Fascinator Tutorial-Part 1!

Hello everyone,

 

As promised I am back today with part one of my fascinator tutorial! :)

 

I gave you a nseak peak yesterday but here it is again, this is the fascinator shape/type Ill be working through with you:

 

 

This is a fascinator which has a buckram (a type of stiffened woven fabric) base though many fascinators are made completely from sinamay (the more traditional light more loosely woven stiffened fabric).

 

So here are a list of materials you will need:

 

- Some card or paper

- A pen/pencil

- A few pins

- Scissors

- A ruler

- Some buckram or other stiffened fabric for your hat base

- Some fabric of your choice for coating and lining your hat

- A length of millinery wire (or craft/DIY may suit the purpose- you can experiment with whatever you have :)

- Thread and a needle (some beeswax to pull your thread through is optional)

- Uhu glue , Copydex glue or Bostik multipurpose craft glue. All will do the job :P

- Some decoration of your choice e.g. feathers, brooches etc.

 

And now here is how to begin:

 

1. First it is good to draft up/drape your hat pattern in paper first. This shape of hat starts with an oval, which two darts are then taken out of, one either end, to create the final shape. You can go with any size oval you like but here is the piece I cut out with the dimensions written on it so you can follow this exactly if you wish, or draft up something similar:

 

 

2. Make sure you have cut up into the 5cm at either end as these are the places you will now be overlapping to work out the size of the darts you want to create your shape:

 

3. Try pinning and overlapping by different amounts until you are happy with the shape- but make sure the darts are both the same size (and that the overlaps run the same- towards the back) otherwise your hat could look lopsided :P There is no set measurement for the size of the darts- just whatever you think creates a nice shape! (I found 2cm worked well for me :).

 

4. But whatever works well make sure to take a pencil and mark where your overlaps run until so that when you undo your pattern, you will see the two pencil lines and can add 1.5cm seam allowance- the seam allowance tapers to nothing at the point of the dart though. If this sounds confusing hopefully the following picture of the final hat pattern will clear it up for you :):

 

5. Use your finalised pattern (above) to cut out your buckram base for your hat:

 

6. You can the take this piece and overlap the darts (by the 1.5 cm seam allowance) and the oversew them down using your needle and thread:

 

7. Next cut a length of millinery wire long enough to go around the base of your fascinator plus a few cm overlap.

 

8.  Then sew your wire just on the inside of your base using a blanket stitch. When you get back round to where the wire overlaps lay one end just under the other and work your blanket stitches closer together to hold the ends of the wire in place securely.

 

9. Your hat base should then look like this:

 

10. Next cut your outer fabric- you do this using the same pattern as you did for your hat base- but add 1.5cm all the way around it as seam allowance and don't cut out the sections for the darts!!! Just use tailors tacks or chalk etc.. to mark the ends and point of the darts so you know where to sew the darts!:

 

 

11. sew in the darts- on the wrong side of your fabric of course and then press them towards the back:

 

12. Then take your hat base and snugly fit your outer hat fabric covering over the top. It may seem a bit awkward or like it won't go at times but I assure you it will- you want a nice smooth snug fit- not bagginess! :P

 

13. Then take your Uhu (or other glue) and stick down your 1.5cm seam allowance all the way around the inside of your hat. Then leave it for a short while to dry of course :)

 

 

That is it for the first half of the tutorial but I will return shortly with the other half which covers decorating you hat and adding a lining and hair loops.... see you soon!

 

Bye xXxXx

 

P.s. if you have any questions about any of the materials, stages or things that seem unclear I will be happy to answer or try to explain as best as I can :)

 

Bye xxx

 

Last bits of holiday news...

 

Hi,

 

 

I am back from all of my holidays now, so I thought I would bring you my last few bits of news and pictures :)

 

 

First up- In the IOW there is a HUGGGGEEEEE Tesco Extra (I mean really huge! It looks like an airport hanger from the outside!). When me and my family were wandering around it I spotted some really cool biscuit spreads down the jam and spreads aisle; Bourbon biscuit, cookie, custard cream and cookies and cream :D I got sooo excited when I saw them- My parents treated me and my brother to the whole set to try (and also a pot of caramel biscuit spread which was on sale in Sainsbury's too :P). I can whole heartedly recommended all of them, they are so delicious (not very healthy though, so be warned if you do buy some- you will eat it all!). Me and my brother have been dipping everything in them :P:

 

 

Hehehe, did you spot the little bunny in the middle of all the jars? He is my latest little friend :) He is called Mr bunny and he is a hand needle felted little character made by a lady on the IOW. He was displayed in chocolate apothecary (along with some of his needle felted friends also available for sale). I have decided he is going to come with me lots of places as he can fit in my pocket and is quite an adventurous chap (as long as he gets his regular chocolate boost! :P).

