New Covers for Kitchen Appliances - Part 1

Back again, having completed the domestic sewing project I'd been putting off for ages!

I don't know about anyone else, but the thing I hate most in this world is housework.  I know - it's a necessity, but if I can find a way of making it easier to do, I follow it.  So, in the kitchen, to keep my various small appliances releatively dust-free - blender, steamer, slicer, toaster and food processor - I keep them covered.  That cuts down on the dust they collect and means I can be pretty sure I can use them whenever I need to, because - of course - I've cleaned them after use each time!!

About eight years ago, when I was in the patchwork/quilting mode, I used up lots of scraps I'd been collecting while making a larger quilt and made five patchwork covers for the appliances. Because they were quite colourful, I piped each one with a cream straight binding enclosing ordinary household string - we did not live too close to a haberdashery shop at the time, so I made do with what was close to hand.  It worked quite well, by the way - and was certainly less expensive than getting the piping to do it!   I lined each one with the stuff one uses when making curtains from scratch, and then finished each one off with straight seam binding in a colour that reflected the main one used in the patchwork.  It was a sort of wine-coloured binding and worked well.   However, after all this time, and several washes in the interim, the covers were beginning to look a little worn out and faded, and needed replacing.

Shortly after we moved here in 2008, one of our neighbours (two unmarried brothers, who are some of the best neighbours one can find) approached me (knowing that I am a sewer) and asked if I could help them shorten a pair of curtains they had inherited when they themselves moved in a couple of years or so before us.  Had a look and was able to help them - and in the process inherited the leftovers for any project I might create sometime in the future.

Then I got involved with making toys - first for friends of my daughters, then for one or two folks locally - then I learned about Etsy:  and the rest, as they say, is History, after I registered www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com. in January 2010 and started listing in September 2010, after building up some stock in the interim.

Then earlier this year, I remembered the green/cream patterned material I'd been given.  Found  I had just enough material from the curtain-shortening episode to make new covers for the latest generation of appliances in my current kitchen.  (Some appliances had had to be replaced after breaking down during the 8 years since I first covered them, and I had boxed and coxed to make the original covers fit the new ones).  So, I cut out the material, after roughly fitting them round each item fully intending to complete the project the next day.

However, then came my first Etsy order - very exciting - and since then, I've been fairly busy toy-making both via the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) plus local commissions and orders via the daughters and friends.  My mind was distracted somewhat further when I started this blog, so really the new covers project really did get left on the back-burner - until it became a matter of urgency that the old covers were replaced.  So, after my last blog on June 20th, I sat down and got on with the job.

Cover for the Toaster almost complete

Probably not the most eficient way of doing it, I got the pieces I had cut out, pinned them round each appliance, then tacked them and machined them.  Just to liven them up a little, I got some green straight seam binding, and some piping which can be used to decorate a cushion.  I had some black piping already in my sewing trolley, so did not have to buy in new.  I placed the piping into the binding, and pinned it so that the piping was in its own tube.  Then I pinned the two sides of material together, with the binding in between and machined the whole lot together.

Then I lined them, using the pillow cases in which my soft-furnishing outlet in Frome, Somerset, pack the polyester fibre I use for stuffing the toys - again, pinning round each appliance (and the cover), sewed the lining together and fitted both bits over the appliance.  Finally,  I've completed each cover by making a hem with plain white binding. I think the final product looks quite smart - and it certainly lightens up the kitchen a great deal!  However, time will probably prove that white straight binding is not necessarily the most practical colour to have chosen for the job!  It finishes the cover off nicely though!

Lining being placed over cover for the Blender

I took a couple of days to do the Blender, Toaster and Food Processor.  Then had a break - our social calendar suddenly became full! - and today finshed off the covers for the Steamer and Slicer.  Now all five are in place on my kitchen counter and ready to provide a dust-free service for a few more years.  I'll include pictures of the final items in my next blog. - just in time to begin telling you about my new toy project:  the Rejuvenation of Ed Ted (whose imminent arrival I did allude to in my last post).

