My Workshops at Tilly and the Buttons

Friday, December 16, 2016


Some of you may know that for the past year I've been teaching free-hand machine embroidery at Tilly and the Buttons HQ.
I'm not sure why I've not ever done a blog post about it, but as I'm now slowing down for my festive break and reflecting on the past year, it's on my mind how much I LOVE doing them!
My next workshop is in January, which you can book HERE through the Tilly and the Buttons website. So I thought I'd share what the class entails and all the fun things we get up to!

A photo taken by Tilly herself when she attended the class. 

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Stress level 100

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Hi Everyone,

I'm sat in bed thinking about all the things I have to do next week. And I'm nearly at maximum stress just listing things.
For those of you who don't know, my other half and I have been in 'house limbo' since we sold our house in July. We finally get the keys to our new house tomorrow! I'm so incredibly excited, but as you can imagine running a handmade business at this time of year at the same time as moving house is a bit of a mission.

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Meadow© Pin Cushion

Friday, November 18, 2016
Stuck for ideas for your handmade Christmas Presents? If there's a sewer or crafter in the family how about using my printed fabrics for this cute Pin Cushion.


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Giant Knitted Blanket

Monday, November 14, 2016

Well this post is very different. Mainly because I never write about knitting, or lets face it anything other than sewing!
My partner and I wanted a really snuggly blanket for the house, in the camper and on the sofa. Especially during this time of year. We've always loved giant knitted blankets, but to get one for a decent size you're looking at £300 plus! So we bought 6 kilos of giant merino roving and made one ourselves!

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Christmas Gift Boxes

Monday, November 7, 2016
Hi Everyone,

If you haven't already seen I've recently uploaded a DIY how to on my Youtube channel. Check it out!


Hope you enjoy it!

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My Coco 2

Wednesday, October 26, 2016
 

Ok I found out that one Coco is definitely not enough! So I thought I'd share my second Coco creation. I chose a really fun Black and White Cross Jersey which I love. I didn't add pockets or cuffs on this one as I wanted it really simple. Although I do think one neon pink pocket would be fun.
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5 items I'm loving on Etsy - October

Sunday, October 23, 2016
An October update of my recent favourites on Etsy, and these are all UK based shops too!



Totally in love with these gorgeous raw textures. I'll need loads for the new house I think! I could use them for laundry, plants, toilet rolls, logs. The possibilities are endless. 



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My Agnes

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Yes it's another Tilly and the Buttons Pattern- Agnes! I've been wanting to make one for a while. And I'm definitely going to be making more as they're so simple and comfy.


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Fabric Haul

Saturday, October 15, 2016

So I love fabric... Oh didn't you know!?! Well I do, I have tons of it and sometimes I buy fabric and never make anything with it as it's 'too nice'. BUT I recently bought a little stash and I have plans for every single one, so I thought I'd share what I bought and what I plan to make!

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French Bulldog Print Skirt

Wednesday, October 12, 2016
 

YEY! I've made another item of clothing! Ok so it's not the best, and as I didn't use a pattern it's not perfect, I'm still happy with it but thought I'd share my mistakes.


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The Handmade Fair Map.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

If you came to The Handmade Fair this year, you would have seen my stitched show ground map in the show guide and dotted around the fair. It was a huge thing for me to have one of my pieces as such an important part of the fair. 

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Little Meadow© Dress

Friday, September 16, 2016

I'm very lucky to have an incredible family, who always support me and love everything I do. Recently my cousin wanted me to make her daughter a cute little dress from my Meadow© Print Fabric. And my baby cousin is the most gorgeous girlie in the world- so of course I said yes!

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My Marigold

Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Yey! I've made another item of clothing! And from my favourite friends Tilly and the Buttons! This time it was their gorgeous jumpsuit pattern- Marigold.



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Handmade Fair Prep.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Not long now until my favourite show in the whole world- The Handmade Fair! From the 16th-18th September you can come create, be inspired and shop from beautiful handmade shops and suppliers! (including us!).

I've been sewing away making stock the past few weeks, and planning my stand layout etc. Hopefully I'm organised, I'm never too sure.

