The Last Gift

Hello!👋

Hope you have been keeping well!

I have enjoyed a slow week as my mom came to visit this week. 😀

We spent quite a bit of time in my sewing room looking at fabrics and discussing what some of them could be turned into as I have been stuck on what to do with some of them.

We even picked out some fabric to make a pair of trousers each but we ran out of time to actually make them, so it will be left for the next time she comes. 🙃

I have been meaning to make myself a few pairs of trousers and while I did make a couple last year for the #sewbloodpressure challenge, I am still in need of more.

All my current ready to wear trousers in my wardrobe don’t quite fit how I want them to and some of the styles are no longer me. All of them were purchased before I started sewing and most are even from before my kids were born, so my style and taste has definitely changed since.

Something else my mom gave me a hand in was overlocking some parts of my daughter’s teacher’s skirt.

My mom used to sew a lot and even made clothes for me and my sister when we were little, so why not just pass her the skirt instead of playing musical chairs to get to the machine. 😂

So the last of the teacher’s gifts are finally complete and I am ready for the end of the school year.

As for choosing a size, I ended up going with 2 sizes below the version I made myself a couple of months ago and I added 1 inch to length as well.

I reduced the ruffle a little too and added what I removed from the ruffle, I added onto the length of the skirt as she is 5ft10. 

I am hoping for the best case scenario in that it actually fits and that she actually wears it. 🤞

I bought the right amount of fabric for a size 6 which was 2 metres, 150cm wide, and I got an extra half a metre because I knew I needed to lengthen the skirt. I also wanted a small bit to make a matching scrunchie.

In the end, I was left with nearly one metre! And I am super happy about that because I love the fabric and I hope to make myself a cami top for summer, which may not be this year as I am not sure what is happening with the British summer this season. 😵‍

The Desert Doodle Cowl that I test knit for Pacific Knit Co was released this weekend!😍

Here is a picture of it blocked and what it looks like being worn.

I thought I would share with you how I was actually convinced to give colorwork a go now as I don’t recall telling you.

I came across Pacific Knit Co on Instagram and went to check out their website. I signed up to their newsletter and received a code to download a doodle pattern completely for FREE!

There are so many to choose from that there is bound to be something that you will like.

My current knitting project is going strong and I love how it is coming along! 😍

I now have the bodice done, only side seam sewn and have started on one sleeve.

I have had to really think about the colour changes and not just keep on knitting.

I have so many little balls of yarn now because I am having to unwind the yarn to reach the same colour as where I have run out and need the seams to match. 😵‍

I am very pleased with this matching and glad I have taken the time to do it as I think it would REALLY  bother me otherwise and I would avoid wearing the sweater. 😅

Who watched the sewing bee this week?

Do not read the next part if you still haven’t watched it as this is probably going to be a spoiler for you.

I loved the theme this week!

I love animal print so it was fun to see the projects they made with some of the contestants putting together more than just one print. 😲

I also absolutely loved the fringe dresses and have thought about making one before. I just don’t have anywhere to wear it to.

Having small kids with no family around to help us, going out out just doesn’t happen anymore, not even date nights, so I am not sure when I would use a fringe dress…definitely not on the morning school run! 😂

And the “Made to Measure” challenge!!

WOW!!! 😱

I really liked the pink jacket with the big collar that I think was inspired by Lady Gaga!

This week’s episode definitely inspired me and my sewing to-do list has just gained a few more entries!

Thank you for sharing your suggestions with me last week on what to make for my daughter’s friend’s birthday.

My daughter chose this unicorn fabric from my stash and it is a cotton poplin, so not suitable to make the PJ’s.

The dress pattern I mentioned last week, the Siena by Little Lizard King, is no longer an option though because I don’t actually have the size range I thought I did. I got the baby Siena which goes up to age 4 and I am not buying the next size range up for this occasion.

So instead, I am going for another simple dress, the Chloe from Vintage Little Lady and it is a FREE pattern.

My mom helped me pick out an accent colour from my stash for the waist tie and I am probably going to add the sleeve ruffle too. 

This week was the annual Sports Day at my eldest’s school and it is just so cute to see them do their races. 🥰

They did races that included various props like balancing an egg on a spoon and donning a horse strap.

One of the funniest bits was them running to put on a hi-viz, then continuing on to put on a hat and lastly to grab a handbag, put that on and finish the race. 😂

To finish off the day, parents were called in to race. Gents went first and then the ladies.

