...at the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Vintage Day Out on Sunday 14th July? The sun shone, the music and dancing on the green was fabulous, (I was right by the door so had a ring side seat), there were three sets of classic cars to stroll around and admire, oodles of vintage and plant stalls to browse and food and drink to consume. Everyone was so appreciative of my efforts, stopped to admire my work and chat and I made some sales, which is always a bonus. A big shout out to Sharon & Brett from Manningtree Vintage Vibes, a clothing shop, who were opposite me and made the day more enjoyable and to the staff and volunteers of the Charity who made the day such a success!

Counting down the days now to the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Vintage Day Out at Cressing Temple Barns on Sunday 14th July and I've been practicing my stall set up in the dining room! Even if it's completely different on the day it gives me a good view of what I have available and whether I need to make a couple more bits in the last few days left to me. Suffice to say - there's plenty to choose from! There's still time to get your discounted tickets from www.helenrollason.org.uk/shop/events/a-vintage-day-out-2024/ ​or just turn up on the day! I look forward to seeing you. AND my prices will be cheaper in person on most items too!

This little wicker bag came to me through the post unnecessarily squashed flat in a cardboard box. The flap wouldn't close properly , there was a gaping open space each side and the base was misshapen. I was livid! The seller didn't seem that bothered and offered a refund, but I could see its potential and decided to keep it. With a bit of research and a steam iron later I was able to restore it to an acceptable shape. The wicker fastening at the front wasn't secure so I glued and sewed the top piece into a heart shape and attached an elastic instead. I've since added a magnetic fastener as well to make it more secure.
​The handles were frayed beyond redemption where they joined the bag and I knew I would have to replace them when I bought it. I removed them carefully and to begin with I thought I was going to use some lovely red leather handles as a complete contrast. They looked good pinned on but sewing them through the wicker was going to be problematic,  so I had to have a rethink...
I picked up the old handles and had a brainwave! I managed with bit of trial and error (ok a lot of trial and error), two clothes pegs and a lot of glue to fashion them into some circular handles which I have fastened to the flap with some rings. I'm now quite a dab hand with  a couple of pairs of pliers to prise rings open and closed! 
Now to the lining. I had just enough of this pretty vintage Laura Ashley fabric and with a thin layer of wadding and a cute elasticated pocket it finishes it off to perfection even if I say so myself!

I’ve just finished the biggest bag I’ve ever made! It was a commission and the brief was for an extra large tote to rival the big IKEA bags with a double handle! I made it as big as the piece of this wonderful Emma Bridgewater “Dresser” fabric would allow and it ended up 27” across the top, 20” tall with a base of 19”x8”, so it’s humongous! Logistically it was a challenge to manipulate on the sewing machine but I relished the challenge and it came out well! I put the usual pockets inside and also the usual wadding and interfacing, but being so big it doesn’t support itself. It does have a reinforced base to give a bit of structure for loading it up, tho’. The client is a real lover of textiles and will enjoy the fact that I’ve left the selvedge showing down the side of the bag to show the designer’s name and I’ve included it on the inner pocket too just for fun!

​Remember that rather sad looking vintage natural fibre bag without a lining? She’s looking much happier and pretty enough for an outing now! She has a new elastic fastening, a double cotton lining with soft wadding in between and two useful pockets, one elasticated, one zipped, with a beaded zip-pull. And a pretty vintage rose appliqué to finish her off!

In my quest to live more sustainably I want to extend this to my creative activities. As you know, I use foot power on my old treadle machine rather than electricity and I already use small pieces of fabric from others’ larger projects, but to take things a stage further, rather than making completely new items, I’m now looking to revamp vintage natural fibre bags, that are in good condition, but just need a bit of tender loving care to make them purposeful once again. What do you think? Come back soon to see what happens to this one! ​

My lovely French teacher is in his eighties. During the course of our lessons he often asks what we've been doing la semaine dernière (last week) and my stock answer is J'ai fait du coudre (I've been sewing!)
He purports to be a typical man but is very up to date with current thinking. However, due to his masculine world view, he has said that he is unable to buy his wife gifts as he never knows what to get. You know what's coming don't you? 😀
Yes, he had a brainwave and asked me to make her a bag for her birthday in October! Mind you he wouldn't discuss details-he said 'you're feminine, so you know what she'll like!!'
​So that's my latest project. I've chosen to use a William Morris fabric, as everyone loves those designs, so fingers crossed he'll earn some gold stars in October. I'll post a pic when it's complete.

And here it is finished at last. I’ll let you know how it is received! 🤗
Update: It was very well received, but I will change the strap and beads to black on request as this was felt to be more appropriate to coordinate with the wearers wardrobe. I’m more than happy to oblige to satisfy the customer and ensure the bag will be used!

I'm using another of Diana's fabrics! Come back later to see what it becomes.

Now SOLD
I couldn't wait to get started with my new Diana Tregaskes fabrics, so here is my first make. I'm calling it Grande Rosa as it's a couple of cms bigger than my standard Rosa, so as not to waste any of that beautiful poppy design!
It measures approx 46 x 30 x 10 cms, has leather handles, interior zipped and elasticated pockets in a practical cotton ticking lining with a zip top closure.