With a little help from my friends...

As I have said before, I never really knew where Charlie Sews Stuff was going, I just knew I wanted to blog and I wanted to sew, so far so good...

Although being so busy of late I have struggled to stay up to date, so it is time to call on my friends!

The best thing so far for me has definitely got to be the little sewing club I seem to have developed, having hosted my second sewing session on Thursday last week, it continued to be as much fun, and it was nice to be joined by two new members with more interested, but that's for a whole other post...

Two friends who have been especially supportive of my efforts are Amy and Charlotte, and had it not been at Charlotte's suggestion, I don't think these sessions would have happened!

Needless to say, these two are hooked on sewing, and I am so glad that I have been able to pass my love on to them, I thought it would be nice to share some of their work with you...

(some ideas may have been borrowed form the internet, I do apologise for any credit not given) 

So, Amy has a gorgeous little girl and fortunately has lots of ideas to make for her... 

She also has friends with little ones, and made this consequently as a gift... Well I must say I am proud!

Charlotte on the other hand does not have a little child, but does have a cat! What better way to treat him with this great little fishing rod filled with catnip!

What a brilliant idea!! Charlotte is also an teacher like myself and all teachers seem to have an inbuilt love of stationary... I myself included! So when she come up with these cute pencil toppers I did squeal with excitement somewhat!

And yes, for sure I will be stealing this idea at some point!

During this post I had to go back to where it first began, the first sewing session at the end of last year and the fab decorations they made... and Amy's own new design of a little stocking, which after posting on my groups wall I had requests to copy! I do really need to employ that girl!

You can check out my Facebook group here... Charlie Sews Stuff on Facebook

Apologies for mixed photo quality, some are mobile uploads... 

Please feel free to leave a comment I would love to know what you think?

Happy Birthday Mum!

So, my Mum's birthday was coming up, and despite not having done this since I was quite a bit younger... Actually probably only about 5 years... I decided to make her a card!

Embracing my new found love of embroidery, I saw it as a great opportunity to practise, I would like to think I am getting quite good at it!

I didn't plan for this design at all, just kid of went with the flow, but I am pleased with how it turned out, now I need to concentrate on getting a tidier back...

Whilst it did look fab in the hoop, it had to go on a card, so I mounted it on a piece of card before attaching it to a small square card.

I'm very happy with the final result, what do you think?

Oh, and Happy Birthday Mum... it's today (I couldn't possibly post it beforehand and spoil the surprise!)

Fashion of the future...

I am rubbish for being crafty of late, for which I apologise.... But I do have more school shaped stuff...

When teaching Smart Fabrics to my students, I always like to start with this little video from 1930's, I used this for my interview at my new school. I ask them how realistic it is and their answers always surprise me... The 'swish' always goes down well though!

This has got to be one of my favourite lessons and it always makes me smile so I thought I would share it with you...

Bunting for Fairtrade...

A quick blog post for today, more school like things...

I decided I would do a brief extension project with one of my year 8 classes before they moved onto their next technology subject. I love teaching fair trade issues within school, especially knowing how much it can help others.

Last year as a school, we took part in The Fairtrade Foundation's attempt at creating the worlds longest piece of fairtrade bunting...

The Fairtrade Foundation's Bunting World Record

...It always feels great to be a part of something like this, and I know the kids feel the same way.

Inevitably however I ended up with a few left over bunting triangles, only one thing for it, get out the fabric paints, do a bit of research and teaching and create our own fairtrade bunting, which is now proudly displayed in the school library!

How to make a birthday badge for a special little person...

So here it is, my first tutorial, inspired by my beautiful little niece's 4th birthday party... 

Please excuse the poor photography, my camera isn't the best just like my photography skills!

Materials needed: 

3 pieces of felt in 2/3 different colours

Thread to match

Embroidery thread to contrast

Pins

Needle

Fabric Scissors

Badge clasp

Stuffing (not pictured)

Paper and pencil to make templates

Time: approximately 2-3 hours

Create paper templates to draw around, I tend to draw my own, but if you aren't a confident drawer you could always print the numbers from a word processing programme or the internet, the same goes for the flower shape, although yours doesn't necessarily have to be a flower. 

You will need to cut 2 of the back piece. 

1. Once you have cut all of your shapes out, you can start stitching, using a standard thread (or embroidery if you prefer) attach you number to the first circle of felt with a light whip stitch, (going from side to side) trying to keep all stitches the same size.

2. Repeat stage 1, attaching your circle of felt to the back panel, again using the same stitch. 

3. On the untouched panel that will be at the back of the brooch, stitch your brooch clasp on securely. 

4. You are now ready to sew your 2 panels together. Making sure the number and the clasp are both facing outwards, use a blanket stitch to fasten both pieces together. 

5. Before you finish sewing all the way around, leave a space to insert a small amount of stuffing into the badge, not too much though, just enough to give it a little character!

'the end'

Now you are ready to give your little person a badge to wear on their special day! 

Have fun making this one folks, I know I did! :D

Just remember though, watch out for any pattern stealing bunnies that might be watching!

Please free to leave a comment, I'd love to know what you think! 

Make do and Mend...

Maybe it's my old age, but I am finding I am more eager to darn holes in socks and tights more than ever before, perhaps it's the need to practise what I preach at school, what with the emphasis on sustainability. Also tights are expensive so it makes sense to save a few pennies, and making and mending does seem to be the fashion of late...

So imagine my excitement when I opened up these on Christmas day, at first I thought they were plasters with like shoes and t-shirts on, then I thought maybe they were plasters shaped like particular items of clothing, having been the recipient of plasters of a similar ilk previously. But no, they are in fact, plasters for clothes, what an awesome idea?!

Even better, they are bird themed, very cool, now the real question is, to use them as plasters for my clothes, or to use them as decoration???

Cross Stitching for the first time in years...

So the really rubbish thing about having flu over Christmas, you are stuck to the sofa and miss out on catching up with family and friends, especially those who are only in town for a few days.

Good things however, getting those mock papers marked, watching lots of films you're never able to make time for and doing a little crafting...

Whilst at the Clothes Show this year I got the chance to re-aquaint myself with cross stitch at the Mollie Makes stand, where I made this cute little button badge, something I used to really enjoy but haven't had chance to do since I was about 11...

I bought the issue of Mollie Makes from the stand... well, it's Mollie Makes isn't it, has to be done, but also it had a cute little cross-stitch project that came with it for FREE!

My little Royal Guard, affectionately known as 'little man'

I was planning on photographing the progress thoughout, but in my flu induced state I forgot, so here he is all finished, and I FINALLY mastered the french knot at last - HURRAH!
(It has only taken me 11 years and actually now I am ashamed as its really quite easy, thank you you tube!)

 So once he was finished, all there was left to do was stick him in the cute felt frame that was supplied! I think he will live in my classroom as of Monday!

However as my next project I think I might get a large sheet of aida and cross stitch a few in really funky colours to go somewhere in the house, yet another project for what seems to be a never ending list!

Also, I'm sure you've guessed by now as a result of the photos, I'm on Instagram, so please, if you find me, follow me!