Tag: stash busting

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Beginner Sewing – How to sew Not Paper Towels

 

Join me, Susan from Measure Twice Cut Once, as I take you through how to make Not Paper Towels, these are a great eco friendly sewing product that helps you reduce the amount of single use paper you use in the kitchen.

Once sewn they can be used in the place of paper towels then throw them in the wash to use again and again. Your best fabric choice is some cotton flannelette (try using old flannel sheets or pillowcases if you can’t find the fabric). You’ll be learning how to cut a straight line, sew a straight line, turn corners and finish the edges with a zig zag to help with longevity and reduce fraying in the wash.

The pattern is available from the Measure Twice Cut Once website https://www.measuretwicecutonce.com.a…

2022 is my year of taking the Scary out of Sewing! I want as many people as possible to take up sewing so they can create, make, mend and more. To help take away the scary, every Friday there is going to be a new video with accompanying pattern for a project entirely aimed at beginners. Each week there will be different techniques to learn or go over and it’s going to be a super fun way to grow your sewing skills.

See more of my sewing and shop patterns at https://measuretwicecutonce.com.au​

Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_measuretwi…

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/_MeasureTwice​

Support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MeasureTwiceC…

What I’m wearing Dress Pattern: Self drafted in Liberty Lawn fabric

Earrings: Harry and Herne

Nail Polish: Junie by Hanami

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Beginner Sewing – How to sew a Door Snake or Draft Excluder

Join me, Susan from Measure Twice Cut Once, as I take you through how to sew a Door Snake.

Door snakes are a wonderfull way to cut down on your bills, they keep warm air in a heated house and keep cool air from escaping in an air conditioned house. Plus they are a great way to use up the fabric scraps you end up accumulating during sewing.

We will be learning how to sew straight lines turn a corner, sew and end closed and a useful way to use up fabric scraps. It’s a nice way to start building up your skills and potentially cut down your bills all at once.

For experienced sewers they are a great way to use up leftover scraps of fabrics and they make great presents for young and old.

The pattern is available from the Measure Twice Cut Once website https://www.measuretwicecutonce.com.a…

2022 is my year of taking the Scary out of Sewing! I want as many people as possible to take up sewing so they can create, make, mend and more. To help take away the scary, every Friday there is going to be a new video with accompanying pattern for a project entirely aimed at beginners. Each week there will be different techniques to learn or go over and it’s going to be a super fun way to grow your sewing skills.

See more of my sewing and shop patterns at https://measuretwicecutonce.com.au​

Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_measuretwi…

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/_MeasureTwice​

Support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MeasureTwiceC…

What I’m wearing

Dress Pattern: self drafted dress in silk from Pitt Trading

Earrings: Harry and Herne

Nail Polish: Octopus’s Garden by Hanami bag.

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Sustainable Sewing – small measures

There has been lots of talk about making your individual sewing more sustainable throughout 2018.

Much I agree with and some I find a little eyebrow raising as they are either false economy or the claims against the fashion industry are contrary to my own experiences. Regardless of that, any move towards trying to reduce waste is a concept that should be embraced.

As such in my own sewing this year I have been trying to do a number of things

  • I now rarely use calico for toiles. Sometimes but not always. Instead I have moved towards “wearable” toiles. Using up fabric that is in my stash that I know I’m not going to make up otherwise. Sometimes I still use calico but in those circumstances I’m trying to re cut the calico to use more than once or re purpose it to use as lining etc.
  • finishing toiles. Now that I’m using “proper” fabric the momentum is there is finish the garments off properly, especially when it comes to swimwear samples! Many friends have benefitted from this with swimwear samples going every which way.
  • When cutting out fabrics I keep a number of small patterns nearby. Once I have the main garment cut out I use the “scraps” to cut into bags, eye masks and other useful items. Then when I have a spare 20 minutes or so I can whip up once of these items. I’m using them as Christmas gifts or looking to donate them to someone who has a Christmas craft stall for charity. My favourite patterns for these have been Noddlehead Petal Pouches, Noddlehead forage bag, Wee Braw Bag and a standard eye mask pattern.
  • I’ve been keeping all my tiny scraps with the idea of dropping them off to H&M for recycling at some point.
  • Perviously I have always been meticulous with matching my exact thread colour to my fabric. Having lost my entire thread stash in the fire, I’ve been much more relaxed about what colours I use. Friends have gifted me threads throughout the year and I’ve been taking great delight in using the whole roll and dropping the empty spool into the recycling. I feel like I’m not wasting thread always rethreading. This is especially useful when making toiles but I still cannot use the wrong thread colour on any external stitching.
  • using my stash. Naturally losing much of my stash in the fire has made the remainder feel so much more precious. But rather than keep it for “good” I’ve elevated everyday to good and am cutting into everything. My goal is to reduce it still more by making garments to replace what I have lost and not continue to stockpile things I really love which ultimley can be lost in one simple accident.
  • making things I might have purchased. In addition to garments I’ve made tote bags, placemats, peg bags and a bunch of stuff for the home. By making more than just garments I feel as if I’m reducing the amount of mass produced products I buy. Tote bags have replaced plastic grocery bags and beeswax wraps have replaced plastic wrap.
  • printing A0 instead of cutting and taping or pasting. Not only a time saving but I’ve always found taped pages come apart and need reprinting but the A0 fold and store easier. Having lost my whole paper pattern collection I’ve been reluctant to re buy paper patterns as if anything happens they are gone, whereas digital can always be printed again.

