A Passion for Fabric

Lush fabrics from Grace & Favour

Anyone who has been following my blog over the last couple of years will realise that I have a passion for textiles in all its form. Well it appears that this is genetic and my daughter Lynsey has aquired the gene. In one of her searches for beautiful fabrics she discovered an amazing company called Grace and Favour (http://www.grace-favour.co.uk/) and embarked on her first dressmaking adventure. Although she needed a little help I am proud to say that the outcome was amazingly successful for a first attempt as this cute cotton top she made for Martha shows.

Just chilling

Flushed with success she went on to use the same pattern again but this time for a full length dress.

Gorgeous pocket details

Of course she finished off both outfits with matching hair clips and hairbands but she does run a bespoke service for this called Handmade by Martha so why not take a look? (https://www.facebook.com/handmadebymartha2)

The scraps of fabric and spare trim were too good too waste so I managed to make four pretty lavender bags for Lucas' (Martha's big brother) nursery teachers for their end of year presents.

All four slightly different and personal

Having fallen in love with Lynsey's choice of fabrics I was ready to embark on another project myself - this time a top to put away for her birthday party in September. Sewing machine at the ready I set off.





Lots of gathers

Close up of some of the trims

The four different fabics, combined with the ric-rac braids and lace trim, resulted in a gorgeous little top that she has tried on to check it fit but is hanging in her wardrobe for her special party (after all she hardly needs yet another outfit!)

Complete with matching corsage

Martha trying on her new top

Ready and Waiting

Summer Sewing Projects

Since I last posted on my blog way back in May I have had a wonderful family holiday in France and on returning home I felt full of enthusiasm to take on the challenge of making some more outfits to add to my granddaughter Martha's summer wardrobe. I saw this cute pattern in a local haberdashery and immediately purchased some fabric to get started so that it was ready for the warm weather I hoped we would be blessed with here in the North East of England.

I chose the bottom colourway as they also had  really good plain turquoise and burgundy fabrics to use as a coordinates.

I got straight down to work, modifying the pattern as usual, and it went together like a dream.

The next step was to add some finishing touches like coordinating buttons and embroidery and it was ready to wear.

Luckily we had lots of warm days for Martha to wear her suntop and shorts.

For slightly cooler days I found a couple of balls of burgundy cotton yarn in my daughters crochet bag and so I've knit her a matching cardigan.