Fair fair fair..

It's the night before our 2nd fair and I've been stitching button holes today and gathering our wares together for the fair.
The licence has been achieved thanks to the dogged determination of Ffi and we are ready to go..
I have 16 dresses to sell, Natalie has been stiching like crazy to make cushions galore and we're giddy.
Cider will be involved in tomorrow's day and I'm hoping it'll be a lovely community feel to the whole event.
Natalie and I were involved in some filming on Wednesday to be part of the Mary Portas bid to improve our high street. We live in South Manchester in a lovely place, but unfortunately the high street does not represent the people who live here anymore.  Here is the link, it's well worth a watch. It made me cry, but that is because we're in it, and our friends and family..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xvqQdNfs5M

Hope that works!

We'll post some pictures of the fair asap, but until then, farewell...

It's nearly fair time..

We're on count down to the little fair we've been organising.  It's on Saturday at the marvellous Klondyke club in our home patch.
We're having some issues about a licence we need from the Council.  It looks like we should have applied for it a month or so ago..but fingers crossed we can get through the red tape in time.
Natalie and I have been working hard to build up enough stock to sell. It's not easy with small children and all that comes with being a Mum. We're both still on Maternity leave and the threat of our real jobs looms very large..
But, in a bid to try and shake off the shackles of working with vulnerable people in a hard up town, we're stitching like mad.  We really hope that you like our stuff, we like it and I think that shows.
I've made 4 more dresses this week with the light nights and some puffed out kids bathed and in bed by 7pm. I've attached a couple of pictures of a dress for a 2 year old, made from Robert Kaufman material. It's gorgeous thick cotton and it's lined with thick crisp white cotton. The colours are fabulous.

















I've signed up for a course to teach me how to make little boys things too, so as soon as I've done that I'll  be searching for some fab fabric to use.

We hope you are having fun in the sunshine..

Sunshine..

What a beautiful sunshiny day today has been! We love spring, the flowers, the light nights, the smell of cider in the air...
Today I've had chance to wash all the new fabric and hang out all the finished dresses, ready to be pressed and hung up for our 2nd Vintage & Handmade craft fair. We ran one at Christmas together with 'Stock' vintage clothing (@ffimeister) & Junk photography (www.junkphotography.co.uk) and it was really successful. We had made small things, Christmas decorations, a few small cushions, that kind of thing. We were totally blown away when we counted our takings! I think we might have looked a bit amateur holding hands and squealing behind the stall, but it was such an amazing feeling.  People seemed to really like all of our stuff!
I've made a few bits and pieces before for my children. My mum used to buy 'Clothkits' and sew like a demon to make us unique clothes. I loved the feeling as a child that I had handmade clothes on, I was proud of my Mum and the things she made.
Sadly my Mum passed away in 2010 and ever since I've tried to recreate the garments she made for me with a modern twist. I've knitted hats for my friend's babies and for Christmas I made my baby a dress. People liked it..so I made some more.
I am really pleased my Mum showed me how to knit and sew and I hope my children are interested in it. It's so nice being able to make things, instead of just buying the same clothes as other people. Ironically it isn't the cheapest option these days to make your own, but it's the satisfaction of a finished article.
So, after a productive day in the sunshine and the smell of apples and cider, I dedicate this post to my Mum, Diana Mary.  I thank her for having the patience to pass on skills I can and do use. Here's cheers..

Our wares..

Ok folks, so, here you are. Shown are a completed cushion, a work in progress cushion and 4 dresses (which I should have ironed before the shoot..sorry Natalie) but it just gives you an idea of what we have to offer.

We think of new things everyday and strive to make new and fresh designs. I only buy a short run of fabric so you can be assured that any dress you buy will not be seen anywhere else! We do take orders too, so if you see something you like, but would like it another colour, then please let us know.

We really hope you enjoy looking at, buying, wearing, stroking our products as much as we enjoy thinking them up and then making them. These things are a labour of love...

 

This is Total Bobbins

We are a craft duo specialising in handmade one-off designs. We make garments, furnishings and accessories using both new and vintage fabrics, to create interesting and individual designs.  We like and prefer to make stuff that's a bit twee, a bit folky, a bit vintage and totally handmade. This means that not everything we make is perfect, but each piece is made with affection, a large coffee and usually cake. I hope you enjoy following our blog as much as we enjoy crafting our wares. We are Natalie O'Hara and Jess Kippen - together we are....Total Bobbins.

This blog will bring you pictures of our latest designs, whilst sharing our craft highs and lows, and give you the opportunity to buy our products for your home or as personalised gifts... (watch this space) ... Great things are happening, cool stuff is coming, there's a buzz in the air, we are very excited, so keep checking our blog for photos and future crafts to come.