A Tour of my sewing room

Bespoke Sewing.......................exquisite hand-finished keepsake gifts and home furnishings

 

I spend a lot of time in this room, and getting it to how I want, is still 'work in progress', but here it is so far:

Firstly, I share the space with the 'white goods' of the house, a Fridge Freezer, Washing Machine, Tumble Dryer and a Dish Washer, so space is limited, so Mr C built a work top above the said White Goods for me to initially use as storage.

The rest of the room, consisted of a 'make shift' desk, which was a little wobbly and very easy to clutter up.  There wasn't much room really for sewing, but I managed for a few years.  I also had an old Dining Table, which I covered with batting and lining, to use as a cutting table, but also as a safe place to iron.

It served it's purpose, but easily got messy and cluttered, so I found myself constantly reconfiguring the furniture, in hope that it would improve my working space, and as money was scarce I sadly couldn't afford a new desk, nor could I find one suitable for the space I had.  So I discussed at length at numerous times, options I could take with Mr C, and finally we hatched a plan to make my own bespoke table.  

I eventually managed to save enough to buy a large sheet of MDF and components, and between Mr C and I we designed the shape of my new desk.

Mr C had a little help from Little Mr C and between them the worked hard to construct the table.  Mr C even knocked up a damn fine Sewing Machine Extension Table, much to my total happiness (can you imagine the Happy Dance I did lol?

The construction of the table took place just after New Year, before work and school was back in flow.  Sadly there was no time to paint it before I had to begin orders again, but then I manage to find a couple of weekends before Easter to finally set to and paint it, and I managed to reorganise it so that the work top above the 'White Goods' became my new ironing and cutting area - and I love it :) xx

So there you are, my finished 'happy place' fully constructed - of course it isn't finished just yet, as the walls need a lick of paint, but I just can't decide what colour - if you have a suggestion, please comment below.

Oh, and here is a lovely selection of hand-made items have on display in my room from Armadio Amore, Linen and Fred and My Happy Place.  Pop over and see what else they make, they are totally amazing.

And if you'd like to share your lovely crafting space with me please send me a photo at michelle@michellecorbindesign.co.uk 

Many thanks for popping by, I hope you enjoyed your little tour and don't forget to check out what I make at

 Michelle Corbin Design

Happy Stitching

Michelle xx

Creating a Keepsake Bunny

Bespoke Sewing.......................exquisite hand-finished keepsake gifts and home furnishings

Creating a Keepsake Item, takes care and precision to create something to enable you to treasure those special memories.

Here I am going to break down the process a little, to help you get a better understanding of what exactly goes into making such a special item.

Firstly, the outfits, dresses, trousers or baby gro's are sent, and are laid out for inspiration, which is followed by a sketch of the design.

Each item is then carefully unpicked, trimmed and prepared for the next stage.  Legs, arms, head ears body and tail are all carefully cut out, ready for construction.

Once the arms and legs are stitched, they are then stuffed - To stuff one leg, it takes 20mins!!

They are then stitched onto the body, once the head and ears have been attached.  This process, is quite tricky, and can take a while to get everything precise.

The head is then stuffed and the detailed face is embroidered, adding character and life to the Bunny.

Next it's the body's turn to be stuffed and hand stitched to close.  This is then followed by adding the tail and the finishing special touches.

A beautiful Bunny has now been born.  

Altogether, they take anything from 8 - 12 hours to fully complete, depending on the outfit combinations sent and the details and specifications required.

I think you will agree though, that all of the effort is very much worth it.

For this particular Commission, a Keepsake Journal and Tooth Fairy Cushion were also created to match.  Now Grace has a full collection of Keepsakes, that she can treasure for many years to come, and share her memories with her mum and family.

Little Bunny Keepsake

I hope you like her - the perfect Keepsake

See what else I make at mchellecorbindesign.co.uk


Happy Stitching

Michelle x

Poppy and Ivy

Bespoke Sewing..................exquisite hand-finished keepsake gifts and home-furnishings

Last week, I began showing 'Sneak Peeks' of the Embroidery I was working on, over on my Facebook Page.

Two beautiful Keepsake 'Dinky' Cushions.

Here's how I did it:

After a consultation with the customer, I began to sketch a couple of ideas I had, and when I had a few that I was happy with, it was over to Sue to choose and approve.

Once we were both happy, I began to collate together, the fabrics, threads and accessories I needed to create the unique items.

Sue's brief was, 2 small cushions, measuring approximately 15cm diameter, one with a Poppy Flower and one with an Ivy leaf.  These are the beautiful names of her Twin Grand Daughters.  She then asked for their names to be embroidered onto them, and also requested a small daisy on each too.  The daisy has a very special meaning, it represents Twin to Twin Transfusion, which the girls suffered when they were born.

