The #snuginasnood Project
My wonderful colleague Daisy has started a great initiative called 'Snug in a Snood' to knit/ crochet snoods and scarves for those that are homeless at this bitterly cold time of year.
If anyone has any old or unwanted wool that they would like to donate or would like to join in, please get in touch with Daisy below. Please share this with as many people as you can to support this project.
See Daisy's Statement below:
If anyone has any old or unwanted wool that they would like to donate or would like to join in, please get in touch with Daisy below. Please share this with as many people as you can to support this project.
See Daisy's Statement below:
"As the days and night turn bitterly cold I have been forced to think about the homeless people who suffer the freezing temperatures on the streets. I simply cannot afford to give change or a hot drink to every homeless person that I see and it’s beginning to upset me. They are all humans yet are barely treated like one. So I want to try and make a difference.Being a creative person I want to start a project ‘snug in a snood’ I am going to knit/crochet a snood/scarf for as many homeless people as I possibly can. I am asking if any of you generous people could donate any old or unwanted wool to me so I can create something for our homeless citizens.If you can knit or crochet and want to get on board I would be very grateful. It may be a small idea but if I can make someone even a degree warmer this winter, then that’s a start."
Get in touch with Daisy via her Facebook page and follow her on instagram via @daisyemiliadesign
Practicing Pattern Cutting: Chinelo Bally Freehand Fashion
I've been investigating different methods of pattern cutting from around the world. One method that i haven't explored before is freehand cutting, a practice that is primarily used in Africa and Asia. This involves using body measurements and applying them directly to fabric horizontally and vertically with a tape measure and chalk.
I tested the bodice process in half scale with my own measurements. As i have primarily worked with metric pattern methods (a la Winifred Aldrich), i found this method a little confusing. Some of the proportion measurements didn't seem as accurate as i would like but I enjoyed testing out an alternative method to what i'm used to. As i have good knowledge of pattern cutting, i was able to work through the process relatively easily but I can see that it might be a little difficult if someone has not pattern drafted before.
I'd like to test this full size on fabric (as this was my first try, i used paper) to see how close i got and compare it to the fit of the metric methods.
Take a look at part of the block pattern below.
I tested the bodice process in half scale with my own measurements. As i have primarily worked with metric pattern methods (a la Winifred Aldrich), i found this method a little confusing. Some of the proportion measurements didn't seem as accurate as i would like but I enjoyed testing out an alternative method to what i'm used to. As i have good knowledge of pattern cutting, i was able to work through the process relatively easily but I can see that it might be a little difficult if someone has not pattern drafted before.
I'd like to test this full size on fabric (as this was my first try, i used paper) to see how close i got and compare it to the fit of the metric methods.
Take a look at part of the block pattern below.
Throwback Thursday: Handmade Christmas
For the past few years, my friends and I have been joining in with the 'handmade Christmas' theme. Every year we try and beat the previous years gifts. This year i created hanging garlands made from recycled fabric remnants and craft materials.
I used long lengths of grosgrain ribbon and attached a mixture of different things...craft papers folded as origami stars, card shapes wrapped with thread, remnant fabric, ribbons, pompoms, streamers, bows, stitched snowflakes and bells.
Making decorations like this is beautifully unique as no two are the same.
I used long lengths of grosgrain ribbon and attached a mixture of different things...craft papers folded as origami stars, card shapes wrapped with thread, remnant fabric, ribbons, pompoms, streamers, bows, stitched snowflakes and bells.
Making decorations like this is beautifully unique as no two are the same.
Katie Jones Knit discussing Sustainability in Design at BCU
As many of you know, i'm a little bit interested in sustainability (alright...maybe a lot!) and i always love to hear about other designers or creatives sustainable practices. So it was lovely to hear Katie Jones speak at Birmingham City University about sustainability in design.
I really enjoyed learning about her sustainable practices that involve sourcing garments and repurposing them to give them a new life. The handmade touch to give the garments a unique finish was great and helped to give me some ideas of my own of things i can do to 're-fashion' some of my old clothes.
You can find out more about Katie on her website: http://www.katiejonesknit.co.uk/ or by following her on instagram via @katiejonesknit
I really enjoyed learning about her sustainable practices that involve sourcing garments and repurposing them to give them a new life. The handmade touch to give the garments a unique finish was great and helped to give me some ideas of my own of things i can do to 're-fashion' some of my old clothes.
You can find out more about Katie on her website: http://www.katiejonesknit.co.uk/ or by following her on instagram via @katiejonesknit
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New 2019 Sewing and Pattern Cutting Courses at The Sewing Cafe and MAC Birmingham
Are you looking for a new challenge this year?
If so, why not try your hand at sewing and pattern cutting on one of my courses at The Sewing Cafe or MAC Birmingham.