As we head into a new year I’ll be thinking of more ways to do my part to reduce waste.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

2018 total makes

All year I’ve been keeping a tally of what I’ve made, I thought it would be an interesting way of seeing how productive I actually am.

Bessie swimsuit – fabric purchased 2018 from Rathdowne Fabrics

Emma slip in dark floral – fabric purchased 2018 from Pitt Trading

Tote bag in grey with pink spot – fabric from stash (originally from Spotlight)

7 kit bags in bunny print cotton –  fabric from stash (originally from Spotlight)

1 Peg Bag in Cat print lightweight canvas – fabric from stash (originally from Miss Matatabi)

Papercut Patterns Sway dress – fabric from stash originally from Pitt Trading, cream tassels purchased 2018 from Pitt Trading. Pattern given to me by a friend.

Grainline Linden sweatshirt – grey marle fleece printed with sloths from stash originally from Spotlight. Pattern given to me by a friend.

Grainline Yates coat – double sided suede from the stash originally from Pitt Trading. Pattern Purchased 2018

Tote Bag in Sloth print – fabric from the stash, originally from Miss Matatabi

Emma Slip with lace edge – fabric from 2018 Sydney Spoolettes swap, lace and fold over elastic purchased from Pitt Trading 2018

Emma Slip in lemon and pink floral – fabric from stash, original purchased from Pitt Trading. Lace and elastic purchased from Pitt Trading 2018

Darcy Boxer shorts in Navy cotton – fabric from stash originally from Pitt Trading, Buttons purchased 2018 from Pitt Trading. Elastic from Prym as part of my sponsorship from them

Deer and Doe Myosotis Dress in Liberty Lawn – tiny square print, fabric from stash, originally purchased online from a Liberty sale last year and then posted to The Englishman’s parents and picked up at Christmas. Buttons from Pitt Trading purchased 2018.

The Bingley Boxer shorts in star print cotton – fabric from Pitt Trading, given to me as the sample was used for store promotion

Deer and Doe Myosotis Dress in Liberty Lawn – tiny pink splashes print, fabric from stash, originally purchased online from a Liberty sale last year and then posted to The Englishman’s parents and picked up at Christmas. Buttons from Pitt Trading purchased 2018.

5 x wee braw bags – fabrics from Quiltsmith purchased 2018 for this purpose. Trims purchased from Pitt Trading 2018. Pattern  purchased from Craftsy

3 x Knitting size wee braw bags – fabrics from Quiltsmith purchased 2018 for this purpose. Trims purchased from Pitt Trading 2018.  Pattern  purchased from Craftsy

Jalie Clara Tights in Camo Print – fabric from stash but originally from Pitt Trading, Pattern purchased as a PDF from Jalie 2018

Jinbei shorts for The Englishman –  fabric from stash but originally from Pitt Trading, pattern salvaged from fire but originally from Nomura Tailor Kyoto

Papercut Patterns Adrift dress in pink lawn with large white flowers – fabric from stash but originally from Lincraft 2017, purchased on sale.

Papercut Patterns Adrift dress in floral silk – fabric from Pitt Trading 2018

10 Beeswax wraps –  beeswax a gift from SewBusyLizzy, Fabric from Quiltsmith and Pitt Trading all purchased 2018

Black, pink and spot pre printed tights – fabric from Pitt Trading 2018

Blue floral pre printed tights – fabric from Pitt Trading 2018

Cherry Blossom pre printed tights – fabric from Pitt Trading 2018

Tote Bag with lemurs – fabric 2018 from Pitt Trading as part of their #pitttradingbanthebag promo

Claire swimsuit – blue swim Lycra from stash originally from Pitt Trading

Bessie swimsuit – black, black and white print from Pitt Trading 2018

Nina Lee Kew dress – pale peach broderie anglaise from stash originally from The Fabric Cave, buttons from Pitt Trading