Next for the Fun!!

I started by layering some red fabrics together, and used a Free Motion Embroidery technique on my Sewing machine, then I added some beads for the the seeds.

The Ivy was next, this time I layered green fabrics.

I then Hand Embroidered the Names and Daisies.

Et Voila!!  

I stitched them together, and stuffed them, then binded the edges by hand to give a beautiful finish.

I hope you like them, the perfect Keepsakes

See what else I make at michellecorbindesign.co.uk


Happy Stitching

Michelle xxx

A Keepsake Competition

Do you have a budding Picasso?  Are they aged between 2 and 8?

Yes?

Then would you like to WIN a Keepsake Canvas, created from your child's drawing?

Ask your child to draw a Simple Picture of Him/Herself and their siblings (if any), onto plain A5 paper.

* If your child has no siblings, parents or flowers may be used to substitute *

Scan the drawing and Email it to me at michelle@michellecorbindesign.co.uk

Please ensure your child's name and age is included in your email, along with your name and contact details

Permission to use the drawing on my Facebook Page will be required, however yours and your child's name will not appear during voting. 

The canvas will be 20 x 20 cm and will be Appliquéd and Hand Embroidered, copying the details that your child has captured.  

I will then post each photo onto my Facebook Page, where I will ask my followers to vote for their favourite drawing. 

The competition will run through until 3rd April 2015 (Good Friday) and I will announce the winner on Monday 6th April.

This competition, is only open to UK residence

Michelle Corbin Design maker of all things to treasure

Thank you for reading and Good Luck

Happy Drawing

Michelle xx

Click here to see the Competition Entries over on my Facebook page

Lets talk Curtains

So you have just decorated a room in your house, you have got the paint and wall paper all done - you are pleased.  Now it's time to dress the room.  You measure your window and take a colour swatch of paint and a piece of your wallpaper to a well known store and try to match up curtains  You have something in mind, but can't quite find the exact match or size, so in the end you make do with one choice, and take the pre-made, pre-packaged curtains home, and put them up.  You are happy-ish.  But the colour just isn't quite right now you have got them home in your lighting, and they hang in a slight 'triangular shape'.  May be they don't fit so well?  Oh well, they'll do for now!

Does this sound familiar?

Made to Measure Eyelette Curtains

So, lets talk it through.  Shop bought v Made to Measure 

Lets start with shop bought:  

• Made using standard measurements, which suit some windows, but not all.
• A design team, choose fabrics and send off to the manufacturers, mostly overseas
• Lots of machinists are given the fabric and sizes and they run these up on the machines.  Working fast to ensure they meet their target load
• Once they have been checked, they are packaged and sent to the stores for you to buy, at a reasonable price, but chances are they may not fit!!
• You buy what you see

Now to an independent designer/maker:

•  You phone or email the designer/maker and a short consultation is taken, and an appointment arranged, for a home consultation 
• Designer/maker arrives at the appointment with ladders, tape measure, consultation pad and colour swatches.  Also designs of previous work.
• Measurements are taken in detail and photo's of the window 
• He/she discusses in detail, what your requirements are, advises on the best style, fabrics, linings and heading to suit your window.
• Fabrics are held up against your decor to find the most suitable, for your lighting and living needs.
• Details of your order is then taken and on return to the workroom, designs and a quote is put together.  
• Proposed designs and quote are then shown to you and discussed.
• Once you approve, a deposit is made and the fabrics and components are ordered in.

• Designer/maker, then begins to cut fabric and, measure the hems and seams, pinning and pressing as he/she goes, with reference to the accurate measurements, ensuring the curtains, are made to measure.
• Hems are hand stitched to precision, with penny weights added.
• Linings are placed onto the main fabric and pinned.  Then the sides are hand stitched carefully.
• The carefully placed hand stitching and weights, ensure the fabrics hangs beautifully once in position
• Each step is pressed carefully and headings are added to suit the design 
• Once the curtains are made up, a follow up appointment is made to deliver the curtains.
• On delivery, the designer/maker, then hangs the curtains to ensure the correct fit.
• Curtains are then dressed with ties and left for a day or so, which ensures that the curtains hang with beautiful pleats, once the ties are taken away.
• Payment is then made.

Now of course, it's up to you which direction you go.  Which service you prefer, but as a 'throw away society', I say it's time to re-educate.

Shop bought curtains, can quite often just be thrown in the bin, or passed on to charity - where in some cases, they really cannot be sold again, as they have lost shape, and don't hang straight.

