

That's the link to take you to the pdf! 

These really are a lovely simple project for people who are new to sewing! And I really am loving all the wonderful opportunities in getting at the moment. 

In other news I got stuck in a dress I made yesterday and it was hilarious in an omg I might have to spend the rest of my life sort of way. Basically I was stubborn and used the wrong size zip, and then I was stubborn trying to get the dammed thing on and then I felt like a massive idiot when it got stuck. Anyway to cut a long story straight I had to whip off my bra (through the sleeve style) and squeeze myself out , luckily the "girls" aren't quite as big as they used to be, otherwise I might have had to call the fire brigade! 

Anyway I fixed the problem so expect a dress post as soon as I've photographed it! 

Much love

Frankie 

Xxx

it started with a broken needle....

I recently posted this picture on both my instagram and facebook.

with the caption - Wasn't sure it was possible but I've snapped a hand sewing needle! X


anyway i had one perfectly sensible comment and then this happened between me and one of my bestest friends Conor. (and yes his name does only have 1n)

conor - Is a sign that you have transcended to a new level of sewing?

me - Nah I think it's just because I'm "sew" hardcore x

conor - That was a "threadful" pun...

me -  I was waiting on "pins" for your response!

conor - You're gonna have me in "Stitches" at this rate!

me - Ain't no "bobbin" about from me x

conor - "Needle" to keep tabs on you!

me -  I'll have to learn to "button" it x

conor -  Nooo, it'd be wrong to keep you "Hem"-med in

me - But still ill try to keep "zipped" and stop "ribbon" you (BOOM TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!) x

conor - Don't think I'll "Bow" to this, if I can ever "Tie" you down I will "Knot" hold back my revenge! (TRIPLE WORD!!! NEW HIGH SCORE)

me - I was hoping you wouldn't "cotton" on to the "fabric" of my plan. I'm going to "spool" you in the art of wordplay. Your gonna wish you'd never "cross"(stitched) me! (I SEE YOUR THREE AND RAISE YOU! BOOM!) x

conor - Don't "Spin" me a "Line"! I'm "Yarning" to foil your plan, I "Wool"'nt push it too far. I think your plan, is such a load a "Silk". Gonn have to "Enbroiden" your strategies!
 DID SOMEBODY SAY FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

me - There's six you muppet 😅

conor - YEAH... THAT'S RIGHT NO-ONE SAID FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!! CAUSE IT WAS SIX!!!! WINNNN!!!

me -  I can see I'm not going to Make the "Cut", I can't pull the "Wool" over your eyes. So I'm going to "Patch" together a clever response, I think that I'm better, "kNot" that I'm "bias" or anything and you "shear" are a "knitwit" ps. Not sure line counts it's almost as if your heads full of "stuffing"

Did I hear eight from the lady in the back? SOLD!

conor - Repitition!!!!

me- WHAT! The duck! WHERE? X

conor -  I Totally used wool and Knot!! Fix!!!!!

me - Yeah it is a "fix" (doesn't count if you don't quote it!) you win gosh "darn" it  x

 I have been "spooled" x

conor - "Eye" take this victory in the name of Mighty Myself!!!

me - As I said "knit" wit ........

and he finished with this picture

my friends are awesome

much love 

frankie

xxx

10 things I hate about sewing...

Don't get me wrong , I love! To sew! It relaxes me, it makes me happy and it fills my wardrobe up nicely. But hers 10 things that I really hate about sewing! 

1 - zips

In general, all shapes lengths and sizes! Nothing quite makes me swear as much as putting in a zip!

2 - darts 

Purely becuase of the amount of times I've stood in front of the mirror thinking "are these bust darts to pointy? Are they pointing at my nipples? Is he staring at my boobs becuase my bust darts are wonky or becuase he's a male?"

3 - bias binding

Just EURGH! It's fiddly and just EURGH! 

4 - tracing patterns 

You always miss off one peice. Just saying.

5 - 

When the bobbin runs out

"Oh doing a long row of top stitching are you? Nearly perfect is it? All those pins taken out are they? And I'll finish now I think........oh it's ruined.....shame"

6 - the moment you nearly sew through your finger.

It's 2am you've very nearly finished , your eyes are bleary and you just want to go to sleep, you see your finger edge toward the needle. You don't move. It moves closer but sheer exhaustion keeps you grounded! The needle grazes your finger and....... You crap your pants and move faster than the flash (that's a comic book reference) 

We sewists dance with death I'm telling you! 

7 - people you don't understand the difference between fabric scissors and regular scissors

Quite simply , if you don't know the difference, ask. If you just use what ever the hell you want, please remove yourself from the planet! 

8 - three threads coming out of the bottom thread area. 

Hmm I'm pretty sure there should only be one of you? So who are the rogues? 

9 - when people interrupt your sewing time. 

Phone rings "no I don't want my windows done, to take your survey or to hear how some distant relative is, please hang up now! 

10 - pattern matching 

Now if that's there, then this should be here, so I guess I'll just have to waste  half a foot of fabric! 

And that's it! 

Is there anything you hate/love about sewing? 

Much love

Frankie

Xxx