Oilcloth Doorstop & My Sparkler!

Our bedroom door wont stay open on its own so I made this quick and easy doorstop with some oilcloth that I have leftover from bag making.   I was originally going to make one with a zip but as the bottom and top are circular, and as its oilcloth, I took the easy option and just stitched it up after filling it with rice.   Only took about 20 minutes and does the trick nicely!

As some of you will know I got engaged a few weeks back. We went out and got my ring and its now back from being resized.  My adorable mother-in-law to be lives down in England  so I said Id post a piccie on my blog so she could see it.  Im not a jewellery wearer so I wanted something quite plain yet elegant.  It was the first one I tried on and I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it.  x

Ladies Purse/Wallet

I had a bit of Michael Miller Flower Shower fabric left over from bag I made for my sister so I thought Id make a purse/wallet with it.  It has 6 credit card holders, internal zip and 2 pockets.   I stupidly put heavy weight interfacing on most of the parts which meant that it was a total b*gger to try and put right sides out and made me ruin my topstitching depsite using a leather needle (I will know the next time!) but I think it worked OK overall and I still love this fabric!  I also got to use my rivet machine again too which made it really easier to insert the popper closures.  Am lovin' that machine!!  xxx

Little Baby Owl

For the first time ever I have actually made something without using a pattern!!   Yay for me.  Decided having a go at making a little baby owlet.   I think I used the wrong fabric (too fluffy) so he does look a bit like the runt of the litter!  I also sewed a little baby squeaker into his wing (awwww!)  I think despite the overly fluffy thing, he is quite cute.  x

Its beginning to look alot (well, a little bit) like Christmas.....

.....but only because the snow made it impossible for me to get into work today which meant I could get started on my Christmas sewing.  (Obviously I was gutted at the idea of not going to work and spending the day with my beloved sewing machine!) 

I bought quite a few big fleecy blankets from Asda a few weeks ago as I figured they might come in handy for making gift bags so today I made some Santa sacks.  I appliqued a felt reindeer on one of them and a santa suit on the other one.    I have to say the Santa one turned out around double the size I was intending so Im going to keep that one for myself and tell my OH he has to fill it for me!!

(Dont know what happened in the photo below as they appear to be pink rather than red.)

I added some red sparkly ribbon to the tops to gather them.  I think they will look quite cute under my tree!

Also made some little Xmas deccies and gift tags as well.  Nothing spectacular but as Im posting I thought I might as well take a piccie (albeit not a very good one!)   

Currently making lots of crafting goodies and more Xmas presents but havent finished them yet so will post again in a few weeks.  Hope you are all well.  xxx

Frosty the Snowman was a jolly happy soul.....

Been trying to get some more Xmas gifts done this week and have made this snowman for my grandparents for Christmas.  It was them that bought me my sewing machine as a gift earlier this year so I figure they will love it if I give them something handmade.

   I wasnt sure how to make his face but figured as its a snowman it doesnt matter if its a bit messy so I just used embroidery thread for the eyes and mouth and made a little stuffed felt cone for the nose. 

Oh, and he isnt just any old snowman, he is a teapot cosy!!!

My All Puffed Up Bunny Rabbit

Here is my latest Handmade Christmas Gift.    I wanted to make him look really fat and cuddly so I put some extra stuffing into his belly and made him using fleece rather than felt so that he feels really soft.

Ive now given him a carrot and a big orange bow just to add a bit more colour.

   Isnt he adorable!!     I want to keep him!!!  xxx

My First Handmade Christmas Gift.....this is Lawrence!!

Its my first Christmas since I started sewing so I decided that Im doing a Handmade Christmas this year.  Here is my first finished gift..

My partners lovely Mum really likes cats so I decided to make her an "all puffed up" cat for her Xmas.  Ive named him Lawrence.

 Isnt he cute!!!  

   

Another pleated bag!!

Finally got round to making a bag for my sister today with my Michael Miller Flower Shower fabric (which I love!) Its got a few little bits that Im not overly happy with as I struggled topstitching because the fabric I used for the top band was so thick (only snapped one needle!!) Overall its not too bad though. Hope she likes it. - PootleFlump. x

My first attempt with Oilcloth....

Id heard that it could be quite difficult to sew with and whoever said so was right!! I lined it with oilcloth too which I think made it even harder for myself!

Im quite pleased with end result (have still to top stitch) but reckon the next one will be much easier as I just ordered a teflon foot. I used masking tape under my normal foot (thanks for the tip Kandi) which did make it much easier but I still struggled a bit. Have to say I love the Radley style dogs.

