Drape, pin, sew... It's how I roll!

I must say I do take for granted what my sewing skills can actually accomplish sometimes.

As I'm sure you have experienced yourselves, the hunt for a new outfit for a friends wedding can lead you down dark paths! Too glam, too boring, too fat for that, too skint for this...

Well a little trip to Abakhans' made it all better! I found an amazing navy and cream stripe printed satin, about 3 metres in total - but due to the genius of Abakhan it only cost £4.95 as they sell off cuts by weight! GET IN! Mower loves a bargin.

In previous dress attempts I have always designed first, but I decided to have a go at draping on the stand for this creation. This is where you basically pin the fabric to a dressmakers dummy in different shapes until your happy, then sew it to secure - its great fun, you must try it! So....this pile of fabric

Became this, slowly but surely...

After pinning, unpinning, repinning and then sewing together, my pile of fabric became...

I must say I'm pretty happy with it.

I encourage anybody to just give this technique a go, it really helps with your confidence and you get a surprise every time.

If you want to know more do leave any questions, I'm more than happy to help!

Lovely stuff

MMM

xx

Made by Miss (enter name here)

Many of my friends who are not yet confident in their own crafting/sewing abilities ask me to teach them how to do things. As a teacher this does come as second nature to me, it is what I love to do, pass on skills and ideas.

Find yourself in the mud

WARNING: Exclamations of success and phrases of affirmation contained within this blog post.

This post is not about crafting, fashion, vintage, baking or even arts. The subject of this post however tells of an achievement which has led me to be more proactive, more confident, self assured, determined and ambitious. I hope it gives you some inspiration...

Sex and Cake in the city

Many people who know me well will know my love of 'sex in the city' - ah the dramas of those fabulous ladies who never seem to work yet have amazing clothes, food and cocktails all the time!!

So when I was invited to an event called 'cake in the city' you can imagine my glee! Cake AND the chance to dress up and be tres cosmopolitan (well as much as a lil lady from Barnsley can be) yes please!

Let me paint you a little word picture;

Hurray! I got my Blurb book today!

So I told you all about the two Instagram Blurb Books that I made for myself and my boss at Sweet tooth cupcakery, well they came today and I am so happy with it! I haven't seen the Sweet tooth one yet but I love  mine. It's like a collection of memories for this stage of my life, it has a range of products I have made at the very beginning of my business, the people I met along the way and immortalises some of my best friends.

An era for every shape Part 1 - 1920s

Whilst once again watching Downton Abbey with a yearning to transport to that decade, I began to think more about how each era compliments a different type of body shape, this conclusion sadly made me realise the 20's is perhaps not mine, but then rejoiced in the fact that there is so much more...

Allow me to take you on an adventure through my revelations which made it a lot easier for me to shop for Vintage (or vintage inspired) clothing.

Hey looky looky at my work! Book portfolios

So having a boyfriend who works in affiliate marketing (please don't ask me to try and explain what that is...it's a thing, honest) has given me access to some great websites that can really help small businesses along the way.

One that I really love, love love is a website that lets you make your own book! I know amazing. It could be a picture book, a novel, anything you want. They're called Blurb and it really is such a useful website.

Cupcake experiments

My favourite baking buddy Caraline and I invested a day in designing and testing out some new recipes. We have both always wanted our own bakery, not just of cakes and sweets but breads, pies, tarts and preserves. Since that is never going to happen we agreed to be bakers whenever we got together.

Charlotte Makes Cakes

I love telling everyone all about incredible people I meet throughout my life, this lovely lady is one of my favourites.

I had the immense pleasure of meeting Charlotte when I started working at the Sweet Tooth Cupcakery in Chorlton on Oswald road. To describe her as talented and fun would be a massive understatement, and to be employed by Lorna as her partner baker she has to be pretty darn good. I found out just how good on my first shift...

My first order...

One year since deciding to start my own label I finally got a custom-make order from someone who isn't my number one fan and best friend Caroline, honestly that girl has kept me from packing it in time and time again with numerous dress requests.

A dear friend of mine - Kate Lewis (the genius who designed my logos!) put a customer of hers' in touch with me after she inquired about an apron for her up and coming wedding.

Vintage Fairs: 'Magpies & I' - Altrincham

Every 3rd Sunday of the month something wonderful happens in Altrincham historic market - Magpies & I Vintage fair.

It is a wonderful place for people to sell rare vintage items that they have carefully sourced, beautiful vintage inspired pieces and vintage objects which have been lovingly upcycled to become something extra special. I could spend hours walking up and down each aisle and making new friends with all the fantastic stall holders.

Made by Miss Mower - search for an identity

So since dreaming up my little self titled 'business' I been trying to figure out exactly what it is I want to specialise in, what do I want to be known for doing. This I have found really hard as I love doing anything and everything!

Put some Mower-Made Sunshine in your life

I have heard from many different people that today has been a bad day! I would tend to agree, it has not lived up to expectations and so I wanted to do a short blog filled with things that make me happy, and in turn I hope puts that bit of sunshine in your own day!

Wild Ivy

As we walk along our journey we meet people who leave footprints in our lives, the incredible woman I am about to introduce you to left hers on me when I was at Sixth Form in Pensitone, Yorkshire. My first impression of her was that she was artistic, soulful, unique and a free spirit.


I was introduced to Natasha by a friend who referred to her as 'that lass from Africa!' - us Yorkshire folk sure are eloquent! Years later I have watched her business developing through Facebook and fell in love with the stunning feather pieces, and I am certain you will too!

Wild Ivy

Creative Chorlton

I am lucky enough to live in an bubble of creativity and beautiful products, Chorlton in Manchester is the home of a number of small businesses, independent shops and handmade craft fairs.

Not only do these lovely shops present a feast for the eyes but they are places to meet some utterly stupendous people, many a time have I ended up chatting to shop owners, designers or even the customers for an hour or two.

At the moment I am just going to list but a few of my favourites, though in the next few weeks I aim to a blog post devoted to them, because everyone needs a bit them in their lives!

Nice to meet you...

So I've got myself a brand new blog for a brand new state of mind! I've blown off the cobwebs, fixed my victory rolls and put on my best dress! (well, one of them)

I'm Chloe Mower, 25 going on 40, Teacher and Independent seamstress for my own brand - Made by Miss Mower. I'm currently based in Chorlton, Manchester where I am surrounded by an abundance of craft, art, amazing food and extraordinary talent. Its hard not to be inspired!