Well, this Saturday was our zip and buttons Tote bag workshop run by our tutor Sharon. We had a very busy day and Sharon kindly asked if I wanted to make a tote bag too (who can decline that offer?). I soon found out that this is no ordinary Tote Bag, this is an amazing tote bag! There was a choice of 2 patterns (the one we didn't do we could take home too) and then we got straight into picking fabric, interfacing (aka 'bump'), doing darts, inserting pockets and zips, (eating lunch), making made-to-measure bag straps and sewing it all together in the most ingenious way. I didn't finish mine at the workshop as I was busy helping out people and making sure everyone was full of tea and cakes, but managed to finish it over the weekend.
I decided to go with a strap attached to front and back of the bag rather than on the side seams, I also added some top stitching in a darker teal thread (one of my favourite colours). Not only do I have a fab new bag but I've learnt how to insert a zip pocket and use the scary looking machine foot to put in buttonholes. I have to say I'm rather pleased with the results....it's fast becoming my favourite bag!
Well I've got to admit I love dresses ....and hats. I love the way that women used to wear dresses every day (think of Mad Men 1950's dresses), women just looked so glamorous back then. I was wondering whether to start a campaign to encourage women to wear more dresses and more hats! (I've also enrolled on a millinery course at Sheffield College - but more of that another day). Being slightly stick shaped I find finding a dress that fits well is a bit of a rarity. So, when I decided to re-vamp an item to promote the Trashion workshop I was definitely going to do a dress. After I found a dress with a print and colour I would wear that was a couple of sizes too big I got all excited about the possibilities of adapting it and altering it to fit properly. I decided (fairly quickly) that I was going to do a halter neck, as I've always liked them but can never get them to fit very well (big issue for those of us with small boobs). It was a bit daunting at first but I found that a couple of glasses of wine helped with the courage, and then I just started chopping into the fabric just doing things by eye, not even measuring. Fortunately I'd chosen a dress in a t-shirt type fabric so I didn't need to hem everything to stop fraying. I have to admit I'm fairly pleased with the results. The dress (and my lovely new mannequin) will be coming along to the 3 craft fairs I'm doing at the Crucible theatre to promote the Running Wtih Scissors workshops - hopefully it'll cause a stir!
