Handmade Christmas: Make a Christmas Stocking Decoration
Still looking for that last minute hand made gift? or for an activity for Christmas Eve?
Then why not make a Christmas Stocking Decoration for your Christmas Tree!
Quick and easy to make, they are the perfect mini-make to create on Christmas Eve.
How to Make:
1: Using the free pattern below, cut around the paper stocking base, heel, toe and top pattern shapes.
2: To make a contrast colour stocking, you will need 2 different coloured pieces of felt. Pin your pattern pieces on the felt and cut around them. You will need 2 pieces of each shape cut in felt.
3: Arrange the stocking heel, toe and top pieces on top of the stocking base. Pin in place. Make sure you have each side of the stocking mirroring each other, otherwise both sides will be the same and they won't be able to be sewn together.
4: Select any thread you like and sew the stocking toe, heel and top to each side of the stocking base. Although I used a running stitch, you can use any stitch you like.
5: Place both sides of the stocking together. The pieces you have just sewn on to each side should be facing outwards. Pin in place. Starting at the top right of the stocking, sew the 2 sides of the stocking together with a slip stitch or running stitch. Remember to tie a knot in your thread at the start and the end so your stitches don't come loose! Leave the top of the stocking open in case you want to put anything inside it.
6: Lastly, cut 20cm of thin ribbon. Join the 2 ends of the ribbon together and sew the ends to the inside of the stocking at the top.
To personalise your stockings, felt letters can be added to the stockings.
The stockings can be made in different colours and are a great addition to any tree.
Then why not make a Christmas Stocking Decoration for your Christmas Tree!
Quick and easy to make, they are the perfect mini-make to create on Christmas Eve.
How to Make:
1: Using the free pattern below, cut around the paper stocking base, heel, toe and top pattern shapes.
2: To make a contrast colour stocking, you will need 2 different coloured pieces of felt. Pin your pattern pieces on the felt and cut around them. You will need 2 pieces of each shape cut in felt.
3: Arrange the stocking heel, toe and top pieces on top of the stocking base. Pin in place. Make sure you have each side of the stocking mirroring each other, otherwise both sides will be the same and they won't be able to be sewn together.
4: Select any thread you like and sew the stocking toe, heel and top to each side of the stocking base. Although I used a running stitch, you can use any stitch you like.
5: Place both sides of the stocking together. The pieces you have just sewn on to each side should be facing outwards. Pin in place. Starting at the top right of the stocking, sew the 2 sides of the stocking together with a slip stitch or running stitch. Remember to tie a knot in your thread at the start and the end so your stitches don't come loose! Leave the top of the stocking open in case you want to put anything inside it.
6: Lastly, cut 20cm of thin ribbon. Join the 2 ends of the ribbon together and sew the ends to the inside of the stocking at the top.
To personalise your stockings, felt letters can be added to the stockings.
The stockings can be made in different colours and are a great addition to any tree.
To make your own stocking, take a look at the free pattern below!
Share your mini-makes with me on Facebook and Instagram by tagging me in your photos: @sianrileystudio
Happy Sewing!
Christmas Sale: Eco Sewing and Pattern Cutting Tote Bags
Its that time of year again!
Save 25% on my Eco Sewing and Pattern Cutting Tote Bags on my Etsy Store.
The perfect gifts for the sewing, pattern cutting and dressmaking enthusiasts in your life!
Made from fair trade and sustainable materials, they are a great way to transport your dressmaking essentials.
To buy yours now, head over to my Etsy store and type coupon code: ECOXMAS17 at the checkout for your discount.
Save 25% on my Eco Sewing and Pattern Cutting Tote Bags on my Etsy Store.
The perfect gifts for the sewing, pattern cutting and dressmaking enthusiasts in your life!
Made from fair trade and sustainable materials, they are a great way to transport your dressmaking essentials.
To buy yours now, head over to my Etsy store and type coupon code: ECOXMAS17 at the checkout for your discount.
#Croydonschoolofart
As many of you following me on social media may have guessed by now, I have started a new teaching adventure at Croydon School of Art.
My 3rd year students are starting to develop their final collection and are creating some brilliant work.
Follow their adventures on Instagram by following their accounts listed in the posts below:
My 3rd year students are starting to develop their final collection and are creating some brilliant work.
Follow their adventures on Instagram by following their accounts listed in the posts below:
The Sewing Cafe: Bodice Workshop
Its been a great start to the 3 part Bodice workshop at The Sewing Cafe.
Session one involves measuring the key dimensions involved in pattern drafting the bodice, and following my specially written handouts to create a custom fit bodice pattern.
Looking forward to seeing everyone's toiles in 2 weeks time!
Session one involves measuring the key dimensions involved in pattern drafting the bodice, and following my specially written handouts to create a custom fit bodice pattern.
Looking forward to seeing everyone's toiles in 2 weeks time!
Sewing Juniors at MAC Birmingham
Another fabulous Introduction to Sewing Juniors class at MAC Birmingham!
