G .O : Embroidered Patches

 

Getting On :

Embroidered Patches : 

With Lockdown I have restarted my Etsy and a large reason was to sell items I make as a hobby or interest. Since I have sewn for years, I have quite a bit of experience with embroidery and beading to expand on my skills. Embroidery has been a great way to expand on my design skills and take my time with work - I can't always draw on paper and can struggle to sit and get my ideas out. 

It started with just practicing some bead work, then some embroidery stitches and developed into actually making pieces that could sell, if someone is interested. 

I'm currently focused on stitching pieces to create stock, each piece will be unique and different from one another. Allowing for some stock, along a few other pieces. Once I feel comfortable with the amount, I will focus larger projects, including embroidery or embroidered pieces. Such as some pieces I want to make are 30-50cm tall and another idea is similar to the gifts I made previously - aprons with embroidered details - keeping the idea of making each unique or allowing custom work. I don't want to duplicate every item, despite the handmade aspect ensuring each will always be unique.

If you look at my work so far below I have been varied with my stitch work, designs and themes. Taking ideas from what interests me at the time, be it exploring heart designs. Embroidering my style of eyes. Using fabric paint to enhance some of my work. Or focus on composition and layout with moon pieces. It keeps my hands busy and allow me to interest myself in a single project at a time, in the hoop.

                 ________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

G .O : Embroidered Patches

G . O : Etsy during Lockdown

 

Getting On :

Etsy, keeping busy during Lockdown : 

My shop, @ ETSY. Animal Revolution. Is now open once again( Actually since Oct.2020). Re-opened from when I was back in University, I've bounced to opening it again or not. I wanted to be confident in my work and / or my career. With lockdown I can't be confident with where I stand and pour into my time into a normal days work. Hence my Esty re-opening. I can keep my hands and mind busy, while not settling to fill my home with items. I still need some stock however, and focused on unique embroidery and die-cut pieces.  My store name was picked at university due to my upcycled and recycled elements - something I continue with my new stock - die cutting paper / card to waste less and make gift tags, and re-purposing fabrics for my sewing.

I want to create a lot of variety in my work, but I do also try to play with themes - I have some plant / nature inspired gift tags, I have quite a few pieces focused on eyes with different themes, different takes on moons, and different compositions with hearts. Mostly recently I've listed some smaller pieces that were worked on together mostly in black and white, but are all very different. 

While, I work on my pieces, I want to do a lot of mini restocks - at least once a week I list new items. However, so far I have been able and comfortable listing a few pieces twice a week. I will keep this up as long as I am comfortable. This means I can build stock and mix in my latest makes, as I feel what might gain interest from a potential customer. I want to use this to showcase my work, and also be more social during lockdown. Once I am comfortable I can focus on other projects to complete. 

1. Banner picture
2. Larger embroidery pieces
3. Embroidered unique aprons
4. More varieties in gift boxes and die cut items.

@ ETSY. Animal Revolution

                 ________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

G . O : Etsy during Lockdown

G . O : Watercolours Filling in Time

  

Getting On :

Watercolours : Filling in Time Over Christmas

I brought this set from Lidl to fill out some time over Christmas and get back into watercolours. I didn't want anything fancy just to sway up my activities a bit and a bit more mindless hobby. I do paint from time to time and just needed something I didn't design. It was nice to try to colour in. I don't think the line work is all clear for the details. But I could definitely be more careful while painting. 

After all, I was trying this as practice as well as fun. I still have more linework to fill in and even more to detail on the pieces I've started. I'm so glad the paper is good quality and lets me work on different pieces and there are duplicates, so they can be given away or re-attempted. 

The robin design got my attention first and always makes me think of winter and my nana. She loves robins and would always point them out when we were kids, along any red squirrels we could find.

                 ________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

G . O : Watercolours Filling in Time

C . W : Patterns

Changing Wardrobes : 

Patterns :  The Charlie Shirt Dress & Dec 2016

Threaders The Charlie Shirt Dress & Prima Dec 2016

Dresses, my largest section in my pattern collection. These two dresses are very different in styles and presentation but I'd happily wear either style for causal or a little dressy for an evening out. Threader's - The charlie shirt dress, on the left, has different lengths and sleeve options to change the look. A more casual style in general for a day /utility dress for function, but many shirt dresses have been worn and dressed up for an evening out. Even if the trend to do so can be a little dated, colour blocking, fine/patterned fabrics and accessories alongside comfort still keep them about.
On the right, the Prima's December 2016 dress has a simple silhouette and a more dressed up feel inherently - largely from the peak-a-boo shoulder with long sleeve. Maxi dresses might be worn more causally but there's a boho style to them. This shift style goes for more a simple chic look.

