A Sewing Blog

among, well, many others. Hi! My name is Toffee, and I sew. Here's some of the stuff I've created over the past few years

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Fixing an Emma chair,

It’s fun to see how fast you develop a signiture style. I lay the staples on diagonal on the top, it’s just a thing i do.

Progress feels good

Best wishes

- Toffee

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Emergency fish! I got really inspired by japanese pencilcases made to look like real fish, so i made my own! Though mine is quite small, so it can’t be used as a pencil case. So i turned it into a mini first aid kit instead. Great for overnight trips and short hikes. And it’s small and light enough to slip in a pocket or a handbag if desired. Love this thing - Toffee

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Yogamat bag As a sort of a proto-new-years-resolution I promiced myself to try to get more into fitness. As a part of this plan I bought myself a yogamat. Because of reasons out of my control my Yogamat is a horrendously fluorecent pink one. *sigh* why are store bought practical sollutions always so hideous? Oh well. I stared at the mat for a few days in the corner of our soft lilac bedroom and thought I HAVE to do something about the colour sooner rather than later. SO! I made a Yoga mat bag! With a drawstring closure, a cross body starp and pockets for keys and snacks! I don't have to stare at my fluorecent pink yoga mat when i sleep anymore YAS! Succes! And i got to try my hands at some applique again! *happydance* :D Best wishes - Toffee

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Cloth pads About a year ago I made my first cloth pad, and I havent gone back to disposables since. I have about 40 in total today, and they last me through a cycle pretty well. I'll spare you the sight of my full collecton as some of my pads havent aged as well as I've liked. But as luck would have it I just made some new ones out of this gorgeous orange floral fabric so i can show off my design ( i have a dress out of the same fabric and i love to match ;) ) All my pads are made from fabric scraps and leftovers. And i have to say it's a great way to use up odd shaped little pieces. Most of them are made of cotton with some fleece in the middle, but i've experimented with different cores and compositions. Most of my experiments have worked super well. Contrary to the dare i say 'trend' of the time, I don't use PUL in my pads, mostly because i don't work with PUL in general so i don't accumulate scraps of it, secondly because i don't like the concept of adding more plastic to my pads. In conclusion I will eventually leak through my pads. BUT! It only means I HAVE to go change my pads regularly. And changing your pad regularly is good for your health. Necessity makes the best reminder. Fortunately so far the most i've ever leaked through is like a single drop. And like one drop is very minimal IMO. My pads recide in a red toiletry bag when not in use or in the wash. And I love each and every single one! They have made my periods a literal joy, which has been a very pleasent side effect. I can highly recommend cloth pads to anyone thinking about a more ecological way to handle their periods. Best wishes ⁃ Toffee

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Washcloths My showering habits are no longer the same. I have found the light, and the light is a washcloth! Hand made by yours truly ;) But like seriously, I love these things. You might think you need a rough sponge or a brush to get the daily grime from your skin but you totally don't, a gentle cloth will do just fine, and it gets the grime off gently yet effectively. Without stripping the skin of all it's oils and protective outer layer. The washcloths are also super easy to take care of, rince and dry and wash with your regular laundry basicly when you feel like it. Even once a day if you're so inclined! I made these washcloths for a school entrepeneurship program. So that's why there's a package and everything. The project was a bit of a disaster but i like the product, and I got a chanse to develop these further than I would have if I had just worked on it alone. Most of the washcloths are made from recycled cotton or cotton-poly blend. With regards ⁃ Toffee

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Tiny dresses! Made these ittybitty dresses as a way to practise french seams and making clothes on a tiny scale. (And maybe is an emergency gift in case someone in my family has a baby, mmmaybe) They turned out so cute! And are so tinyyy!!! Also they are a great way to use up leftover fabric from bigger projects. Best wishes ⁃ Toffee

