T-W Design

T-W Design

Designer by Nature
Ladieswear, Interiors, Gardens and Planting Schemes, Soft Furnishings and Crafts

19/05/2024

šŸ“šŸ“NEW SATURDAY SESSIONšŸ“šŸ“

āš ļøBOOKING CLOSES 25th Mayāš ļø


First Steps in Pattern Cutting

Saturday 1st June
10am-4pm

Intensive one day introduction to the world of bespoke pattern cutting!

šŸ“From your own body measurements, create a block from which you can then start to draft all manner of patterns.
šŸ“We will talk about pattern alterations, and will together draft your first pattern to completion, for you to cut out and sew your first toile at home.
šŸ“All necessary tools for your use on the day
šŸ“Paper and Manilla pattern card will be provided for you to make your blocks and patterns.
šŸ“You should be a confident sewist, having used traditional shop bought patterns up to now.
šŸ“A keen eye on accuracy & being handy with a ruler and set square will be an advantage, but this being a first steps course I'm not expecting perfection - so please don't be intimidated!!

šŸ§µAs usual there will be plenty of help available to ensure you get the best outcome possible šŸ˜Š

ā˜•ļøTea/Coffee & Biccies provided, but please do bring your own packed lunch

šŸ“Please message the page for nominal kit list and booking info.

āš ļøDeposit Ā£25 (by 25th May)āš ļø
āš ļøSecures your Spaceāš ļø
āš ļøSession Cost Ā£140 Totalāš ļø

šŸ“Current weekly class attendees get a 20% loyalty discount on balance payments

ā­ļøThere will be follow-on sessions from this, with more complex block and pattern drafting in future.

04/03/2024

Iā€™ve been promising myself a new waterproof coat since last ā€˜Summerā€™..

I cheated a bit by copying a coat I already have (needed a coat quickly!) the fit is ok but itā€™s like wearing a bin bag- Iā€™d end up soaking wet side my coat from condensation!

I made a draft, from which I made the pattern, so any adjustments I needed to make I had a draft to work from.

This is a wearable toile really- a first run of a pattern.
Iā€™m pleased with how it sewed up and enjoyed the challenge of waterproofed fabric and taped seams - quite tricky in places to make sure your seam sits flat enough to get the waterproof tape on!

Was tricky sourcing a waterproof zip in the right colour (or close enough) and the right length. Sadly Iā€™m less than impressed with the zip considering the price, but itā€™s working at the moment and at least I know how to replace it if I have to!

Iā€™ve tested it several times now, and Iā€™m very pleased to say, Iā€™m as dry when I take it off as I was when I put it on..Yay!

Note- the hem is level, just a dodgy angle I promise!

01/03/2024

March Already!
Looking forward to Cawl tonight šŸ˜‹

Happy St Davidā€™s Day
*pinch punch* !

The next block of classes is fast approaching

Have you booked?
What will you make?
Still in two minds?

Get in touch with any questions
More than happy to help you select a project

Be quick! Just two spaces remaining for each class

Tracy

Photos from T-W Design's post 23/02/2024

Both tables AND flaps (šŸ˜†) in use this week, making triple pinch pleat curtains for a bay window.

A few firsts for me on this make
-Not made pinch pleat curtains before
(but Iā€™m hooked!)
-Not used a coloured lining beforeā€¦but actually fabulous at cutting out the light, without adding the extra weight that blackout linings do- perfect!
And never used dress fabric for curtains before!
As the space for the curtains to be open in is limited, these take up a lot less space on the wall, so no window/light is lost during the day.

Need to adjust the hook depth, so no light, or curtain rail visible, but over all very pleased šŸ˜

24/01/2024

So excited to get on and use them!

ā€¦just have to finish my curtains!

Awaiting cutting mats and the table ā€˜extension flapsā€™ , but absolutely thrilled with my new cutting tables!

Bonus make: We used the offcuts for a dedicated countertop for some of my most used machines with very handy storage underneath!

Huge thanks to my clever hubby, who has interpreted my scribbled designs perfectly šŸ˜

https://www.facebook.com/RichardWardCarpentry

Now, on with the making!!

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23/12/2023

Nearly a whole year since classes began!
Gone Sew Quickly šŸ˜

Merry Christmas, hopefully more time for actual design and creation in 2024!
Watch this space!
X

Wishing all past, current and future class members a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Itā€™s been a blast this year, meeting lots of lovely new people and starting some already accomplished sewing journeys, I have loved it, Thank You!

