A wonderful gift from Mr Deravelled

On a recent trip down to London with Mr Deravelled and the Moomin, we happened upon the historic London landmark - Liberty of London.  Having never been inside Liberty before (although an avid viewer of the documentary), we went in for a look around.

After negotiating the ground floor full of beautiful accessories, cosmetics and chocolate, we made our way up the creaking staircase to the fabric floor.  It was smaller than I imagined, but still fabulous.  It was at this point that Mr Deravelled said that he would buy me three metres of the fabric of my choice (lucky me!).  After squeeing a lot, I started the serious business of trying to choose just one design.  After very nearly going for the Strawberry Thief, I instead decided upon the above tana lawn, in Morris A.  Thank you, Mr Deravelled!

It really is an experience shopping in Liberty.  They take so much care over the cutting of the fabric, and wrap it so beautifully in Liberty tissue paper.  They even put it in a fancy purple gift bag, emblazoned with the Liberty crest in gold.  Just as well, really, as the fabric is very expensive.  So expensive, in fact, that I am now too afraid to use it!  Do you ever have that problem?

A cheeky hour on Goldhawk Road

Flamingo madness!

So I was down in London for a business lunch recently, and after it had finished I had a few hours to kill before my train, so I jumped on the tube and took a trip to Goldhawk Road.  Having heard so much about this magical place on other blogs, I knew I had to visit myself.

For those of you who don't know, Goldhawk Road is a bit of a fabric haven - you really can get almost every type and colour of fabric imaginable.  It's really easy to get to by tube - it has its own station, served by both Hammersmith & City and Circle lines.

There is a whole row of about ten fabric shops, some really cheap, others quite expensive, depending on the type of fabric and notions they sell.  I nabbed the above flamingo cotton whilst there, from Toni Textiles.  The sales team were great fun, and as soon as they learnt that I love flamingos, one of the guys started bringing me various bolts of fabric in different colourways and patterns.  However, I was firm, and just came away with three metres of this lovely cotton.  I think I'd like to make a dress out of it, but as we all know, best laid plans and all that.  But at least it will look pretty draped on my ironing board....

Jamie Oliver silk for Liberty

I also went into Classic Textiles, where, amongst other bits and pieces, bought one metre of this funky Liberty silk, designed back in 2013 by Jamie Oliver, of all people.  I love the colours, and thought it would make a cute scarf.

I curbed my stash enhancement duties at this point, as three metres of quilting weight cotton is quite heavy when you're lugging it around London on the tube.  I will definitely make another trip to Goldhawk Road, when I've got more time and probably a pull along trolley on wheels!

From Japan, with love

My parents recently went to Japan, and asked me if I would like anything bringing back.  As well as the usual tabi socks, I requested some double gauze, a uniquely Japanese fabric that is lightweight and cosy.  They didn't disappoint, and came back with three metres of this beautiful Nani Iro double gauze, called Joy Flower. 

They also picked up three metres of the lovely cotton canvas next to the double gauze in the photo.  It is reminiscent of a toile de jouy, but with little rabbits on it picking apples.  This fabric is for the Moomin.  She hasn't decided what she wants me to make for her out of it yet.  It's pretty thick, so may be too stiff for a dress.  Maybe a bag or a coat.  Any suggestions?

V&A Museum Liberty ART Fabrics find

Spade Liberty Art Fabric for the V&A

On a recent weekend in London with Mr Deravelled and the Moomin, we went to the V&A museum (one of my favourite places - yay!).  After having a lovely stroll through the rooms and exhibits, and having a delicious (if very expensive) lunch, we made our way to the gift shop.  And I'm so glad we did!  I found, in the sale bin, one metre pieces of Liberty Art Fabrics cotton, taken from a collection they did in collaboration with the V&A a few years ago.  I chose two pieces of a design (the mathematicians amongst you will know that I bought two metres altogether) that was based on a quilt that dated from the mid 18th century.  How amazing is that?  I wish I'd bought three metres now. 

I have no idea what I will use the fabric for.  However, it will make a great addition to my stash!

Maybe I'm back...maybe

Watch this space, friends of Blogland...

Absent without leave

I know I haven't been around a lot lately.  Life has got very busy!  I think I'm going to be taking an (official) break from blogging for a while, and will be back when things settle down again.

Until then, keep well.

Gem x

The Moomin's kimono

8.05pm: The Moomin gives me a letter that says it's world-themed fancy dress day at school tomorrow.

8.06: Go into panic mode. We don't own any ethnic fancy dress, and I doubt we can get away with sending her in a Charlie and Lola dressing gown with a tea towel on her head.

8.07: Realise I'm going to have to sew something.

‎8.08: Decide on what is hopefully the easiest thing to sew, a kimono. After all, it's just strips of fabric sewn together, right?

8.10: Finally get the Moomin to stay stood still so I can measure her by lassooing her with the tape measure.

8.12: Go back into panic mode when it dawns on me that I don't have the first clue how to sew a kimono, and that the Moomin's not in bed yet.

8.30: Come back down after getting the Moomin to bed. Lay out fabric on the floor ready to cut.

8.32: Shout at Mr Deravelled for putting his feet on the fabric i have so carefully laid out, and mutter about him always getting his feet in the way every time I try and sew a kimono for the Moomin for school.

8.40: Plan out my pattern. Try and do calculations in my head, and go mad.

8.42: Get calculator, and figure out pattern.

8.46: Measure and draw pattern onto fabric with biro, as someone has eaten my tailor's chalk.

9.45: Finish cutting out all the pattern pieces (it took so long because Mr Deravelled made me spaghetti hoops on toast for supper, the sweetie).

9.46: Go into panic mode about how late it is already. Decide to pull myself together and press and pin the pieces instead.

10.08: Start sewing.

10.29: More pressing.

10.35: More sewing.

10.54: Pressing.

10.59: Sewing.

11.45: Pressing.

11.52: Sewing.

12.28am: Mr Deravelled shows his support for my struggle by going to bed.

12.46: Run out of thread in the bobbin. Search for another bobbin with some thread already wound on it. Eventually locate one - but the new thread's a different colour! Decide that I don't care.

12.50: Put new bobbin into machine. Continue.

01.25: More pressing.

01.29 More sewing.

01.30: I manage to bend the needle in quite a spectacular fashion. Spend time marvelling at the amazingness of the bent needle.

01.34: Replace bent needle with shiny new one that isn't bent. Continue sewing.

02.04am: Finished! Bed time!

Do you like it? I used one metre of Laura Ashley cotton/linen fabric. It's gorgeous and stiff, so was the perfect fabric for this project. I quickly sewed her a red cotton Obi to go around her waist, and finished it all off with a metre and a half of pink velvet ribbon.

Underneath the kimono, the Moomin is wearing an authentic light cotton under kimono, all the way from Japan. It goes with my 1940s sillk kimono that I've had for years.

What do you think?