I've actually been involved in designing something special for the fair this year which I'm very excited to share. But you probably won't see the full thing until the fair itself- sorry.
This sewn version of the Handmade Fair's logo is included in the surprise project. 
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A Special Day for Fred

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Yes gorgeous Fred turned 4 on the 18th August and I wanted him to know it. So I gave him a little party- much to my sisters dismay! :P


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White, Grey and Yellow.

Friday, August 19, 2016
So I really love interiors, it's my favourite thing to dream and lust over on Pinterest. (Follow my boards here!) And as we're moving house I have an excuse to spend hours trawling through ideas and making new boards of inspiration.


One room I love in life is actually my sister's bedroom. She's very tidy, like me, and loves simple lines and clean colours. So I thought I'd share some photographs to give you some inspiration of your own.


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New DIY Video is up!

Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Hello Everyone!

I have been trying to get back into my videos and blog posts, so I've just released a new tutorial video which you can watch here:



I loved making this video, and I love these cute fabric baskets too! They're super useful, you can make them tiny or huge! Make them for storage, for plant pots, or even pencils!


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Paper Party Hats

Friday, August 12, 2016

Well it's my sister's dog's birthday next week.... and I am currently looking after him whilst they're on holiday. You might not know this but I LOVE a party. I love planning them and making decorations, so I thought as I'm alone with Fred, we'd have our own party to celebrate his 4th birthday! (Stay with me on this!)
It's just a bit of fun, but it does mean I get to make party decs and all the trimmings- which means DIY- which means new posts for you!

So up first on the making list is PARTY HATS! (Human and dog size! :P)


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5 Items I'm loving on Etsy

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Hi Everyone,

I'm a huge Etsy fan. Not only do I sell my wares on there, but I buy 80% of all my presents for family and friends on there too. (And the occasional present for myself! Shhhh!)

There's so many amazing small businesses and handmade brands on there, and I 'favourite' items almost daily. Here's my top 5 items I'm loving at the moment. (Some may become a present for someone soon!).

1. Porcelain Cloudy Dish by Urban Cartel.


This Australian Brand has a wide variety of gorgeous modern porcelain items. And these are so cute!

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Meadow© Print Pleated Skirt

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Oooo another DIY! I'm on a roll with my 'get back into making clothes' mission! I wanted to make another piece from my printed fabrics, and as they're medium weight cottons, I need structural designs. The dungaree dress worked well with the pleated skirt, so I thought I'd make a longer version.


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My Coco

Wednesday, August 3, 2016
As you may know I teach Free Machine Embroidery Workshops at Tilly and the Buttons HQ (BOOK HERE if you want to join me!). As I'm trying to get back into the dressmaking world, I thought I'd have a go at Tilly's amazing Coco pattern.


I've actually had this pattern since February!!! (I've been a little tied up with other things). I finally got round to buying my jersey and sewing it all together. I got it all done in a day and loved every minute. It's so easy and it's so comfy to wear.


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Weekend in Brighton

Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Some of you may know, from looking at my Instagram feed, that my lovely sister took me to Brighton last weekend. Neither of us had been before, and we've always wanted to go, so Bea organised the whole thing as a birthday treat.


We stayed in a lovely ladies house through Air BnB which you can book HERE. Annette was super lovely and she has many rooms you can stay in for a weekend break, or holiday. Her super friendly cat Freddie was also a highlight.


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On the Farm© Printed Dungaree Dress

Saturday, July 23, 2016
Hi everyone!

How are we all? I have another DIY to show you. I wanted to create a dungaree dress/ pinafore from my cute On the Farm© Printed Fabric.

I added some inspiration pictures to a Pinterest board which you can see HERE.

I decided on a pleated skirt, with a simple square front and pocket, and cross over straps. I used this easy tutorial from Dare to DIY as a guide for my skirt. I had to do it as a front and back piece as I wanted 3 full pleats on each side.


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NEW Product Preview: Fabric Lampshades.

Thursday, June 23, 2016
Hi Everyone!

Our brand new lampshades are finally on the website (totally my fault-needed the time to do it all). So I've now taken the photographs I needed and you can view and buy them HERE.

I thought I'd give you a bit of background on how this new product came about. I'm still on a high since I received the bolts of my own designed and printed fabric, and I've been working hard experimenting with them and creating new things.


