Night night

After a failed attempt at ordering a onesie for Leoni online that fitted, I just had to make her one myself (and finished it just in time for Christmas):

The Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate

For the first time we've made our way down to Harrogate to exhibit at the Knitting and Stitching Show. Ahead of us are four exiting show days at the HIC and if you're planning on visiting the show we would love to welcome you at our stall B225 in hall B.

School holidays...

... and Leoni is enjoying an afternoon at Avertical World climbing centre:

Linen jacket

I like to try out new patterns, especially unusual styles, and when I came across this Katherine Tilton pattern (Butterick 5891) I just had to have it. It's made in washed linen, the sides are longer than the front and back and the collar is asymmetrical. Should I make it again, and there is quite a high probability, I'll be a bit braver and combine different fabrics. That's the plan anyway. But then I've got another lovely pattern waiting here...

New tops...

...for the two of us: Leoni's top is made from the funky New York jersey (which she chose herself) and my tunic is Vogue pattern 8817, patched together from various jerseys I had lying about.

Schools are back

Leoni starting her final year at primary school today - where have the past six years gone?

New jumper

When I asked Alan last night if he liked my new top he said: mmh, it looks ok from the front but what's wrong with the back? Ahh, men!
The pattern Butterick 6218 as I really like the style of Katherine Tilton's designs. I used textured knit fabric and some of the pieces are cut on the bias and crosswise which makes the design more interesting.

Corfu 2015

We spent our holiday this year on the beautiful island of Corfu, together with my mum and brother who flew over from Germany. The hotel was very good, the scenery beautiful and the most important thing was - it was hot. And that is very important if you live in Scotland, for me anyway. All in all we had a lovely holiday.

 

Kids sewing workshop

Another kids workshop: this time Leoni and her friends made bags lovely tote bags. We used the geometric fabric from Farbenmix as it already has the bag pattern printed on it which only had to be cut out and sewn together.
If you're interested in sewing classes for children during the holidays, the programme is now online:

Sewing workshops

Linen jacket

While on holiday in Germany last year, I bought some rusty coloured linen fabric. At the time I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to use it for, but as you know, sometimes you need the fabric first before the right pattern comes along :-)
I chose this blouse pattern from McCall's, made a toile to see the fit and only had to do some minor adjustments. And as the linen was slightly to heavy for a blouse I just wear it as a jacket.

Sewing a cushion

Sunday afternoon some of Leoni's friends came round as I needed some 'guinea pigs' to do a test run for the kids workshops I'm planning on doing :-)
They've all had a ball and asked if they could come back for another one..... Here's what they made:

New tunics for me,...

...long sleeved, as there's still no sight of summer in Scotland :-( The green one is McCalls pattern 7122 in Happy Dots jersey and the other one is Butterick 5925 in Tree and Tree Combi jersey, both organic fabrics from Lillestoff. Very comfy!

Bank Holiday Monday Offer

Get 15% off you orders this Bank Holiday Monday!!!
Simply add the discount code maydaymonday at checkout and the discount will be applied to your order.
www.dotsnstripes.co.uk

Happy Shopping!

The winners....

... of the OTTOBRE design sewing magazine giveaway are:

Helena Carey

Susan Thorpe

Janet Muir

Louise Paemen

Kellye Mowen

Sarah Mollins

Laura Skudra

Lesley Walker

Jean Bowers

Anna Phillips

Congratulations!

Giveaway time

To get you into the mood of spring we're giving away 10 copies of the current ladies sewing magazine full of lovely patterns for spring and summer. Details of the magazine can be found here.

To be one of the lucky winners, all you need to do is send an email with a comment and your email address and you'll be entered into the prize draw, which takes place on Sunday, 26th April. Good luck everyone!

Happy Easter

We had a lovely afternoon in Broughty Ferry today, glorious sunshine and 18C. Can't remember the last time we had an Easter that nice, so enjoyed the first proper and warm sun rays :-)

Final preparations

This is the current state of my work/stock room - pretty chaotic but I'm getting there. Only a few more fabrics to be labelled and then everything is ready to go in the van tomorrow. Oh, how exciting!

Stitching Show

The preparations are well under way here at Dots n Stripes HQ for the Stitching, Sewing and Quilting Show at the SECC in Glasgow next week. The show opens it's door on Thursday, 5th of March and runs until Sunday, 8th. You can find us again in the same spot as last year, stand C04. Hope to see you there!

Please note that during this time we won't be able to dispatch your orders. The last day for dispatch next week is Tuesday, 4th March. All orders placed after that day will be processed on Monday, 9th March.

New El Porto bag

In various cord and cotton fabrics. Another item off my list for the sewing shows in March, now onto some dresses...

As promised

Here is a photo, or more like a small collection of them from our funny photoshoot this afternoon, of the other dress I made Leoni before Christmas. It's the same pattern as I used for the Elephant Love, only this time in cosy winter jersey Finne Funghi from Hilco.

New bags

With the Glasgow and Birmingham Stitching Shows approaching - yes, they are only in March but that comes quicker than you think - I've started sewing things to take and display. And as I sold two of my shopping bags just before Christmas these two were at the top of my to-do list:

We have a new family member

This is Cuddles, a new companion of our other guinea pig Toffee. They haven't been introduced yet as Cuddles is very shy and jumpy and we're trying to get her used to us and the noises in our house first. She hasn't been handled a lot by her previous owner as the lady was too scared to touch her! Now, how can someone be afraid of a cute little guinea pig? Anyway, will keep you posted on the progress.