This first photo is of the display unit, showcasing some of my recent work. There are a number of in-stock pieces, along with some custom orders awaiting collection or shipping, and some zippered pouches for a store which carries my work. It has been a busy summer!

Display, August 2010

We are working on making a greenscreen so we can improve the product photography. I am usually in a rush to get back to the machine and really need to make more of an effort to photograph my work properly.

It has been a busy summer here, with a 6 year old, 3 year old, in-laws visiting for a month, seaside summer activities and a steady stream of orders for me to work on. Loving every bit of it!

These are some of the items I have made recently:

Beach bag/locker bag with side pockets

Custom messenger bag

Pair of lined aprons for a 'newly domesticated goddess'

Square fabric baskets

Colouring bag

Pattern by Nicole Mallalieu, handmade by me

Gift for a friend's new baby

These are a few of the things that have been keeping me busy lately! I have also been working with a graphic designer in the UK to create a logo for Pip ‘n’ Milly Creations and am very excited with what John from Thirteen Degrees has done for me. The concept is relatively simple, but has great personal significance for me. I am thrilled that I have been able to benefit from John’s talent, knowledge, experience and professionalism. Thank you so much, John! I am so proud of my beautiful logo and you know how much it means to me to have the bird incorporated. You are the best!

In order to have a website worthy of this lovely new branding, we will slowly be working on refreshing the website to improve the layout and functionality. We hope to be able to offer online ordering, though the custom nature of most of my work doesn’t necessarily fit in well with the typical ordering process. Please bear with me while we work on this, as the technical side of the business has to play second fiddle to actually designing and making things!

The development and growth of the business means that word is spreading outside of our local area and I need to consider shipping options. I will be using Canada Post and Fedex and am working with suppliers to find appropriate packaging materials that safely convey my products, whilst not vastly increasing the costs of shipping. I would welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have to offer.

But now it is time to get out and make the most of the beautiful west coast sunshine! Happy summer everyone!

I have bought a couple of patterns from the lovely Nikki Mallalieu of You Sew, Girl and I’m taking part in her Review Round-Up Competition. This review is for her adult hat pattern. If there is interest in this as a potential product, please let me know and I will see whether it is a viable option. Hat making requires precision and accuracy and is not something that can be rushed, but I am hoping that with a few more practice runs I can perfect the process to make them at an acceptable price. So here goes!

2. Difficulty rating

Advanced sewing skills

I have used this pattern three times so far. The first hat (orange polka dot one) came together quite well, with a couple flaws that are not immediately obvious to anyone but me. It has a narrow brim, using 3 layers of medium-weight interfacing.

The second hat (narrow wale raspberry corduroy with fancy purple satin lining) also uses medium weight fusible interfacing and turned out well, though the plain fabric highlights an error in my construction, which I think was a problem with attaching the brim pieces together. I should have sewn more rows of stitching around the brim – as instructed! It does not pay to be impatient when making a hat! Other than that issue, I really like this hat.

My latest attempt is my absolute favourite of all. I LOVE this hat! I decided to try the large size this time, having made the previous two in medium. They fit ok, but left a slight mark on my forehead, so I decided to move up a size, which was a good call. (Please note – the instructions indicate to go up a size if you are borderline, but I didn’t listen!) The hat is constructed with quilting weight cottons, medium weight fusible interfacing and bias tape trim for the brim.

On the whole, the instructions were very clear. The only part I struggled with was understanding how to  join the ends of the bias tape together on the third hat. Colour pictures would have helped make this clearer, but I figured it out in the end and was really pleased with the result.

The instructions were easy to follow and I learned how to make a variety of hats. The pattern allows for multiple brim widths and orientations and has small, medium and large sizes.

4. Did the finished project look like the one on the pattern cover or did you ‘tweak’ it? (If tweaked, what did you do change?)

As you may have gathered, I love my hats!

I particularly like that I can now make hats for myself! I love the versatility of the pattern, in that I can make a wide variety of hats, each with a  different look, depending not only on fabric choices, but also brim widths and orientation. The next one will probably be a wider-brimmed sunhat, then a winter weight one.

I will absolutely be using the pattern again and would recommend it to others – if they have more than a little sewing experience. Definitely not for beginners, as indicated by the rating. My young daughter likes my latest hat so much that she wants one of her own and is encouraging me to buy the children’s hat pattern too!

Hats

Linings

1st hat

2nd hat

3rd hat

I have just started a restorative yoga class to help me restore some core stability after my back injury last year. Of course, this was a perfect excuse for a new project! I have been wanting to try making a yoga mat bag for ages, but as I didn’t do yoga there wasn’t much incentive to get it off the to do list. In the midst of sewing a big order, I set aside some time to work on a project for myself and here is the result:

Yoga mat bag

Side view, showing adjustable strap

View of interior with contrasting lining and drawstring

I’m going to test it out a few times to see if I need to make any modifications, before making another. I’ve been asked to make one as a donation for a fundraiser for the local Child Development Centre, so I have another perfect excuse! Mind you, at this stage of the game, do I really need any excuses to justify doing what I love to do!

