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

Craft Fair

Sorry for not posting sooner but I have been so busy making my Embossed Velvet scarves and bags for some Craft Fairs I'm exhibiting in.

Last weekend, 6th & 7th November in Killester,north Dublin, was a great craft fair.Organised and advertised really well with the result lots of people turned up .

My scarves and bags were very popular with buyers and got lots of orders also.

I seem to be sewing every day and keeping up with my my alteration and repair business is tough at the moment but I must not complain as life is good at the moment.

My Tote bags or Shopping bags as we call them in Ireland are quite popular here also.

Love to here some feed back from you about my work as this helps me immensely.

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!

The Blues Treasury by Darerca on Etsy

Check out this lovely Treasury by Dareaca on Etsy.Included is my Velvet handbag amongst all "The Blues"

SOLD

Beautiful Killarney

Hi all back at last from my holiday in Killarney,hope you like the photos

Photos of how people lived in these small cottages,these are all in the same room

A replica of village life

A place called "Ladies View"on MacGillicuddy Reeks

Muckross House,really beautiful ,and Ross Castle
and lakes

Looking down over Killarney from the mountains

Will definitely go back again