Saturday 28 June 2014

Love At First Stitch, One Make a Month: June, the Megan Dress

Hey guys! 

Today I'm sharing with you my first contribution to the Love at First Stitch 'One Make a Month' sewing competition, hosted by Janet of the amazing Kitchen Table Sewing blog. Yes, you've guessed it, it's the Megan Dress! I fell in love with this pattern the minute I laid eyes on it and knew it had to be the first garment I made from Tilly's book. 

I traced the smallest size after consulting the finished garment measurements, and stitched it up over a couple of days. I'm so happy with how this dress turned out! 


The sizing is excellent, it's one of the only patterns I've ever used where I didn't have to take in the side seams to remove excess material around my bust. The fabric, which is from Fabric Rehab, I'm also really pleased with, and I've even made a matching bag! 

I wore this dress yesterday to my sixth form leaver's party and had such a good time. So many people complimented me on my dress and a couple of people even said they were impressed when they found out I'd made it, initially assuming it was shop bought! I know some sewers who hate their handmade items to be compared to ready to wear, but for me I take pleasure in the fact something I've made is, in the eyes of people around me, just as well constructed as something in a shop. 


I even wore it with my first ever pair of proper heels!

Are you taking part in the One Make a Month competition? And if so, what have you made so far? 

Beth x

Friday 27 June 2014

In the Shop...

Hey guys! 

Today I thought I'd share with you a little more of what's in my new Etsy shop, for anyone who's wondering. 

Currently in stock I've made up some headscarves, which can be seen here: 



They also look great as neckscarves or as bows to tie your hair back. 

I've also made some elasticated headbands with pretty picot-edged elastic: 



These are a favourite of mine as they instantly neaten up my flyaway hair! 

Finally, there's also a shoulder bag in stock: 


This was made from a pattern I (rather excitingly!) drafted myself, made in a lightweight polycotton so it's not too heavy to carry around. 

As the shop gets up and running, make sure you keep an eye out for new additions in stock coming soon, including mittens, bow belts, purses and a variety of other bags! The shop can be found here: www.etsy.com/shop/elizabethstitches

Happy sewing (or shopping!), 

Beth x

Saturday 21 June 2014

Introducing....*drumroll please*...my new Etsy shop!

Hi everyone, and wow, guess what?! I opened my very own Etsy shop! 


It is called Elizabeth Stitches (yes, my full name is Elizabeth!) and it can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/elizabethstitches. 

Full credit goes to my lovely boyfriend David Sutton for creating the logo, and a big thanks to all my friends for helping me think of a name for the shop!

I am soooo excited about this new stitching development; it seemed like the natural next step for me. I've got three months to spare, not much to do, and a passion for sewing fuelling my drive to create. The shop is currently only stocking headscarves, headbands and bags, but keep an eye out because belts, mittens and purses should also all soon be making an appearance. I will ship to anywhere in the world, and the fabric I use is ethically sourced from a shop at my local market, Poppy's Fabric. 

So, if you feel like something handmade but haven't got the time or developed the skills to make your own (yet!) head on over to my Etsy shop and see if anything there takes your fancy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/elizabethstitches. 

Thank you for your support! 

Beth x

Monday 16 June 2014

Freedom!!

Wow, I've finally finished sixth form! Two years ago when I first started, university seemed like a long way off, down a path filled with exam related obstacles and, as exciting as it all seemed, it never felt like something that would ever really happen. But, of course, time did that funny thing of slipping away from me, and before I knew it I was filling out application forms, student finance letters and accommodation requests. 

As excited as I am to be heading out on a new journey and making the life altering decisions that seem to be accompanying taking a degree in Welsh History, I am of course sad to be leaving this stage of my life behind me. I've loved sixth form, and although towards the end exams seemed to be dragging and I got anxious to leave, I can now reflect on the nicer memories I hold of these two years, safe in the knowledge that A levels are finally over. 

During my time at sixth form, I feel I have really grown and developed my sense of self. In high school, I never really fitted in anywhere and spent a lot of my time drifting between several friendship groups, none of which I was really a true part of. This never bothered me, but when I got to sixth form I felt like I became a lot more accepted, whilst still being able to retain a measure of my natural social awkwardness (a method of self defence against some of the aspects of life I despise about my age group, alcohol consumption being just one - I'm completely teetotal, which many of my peers find just plain confusing). Of course, I also found a creative outlet in sewing, where I could express myself through how I dress, which helped a lot in gaining more self confidence. 

