Our Wedding, A DIY Project - Make Your Own Garter

I've always liked the tradition associated with weddings of "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue" and knew that I would try and stick to it. 

Old was easy, I've always wanted a silver sixpence included in my wedding so I could tick that off the list

New was equally easy;my dress, shoes and accessories.

Borrowed and blue was proving a bit more tricky.

My grandad passed away in September 2000 and had always been someone I looked up to so it made sense to have him with me somehow. My mum has one of his rings so I'm 'borrowing' that for the day and having it attached to my bouquet.

That just left something blue. As our colour scheme is sage green, cream and gold I just couldn't see where blue would fit in, until I stumbled across some garters in a bridal shop.

Hidden under my dress and a bit of fun I immediately knew what my something blue would be.

As complicated as these look they are surprising easy to make.

Mine took about 10 minutes from start to finish.

So whether for your big day or for your hen why not give it a try?!

You will need 

Net or lace

Ribbon

Elastic

Sewing needle

Thread


1. Measure the part of your thigh that you want to wear your garter and cut the elastic 1cm shorter than your leg measurement and the ribbon and net/lace twice the length of your leg measurement (this will give you a nice gather)

2.Pin the ribbon to the net or lace in the desired position and sew a running stitch along the top and bottom of the ribbon making sure there is enough space for the elastic to pass through (don't worry about it being perfect as you won't really see it)

3. Thread the elastic through the garter under the ribbon but on top of the net/lace.  As the material is twice as long as the elastic, once the elastic is halfway through pin the end in place so it doesn't spring back through. Continue threading the elastic through until it's out at the other end.

4. Once the elastic is threaded through, slightly overlap the ends and stitch firmly together.

5. Adjust the material around the elastic until you are happy with the look then stitch the two end of the material together.

If you like you can finish your garter off with an embellishment.
It really is that simple

If you do have a go at making your own garter I'd love to see the finished product.

M xx

Peg Bag

For me, some of the simplest things in life are the ones that make me smile the most. If the weather man(or woman!) promises a day of no rain then that means only one thing to me.....I can hang my washing out!!

Living in a flat in London often means that space is limited so I love making the most of it and the smell of air dried washing takes some beating. The only draw back to this is the mysterious disappearance of my pegs. So to remedy this, I decided I would make and use a peg bag...for the first time ever.

You will need:

2 contrasting fabrics (I used a lilac print oil cloth for the outside and a purple cotton for the lining and tags.

Cotton

2 buttons (optional)

1) Using your outer fabric cut 2 rectangles both 25cm(w) x 35cm(l)

2) Take one of your rectangles and measure 10cm down and cut across so you now have 2 pieces of fabric. One measuring 25cm x 25cm and one measuring 25cm(w) x 10cm(l)

3) Now, using your lining fabric cut three pieces. Cut one rectangle 25cm(w) x 35cm(l) this will be the same as the outer fabric, another 25cm(w) x 27cm(l) and, a small rectangle 25cm(w) x 12cm(l)

4) Cut two more pieces from your lining fabric, both measuring 18cm(l) x 6cm(w). These will become loops that you hang your peg bag by.

5) Take your loop pieces and length ways fold in each side 1cm then press. Once satisfied with your seams fold your loop fabric in half lengthways(so that the seams you have created are on the inside) and press again. Do this to both pieces of loop fabric

6) Sew along the open edge of your loop fabric(how far in you sew is entirely up to you but make sure it includes the seams you pressed earlier)

7) Put the front of the bag fabrics that measure 25cm x 25cm(outer) and 25cm(w) x 27cm(l) (lining) together, right-sides facing. 

8) Sew these pieces together along the top edge using a 1cm seam. Once sewn, press the seams open.

9) Fold the lining fabric back over the outer fabric and because it was 2cm longer you will be able to press an edging of lining fabric. To neaten this up, top stitch across your newly created edging.

10) Take the loops you made earlier and fold and pin them to the right-side of the back of the bag outer fabric (measuring 25cm x 35cm), at equal distances across the top now sew in place(make sure your loops are pointing down)

11) Take the small rectangle of outer fabric (measuring 25cm(w) x 10cm(l) ) and place, right-sides together, on top of the back outer fabric and loops and pin across the top. Now do the same with the lining fabric but keep the outer and lining fabrics separate.

12) Once all pieces are lined up correctly and pinned into place, sew across the top using a 1cm seam allowance. Once sewn, press the seams open.

13) Put your now sewn outer and lining fabrics(the back and top of the bag) together right-sides facing and pin into place along the top. Once pinned into place, sew, again using a 1cm seam allowance.

14) As in step 9 with the front of the bag piece, fold the lining back over the outer fabric to create an edging of lining fabric over the outer fabric the press and top stitch to neaten.

15) Fold the small rectangle over so right sides are together and pin along the sides. Place the front bag piece, right sides together on the other half of the bag back and pin around the edge.

16) using a 1cm seam allowance, sew around all of your pinned edges. Once done press the entire bag and turn in the right way (I pressed mine whilst it was inside out otherwise the oil cloth would have burned)

If attaching buttons, fold your loops over to work out where you will need to sew them. Otherwise you can either slide your bag onto your washing line if you have a detachable one like my mum or you can do as I do and peg it on the line!

Hey presto, one peg bag!!!

Whatever you do with your laundry, enjoy the weather!

                                                                               M xx