30 April, 2014

DIY Pretty Patchwork Oven Mitts - Pattern & Tutorial


With a week and a half left until Mothers Day, I thought I'd post the pattern and instructions for my patchwork oven mitts!

These gloves make such a great gift - they're actually useful! And so fun to customise for different colour schemes. I wanted bright oranges and yellow to compliment the light blue walls in my kitchen. For my mother's gloves, I used olive greens and browns - they should look lovely with the earthy colours and dark wooden floors throughout her house :)

Materials:

  • Glove pattern
  • 3 fat quarters/large scraps of quilting weight cotton in your chosen colours
  • Cotton wadding/batting fabric
  • Cotton lining fabric
  • Matching thread
  • Small piece of string or ribbon (for hanging)


Tools:

  • Printer & two sheets of paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue or tape
  • Ruler
  • Pins
  • Iron
  • Sewing machine


I used a 100% cotton wadding fabric that's available in most fabric stores. If you can't find any of the cotton stuff, most store-bought oven mitts have polyester wadding inside, so you should be safe using that instead.
For lining, anything cotton will do. My lining fabric is a very thin cotton shirting from my stash, but even cheesecloth would look lovely.

Before you begin, be sure to prewash your fabrics to avoid shrinkage or puckering later. Treat them as you would treat a pair of used oven mitts! And press with plenty of heat/steam.
  • Download, print and assemble the 2 page pattern. Cut out the glove shape and keep in one piece for now.
  • Cut your lining and wadding pieces as follows:


Adding your own seam allowance, cut 4 lining pieces. Mark the stitch line around the inside of the thumb onto all 4 pieces. This will make stitching it all together later much easier.

Your wadding pieces do not need a seam allowance.
How many pieces you cut will depend on the thickness of your wadding. If your wadding is thick enough to hold hot objects, cut 4 pieces. My cotton wadding was a little thin, so I used a double layer and cut 8 pieces.

Side note: If you plan on making multiple pairs of these oven mitts (all of the birthdays!), it might be a good idea to cut out all of your lining and wadding pieces now. It is the most tedious part of the project, and you'll be so relieved that it's already done when you start the next pair!

  • Now you can cut your pattern along the lines into 4 segments. 
  • Fold your fat quarters/scraps in half twice, so that you are cutting 4 layers at once. Adding seam allowance, trace and cut out your pieces. Lay out all of your pieces so that you know which ones go together.
  • Neatly stitch all of your pieces together and press them flat. You should now have 4 glove shaped pieces!

  • Now you're making 4 fabric sandwiches! Lay your wadding piece(s) on top of your outer layer, and your lining piece on top of that. Right sides should be facing outwards. Pin your sandwich together.

  • Time for some quilting! Now, I'm not much of a quilter, so I'm sure there's another way to do this, but this is how I sew straight lines: place a thin ruler (or something similar) just to the left of your needle. Line it up straight and lower your presser foot to hold it in place. Keep the ruler straight and use it as a guide as you sew!
  • Repeat for all 4 of your fabric sandwiches. 

  • Take either side of one glove, and pin together with ride sides facing. Stitch around the edge (leaving the bottom end open). Follow the line you marked earlier when stitching around the thumb. Repeat for the other glove.

  • Clip your seam allowances with pinking shears, or trim and finish with a small zigzag stitch. Clip the curves around the inside of the thumb, being careful not to cut across the stitch line.
  • Turn your gloves inside out and press flat. Trim the bottom edges.

  • Make and attach your own bias binding for a lovely contrast edge. Here are some lovely tutorials if you need help: [making bias binding] [attaching bias binding]. 
  • Knot a loop of string or ribbon and fasten inside the corner of each glove. 
  • Get baking with your awesome, one-of-a-kind oven mitts!


If you make a pair of gloves, I'd love to see them! :)

Let me know in the comments, send me an email, or tag them on instagram with #fozzelandbean!

I hope you've enjoyed my very first tutorial!

26 April, 2014

An Autumn Shawl

[photos from my instagram]

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/187567538/ready-to-ship-wool-cowl-shawl-scarf-in?ref=shop_home_active_9

A new cowl in my store, just in time for the first few real days of Autumn. 

This has always been my favourite time of year. The trees have all finally turned now. The mornings are crisp, the nights are early, and the afternoon air is rich with the scent of woodsmoke. It is the one time of year that Armidale really makes up for being so far from the sea. 


