SEWING

Tilly and the Buttons Stella Pyjama Bottoms

| Em Makes and Bakes

ACS_0677Disclosure: This blog post features gifted fabric from Crafty Sew and So. All words are my own and based on my personal experience of using the product.

Autumn is my favourite time of year; the weather turning cooler, pumpkin spice lattes, and an excuse to wrap up warm in lots of cosy jumpers and pyjamas. Each year I like to treat myself to some new loungewear ready for snuggling up on the sofa as the nights get colder. Pyjama bottoms with a big jumper and slippers are essential autumn and winter wear for me! Continue reading →

Toy Pram Bedding DIY

| Em Makes and Bakes

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I’d been eyeing up an Olli Ella wicker toy pram for ages for H before I managed to find one in the sale. So many toy prams are pink and flowery, which really isn’t my style, and so I love how gender-neutral the Olli Ella ones are. After the pram arrived, I thought back to my own toy pram that I’d had as a little girl, and the cute bedding that my own Mum made for it, and instantly decided that I’d carry on the tradition.

This make uses leftover monochrome fabrics from the crafting I did for H’s nursery two years ago. I really love how they pop against the white wicker. This is also a really quick make, it took me just over an hour to make all of these items, meaning it’s the perfect nap-time craft! Continue reading →

Sewing the Perfect Work Dress: Tilly and the Buttons Stevie Dress

| Em Makes and Bakes

ACS_0174I’ve now been back at work for five whole months, and whilst there are many positives to being back, one thing that I’ve not loved so much is my work wardrobe. I’ve got a rail full of clothes, but there is little that brings me true joy. Add into the mix a super hot summer, and I have been struggling with what to wear. I’m definitely a dress for cold weather kind of girl; warm jumpers and thick socks are my friends.

My heart almost burst with happiness when I saw the Stevie dress launch, it was the answer to all my summer work-wear woes. Good neckline (I don’t do low cut), decent length (I’m tall), and not too tight around the middle (post-baby tummy). On paper, it truly is my dream dress. Needless to say, I ordered it straight away! Continue reading →

Reuniting with my Sewing Machine: Tilly and the Buttons Freya Dress

| Em Makes and Bakes

handmade yellow freya jersey dressI’m super-excited to share with you my first dressmaking project as a Mum! My sewing machine hasn’t been touched for a while, so it felt really good to be making again.

From the day we’d decided that we would have H christened, I was dreading finding something to wear. My post-baby body and shop changing rooms are not friends at the moment. Most of my pre-baby dressmaking had been for work-wear (hello Coco dress for each day of the week), and some more casual bits for the weekends. I had never even thought about making a dress for a special occasion before. Continue reading →

Sewing for Beginners: Simple Projects to Get Started With

| Em Makes and Bakes

Copy of Copy of Farewell PartyIn my Sewing for Beginners series, I’ve already discussed what tools you need, and where to buy fabric. This is all well and good, but what do you actually make when you are a beginner?

I’ve said before that I truly believe anyone can learn to sew; some of us will take to it more easily than others, but essentially using a sewing machine is no different to learning how to drive a car, or operate the washing machine. The key to getting the hang of it is picking the right project to start with; something simple enough to complete in a short session, but impressive enough that you are left with something that gives you a real sense of achievement. Continue reading →

Sewing for Beginners: Sewing Kit Essentials

| Em Makes and Bakes

IMG_2359I often get lots of comments and questions on the blog/social media asking from those who are completely new to sewing. I thought it was therefore about time to launch a new mini-series, Sewing for Beginners. I’m a firm believer that anyone can sew; it’s just knowing where to start. Think of this series as a friendly, encouraging voice to get you started on your sewing journey. We’ll start by discussing the essential tools you’ll need.

If you’re new to sewing, it’s easy to walk into a fabric shop/haberdashery and be overwhelmed by all of the tools and gadgets on offer. Sewing doesn’t need to be expensive, and you certainly don’t need lots of fancy things to do it, so hear are some tips for where to save money, and where it’s best to invest your hard-earned cash. Continue reading →

Handmade Baby Book

| Em Makes and Bakes

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Yesterday, I was lucky enough to have a whole afternoon with no plans whatsoever. As my due date approaches (7 weeks to go), I’ve been keen to try and protect some time at the weekend to generally relax and have some ‘me’ time. The tiredness that I was experiencing a few weeks ago seems to have gotten better, and so I was faced with a window of opportunity to craft whatever I wanted!

With clothes out of the question at the moment, baby crafting is definitely helping to satisfy my need to create! I’d stocked up on fabric a few weeks ago, so was hopeful that I’d be able to make something without a last minute dash to Hobbycraft. Continue reading →