Classes resume 2nd week January-when we will be 1 year old!
(There may even be cake!)

Wednesdays 6.45-9.30pm
Thursdays 9.30-12.15

Spaces Available, booking starts 28th December
Please message with your email address if interested and I will send details after Christmas šŸ˜Š

Have a good one
Tracy xx
šŸŽ„

Pic of fabric Baubles and Pine Cones made with my girlfriends.

15/10/2023

Fabulous group!- always some missing from the final photo!-
Well done ladies, it was great to spend time with you and start your sewing adventures šŸ˜Š
Thank you for coming, and I will see some of you on 25th with your next chosen project šŸ‘

Photos from Devils Bridge Sewing Classes's post 02/08/2023
Photos from T-W Design's post 09/07/2023

Finally found the time to make the pattern for, cut and make up this little messenger bag, for the next
ā€˜Saturday Sewing sessionā€™
(August 5th)

Looking forward to a morning of fun, sociable sewing teaching how to make it up šŸ˜Š

Photos from T-W Design's post 21/05/2023

Very pleased to have seen my little creation in action this evening..

For the very beautiful Zoe, I fashioned an embellished cuff - from the bit of dress I cut off when I took it up.

She quite rightly wanted to wear her gorgeous dress all day, so hooking up the train meant that she could move about without dragging it around..and hands free was the aim

Iā€™m very pleased to report, aside from unhooking a couple of times- Zoe quite literally jumped about snd danced all night!! - It all held together and not once did I see her having to reposition the cuff (which would have been very annoying for her)
So all in, Iā€™m really pleased as I completely winged this!!

Are these actually a thing, or have I stumbled upon a good idea?
Took a significant amount of time to make, but half of that was spent working out how I would do it with the materials at hand, and to the standard I had set for myself.

Iā€™m so pleased it worked!!

11/05/2023

** Saturday Sewing Sessions **

Relaxed, informal, sociable sewing!

Starting Saturday 3rd June
(program of projects coming soon)

Session #1

Little fun one to kick things off šŸ˜Š

Make your own wearable pin cushion.

I wouldnā€™t be without mine- and often realise Iā€™m still wearing it when Iā€™ve left the studio and started cooking supper šŸ˜†

An easy to make, mostly hand sewn pin cushion which is worn on your wrist.
Lightweight, with an adjustable band so itā€™s comfortable to wear.

All materials supplied
No special hand sewing skills required.
All skill levels welcomed.

10am -1pm
Including short break for refreshments
Ā£25 per person
Ā£10 deposit
to secure your spot

(Colours may vary)

Please get in touch with any queries, or to book.
Tracy

27/03/2023

Quick slim folio bag made last week for my sewing class to use

Needed something to carry A2 cutting mats and pattern cutting tools, so they have less chance of getting damaged!

Long straps mean I can load myself up for less trips to and from the car in the rain! šŸ¤£

Photos from T-W Design's post 26/03/2023

Latest cushion completed.
I cut the foam to the size of the supplied templateā€¦this is one of the hardest parts when youā€™re using a retractable knife!
Fully lined the foam to make it easy to change the cover to be washed.

Cover fully piped, with the zip wrapping around the long back edge.

17/03/2023

Part of my first ā€˜Starter Sewing Courseā€™ group, proudly modelling their finished projects šŸ˜ so proud! šŸ¤—

First group of starters (minus one) proudly modelling their first projects- look at those gorgeous accomplished smiles!! šŸ˜Š

Very proud of you all!

All now starting their own choices of project in our improvers/follow on class on Thursday mornings.

Mostly doing different things!-

Pattern cutting and making a copy of a favourite top.

Lining and making new piped and zipped covers for cushions

Making a dress for a grandchild

Making a patchwork and quilted table runner and matching placemats.

Making a summer dress

All with a guiding hand and advice as and when needed. Exciting stuff!

15/03/2023

One in a series from
Another favourite! I love the lacing effect the white gives on top of the blues.
The paint was puddled and blown in this series. I used a special recipe which allowed the white to react with the other colours šŸ¤—

11/03/2023

One of my favourites!
Another paint manipulation experiment- I absolutely love these colours together.
Paint was pulled and pushed in this example, so gives the impression of the bottom being a reflection of the top.
This is on a small board- I am definitely going bigger next time! Canā€™t wait to get back to painting, but days are filling with upholstery and campervan loose covers..Whatever pays the bills, right?

