26 January 2011

Sew what?

Hello all! I've been doing a wee bit of re-jigging things in the house, which you may be aware of if you've seen my shiny new old drawers and my, now, super tidy shoe closet. Bringing in the drawers was intended to save some space in the bedroom where our dressing table took up loads of room but offered very little storage. Plus, no-one ever actually sat at it, so the sitting space beneath it was where I ended up dumping all my crap totally redundant.

The plan was to Gumtree the dressing table but today, alacazam, inspiration struck! I realised that the dressing table could be ideal for sewing on! So through it went to our spare room, taking the space of an ugly TV table with a whole load of internet type boxes and wires on it (that can go on Gumtree. It's actually not that ugly just a bit 'Ikea' and no longer needed). And here it is!


Yup, the unattractive internet boxes are still in evidence but they're at least reasonably discreetly tucked away now which, by proxy, makes the spare room a lot nicer! (It was just a bit of a mish mash of crap before) All the guff associated with the cables is hidden away in the drawers. And look - my sewing machine (being shy under it's cover) is just begging to be used! The thing is, I actually find dress making very therapeutic, I just never find/make time for it. I plan to change this. Here's what else is knocking about:

My adorable sewing box that my lovely mum got me a few years ago...


Here are the goodies on the top tray. Thread, scissors, needles, tape measure, quick unpick (whoever invented this is a genius!) and plenty of buttons, trims and hooks 'n' eyes!


And underneath the tray lies yet more trims and trinkets, an abundance of gorgeous ribbon (I went through a phase of obsessive ribbon buying), pins, more thread, a cute Cath Kidston needle holder (another gift) and goodness knows what else!


This is the contents of my favourite drawer in the dressing table. It's one of those 'secret' drawers that might just be a strip of wood, so it's nigh on no depth to it, but it's perfect for storing dress making patterns and MORE buttons!


Here is the fabric that makes up the future dresses in my wardrobe! I have a cute dress pattern which I made a sweet purple dress out of but it needs a fuller skirt. I struggle to get the shapes right sans pattern (I think I need a freestyle dressmaking class!) so I need to get a pattern for a full circle skirt and I can then work that in with the top of the dress pattern - simple! There's more fabric underneath, including some gorgeous florals that it would be rude not to utilise this summer. Plus, using this fabric really helps with my 'money diet' (saving, saving, saving for holidays) as the only extras I might need to buy are lining and zips. Pah, who needs the high street!?


Half done projects! The mess of gold was an attempt at a dress that didn't go entirely right. However, I was working with flimsy dance fabric which didn't help. I think, if I can extend the shoulder it might work. All I want is to wear a dress that looks like gold tinfoil! It's important to have a dream peeps! Plus, there's at least one thing in there that's totally gonna work out - I just need to finish it.


So here's to getting sewing again! Wish me luck.

9 comments:

Vix said...

You are so organised! My sewing boxes are just madness. I can't wait to see what you create. xxx

Smeeeff said...

Wow!! Organisation or what, well done xx

Helga said...

OMG,your sewing gear is sooooo well organised!! How the hell do you manage it?! ha!
I try to be tidy,but fail miserably.I'll take a pick of the drawers in my sewing table and you'll see what I mean!
:)

Kerry Curl said...

look at you all organised!! very pretty sewing box. I must learn to sew this year. I am ashamed to confess I am taking up a dress with wonderweb tomorrow..........

char said...

Very organised and tidy - my sewing area just takes over the living room :S and i'm constantly in the middle of several projects!
can't wait to see what you make now :)

Pearl Westwood said...

What gorgeous sewing box!!!

Unknown said...

I swear this is the most organised it's been in ages. Now I just need to keep it that way/use it to create something fab!

Abbie said...

LOVING the sewing area!! I think I need one in my house! not sure the other half would approve of me monopolising on MORE space in our house however! :D xx

Vicki said...

i wish i had a sewing table i think it will make u sew much more cos its all set up and there for you, i have to lug mine out of my wardrobe down to the kitchen table..hence why its never out of my wardrobe!! ps love the small heart fabric u picked up def make something outta that asap!! :) xo