Christmas Clothes for the Girls

The girls had a couple of days where they were allowed to wear "holiday colours" to school.  After trawling through their wardrobe, I realised that they don't have any clothes in holiday colours.  I decided that the easiest thing would be to make them some 30 Minute Skirts in Christmas colours. I found some lovely red and...

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Mathilde Version Two

After the success of my first Tilly & The Buttons' Mathilde blouse I was keen to make a new version.  I saw this lovely version made by Jolie of Jolies Bobines: Mathilde by Jolies Bobines I checked with Jolie if it was OK to copy her version before I started.  I bought a flocked mini polkadot net and a black crepe fabric from...

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Sewing Disasters - The Dress That Nearly Went in the Bin

Recently I've been experiencing a run of really frustrating sewing.  I'm sure we've all been there.  You see a lovely pattern, and think you'd really like to have a go at making it yourself.  You buy (or draft) a pattern, choose your materials, spend ages carefully sewing your garment, then the big moment arrives. You put it on and...

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More Christmas Crafts - Christmas Bookmarks

Woah … two posts in one day, after a nearly six month break.  What is going on??  I thought I better get this one out quickly, or Christmas will already be gone. We have been getting into the Christmas spirit with some holiday crafts.  I was asked to come into Olivia's class and run a couple of craft activities.  I needed to...

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Origami Christmas Ornament

Hi Friends.  It's been a very long time.  We are now settled into our new house in Singapore, and I'm getting into the groove of school runs, activities, and also making new friends.  It's been a very busy time and I've been seriously neglecting the blog. I have been pondering a post on organising an international move (or any...

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Be Right Back ...

Hi folks.  It's been a long time since I posted anything, and it'll be a few more weeks till I get much time to devote to writing.  We've just enjoyed a glorious three week holiday, and will be moving to Singapore next week.  It's all a bit crazy in our house right now. I have found some great resources to make moving house a...

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Freehand Drafting with Chinelo Bally

I was lucky enough this weekend to attend a freehand drafting course run by Chinelo Bally, finalist from The Great British Seeing Bee.The course was run in East London. We were all asked to bring our own sewing machines and scissors. Coming from the "be prepared" camp, I also packed my measuring tape, drafting ruler, chalk, pins, and snacks.We started...

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Make Your Own - A Dolly Sleeping Bag Tutorial

Several months ago, at the girls' request, I made a sleeping bag for their doll Peanut.  It was not fabulously sewn, was in clashing colours, and was made with supplies I had laying around the house (including a zip that was too short). The girls have enjoyed it, and it's seen plenty of use.  About a week ago a reader asked me if...

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