Cushions for Kids Company

I have spent many spare moments over the past few weeks sewing....... sewing a total of 12 cushions for for some very deserving children supported by Kids Company.
Nicki in Switzerland who co-ordinates the making of these cushions asked me just before Christmas if I could help as she had a long list of cushions that needed to be made. I of course agreed. She sent me the completed cross stitch pictures, a list of names and the colours the children had requested.
I was amazed by the intricacy of the stitched pictures, and hence the amount of time that many people had put into creating these designs. My job, by comparison was simple!
I made the cross stitch designs into a pocket on the front of the cushion,

and appliqued their name on the back.The children, who have few belongings, treasure the fact that they have somewhere special to keep their favourite items, whilst they cuddle up to their colourful cushion - a cushion that has been made especially for them.

I had a great deal of fun, using up the brightest and boldest fabrics in my stash and edging the designs with oddments of ribbon that I had been hoarding for years. I found the applique relaxing and I smiled as I tried to imagine the little girl or boy it was destined for. And the bit I liked least? ... putting in all those zips of course!

7 dresses

Finally, these seven dresses have been parcelled up and posted off to KidsCompany.

Each summer I make dresses for deprived girls at Kids Company who might otherwise have to spend their summer school break in their usual T shirts and jeans. But this year, as well as some random size dresses that were sent off earlier, I agreed to make dresses for specific children. They gave me the sizes and the favourite colours of seven very needy girls, and these are the dresses I made for them. Unfortunately, I finished them just a couple of days too late to get them to them before broke up from school for the summer, so I've had to wait until now to send them off.

It looks as though summer is well and truly finished here (if it ever really got going!), but I'm sure they will enjoy wearing them with a T shirt and leggings, and they will appreciate receiving something that was made especially for them.

This one is my favourite - I think its the petite size and the bright colours that I particularly like. I was very pleased with the white edging stitch that I put on each ruffle with the overlocker.
I couldn't help thinking though, as I put a gift label on each dress, and parcelled them up, that 7 dresses is just a drop in the ocean ......so.... I'd better that sewing machine out, and make some more!

Back on Track

Hi, I'm back blogging again.
I have been absent for quite a few months! Sadly, my Dad was ill and then passed away, and between looking after him and then sorting out everything I just didn't get the time to blog, but I'm back now and I'm really looking forward to telling you all my ideas for my ever expanding Etsy shop.
I'm using organic fabric now, as well as organic yarn, and I'm really enjoying sewing again.
I was sorting out all my dad's stuff and I came across the sewing basket that my Mum had when I was a kid. I opened it up, and the chilhood memories came flooding back. There were patterns I remembered sewing when I was about 10! The same little plastic knitting needles I learned on, the half finished dolls clothes and zips unpicked from worn out clothing. (yes, I've kept them! My mum was a brilliant recycler, she would be proud of me!). There were tins of pins and spools of thread and I was hooked once more.
So began a spending spree in the fabric shops. I made some summer dresses for the children of KidsCo (I'll tell you more about them in another post) and the idea of adding organic clothing to Lovefibres was born.

I just love those little knot embellishments on the pockets.
I'll be back soon to show you what I've made next - I promise!