The fabrics suggested for these two dresses are very different. Threader's shirt dress suggests the cotton, linen,  poplin and medium weight woven fabrics, very common for this style of dress. Pattern will create most of the variety. Buttons could be contrasting to complimentary as well. If confident with collars and necklines, a sewer could experiment with different changes and styles.
Silk crepe de china, polyester crepe, fine wool crepe are so different but perfect for the silhouette of the DEC. 2016 pattern, it will give the dress the body and flow for the dress. As these fabrics will sit relaxed on the body, allowing for the shift style dress, rather than hugging the body. I think the longer length will allow any chosen fabrics to really shine and might lend itself to a more casual look for a summer maxi to dress up. A short dress with long sleeves may be very understated depending on the fabric, but more difficult to wear everyday.

My preference my both these patterns would be the longer version. The shirt dress I'd likely do the vest style or cap sleeve. I can see myself sewing both these in a block colour first and foremost, but I'd most likely want a pattern for the shirt dress and a lovely texture to Dec. 2016. As for which I'd pick up to sew first would be depending on plans in the future or how busy I've been.  I've sewn a few maxi dresses from scratch, so I don't need more casual dresses - but I also have no where to go. The summers best weather will be passed me  soon so Dec.2016 most likely won't be sewn this year, unless Christmas has any big parties for me.

I'll have to go with the shirt dress, utility and wear-ability will likely win out, alongside the need to practice buttons and button holes. I could also make false button stands if I have too much trouble or feel like the button stand needs any reinforcement.

                 ________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

C . W : Patterns

C . W : Outfit

Changing Wardrobes : Light Blue Maxi

I've recently sewn this dress from fabric I brought at a charity shop - right before lock-down and sewn it a week and half into the stay at home order. So, while I really like how the dress came out the fabric might not have been my first choice. I also have no garden to sit and wear it, but its good and flow-y for sewing and relaxing at home.

I really do like the shade of light blue. I can think of a lot of combinations with my current wardrobe, my first choice is my light tan faux leather jacket and plenty of silver jewellery. Adding some little boots till summer hits. The flower print, is a lot more varied than the other fabrics I picked up. I could also play off of these colours a lot more too.

This was my second try at a maxi frilly trimmed dress, with this type of fabric. I was greatly inspired by With Wendy to try this. I am a lot curvier than her so I knew the relaxed fit wouldn't be the same on my body, along with my limited amount of fabric. I  knew I wanted to have more of a play when making a second dress - I did a pleated back panel, and created my own cutout back for more fit and structure up top.
The end of the ties on the back, are finished with beads. These were the best fit from what i already own, I also didn't want anything too heavy. I think next time I would go for a contrasting softer fabric for the ties. The hem is also a gentle high/low hem, meaning the back does need a thick sole or heel to not touch the floor. 

This was just dress 2, out of 6 that I've made since the lock-down. So, I'm a little tired of sewing dresses already. But I'm looking forward to finding more inspiration to get me to knuckle back down.
Stay home and stay safe. Use your stashes and do what makes you happy.

                 ________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

C . W : Outfit

G . O : Living Space

Getting On : Studio wall 

 I have a small wall where I'd be hard pressed to find a cupboard to fit my odd sized tower for my PC. So, I have decorated this with a cork board and art. Everything here I've made myself or remind me of people.The cork board its self is decorated by me, as I needed something to be practical at a previous home that added some more colour to a bedroom. I wasn't allowed to paint or redecorate the space.

Cat - Mam, and visiting york.
Sign - Emily, an old housemate.
Polaroid - Dad, its of us when i was young, visiting a zoo.*
Mini print - Nana, London trip with two of my sisters.
Embroidery - I made this, with my nana in mind, but I wasn't happy with the result to give it to her.
Carriage - Old Christmases - we've lost a few of these. I think they use to be string lights and maybe used them as toys.
Ticket - Emma, a school friend. We love going to the arcades.
Postcard, lady - Step mam - she brought this for me and wrote the sweetest message.
Larger prints - London trip with two of my sisters and nana - I got to show a few areas I'd visited with friends too.


