A Handmade Doorstop

Today, I am sharing a doorstop I made recently for a friend for her kitchen door.
I used some upholstery fabric, this one used for blinds which was kindly donated
to me along with other fabrics by a neighbour before they moved house.

You can find the first one I made two years ago HERE

The zip is is the base and I used cat litter (in zip-lock bags) and wadding
 to fill the inside.

The handle on the top makes it easy to move when needed.

I met my friend for lunch in London last month, the first time in
18 months. She was really pleased with it.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x

A Tie Top Cushion

Today, I am sharing a Tie Top Cushion, which
is one of the projects available to make on the online sewing course with
Claire at Beautiful Things Craft and Sewing Classes

This is the fifth project I have made since joining the

Bronze Online Course which is a lovely project that I plan to use
when I sit in the garden in the Summer.

If you would like a look at my other Bronze club makes, you will find
them on the following blog posts:-

A zipped doorstop HERE
A lay flat drawstring make-up bag HEREA sewing machine mat HERE
A quilted table placemat HERE

I have one more project to make, then I move up into
the Silver Online Course to make six more projects.
Claire's video tutorials are really easy to follow along with her written instructions.

I bought the fabric last month from Doughty's when I went with a friend to
  their roadshow in Linford, Essex. 

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x

A Scissor Keeper, Needle Case and Table Tidy

Today, I am sharing a Scissor Keeper and Needle Case I have recently made
following a free tutorial from Claire at Beautiful Things Craft and Sewing Classes.
The tutorials can find HERE and HERE on YouTube.

Claire has made the instructions really clear and easy to follow, and both items 

were made from fabric I purchased from Geoff's Remnant Shop in Brentwood

I then looked on YouTube and found a tutorial HERE to make
a table tidy. I use it to collect all the loose threads that I snip off
whilst I am sewing, which normally end up on the floor!
 I made it in matching fabric.

Larger versions would be nice to make as a bread basket on the dining table.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x

A Quilted Table Placemat

Today, I am sharing a quilted table placemat, which
is one of the projects available to make on the online sewing course with
Claire at Beautiful Things Craft and Sewing Classes

 This is the fourth project I have made since joining the

Bronze Online Sewing Course last July.
It's a good way to start learning quilting and also to practice sewing in straight lines!

The fabric is actually peach in colour but looks very pink in the photos, due to the
poor daylight we've had recently.
I have just another two projects to make to complete this level. 

I purchased all three materials
from Geoff's Remnant Shop in Brentwood.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

Lay Flat Drawstring Make Up Bags for my Great-Nieces

I've been a bit quiet on blogging my sewing projects just recently, as they have
 all been Christmas presents which I am now able to show.

When two of my great-niece's saw my drawstring make up bag that I 

made HERE, they both asked if I could make them one each sometime,
one in pink and one in lilac/purple. Apologies for the quality of the photos,
the colours of the lilac/purple one look better in real life.

They are aged 10 and 6 and this is what I made for them as part of their 

Christmas present. As soon as the presents were all opened, they began filling 

their bags with some toiletries and small make up sets they had both received!

I purchased the material from Chelmsford Market. 

A friend has also asked if I could make her one, so I have already cut the 

material and will make it for her in January and show you next month.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

Janice x

Sewing Machine Mat

Today, I am sharing another sewing project, a quilted sewing machine mat which
is one of the projects available to make on the online sewing course with 

Claire at Beautiful Things Craft and Sewing Classes

This is the third project I have made since joining the 

 Bronze Online Sewing Course in July. I have already made a zipped doorstop
which you can find HERE  and a lay flat drawstring make-up bag HERE.

I can't thank Claire enough for getting me started on this wonderful hobby.

I really enjoyed making this machine mat, especially as it involves quilting which I think

gives projects such a lovely look. It will be really handy to use, having the three pockets 

at the front to keep my sewing tools in when I am not using them.

I purchased all of the material from The Cheap Shop in Tiptree.
The largest piece of fabric I used is a design by Belleboo.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

A Lay Flat Drawstring Make Up Bag

Today, I am sharing my second sewing project, made from the online

 sewing course with Claire at Beautiful Things Craft and Sewing Classes

I joined the Bronze Online Sewing Course back in July,

with the first project, being a door stop which can be found HERE.

As a member of the club, Claire sends you written instructions, a pattern

and a full video tutorial. Having the video tutorial was so handy, as it meant I

could re-wind it at any point to watch again when needed.

Here is my completed bag...

Like my door stop, it's not 100% perfect, but I am really pleased with how

it has turned out, and will definitely be making another two, as my great niece's 

have put in their requests!

  If you're interested in learning to sew, I really recommend you joining Claire's 

online club, she is a great teacher and has some fabulous projects planned.

All the materials were purchased from Geoff's Remnant Shop, Brentwood, Essex.

The outer fabric is Rose & Hubble - Cerise & Lilac Rose on Navy.

I am looking forward to making the last project in the Bronze club, which
is going to be a sewing machine mat. 

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x

My First Sewing Project - A Doorstop

Today, I am sharing my first sewing project, made from taking an online

 sewing course with Claire at Beautiful Things Craft and Sewing Classes

Back in May, my niece and I attended a beginners sewing course
at Beautiful Things. My blog post can be found HERE

After making the three projects, I went ahead and purchased a sewing machine
from Claire, and then decided to join her Bronze Online Sewing Course, where the first
project of three to make was a Zipped bottom Doorstop which can be made
 in two different sizes.

Whilst on holiday last month in Lake Garda, I found this 90cm x 90 cm
tablecloth in a local market. Since the material was quite thick, I thought it
would be ideal for this project.
I bought two of them, just in case I made any mistakes!

As a member of the club, Claire sends you written instructions, a pattern
and a full video tutorial.

Here is the finished doorstop, which I cut out and sewed in one afternoon.
Having the video tutorial was so handy, as it meant I could re-wind it at
any point to watch again when needed.

It's not 100% perfect, as I definitely need to practice making the corners
look sharper, but for my first attempt, I'm very happy with it.

I used cat litter (in zip-lock bags) and wadding to fill the inside.

I'm looking forward to receiving the next project which is a lay flat drawstring 

makeup bag, and then the last project is a pencil case for planners and notebooks.

In the meantime, I'm sure I'll find something else to make.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Janice x