Until then - happy days to one and all!  Isobel

Latest developments

A quickie tonight, because there have been some new developments in the life of the Coldham Cuddlies!

Having got fed up with no business cards to hand out - it's beginning to be a problem! - and having found that getting them printed off line, using local businesses, were prohibitively expensive (we are still a small operation with small funds to play with!) I bit the bullet last night and spent a long time working on a new design.

Have used the artwork for the banner in both this blog and the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) and using a white matt finish cardstock, have included all the relevant contact details for ColdhamCuddlies and myself, giving myself the title of Toymaker!  That is, after all, what I am, isn't it?  The internet source I have gone with is the company which the original, incorrect batch came from.  (I have to admit, that the problem was probably all mine, because I was even less adept at using the computer than I am now, and did sign the proof as being correct!).  The cost is about a quarter of the cheapest I was quoted hereabouts, including delivery and Value Added Tax and I can expect them within 21 days.  So, no contest really, is there?

Second thing is that it looks as though I am about to make the acquaintance of a second Teddy Bear in need of rejuvenation.  Think I've mentioned in an earlier post ("Looking on the Bright Side - Continued" - early in May this year, that following the Rejuvenation of Little Red Ted - there were three posts about that earlier too,  that I am seriously thinking of offering a Soft Toy Clinic option, as well as the Shop to be seen at (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  Our long-time friend R.E. has just 'phoned to say that his Ted is in a jiffy bag and he just needed our postal address!  I've not forgotten about this new potential business, and the new arrival is just the trigger I need to really put plans into action.

Think I shall formulate the plans - and blog about them shortly - particularly as I don't really know what is coming to be treated!  Just to remind readers, here is a reminder of what happened to Little Red Ted!

Starting the treatment

Little Red Ted completed, with Big Red Ted and Cy Bear!

Now, I had better get back to the domestic sewing projects I mentioned in my last post a couple of nights ago!  Two are complete:  four more to go!   Then it's back to the toys!

All the best .  Isobel

ColdhamCuddliescalling: Just keeping in touch

ColdhamCuddliescalling: Just keeping in touch: "Hello there! Am taking a short break from toy-making - as long as it takes me to do some domestic sewing projects that have been mouldering..."

Just keeping in touch

Hello there!  Am taking a short break from toy-making - as long as it takes me to do some domestic sewing projects that have been mouldering on the back-burner while I've been enjoying the toys!  Cannot put them off any more, so, while I'll still be blogging, it may not be concerning the toys.  May include some pics of what I'm up to in this field:   let's see how I go on.

On the other hand, there are some updates on previous posts:   the potential sale of  a Fox or two to the local primary school in Heytesbury has yet to take place.  Although I contacted them in May, only heard from them today.  They must have got the vibes I was sending out that I would call in unannounced!  With the school year-end in sight, money is not available for such "frivolous" (my description, not theirs) purchases so we have agreed to leave a get together until September - the beginning of a new school year - when hopefully money will be available.  Have booked a table for their Christmas bazaar though, and got a toe in the door - which was the general idea in the first place.  As a former School Governor, I had an idea that funds would not be readily available at this stage of the school year!

Have been trying to get prices for the replacement business cards I really am beginning to need.  So far, none have beaten the internet site who made the mess-up on my previous set.  So, may have to return to them, this time being a lot more careful before pressing the final button to set the whole thing up!  Will try to do it in daylight this time, rather than at night, when inevitably one is tired and not as accurate in proof-reading.

Am really excited to report that following a contact with Stephi of StephisWhimsys (a fellow Etsian), I was able to purchase a Bear and Doll magazine with several possible bear patterns.  As I've said before,  I'm not into dolls - although some of the patterns are charming in the magazine.  But the Bears templates offer some distinct possibilities for future Cuddlies creations.  They will be based on the patterns in the magazine, but not  follow the instructions entirely.  Don't want to run the risk of infringing any copyright still vested in them by the magazine publishers.  Still, it's very exciting to have some new directions to follow.