Sorry for rambling, if you've stayed this long there is some sewing coming up, promise! I just feel like I should document this journey here, as leaving sixth form is something I am only ever going to experience once, and I don't want to forget everything I gained from my time there. 

Now. Deep breath. And it's over. Goodbye sixth form, hello EVERYTHING! Living on my own for the very first time will sure be scary, but the possibilities it brings are endless and very exciting - cooking my own meals, beginning my own little online crafting shop, and finally gaining some independence. But, before then, a whole three months summer holiday stretch out blissfully before me. What will I do? I hear you ask. Sew, of course! 

Here are just a few of the many things on my To-Sew list for this summer: 


My sixth form leavers party dress, which will be Tilly's Megan Dress sewn up in navy polka dots and paired with black wedges. Mmm. This one is already on my sewing table, it just needs some sleeve additions and a hem! 


A Cambie Dress from the gorgeous dragonfly fabric I got at Guthrie and Ghani, and a Colette Sencha made in the gorgeous blue drapey cotton you cam see on the left. I aim to finish this soon so I can wear it on holiday in France! The cool, light fabric should be just what I need in the hot weather. 


Another dungaree dress (pattern sourced from The Great British Sewing Bee: Sew Your Own Wardrobe), as this is currently one of my absolute favourite self stitched garments, seeing three wears in the past week! 


The Snowball Dress from Waffle Patterns. I saw this version as an entry into the Dressed to the Nines category of Sewing Indie Month and think it is absolutely gorgeous. For me, this is a dress I would wear on a day to day basis as dresses are my ultimate wardrobe staple, no matter how fancy (floor length excluded! I am too short). 

There are others, but I could go on all day and this is already a long post! Three months...mmm. A trip to the market tomorrow should see me with enough fabric to last a couple of the projects seen above. 

What are your summer sewing projects please? (and congratulations if you've reached the end of this ridiculously long post - apols!) 

Beth x

Saturday 14 June 2014

Tour de France Skirt! and other makes

Hi guys! 

Today I am proud to introduce my latest make - 


Can you see the print? Neon bikes! I'm going to watch the Tour de France this year, both in Yorkshire and France, and this is the perfect me made outfit to wear.  The t shirt I'm wearing in the picture was designed by my dad, which has photographs of all British cyclists on it! Do you watch the Tour de France? Who are you supporting? 

I have a couple of other makes to share with you too. Both of these bags were presents for other people: 


This is a peacock feather print bag that I made for my Psychology teacher - I gave it to her earlier this week and she loved it! I've never given anything I've made to anyone outside my family and close friends before, so I'm so glad she liked it. 


This was for my friend Emily, who asked me to make her a bag when she saw my hedgehog bag and loved the design. I am so in love with these polka dots I'm going to make myself one! I lined it with red cotton so the inside is just as fab as the outside. As with my teacher's, this bag was just as appreciated by the recipient. 

In other news, I only have one more exam to go! Yay! And a lot of people have been telling me I should branch out from just sewing for myself and start selling my creations, so watch out for a new bag pattern that I'm drafting myself. 

What have you been making recently? 

Beth x

Friday 6 June 2014

Busy, Busy Bee

Wow, so much is happening round here at the moment. I had my first A level Psychology exam on Tuesday (eep!), with the second one approaching next Wednesday. My sixth form leavers party is coming up on the 27th and I haven't ordered my dress fabric yet... I'm supposed to be sewing bags as thank you presents for teachers, and on top of all of that, I have to squeeze in some final revision before the rest of my exams! 

Gosh, will I be glad when June is over and done with. Whenever I've sat down at my machine to do some sewing this past couple of weeks, I've just dabbled around, felt guilty and got up again to do some revision, but the crafter inside me is BURSTING to get making! 

However, I do have one project to share with you today, whipped up between studying Child and Criminal Psychology (yuck). It's a new bag! 


This is a present for my grandma, ready for her to take with her on her summer holiday. I love how bright and nautical the fabric is! I used Simplicity 2685 (again! That's four now) so this didn't take long at all to make - just over an hour, including cutting out. I know of some sewers who get bored sewing up the same pattern time and time again, but that's never been an issue for me. I actually have another bag like this already cut out waiting to be stitched as a present for my Psychology teacher. She's always been there for me with encouragement (and chocolate!) whenever this year has got too much, so a handmade gift was the least I could give her to show my gratitude for everything she's done this year. 

So, that just about brings you all up to date. Just to let you know, things might be a bit quiet around here for a couple of weeks whilst I finish up with A levels, but keep checking in and normal service should be resumed by June 17th :) 

Have a good month guys! I'll see you soon,

Beth x