Abfabulies

How to hand sew a blind hem stitch

Using a blind hem stitch is the best way to hem garments without stitches being visible. You might be able to do so using your sewing machine, if you have the right presser foot. But keep in mind that you can only use your machine for heavy fabrics. If you do so for lighter fabrics, you will still see stitches...

Snail update

The snail has been getting on well. As I mentioned before, the body was quite easy to do, since it was just a tube. I was tempted for a while to turn it into a Mister Hankey, but in the end, I wisely decided against it. The shell was something I needed to put some more thought in. I didn’t...

Stitch ‘n bitch

This week, I started a new project. Not a knitting, crochet or sewing project this time, but a new professional project. Monday was my first day, and even though I am used to changing projects – and therefore work environments – every once in a while, I’m always a bit anxious. You never know how it’s going to work out....

How to edge stitch

The edge stitch is something I’ve always found very hard. Either I just stitched next to the garment, or I was swirling instead of stitching right. So I asked my teacher how to do this best. And actually, it’s quite easy, I don’t know why I never thought of it myself. Make sure that your needle is in the middle...

Super snail

Some time ago, I was surfing the net and I came across the Full of fluff blog by Carey Huffman. I immediately fell in love with her work, and set her as an example for myself. Next, I showed the site to my husband. He got inspired as well, and started doodling, in the hope that I’d be able to...

Knitting cool images

For those of you who would like to knit anything at all as long as it has a nice image in it, there is KnitPro 2.0. The motto used here is: if you have it in jpeg, gif or png, you can knit it! I myself can’t wait to learn how to knit socks, so that I can make myself...

Granny’s no square hand bag

A girl can never have enough bags. Nor shoes, for that matter, but that’s a different story.Feeling crochety, I thought I’d make myself one. Pattern of choice: Debbie Stoller‘s Granny no square handbag. Basically, you just need to crochet a number of so-called granny squares. I used the pattern described in Debbie’s book, but it goes without saying that you...

Finished pin-up dress

Last Monday I had the last sewing class before the holidays. Since I really wanted to wear my dress to a Christmas party, I was determined to put in some extra effort and finish it. But when I arrived, I saw some bottles of wine and crisps standing in the corner. Since I don’t suspect my teacher of being a...

Kato monkey

Three weeks ago, our cosy little street welcomed a new inhabitant: Kato, the cutest baby girl in town. And cute little girls, need cute personalized cuddly toys, don’t they? I didn’t know what to make at first, but eventually I settled for another Phildar monkey. I already knew how to make these, so I was sure Kato wouldn’t end up with a...

Pin-up dress

One particular Saturday night a few months ago, I suddenly found myself in the forties and fifties. I was at a Radio Modern party, the best place to swing, rock ‘n roll, jive and all those other dances from back in the days. Not only do these parties offer great music, people dress up for them as well. So, when I started...