Bits and Bobs

I have been a bit blue- no reason, just one of those inexplicable things- this week.   I have a lot of work on in my day job so that must be contributing.   It has lifted a bit towards the end of the week but it has been hard to get stuff done.  I have too many bee blocks outstanding but not the head for doing them.  Apologies to those waiting for them, they will appear soon!    For a quick fix I turned to Zakka Style and decided to make the little sewing case for the FQ retreat

 It stitches up really quickly and would be easy to adapt to make a book cover instead.  I made bias ties and placed them on either sides- slightly different from the pattern but more logical in my head but they work either way.

 Katy wrote instructions on her blog for ties like these if you wanted to make them.  I squeezed a tiny pinnie and needle case in side the big pocket.

Fabrics:  Suzuko Koseki sewing print on linen, Kei Dots for binding and Kaufman Vintage Couturier for the lining.  And I am a glutton for punishment, I thought I would sew a dress for the retreat too.  I am part way and have made a irreversible mistake that I am hoping to get away with.  Apart from that it is coming together pretty well.  The instructions are not the best I have ever read but there are some lovely details.  The handy thing with online sewing is that there is always someone else which has made something the same or similar so I turned to Amy and Carmen for their experiences with the Theresa dress, very helpful!  The fabric is a Liberty print I bought a couple of years ago, the print is by Grayson Perry, one of my favourite artists.  

Work beckons, even today- an extra event to do but the sun is shining :)