Having had some curtains specifically made for you, we are most probably more likely to hang onto them, and when it is time to redecorate, we use the curtains as a starting point.

Decent fabric alone is not always cheap and the workmanship and man hours spent on creating beautifully handmade curtains, really isn't recognised and appreciated enough.  

We often wonder, why handmade curtains hold such a big price tag, well I hope that I have helped you now to understand why.  Designer/makers, are highly trained and qualified in their profession,  and their skill and art form should to be appreciated more so.

On reflection, buying handmade, means buying something personal and unique for you, which should last you for years to come, therefore, resulting in better value for money - long term.

Please visit my Facebook page to see some of my handmade items

Michelle Corbin Design maker of all things to treasure

Thank you for reading

Happy Stitching

Michelle xx

We'll always have Paris

Free Motion Machine Embroidery

After the success of 2014, and the developing of new designs, I decided to use my new found love of Free Motion Embroidery.  I decided that 2015, would be the year I try to develop, what was lingering in my head.

Sketching, with Thread

After a surprise trip to Paris 2 years ago with my husband for a special birthday, I was inspired, as most people are, by The Eiffel Tower.  I knew I wanted to create something with textiles, I just couldn't decide what or how.  But as my love of the Free Motion Machine Embroidery progressed, I hatched a plan!

We'll always have Paris

 Here's how I did it

I began, by looking at the pictures and postcards we brought back from our trip, and the photographs we took.  I drew inspiration from these, and chose a specific photo.  I traced the outline loosely, and played with it, so that I had an idea of the size I was wanting my final piece to be, and then began to add my own interpretation of the details within and around the Tower.

Once I was happy with my sketch, I used a Light Box to trace the outline onto the fabric, again just loosely, using a water soluble pen.

Sketching the outline

It was now time to start to 'sketch with thread', so I began by drawing the outline

Adding details

Once my basic shape was established, I placed my original pencil sketch beside my machine, and began to fill in the gaps as and how I felt it best with the needle and thread.

It was so enjoyable and quite therapeutic, I found that I just couldn't stop!

More details developing 

As the detailing developed, I found myself really moving freely and creating more details here, and less there, as and where I felt necessary.

The Eiffel Tower

Before long, the stitching was complete, and I had before me something that resembled The Eiffel Tower.  I rinsed off the pen, and left the fabric to dry.

Hand Embroidered Appliqué Hearts

I decided, that as the picture was to remember our trip to Paris, I would add 2 hearts (I used 2 different Tilda fabrics) to represent my husband and I, so I hand embroidered them, with a lovely metallic embroidery silk.

The Final Touches

I wanted some wording on the picture, but found it hard to decide what, so I turned to Google to find French phrases, poems and quotes.  There were some really lovely ones, but the one that stood out for me the most was 'We'll always have Paris' this phrase is taken from one of my favourite films - Casablanca, so I found it just perfect, and of course, as it is nearly Valentines Day, and Paris is the most Romantic City in the world, 'Je t'aime' had to be included!

Framed to perfection

Finally, a lace border was added, before the finished piece was set into the beautiful frame.

I am incredibly proud of my creation, and aim to do more and I hope that you like it as much as my husband (Mr C) and I do.

Please visit my Facebook page to see more of my makes

Michelle Corbin Design maker of all things to treasure

Thank you for reading
Happy Stitching

Michelle xx

Ps.  Don't forget to sign up to follow this blog

Happy Birthday Little Keepsake Bunny

Little Keepsake Bunny is 1 Today

After being asked by a customer if I would be able to make a Special Commission, I jumped at the challenge and set to designing.

After making a few prototypes, I began to make he real thing.  

I followed the brief and produced this to my customer, who was very pleased with the result.

Whilst I was creating the above bunny, I realised that I had been inspired and drawn in a different direction than I  had been before.

And so Little Miss Keepsake was launched on the 20th June 2013

The first ever bunny I made - for my daughter

The photo I posted that evening on Facebook, proved so popular, that this bunny has grown from strength to strength.

Since that day this bunny has become one of my best sellers, and for that I have JW, (my original commission)
to thank.

She has evolved from her original design, and has been created from New fabrics, Children's Clothes, or a Mix

And her unique Bunny Tail has proven to be the most popular feature she has

 And introducing
the boys
<<<<>>>>

Little Miss and Little Mr Bunnies are available to order via my contact button on my website, or via the message button on my Facebook page

Now lets celebrate, with balloons and streamers

Happy Birthday Keepsake Bunny

MichelleCorbinDesign maker of all things to treasure, from Keepsakes to Soft Furnishings

Thank you for reading

Happy Stitching

Michelle xx