Have also been given a lead to a newish Art Gallery in Warminster - our local town - which seeks to feature local artists.  A kind friend enquired whether the owner would be interested in featuring a Cuddly or two, and she was kind enough to say she'd like to meet me.  So, now, it's a question of finding the time to go and meet her, introduce some Cuddlies, and see if we can do business.   Such actions are a new direction for me, so will have to be carefully considered.

It's now getting late - I need my beauty sleep:  husband is well in the Land of Nod, so had better go and join him!

Until the next time.  Isobel

Cy Bear and Miss Prim

Making Mr. Fox - the final instalment

Finally, the weather listened to the forecast - and the sun came out this afternoon, sufficiently for Isobel to get some photos of the latest addition to the Fox family in our shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  He's just been listed (#75921238 and he's been named Sir Francis Fox!)  Isobel feels he looks somewhat aristocratic (whatever that is?) and certainly he seems happy with it!  He has a slightly wonky left ear - but no matter what Isobel did to straighten it, the end results were always the same - slightly off kilter:  so in the end, that's the way she decided Sir Francis wanted it to be!  Makes him look individual, anyway, doesn't it?

 

Sir Francis Fox, completed

From this picture you'll see that his total "look" has changed.  His jacket is now neatly sewn on to his body, and has a double silver button fastening.  Isobel has sewn it on very tightly, and it will take some getting off - but even so, just to be safe, she doesn't recommend that Sir Francis becomes a companion toy for anyone under 5 years' old.  Little people apparently have a tendency to try to put things like buttons in their mouths (what ever for, I wonder?  They cannot taste that good, surely?)  That's why we've got Baby Rabbits, Koala Bears and Pandas for sale at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com - because they are all very suitable friends for little people from 0-5 years of age.  The dressed members of the Cuddly family really are better companions for the older folks, although Isobel knows of one  - Mr. Toby Rabbit, who left the family before Isobel had heard of Etsy.com - who became the best friend of a little chap on his 1st birthday.  The two of them became completely inseperable!

Isobel also took some more photographs of Miss Prim Fox (Etsy Listing #75340524) - as promised, and also some of the two new Foxes with me.  Here is one of the new Miss Prim Fox portraits:

Miss Prim Fox on a bench in our garden, showing off her pantaloons!

Finally - for today, at any rate:  in an earlier post about the Foxes, I said that neither would be "officially" members of the Coldham Cuddlies, unless and until, they had been photographed with me!  So, Isobel heard - and took action this afternoon.  This picture now entitles both Foxes to become Coldham Cuddlies at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com!  Welcome to the family Miss Prim and Sir Francis.

            Bye for now! Cy Bear

Making Mr. Fox - the next stage

Cy Bear did such a good job describing what I do when making Foxes for addition to our shop on www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com that I think I'll let him carry on.

That's kind of Isobel - so here goes.  Once Mr. Fox's boots were firmly sewn on, the next addition is the furry tail.  Mr. Foxes have a white tip to their tails, so when making up the patterns, Isobel has to cut two bits for Mr. Fox's version (the lady foxes have a self-colour version which takes less time to make up).  Then once having joined the white and chesnut plush fabrics, the tail is sewn in one piece, stuffed and sewn (firmly - it's ideal for little people to hold on to when playing with them!) through the trousers and onto the body.

Mr. Fox's tail viewed  from the side

In this picture, you can also see Mr. Fox's head, without facial features, next to Isobel's pin cushion and in the background is the envelope in which all the pattern pieces for the Fox family are stored.  They all repose on top of the spare fold-away bed that is kept in the second bedroom (used when elder daughter comes to stay the night).  In between, it makes a useful surface for Isobel to work with - as well as a platform for taking pictures from.