Photos from T-W Design's post 06/03/2023

Set of four dining chairs given a new lease of life for a new client over the weekend.
Chairs supplied with new hessian over old horsehair pad.
I added two layers of wadding plus calico.
Then top layer of lovely William Morris inspired blue fabric, with cream guimp braid finishing.

Photos from T-W Design's post 06/03/2023

A few from my ā€˜paint puddle periodā€™ šŸ¤£

I love the effect this method gives; the way the paints react with each other, and react when the canvas is tipped, or spun, or when the paint is either blown, or pushed.
Great, proper messy fun!!

Photos from T-W Design's post 03/03/2023

Reduce*Re-use*Recycle

Three old sweaters used, to make this one off sleeveless coatigan. Used the front button through and neck of a cardy and cuffing of jumpers to make the armholes, then basically winged it!!

Has a kind of fishtail effect at the back and flares nicely at the hem.

All seaming on the outside which gives a great effect. I stretched the seams to the bottom, to get the wavy edges-effective arenā€™t they!?

Photos from T-W Design's post 02/03/2023

Before & After of a cute little bedroom chair I recovered.

I enjoyed the buttonholing, maybe Iā€™ll explore that further when I design the seating for our bijoux holiday apartment

01/03/2023

As itā€™s St Davidā€™s Day here in Wales, hereā€™s my quick alcohol pen sketched Daffodil from last year!
Looking forward to my daffs popping up in the next week or so/ I hope they flower, they went in very late!! šŸ¤¦šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø

Photos from T-W Design's post 24/02/2023

Great fun a while back. Experimenting with Shibori tie-dye. This was the kyōkechi method where the fabric is folded and bound between wooden blocks, before being submerged in the traditional indigo dye.

I dyed two different fabrics:one 100% cotton, and one poly cotton (I donā€™t remember the composition). This was only a dylon sachet dye, so I was quite impressed with the depth of colour in the pure cotton.
Itā€™s clear the difference in intensity in the synthetic fabric isnā€™t it?

There are around 7, or 8 methods of Shibori. Iā€™m really looking forward to experimenting more this summer!

Photos from T-W Design's post 23/02/2023

Smallest three of the six recent campervan seat base/bed and bolster cushions I lined and covered.
Customers interior scheme was black and grey, so these look really good in-situ.

Covers are fully piped and zipped on one of the longest edges. The van is used a lot so removable covers means they can be cleaned easily.

Foam pads were fully lined to make it easier to get the covers on and off, and to stop the foam degrading so quickly from being regularly removed.

Photos from T-W Design's post 22/02/2023

Cloakroom seating/storage unit designed by me, made by carpenter husband (very handy!)
We had a lovely weekend in Dorset a few years ago, collecting the made to measure baskets..
Luckily had enough of the gorgeous cut velvet fabric to turn a couple of old ikea side tables into two very comfy stools. These come in very useful in the studio when switching from sewing machine to overlocker mid-make.

Photos from T-W Design's post 20/02/2023

Couple of sketches of a garden improvement plan from 2019.
Sketched on greyscaled and transparent photos of the plot, to save time.

Photos from T-W Design's post 20/02/2023

Couple of 'paint pulling' experimental canvasses I did a while back - think that was lockdown too. I seem to remember the really thick paint drying too quickly because it was so hot!
Good, messy fun to do, pretty sure I painted over the colourful one as I didn't like how the 'stems' came out.

13/02/2023

I've been slowly and steadily returning to the artier side of myself. This was one of a series of quick 30 minute sketch/watercolours I did towards the end of lockdown in 2020. I think being forced into spending the whole of that summer in my garden, like many people, allowed me to rekindle my passion for painting.
Obviously by no means a finished piece, but I have no intention of going back to it. One day I will use a different reference photo from my beautiful old tree, and paint one 'properly'.

Photos from T-W Design's post 13/02/2023

Re-usable shopper, on a handy cord.

These are fun to make and make great gifts. Can be taken a step further by printing or dying the fabric before, or after the bags are made!

Saturday Studio Session coming soon!

13/02/2023

Helloooo!!!
This is a brand new Page where I can showcase some of my previous Design projects.
Now living and working in West Wales, I will also share new stuff as it happens and opportunities to come and have fun in my studio with me!

New Saturday Sewing/Craft mornings are coming up, so please keep your eyes peeled. šŸ‘€

Photo of an 80th Birthday Cake I made and iced (pre-candles!)

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Address

Pontarfynach Nr Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY233JL

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
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