28 May, 2023

The Donny Shirt

 

I just finished sewing myself the Donny shirt and wow, I love the style of this shirt!

Firstly, it's a super size inclusive pattern, I did extend the length of the pattern though as it's designed to sit on your hips & I wear my shirts longer.  

The pattern was super easy to follow, there is a well written pattern, a tutorial and also a Youtube sewalong clip (from the designer) as well. 

I actually 'cheated' and had this pattern printed out on A0 paper as I wanted to see if it would be easier than printing & taping it together. My home printer often doesn't work so I was keen to try it this way and yes, it was way easier! I ordered it online and honestly, the time delay didn't matter as it gave me a deadline to clear the table, find the fabric etc.

I'm definitely going to be making myself more of these as it is super comfy to wear, I love how it doesn't have buttons!

If you want to follow my sewing journey with this top then you can see it here on my Youtube channel. You'll have to tell me what you think of the fabric that I used. I upcycled an old vintage bed sheet as I'm trying to use what I have rather than buy & store & therefore 'hoard fabric'.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to take any more photos of the shirt yet as it's super cold here at the moment, too cold to be outside in a thin blouse!

I'd love it if you popped over to my YouTube channel & subscribed to it & even liked some of my videos. Every like, every follower, every comment is like a great big hug! 

If you need more Crafty Inspo, then check out my shoppable lists here....

I utilise affiliate (aff) links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Rie

07 May, 2023

The Cardigan Drama

 

Not wanting to sound dramatic with the headline but gosh, sewing this cardigan really was an adventure!

From not having the right fabric to trying to calculate how much I need to stuff sticking to the iron not to mention that everything fell out of the cupboard when I went to get the ironing board out. The dog was supervising me from outside, barking at me in frustation cos it was raining. The overlocker decided to eat the fabric and I had a heck of a time getting it out again. 

..but it was all worth it, I absolutely love my cardigan. Does it look ok?

I'm wanting to make another one but I can't decide on the colour, it'll probably come down to what fabric is available as I want to use the same quilted jersey fabric like I did with this one.

Anyways, enough of me writing about my drama, if you want to see how I magically made this cardi then check out the Youtube clip here: https://youtu.be/vfBCfnKszA4

I'd love it if you popped over to my YouTube channel & subscribed to it & even liked some of my videos. Every like, every follower, every comment is like a great big hug! 

If you need more Crafty Inspo, then check out my shoppable lists here....

I utilise affiliate (aff) links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Rie

13 April, 2023

Quilted Journal Covers

 

I recently made a big batch of quilted journal covers in preparation for upcoming birthdays for the year. They're super easy to make, absolutely gorgeous and honestly, I just want to keep them all for myself.

I filmed myself making them so you can be inspired and sew some yourself.
See it here: https://youtu.be/7ZX6V5uEtwU   It's my first time doing free motion quilting, so you'll have to tell me how I did, does the scribbly quilted bits look ok?

I'm thinking of making some more using selvedge edge strips as the fabric and some scrappy fabric ones too. 

Do you think they'll make nice gifts? If you (or your child) were to receive one as a gift, would you be happy with it?

I'd love it if you popped over to my YouTube channel & subscribed to it & even liked some of my videos. Every like, every follower, every comment is like a great big hug! 

If you need more Crafty Inspo, then check out my shoppable lists here....

I utilise affiliate (aff) links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Rie

20 March, 2023

What are the best knitting needles?

 

The best knitting needles are ones that you use over & over & over again. They are the needles that glide easily with any project with any yarn. Bonus points if those needles are have interchangeable swivel cables & cables ends to make life easier, so you switch from the back to the front, sleeves etc with your project and not have to worry about dropping stitches or losing needles.

I absolutely recommend these KnitPro knitting needles, not only are they are incredibly beautiful, I love the style, the feel and how they all come together in the set. 

The knitting needles set that I'm using is The Gratitude set that is from the Mindful collection by KnitPro. They are an all inclusive set, knitting needles in a large range of sizes, with all the cables & accessories that you need.

The knitting needles are smooth gliding needles that are easily attached to the cables. The cables have a swivel action, so they won't tangle, bend or crimp in your knitting. If the cables aren't long enough then there are cable connectors included so make the cables longer. The matching accessories included in the cute case are cable ends, darning needles, cable keys (for attaching the cable to the knitting needle) and a large variety & styles of stitch markers.

This handy knitting set is the perfect gift for yourself or the new or seasoned knitter in your family. 

Check them out here for more information!

This has been a collaborative blog post, all images, thoughts & comments are my own.

08 March, 2023

The 25yr project

Have you ever had a box that you moved from here to there & back again for years & years? Well, I got sick of moving one and decided to make the unfinished project so I could clear up some space. I mean, this box has moved house with me 4 times, so I think it's time to get rid of it.

I bought a bunch of woollen blanket remnants at a sale many years ago and had a great plan to cut them up and make a patchwork blanket but I after cutting it all up, I was at a loss as to how to stitch them all back together again, so it got boxed up and forgotten.

25+ years on, I have an overlocker/serger, so guess what? No excuses to not finish this blanket! It was actually pretty easy to make, I even sewed up all the scraps together and made a smaller lap sized blanket for the car. I filmed the process, if you're interested then you can view it here: https://youtu.be/1Qcz7-HSFa8

Unfortunately, it's not my only long term project, I can think of at least 3 more ... so I guess there is no rush to finish them but it would be nice to clear up some space!

How are all your projects going? Do you have long, long, long term projects or do you like to finish each project that you start?

I'd love it if you popped over to my YouTube channel & subscribed to it & even liked some of my videos. Every like, every follower, every comment is like a great big hug! 

If you need more Crafty Inspo, then check out my shoppable lists here....

I utilise affiliate (aff) links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Rie