Lots of fabulous mini-makes created...particularly in love with the lion!
oh...and lets not forget the mice :)
MAC are now taking booking for February 2018 half term!
To book your place, click on this link. Places book up fast so book soon to avoid disappointment!
Lots of fabulous mini-makes created...particularly in love with the lion!
oh...and lets not forget the mice :)
MAC are now taking booking for February 2018 half term!
To book your place, click on this link. Places book up fast so book soon to avoid disappointment!
Exhibition: Diana; Her Fashion Story at Kensington Palace
I recently visited the 'Diana: Her Fashion Story' Exhibition at Kensington Palace. This show displays a wide range of her outfits; some infamous, some unknown, from her life and the variety of designers that dressed her.
On display are iconic pieces from her Royal tours, the beaded Versace gown from her Patrick Demarchelier Harper's Bazaar photoshoot, and the Victor Edelstein dress from her dance with John Travolta at the White House.
The exhibition is well worth a visit for those interested in Diana's life and her clothes, but is also wonderful for dressmakers and fashion enthusiasts who can take a close up view of the beautiful details that feature in the clothes she wore.
Also worth a look is the amazing illustrated wallpaper by Julie Verhoeven which features beautiful drawings highlighting key moments of her life.
"The outfits in the exhibition track her evolution as a princess, trend-setter, humanitarian, and woman, whose ability to connect with people remains powerful today"
-Kensington PalaceOn display are iconic pieces from her Royal tours, the beaded Versace gown from her Patrick Demarchelier Harper's Bazaar photoshoot, and the Victor Edelstein dress from her dance with John Travolta at the White House.
The exhibition is well worth a visit for those interested in Diana's life and her clothes, but is also wonderful for dressmakers and fashion enthusiasts who can take a close up view of the beautiful details that feature in the clothes she wore.
Also worth a look is the amazing illustrated wallpaper by Julie Verhoeven which features beautiful drawings highlighting key moments of her life.
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| Designer: Catherine Walker |
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| Designer: Victor Edelstein |
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| Designer: Catherine Walker |
 |
| Designer: Bruce Oldfield |
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| Designer: Catherine Walker |
 |
| Designer: Gianni Versace |
Women in Protest Season at MAC Birmingham: Eco-Activism
As part of MAC Birmingham's Women in Protest season, I will be running a 2 day Eco-Activism workshop.
The Women in Protest season is supported by the Sainbury trust and takes inspiration from Sally Payen's exhibition 'The Fence and The Shadow'. Her series of paintings explore the Women's peace camps and anti-nuclear protests that took place at Greenham Common during the 1980s. Myself and a number of other female artists are collaborating with MAC Birmingham to "explore the traditionally "feminine", "domestic" arts, and the power they hold".
The area I will be exploring in my 'Women in Protest' workshop is Eco-Activism. Those that know me or have attended any of my sewing and pattern classes know that I am a big supporter of ecological and sustainable fashion and impart ways to recycle/ upcycle/ donate/ make do and mend clothes as opposed to throwing them away.
It is suggested that over 680 million items of clothes will be discarded this year, with an alarming 235 million items ending up in Landfill. (Smithers, 2017). It has previously been reported that out of all the clothing and textiles that are thrown away, 13% of the material is recovered, another 13% is incinerated and the remaining 74% goes to landfill (Fletcher, 2008, p.98). This has a heavy impact on the environment as it can contaminate ground water and contribute to high greenhouse gas emission levels. One of the causes for these statistics is the high consumption levels of clothing, or 'Fast Fashion'. Items are bought and discarded before they have been used fully or 'worn out'.
To highlight this problem, I will be running an Eco-Activism workshop in October where old clothing that has been discarded will be reused for an alternative purpose. A mixture of pieces will be deconstructed and combined together to create 1 metre by 1 metre squares. Buttons will be placed on 2 sides and button holes on the remaining 2 sides. This will allow for the square to be wrapped around the wearer as a garment, made into a sleeping bag, used as a blanket or connected to other squares to form a tent or community living space that can provide shelter.
If you would like to find out more about this project, please feel free to get in touch on: studio@sianriley.co.uk
If you would like to join us for this workshop, head over to MAC Birmingham's website to book your place. Start collecting any old clothes, accessories and scrap/ unused fabric to bring with you to help build your squares.
If you would like to find out more about this project, please feel free to get in touch on: studio@sianriley.co.uk
If you would like to join us for this workshop, head over to MAC Birmingham's website to book your place. Start collecting any old clothes, accessories and scrap/ unused fabric to bring with you to help build your squares.
Sources:
Fletcher, K. (2008). Sustainable Fashion and Textiles; Design Journeys. London: Earthscan.
Fletcher, K. (2008). Sustainable Fashion and Textiles; Design Journeys. London: Earthscan.
Smithers, R. (2017). Britons expected to send 235m items of clothing to landfill this Spring. [Online]. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/apr/06/britons-expected-to-send-235m-items-of-clothing-to-landfill-this-spring. Accessed: 28/9/2017.
