Pippablue - Design, Craft, Interiors, Living

Easy Echino Cushion

I love the Echino Story fabric so much that I use it sparingly, across a number of projects.

For this project, I am using a remnant of grey wool and a fat quarter of Echino story in an Autumn colourway. I am just using one vertical section of this patchwork style fabric for the front of the cushion, and a horizontal strip to hem the envelope of the cushion.

Sew the three panels together to make the front of the cushion. Hem the two backs pieces, using the echino strip to add a splash of colour on the grey wool.

When the front is sewn together, I try a little machine embroidery, to extend the orange branches onto the grey.

And voilá... an easy, peasy cushion and some left overs from my Fat Quarter for some more Echino inspired projects.

Happy sewing

Ger @ Pippablue

 

Make a little girl's skirt - workshop

Some photos from our recent sewing workshop.  We will be posting details for upcoming classes very soon, so be sure to check our website for Sewing Classes in Galway.

 
 
 
 
And at the end of the afternoon, everyone took home a georgeous little girl's skirt! 

 
 

 

Moo Cards and Roisin Coyle

 

People often ask us about our business cards and the cute illustrations  on our web site. When the time came to change our name to Pippablue, we really wanted to have a signature look for our business and contacted local artist and illustrator Roisin Coyle as we believed that her style could really work for our shop, and we are so glad that we did! Roisin completely captured what our business is about and you can check out more of her work here.

We get our cards printed by Moo. They offer a great service that is easy to use and well priced. When printing your cards you can have as many different designs as you want, both back and front. This means you can really play around with design and it's a great tool for artists and small businesses to showcase a variety of products on different cards!

We use Mini Moo cards for our business and if you would like to try them out, Moo are offering 30% off before January 31st. by quoting this code: N7CFHG.

 Pippablue

Keep Warm this Christmas!

Its still snowing and so cooold in Ireland at the moment.  Here's a little tip to help you keep warm.   I regularly lose gloves and have just bought a new pair that I am determined to keep this time!

Do you remember when you were a kid and your gloves had strings so that you didn't lose them?  Well this technique can be used for adults too!

You will need a length of ribbon in a complimentary color, long enough to go around your neck and down each arm. 

 Then stitch one end of the ribbon to the back of each glove using a few neat stitches so that the ribbon is securely attached.  

This will only take a few minutes and when you are finished, simply feed each glove through the sleeve of your coat.  This is really useful when you are out shopping and go into a warm shop, you can take your gloves off and not worry about losing them.

 You can use any ribbon, however for something special, the lovely range of East Of India Ribbons, which come in 3 meter lengths are ideal.

 

Button Corsage Tutorial

This is a very simple corsage, made from East of India ribbon and an assortment of odd buttons.

Step 1:  Cut 4 lengths of ribbon, approx 10cm in length. Fold the ends of the ribbon pieces to meet evenly at centre point of each length as shown below. Repeat this step with each ribbon to form the corsage petals.

Step  2:   Lay ribbons petals over each other to form a flower. If you would like a fuller corsage, its easy, just repeat steps 1 & 2, using 4 shorter lengths of ribbon. Secure with a few stitches.

Step 3:   Now, sew on your buttons. Choose a variety of shapes and sizes, while using similar shades.

Step 4:  Finally, attach a brooch pin to the back of the corsage, and the corsage is ready to add a splash of colour to your favourite jacket. 

 

Sewing Workshops - Autumn schedule

Now that the kids are back to school, its time to think about new interests and hobbies to launch into for the Autumn. If you have always wanted to learn to sew, our upcoming workshops are a great place  to get started and learn in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Beginners Patchwork with Ester Kiely (Hand Sewing) - 2.5 hr workshop by Ester Kiely where you will learn how to piece a patchwork block of half square triangles with directions on how to complete a full project.

Date: Sunday 12th Sept, 2pm.  Price: €30 (Conc. €25)

Getting to know your sewing machine - 2 hr workshop covering sewing machine basics. From threading your machine, preparing your bobbin, different stitches, buttonholes, etc. A class for people who have sewing machines but don't know how to use them!  You will need to bring your sewing machine to the workshop.

Date: Sunday 19th Sept, 2pm.  Price: €20

Intermediate sewing - Making a simple A line skirt - 3 to 4 hr workshop by Andrea Parry from LushStuff. You will be making your pattern, cutting fabric, putting together your skirt, learning hemming and how to put in a zip. A great introduction to garment making. Bring your own fabric, or purchase from the shop at a discount, and leave with a pretty skirt!

Date: Sunday 26th Sept, 2pm.  Price: €50 (Conc. €45)

Beginners sewing - Making a reversible market bag - 4 hr workshop covering sewing machine basics, where you will learn to make a reversible shopping bag. An easy introduction to using your sewing machine. All material provided.

Date: 2pm Sunday 03rd Oct  Price: €60 (Conc. €55)

To book the workshops, ring us on (091) 566972,  online on our web-site under the Sewing Classes  section or drop into the shop. As places are limited, all workshops must be paid for in advance to reserve your place.  If you book 2 or more workshops at the same time, we can offer you a 10% discount.

    

Happy Sewing!

Pippablue

 

 

TG4's new budget makeover show - Do Thintean Fein

One for the diary. There's a new 6 part series starting on TG4 which sounds like it might be worth a look.

It is presented by Eimear Nic an Bhaird, a fluent irish speaker who bought a dilapidated 1930s town-home in Kilmainham, Dublin.  Eimear was on a budget and prepared to make-do with the house until she would afford  to renovate.  However just 3 months after moving in, she was made redundant and had to re-think her position. The series follows her carrying out home improvements on a show-string and turning her hand to such skills as sewing, wood-turning, candle-making, pottery and mosaics.

Maybe Ireland's answer to Kirsty's Home Made Home ?

Do Thintean Fein (which loosely translates to Your Own Home) starts on TG4 on 30 Sept at 8pm.

Handmade in Ireland

At Pippablue, we are delighted to support local designers and artists. One of our favourite makers, is the very talented Suzanne Orford, of The Dolly Tub.

Suzanne makes a beautiful line of soaps, bath salts, balms and candles. The soaps are made from goats milk, honey and other nice bits.  All of these products are completely natural, and free from the chemicals and nasties of modern life.

 

Suzanne is also a talented felt-maker and creates a fantastic range of felted woolly bags and purses.

You will find Suzanne selling her wares at St. Nicholas Market, Galway (Sat & Sun)

You can also buy her soaps at Pippablue, 1 Middle St and from Pippablue's online shop.

GMIT Graduate Art Exhibition

I paid a flying visit to the Graduate Art Exhibition at GMIT Galway, yesterday.

Here are some of the highlights from the Textile Show.

  Richael Carroll

 

Leanne Forster

  

Keelin Corscadden

Mark T Burke

Patchwork Place by Lisa O'Donnell

Pippablue, 1 Middle Street, Galway

Make Sale at Pippablue

This June Bank Holiday Weekend, get making with our Make Sale. There is  20% discount on all fabrics, yarns and craft related products, this weekend. We have a great range of Amy Butler Patterns which are perfect for a Summer sewing project, including The Sun Surf Halter which is a good project for Beginners.

       

Or, how about The Field Bag, big  enough to use for a weekend away, or a trip to the beach.
Whichever project you decide on, we have the fabric to brighten your Summer wardrobe.

Happy Sewing!!