Buttons and Bows, Quilts and Hats – Getting the needle out!

Source Amy Butler

As a kid a haberdashery would be the next best thing to a sweet shop, yes before the world of Nintendo DS and iPads, I enjoyed sewing and making stuff in general. I had a dream that I was going to be a fashion designer and would make outfits for my Barbie dolls and my brothers Action Men (although alas I fear most of my designer army wear was not appreciated – maybe I was just ahead of my time adding in florals)… so this is perhaps why I ended up studying Law instead.

Arty shot of my original 1997 Graduation Dress (hand made by Moi) – Yes I still have it….and no I don’t fit into it anymore…. hence the floral dummy!

At uni I still carried on a little bit of sewing (above)…. more out of necessity to make a cocktail dress or two from Vogue patterns… and then it stopped – generally because material seemed to cost more than buying something off the peg so I lost the inclination.  Well my sewing machine is still there ready for action and, perhaps inspired by the sewing machines at the All Saint’s stores in London, I thought I would dust it off and have a little look at what is new in the world of patterns – Although I think I will steer clear of the fashion thing…. for the moment anyway… although maybe I could consider the Army Floral designs again… perfect camouflage for meadows!

Nicole Mallalieu

Perhaps my first starting point should be “You Sew Girl” by Nicole Mallalieu, it claims to give you the confidence and know-how to be as creative as you can be. – Ship it in baby! With my skills being self taught, they are a little rough around the edges (if you can’t see it who cares kind of thinking!).  But the real reason Nicole caught my eyes is due to the fact she specialises in simple but funky patterns that most of us mere novices could hopefully do… we are not just talking table clothes and hankies…. but hats and bags which you can funk up with your own choice of fabrics.

The adult Fedora pattern guides you step by step on how to show your self as a seamstress / milliner… and promises no stress… OK… or for those of you who want to leave the fancy hats to the kids…there are plenty of hats for them too… or bags

Nicoles website is pretty good for hints and tips on sewing techniques too…. for anyone in Victoria, Australia she also runs hands on classes too….

Amy Butler

Now who said that quilting was for grandma…. hang your head in shame…. I am loving these quilts from Amy Butler’s “Gypsy Caravan” range… and the pattern for the first one is free to download.. you just need to source the fabrics and a little motivation and off an away you go…. there are plenty of other free downloadable patterns from Amy’s site as well as a list of global shop and online stockists of her fabric.

… also loving this quilt from the Gypsy Caravan Range below….

Also loving these cushions from the Cameo and Lark material range…..

Well now I am feeling a little inspired…. you may see a post in …. 2015 which shows the finished product…. but I will keep you posted!….meanwhile on with the colourful journey……..

#quilting #design #AmyButler #textiles #NicoleMallalieu #hats #handmade #craft #Sewing