Burda Style 6829 - A Party-Ready Velvet Wrap Dress

Hi pinups! I took a little break from the Minerva Craft Blogger Network whilst I moved house and got my life together. Whilst it completely disrupted my sewing mojo, I'm so happy to be slowly getting back into the swing of things and cracking on with my makes. When I was choosing this project a few months back, I wanted to challenge myself and sew something out of my comfort zone What better way to do that then to make a bag, and a faux leather one at that!


Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Burda Accessories Easy Sewing Pattern 6961 Drawstring Hand Bags

Fabric: Plain Soft Faux Leather Dress Fabric Baby Pink

Notions: Hemline Metal Eyelets Kit with Tool Gold

Sewing time: A couple of hours

Modifications: I left out the cording and the stopper

Fit: N/A

Difficulty: Surprisingly simple!

Watch out for: Make sure you use a leather needle on your sewing machine.

Make Again?: I don't know if I need another one, but I'd definitely recommend this pattern!

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Thanks for reading, pinups!
Abi xo

I don't have any real plans for this blog post, nor do I know what to call it. But I'm still writing it! You've probably noticed I haven't done much in the way of sewing pattern reviews recently or shared many videos or makes and if you follow me on social media (@craftypinup) you may have seen some projects that are in the works.

Since moving home just over a month ago, you can catch up in my 'New Home' post HERE, my life has been throw into chaos. Not only is moving home one of the biggest upheavals your life can have, maintaining a business during the busiest shopping time of the year is stressful enough. But combine the two and that's a winning combination for chaos.

Whilst things are finally starting to settle down, finding time to sew for myself is still a challenge. But if I don't take some time out for myself I think I might actually spontaneously combust. So earlier this week I spent the morning cutting and sewing a new top.


I really enjoyed the B6285 top pattern this first time I made it and I picked up this ribbed jersey fabric a few months back to make another. The first time round I used a ponte roma jersey, which whilst it still worked, it was too thick for this fully lined top. The grey jersey I picked up is considerably thinner and works so much better.

I love the ribbed, marled texture of this fabric and it is exactly the top I wanted to create. Something sassy to wear with high waist jeans for right now, then come Spring it will be great to layer over dresses. I find this pattern nice and simple to sew and it was just the quick sewing fix I needed.


My Autumn sewing has been a bit sparse but I'm slowly getting back on track. Not only did I whip up this top this week, I also finished making December's Minerva Craft Blogger Network make. I took some time away from the network whilst I was moving house but I was determined to be back ASAP and I can't wait to show you what I made. I wanted to try something completely different and out of my sewing comfort zone, and the results make me feel really accomplished! But more on that soon.

Otherwise that's probably it for my 2017 sewing (well maybe a Christmas dress might happen...), a scary prospect but I think I might do an end of year type post in a couple of weeks to reflect on it and the things I've achieved this year.


Thanks for reading, pinups.
Abi xo

Hi pinups! I thought I would put together a quick blog post with my top picks for Black Friday sales. I know I'll be stocking up on a few bits and pieces, and it would sure make me feel better if I knew you were treating yourselves too!

Below are the UK sales I've currently collated and more will be added as I come across them. Happy shopping!

Minerva Crafts











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Best of the rest:


Tilly and the Buttons - 25% off sewing patterns

Sew Essential - Multiple offers

Adam Ross - 40% off fabrics

My Fabrics - up to 60% off

Girl Charlee - Multiple fabric offers

Simplicity - 50% off everything

The Range - Multiple offers

WeaverDee - Multiple offers

Evie La Luve DIY - 20% off

Remnant Kings - 20% off

Sew Over It - 30% off patterns, kits & online classes. Code: BLACKFRIDAY2017

Sew Me Sunshine - 20% off selected items. Code: SUNSHINEWEEKEND

The Fabric Fox - 20% off fabrics

Cocowawa - 15% off all patterns. Code: SELFCAREFRIDAY

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Thanks for reading, pinups!
Abi xo

I'm always looking for a work distraction, and baking has provided me with some great procrastination recently. I shared a photo of these lemon and poppy seed muffins on my Instagram page and they had a surprisingly keen response!

Simple is how I like my baking, and I'm not particularly precise or delicate when it comes to finishing touches and I'm certainly not going to be turning into a baking/cooking blogger! But I really enjoyed making (eating) these.


