From Fabric to Apron

This was a piece of fabric I bought  last November, "Skulls and Roses" I call it. And I love it!  Every time I looked at it I kept wondering just what to make so as you can see it's now a lovely apron. Trimmed in red cotton with pocket and frill around the bottom. I guess you certainly would be noticed cooking in the kitchen with this apron!!!!!!!!

Take a look at it on my facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/valeries.crafts

Vintage dress restyled

This lovely simple  vintage dress bought in Dublin. A request,from a lady for her second marriage, to change this dress befitting for a bride. The fabric was so beautiful ,delicate,light and simple.
As you can see the neckline was typically vintage, as was the sleeve style.

Adding a satin waistband with a decorative embellishment fitted to the front changed the style greatly,but something was missing!!!!!!!!!!! Yes an underskirt to fill the skirt,now it was complete.

Can't wait to see this lovely lady all dressed up on her wedding day.
It was a pleasure restyling her dress.

My Market Stand

Yes,this is me at the first of my Christmas Craft Fairs this season. In Killester, north Dublin,a really great fair. Lots of lovely people and crafters. Sold out most of my baby blankets and velvet scarves. I'm now busy sewing more crafts for the coming craft fairs this weekend.

Back at last

At last I can log into my blog again and reply to comments also,thanks to "Patricias fabric art"and her advice!Take a look at her blog,it's really good.
Once again the markets are in full swing,ie, Castletown House in Celbridge Co.Kildare,also Buttons and Bows in Crumlin,Dublin, which are both on this weekend Sunday 21st.August.
I love this time of year,in regards to crafts,it's the beginning of thinking of the "holiday" or "Christmas" season as we know it in Ireland. What fabrics are we going to use or trying out new ideas to make an impacted.Yes,everyone wants to be different in their own way! That's what makes it great !
Regards

Sewing tips

Just a couple more sewing tips I thought might be of some use to you.

I have had a number of people asking me to explain the measurements on the "inch" tape, so I hope this will help.

Another tip is for when your buying fabric or a dress,etc. scrunch it in your hands and if it falls back and holds its shape,great! but if it holds the wrinkles,by all means buy it if you like ,but just remember it might need a lot of ironing!

Busy Sewing Week !

Yes another busy week for Alterations in my workshop. As it's coming into the Christmas season and people are buying some new clothes for parties,etc. I have been really kept going doing alterations. Shortening hems on dresses ,skirts and trousers also jacket sleeves are never the right length.

I also decided to make some lovely pin cushions from remnants of velvet I had left over from making my velvet scarves.

As you can see I embossed them in the "rose" design and they are so handy when working.

I sold some at a craft fair last week in Dublin along with my scarves and bags.

My next fair is 5th December and I'm really looking forward to it. I love meeting new crafters and making new friends .

This time I must remember to take some photos and post them on my blog,so till then ,bye

Your Workspace

Making life easier in your workspace, is easier said than done! But everything gets out of control at some stage and when this happens, (which happens a lot) start by tidying up!!!!
Next put the work that needs to be done first in some kind of order. Now your getting somewhere.
Because I do Alterations and Repairs this is my main agenda, first come first served is my motto!

I have one rail for incoming orders and another (which I have done) for outing, ready to collect.
I find my threads get in a mess so sorting them out is a great help to me, finding the colours at a glance is a treat!

Best of all is keeping all your spare pieces of fabric in one place,and getting "rid"of stuff you really "Do not need".

As regards my crafts I to do my orders first, which usually means Velvet Scarves and Bags,Totes etc. and the part I love best is trying new patterns for my crafts, which gets me back to my workspace being a mess!!!!!!!!!!!

Simple restyling

I bought this dress at a sale only last week. It was a full length dress ,and I loved the pattern on the fabric.

The neckline was quite low so I added some knitted lace (to complimented the material) and I
then shortened the length by 10ins.

Simple and easy restyling and what a transformation! A dress that no one else has.
It is lovely worn with black knee high boots.

Hope this gives you some idea's on how simple it is to transform a dress,and all just for €12,including the cost of the dress!

Tips on Restyling Clothes

Before you decide to “get rid” of some of your older clothes why not try restyling them. It’s not as difficult as you think, start with some easy changes.
For example.
A blouse, cardigan, jacket or coat, get some nice new buttons and take the trouble to sew them on, I know you probably heard it before but believe me it works.

What about adding lace down the front of your blouse or cardigan,or around the neck if you prefer.
A good idea is to keep an eye out in department stores and check out the latest trims on clothes, even have a note pad with you for reference later.
This season the latest trends are lots of “Sparkles” or “Lace” trim which you can buy in a haberdashery but remember to measure the length of trim you will need.

Also if you’r handy with a sewing machine and your dress or blouse has long sleeves why not cut them shorter, I like my sleeves just to the elbow.

Treat yourself to a brooch and pin it on the shoulder of your dress or coat, you can buy some nice one’s at the local market or even charity shop.
Next time I hope to show some photos of changes I have made to clothes, it’s amazing what a difference it can make and make’s you feel good too!

Restyling Clothes

What a busy week it's been in my workshop,where I do alterations and repairs.
My business is called "Nips and Tucks".It does not matter what size or shape you are most people have to get their clothes altered,ie-shorten or lengthen hems on skirts,trousers,sleeves.And of course altering the width of clothes also,never a dull moment.

What most people forget is "Restyle of Old Favourites"
It can change your garment so much,change an evening dress by having the hem shortened,great for Debs dresses and already you have a different style.
Adding sleeves or taking them out in blouses and tops or have you thought of cutting the legs shorter in an old pair of jeans.

Thats a small part of my alteration business,if you need to ask anything just get in touch.
Bye for now