Obviously, most of my bag orders are from women, but I have just completed by first order for a young man. He is very artistic and likes to carry his supplies with him, so I designed a unique messenger bag that allows him to carry 24 pencils, his large sketch book and sundry gizmos and gadgets. He chose a somewhat eclectic selection of fabrics and I did the rest. The bag features an adjustable strap, large pencil pocket with a flap with magnetic clip closures, a zippered pocket, interior divided pockets, large rear pocket, waist strap and a panel for concealing the strap.
I used a variety of fabrics in this bag, including a snakeskin vinyl, outdoor fabric, cotton, fleece, polypropylene strap as well as various metal hardware and a parachute clip closure.

Art satchel

Flex frame sunglasses pouch

Rear of bag with waist strap out

Pricing of handmade goods is a serious issue for many, many people. Artists, crafters and customers alike often struggle with this. I know I do find it hard to price my goods to reflect the cost not only of materials, but also to factor in my time, overheads, profit and my skill – not to mention the development and product testing that came before a bag was ready for sale. I came across this fantastic article today and it should be required reading for everyone who makes, sells or buys handmade goods. Please read through the post and the comments that follow. I would be interested to hear what you think.

I am adding two new products to the range. The first is a messenger-style bag which is the perfect size for your daily needs and will keep you organized in style. Well, at least your handbag contents will be organized, even if your life isn’t! The finished size is approximately 9″ across, 10″ high and 3″ wide. The bag features a full flap with a parachute clip closure, multiple pockets under the flap, as well as inside the bag, a rear pocket, a key clip and a sturdy adjustable strap. I use a combination of fleece and interfacing for structure and durability. Prices start at $75 Cdn, and will vary depending on the materials used.

Under flap of messenger style bag

The second bag is similar, but is 11.5″ across, 9.5″ high and 3.5″ deep. The rear pocket is designed to hold a magazine, plus there are pockets galore for cell phone, pens, notepads etc. There is also a key clip to save you scrabbling around and an adjustable strap so it can be worn on one shoulder or across the body. These will start at $85 Cdn and pockets can be customized to suit your needs.

Under flap of bag, multiple pockets

This particular bag is made in designer fabric by Amy Butler, along with three coordinating cotton prints.

The new Pip ‘n’ Milly website is now live! There are a couple of issues to resolve, but my tech-savvy husband is looking into it. The site will evolve over time to include online ordering, inventory, testimonials and the like, but for now it will serve to show my work and give a background to the company. Please stop by to check it out.

A lady approached me at the Market I participated in at the end of November and mentioned that she liked the idea of  something similar to an advent calendar for her children for Hanukkah. After various emails back and forth, lots of planning on paper and “take a deep breath and cut”, here is what I designed and made for her. She is really happy with the outcome and pleased that her children will have a fun tradition that is special for their family.

Hanukkah calendar

Hanukkah calendar with candles in the menorah

The lower section is a pocket for a gift for each day of Hanukkah. Each day the child will take one of the candles and place it in the menorah as appropriate.

These are some of the products I have been working on lately. I also made an adorable purple and white tutu with a ribbon waistband and embellished with flowers, but forgot to take a picture before it left. Hopefully I will get one after Christmas, once the little girl has received it – if her Mommy can wait that long!

Mummy and me apron set

Mid-size 'holds just about everything' bag

This one was for my lovely neighbour, who needed something light and pretty to take away on a trip to warmer climes. The interior is a lilac cotton and there are multiple lined pockets, a key clip and magnetic closure.

Hockey-themed Grab 'n' Go placemat

This is made in a cotton hockey print with a coordinating flannel and is interlined with Armo fleece for structure and durability. The pocket has 3 sections for cutlery and secure with hook and loop tape so nothing falls out. There is a pocket for a cloth napkin. The placemat rolls up and ties with the 2 straps and is perfect for taking to school, picnics, fast food lunches and more. Keeps food off the table and reduces use of disposable products.

3-pocket, lined Christmas apron

Umm….this one was for me!

Super twirly gold skirt for 6 year old

Mummy and me apron set

Custom messenger bag

Pockets under the flap of messenger bag

I love this bag and it was really hard to give it up! Messenger style bag in five coordinating fabrics, with applique embellishment on the flap, multiple lined pockets inside and out, a key clip, swish metal clip and an adjustable strap.

These are just a few of the things I have been working on lately, so you can see why I haven’t been posting much! I have one more interesting project to work on, then I have a few ideas for Christmas gifts for my own children. Little M. loves to bake, so I am going to try to make a chef’s hat for her. Not sure about P. yet……