New website

I am excited to let you know that I have a brand new website with lots of new content over at Gather & Grand. I'm continuing my persuit of living a creative life and I'll hope you'll join me there for inspiration and ideas. Emma x

Hand stitched belt loops

I just spent some time this morning stitchining belt loops to my new dress and just thought I'd quickly share the technique here because it's a nice way to be able to adapt an item of clothing and make it suitable for wearing with belts. Belts are a fun way to dress up an outfit or to create different looks. And these belt loops are very subtle, so you can still wear the dress without a belt too!

1. Thread a double strand of cotton onto a needle and knot and the end. You will need more thread than you think, so cut a generous length at this point.

2. Mark where you want the belt loops to begin and end, above and below the side seam, with two pins. 

3. On the underside of the top marking, take two small backstitches, then pass the needle through to the front of the garment.

4. Bring the needle down to the bottom marking, allowing for some extra slack so that the belt loop isn't tight against the fabric. Sew a few of these loops (I did it 4 times) and each time allow the same amount of slack.

6. Blanket stitch over the loop you created, pulling the stitches tight against each other. (This is why you needed to cut a long length of thread in step 1)

7. To finish, secure the thread with two backstitches on the wrong side.

Roly Poly Pinafore

I've been wanting to sew up the Roly Poly all summer long, and I finally got around to it a few days ago. This pattern is by Rachael at Imagine Gnats. It's a pattern that has been popping up on a great number of sewing blogs recently and now that I've made it, I feel officially qualified to tell you how wonderful it is.

Super quick and very easy (so for those beginner seamstresses among you - this would be the PERFECT project). It's also reversible, which of course means FUN for your little one and NO EXPOSED SEAMS for you!

It has just two button holes, which after sewing 13 buttons on my Hawthorn dress, was a welcome change! If you've never sewn buttonholes before, this would be a good place to start. The buttons are big enough that there's room for error, should you happen to make any...

I particulary love the cross over back and it'll be roomy enough for Tegenn to wear a long sleeve tee underneath once the weather gets cooler. Can you tell how much she likes it?!!?

You have the option of adding pockets, which is something I chose to do. My chidlren like hiding things in their pockets - I find all sorts of treasures rattling around the bottom of my washing machine...

If you're interested in the pattern, here's the link : http://shop.imaginegnats.com/product/the-roly-poly