This cowl was an entirely spontaneous creation, from yarn purchase to bind-off. The finished product is lovelier than I could ever have hoped. It's incredibly warm and versatile. The design is ideal for someone who (like me) feels claustrophobic in neck-hugging scarves. I am eager to create more in different colourways.

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/187567538/ready-to-ship-wool-cowl-shawl-scarf-in?ref=shop_home_active_9

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/187567538/ready-to-ship-wool-cowl-shawl-scarf-in?ref=shop_home_active_9

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/187567538/ready-to-ship-wool-cowl-shawl-scarf-in?ref=shop_home_active_9

25 April, 2014

MMM Pledge & Birthday Dress Plans

I, Zoe May of Fozzel & Bean, pledge to wear at least 4 me-made or refashioned items each week for the duration of May 2014, doing my very best to avoid double-ups!

The Me Made May sewing plans have been coming along nicely. Under the strict (and spooky) supervision of Miss Bean of course :P


This May, I also happen to be turning 21 (yay!). I have spent the last few late nights searching for the perfect dress fabric. It kind of goes without saying that I'll be making a birthday dress, right? Last night I nearly ordered 4 yards of rayon covered with little hot air balloons and blimps (so adorable...), until I realised that shipping would more than double the cost! Misery ensued.

This morning I made a decision:

The Fabric

Gypsy Caravan Wild Poppy Milk by Amy Butler AB68

The Pattern

 Bs1106_bu_bardot_3_069_original_large
I decided on a beautiful Amy Butler pattern - "Wild Poppy Milk" from the Gypsy Caravan collection (purchased from fabrictraders.com.au).

I'll be using the Halter Dress pattern by Burda - fully lined, with boning tape in the bodice. The trim and strap will be black, complementing the detail in the floral print (hopefully!) and adding a bit more drama.

This is actually the first time I have invested in designer cotton. I am both excited and horrified. I know it will be a dream to work with. But did I choose the right print? Even with the black detailing, will the dress feel too "daywear" for an evening function? Does that really matter, given that it's my own party? So many questions, none of them all that relevant now that the fabric is on its way to my door.

I'd love to know what you think. Have I made a terrible mistake? Do you ever find yourself similarly in doubt after purchasing something expensive?

16 April, 2014

Beautiful Finds - Etsy Eyecandy

Joel Dewberry Fabric - 4 Fat Quarter Bundle Botanique - Golden Hour Palette (Red/Orange & Teal) ships from Australia

A beautifully bright set of Joel Dewberry quilting cottons. Fresh Fabrics Australia - Hobart, TAS.

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/157603002/handmade-origami-paper-crane-earrings?ref=tre-2726039488-5

Paper crane origami earrings by Imogen Wilson. Wellington, NZ.

Poppy Red and Brown Leather Bib Necklace Statement Leather Necklace Geometric Triangles Necklace Europeanstreetteam

Gorgeous handmade peter pan collar made from leather offcuts. SmArtAnna - Riga, Latvia.

Pin white polymer clay brooch

Cute polymer clay brooch by MadamaRobe - Verona, Italy.


Some bright finds this week! See more items like these. :)

14 April, 2014

Monday Motivation - All of the Fabric!

The fabric stash had some new arrivals today! I decided to make a little sewing plan to help stay on track for Me Made May. Be warned: this post may or may not be incredibly boring. Read on if you enjoy living vicariously through other people's fabric purchases!


Some lovely linen blend shirting cotton from the Remnant Warehouse. I'm thinking it's about time I jumped on the Archer bandwagon. There are so many beautiful versions around. I especially love this orange version by Andrea from Four Square Walls. The printed cotton facing is such a perfect detail. I may never use plain facings again.


I found these cute knits at Lifeline today. $3 for the pile. With the days getting colder, it's perfect timing for more Cocos!


Both of these fabrics have been lurking in my cupboard for years and I have only just got around to pre-washing them. The bird print is a lovely rayon. I'm hoping there's enough for a loose-fitting dress and top. 

I'm not sure what the grey fabric is, but it's incredibly soft and drapey with a lovely matte texture. Perfect for the plain and dark, knee-length, high-waist skirt that has been missing from my wardrobe for ever. And the perfect match for a Coco top.
 
Found on Pinterest
I think about this hypothetical skirt so often that sometimes, when getting dressed, I forget that it doesn't actually exist (is that weird?). Then, to my horror, I discover that all of my skirts are covered with some sort of flamboyant print and therefore go with nothing. Talk about first world problems...

Do you have something you've been meaning to make or do for years and just haven't taken the plunge?

