A New Book Arrives Today

Hello Everyone, how are you all?  Well it has been a long, long week but I have made it to Friday.  So glad to see you, hope you will stay for a coffee and a chat?  It does seem a lifetime away from last Friday when I had such sad news.  I have been thinking of my lovely friend all week and she will be forever in my thoughts.

 

Life is a funny old thing.  Although the sadness does not leave you, the ordinary humdrum beat of life carries on regardless and I guess this is what keeps us all going.  I have really struggled to sew, knit or crochet this week although I have tons to do but have felt very flat and tired. I think you have to go with what your body is telling you sometimes and have some time to yourself.  Have you had this feeling yourself.  I would really love to hear from you Readers.

 

There was a bright light during the week however as I got a brand new sewing book.  This is an event which I always love, pulling off the cardboard in excitement and trying to sneak a brief preview as I made my way up to the classroom.

 

You might remember a few posts ago when I had a really busy day making up a couple of gorgeous bags using the kits I had bought from Hamble and Jemima called Abbygale Sews.  This is such a super book which is written for newcomers like me and experienced sewers as I know many of you are out there lovely Readers.

 

 

Emma Curtis and Elizabeth Parnell are two friends from Devon who, whilst they were pregnant, decided to try and make all their Christmas presents themselves.  They made jams, chutneys, biscuits and sock monsters.  They also started making lovely bags which were particularly popular so they started a market stall to continue with their venture.  However, finding it difficult to meet the demands of the growing popularity they hit on the idea of making up kits so that everyone could have a go at making the bags themselves.  They both have a passion for making handcrafted items and wanted to make sure that anyone could have a go at making something beautiful.  This is where I came in.  I loved making up the two kits I had bought from them and was also able to make another bag from my own fabric. 

 

 

 

 

There were lots of things in this lovely book which I liked.  There were plenty of the usual makes such as shoppers, aprons, a girl's dress, bunting and table runners.  There were also other, more unusual things such as a fantastic huggy doll which can be personalised.  I love this and really want to have a go at it, would make a wonderful birthday gift for someone.  Added to all of these were a doorstop, beanbag and sewing machine cover plus others. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second reason I particularly like this little book is that the patterns at the back are all full size, so no faffing around with the photocopier or trying to measure patterns up and down.  I will be able to trace the patterns onto cardboard and use them again and again.  At this stage of my sewing journey I am just keen to get started on the sewing rather than the technical side of pattern cutting.  I hope that as I progress I will be able to be more creative with my own patterns but until then...........good, old-fashioned diagrams just suit me fine!

 

 

 

 

 

Well Everyone just a short post tonight as I wanted to share my new book with you all, can't wait to get started.  I am working on my other things which I can't show you yet as they are gifts and I don't want to spoil the surprises for the lovely people I am making them for.  I love this book and really feel that there are lots of possible Christmas gifts in here which are quite within my capability.  Have a look on Amazon for yourself and see what  you think.  It would be lovely to hear from you. 

 

Tomorrow I am off to a pork pie making day (don't laugh) at Acton Scott Victorian Farm in Shropshire.  I am going with my eldest Son and although I have been a vegetarian for over 40 years I have always cooked meat for the family.  I will let you know how I get on and am really looking forward to a day doing something completely new with my gorgeous Son.

 

I am so glad that you dropped by and I hope you are able to leave a comment if you wish, love to hear what you think.  Hopefully I shall see you all tomorrow or Sunday, depending on how tired I am when I get home.  Nigh night for now.  Lots of love, Dorothy :-)xxxxxxx