M is for Matchbox

I have been meaning to do the post for a while.  There is a guy where I live called David who sells his handcrafted creations on a stall in an arts centre called Exeter Phoenix.  His goodies always catch my eye when I go in and a few weeks ago I was compelled to buy his Alphabet cards.

These are a few that called me but really they are all my favourites.  He has a lovely balance of quirky, hand drawn inky graphic and nostalgia.  I thought some of the sewers might like a close up on Q Quilt

He also sells eraser carved stamps and lots of oddities based on matchboxes

David, aka The Matchbox can be contacted by email at thematchbox@yahoo.co.uk

Tutorial: Tailor's tacks

When you are sewing, especially dress making, you need to get the pattern markings on to your fabric and if the fabric is delicate or you are worried about getting the magic pen marks out, tailors tacks are a good way to make your marks without using chalk/pen/pencil.  I hope this video clip explains all if this is new to you.  If  something isn't clear let me know. There is no sound,  I'm hoping actions speak louder than words

I hope you learn to tailor tack,   I learnt that I have quite veiny arms.

Pochee Progress

I finished my toile for the Pochee tunic.  It looks a bit like a ghostly one armed Victorian night dress but it does the job and the fit is good

The Little Folks voile is cut and ready and I have been tailor tacking to put all the marks for matching up and  sewing the tucks.  I will post a bit of video after this as a tailor tack tutorial- if I can work it out.  I'm using the Sewmamasew June make it wear it thing to give me a kick up the backside.  Pochee 9 arrived a couple of weeks ago and I've been meaning to post pics

There are even more things I want to make in here than in the other one

I have already cut put the pattern for this, I am going to make it from the lacey cotton table cloth I found a couple of weeks ago so it will be a petticoat dress to wear under the tunic, but there's more...

Definitely going to make this dress

The full skirt crosses over at the back like an apron or wraparound style

Too many to choose.

Sunday Spoils

More booty goodies- I'm away next Sunday so finding a few good bits today keeps me going for a couple of weeks.  There was a stall with an old haberdashery shop clearance, most of it nylon or dirty but a great reel of ric rac hiding away in a box

It's a bit like a gingham pattern in the weave, nice find for 50p.  Also got these tiny cups

destined to become teacup pincushions, after I dropped my china basket pin cushion I need something weighted and if I break one of these there will be another.  A tutorial for this at mmmcrafts is very helpful

Just as I was on my way out I spotted these hiding on the floor- shabby but so lovely and they russian doll inside each other.  I washed them  gently with a bit of sterilising fluid  and they are all nice and clean and ready for storage, love them already x

V&A Quilts 1700-2010

If you get the chance to go - take it, what an amazing exhibition and it finishes 4th July.

No photography but there are great web links on the V&A website.  It was incredibly busy, you really need to prebook your ticket and then queue up and collect it well before your alloted time to make sure you don't miss it!  Your journey through the exhibition is themed so there is a mix of old/new, male/female, professional/amateur, group/individual quilts.  For more details click here for the V&A account of it all and lots of pics. Youc an also find curator Sue Pritchard's blog- good for more pics and info and fun stuff like design a textile or upload you own quilt into their big online display.  Quilts and sewing is an emotionally connecting activity, it was hard not to cry on some exhibits-

Grayson Perry's exploration of abortion with 'Right to Life',  

The HMP Wandsworth quilt commisioned for the V&A 2010, a floor map of the prison and embroidered with heartbreaking statements-'One man one portion', 'I miss my family'

Changi Girl Guide Coverlet made in Changi Prison, Singapore 1943 meeting once a week, all hexies and some embroidered with names in their handwriting style, a secret present for their guide leader.

   The exit from the exhibition was directly into the bookshop where all the fabric and quilting/sewing/art books are housed- v clever ploy, and a lot was v expensive- but  couldn't resist a bit of fabric.  One bit will be for my Modern Swappers. 

 I couldn't stay in there forever and my camera was allowed elsewhere.  This Tracey Emin bag designed for Lonchamp 2004 was in 'Fashion'

Incredible digitally printed Alexander McQueen dress, don't normally like a lot of designer stuff but the cut and finish was breathtaking 

This beautiful pieced dress by John Loss 1966

An exquisite appliqued and hand detailed Ossie Clark dress 1970, the year I was born

and a whole 'Textiles' gallery that I'd not been in before full of fabrics, samplers, lace, linen.

Sorry for poor pic, these are dimly lit rooms- I love text fabric and this takes it to a new level- silk stitched on linen by a young girl circa 1850 telling the story of her early life.

Gorgeous modern block printed linen but from 1913, Vanessa Bell

A dress maker's promotional doll mid 18th century, 

I never quite know what to do with myself in places like the V&A,  I have been twice before and I always feel like rushing up to people and telling them to make the most of it, look at it, don't walk by, I can never quite believe we are all allowed in.  

I hadn't been in 'Ceramics' gallery before and I do like a pot

this above and below, Eric Ravilions for Wedgewood 1937

Stig Lindberg, wow! I love his designs -Fairytale Country pattern 1951

and Bersa tablewares 1960

In the 'Modern' gallery, great fabric, 

and a simple and beautiful netsuke in the Japanese gallery

I am always overwhelmed.  If you haven't been to the V&A it is the most fantastic way to spend a day.

I have just found out that I won a giveaway-I am over the moon!  It is for a lovely collection of green handmade goodies from this Finnish blogger miashandmade.blogspot.com/ including the green birdie in her 'about me' pic.  A big

 to Mia!

Swapsies

I did my first swap with Cate through a pic she posted on Flickr.  Always exciting to get a giftie in the post and go through your stash to imagine what someone else would like.  Love all these pinks she sent

and brighter bits- especially that 30's style fabric far left

The element of surprise is the fun bit- I wasn't expecting such a cute little handmade envelope-fabric squares inside

Positive experience all round,- thanks Cate, we'll do it again!