Many of my usual courses are returning for the 2019 schedule but there are a few new courses this year.
At The Sewing Cafe, i'm introducing pattern cloning classes where you can learn how to take a pattern from your favourite top or skirt/ trouser. I've also added in a fit clinic session where you can book a 45 minute slot with me for some one-to-one pattern cutting/ fitting help. If you have been to one of my classes before and have a query about something or you're working on your own project and need some help, book a slot and i'll do my best to assist you. Don't worry, the classic courses are also scheduled for this year, so if you've missed them previously, take a look to see if the dates below work for you.
There are also a few new courses at MAC Birmingham. This year, as well as the established favourites, i'm introducing more sessions to the MAC Sewing School Series. The vintage dress course is returning and in February and May, there are new sessions on how to sew a trouser and skirt from a commercial pattern, and i'll take you through the process and the potential problems you may face. I would recommend that you have some experience of sewing when coming on the Sewing School classes as this will help your understanding. For the new trouser course, the recommended pattern is Simplicity 1165 Women's pull-on trousers/ long and short shorts; and for the skirt, i would recommend Simplicity 8459 Misses' skirt with length and front variations. You can bring your own skirt or trouser pattern if you wish but remember, if you haven't worked with a commercial pattern before, select something that isn't too difficult. Feel free to email me on studio@sianriley.co.uk if you have any questions.
See a full list of courses and direct links to book your places below or on my courses page.
Hope to see you there!
The Sewing Cafe, Hinckley:
Pattern Drafting-Starting with a Skirt:
Dates: Saturday 2nd and 16th February, and 2nd March . 2-5pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-drafting-starting-with-the-skirt/
Pattern Alterations: Bust Adjustments:
Date: Saturday 2nd February . 10am-1pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-alterations-bust-adjustments/
NEW COURSE: Pattern Cloning: Tops
Date: Saturday 16th February . 10am-1pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/new-pattern-cloning-tops/
Pattern Alterations: Sway back, Lengthening and Shortening:
Date: Saturday 2nd March . 10am-1pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-alterations-sway-back-lengthening-and-shortening/
Pattern Drafting-The Bodice:
Dates: Saturday 27th April, 4th and 18th May . 2-5pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-drafting-the-bodice/
NEW COURSE: Fitting Clinic
Date: Saturday 27th April . From 10am till 1pm .
*Please contact the Sewing Cafe for individual time slots
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/new-fitting-clinic/
NEW COURSE: Pattern Cloning: Bottoms
Date: Saturday 18th May . 10am-1pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/new-pattern-cloning-bottoms/
MAC Birmingham:
NEW COURSE: MAC Sewing School: Trousers
**To complete this course, you must have some sewing experience.
Dates: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th February 2019 . 10am-5pm
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/mac-sewing-school-trousers
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/introduction-to-sewing
NEW COURSE: MAC Sewing School: A Skirt
**To complete this course, you must have some sewing experience.
Dates: Saturday 11th and Sunday 19th May 2019. 10am-5pm
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/mac-sewing-school-a-skirt
Introduction to Pattern Cutting
Dates: Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June 2019 . 10am-5pm
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/introduction-to-pattern-cutting
Introduction to Clothes Alteration
**To complete this course, you must have some sewing experience.
Dates: Saturday 29th June 2019 . 10am-5pm
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/introduction-to-clothes-alterations
*Please bring clothes you would like to alter/ mend with you.
Make a Vintage Style Dress
**To complete this course, you must have some sewing experience.
Dates: Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July 2019 . 10am-5pm
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/make-a-vintage-style-dress-1
If so, why not try your hand at sewing and pattern cutting on one of my courses at The Sewing Cafe or MAC Birmingham.
Many of my usual courses are returning for the 2019 schedule but there are a few new courses this year.
At The Sewing Cafe, i'm introducing pattern cloning classes where you can learn how to take a pattern from your favourite top or skirt/ trouser. I've also added in a fit clinic session where you can book a 45 minute slot with me for some one-to-one pattern cutting/ fitting help. If you have been to one of my classes before and have a query about something or you're working on your own project and need some help, book a slot and i'll do my best to assist you. Don't worry, the classic courses are also scheduled for this year, so if you've missed them previously, take a look to see if the dates below work for you.
There are also a few new courses at MAC Birmingham. This year, as well as the established favourites, i'm introducing more sessions to the MAC Sewing School Series. The vintage dress course is returning and in February and May, there are new sessions on how to sew a trouser and skirt from a commercial pattern, and i'll take you through the process and the potential problems you may face. I would recommend that you have some experience of sewing when coming on the Sewing School classes as this will help your understanding. For the new trouser course, the recommended pattern is Simplicity 1165 Women's pull-on trousers/ long and short shorts; and for the skirt, i would recommend Simplicity 8459 Misses' skirt with length and front variations. You can bring your own skirt or trouser pattern if you wish but remember, if you haven't worked with a commercial pattern before, select something that isn't too difficult. Feel free to email me on studio@sianriley.co.uk if you have any questions.