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Fox purse! Made this fox themed coin purse for a fox-crazy friend of mine =D My first time using appliqué like this with zigzag stitching. Definitely a fun little project to try. And i accidentally managed to make it in a size that fit in an envelope! Yay for convenient mailing! The pattern is a merger or a coaster and a cat-purse i saw online. But the same idea can be applied to any shape really, feel free to take inspiration. I love the little sun detail in the lining, peeking out. Bringing joy on even the rainiest of days. :) Best wishes - Toffee

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Attached my first zigzag springs yesterday. It’s hard work but you get to use scary machines and pray your eyes don’t get in the line of metal flying through the air =D Studying upholstery is fun! It’s a well used easy to work with material, and though they are scary, I can’t wait to get my first project with them! Best wishes - Toffee

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Work in progress, tying down springs for an ottoman. This is so painful, my hands are in so much pain! But apparently it looks good. :D Best wishes - Toffee

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Dolls Last summer I was absolutely inspired by a coworker of mine and in her footsteps made two dolls and a baby doll in a medieval style. Both dolls have medieval-style costumes, veils, belts, pouches and shoes. Portraying a more “casual” or “common” style of dress from the middle ages. The baby is swaddled tightly like was the style of the time. The point of the dolls is to be playable, washable, and easy to repair while giving kids insight on clothes of the period. The costumes are sewn on the dolls, and everything is made of very easily washable, recycled materials, that hopefully won’t bleed too much when they are washed. Today these two reside in Turku Castle’s activity room in a magnificent cardboard castle. And by all accounts have brought happiness to the kids attending classes there. One of my absolute favourite projects ever. Best Wishes ⁃ Toffee

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Crowns! During the summer I made two crowns, in a sort-of semi-medeival style. The base is a headband that’s covered in fabric, and decorative ribbons were sewn on it. I suppose someone could use glue, but glueing is messy and in rough wear it doesn’t hold up well. And the veil is easier to take off when it’s sewn on, after all they do need a wash every now and then. So it was the needle and me and a few good long podcasts. Best regards ⁃ Toffee

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Shaaaaark! Something not sewing related but incredibly cute i made is this paper shark-buddy! Or as i like to call him: Fishy-friend. The directions can be found free online, (personally saw them on youtube) if someone wants to make a shark of their own. Best wishes. - Toffee

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Suspenders. I got an assignment to fix a pair of suspenders. The old material was a nasty crusty fake leather that crumbled when you touched it. I replaced it with a nice strong leather that'll hold better with the stress the suspenders go through. Turned out pretty good i think. Working with leather is the best! Best wishes - Toffee

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More historical sewing! Embroidered this to a woolen surcotte I made at work. (Working in a medieval castle is the best!) Personally I really like the little dragonfly details. Taking embroidery inspiration from the natural world was the big thing in medieval times, though my design is more fantasy than historical fact. This sortof band around the neck and a circular detail in the front seems to be somewhat of a trademark of mine. I do them all the time when decorating medieval clothes. Best regards - Toffee

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Upholstery? Maybe. A very strong maybe ;)

Regards - Toffee

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This one has been years in the making. I've done some Historical sewing along the years, and this is my embroidery for a costume I'm making. The costume is not done. But most of the embroidery is, and this is the biggest piece if it. It's supposed to be a rowan leaf and some berries. Done in chain stitch and some covering stitches. I'm so happy it's done! The costume's gonna be awesome! Best Regards ⁃ Toffee

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This spring I took it upon myself to make a bike bag for my (crappyer than average) bike. A flash flood of Ikea hacks flashed through my feed and i couldn't resist using the tried and tested Ikea bag as the material. And boy oh boy do I love this bag! It's so roomy and easily attaches to my bike. It has loops for a strap, and a handle! Granted it still needs some work. Making a mockup helped greatly but there are things only field testing will tell. But i'll continue to work on this project. Because I want to make this work. A light weight, durable, basically rip/tare-proof bag, with room to store: two pairs of socks, a rain poncho, a scarf, a light hoodie and a bunch of bike gear, with room to spare! What more does a city biker need? Best regards, ⁃ Toffee