Autumn News & Seasonal Changes

I love the seasonal change of fabrics especially all the wool cloths in all their colours and weights.

We have been busy making wool felt cloche hats again as they are so popular and keep you very warm. Plus lots of other warm and snugly things like berets and caps.

Outside mother nature has been providing lots of inspiration especially as the lichen is so amazing this year. 

I love the patterns it forms and the tones and varieties it grows.

I now have a new selection of hand knitted wist warmers, some with a chunky cable and some in plain. It's getting cold enough for gloves of one variety or another first thing in the morning lately.

I have just purchased these lovely metal findings in the image above which is a real find as I never see this quality unless you are buying them in their 1000's !

So far we have used them to trim a felt hat and a shoulder bag both look fab.

I will be off to a little fair this Sunday should I be in your stomping ground you will find me at the

Uppermill 'Make It Artisan Market' in Uppermill which one of the beautiful Saddleworth villages near Rishworth Moor. 

It opens at 10am in the Civic Hall in Uppermill village. Pop in and say hello if you are local.

Scottish Tweed And Pretty Buttons

 

I was offered a lovely piece of Scottish wool tweed last week and as soon as I got it back in the workroom I was eager to cut out a pattern and make something straight away.

It made a smart little cap and a neck wrap and there is still some left to create a few extra pieces.

On Sunday I went to a wedding fair and it was very busy with lots of lovely people.

I made several new hats to take with me including a little button with grey lace and vintage buttons.

I actually sold one hat which is very unusual at a fair as people are normally getting ideas but a lady fell in love and had to take it home.!

This week I need to make the start of my Christmas decorations and lots of stock as I will be holding a festive celebration at the shop on the 29th of November from 10am to 5pm.

The shop will be 9 and I will be....... quite old.

So pop in if you can there'll be drinks, tastie bites to eat and lots of merriment. 

Buttons and Bows

 

 

I just love buttons, vintage of course are the ones which often have the most interesting shapes but there are some amazing buttons produced these days especially from Germany. Jim knoff is a button maker who produces many speciality types and styles but keeps his designs pretty secure and it's hard to view them other than at a trade fair such as modamont which I have never been to but is on my list, if only I had more spare time.
So as I was given a huge box of buttons as a Christmas present I have used a few to create a button embellished cocktail headband.
The buttons are twisted on to wire and secured onto a straw base which is edged in silk. Lastly I added a tubular crin bow.
So grab a handful of buttons and get twisting.!

Lambswool Headband

Headbands are really popular at the moment and I have made lots of styles and variations for the shop, this one was made from a piece of vibrant pink lambswool. There's a vintage button on the end of each twist and the knot section gives it a little height. To cover the band I cut some bias strips and wound them tightly from end to end creating a bandaged effect.

Vintage buttons & cocktail frippery

As you may have noticed I very often use vintage buttons on my hats and accessories, as I just love them for their simplicity and beauty.
This morning I went to a local antique fair where I found these Delicious little gems, plus two vintage prints of hats.
All in all a very good outing as I have most of my materials sent via post or courier and getting a pass to leave the workshop gets very difficult these days.!!
The material pictured above is crin, which comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, it twists and turns to create great shapes, of course it does need a little persuasion.
I will take photographs of my hat prints as they too are just delightful and I will be torn between hanging them in the shop or just keeping them for myself at home.
I have some nice ideas for my buttons already but I'll keep you posted on that later.

Matching Neck wrap

Got a bit carried away on my hounds tooth check theme but it looks good together.Nice and warm as well as On trend. (Sounds like Mary Queen of shops) Mary portas
Great for those chilly mornings which seem to have come around very quickly.Also thought a little corsage might add a dash of colour to a winter coat.
Anyway no time for chit chat today loads to sew so I will leave you with a picture of my latest
handy work.
All available in the shop or by phone if you can't live without one.