Scrap Busting the Matryoshka Way

I got gifted this doll pattern from Bee Sew Inspired and it's been on my want to make list since it came out. Initially I had a fleet of Christmas hanging decorations in mind but the smallest one is actually bigger than I thought so I might brave shrinking it more next time. They come in 3 sizes: 6", 8" and 10" - I was only going to make one but you know... they' re so addictive and satisfying I had to make them all! 

This is the perfect project for those bits of scraps I've been saving - in fact everything but the felt faces and trims came from the scrap bin. I love how they all come together into an eclectic collection that just sings of the joy of mixing prints and colours. 

We inherited a beautiful wooden Matryoshka doll set a couple of years back from our late great nan. The kids would play with them for hours and it was the most beautiful items to remember her by. I read up a little on what they represent after a friend commented they were their symbol of motherhood and it's a really cute and empowering story! Each doll represents a mother with a child in her womb, passing down their legacy through all the generations. I've now added to the dolls with my textile ones and it's been lovely looking at them in a row reminiscing about our past family, feeling grateful for my current family and looking forward to future generations to come. A really powerful visual to remind us of how empowered we are as women - experiencing the development of our babes within us, watching them grow and possibly create a family of their own all the while displaying traits and habits picked up from family!

I loved making this project! I used PVA glue on the smallest and first doll but switched to Fusible web on the other two as it was much tidier. I hand embroidered their sweet faces and machine stitched everything else down! I love how this pattern doesn't have to be felt so I used whatever I could find in my scrap pile. 

Most of my fabric came from Minerva.com and my pattern came from Bee Sew Inspired over at https://www.beesewinspired.com/product-page/matryoshka-winter-doll-ornament

A happy print, a happy make, a new buddy

Hello everyone! It's been a while hasn't it? As I was getting lost on Facebook, I remembered about my poor neglected blog. I'm going to try something new and instead of posting repetitively in lots of groups I'm going to focus my efforts on writing this post instead.

This month I've made a backpack to replace the trashed one my daughter had from last year. I recieved this gorgeous Art Gallery cotton from Minerva.com (full review on their site: https://www.minerva.com/posts/1101452) and I just knew it would make an awesome backpack. The last bag I made was years ago for my husband so I was a little nervous. I made a few mistakes, but overall I love how it came out! I might hand sew the corners next time becasue with my very stiff foam interfacing I struggled to get the seam under the walking foot, even with it hand tacked in place. 

I made this adorable Owl Doll from Bee Sew Inspired at the same time for the nights I didn't want to fight with the machine. Recently I discovered the joys of hand embroidery as a way to stay creative and active (bacause I really can't just sit!) but still be able to watch televison. We've been enjoying Scoropin on Netflix and it's really entertaining! They're taking it down soon though so we'll never get to the end of the seasons. Hopefully it'll return soon so we can finsih it!

I appliqued the Owl's face and details on. I decided to simplify it somewhat and forgoed the tufty ears and ear tufy embroidery details. I used felt for the applique details and hand embroiderd to secure them to the face. There was a lot of details in the eyes so I took the opportunity to try a range of stitches from satin stitch, blanket stitch to backstith and stem stitch. I really love how stem stitched add depth to line details and more texture. I realised that after years of sewing, mastering new stitches and embroidering increasingly more, my abiltiy to sew even straight stitches is as bad as it was from when I started. Looking at my work though, I'm okay with that! The uneveness just screams handmade but I really like how it adds a rustic element to my rag doll too. Not too shabby I think! 

I took so many photos this round, I wanted to get the details of the backpack for my Minerva fabric review but the love my kiddo was showing her owl and the mischievous joy leaking out her eyes whenever we do photos these days had me snapping merrrily along with no thought to the work I would give myself later in sorting and ediitng! The light is fading here in the UK as we rapidly enter Autumn and darker days. I find myself throwng in fake light rays again in a desperate attempt to incorporate some warmth into out green and wet light. Despite the artificial rays I really do love this time of year where photography wise I tend to go for more golden hues. 

Next on my list around custom orders is a birthday gown made of Rainbow organza and tulle. Lots of tulle. And horsebraid... Wish me luck! 

Patterns used: 

Backpack - Marigold by Violette Field Threads 

    https://violettefieldthreads.com/products/marigold-backpack 

Owl Doll - Bee Sew Inspired 

     https://www.beesewinspired.com/product-page/owl-doll-sewing-pattern 

Owl's Dress - Dress pattern included with the Katie Cat Stuffie pattern from Violette Field Threads 

    https://violettefieldthreads.com/products/katie-cat-18-doll-pattern

Down the rabbit hole again

 Hello friends!

I had such good intentions of keeping my blog regular and up to date but life is not to be. Things got busy, family got ill, life turned upside down and everything recreational was only done in stolen time. It's been a tough year and it's only 2021! 

I have thoroughly enjoyed pattern testing still but have had to really reign in my addiction by not signing up to everything. My favourite companies to sew for this year have had to be:

Sofiona Designs - They have such a fun range of patterns perfectly suited to the girls who aren't always about ruffles and frills anymore. They have have plenty of pretty clothes but as my littlest began to shoot upwards but not outwards, this company has been a God send for wearable basics with that little bit extra! In the process I've enjoyed delving into their Junior Misses range too and now can admit I am much more trend setting mama rather than the failing to get dressed properly mama! Junior sizing goes from 0 to 20!

Bonfire Hoodie and Rocky Shore Tights 

Balsam Bag 

Cloudberry 

Tundra top and Balsam Bag

Railway Joggers 

Rocky Shore Tights

Violette Field Threads - Have really been pumping out hit after hit in the Misses size range. I've been adding to my wardrobe at a happy speed, filling it with flouncy t-shirts, romantic skirts and pretty summer dresses!

Peyton Top

Delaney Dress

Eleanor Collar

Twig+Tale: Their release is slow but I've had a lot of fun playing the slow turnaround game. I made rain hats, sun hats, flower hats, in fact it feels like all the hats from them and sewed up a lovely set of Fable dresses for me and the girls! 

  

Peony Patterns: Every now and one just has to return to the vintage and flounce, and I joined the Peony Patterns testing group with a lot of excitement for their beautiful designs! They're expanding their team this yeast and we've had so much fun sewing up their stunning debut designs! 

Iris Embroidery File and Petunia Purse (VFT)

Jasmine 

Lily

Hyacinth

Bee Sew Inspired: As life got more hectic I stepped away a little from testing with it's fast turnaround time and my attention was drawn to a new little Canadian group called Bee Sew Inspired. They have absolutely an adorable range of rag dolls and I am also about to embark on my first quilt project!

 

So life has been busy, life has been frustrating and hard, change is happening soon and this is the last stretch but in that period creating has brought me through reminding me that there is so much more than just pain and suffering going on as we continue to try to provide care for my end of life mum.

Until next time!

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