The muffins don't use any butter and the oats make them filling enough to be a breakfast muffin for busy mornings or when you're on the go. The yogurt and oil keeps the muffins nice and moist and light! So maybe there's a touch of sugar, but hey, I only said 'semi-healthy'.

Perhaps you'd like to try them for yourselves...

Ingredients:

225g cups plain flour
75g porridge oats
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp baking powder
110g caster sugar
2 tsp poppy seeds
2 lemons - zest & juice
95ml sunflower oil
2 eggs
150ml low fat natural yogurt
115ml semi skimmed milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
icing sugar

Method:

• Turn the oven to 190C/fan170C/gas mark 5.
• Grease a 12 hole muffin tin - or you can use muffin cases if you'd prefer
• Combine the flour, oats, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, caster sugar, poppy seeds and lemon zest in a large bowl.
• In a separate bowl combine the oil, eggs, yogurt, milk, vanilla extract and lemon juice.
• Tip the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together until you have a nice tasty combined muffin mixture.
• Divide the mixture evenly between the 12 muffin holes.
• Bake for 30 minutes until risen slightly and golden brown on top. I like to poke a skewer into the muffin to check the batter isn't raw inside and that they are nice and cooked through.
• Remove and wait (not-so-patiently) until the muffins are totally cool before icing.

For the icing, I can never get the amounts perfect first time. But I put a couple of cups in a bowl, add a touch of water slowly and a squeeze of lemon juice. Then drizzled over the top of the cool muffins. I find a touch of icing on these muffins is just what they need, but it's of course optional. I then stored them in a plastic tub in the fridge, all of which were devoured within 5 days.



Thanks for reading, pinups!
xo

Afternoon Tea at The Berkeley - Prêt-à-Portea

Hi pinups! Something a little different for you today, but I couldn't resist sharing some images on my blog seeing as I took so many... but hopefully you'll see why!


For my sister's 30th birthday me and my mum wanted to visit her in London and take her somewhere special. Afternoon Tea was the first thing that came to mind, but we didn't want to do anything too traditional. So I searched online to find some more contemporary and fashionable Afternoon Tea options in London. That's where I came across The Berkeley.

A delicate collection of cakes and fancies inspired by the world’s finest designers. With this being Spring Summer 2017. Below are some of my highlights...

Miu Miu’s retro bikini lime biscuit – the must-have swimwear making a splash on the seaside this summer season.

Balenciaga’s new perspective on street style, recreated as a raspberry bavarois and blueberry compote, topped with a kinky, slinky pointed stiletto biscuit.

Charlotte Olympia’s high-kicking ‘Chiquita’ banana pump biscuits to channel your inner Carmen Miranda.

Mulberry’s ‘it’ Pembroke bag in a Valrhona ivoire chocolate-glazed cake, inspired by British collegiate stripes.

Ralph & Russo pain de Gênes dress cake with velvet lavender cremeux and beriolette jelly, romantically topped with a showstopper sugar frill. // Emilio Pucci’s playful colour-blocked jumpsuit  reimagined as a caramelised pineapple compote with coconut jelly and strawberry bavarois, crowned with a psychedelic chocolate wave.

Everything was visually STUNNING. It's impossible not to take photos of the food when you visit a place like this. Looking around, everyone was doing the same with lots of 'oooos' and 'ahhhs'.

We started with a cocktail in the bar as we were early for our 2pm reservation and were greeted with complimentary bar snacks and an extensive drinks menu. I ordered what I think was an ultra fancy pina colada which was of course too drinkable and delicious.

Then we headed to our table for the Prêt-à-Portea Afternoon Tea. Firstly the customer service was wonderful. It's easy to feel out of place in a setting like this when it's not your usual habitat, but we were made to feel really comfortable and relaxed. The menu was explained to us in clear detail which we certainly needed!

The menu starts with a glass of champagne, veloutés and sandwiches, which then led on to the main event. Not only was every single item served beautiful to look at and skillfully created, literally everything was delicious. We'd also mentioned at the start of our meal we were visiting for my sister's birthday, not to expect or request anything, but the waitress had asked if it were a special occasion. We were then delighted that my sister was served with an extra special birthday plate with chocolate writing and an extra treat. A really lovely and unexpected touch.

