Reversible bag take 2 - Tula Pink - Frog prince / Dew drop

I made the long strap longer so it is easier to use as a shoulder bag, while still being perfect as a hand bag. I redesigned the shape so that it is slightly wider on the bottom, and makes the most of a fat Quarter using the whole width and height of the fabric. It used two fat Quarter to make this bag and I have already taken it on its first outing. Fabric available at www.staystitching.com

Cute little bag - Tula Pink Storm Clouds Nightshade

Last Saturday I was getting ready to go out for Thai food with friends to celebrate Rachel's Birthday and realised I needed a little bag to take with me. It just felt wrong to take a bought one when I was wearing a home sewn top. I had been playing with this idea for a reversible bag during the previous week and decided to quickly make one up, I used two fat quarters of Tula Pink - Storm Clouds, and whipped one up in no time.

It is a perfect little bag and has come everywhere with me since, I think I will make the long handle a little longer next time.. when I say next time I mean now, I am just about to set to work making one from Tula Pink, Frog prince & Dew drop fabric.

Pride & Joy

Having heard whispers of excitement from friends and neighbours about a new local business I finally made time to pay it a visit yesterday. Located in the Old Bakery in nearby village, Sherbourne St. John. Pride & Joy is a wonderful collection of locally produced art, restored furniture, gifts and every other beautiful thing you could possibly want to adorn your home with. 

The building itself is filled with period features & old bakery equipments which have been lovingly uncovered by Sharron & her team. Features that had previously been hidden beneath layers of unsympathetic modernisation.

I spent about 2 hours looking at their amazing local wares, chatting with Sharron and finding out about the exciting workshops they hold.

If you live in the area you must visit, it is a lovely, friendly, welcoming place with lots of character. I will go and take some pictures of the building soon to show you just how special it is.

Exciting times...

Yesterday was a great day indeed, not only was it my mummy's birthday, meaning getting to spend some time with her, Nick and my Grandma, I visited an inspirational new local business (more of that later) and also arrived home from work to find a box of fabric, three more bolts to add to my Staystitching shop.

Posie from the flea market fancy collection by Denyse Schmidt, David walkers wonderful flock of birds from his get together collection and the fabric of my dreams, Tula Pink's incredible Frog prince from her prince charming collection. All these fabrics are now available to buy in my shop :) and there's lots more Tula to come.

Follow staystitching on facebook for updates on fabric arrivals.

Nani Iro & Simplicity 6022

Whilst visiting my mum on Friday I got a preview of a dress she is making, Simplicity 6022. I love the simple Japanese feel of the pattern so rushed out to buy one for myself. I decided to use my Nani Iro peaceful cooing in grey and set to work making this tunic. It was really quick and simple to sew (4 hours in total) and the double gauze was very easy to work with.

I would thoroughly recommend this pattern, the shoulder pleats are a great feature and the fit is perfect. I made some alterations, leaving out the elastic on the back and sleeves and shortening the length, but I think it would look great with the elastic too.

You can currently find Nani Iro peaceful cooing in blue at Staystitching.com

Staystitching.com

I have been a bit absent from blogging recently due to an exciting new venture.. Staystitching 

Having found it really difficult to find cute designer fabrics in the UK, which are good for dress making as well as quilting. I thought, why not start my own webshop and import some, so that's just what I did. I managed to find suppliers of Japanese fabric and fabric from America and have purchased 40 bolts to see how it goes. Obviously my blog followers get discounts so please ask if you want any of my fabrics and I can set you up a discount code.

I currently stock different weights of cotton & cotton/linen blend fabric as well as Amy Butler Voile and Sateen.

I really hope to be able to stock some designer oilcloth and corduroy soon as it is so hard to find these in the UK. Please feel free to link to my shop on your site, I would love it and any comments will be gladly received, it is an ongoing project of development which I hope will improve with time.
 
I have still found time for a bit of sewing for myself, here is what I made.

Heather Ross - Owl & Pussycat purse

Tula Pink - Prince charming oilcloth

Don't forget to visit my shop www.staystitching.com