Of course I participated just for my daughter to be able to have something to remember, because gone are the days where I had some speed in my legs. 😂

I think I did injure myself, because one of my knees hurt for the rest of the day when I put pressure on the foot. 🤦🏼‍♀️

😎Confidence Corner:

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself” - Coco Chanel

This quote reminds us that true beauty isn’t about fitting into society’s standards, it’s about being authentic and true to who you are.

When you embrace your unique qualities and live genuinely, you emit confidence and happiness.

This natural glow is what real beauty is all about. It’s not about makeup or fashion, but about being comfortable in your own skin and expressing your true self.

Being yourself also inspires others to do the same. Authenticity is rare and refreshing, and it helps build deeper, more meaningful connections with those around you.

In short, beauty shines brightest when it comes from within. By being yourself, you reveal the true nature of beauty.

🧵Today's Sewing Tip:

Hong Kong Seams

Hong kong seams are commonly used in finished unlined garments such as jackets and coats, but can also be used in other projects such as dresses and skirts, to neaten the seam and keep the raw edges from fraying. Using this method works best on medium to heavyweight fabric.

You will need 1 inch wide strips of fabric cut on the bias or you can use ready made bias binding.

• Press your seam open. Pin one raw edge of your bias binding to the right side of the seam allowance aligning the raw edges.

• Sew the bias binding to your seam using ¼ inch seam allowance

• Fold the bias over and away from the seam allowance and press.

• Wrap the bias around the raw edge of the seam allowance and press again.

• From the right side of the seam, stitch in the ditch for an invisible stitch line from the right side, or stitch at a distance of 1/16 inch away from the bias binding with a thread that contrasts or blends with your fabric.

• This technique is quite simple to do and adds such a beautiful touch to your projects.

Have you used this technique before? In what project? Let me know!🙌

⭐My Favourite Things This Week:

• Finishing the final gift for my daughter’s teachers.
• Seeing the colour changing yarn on my Jasmine Sweater.
• Spending some time with my mother.

🗓️Upcoming Plans

• Continue with the test knit Jasmine Sweater from RitaMadeThis.
• Sew a dress for a birthday girl.
• Get back to my partner’s jacket. 😣
• Make some trousers.

🎬What I have been Watching/Reading:

Watching

• Worst Roommate Ever (Series)

This is a true-crime series that delves into the stories of victims-tenants and landlords-whose lives turned into real-life nightmares after they unsuspectingly invited malevolent people to become their roommates.

I have lived with many different people throughout my life due to the nature of my job and living in so many countries, so this was chilling to watch as you are most vulnerable in your own home.

• The Man with 1000 Kids (Series)

In this series, various couples and individual women are interviewed as they discovered that their sperm donor, Meijer, had fathered hundreds of children around the world through multiple sperm banks and private donations — giving rise to a risk of inbreeding among half siblings who may have no idea.

• Depp v. Heard (Series)

Heard is a 2023 three-part documentary series directed by Emma Cooper.

It is focused on the 2022 defamation trial between American actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. It aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2023, and was released internationally by Netflix that August.

🎉Upcoming Events

27th of July 2024 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event - in Gatley Hill House, South Manchester, 10:45 - 16:15.

(5hr30m, an extra 30min than usual)
Email bianca@beesilva.co.uk and quote reference: SEWBOND07
For more information: https://www.beesilva.co.uk/sewbond07/

24th of August 2024 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event - in Gatley Hill House, South Manchester, 10:15 - 15:45.
(5hr30m, an extra 30min than usual)
Email bianca@beesilva.co.uk and quote reference: SEWBOND08
For more information: https://www.beesilva.co.uk/sewbond08/

21st of September 2024 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event - in Gatley Hill House, South Manchester, 11:45 - 17:15.
(5hr30m, an extra 30min than usual)
Email bianca@beesilva.co.uk and quote reference: SEWBOND09
For more information: https://www.beesilva.co.uk/sewbond09/

26th of October 2024 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event - in Gatley Hill House, South Manchester, 10:15 - 15:45.
(5hr30m, an extra 30min than usual)
Email bianca@beesilva.co.uk and quote reference: SEWBOND010
For more information: https://www.beesilva.co.uk/sewbond010/

Question of the Week:

I've noticed that many of you enjoy sharing your thoughts via email, and I truly appreciate your engagement. 💖

This week, I have a different question and would love to hear your insights, whether by email or here. I am curious to understand if some of you are facing challenges related to my blog or commenting system.

Is there anything specific that makes it challenging to reply directly on the blog?

Bye for now,
B! xx