Buttons and Bobs

Delving in one of Aberkhan's big bins of Ponte Roma I came up with this rosy piece. I had wanted a patterned fabric for a Tilly and the Buttons "Coco" tunic and Tilly recommends Ponte Roma so where could I go wrong? I didn't examine the pattern there and then but imagined there would be a pattern repeat. When I asked for 2 metres the assistant said that would leave less than a metre on the piece and every item in the bins has to be over a metre long.  I decided to take the whole piece.  Rosy together with another piece of Ponte Roma and some fleece felt heavy as I raced for the bus. Ah back at home with the tiny room rearranged so that I could pull out the flaps on the sewing table, I studied Rosy.  First - what a lot of fabric sliding everywhere. I pinned it down with every weighty ornament I could find. Now the pattern confused me. The roses looked similar but it was very hard to find ones that looked exactly the same. I'll cut the long story of ...

I have bought the Crafty sewing machine from Aldi. It is the same as the  TuffSew Platinum Industrial Strength Electronic Sewing Machine and the Necchi MP200 Diary of Use: So far I have only watched the videos linked below, unpacked and threaded the machine. Overview of the machine Fancy stitches Letters, Numbers and Symbols Creating a buttonhole Overlocking stitch for stretch fabrics Threading ( Tim Wappat created this video and posted it in the Facebook group So Crafty (Aldi) Sewing Machine Tips & Advice) Advice (Picked up from friends, sewing groups and someone I met while buying fabric) Threading the needle:  As usual I was slow and awkward threading  - not all down to machines I have used as my eye sight is a problem. Here is the advice I got: Check the needle is completely down and foot up pull down the threader twist the unit so that metal goes around needle and small hook goes through the hole put thread around metal hook near ...

I love making these because  I have fun mixing my fabric remnants, they are quick to make and they are useful. I have made them before. There is one adaption - one of the ribbon bands unsnaps to that pony tail elastics can be threaded on it.

Roly is whimsical.  He is scrap buster.He is made from fleece and quilting cotton. I made Roly after seeing some similar ones on Pinterest that have lots of ribbons attached for babies to feel. I left out the ribbons because the expected recipient of Roly is nearly two. I just hope he will appeal to her. Roly is so named because rolls up to travel. 

Since I went to the Festival of Quilts I have been adding a bit of padding to everything I make. There are several zippered bags that have been enhanced with quilting  but it is time to stop.  I'm not sure about the Christmas stocking with padded toe, heel and top - I may gift it as a Christmas welly.

A risky make as it is rare for the children to keep their hands covered no matter how bitterly cold the weather gets. I was attracted, however, by pattern that is free and clearly explained on the Purl Soho website . The pattern is sized for women, size small. I printed at 75% for a child's fit. I enjoyed making the mitts but I plan to make a hand muff too so that there is a choice for cold days.

I have learned a lot from you tube and I'm grateful to those who share their advice and demonstrate via video. I do puzzle, however, why ....... some excellent presenters drown out their voices with tinny music some presenters interrupt their filming for long periods by introducing their pets to their audience. Sounding grumpy. I know the answer for me is not to watch the sewing videos that include music and dogs!