Overall, we had a wonderful experience having Afternoon Tea at The Berkeley. It surpassed all my expectations and I would certainly visit again. With the Prêt-à-Portea menu changing every 6 months, there's reason enough just to go back and visit to see what beauty they create next! It was a shame we just missed the new line up (which is now advertised on the website), and it felt a little odd to be celebrating Spring Summer 2017 on Halloween weekend. But even more reason to go back ASAP!

Where would you recommend visiting for Afternoon Tea?
Thanks for reading, pinups!
xo

Simplicity 8019 - 1970s Button Up Skirt

Hi pinups! It's been a whole month since my last sewing pattern review, which was also my last Simplicity Stitch by Stitch make. But after all my house moving palava, it's great to be back doing some selfish sewing in the form of my 1970s make! You may have already assumed, but the 1970s is not at the top of my style agenda, not because I don't think it's amazing and lust-worthy, but because I personally find it a tricky decade for my personal style. But there's certainly areas of fashion from the decade I like, including this reproduction Simplicity button up skirt pattern from the 1970s.

Here's a peek at the pattern:


I thought for me, I would find the 8019 pattern the most wearable. These button up skirts are all over the high street at the moment and I hoped my version wouldn't end up looking 'fancy dress', especially if I made one of the shorter styles. I opted for version B.




You can see in the video just how quickly the skirt comes together. It was a dream to sew and my light weight denim fabric works beautifully with the shape of the skirt.


Whilst this version maybe a little too light weight to be wearing in November... this skirt would work great in needle cord and thicker denim. I can definitely see myself sewing this again and trying out option A for a shorter length.


Sewing Summary:

Pattern: Simplicity 8019 Women's Vintage 1970's Skirts

Fabric: Floral Print Stretch Chambray Denim Dress Fabric

Notions: 6 x Clip On Jeans Buttons - Silver

Sewing time: An hour!

Modifications: None.

Fit: Great.

Difficulty: Easy-peasy!

Watch out for: A tidy front corner.

Make Again?: Yes! I can see this being my go to pattern list.


Overall, the 8019 pattern was the simplest and quickest of my Stitch by Stitch projects so far. After a chaotic month, this is the perfect make for getting my selfish sewing fix. I love the end result, even though I might wait until the warmer months to wear this version.

As this is the last of my Simplicity Stitch by Stitch projects in this vintage series (for now...). I just wanted to say a huge 'thank you' to Simplicity for having me as their Vintage Ambassador and another HUGE 'thank you' to everyone who visits my blog and especially to those who have been inspired by my Stitch by Stitch makes and tagged me on social media and shared their gorgeous versions with me.

To add a shameless plug, if you enjoy The Crafty Pinup blog, it would mean the world to me if you would vote for me in The British Craft Awards as I've unbelievably been nominated for 'Sewing Blog of the Year' - the first time I've been nominated for such a thing. You can vote for me, along with your other fave sewing bloggers and businesses, under the 'sewing' category HERE.

Thanks for reading, pinups!
xo

The first snap from our living room!

Whilst there is lots we have planned for the styling of our flat, with a sofa and desks on the way, we have a lovely corner featuring our original 1960s Nathan sideboard and wicker saucer chair, both of which we cleaned up to give them a new lease of life.

This also brings me onto my next topic, a new direction for The Crafty Pinup blog! With mine and my partner's love of mid century style which we can finally indulge in our own space, I'll be bringing this to the blog. Along with my usual dressmaking ventures, I'll be dipping into home sewing & crafts along with any furniture projects we have on the go. For example, I have a 1960s dressing table in need of some love and dreams of a coordinating fluffy stool...

But I'm starting small and simple with my home sewing, with not a curtain or roller blind in sight! The lovely team at Remnant Kings kindly sent me some BEAUTIFUL Orla Kiely fabric which I've been lusting after for years. These stunning interior fabrics will bring the colour and print our living space needs in the form of large cushions, a table runner for the side board & few more small home sewing crafts I'm dreaming up.


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So that's all for now, I hope you enjoyed the first peek at our colourful new home. I can't wait to start sewing with the Orla Kiely fabric, although my hands might be shaking as I cut into it (it's too beautiful!). I hope you'll enjoy the new added interior and lifestyle direction my blog will be taking.

Thanks for reading, pinups!
xo

P.S. I've had a redesign of the blog and stripped it back a bit for a simpler look.