2 March 2012
New video Tutorial on how to hem trousers
Taking up your own trousers is a great way to get a personalised fit. Doing it yourself will save you over a tenner a pop too, as that's what most drycleaners will charge you!!
1 March 2012
Video Tutorial- How to make a girl's dress from a pillowcase
My little video tutorial on making girl's dresses from a pillowcase.
Perfect way to use up odd pillowcases, and their are charities that send these simple dresses to africa and other third world countries too!
Perfect way to use up odd pillowcases, and their are charities that send these simple dresses to africa and other third world countries too!
29 February 2012
4 January 2012
RENEW-my second aspirational word for 2012
RENEW-
This word allows me to accept the things i didn't achieve in 2011 and renew my commitment to them.
Last year i chose the word CREATE as one of my words, and sadly this is an area that slipped by.
I am Renewing my commitment to getting more personal creativity into my life.
I am Renewing my commitment to seeing more of my friends
In 2012 RENEW for me is a personal commitment to renewing my wardrobe. I don't plan to do this with a big shopping spree however. I lost a lot of weight in 2011, and much of my wardrobe is now way too big for me. I have many great pieces that I love, and replacing them would be not only expensive, but very wasteful as the clothes are all still good.
I am a "Thrifty" Stitcher after all, so for the first 3 months of 2012 I will not be buying any new clothes except underwear and jeans. I plan to alter all the pieces in my wardrobe that I love, and re-fashion the pieces that are not alterable. I shall blog about this journey here.
This word allows me to accept the things i didn't achieve in 2011 and renew my commitment to them.
Last year i chose the word CREATE as one of my words, and sadly this is an area that slipped by.
I am Renewing my commitment to getting more personal creativity into my life.
I am Renewing my commitment to seeing more of my friends
 |
| My Best friend who i've not seen in months! |
3 January 2012
Explore- my first new year aspiration
Aspirational words for 2012
Explore
In the last few years I seem to have become UK bound. Although I've taken a couple of beach holidays, I haven't had a travelling adventure for way too long. Deep within me is a well of wanderlust, and in 2012 I hope to feed that desire, hopefully with a trip to oz and new Zealand at the end of the year. I want to get back out there in the uk too, as there is so much to see and do in this wonderful island, and I need to escape the city of London a little more!
Explore is for me not just about far flung adventures. I live in one of the most amazing cities in the world -London. Frankly I take everything that's available to do and see in the city for granted. I know a few areas really well, but there are so many parts of the city I just haven't been to! My mission this year is to fall back in love with London, to get out there and enjoy what's available in this incredible metropolis.
"Explore" isn't however just about Traveling, it's about taking time out to explore new things too. As we get older it's easy to stick to what we know, and not try out new things. As a stitcher my passion has always been making clothes, I've really never been interested in the decorative side of sewing, this year I plan to learn some quilting and embroidery. I doubt it will become my passion, but it will definately give me a challenge! There are other pastimes I've never taken up too. Whilst I am a pretty good cook, I only make savoury meals, never baking. I'd like to explore some baking skills. Who knows I may yet become an all round domestic diva!
Every day- I plan to take a different way on route to wherever I'm heading, and not take the familiar path
Every week- Visit somewhere in London I've never been before
Every month- try something new that I've never done before.
Explore
In the last few years I seem to have become UK bound. Although I've taken a couple of beach holidays, I haven't had a travelling adventure for way too long. Deep within me is a well of wanderlust, and in 2012 I hope to feed that desire, hopefully with a trip to oz and new Zealand at the end of the year. I want to get back out there in the uk too, as there is so much to see and do in this wonderful island, and I need to escape the city of London a little more!
Explore is for me not just about far flung adventures. I live in one of the most amazing cities in the world -London. Frankly I take everything that's available to do and see in the city for granted. I know a few areas really well, but there are so many parts of the city I just haven't been to! My mission this year is to fall back in love with London, to get out there and enjoy what's available in this incredible metropolis.
"Explore" isn't however just about Traveling, it's about taking time out to explore new things too. As we get older it's easy to stick to what we know, and not try out new things. As a stitcher my passion has always been making clothes, I've really never been interested in the decorative side of sewing, this year I plan to learn some quilting and embroidery. I doubt it will become my passion, but it will definately give me a challenge! There are other pastimes I've never taken up too. Whilst I am a pretty good cook, I only make savoury meals, never baking. I'd like to explore some baking skills. Who knows I may yet become an all round domestic diva!
Every day- I plan to take a different way on route to wherever I'm heading, and not take the familiar path
Every week- Visit somewhere in London I've never been before
Every month- try something new that I've never done before.
23 December 2011
Merry Christmas from The Thrifty Stitcher
Season's greetings from Claire-Louise Aka the Thrifty Stitcher
7 December 2011
Patterns-do you make your own or buy commercial ones?
Feeling thoughtful about patterns this month. As a bespoke pattern cutter, I make one off patterns based on a unique set of measurements that fit one individual. However commercial patterns are designed to fit universally and are multi sized, but do require some skills to adjust.
Making your own patterns is time consuming and very mathematical. Once commercial pattern adjustments are learnt, it opens up a wealth of available patterns which vary seasonally and have been road tested by the manufacturer.
Then there's the tracing versus cutting debate! I like to cut out a tissue template, but many more fashionable patterns like burdastyle come as traceable patterns, with multiple patterns laid on top of one another. Personally, just looking at the multi pattern sheets in the burda style mag, makes me feel queasy, but I will be making myself do this over the next month in the name of research!
So are you a cutter or tracer? A pattern maker or consumer of commercially bought patterns?
I'd love to hear your thoughts?
Happy Stitching!
Making your own patterns is time consuming and very mathematical. Once commercial pattern adjustments are learnt, it opens up a wealth of available patterns which vary seasonally and have been road tested by the manufacturer.
Then there's the tracing versus cutting debate! I like to cut out a tissue template, but many more fashionable patterns like burdastyle come as traceable patterns, with multiple patterns laid on top of one another. Personally, just looking at the multi pattern sheets in the burda style mag, makes me feel queasy, but I will be making myself do this over the next month in the name of research!
So are you a cutter or tracer? A pattern maker or consumer of commercially bought patterns?
I'd love to hear your thoughts?
Happy Stitching!
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