Angled hem waisted dress – hot pink Shibori cotton from Fibers to Fabric 2018 Gift as part of collaboration

penguin wee baw bag – fabrics purchased 2018 from Pitt Trading

Penguin drawstring bag – fabrics purchased from Pitt Trading 2018

Penguin sleeve bag – fabrics purchased from Pitt Trading 2018

6 rope bowls – rope purchased 2018 from lost Property HK Etsy store

Stripe jinbei shorts for the Englishman – fabric from the stash

Bingley boxers- pink destination fabric from Pitt Trading 2018, Prym elastic

Darcy boxers – moped fabric from stash originally from Pitt Trading, Prym elastic

maree swimsuit – pink Turkish print Lycra from stash originally from Pitt Trading

maree swimsuit – aqua belle print Lycra from stash originally from Pitt Trading

Darcy Boxer shorts and matching drawstring bag in Australian Christmas fabric from stash but originally from Spotlight. Elastic from Prym sponsorship

Casmerette wrap dress in jungle print rayon jersey from Pitt Trading – this one was made as a sample for the Pitt Trading Summer Soiree so is actually for one of the other girls working there.

Louisa swimsuit in autumnal florals and blue – from Pitt Trading – this one was made as a sample for the Pitt Trading Summer Soiree so is actually for one of the other girls working there.

Nina Lee Kew dress in red hail spot cotton from Pitt Trading this one was made as a sample for the Pitt Trading Summer Soiree

Elite Directo Bike Trainer Cover – cat fabric from Pitt Trading Purchased 2018

4 drainage bags – fabric purchased from Spotlight 2018

Papercut Patterns Sway Dress in Cranes – fabric from stash originally from Spotlight

3 Wee Braw Bags using up the leftovers from the Drainage bag fabrics

Seamwork Alamada robe in silk viscose- purchased from Pitt Trading 2018

Jalie Cocoon cardigan – merino wool from the stash originally from The Fabric Store

3 PICC covers – fabric from Pitt Trading

Rutland Collection wrist warmers – merino wool from the stash originally from The Fabric Store

Deer and Doe Magnolia in Rayon Challis purchased 2018 Lincraft on sale

Modified Myosotis Deer and Doe in white embroidered lawn purchased 2018 from Pitt Trading

86

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sewing Adventures – Darcy Boxers Christmas Edition

Feeling the pre Christmas pressure? wanting to make something useful at the last minute? The Darcy Boxer Shorts have got your back!

This cute Christmas edition pair make for a great present and I know some families have the tradition of matching pyjamas for everyone to wear Christmas morning. Add a simple white tank top and Christmas themed Darcy Boxer Shorts and you will be picture perfect in no time.

To make these even more gift ready I’ve made a very simple drawstring bag to hold the boxers. I thought you could use the drawstring as eco wrapping or it would make a great alternative to hanging up a stocking?

Pattern: The Darcy Boxer Shorts from Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric: Australian Christmas themed fabric from Spotlight, elastic from Prym, drawcord for bag from Pitt Trading, buttons from Rozelle Markets.

Alterations: none

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sewing Adventures – Wee Braw Bags

Do you make Christmas presents for your friends and family? I always have great plans to and almost always fail to make everything I have planned. Not this year! this year I’m organised and already have sone done. (oh if you are one of the people who normally get presents from The Englishman and myself, well perhaps don’t read anymore ok? or practice your surprise face, your choice).

I spotted the weebrawbag via Instagram and was immediately charmed by it’s adorable shape. A few clicks later and I had the pattern downloaded and drawn up to the correct sizes. I’ve gone with the wee size and 3 of the bigger knitter sizes. It’s possible that if you are a knitter you may want an even bigger size as this seems a little small if you were working on a big project. In fact I’ve already made one and blogged it here

Fabric wise I didn’t have much that would work so went to Quiltsmith in Annandale to have a look. Sadly the store is no longer there. I’d been in a few times but rarely use quilting fabric, quilters who I know are devastated at the loss of such a good local store (support your local stores!!). I came away with a few cat prints, I know total shock that I chose cat prints. A navy and hot pink print featuring pattern shapes and a favourite cotton and steel print that shows thread reels. The reels say Measure Twice Cut Once on them! love them. Plus sloths because well, sloths.

Using my Prom cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter I had fun mixing and matching prints in an utterly madcap manner. Some of the combinations clearly work better than others but I love the freedom to play about and have no “rules” to it. I added a Star print from Pitt Trading that I had used for The Bingley Boxers and had scraps for leftovers.

The bags go together in maybe 15 minutes once you get the hang of it? Batch sewing certainly sped the whole process up. I went without any of the internal batting because a) didn’t have any b)I’m not sure they needed any?

Once done I used some lovely teal cord from Pitt Trading to create the drawcords and voila! Christmas presents ready to go…now I just have to finish all the other ideas I have for presents.