 

Some other cool things I got in the Isle of Wight were these cool fashion plates- they are actually from the era so they are real fashion relics!!!:

 

They are so interesting to me- especially after completing costume history this year. They are the kind of things I see on slide shows so to own some is amazing! :) There were a pile in an antiques shop and they were only about £4 each- a really good price. I am going to frame them and hang them in my room to make it even more like a couture house :-)

 

And I also got these 3 little guys:

 

To add to my hamster collection! They were also handmade on the IOW (at the Arreton barns craft cabin)

 

My friend Eleanor recently visited the IOW as part of her holidays and she sent me lots of postcards from all the places she had visited which were lovely to receive and learn what she had been up to in the place I love :)

 

Hehehe, now I have finished being an Isle of Wight  promoter I will move on!

 

This is the last thing I have to share with all you lovely people. Not anything about holidays- I promise- because you are all probably sick of my holiday updates by now :oP As most of you will probably already know, my dad teaches maths at a primary school. He tries to make the lessons really fun and engaging and one of his aids is a little monkey toy which when it is tossed to you you answer a question :) Up until now the monkey just had a little badge on the front which said 'I LOVE MATHS' but my dad asked me if I could make him a new little shirt. I was happy to accept this fun challenge (definitely the first time I have made anything for a monkey :P)  and this is what I created for the little dude:

 

I also gave him a little pencil so he can write down all his clever maths calculations!

 

I really hope the kids like his t-shirt :-) My dad gave me a big hug- from both him and Nev (the monkeys name)

 

I better go now as Big brother is on (my guilty pleasure!) and then I have to get to bed ready to start my Wedding Dress sewing course tomorrow! Wooooooooooo! I am soo excited :D I will of course post pictures of my make :)

 

Keep an eye out as the giveaway I mentioned is coming soon also as I have collected all the bits for it now :)

 

I hope you are all well, speak to you again soon,

 

Byeeeee XxXxXxX

 

P.s. all the new makes I posted a teaser of in my last post are up in my shop now so please do check them out :)

 

Byeeee Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

***Spring Giveaway!!!*** :D

Hi everyone,

 

Yes, the time has rolled around for another giveaway! :D

 

I have made this one spring/Easter themed, here is what you could win

 

 

- A sweet floral cotton reel shaped pincushion

A reel of ribbon with little chicks on it :3

- A pack of strawberry stickers

- 3 cute, pink, iron on flower appliques in different designs

- And a lindt chocolate carrot umbrella stick!

 

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As usual the giveaway is open to anyone, any age, anywhere.

 

All you have to do to enter is:

 

1. Be a follower

and

2. Leave a comment below (make sure to include some way to contact you in case you win :P e.g. a ravelry name, email or blog address)

 

 

Entries close on the 25th of April and the winner will be announced on the same day.

 

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I hope you like the prizes :oD

 

Goooood luckkk!

 

See you again soon,

 

Byeeee XxXxXxXxX

 

Eyelets and phones

 Hi,

I hope your weeks are all going well :) I am happy with how my corset is going in college so that is good, I will show you some more pictures after I have completed the next few steps as then it should really be coming together.

 

This week I have also been working on my 1/2 scale red dress that I designed and draped, I have been hand sewing the little eyelets down the back so then I can lace the dress up with red ribbon:

 

 

It is going well- only about 18 left to go :P They are soo small as they have to be 1/2 normal eyelet size to be in correct scale. I think I may have placed them slightly too close to the edge to be in correct scale but not majorly so it will be ok, no one is actually going to wear it so there won't be much strain on them.

 

In other news last weekend I got a new phone! :D A red Samsung Galaxy s4 to be exact. It was a big step up from my old phone, that I had had since I was 10 and so old the guy in Carphone warehouse said the makers had gone out of business, lol :P I have been spending time this week trying to get used to all its amazing functions. I downloaded several free bridal dress catalogues to flick through as extra research for my new work experience and tons of other stuff, it is helping me to get more done each day which is good. I really love my new phone but am really protective over it as I don't want to damage it! Hehe Sunday I made a case really quickly from a sock I hadn't worn and added a kawaii hello kitty button to keep it safe:

 

 

Hehe, now though I have an case which is apparently what the army use to protect their gadgets from rain, sand, you name it- it is virtually indestructible!

 

Hehe, I am off to bed now, I need to get a good sleep so I can power through my corset sewing again tomorrow,

 

See you all again soon,

 

Byeeee xxx

A little giveaway!