-PootleFlump. xxx

Pleated Lined Bag

My bag obsession continues. I made this one today and I love it! My sister wanted one like this so I thought I would try it out first before I use my beloved Michael Miller fabric just incase I made any major mistakes. Ive never done pleats before so was a bit unsure at first but I got the hang of it after a few attempts. I still have to top stitch it as I ran out of thread but overall am really pleased that I managed it.

Its got a few pockets inside too as you can see. I made some piping to use with it too but decided against it as the fabric is quite "busy" anyway. Here is the brilliant tutorial I used to make it. I love the fabric in the tutorial as well but its not available in the UK unfortunately.

Well that was my Crafty Sunday project. Now Im off to make book bags with my new oilcloth!!

- PootleFlump xxx

My name is PootleFlump and I'm a fabriholic....

Its official. I am obsessed with buying fabric!! Bought all these little gems over last few days and cant wait to start making stuff with them.

This is one of my favourites. Michael Miller Flower Shower from Gaga Fabrics. Got some co-ordinating lining too. I love it!

This is Rocket Rascals, again from Gaga fabrics. I plan on making some zippered pouches and pencil cases and pincushions with it. I think its soooo cute!!

Got these 3 from a local fabric shop for making (yet another) bag! I think they are really pretty together.

This is oilcloth. I love Radley stuff so really like this. Been wanting to use oilcloth for ages so will be giving it a go soon (although Ive been told I should really have a Teflon sewing foot (which I dont) so not sure how it will turn out!!)

These are just some little charms I got for putting on the zippered pouches Im going to make.

Must stop buying and start sewing!! Happy days! - Pootle Flump xx

p.s Forgot to remind everyone its Crafty Sunday so pop over to Me and Ma's blog to see what everyone has been up to. I posted my Crafty Sunday stuff (my bag) a day too early! x

Another bag....

I previously posted photos of some Japanese silk that I bought a few weeks ago and I have finally got round to doing something with it!!! I made a summer bag for taking with me for my holidays in a few weeks (hopefully going somewhere hot.) I love the fabric but have to say it was a nightmare to work with as it kept fraying despite me zig zag stiching it. There are a few bits that could be better but overall am quite please with it. (I need to go and hoover up all my mess now!!) - Pootle Flump xx

Crafty Sunday #3 - Comfort is the way forward.....

Rustled up a pair of pyjama bottoms this morning with my new stripey jersey fabric. They are not in the least bit flattering I know, but are now possibly the most comfortable thing I own! I plan on wearing them all afternoon! x

Craft Sunday #2 - Fabric

I did most of my sewing yesterday and have already posted piccies, so dont have any Crafty Sunday items to post. Went out today and got loads of fabric so thought Id post pictures of that instead! My favourite is the japanese silk in the top photo. Not sure what Im going to make yet but thinking about a purse or a bag. Got deep orange lining to go with it - I love it!! The other stuff Im going to use to make pyjamas (stripey stuff), a casual summer bag (patchwork stuff) and some scented hearts with the pink gingham.

-Pootle Flump x

Childrens/Mini Messenger Bag revisited.....

Finally got time to put the boyband logo on my mini messenger bag so its now finished! I think my niece is going to love it! Still hunting around for some pin badges to put on the handle but havent found any yet....x

Edit: Above is my darling beautiful niece, Amy, modelling it on our way to see JLS in concert. xxx

Childrens/Mini Messenger Bag

Havent been sewing for a few months as started a new job recently but decided that I need to get back into it as I really enjoy it so I made a mini messenger bag this morning for my 7 year old niece Amy. (Tutorial here - I reduced the sizes a bit so it was the right size for her.) Its quite plain just now but I still think its mega cute!! Put a couple of pockets on the inside and a magnetic closure so she doesnt lose anything! Im going to add a JLS boyband logo on the front (as requested by her) and maybe put some pin badges round the handle. Let me know what you think! Ill post another piccie once its completely finished.

-Pootle Flump

x

Make Up Bag

Had loads of fabric swatches lying around so I cut them all into small squares, stitched together randomly and made a make up bag. Its quite big so I can fit all my junk in it!!

Sewing Bag

Needed a really big bag to take all my sewing stuff back and forward to my classes so made this per the Hooked on Needles tutorial (although without pockets or all the fancy stuff!!) The material looks a bit garish in the pictures but its not a bright as it looks (although it is colourful!). The background colour is dark brown and the shiny lining is a really dark burnt orange. I really like it!!

Toilet Bag

Made this toilet bag from some new fabric I bought. Used a cheap shower curtain as lining (thanks to tips from the girls at MSE!)

Tutorial for toilet bag here.

Hat for Grandad

It was my grandads 80th birthday the other day so instead of buying him something I made him a hat with a big 'G' for grandad on the front. Im told he hasnt stopped wearing it since he got it! Here he is with my niece and nephew modelling it!