A Class, an Apron and some Christmas Shopping

On Friday I managed to finish my apron for the class next Saturday, October 8th so I thought I'd share a quick picture.  I've tried several times to get a good shot of this apron but short of wearing it myself and having someone take my picture it's just not happening. 

Somehow I'd managed to get a good shot of Jilly's one when I made it and gifted it to her last Christmas so that's the one I used on the pattern cover.  This is as much of a shot of mine as you're gonna get.  I used up scraps of blue strawberry CK fabric and a red and white polka dot fabric that's NOT one of CK's but it fits in nicely with her style.  For anyone that's interested I pay about £6 a metre in the sewing shop in St John's street.  They have the same polka dot fabric in several colours as a regular stock item.  At about half the price of CK as a co-ordinating fabric it makes your expensive fabric go that little bit further.  I'm all into that!

Anyhow I knew we had to babysit the grandkids today - at least until 12.00 pm when daddy was due to come pick them up so I hadn't expected to do much. After they'd gone hubby was up for a drive so I decided to take my CK fabric that was stained back to the store.  No way could I go back to London to exchange it so I did the next best thing.  I went to the CK outlet store in Eaton Socon, St Neots.

Now this branch is an outlet store - one that Sara's told me about more than once - I just never took the time to go check it out.  All I can say is 'sorry Sara, I should've paid more attention to you'.  I will DEFINATELY be a regular visitor from now on - for sure!

First off I seriously lucked out at this branch!  They weren't supposed to exchange fabric at all and definately not at an outlet store but the sales assistant decided she could check and they agreed to do it just this once.  They only deal with 'end of line' stuff at the outlets so aren't supposed to take back stuff from the regular stores. 

On top of that they'd just had a delivery this week which more than tripled their fabric supply so I was able to exchange my white strawberry fabric for the blue version (which I wanted all along) AND it was a whopping £8 cheaper per metre so I had money left over!  I picked up a few extra prints plus grabbed a stripey duvet cover for a mere £15 - there is method to my madness, trust me.  The duvet cover is the same on both sides so look at all that lovely CK fabric I can use for any number of projects.  I just lurve sheeting!  I couldn't buy that much fabric for that price so it makes great economical sense, believe me.

Oh but they still tore the fabric rather than cut it.  I am still sooooooo gonna write CK about this - outlet or not!

And then because I couldn't resist - and because the prices were seriously hard to beat - I picked up another Christmas present.  I am getting pretty much done with my shopping for this year.  Well, I did start in January this year LOL!  A few more bits for the kids and then my hand sewing gifts and I'm done.

This fabby bag was originally £55 and reduced to just half price!  It was the absolute last one so I think I was doubly lucky to get it at all.  The pom poms are a really fun touch and those oversized roses are devine.

I tend to shy away from CK bags cos I simply refuse to pay the high prices, I know, I know, I will spend a ridiculous amount of money on her fabric and turn my nose up at her bags.  I can't explain it so I don't even try.  This bag however, is gonna be a great pressie.  The only trouble is I think I may have to visit this store again since I have more than one person I could give this to and I can't decide who gets it.  I think I need to find another bargain bag so I don't have to decide at all.

Well technically I did get another bag but I fell in love with this one and at less than £20 with a colour combo of red (my fave colour) and green and in a lush velvet no less -  I couldn't resist treating myself.  This is my new best friend.  It's BIG and square-ish, fits on the shoulder nicely so I shall be taking it everywhere from here on.

AND because the sales assistant was sooooo helpful, because of the AMAZING bargains to be had in the entire store - this was not just a small sales section ladies - it was EVERYTHING in the store reduced so well worth a visit, AND because a second sales assistant gave me a bunch of large bags, gift tags and strip of stickers for wrapping my pressie - I swear I never so much as asked, honest!  Because of this and more I am giving this store a 10/10 rating.

The delivery day is Thursday so I'm guessing the afternoon or following day is the best time to go.  The sales assistant said fabric flies off the shelf and it wouldn't be there long, plus it was heaving today (Saturday) so I think a Friday might be a better day anyhow.  If you don't mind a drive of about an hour then this one's well worth visiting.  I for one will be going back a few more times this year I think.

Oh and Bedford is just 10 more miles down the road - nothing particularly interesting there but I did pick up another SERIOUSLY retro, yellow floral vintage sheet to add to my collection at the Sally Army charity store.  Can't imagine what I'll make with it but I've decided NOT to pass them up when I see them.  This latest one has never been used either so I knew I was gonna have it.

AND I am getting excited about class next week.  I have tomorrow after church to sit and cut out all the pattern pieces for it.  I have 4 ladies booked on to class so far so do let me know if you want on - there is still space.  Looks like it's gonna be just the apron pattern but that's fine by me. 

Enjoy!

Suezie

Sweet Diversion

Well I had planned to whip up an apron or two today but instead I had a sweet diversion and ended up making myself a tag-a-long ironing mat.  I have always wanted one of these - I just never got around to it.  Between my full ironing board, a slightly smaller table top version and this new mat I have 3 options when I now need to iron something.  All I'm missing is a sleeve board and I'll have a complete set.  Did you know I HATE ironing? LOL!

Except for sewing that is!  I also wanted to be able to provide an extra table top ironing surface at my sewing classes which was my motivation for this project.  I added carry handles make this easy to take to class.  I also wanted to be able to pack this in a suitcase to use whilst on holiday.  No more folding a towel and ironing on the floor for me!  Okay, if there isn't a table top to put this on I will still have to put it on the floor but it's much bigger than a towel would be.

At some point I hope to offer patterns for a 'sew organised' series of sewing classes where we make bits and pieces to use ourselves when sewing.  I can put every one of those ideas to good use too - believe me.

