Review - Sewing World Magazine

Last Monday I heard a gentle thud on my doormat, too heavy to be a bill but too light to be a fabric order, it sounded like a magazine, but my regular subscription had already been deposited. It was in actual fact a magazine (a pretty good one as it goes), the lovely people at Sewing World magazine had asked me to review their new look publication! How nice are they?!

Now as I'm sure you'll have noticed it has been a very busy time here at evajeanie, what with the world and their Granny ordering bunting and my little Eva finishing playschool (it was emotional to say the least) there has been very little time to sit down and give this job the time it deserved.

But this morning, in between bunting orders and shipping Eva off to the Library with Ninny (that's my Mum - I know, it just stuck and it is quite fitting, we all call her Ninny now),  I managed to carve some time for a bit of R&R. A sweet brew, a Kit Kat and a wonderful new magazine, what could be better?!

The first thing that struck me was how vibrant and enticing the articles looked just from the previews on the contents page, also the volume of projects impressed, it's literally chock full of lovely things to stitch - thirteen in fact!

I always love a shopping page and this one doesn't disappoint, it features this natty little Button Sewing Box, I am a button fan, especially if it that helps me keep my sewing stash under control, I am definitely going to invest in one of these for the studio.

 

Then we get down to the serious business of sewing. Specifically Using a Multi-Size Pattern, gulp! Now I like to think I am well-qualified in the art of stitchery, along with a BA (hons) I also have a variety of C&G certificates in my bottom drawer, but the thought of using a pattern is still a little disquieting. No idea why, I just prefer to you my own patterns and tend to make smaller things. But it's okay, you can come back out from behind the sofa, there's nothing to be frightened of, it's going to be okay, Sewing World have got it covered, I promise!

This (not tricky or in the least bit scarey) section is exactly what the tags on the top of the page claim it to be - a Masterclass! It explains what a pattern is, why you need one and ultimately how to use one. Genius! Even I can follow this guide (and believe me I was reluctant to try) but it really is effortless. It is simply written and fully explains instructions so you will feel armed to go forth and tackle that dress pattern you have lurking in your sewing box (I'm talking to myself here too!) It would also be a handy guide to cut out and keep.

The next section 'Projects' is definitely more my comfort zone. There is a gorgeous preview page for July Makes which makes you want to just jump straight in! Be it a funky tote bag, a handy sewing machine cover or the super-cute Pippi doll, there's something for everyone!

I particularly liked the Pippi Doll, inspired by the Scandinavian elf dolls, you may have seen them as advent calendars. The pockets on the front store small trinkets or sweets and I am tempted to make one with Eva as our summer project. It will be a lovely way to use up some of the pink/lilac scraps that I have been hoarding as they are too nice to throw away. I also thought it might be nice to add in some fabrics from some of her lovely baby dresses so that it will make a lovely memorable keepsake.

The instructions look clear, fun and above all easy to follow!

Another gorgeous project is this flirty floral top, the instructions are once again straightforward and beautifully laid out. You know, I'm tempted to have a go at this one too!

There is a special patchwork ruffle skirt, perfect for a little girl and yes I do have one in mind! The fabrics and colourways used for this project are especially inspiring. There is also a delightful matching headband to make.

The features section is also most intriguing, the first section is written by Editor Julie Briggs and is dedicated to M Makower & Co Ltd as 2012 saw the 150 anniversary of their beautiful fashion fabrics. A most absorbing read.

An example of one of the easy to follow patterns:

An enlightening feature of Choosing a Sewing Machine, this focuses on mid-range models and allows you to compare price and features on the USP of each machine, a real must read if you are thinking of investing or just want to find out what you are missing out on!

 There is also a feature on 'Men Who Sew' apparently there are some that do, although they are in short supply at evajeanie HQ, I must address this sharply!

There are far more appealing articles and delightful projects than I can't squeeze into this blog post. But I strongly hope that I have encouraged you to try out a magazine that might be considered to be focused on the more 'serious' side of sewing, don't be afraid, embrace it, it can be fun and Sewing Magazine certainly demonstrates that at it's very best!

Big Thumbs up from evajeanie!!!

Baby Bee, Baby Shower Bunting

I was asked last week to make some special Baby Shower bunting, with bees on. 'I don't do bee's' is what my brain said, 'yes of course' is what I typed. The Mummy-to-be wanted it as a decoration for her baby shower this weekend and I wasn't going to disappoint.

We agreed upon colour schemes and fabrics via text using picture messaging as it is so fast, the brief was to keep things neutral (but not too neutral), once we had some fabrics chosen we were both happy with I set to work straight away. The wording for the bunting is 'What will it Bee" with a bee flag in between each word. So this was a longer run of flags than usual, but I do like a challenge.

The bunting is all ready to be posted today, here's how it looks (you will see some of the lovely Riley Blake fabric featured that is available through my giveaway here).

Giveaway time!

It's been a couple of months since I had a giveaway on here and thought it was time to put it right!

