Moggerhanger Country Fair

I last went to this event, organised by St John's Hospice at Moggerhanger, two years ago.  Two years ago the weather was perfect summer weather - sunny, warm, still.  Last year was apparently torrential rain and quite miserable.  This year we got the sunshine again. 
The setting was practically perfect.  (It would have been absolutely perfect had it not been for the wasps nesxst discovered by the stall two away from me as they were setting up!)  The crowds were large, and seemed to be in a buying mood, and I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the sunshine and sewing up yet more elephants.  The elephants were so much in demand that I didn't have time to take photos of them before they sold - in fact, on one occasion the customers returned later so that I had time to sew the elephant they wanted up!
A great day. My only question is - do I risk next year or assume the good weather comes every two years?!

Pocket coin purses

I am getting better at these, and definitely faster - I think I can now create one in about 10 minutes.  These are lined, with zips.  And yes, the zips are top stitched as well!

As is often the case when using pockets, the attractiveness of the pocket is key.  Fortunately I have received some fairly "blinged up" jeans recently!

Saddle bags

Not sure where this style of bag got the name I associate with them, but that is how I term these.  This is my own design (though influenced by many bags I have encoutered).  It is relatively easy to make, and I think the pocket on the front adds a unique touch.

I have used a variety of strap lengths here.  However, I am certain that someone will want a length I have not yet created - it is always the way!

Jeans donation

I am so grateful for the generosity of those who donate jeans.  Lance Haggith approached me at Bromham show, offering more jeans.  These turned out to be jeans passed on to him by Trading Standards, having been confiscated by them as imitation designer items.  This is the latest batch, soon to be cutup and recreated.

Despite being imitation, these are very good quality, and brand new - a delight to work with.

Bag making day

On Saturday I had my second Make a bag day at Tudor Rose Patchwork in Oakley.  Very kindly they let me have the use of their workshops, and advertised and took bookings for the event.  I have been steadily cutting up pockets in anticipation, so by the time the day came I had a really good number and selection!

(This is just SOME of the pockets, after I had sorted them into size.)

There were three people who stayed throughout the day, and another six who came for part of the day.  Most made bags, but three very dedicated ladies cut out pieces for my next batch of elephants and lions.  Much appreciated!

All of the ladies sewed their socks off!  Of those making bags, all made at least one bag; some made three.  All seemed to really enjoy themselves, and we had some great conversations.Some photos from the day:

Individual finished bags with their makers:

And the final pile of 13 completed bags:

Thanks to all who came, and big thanks to Tudor Rose Patchwork for their support.  A special shout out to Sally who helped solve sewing machine malfunctions!

Keep calm..

A selection of "keep calm" slogans on postcards.

I enjoy watching people's faces as they browse my postcards.  Often I can work out which one they are looking at!

Pocket purses

This has proved another very popular line - so much so that I have virtually sold out.  So, before my imminent run of sales, it was time to restock this line as well.

I was given a loarge reel of grosgrain ribbon, which I have used for the "string" on some of these pouches.  I will be interested to see the response.
As ever, interesting (and fairly small) pockets are the key - these are a good way of using the pockets on children's jeans.  I have found it much quicker to make these witha zip top rather than with a flap fastened with a button.  This is a clear sign of my growth in confidence - I still remember (and am frequently reminded) saying to a friend that I "don't do zips".  Fortunately I have conquered that fear!

Pocket phone cases

These were an early creation, and have remained popular.  Interestingly I have had to adjust the size.  When I first made these, the most popular and best selling size was the one which fitted an iphone 3 (or 4!).  Now phones have got larger, and I needed to reflect this in my latest batch of cases.

This is a great way of using front pockets, and I think the pocket is really useful in a phone case - a space to hold your headphones!

Birthday cards

The previous line of embroidered postcards having sold out really quickly, it was time to make more.  This line is a variety of birthday cards.

I probably should have made more... these may not last for very long!  I have at least speeded up production by avoiding the tedious oversewing of the edges.

How to deconstruct jeans

I thought this might be useful to some.  This is one way in which I deconstruct jeans.
Take one pair of jeans.

 Cut up each leg seam to separate front and back legs.

 Cut the back pockets off and trim to an appropriate size.  I aim to cut to 8" square, but these pockets ended up as 9" square.  I use the pockets to make one of my varieties of pocket bag.

 I trimmed one front pocket to 6" square, though I am not sure as yet what I will use if for.  This is often a problem with front pockets - they are very attractive but often difficult to use.  In this case I loved the buttons, but had to use the seam and the waistband in order to have any chance of using them.  I may manage to turn this into a pocket purse.
 The other front pocket was easier to make use of.  I cut it to size for a mobile phone case.

I cut as much as possible of the legs into 4" strips.  For me, this is the most versatile use.  I can use these for my flower bags, for the top of a pocket backpack, for handles, or piece four different strips together and cut into 4" squares.

 The remainer of the legs was cut into 3" strips.

 The scraps - of a reasonable size - will be used for crazy patchwork, or "found fabric" as I sometimes call it.  I keep bags of scraps and, when I am feeling creative, piece them together to create new pieces of fabric.

So there you have it. One way of deconstructing jeans.