Archive for the 'Newly Handmade' Category

following my muse

Published on September 11, 2011 in Experiments, Fabric and Newly Handmade. 5 Comments

When I get a chance to make something I am usually initially panicked by having so little time and so much that I want to do, so the way I decide is to work out what I really really want to make next. Sometimes I am surprised by what it is.

Jigsaw pieces are one of the shapes that seem to endlessly fascinate me. I often doodle them when I’m bored (not often these days). For a while I’ve been thinking about making soft cushions and using pretty fabrics, but not sure why they came to the top of the pile today except that my daughter has nearly finished one of her drawing pads, and I had my eye on the cardboard back to make a template – it felt like just the right size. So today I tore off the last 2 pages and got to work.

Of course, as usual I plunged in without measuring, planning or thinking about anything so as I’m going along I realize I’ve already made some mistakes and try to rectify them without starting again! (I’m not going to point them out in case you think it’s perfect…)

But as the first one started taking shape I found myself feeling pleased with how it was going – just as I imagined it.

I’m worried it’s a bit small, but perhaps a few for a child? (You’ve got to have more than one surely – to make your own jigsaw???)  Maybe I’ll make some bigger ones for adults another day, but I’ll probably have to wait until that particular muse strikes again.

p.s. I found this recently on the excellent blog by Christine Chitnis aka Lavender and Limes. It reminds me to trust my instincts and do what feels right. Check her out here: http://www.christinechitnis.com/ 

product development

Published on September 8, 2011 in Embroidery, Experiments, Fabric and Newly Handmade. 2 Comments

When I get despondent about my work not being good enough my husband always tells me I’m still in my product development phase. He knows about these things so I try to listen.

I’d really like to make children’s toys, and top of my list is to make a pretty cat doll. But I’m having problems…

This is my third attempt.

The first one was much smaller and delicate, but I made the mistake of joining a seam at her neck, so her head won’t stay up! Also, as lovely as it is to have a little kitten the size of your hand, it was incredibly hard to make the arms and legs, especially turning them the right way round.

So the second one I scaled up and made her neck robust, but the shape of the head went wrong – was too narrow and made her look too stern. I’m also having problem with the embroidered face. I’d prefer to print the faces eventually, since when I draw the faces they look soft and friendly, but in the process of embroidering and stuffing them they seem to become stern and a bit scary!

So number three was an attempt to address these problems, and I also had some new fabric I wanted to use that I bought in a little shop in Brecon that we discovered by chance. It’s the flower one above.

Of course, I’m still not happy, despite unpicking and redoing the face at least 3 times. I think it’s the eyes. I may have to give up trying to make them so catlike, which is a shame but if I put my thumbs over her eyes I’m actually quite happy with the rest of the face so that’s where the problem is.

Luckily, my three year old daughter loves all of them, so she’s just getting a growing collection at the moment!

saturday

Published on July 30, 2011 in fabric paint, flora and Newly Handmade. 3 Comments

I decided that the best compensation for not having a chance to sell anything today would be a chance to get on with my own designs, which is what I really want to be doing.

I’ve been thinking for sometime about making tableware – you know, napkins, runners, that sort of thing. I’m always attracted to it when other people are selling it. Maybe it’s fond memories of my childhood and having my own silver napkin ring with my name on at dinner times? Or maybe it’s just my love of entertaining, even though we don’t get so much opportunity to do that at the moment with 2 small children.

Anyway, whatever the reason, I’ve been thinking that this IKEA linen is perfect for napkins, and I have lots of ideas of what to put on them, but the one that stood out most for me tonight was allium, which I think I have a little obsession with at the moment, well, since spring.

Such a beautiful, simple shape, and yet such delicate complexities within it.

And since I don’t currently have a screen, I’m still hand painting with fabric paint and fabric medium.

Quite pleased with the result though.

Might try one with 2 next time.

moving forward

Published on July 28, 2011 in Newly Handmade and Preparation. 0 Comments

Decided to pick myself up off the floor and finish the lavender sachets despite not needing them for Saturday any more. Perhaps they will go into my Etsy store which I’m hoping to open soon. Gave me a chance to practice photographing them in a manner that looks vaguely professional! I’m quite pleased with the results, although possibly not light enough?

I’m not sure whether these are something anyone would seek out in an online store, even Etsy. But I was surprised how well they sold on their debut, so hopefully I’ll be surprised again. It’s a good way to get some lovely fabrics into your house at least.