Highly recommend pattern for presents, anyone who needs to sew for school fairs, teacher presents and scrap busting. I also thing it would be a great project to do with kids, it’s all straight sewing but has some techniques which would be a good learning tool.

Pattern: Wee Braw Bag pattern by Laura Zuckerkuss

Fabric: cats x 3, Cotton and Steel Reels, Pattern Shapes and sloths from Quiltsmith stars and drawcord From Pitt Trading

Alterations: didn’t use interfacing because I didn’t have any to hand

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Sewing Adventures – Penguin wee braw bag

All year I’ve been making these #weebrawbags and have a whole stack I’ll be sharing on the blog soon but when this penguin fabric turned up at Pitt Trading I just knew it was destined for one of these adorable bags.

This one is all done minus the drawstring at the top which I’ll get when I’m at Pitt Trading next week.

These are such a fast make and yet huge impact. I’ll share more details when I’ve photographed the other ones I’ve made but this one was just too cute not to share straight away.

Pattern: Wee Braw Bag pattern by Laura Zuckerkuss

Fabric: Ivory penguin, pink penguin and animal sketches From Pitt Trading

Alterations: didn’t use interfacing because I didn’t have any to hand

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sewing Adventures: Sloth grocery bag

After the success of my spotty grocery bag and with New South Wales finally phasing out single use plastic bags it was a good time to make The Englishman a cloth bag to keep in his work satchel so he always had a reusable bag handy.


This sloth fabric from Miss Matabi was always meant for him and it was another fabric salvaged from the fire so it seemed like time to use it up.


Super simple bag, I measured along length of the fabric and cut 2 x 4cm strips. Then folded the remainder of the fabric in half, stitched down one side, across the bottom and overlocked the top edge.
On the bottom corners I measured squares 5cm x 5cm, cut them out then folded the side seams together and sewed across the diagonal line.


The straps were created from the 4cm strips by folding them in along the long edge by about 4mm and topstitching down, I then folded them half and topstitched either side to create a flat strap with no raw edges showing.


Joined to the overlooked edge the whole opening was turned under by about 2cm and stitched in place.
Easy, fast, stash busting and resulting in a useful bag. Win!

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Sewing Adventures: Spotty grocery bag

My second make of the year! and it’s a super practical bag made fun with spots! I made and wrote this post ages ago and then it’s taken me forever to get photos!

I’ve been making do with only one cloth bag to carry with me in each day to use instead of plastic bags. It works some days but then other days I find myself having to use the dreaded plastic bags and every single time it annoys me.

After the fire I managed to salvage some fabric the spots were amongst the ones rescued. It’s had to be heavily laundered so the once stiff lightweight canvas now feels more like super worn in jeans. Nice and soft handfeel but structurally the fabric and fibres are still ok.

 

I know I initially got the fabric from Spotlight (part of their cotton duck range) and had planned to make shorts with it at some point. In my new mindset of use all the good fabrics all the time I decided I wouldn’t use it for shorts that quite frankly would look ridiculous and never get worn but instead use it for something practical that will get used every day.

Naturally I researched some bag patterns but decided to just kind of wing it and based some of the measurements loosely on the Purl Soho tutorial which can be found here. Now winging it should always be encouraged but sometimes it bites you in the ass and there are a few sections of this bag which look less than 100%. Most noteably the top turn over. I measured and then folded it but didn’t press it and well it’s not exactly straight. But it works, it’s sturdy and I’m ok with things not always being a beacon of perfection.

I added an oversize pocket on the inside so I can throw my phone in there and not loose it to the bottom depths of my bags like I normally do and it will hold my public transport card for easy access too.

All seams are done as French seams to add a bit of strength and longevity to the bag.

Pattern: Made it up as I went along, some measurements from the Purl Soho tutorial

Fabric: From the stash (originally purchased at Spotlight)

Alterations or Changes for next time: Use the iron a bit more to get it looking a bit more organised on the inside

Posted on by — 3 Comments

Sewing Adventures: Peak To Do

I’ve reached peak “to do”. As a lover of lists and eternally trying to be organized, when I’m working on a project I pack up all the relevant details and pop them into a zip lock bag. Then they go into the “to do” box.

In theory this works fine. In a year of stress, lack of time and an apartment tiny in space it actually leads to not one, not two but three to do boxes.

This is quite a lot of projects that are partially started and never finished. Not only is this terribly wasteful it takes up way too much space.

So I’m declaring August as my personal project month. My aim is to get as many of my partially projects finished as I can. Just grab a zip lock bag of goodies and go!

Additionally I’m going to try and not start anything new. Hopefully by the end of the month I have lots of finished projects and my sewing area looks less like the aftermath of a horrendous wind storm than it currently does.