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Wedding Guest Outfit

Thursday, June 9, 2016
Hi Everyone,

It's me again for another DIY! It was recently my friend's lovely wedding and I was so excited to see two of my favourite people tie the knot. Then I panicked- "What am I going to wear!?!".

I trawled the internet for the perfect outfit- and all the ones I liked I couldn't afford. So I thought I'd make my own! I did start to panic when choosing fabrics however, as I hadn't made any clothes for myself in a very long time.

I decided on a little cropped top, with a tulip button up back and little cap sleeves. Then for the bottom a layered tulle circle skirt.



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T-shirt Dress to Cropped Top.

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Hi Everyone.

I'm trying my hardest to get into dress making and clothing modifications. It's something I've always loved, but never get the time to do. So I've told myself that if I have a spare hour or two I have to do something... no matter how small.
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French Inspired Interiors

Thursday, May 5, 2016
You may have heard (from my social media) that my friend, Jess, had her Hen Party last weekend. We travelled up to Catherington in Hampshire to a BEAUTIFUL house for our girls getaway. 

Everything about the weekend was perfect but the house made it for me. Plenty of space for all 12 of us to sleep, relax and enjoy ourselves. And as a huge lover of interior design, I had a field day taking pictures of this gorgeously renovated house. 

I thought I'd share a few pictures of my favourite corners and spaces in this french inspired modern renovation. 



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Papercut Baby Card Variation

Thursday, April 7, 2016
Hi all!

Just wanted to share a different design idea for your paper cut cards. Have you seen the video tutorial I did with Silverline Tools? If not; here it is:




Now you know how to make Paper Cut Cards, I'm going to show you a different design I made recently. My friend had another little human, and this time it was a gorgeous baby boy! So I got out my Silverline Tools and got to making.


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5 Super Cute Easter Makes

Thursday, March 17, 2016
Hi Everyone!

Well, I really wanted to write a blog post, and as I'm super excited about Spring and the sunshine being out more- I thought I'd share some Easter DIY ideas for you (and I) to try!

Easter Treat Jars from Happiness is Homemade   

So cute and so simple! Love these so much- perfect for little presents too!


Lolly Pop Stick Rabbit Decoration from Make & Do Crew 

Cute for Easter and to decorate a nursery. Looks like I'm going to be eating a lot of lollies! Although we could just cheat and buy a pack of sticks on Amazon!

 

Adorable Egg Shell Vases from We are Scout  

Love how tiny, dainty and spring like these are. Just adorable for an Easter Lunch or for decorating the mantlepiece.


Easter Huggers from Lia Griffith 

A fun alternative for the kids! Get those craft knives out and give it a go!


Pom Pom Bunny from FAB DIY 

I'm squealing with cuteness! I need to make this adorable bunny asap!



These are my 5 favourite little makes right now on the tinternet. Follow my Spring Themed Pinterest Board HERE for more cute DIY makes I've found and decoration ideas. 

Happy Handmade!

Sophia x
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Fabric Competition Winners!!

Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Hi Everyone!

Hope you're all well! I've been totally overwhelmed by all your competition entries. Not only has it been my most popular competition to date, but it's been incredible to involve a creative side of you all!
Your ideas are totally inspiring. And it's been so hard but I have decided on our three winners. I just want to say thank you to all of you who entered.




Right the winner of my Meadow© Printed Fabric is:

Nica Walsh

Nica wanted to make "Curtains with matching cushion applique, waste bin and lamp shade." I can't wait to see which one you make out of your project piece Nica. 
...............

The winner of my Wheels and Stars© Printed Fabric is: 

Maureen Moss

Maureen wanted to make "..something for my 5 year old grandson [..] perhaps a shirt for wearing on the relatives farm or maybe an art overall for his painting and pottery lessons..." Such a cute idea Maureen cannot wait to see a picture of your make!
...............

The winner of my On the Farm© Printed Fabric is: 

Jan Johnson

Jan's idea was to make a "duvet cover/pillow case and bumper covers for my new grandson" I love the fact she added "he won't criticize my workmanship!!". Such a sweet idea and I love this print, it's perfect for any room in the home from nursery to kitchen. Can't wait to see your photos Jan. 


Thanks again for all your entries. Winners will be notified by email. And I'll show you their makes once I have recieved pictures.

Happy Handmade everyone!

love Sophia x


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