So the final week is here, and after this I’ll be looking forward to a bit of sewing for myself for a change! Over on the Project Run and Play competition, the final week is always entitled ‘Signature Style’ which gives makers free rein, and is I suppose, a cue to make things you (and the small clients) will love.
The theme for this week’s challenge over on Project Run & Play is ‘Inspire by Nature’ which really appealed to me. But I then found it very hard to pin down to just one idea as there is just so much to be inspired by! I settled on those trips to the beach, not necessarily the summery ones with ice creams and swimming costumes, but the long autumnal walks, where beach combing and staring out to sea seems to restore the soul. I was determined to keep the design inspiration non literal and just be inspired by the shapes, textures and colours of the sea itself (which remain a focus), but then a fabric design print idea popped into my head (and sketchbook) and wouldn’t leave!
So… this season I’m taking part in Project Run and Play, alongside 5 other makers, many of whose work I’ve admired or been inspired by via their blogs or IG accounts for many years. Hopefully it will prove to be a great celebration of hand crafted children’s wear. Each week, competitor’s (because there is a competition element) respond to a different theme. This week’s theme is ‘Kid Designed’. Continue reading
I was quite overwhelmed by the response to my request for volunteers to test The Collage Sweater pattern – there are so many talented and enthusiastic sewists out there around the world. I picked a couple from each size and loved seeing all the different versions being made up by a brilliant group. A big thank you to all the volunteers and testers for helping me get the pattern ready! Continue reading
My first proper pattern….eeek!
It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a while now, and finally after some serious effort I’ve managed to get it finished and ready to share.
The pattern is available to buy as a download on my newly set up Etsy shop.
But first here’s some more about it…. Continue reading
After calling a gifting truce with most of my family (who luckily all feel the same about an overly consumerist Christmas) I was left with just a few enjoyable gifts to make for my daughters, nephew and nieces. Just as well, as November and December often end up being two of the busiest months of the year workwise and I ended up leaving gift making right to the last minute again (yes, I was still stitching on Christmas Eve).
My youngest had her heart set on an underwater birthday party so she could ‘dress up like a shark and scare the parents’. With ambitions like that I found it hard to refuse. We discussed a full shark costume, but decided it might be a little impractical/hot/uncomfortable for playing party games/doing crafts so settled on a shark hoodie with some other mix and match sea-themed items. Continue reading
I really enjoyed the 3-piece set I made last month as part of The Refashioner’s challenge, but I wasn’t necessarily going to have another go. Then fate intervened in the form of a suit in a charity shop on sale for £2.50… Continue reading
Both daughters were in desperate need of new winter coats – and not just the pretty woollen kind. They need warm, waterproof coats that could be worn all through the British winter. Continue reading
Made by Toya 