#eco #sustainability #sustainablefashion #refashioners2017 #ecofashion #womeninprotest #macbirmingham #fashion #makeityourself #makedoandmend #ethicalfashion #handmade #organic
#Summerseason2017: Until next year!
To finish off my summer season at MAC Birmingham, I ran two children's workshops; Introduction to Sewing Juniors and Sewing Workshop for Young People.
Everyone who came created some amazing things; loving all of the wonderful fabrics that they made the bags out of! You can see some of the amazing makes below.
New Courses at The Sewing Cafe in Hinckley!!
Its that time of year again!
I'm really happy to announce that I am once again partnering with the lovely ladies at The Sewing Cafe in Hinckley to offer some more pattern drafting and alteration classes.
Coming up from September, we have:
Pattern Drafting-Starting with a Skirt:
Dates: Saturday 2nd, 16th and 30th September . 2-5pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-drafting-starting-with-the-skirt/
Pattern Drafting-The Bodice:
Dates: Saturday 11th, 25th November and 9th December . 2-5pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-drafting-the-bodice/
Pattern Alterations: Bust Adjustments:
Date: Saturday 16th September . 10am-1pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-alterations-bust-adjustments/
If you have any questions about any of the courses, please feel free to get in touch or contact The Sewing Cafe directly on: hello@thesewingcafe.co.uk
Make sure to book your place soon as places are filling up fast!
Look forward to seeing you there!
*New courses at MAC Birmingham Coming soon!
I'm really happy to announce that I am once again partnering with the lovely ladies at The Sewing Cafe in Hinckley to offer some more pattern drafting and alteration classes.
Coming up from September, we have:
Pattern Drafting-Starting with a Skirt:
Dates: Saturday 2nd, 16th and 30th September . 2-5pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-drafting-starting-with-the-skirt/
Pattern Drafting-The Bodice:
Dates: Saturday 11th, 25th November and 9th December . 2-5pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-drafting-the-bodice/
Pattern Alterations: Bust Adjustments:
Date: Saturday 16th September . 10am-1pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-alterations-bust-adjustments/
If you have any questions about any of the courses, please feel free to get in touch or contact The Sewing Cafe directly on: hello@thesewingcafe.co.uk
Make sure to book your place soon as places are filling up fast!
Look forward to seeing you there!
*New courses at MAC Birmingham Coming soon!
#summersewingseason: Intermediate Pattern Cutting
To close out my week at MAC Birmingham, I delivered a 2 day Intermediate Pattern Cutting course where we focused on the construction of the bodice. Getting the fit right is quite tricky and can take some fine tuning, but everyone who came did amazingly well and left with accurate and well-fitting samples and patterns.
Take a look at some of images below to see the weekends activities!
You can see some feedback from one of the students who attended below:
Take a look at some of images below to see the weekends activities!
You can see some feedback from one of the students who attended below:
#summersewingseason: Young Designers Sewing School
This summer marked the 2nd Young Designers Sewing School at MAC Birmingham; a 5 day course for 12-17 year olds that features a wide range of fun activities that give a taste of what goes on in the fashion industry.
Check out the photos below for some of the things we got up to over the 5 days!
Day 1:
Basic sewing techniques, seams and uniquely designed tote bags so each person could easily store their fabric samplers and worksheets.
Day Two:
Decorative samples such as taped and bound seams, different types of pleats, gathers and zip up purses. The purses turned out to be a stroke of genius for many of the students who really went to town on the design. The Cow and Unicorn are my personal favourites I think!
Day Three:
Mood and Colour boards and talking about the design process. These boards were lovely and explained the sttudents themes well. This lead to many students designing and making more of their own accessories, such as belts, purses and Ipad cases.
Day Four:
This marked the beginning of the 2 design and make days. Each student picked a clothing pattern they liked to cut and make in a fabric of their choice. Day four involved preparing, cutting and starting the construction process.
Day Five:
The final day resulted in some amazing pieces! Thank you to everyone who came; you all created some amazing work! Hope to see you on the Great British Sewing Bee in the future :)
Another Sewing School over for another year. But don't worry...you can still join my 1 day introduction to sewing for young people course which is coming up on September 1st! Head over to my courses page to book your place.
Check out the photos below for some of the things we got up to over the 5 days!
Day 1:
Basic sewing techniques, seams and uniquely designed tote bags so each person could easily store their fabric samplers and worksheets.
Day Two:
Day Three:
Mood and Colour boards and talking about the design process. These boards were lovely and explained the sttudents themes well. This lead to many students designing and making more of their own accessories, such as belts, purses and Ipad cases.
Day Four:
This marked the beginning of the 2 design and make days. Each student picked a clothing pattern they liked to cut and make in a fabric of their choice. Day four involved preparing, cutting and starting the construction process.
The final day resulted in some amazing pieces! Thank you to everyone who came; you all created some amazing work! Hope to see you on the Great British Sewing Bee in the future :)
Another Sewing School over for another year. But don't worry...you can still join my 1 day introduction to sewing for young people course which is coming up on September 1st! Head over to my courses page to book your place.
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