I am opening a new etsy shop selling lovely fabricy bits and bobs, some of which will be from my own personal vintage stash these will be joined by some new pieces, all will be lovely (promise) and I'd like your help to think of a name for said shop. I have a few ideas but thought it would be nice to open it up to you lovely people.

In return, for the shop name I like best I will be giving away:

• Riley Blake - Apple of my eye fabric, perfect for a sunny project
• Chunky vintage ric-rac braid in tomato and rose
• 1 pack of bluesy buttons on a hand screen printed evajeanie card

The Giveaway:

So if you fancy a bash at winning this lovely summer stash, then enter my giveaway, here's how, there are many ways to enter.

Please include your email address in each entry below:

1. Put your thinking cap on. Come up with a fab/quirky/original name for my new shop. Come back here and leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win!


2. Follow me on Twitter @evajeanie  Tweet about this giveaway. Copy and paste the following tweet "Enter to win a lovely craft stash from @evajeanie on her blog http://evajeanie.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/giveaway-time.html"  Include the link and your email address in the comment below.


3. Follow eveajeanie on pinterest. Include your email address in the comment below. Pin the giveaway image from this blog post and mention the stash giveaway in the caption. Include the link and your email address in the comment below.


4. Share this giveaway on your blog or tumblr. Include the link and your email address in the comment below.


You need only do one of the above, but the more ways you enter the higher your chances of winning are.

Each comment counts as a separate entry. My favourite name will be the winner. Please leave your email address or some form of contact in the comments below so I can let you know if you win. This giveaway will end on Wednesday 24nd July and I will announce the winner on the Friday 26th July.

Good Luck!!!

Today is all about the Bunting

After the mad rush on personalised glasses cases for Fathers Day last week, this week is mostly going to be about catching up on the new influx of bunting orders. It must be Christening season as I have noticed a huge increase in sales over recent weeks for this handmade free-machined, appliquéd bunting.

I do sell a lot of this type of bunting throughout the year but it's mostly the designs for girls (like my cupcakes or butterfly flags), this week however all of the orders in my book are for Personalised Boys Sail Boat bunting in blues and greens, it's really lovely working in a different colour scheme for a change! As much as I love pink and green (and I really do love it) there's nothing like a change up to freshen your eyes and your mood.

This gorgeous wave print is the first print I have used from my new fabric stash arrival, it's a 100% certified organic cotton fabric called 'Seven Seas' from Michéle Brummer-Everett at 9 fabrics and I am in love with it, I also have it in red and pink (yes I know! I said I loved it).

I also made some Baby Boy Sail Boat Bunting in baby blues and creams.

 

It's been a very productive day -  a cracking start to the week! I hope yours has been too.

New phone - much excitement!

I have finally got a new phone. I have been itching to try out the new A Beautiful Mess app for some time but my old brick just wouldn't manage it, well it would but it wouldn't have been the smooth enjoyable experience I was aching for. As soon as my new phone was in my mits I made sure it was the first new app I treated myself to and all I can say is I am totally addicted, it's really easy to use and adds bags of personality to your photographs!

You can add your own text, little doddles and borders, change the colours. I have only tried it out on a few snaps and I'm so impressed, although I can see one flaw, it's going to be very addictive so be warned!!

You can follow me on instagram here


Here's some pics I've taken and jazzed up so far...


1. I spent a couple of hours yesterday tidying my studio and added on of my old Craft Fair crates to house my magazines and recent fabric stash purchase (this deserves it's own post so will expand upon this at a later date). I'm loving my new 'tidy' corner I can't work in clutter it drives me crazy.

2. Last weekend we went to Cromer, this is a picture of Eva on the old Diesel train which runs from Sheringham to Holt, it's a beautiful journey and all the old stations have been restored so are as they would have been, I'm not much into trains but even I could appreciate it. Holt was a beautiful little town with lots of little antique and individual quirky shops, although I wouldn't recommend going on a Sunday as most of it was closed!

3. This morning on my balcony my little marigolds have started to bloom, I have planted them in an old cast casserole pot that I picked up from Wicksteed Park car boot sale last Summer for 50p, I was going to use it for cooking but I think this is a much better use for it.

If you are on instagram or have used the A Beautiful Mess app, let me know what you think and leave a link below and I'll be sure to follow you!

This week (in pictures)

This week Eva has been poorly so the week has taken a different path. So here's some pics to show you what's been going on.


I love these pansies on my balcony, their little faces always make me think of my late Granny Jeanie.

Some screen printing, at my desk - risky!

This plane soaring through the azure sky, boosted my mood!

As did getting all the washing hung on the line.

 Poorly girl, the antibiotics have started to work now so she's finally on the mend.

Enjoy the sunshine, while it lasts!!

Onwards and upwards

Does anyone know why all the bad things seem to happen at once? Last week was a total nightmare and I sincerely hope this week will be better. I don't see how it could be worse.