Hi,

 

I hope all you guys are doing well :) I mentioned in my last post that I had a little giveaway planned so here it is!:

 

 

Up for grabs is:

 

> A pack of cute wooden frog decorations

> Colourful toadstool stickers

> Some ceramic style glittery flower decorations

> And a pack of flower charms!

 

I went for a nature theme :-)

 

All you have to do to enter is;

 

- Be a follower and leave a comment below (make sure to leave a ravelry name, blog or email address just in case you win so I can contact you).

 

It is that simple :)

 

But If you would like 2 (yes 2!) extra entries all you have to do is link to my folksy shop: http://folksy.com/shops/handmadebyjordan somewhere (e.g. facebook, your blog, twitter etc...)

 

Make sure to post the link in your comment below so I credit your extra entries :)

 

Giveaway entries are open until the 1st of February and the winner will be announced on the same day!

 

The giveaway is open to anyone, any age, anywhere :)

 

I hope you like the giveaway and good luck to everyone who enters!

 

See you all again soon,

 

Bye xxxx

 

I would also just like to mention that today was my Grandads funeral. It was a lovely service, so I would like to say thank you to the funeral directors, who did an excellent job and remind my nan and family just how much I love them xxx

Slightly less busy than an elf... for now...

Hello,

 

I hope everyones Mondays were not too bad :)

 

My making and crafting craziness has slowed down slightly now, my elf boots are all done:

 

 

And the Christmassy biscuit village I decided to make for when my friends came round on Friday didn't go to badly either :):

 

 

I think they enjoyed it, I thought it was quite tasty!

 

Hehehe, Lalaloopsy had her eye on it before my friends came round, bu I told her she'd have to wait :P

 

 

Saturday morning I managed to get all the headbands I wanted to make for my little cousins, all ready for Christmas eve! I am really thrilled with how they came out- I hope they love them:

 

They are modified version of the gnome hat pattern I made for the innocent smoothie, I added a gem, ribbon and a pom pom to make them super girly and kawaii! :3

 

Hehehe, they barely fit into the bags (Which I popped a chocolate freddo in too :P)

 

 

Just as I started to finish all my Christmas crafting projects, I and my family(!) have managed to start another- a Christmas table runner! We were watching the Christmas episode of the great British sewing bee and they did this group table runner project where each of them decorated their own square on the table runner and then they all got sewn together. It was lovely and we thought it would be nice to do the same :0)

 

I took some measurements of our table and came up with a design:

 

The middle panel and two end triangles are in red Santa fabric, all of the borders and dividers in a gold Christmas fabric and the four rectangles (with a cross in them in my sketch :P) are the rectangles me, my mum, dad and brother are going to decorate one of each!

 

This morning I drafted up the pattern, cut out all the fabric pieces and started sewing, here is one of the triangular end pieces so far, just to give you an idea of the fabrics:

 

Hehehe, now I just have to come up with a design for my square.... I have a couple of ideas so far.

 I will keep you updated on my family project! :D

 

Speak to you again soon,

 

Byeeeeeeeeeeee XxXxXxXxX Tis the season to be jolly, falalalala la la la la! xxx

 

P.s. My shop will be closing on the 18th of December for Christmas, so get in quick if you have any last minute shopping to do :P But it will be opening again shortly after Christmas day, with new stock coming for the new year! :)

 

Bye OXOXO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Free Knitting pattern*: Festive yule logs!!! o<:0)

Hello everybody,

Happy 1st of December!

 

Advent starts today- yay :D I am so happy, I have a Lindt, Thorntons and zhu zhu pets toy advent calendars, how lucky am I? :) My tree and decorations officially go up today too so that is also exciting!

 

To mark the start of the festive month I thought I would put up a free knitting pattern- my latest design- these mini yule logs, with an opening at the bottom to pop a treat in!:

 

I made a traditional one and also a winter wonderland frosty snow style one (you can pretty much pick your own colours though to create whatever flavour or style of log you want :).

 

They are relatively quick to make as they don't require much sewing and are knitted all in one piece but they are very cute and would make the perfect table setting at a festive dinner party- that is what I am going to use them for :-)

 

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Lets get started!...

