Townmouse

Easy pleats

I have been playing around with something I picked up at a craft fair many years ago.  It's a pleat maker and is available here.

The website is a little clunky and the photos aren't my cup of tea, but this is a rather handy tool if you want a simple way of creating uniform pleats ready for stitching.

You put your fabric into the pleat maker and then press it with an iron.  You can then take the fabric out and go straight to the machine to stitch the pleats in place.

I've used it to make a little top (to go with the shoes of an earlier post).  By pressing the pleats in two different directions, you can create a centre front panel.  This could also be a cheaper alternative to buying a smocking pleater.

New shoes

Ever since first spying baby shoe patterns in Japanese craft books I've been eager to try making a pair.

I made these for Adelaide yesterday and she wore them today.  The pattern fits quite well and they didn't come off her feet. 

Instead of doing a button and buttonhole on the strap, I hid a snap fastener under the button.  A neat buttonhole is hard to achieve on the narrow strap, so this was a nice, neat alternative.

Teeth?

My guess is teeth are working their way through Adelaide's little gums, as we're needing a bib more often.

This latest is trimmed in the last scant scraps from this little top.

Sunday smocking

A shirt for Adelaide in the making.

I picked up this very fine check at Amitie.  It's a lovely Japanese fabric.

More cross stitch

Here's a kitchen towel that is definitely impractical.

 

The grey embroidery looks pretty against the stainless steel benches and appliances in our kitchen.  This one is just for show.

The cross stitch design is from this book.

Keeping warm

A request for a hot water bottle cover from a friend has led to a little crafting.

 

I am enjoying playing around with designs from my French cross stitch books.

 

The letter "P" is from this book.

All in one place

I have a large quantity of hand sewing needles for all different purposes.  I use straws or milliners needles for hand quilting, embroidery needles for cross stitch, small quilting needles for applique and then ordinary sewing needles for taking up a hem or stitching on a button.

 

Until now I haven't had a home for all those stray needles other than in a pincushion or stuck into the end of the ironing board.

I made the little dragonfly cross stitch into a needlecase with woollen 'pages' for the needles.

Four legged fashion

My seamstress came to help me out today, and she brought company.  Not only can she sew, but she also knits.  And look who benefits from her work.

Her cute little dachshund Pepe.  Don't the colours suit him?

Point de croix

How happy was I to come home from our holiday to a delivery from Amazon France?

 

I had ordered a selection of craft books after reading this divine blog.

So when the boys got down to the business of Lego, I made a pot of tea and enjoyed flicking through these lovely books.  I can get easily bored with cross stitch, but when the designs are this pretty it's worth the effort.

 

I think I'll make a little needlebook case from this, to keep my quilting, cross stitch, applique and other needles in order.

When I find the time

Adelaide has received some beautiful gifts from friends and family.  The great thing about being able to make children's clothes is that I can make garments to go with the gifts she has been given.

 

This little wool cardi and leggings from a Portugese brand has inspired some smocking.  Ordinarily I'd show you the finished project, but for now you'll just have to imagine a little pink smocked shirt in oxford cotton, or maybe a dress.  I'm back to being extremely time poor with more ideas than output.

If I do get around to it I will show you the finished product.