See a full list of courses and direct links to book your places below or on my courses page.
Hope to see you there!
The Sewing Cafe, Hinckley:
Pattern Drafting-Starting with a Skirt:
Dates: Saturday 2nd and 16th February, and 2nd March . 2-5pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-drafting-starting-with-the-skirt/
Pattern Alterations: Bust Adjustments:
Date: Saturday 2nd February . 10am-1pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-alterations-bust-adjustments/
NEW COURSE: Pattern Cloning: Tops
Date: Saturday 16th February . 10am-1pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/new-pattern-cloning-tops/
Pattern Alterations: Sway back, Lengthening and Shortening:
Date: Saturday 2nd March . 10am-1pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-alterations-sway-back-lengthening-and-shortening/
Pattern Drafting-The Bodice:
Dates: Saturday 27th April, 4th and 18th May . 2-5pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/pattern-drafting-the-bodice/
NEW COURSE: Fitting Clinic
Date: Saturday 27th April . From 10am till 1pm .
*Please contact the Sewing Cafe for individual time slots
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/new-fitting-clinic/
NEW COURSE: Pattern Cloning: Bottoms
Date: Saturday 18th May . 10am-1pm
For more information: http://www.thesewingcafe.co.uk/new-pattern-cloning-bottoms/
MAC Birmingham:
NEW COURSE: MAC Sewing School: Trousers
**To complete this course, you must have some sewing experience.
Dates: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th February 2019 . 10am-5pm
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/mac-sewing-school-trousers
Introduction to Sewing
Dates: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March . 10am-5pmTo book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/introduction-to-sewing
NEW COURSE: MAC Sewing School: A Skirt
**To complete this course, you must have some sewing experience.
Dates: Saturday 11th and Sunday 19th May 2019. 10am-5pm
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/mac-sewing-school-a-skirt
Introduction to Pattern Cutting
Dates: Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June 2019 . 10am-5pm
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/introduction-to-pattern-cutting
Introduction to Clothes Alteration
**To complete this course, you must have some sewing experience.
Dates: Saturday 29th June 2019 . 10am-5pm
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/introduction-to-clothes-alterations
*Please bring clothes you would like to alter/ mend with you.
Make a Vintage Style Dress
**To complete this course, you must have some sewing experience.
Dates: Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July 2019 . 10am-5pm
To book your place: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/make-a-vintage-style-dress-1
Renzo Piano Exhibition at the Royal Academy
I recently went to the Renzo Piano Exhibition at the Royal Academy. Architecture has been a interest of mine for a long time and has influenced a lot of my creative work.
The exhibition features 16 key buildings from throughout his career and showcases the elements that contribute to the architectural design process. Tables filled with sketches, building elevations, samples, models, post-it-notes! and plans fill 2 of the 3 rooms, with the 3rd room used entirely for an 'imaginary island', a scale model showing 102 projects, including 14 that are still under construction.
I enjoyed the tactile nature of this exhibition; there were a lot of things to look at, touch and get close to. I loved all the models for the different projects and the different materials they were made in. My only slight criticism is that i wished the work was more spaced out. It seemed a little 'crammed in' in areas and I felt my senses were overloaded. However, I can understand the need to have the work curated as projects with all the materials for that project in one place. Perhaps with the work shown in a series of larger spaces or with the work laid out on more tables would have helped my viewing of the exhibit, but these are only minor things and overall, the exhibition was very enjoyable.
I would still recommend going to see this exhibition; its on display in the Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries until 20th January 2019. Head over to the Royal Academy website to book your tickets.
The exhibition features 16 key buildings from throughout his career and showcases the elements that contribute to the architectural design process. Tables filled with sketches, building elevations, samples, models, post-it-notes! and plans fill 2 of the 3 rooms, with the 3rd room used entirely for an 'imaginary island', a scale model showing 102 projects, including 14 that are still under construction.
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I enjoyed the tactile nature of this exhibition; there were a lot of things to look at, touch and get close to. I loved all the models for the different projects and the different materials they were made in. My only slight criticism is that i wished the work was more spaced out. It seemed a little 'crammed in' in areas and I felt my senses were overloaded. However, I can understand the need to have the work curated as projects with all the materials for that project in one place. Perhaps with the work shown in a series of larger spaces or with the work laid out on more tables would have helped my viewing of the exhibit, but these are only minor things and overall, the exhibition was very enjoyable.
I would still recommend going to see this exhibition; its on display in the Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries until 20th January 2019. Head over to the Royal Academy website to book your tickets.
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