Bow, Tags, clothes peg - I've made/decorated these for practical reasons to use but wanted more colour.

*Yes I am scared to death, I couldn't put down my hand before they put away the small snake. I tried to be brave with the little one. I wasn't ready for one that was about 4/5 times longer.

                 ________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

G . O : Living Space

C . W : Outfit

Changing Wardrobes : Skirt and lace top

My featured outfit is this skirt that  has a black lining and a ribbed fabric design to the over skirt. With a zip in the back and a wide elastic waistband. It pairs nicely as an all black outfit or with colourful top and cardigans. I wear a lot of yellow lately, especially that's rich deep toned yellow or mustard - so I would pair with this lace top.

Together, I would wear a black vest top, or longer sleeved with these two. Long sleeves in black would let the lace really stand out.  Tights or dark socks would be nice, but not necessary with the stay at home rules at the moment. I like loose clothing while staying at home for doing hobbies - sewing, baking and art. I often only have the ties on the top tied for hobbies only. Its not a flattering look for me to have these tied. As for shoes, I would wear my Disney low tops or all black slip-ons or even plimsolls. I could wear with my low boots, suede with a kitten heel.

                 ________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

C . W : Outfit

G . O : Workspace

Getting On : 

Workspace - My Desk 

Well, I have my work space more furnished for me now. I moved in January 2019, I starter with building a desk after my first few months - I didn't have a desk to move int with, until my partner. But he also got an upgrade later on too. So it took me entire day to put together this desk from B&M, only because the 'locks' for the interlocking sections are super annoying for me. But when it was done I had a clean white desk with; my oldest sewing machine (its a year older than me), my computer at an angle and my brocade style place-mat. I finally had work space for myself, my art and just general filing of things away. So the next jump was to fill my shelves, just under the desktop - too easy, and to customise my space and the white walls I was sticking with. I didn't feel like I want to hang too much or paint because this is my first place renting, with my partner of 10 years - I simply don't know how long we will stay here. So I got some art up too - If you follow my Instagram you likely found this fell down - scared the life outta me at 12/1am to not realise this happened till the next day. Luckily - I hope I don't jinx this - this hasn't fallen again, yet.

1st black shelves, then white desk

It was always the plan to save up and come back to add more storage that would fit well for both of us. Well the first addition was these tall slim DVD / CD shelving, we got from amazon. This came in about 5 boxes, but the shelving is similar to IKEA and we can adapt the shelving height. This is perfect for my partners dragons, and both of our collects of DVDs, games and books. With space to grow, as well. But we have papers and files and other collections to store.
So, the next thought was deeper shelves and cupboards but they also had to fit in either 2 spaces. By the door or by the window.


I picked out this glass fronted cupboard that was close to the depth of the wall and a deep shelving unit -both are deep enough that they will let me have folded fabric, boxes and best yet, my sewing machines stored sideways. I have two full sized and the cutest mini machine (that is a real pain to use, but it was my first and the only one I've brought myself).  When I got these units, my partner also treated themselves to a new desk - this is a kids desk pulled to full height and is no more than 2 cm shorter than mine. The pull was the shelving attached to the back and the legs have mini shelves between them - ideal for cable management or as he uses them for pencil cases, sweets and cable ties.

I still haven't decorated the glass front cupboards as the doors have to be clipped completely to do it - unlike the descriptions from IKEA.I had two guys and me putting these together and it was still difficult. So I want to display my swatches and art in the doors. But because its a right faff I am holding off until I can find a combination I won't want to change straight away.

In the end I have the shelves and cupboards pretty full already, but there's some areas for aesthetics, and only a little left as a space to grow if any. But I have also freed up space elsewhere, since I had a jumble of stuff in other areas. Now I have things collected together and loosely organised. I have been trying to go through my fabric stash, since I finished this. It's a lot quicker now since I know where my zips are, my ribbons, thread has three bins and patterns are all gathered together as usual. Decorating a these bits and pieces has also been a fun way to use up my art supplies too, as well to enjoy the space.

   ________________________________________________________

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

G . O : Workspace