The picture also shows Mr. Fox with his jacket on.  That takes quite a bit of sewing before reaching the stage shown in this photo.  The original pattern calls for the jackets to be made in felt alone.  However, Isobel likes to use other materials - in this case a nice dark blue tweed material, which has a darker blue circle pattern incorporated into it.  Many of these fabrics tend to fray, so the jackets have to be lined, and sometimes the seams have to be over-sewn to prevent them falling apart.  Then she added some light blue braid around the lapels (to match those on the cuffs) and fits it on to Mr. Fox's body.  The rear has a slit cut into it to accommodate the tail.

Showing the jacket, with rear slit for tail

Then the delicate and sometimes fiddly part of sewing the head on to the shoulders, and fitting the jacket round the neck begins.  That can take a lot of sewing, undoing - because the head hasn't gone on straight, and then fitting the jacket round the tail and so on.

Now, we did intend to finish the Mr. Fox production story today, but plans had to change - because we've still not taken the photographs of the finished Mr. Fox.  The weather also took a turn for the worse and the light was not good enough for outside pictures.  Isobel does want to have some pictures of  a completed Mr. Fox (hopefully, we'll have a name for him soon - it's so formal continuing to refer to him as MR Fox!) taken outside in the garden so photography sessions have been postponed.  At the same time, we'll take some more pictures of Miss Prim Fox (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/#75340524) and then she can replace some of those already in the Shop at the same time as Mr. Fox gets listed. Meanwhile, here is a final picture of Mr. Fox still minus his head, but this time leaning on Isobel's sewing machine.

Mr. Fox's body from the front, with head waiting to be fixed on

So, weather permitting, hopefully we'll be able to complete the Mr. Fox production story tomorrow - and will have decided what to name to give him when he is listed at the Shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  Bye for the time being!  Cy Bear

Making Mr. Fox Part 2

Evening All! Cy Bear addressing you again! Isobel has graciously permitted to have a word tonight, so.....here goes.

Main item to announce is that Mr. Fox is actually completed - but has yet to have his final pictures taken, including the official one with me! No one becomes a member of the ColdhamCuddlies family these days unless I give them the once-over!  Isobel may list them in the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) but as far as I'm concerned they are not one of us until I'm involved too.  After all, what is a mascot all about, eh?

Right:  now to the matter of Mr. Fox's construction:  Isobel forgot to mention (even though the pictures in the last post showed them) that once the body is made, she has to attach the arms and paws of Mr. Fox.  In this case, the arms are made in a rather smart blue tweed material, with the plush fur at the end for his paws.  They are stuffed and sewn in at the appropriate point on Mr. Fox's body.  Then the waistcoat can be placed on the body.

After than, come his plus-fours.  They are made in a cream linen type material, which feels velvety to the touch.  In order to make the trousers stay in the plus-four shape, they have to be stuffed lightly with the same material used to stuff all of us - which meets all  international safety standards.  There's a picture of Mr. Fox at this stage coming up now!

Rear view of plus-fours, arms and paws in place

Then comes the construction of Mr. Fox's boots.  Isobel has a good selection of different leathers, obtained from a local glove-making factory which has been in business for over a century, and is based in our nearby town of Warminster, Wiltshire, England, UK.  This time she chose a beige suede leather for Mr. Fox's boots which she says were a lot easier to sew than some of the other leather boots she has made for the Rabbits, Foxes and Coyotes in the shop.  (How about visiting www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com to see what I mean?)   Once sewn, she put some cardboard in the soles to help him stand up (not all of the toys are as good at it, when completed, as others!) and then the boots are tightly stuffed.  Before being added to the legs, Isobel cuts out felt for the boot turnovers (this Mr. Fox's are blue, in tune with the overall colour-scheme) and then she attaches the boots to each leg using a ladder-stitch).  Isobel makes sure that the join is secure - otherwise they don't stand up at all!  Then the turnover is manipulated into place - and hey presto, Mr. Fox has boots.  Think he looks rather smart, don't you?

 

Mr. Fox's boots seen from the front

Isobel wants me to stop prattling now, so that we can complete the description in our next post - probably tomorrow.  So, goodnight for now.  Cy Bear