I got myself very stressed about work and I don't think I realised how much Eva's school offer was affecting me. Incidentally she did get offered a place at our first choice but we were lucky, I know lots of Mums who were very disappointed to not get any of their three choices. It seems such an unfair system and even though we did get the school we were hoping for I can't help but pick up on other people's stress and upset. Not good.

Amongst all this I have been trying to get some new products made, photographed and uploaded as well as tackle the huge number of bunting orders. I did have to bury my head in the sand a little towards the end of last week, but after a very relaxing weekend which involved a night at the theatre to see Derren Brown (who was awesome) and a lovely picnic in the park yesterday I feel more with it and motivated today I'm pleased to say.

I did manage to get one new product uploaded, it's a Father's Day card with a Jammy Dodger on it. Available in two colour schemes, biscuit beige and sea green.

A quirky, original biscuit card, a brilliant way to tell Dad how much you love him this Fathers Day.

In other news I have finally managed to track down a copy of Homestyle Sewing magazine.

I am lucky enough to be featured on page 23. It is a lovely magazine with a great free gift of all the bits you need to make your very own needle case. Not easy to find in the shops though, I had to wait for stock and order my copy from Newstand. But was delighted when it finally did arrive!

Have a great week folks!

Red Riding Hood Glasses Cases

First of all let me start with an apology. I have had a very busy Easter and even though I had a little bit of childcare I totally underestimated how much time I would need to be making up orders. It's usually a fairly quiet time, but not so this year. I am obviously delighted to be so busy but unfortunately the blog has had to go on hold for a couple of weeks. Sorry about that, but I am back now!

I am filling up my etsy shop and the newest additions are my Little Red Riding Hood glasses cases. The case can also be personalised using a freehand machine embroidery technique. The handwritten style that this technique produces makes each case individual.

The cases are printed by hand using scarlet red acrylic printing ink. Each design is hand illustrated and then screen printed in our Northamptonshire studio.

Each glasses case is fully lined in red cotton fabric with soft batting to keep your glasses snug, there is a matching red elastic strap and a vintage button to hold your glasses in place.

Both versions are available from my shop, here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/evajeanie?page=1#save

Exciting Post!!!

I love getting post, especially when it's not just boring statements and invoices, I have had two really cool things arrive in the past couple of days.

The first was something I ordered from etsy US, it is a pattern for a dress, top and trousers. I have been thinking about making some clothes for a while but have completely bitten the Great British Sewing Bee bug and decided I need to buy myself a pattern pronto! The one I chose looks fairly simple and is made by Simplicity. I had a bash at making some clothes while I was at Uni but think I chose the wrong fabrics as I did look like a bit armchairesque in one dress I remember! So watch this space, I will definitely do a blog post when I have something the show for it! I don't want to make things too tricky but I'm thinking about screen printing the pockets....

The other exciting package was from Amazon and is a book that I have wanted for ages.

 

It is called 'I just like to make things' by Lilia Rogers. It is a beautiful spiral bound book, the tag line to the book says 'Learn the secrets to making money while staying passionate about your art and craft'. I don't want to spoil it as I will do a whole blog post on it soon, but I can see just from flicking through the pages that it's just what I need in my life right now, I hope the content is as inspiring as the artwork! I'll be sure to let you know.

One last thing I need to tell you. Tonight is the night (at midnight) when parents of preschool age children in our County can log on to a website to find out which School their child has been allocated. Now if you are not the parent of a pre-school age child, this probably means very little to you but for us Mum's and Dad's of little 4 year olds it's a bit of a curious time. On the one hand I don't want Eva to go to school as I want to keep her here at home with me forever, but as that's not an option I have to hope (along with all the parents) that we have been allocated one of our three choices. I have had nightmares that I receive a letter offering us a place at a School, but the school named is not legible. I really didn't think I was worried but I am now and will definitely be logging in at midnight if only to assist with crashing the website!

Bonnets on for Easter!

Eva's playschool requested that today she attended wearing an Easter Bonnet, preferably one that I have helped her to make. So here's what we did:


First we dug out from the bottom of the dressing up box her old straw hat...

and had fund painting some coloured pieces of card.

 Then I cut some cream felt and pink fabric for some ears, I also added a layer of pelmet vilene sandwiched in the middle to add some structure to the ears. I stitched around the pink layer with two layers of running stitch.

Eva then cut out the eggs and chicks from the painted papers and added detail (her word - from Mr Maker apparently) with a fine liner pen and I stitched some yellow strips of paper around the brim for the nest and stuck on the decorations. I stitched the ears on with the sewing machine.

Last night once we had attached the under chin elastic, she was very excited! Throwing out my favoured theory of less is more I also stuck on some decorated eggs that Eva made at playschool and some small furry chicks, after she went to bed.

However in the light of day, is this the saddest girl ever to wear an Easter Bonnet?! I am sure she'll cheer up when she finds her chocolate eggs. Happy Easter!!