So I found a tutorial for little boys ties over at Kelly's blog "Sewing in no mans land". It has solved a few issues I was trying to solve myself but getting nowhere.
The main thing I wanted was to have an elastic or velcro closure around the neck. Which Kelly has done marvelously! And the best bit is these ties don't need to be cut on the bias!
The only problem I had with Kelly's pattern was I couldn't get the tail angle right so it doesn't fold to a point properly, but you can't see it so no biggy. But I also wanted to make the tie longer, so I got out the tie pattern I have already used to make TP a few ties and just overlapped the two pieces about 6 or 7 inches to make one piece much like Kelly's.
As you can see, it is much like Kelly's only longer and with a bit more shape. I think the shape makes the knot sit a bit nicer. And this also solved my point folding problem.
So I have made 2 (on the left) for TP and 2 (on the right) for BW. The paisley blue tie is from Kelly's pattern. I am really happy with how they look and concidering that they are unlikely to hang themselves with them makes it all the better!
Overall, massive kudos to Kelly for doing something I couldn't! She has a great blog with fantastic tutorials, so go take a look you won't regret it!Otherwise, I am back to working on things for the fete. I will do a "fete wrap-up" early next week!
Be happy,
Jess
After a week of sorting and throwing stuff out, it was a real sewing mojo killer, this is what it looks like....
I'm disappointed - it still looks messy! But it is a million dollars on what it was before!
This is a vintage sewing pattern tin that was my grandmas. Imagine 15 cents for a pattern!
Excuse the dark photo - I seem to leave taking photos til it is getting dark!
This is one of the eight (yes 8!) book bags that all those letters are now gracing! They look very cute, I think!
We are finally doing some serious reno work on our house, it will take a while to get it all done (the list is long!) but I am very excited that we have taken the first step. So every now and then you will see some before and after pics. .jpg)
I've actually had the top finished for a while, but didn't know what I'd do with it when it was quilted so I stashed it with all the other finished tops! There's at least another 4 quilt tops in that box!
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This is my little helper, TP. As he is stuffing his first block he says "you know what these need? a little rattle to put inside! but it is night time (sigh) so we can't go out and get some, so they will have to be quiet blocks!" So creative and logical for a 4 year old.
The blocks are 3" squares, I tried not to overstuff them because I didn't want them to lose the square shape. I also used 2 prints from the Love U range by Deb Strain (I love this range of fabric!) and chose 4 other coordinating prints from my stash.