Simple Change to Sleeves

Making a simple change to this dress. Cut the sleeves to elbow length and then gather the fabric at the centre sides of each sleeve,  sew a couple of nice buttons on and now you have changed the whole look of your dress (for the better)

Transforming a Jacket

This is a photo of a waistcoat  that was a ladies jacket not so long ago! Unfortunately I forgot to photograph the jacket before the alteration began,but never mind the end result was good !
Firstly I removed the sleeves ,then the neckline was changed to a "v" style and lastly the side seams wear taken in to give the jacket shape. The owner of this waistcoat was very pleased with the result . I hope this will help to give some of you budding dressmakers a few ideas of your own, regards.

Beginners Art,Brushes

As you can see these are some of my (well worn) brushes,my favourites!


When I give my Art Classes I advise to use good brushes.


Sizes I recommend to start with are ,

1ins Flat, 1/2ins Flat, no. 1 or no.2 Round

also a "rigger"brush is great for the likes of tree branches and grass.








Cheap brushes are fine to practice with, but as you progress you will find the hair is coarse and leaves brush strokes on your painting and you will find it hard to get definition . Samples of these brushes are in the photo below.

As you see here, you can pick up sets quite cheaply and good value in your art shop.
I prefer Daler Rowney acrylic brushes but that's just my choice.

Keeping Acrylics Wet.

Stay-Wet pallets are great for this.They come similar to a plastic container with a sheet of blotting paper on the base and a sheet of greaseproof paper on top,you wet this and it keeps your paints very use able for a week or more and it means you don't waist any paint.

I hope this has been helpful to you,if you have any questions please get in touch.

Art

Yes, I also have a passion for Art.I have been painting for the past 15yrs or more.

Anyone can paint,did you ever hear that and think "no way" well it's true.

What do you think of this painting done by a lady in my Beginners class ? Did'nt she do well. Her daughter has it hanging in her house, proudly!

Why not try,get some paints, Acrylics are great as they dry quickly, good for beginners.

Oil's take a lot longer to dry but the colours are more vibrant.

You can start painting on almost anything, a piece of board, paper, canvas. You can buy some Acrylic paper from art shops which is good to start with. Some brushes and away you go, let your imagination go wild, after all no one is looking.

Let me know what you think or if you would like some more advice on painting.