12 April, 2014

Colourful Handmade Oven Mitts



This project has been in the back of my mind for such a long time that it's actually ridiculous. In theory, now that it's over I should be inspired to bake, but I really just want to make another pair for everyone I know.

My kitchen - and the majority of my house - is very blue. At times it can feel quite dark and overwhelming, but I'm slowly brightening the place up with white furniture and yellow and orange accents. It's a colour combination that I really love, so these bright new oven mitts are super exciting. 

Well, as exciting as something like an oven mitt can actually be...



It's a really satisfying project for someone (like me) who doesn't really have the patience for large-scale quilting but still wants to play with all the pretty fat-quarters in the fabric store. I literally sat on the floor of Lincraft for 20 minutes before choosing these three prints - sorry Shawn!

I drew up my own pattern for these mitts - I wanted a cuter shape than the generic glove style. It turned out pretty comfortable, but there are a few things I'll tweak before making them again. 

I took quite a few pictures during construction, so if it's something that people would be interested in, I'd be happy to post the pattern with a tutorial some time soon. 
What do you think?

They'd make a lovely Mother's Day gift, actually. Hey, for once I have great timing!

07 April, 2014

Monday Motivation - Early Morning Photography


Early mornings always make for lovely photography. The weather is getting cooler, but not unbearably so. Which means, on the spontaneous and unreasonably early mornings I am awoken by this hairy face...

 
... it's actually a nice opportunity to beat the joggers and dog-walkers and go exploring with my camera (and even remember to put the bins out!). It's amazing how different my neighborhood looks when coated in fog. And how accomplished I feel when the alarm goes off and I'm already up.

It almost makes me consider becoming a morning person. Almost.




So how do you feel about mornings? Are we hardwired to forever be either early-birds or night-owls, or can we just change the settings?

04 April, 2014

Simplicity - Design Your Own Kimono Blouse

In preparation for Me Made May, I'm doing a bit of stash-busting (not panic-sewing, I swear!). It has actually been really satisfying. Each pattern in my stash - apart from the weird 80's stuff - is now paired with a suitable fabric. This year I want to focus on making things that really suit my style, and I desperately need to fix this terrible habit of buying random prints just because they're adorable.

My first project involved a little piece of stripey blue knit, and this weird-but-kind-of-awesome pattern: Simplicity 9427, "Design Your Own Blouse".


Oh, if we could just pretend that I'm sitting on something way more glamorous than a bag of mulch, that'd be awesome...


If there was some kind of award for forcing a pattern out of an impossibly small piece of fabric, I'd totally deserve a nomination for this top. Somehow I even matched stripes!


You can tell from the envelope that it's a ridiculously boxy pattern, and also weirdly long, so shaving off a heap of the length and width was probably a very good thing, especially in a knit. I made the third style with the draped neckline, although it's not really visible in white, and I added cute cuffs. The white fabric is from an old men's shirt I had lying around - a really great source of plain knit fabric!



In all, I'm really happy with this shirt. It's super comfy and I can tell it's going to be a new staple. As for the pattern, it's a cool idea, especially for beginners. I'll probably use it again for stash-busting purposes. I just can't really see it working in anything as stiff as woven cotton. Especially not with those giant flutter sleeves!
What are your favourite stash-busting patterns?


PS: I found the pattern at a thrift store, but if you're interested, it seems fairly easy to find (here on Etsy for $7).

Beautiful Finds - Etsy Eyecandy

Some lovely items this week. When finances allow, I'll definitely be adding to the little print collection that decorates my sewing room :)

Giant Wombat & Boy, Art Print. Drawing by flossy-p. Australian. Australia Day. 
TigerHug, A4 Art Print -  by flossy-p, Tiger hugging girl, Life of Pi 
Two seriously amazing prints by Flossy-p Art. Coffs Harbour, NSW.
Wrens painting - W040-  bird wildlife art nature - Print of watercolor painting
 Cute water colour wrens by SplodgePodge. Coffs Harbour, NSW.

Stay With Me - Green Fibre House Brooch. Fabric and Wool Yarn Textile Brooch. Seed Bead Embroidery. Green House With Pink Window. Home Deco.
An adorable fibre art brooch by Nari Design Pot. Melbourne, VIC.

 30 Luster Opaque Bronze Smoke 5mm Melon Czech Glass Beads (S607)
  Beautiful glass beads by Alliecat Design Studio Supplies. Adelaide, SA.

See more items like these here.