It's actually quite large so I designed it to fold into sections and then again in half.  I did consider making it with a pocket system to hold my iron but it was way too big to fit into any pocket.  However, it does kinda create it's own pockets once folded so I'm guessing it'll hold a fold flat travel iron real easy - even better for holidaying!

I originally made it without ties and it still worked but I decided to recycle a bit of ribbon so it wouldn't come unfolded until I wanted it to.  Just keepin it neat.

It's actually quilted and I cheated.  I used an old towel - quite a thick one I might add as the padding and ran several lines of stitching to keep it securely in place.  Wouldn't do to have lumps and bumps where you don't want them huh? LOL

And this is a view of the mat from above - all folded neat and ready to go.  I just love it and I know I'm gonna get a ton of use out of it too.  Maybe I'll get around to the aprons tomorrow at some point in the day - who knows?

Enjoy!

Suezie

Cath Kidston Store, Marylebone, London

I got the chance to visit my second Cath Kidston store whilst we were in London this past weekend and I thought I might as well share my thoughts about it.  I now plan to visit as many stores as I can when out and about so I'm rating them.

Does anyone remember this store in Covent Gardens?  It was the first one I visited in London and it had charm, character and was stunningly beautiful inside.  The staff were amazingly friendly (and generous) and I'd give the Covent Garden CK store a 9/10 rating.  This store is well worth a visit.  It would get ten out of ten if it had more fabric because besides that it ticks every box on the list.  It was a lovely sales assistant that suggested I try the Marylebone store for fabric.

Well it wasn't difficult to spot the trademark blue and red sign but were it not for that you might've walked right by this one.  True it had 2 floors and had more fabric but be warned!  The staff were not particularly friendly - maybe cos it was a Saturday - who knows?  Some of my fabric was TORN!  NOT CUT!  Yes I did say TORN!  I absolutely HATE when sales staff do that - I could almost cry!  Despite the fact that there was a purpose built table it wasn't used at all - it was all cluttered with bits and pieces and very untidy - no wonder they didn't use it. 

I have since thoroughly checked my fabric and am not happy with how it was measured plus a dirty great mark was found on one piece so I now have to return it.  At £20 per metre, dirty great stains, and torn edges are just not acceptable.  If the sales assistant had laid the roll on the table and measured out the length not only would she have been able to cut it nicely but we would both have seen the dirty mark. 

I'm disappointed at CK and also at myself for not having asked her to cut the fabric rather than tear it.  Shame on me - I should've had courage enough to speak up.

I was also disappointed at the selection of lighter weight fabrics - maybe half a dozen at most.  I have seen more of these in John Lewis than at CK.  I only chose three because I already had one design, don't like the stars and didn't care for the remaining design - green floral.  I plan to make something for the boys with the cowboy prints - hence two different colours so they know which is which and something for Madyson with the pretty pink floral - maybe cushions for Christmas cos they do like to snuggle with pillows and blankets.  Even so these were poorly cut and the blue one is all hacked to pieces along one edge.  I can only presume the previous customer shared that experience too.  I'd love to know their thoughts?

I purchased some heavier weight fabrics and if you're looking for this kind of weight then you're in luck.  The Marylebone store had mostly these and in a variety of designs too - easily 3 - 4 dozen if not more.  They also had lightweight 'fat quarter' bundles all tied up with that lovely red ribbon for £25.  I didn't bother since I wanted larger pieces and already had a few of the bundled fabrics in my stash but they'd make a nice gift for anyone looking to do patchwork or smaller projects with CK fabrics.

And as luck would have it there was a sales basket though it was full of plain black fabric and just this one piece of oil cloth.  I already have this design in lighter weight fabric and had only last week cut out an apron with a complimenting red and white polka dot.  I am looking not so much to change up my kitchen cos I love the strawberry theme but maybe just to freshen it up a bit and had decided to treat myself to a new apron. 

I am teaching the apron in my next class (8 October) so I get to photograph the process for my pattern AND get a new apron for myself into the bargain.  I made my old one from Laura Ashley oilcloth and it's still good - it matches the strawberry tiles and border in the kitchen but it's just time for a bit of something new I think.  My new one will be fabric but I still purchased this oilcloth on sale to drape over the table when the grandkids come to dinner.  It was a bargain and I can use it on the table outdoors too so I had to have it.

Okay -  enough of my waffling already!  How would I rate this CK store?  Well I give the Marylebone CK store 6/10 and it's lucky to get that.  In fact it only gets that rating because it has way more fabric and for no other reason.

Hubby has promised to take me to the St Neot's store one weekend.  Sara mentioned it was worth a visit although the sales staff phoned ahead for me and was told they only have about 16 bolts of fabric in total.  Then again there is a store in Cambridge that I may try to visit pre-Christmas too - just to see what that one's like.  I'll let you know when I do.

And as if that wasn't all enough for a weekend I even managed to find a charity shop or two and picked up a couple more vintage sheets - well one is vintage for sure - the other looks more modern.

I found a great tutorial for making 'I don't wanna get outta bed' slouch pants recently so I plan to make myself a couple of pairs of those with these and besides having a bunch left over for other projects I may even have enough in the one matching pillowcase to make Maddycakes a pair just like Grandma's LOL!  How cute would they be on her with the wide blue band and lace trim at the hem?  I've already washed and pressed these so they're good to go.  I can't wait to try out the tutorial.  You can check it out here if you fancy having a go yourself. And don't foget those of you who have boys/men - these can be made for guys too.  Team them up with a simple, inexpensive plain T-shirt and you have PJ's for Crimbo!  How cool is that :-)

Happy Sewing!  Blessings

Suezie