 

You will need:

 

For the main cake piece:

• 3.25 mm knitting needles
• DK yarn in your cake colour (a lighter/reddy brown for the traditional log or sponge cake colour for frosty log)
• DK yarn in your frosting colour (a dark brown for traditional or white/cream for frosty log)
• A small amount of DK yarn or embroidery thread for your swirl of cream filling (white for traditional, red for the frosty log)- The swirl is optional but I think it adds the perfect finishing touch :)
• (Per cake) an 8cm x 8cm square of cardboard.
• Darning needle
• Scissors
• A hot glue gun/strong craft glue (this is optional but is useful)

For the holly decoration:

• Red buttons, knitted balls, beads, pom poms or whatever you like for the berries :)
• Green felt for the leaves, or you could knit some little leaves and sew them on instead, once again- whatever suits you really! :)

For the snowy/glitter top:

• Clear nail varnish or glue that dries clear
• Glitter
• Paint brush

Pattern:

Using 3.25mm needles and DK yarn in your cake colour cast on 4sts, then work as follows:

- Kfb into each stitch (8sts)
- P across row (8sts)
- Kfb into each stitch (16sts)
- P across row (16sts)
- *K1, Kfb into next st* repeat from * to * across row (24sts)
- K across row (24sts)

Change to your icing/frosting colour and work 27 rows of: K2, P2 ribbing

Then change back to your cake colour and work as follows:

- K across row (24sts)
- *K1, K2tog* repeat from * to * across row (16sts)
- P across row (16sts)
- K2tog across row (8sts)
- P across row (8sts)
- K2tog across (4sts)

Then thread end of yarn through the 4 remaining stitches on the needle and gather them up.

Making up:

Sew up the cake coloured ends of the cake (so they form the circular ends- gather the 4sts at then end then seam together).

Then sew in from each end, along the main body of the cake (The icing/frosting coloured piece), leaving about a 2inch gap in the centre. (This is so that you can get your cardboard piece and sweet inside :)

Make sure all loose ends are darned in and cut and then sew a swirl of filling on at each end of the cake in backstitch if you wish.

Next roll your cardboard piece and pop it inside- making sure the two edges of the rolled cardboard are in line with the opening of the kitted piece (So you still have an opening you can get a treat in to and out of :P). You can then glue the edges of the knitted piece flush with the edges of the cardboard if you want. This will fully cover up the cardboard piece giving a neat finish and it will hold it in place too :)

 

The opening/slit lies hidden on the bottom of the cake- The decoration is applied to the other side/the top side.

(If you do not want an open roll just pop the cardboard inside and then just seam up the last 2 inches instead)

For the glitter effect, paint some of your clear nail varnish or clear drying glue over the top of your roll then dip your paintbrush in your glitter and brush it over where you have applied the glue/varnish for a snow dusted effect:

 

Stick or sew on your holly decoration or other chosen decoration.

 

Then last but not least, pop a sweetie or surprise inside and; voila!

Your mini yule log is complete :-)

 

 

When you are done with your yule logs and the treats inside are gone you can always pop them on your tree by just pushing a pit of one of the branches through the opening in the back!

 

 

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I hope you like my pattern, I had lots of fun making it  :D

 

If you have any questions/queries about the pattern or making up or anything don't hesitate to comment below.

 

See you all soon,

 

Bye xxXxxXxxX

 

 

P.S:

I am using standard UK knitting abbreviations:

 

Kfb - Knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase by one)

st/ sts - Stitch/ Stitches

P- Purl

K- knit

K2tog- Knit two stitches together (decrease by one)

 

 

P.P.S. Please do not sell items made from this pattern without asking first, Thanks :)

PPPS!!!- I have listed more new items in my Folksy shop and as it is now December I am offering FREE GIFT WRAPPING on every order! :) Please do pop over and take a look- just in case you see anything you like: http://folksy.com/shops/handmadebyjordan

Byeeeeeeeeeee oxoxoxo

 

A little stitched hamster :)

Hello,

 

Last week we were given a couple of extra days off college so that we could go away and do some research ready for starting our mini kimono making project this week. In between doing my research and homework and stuff I managed to finish off one of the toy kits I got for my birthday, a little hamster:

 

 

Hehehehe, I called him nibbles! Oooh I love hamsters so much, they are soo sweet! :03  It is quite detailed (many different shaped pieces and some with darts) which was good because it means if you sew it carefully you get a really good toy. The kit was by minicraft- I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner, as, as I said you do have to do careful little stitches with a small seam allowance on sometimes awkward shaped seams to get a nice finished product. But if you want more of a challenge go for it- they have tons of cute animals to choose from! :) I still have my guinea pig kit to make too :D

 

In other news I have also made progress on my random patchwork purse, it I coming along ok but I would definitely not say it was finished yet- it still doesn't look quite right to me :-/ I am going to keep experimenting until I'm happy:

 

 

 

Hmmm I will get my thinking cap on!

 

I'm off now to pack my lunch for tomorrow- hehhehe I don't normally pack it the night before but tomorrow I am going on a trip with college to see 101 Dalmatians at the New Vic Theatre in stoke- a long way away- so we have to leave early in the morning. I am going to pack myself a lovely lush lunch with extra treats- just like my dad used to do for me when I went on trips when I was little :) You need more energy when you go on a trip! :-P

 

Speak to you again soon,

 

Bye XxXxXxXxXxX