Another Saturday, another fair

Another Dotty Sparkle vintage and craft market... this time at Thorpe Hall school's 'summer' fete.

Around 40 stallholders gathered in the most glamorous marque - think I'd like one of these permanently erected in my garden as 'the party tent'.  As usual, met some lovely people, ate too much flap jack, drunk    tea from pretty vintage china and had a very boozy glass of Pimms. Oh, and yep, managed to sell quite a bit of stuff too - well Dr Green did as he's much better at the selling bit than me (I get embarrassed).

Here's a photo of Mimi and our stall. And, here's another photo of our purchase - Vintage Dolly Cut Outs - from a fellow stallholder (at £2.50 they are a bargain!).

Right, going to take a break for a bit now. Any sewing will be purely for my own benefit. I have my sewing room to decorate and some good friends' birthdays coming up. Also am working on a patchwork 'nautical' themed picnic blanket to take down to Devon. Cannot wait!

Olympic Torch comes to L-o-S

It was a rotten wet, wet, wet day in L-o-s but that didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits as we cheered on the Olympic torch from our al fesco table at Affinity. Complete with BBQ,  'caberet' singer and much flag waving, it was the perfect way to mark this memorable occasion. Brought a little tear to my eye.

Not sure what my boy thought of it all. But glad he was there so that we could share it together. 

More Village Green

Here's a photo of our stall at the hugely successful Village Green. Still can't believe how well we did that day. Thank you to all my lovely friends who popped by to say hello, bought goodies and provided a much needed glass of wine or two. 

I've also posted a photo of the cushion of the moment. Just LOVE this fabric.

Va Va Village Green

Had a ball at the Village Green on Saturday. The sun came out and the foot flow was huge! Shared a stall with our good mate Kevin who sells housey things made out of car parts and metal objects. We were lucky enough to get a great spot in the vintage area opposite the yummy Bird Wood cafe and the ever-so-popular tea dance floor. "That don't impress me much..." good job we like a bit of Shania! Delighted to sell most of my stock!!!! In particular the cushions went down a storm. Right, onwards and upwards.. we have Thorpe Hall fair this coming Saturday so better get that sewing machine warmed up.

Coolio 'London' cushions

Had a rather enjoyable trip to London last weekend to pick up some super duper fabrics at Fabrics Galore in Clapham. So many lovely fabrics in store I went into a bit of a panic. However, managed to pull myself together to buy some of this gawjus London fabric. Trimmed with a bit of piping, I think these extra large cushions are a bit special. Will be adding these to my stock for the Village Green next weekend! Lovely jubbly.

'LOLOS' Dress A Girl Around the World

A big shout out to the the ladies of Leigh on sea (LOLOS)!!! I do love an acronym..we could even be LILOS - ladies in Leigh on sea but that may have other connotations.

Anyhow, didn't we have a lovely day today making little frocks for Dress a Girl Around the World. This must be THE perfect way to spend a wet/windy/chilly/grey day in Leigh on sea. And much cake eating, tea drinking and chatting was done too. Even Mr Grey got a mention... and I concur, Colin Firth is much too 'nice' to play that role.

A big thank you to the dress makers - Claire B, Claire L, Lorraine, Sarah, Nicola, Kirsty and Vicky - for getting involved. Spread the word ladies.

How to make a pillowcase dress

Hello, I've written some (hopefully) simple instructions for making the Dress a Girl Around the World pillowcase dress. Thanks very much everyone for getting involved and hope you enjoy doing a bit of sewing. I would love to see photos of any extra dresses you make.

Here goes:

1. Cut along the top of the pillowcase (where it is sewn together). This will be the top of the dress.
2. Measure the J-shaped armholes using the template (see link to website for templates below). Draw around template and cut armhole shape.
3. Cut dress to length (see chart below), allowing an extra 2 cms for hem. Iron over 1 cm hem, then another 1 cm hem to tuck in raw edges. Sew this hem in place.
4. Make casing at the top of the dress: Turn cut edge at top under 1 cm and iron. Now turn over another 3 cm and iron. Sew close to the edge.
5. Cut 2 pieces of elastic (see chart for length). Attach a safety pin to one end of elastic and thread through casing. Pin both ends of elastic in place and sew across each end of elastic and casing (do this a few times to secure it).
6. Cut bias-binding to length x 2 (see attached for length). Needs to be long enough for armholes and ties on the shoulders.
7. Fold bias binding in half lengthways - iron. Pin the bias-binding to both armhole edges, centring it lengthwise so there are equal amounts on each end for shoulder ties.
8. Sew the tape around armholes, starting at the end of the binding. Tuck in raw edges at the ends of the tape.
9. Tie your ties and dress is finished!

Chart for sizes (in cms)

Size (age)      Finished length         Folded width      Bias-binding length       Elastic length

Baby                     36-40                         40                           76                                 15

1-2                        44-48                         43                           89                                 15

3-4                        51-56                         45                           91                                 18

5-6                        59-64                         50                           91                                 18

7-8                        67-72                         55                           91                                 18

9-10                      74-77                         58                           91-100                          20

11                          79-84                         58                          101                                20

12-14                     87-89                        58                           101                               20

see 'sewdelightful.blogspot.co.uk' for more information and photos.

Happy sewing.

xx

Click here for templates for armholes