Shabby Fabrics: Review

Yesterday my order from Shabby Fabrics arrived. It was neatly packaged in a resealable bag and priority mail envelope. This is the same way Repo-Depot sent my fabric. Both orders were around 3 yards - so I don't know how they would sent larger quantities. It was very quick, my order arrived in 8 days. (International Shipping)

The only problem I can see is the colour difference. If you look at the colour on their website (previous post) and compare it to my photo, in real life its a lot more peachy than pink. I am thinking about ordering a set of fat quaters (small pieces mostly used by quilters) to see the other colours properly.

Mini Pineapple-up-side-down Cakes

This week I decided to try some more baking, since my man is a big fan of fairy cakes, I usually make those but these are just as easy.
This amount makes 4 individual cakes.

Ingredients:
1 small tin of pineapple chunks (or rings) in own juice.
50g Flour (50g is just under 2oz)
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Bicarb (I find this works better than SF flour)
50g Sugar
1 egg
50g Butter (I use low fat marg, seems to work)

Pre-heat you oven to 200c (400f or gas mark 6)

Line 4 tiny tins or ramekins with butter and sprinkle a little sugar in the bottom.

Line the bottom of the tin with pineapple.

Mix the other ingredients together in a bowl or mixer, when its kinda runny mix in a tablespoon or two of the pineapple juice from the tin.

Split it between the tins.

Pop in the oven and bake for 10-15 mins.

Leave to cool a little - then run a knife around the edge to loosen the cake
and turn out onto a plate.

I found that sometimes they rise a bit in the middle - to make them sit flat on the plate cut the extra bit off with a knife before you turn them out.

Theres no pictures yet as they didn't stick around long enough last time! yum.

Ordered MORE fabric

I've ordered some fabric like this from Shabby Fabrics - they do loads of shabby chic and cottage-y prints which are great for classic lolita looks. More Mary Magdalene than Angelic Pretty.

So when it arrives I'll do a little review of the site and then start worrying about whether I can make something nice enough out of it!

I've also found a place that supplies Robert Kaufman fabrics in the UK. So I'm checking that out for some super-sweet cupcake-y stuff.

Attempts at a prototype

So here is the first attempt at a prototype for the fancy fabric I have been hoarding. I think its okay. Its still mostly held together with pins - so thats why it looks a bit wonky. Thats my excuse anyway...

The straps look like they are at a bit of a funny angle. My mother said that it looks like a 'gymslip'. *googles gymslip*

I suppose ruffles and that would give it a bit more interest, but I think I prefer dresses with out so much waist gathering. This Btssb one looks like it would be more flattering but also a more mature style.

Finished Restyling the High Street dress

So here it is just about finished. I think its very cute considering the minimal effort required. They even very helpfully give you two extra buttons - so you can make the shoulder straps button down at the back or the front or make removeable waist ties. As you can see I've taken off the pockets, but I don't think it needs any more ruffles really, so I might use the extra fabric for hair bows.

In case you are interested this is what I did:

Unpicked the waist,
Cut a big chunk out of the shirring at the back and sewed it together again,
Made new darts in the bodice section,
Sewed the back of the skirt to the stretched out back section,
Gathered the rest of the skirt and sewed it back onto the bodice,
Sewed the straps back on in new position.

Layout changes

Today I've been messing around with html and trying out a new layout. It doesn't quite work yet... I'll have to put all my links back in and change the fonts as well as finishing the graphics!

Scared to use the new fabric!

I now have a couple of pieces of nice fabrics but I am too scared to cut it up! I keep thinking I'll make something really horrible and will never be able to wear it! New plan - make a really simple JSK in cheap cotton that I REALLY like the shape of. I think it will be more like the shape of A on this pattern. The last one was based on E.

Restyling a high street dress

I saw this top/dress in the plus-size section of New Look (the shop not the pattern book) and I thought the print was very cute and it has a totally shirred back. However - even if it did come in non-plus-size it still wouldn't have enough flare for lolita.
So I decided to get it in a size 22 or 24 and re-style it. My plan was to un pick the waist and ties and then take a large section out of the back of the dress and re-attach the skirt part so that it is more gathered as my waist is smaller.
I'm also thinking to take the pockets off the sides and use them as a trim across the top of the bodice.
Sorry about the shoddy in-progress picture. It gives an idea of what I mean. The straps will need moving in a bit too.

New fabric

This week I have aquired 3m of some lovely Paris-y Eiffel Tower fabric. Its a kind of lawn, its not that thick but it feels nice and soft.

I think its a great pattern, but I don't know if the colour will suit me. I'm thinking possibly a skirt?