A make for Mae and Giveaway with HobbyCraft

I envy those who can sew, really I do. I struggle to make even the most basic of stitches look neat and I actually got banned from using the machines during year 9 textiles lessons due to my track record of breaking them. Still, I wasn’t going to let that put me off when Hobbycraft got in touch and offered to send me a mini sewing machine to make something to show on the blog with, especially as with that challenge came a second machine to give away to one of my readers!
My Mum is super handy on a sewing machine so I picked her brains for ideas. We settled for making a simple heart template, which we (and by this I mean she) stitched most of the way around before I stuffed it with an old pair of tights and some catnip. The gap was hand stitched closed and Mae was presented with her brand new toy.

I know, I could have made something for myself- a skirt or a little purse perhaps, but being the cat lady that I am I couldn’t resisting making something for my mad moggy first. Watching Mum doing the sewing made me realise that actually, it’s not as hard as I once thought and I have dedicated myself to learning to make some simple things (I am somewhat calmer these days and better at focusing after all) which I will be sure to show on the blog. In the mean time, here are some photos of our exploits and your chance to win below.

(If you have any ideas of things I could make then do feel free to leave them below- being a mini machine I know options are limited but this is so easy to set up and use so it’s perfect for a beginner like me, or for any one who wants to make little gifts without setting up a big machine).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway open to UK residents only, good luck!

end

83 comments for “A make for Mae and Giveaway with HobbyCraft

  1. Lovely prize Laura. The first thing I’ll make is a skirt, I’m pretty handy on a sewing machine 🙂

    Nic
    x

  2. AvatarTracey Peach

    I would make a lovely duvet cover for my bed

  3. Ooh I would have to make some uber kitsch bunting to put up in my new pad. That machine is so cute!!

  4. Your heart is wonderful, I love the fabrics hun! I adore sewing and used to use my sewing machine daily but it broke and then blogging got in the way – I so feel the sewing and creative itch coming back.

    Hugs, Elyse x
    http://www.sweetelyseblog.com

  5. AvatarJill beans

    Amzing x

  6. Avatariain maciver

    some curtains

  7. AvatarJoy

    One of my New Years Resolutions was to make myself a dress to wear at Christmas, the theory being I would have plenty of time to research patterns and techniques and practise throughout the year. That hasn’t happened. I think a sewing machine that wasn’t too complicated would be the kick up the arse I need to find something fairly simple to put together.

    Joy // The Harpy

  8. AvatarTracy Nixon

    I will be making Christmas tree hangings! I make them every year for my little ones and usually hand stitch them – it would be lovely to machine stitch them instead! Thank you!

  9. Avatarbev

    My first job would be to complete some alterations I’ve had sitting round for a while!

  10. Avatarelaine dale

    some new cushion covers

  11. AvatarMary Chez

    I would make some cushion covers

  12. AvatarDawn Henson

    I would love to make some new Cushion Covers as mine are looking rather tatty!!

  13. AvatarKatie

    I really need to learn how to use a sewing machine, I want to be able to make (or at least alter) my own costumes and things for cosplay and parties. And being able to alter and fix my clothes would be helpful too!

  14. AvatarAngie Hoggett

    some napkins

  15. Avatarclair downham

    some new cushion covers

  16. AvatarJayne T

    I’d try something simple first like a cushion.

  17. Avatarkristen mcclary

    my couch desperatly need to make new pillows my dog ripped up one and the kids spilled juice on the other thanks for the chance

  18. Wow how adorable! I knit blankets for my kitty cat sometimes, it can be really fun

  19. I desperately want a sewing machine but don’t have a lot of space in my tiny London room so this mini one would be perfect <3 x

  20. So cute that you made something for Mae 🙂

  21. AvatarAbigail Daniel

    Oh wow! tough question 🙂

    I have been wanting a sweing machine for so long now I have a million ideas! Well.. I sketch clothes and think up my own designs and I would love to make my own clothes I am hoping to have a little buisness one day! and also I would love to make cushions and various other things! This would make my day so much if I won fingers crossed ^_^

  22. AvatarNatalie Crossan

    Lovely dresses for my daughter x

  23. AvatarChris E Andrews

    Comment on this post with what you’ll be making if you win.
    oh so many things – my last sewing machine literally went up in smoke, so l have a lot of catching up to do

  24. Avatarlaura jayne bates

    a dress

  25. AvatarSarah

    If I won this, my daughter & I would make bunting together. So simple to make, but so beautiful … plus a great chance to spend quality time together.

  26. AvatarSJ

    I think you should start with cushion covers – all straight edges, only 2-3 pieces of fabric – they’re fast and easy to make.

    I have a dress I started making years ago that’s still unfinished, but I’d actually really like to make a long tutu to pair with a simple jersey t-shirt. Not sure my skills are up to that though!

  27. AvatarEllen Sheppard

    Great idea for a cat toy, might try that myself 🙂

  28. AvatarHeather Haigh

    I would like to win it for my daughter – she is very talented and kind and makes lovely hand made gifts for many of her friends. She made some lovely bunting recently but had to hand sew it all. Would be a joy to make it a little easier and more fun for her.

  29. AvatarElizabeth (Liz) Briggs

    Love this 🙂 thank you for the giveaway. Would love to introduce my daughter to making items. Would love to show her cushions and patchwork 🙂

  30. AvatarBarbara Handley

    I want to make some cushions.

  31. AvatarRachel King

    bunting for my daughter’s bedroom

  32. AvatarCarrie Ashton

    I’m hoping to make a new dress.

  33. AvatarLisa Everaert

    Id make some new cushions for the living room

  34. AvatarTracey Belcher

    My friend has a lovely narrowboat (rosie and jim style) and I would love to make some little curtains and cushions to brighten it up

  35. AvatarClaire Smith

    Cushions! Lots of them!

  36. AvatarMaxine

    Oh, it’s a fab size for making some Christmas bunting and decorations

  37. AvatarEllen Sheppard

    I would love to attempt to make some curtains and matching cushion covers, quite new at this sewing malarkey though so might start off with something easier! I think your cat toy is a great idea, might try that too 🙂

  38. AvatarJen

    A cuddly cat!

  39. AvatarEMMA WALTERS

    would love to make curtains for my son’s room

  40. Avatarchristine shelley

    Ive got enough material left from my flat curtains to make cushions , but no machine!

  41. AvatarVivien Baird

    Making curtains and cushion covers

  42. Avatarmichelle muirhead

    make fabric and ribbon home and christmas decorations

  43. AvatarLaura Jeffs

    A lovely dress 🙂 xx

  44. Avatarjustine meyer

    cushions for my bed

  45. Avatarcloudzulu

    I am a complete novice so I would attempt to do some cushions.

  46. AvatarFrances Heaton

    I would make some covers for my 3-piece suite.

  47. AvatarJane Willis

    This would be so useful for me! I love to add stitching to my hand made cards, but often feel it isn’t worth lugging my heavy, clumsy old machine out from under the stairs so I end up drawing on faux stitching instead. Which is a very roundabout way of saying I would use it for making cards.

  48. AvatarVicki A Smith

    I’ve never used a sewing machine before, so i’ll be on the hunt for some simple beginners patterns first of all!

  49. AvatarJennifer Haigh

    Id love to use it to make little trinkets for hanging on my wall 🙂

  50. AvatarSTACY SORRELL

    id love to make some black out curtains for my little girls room, they can be so expensive to buy

  51. AvatarSheri Darby

    dresses and toys

  52. AvatarPaula Phillips

    Some decorations for my home.

  53. Avatarmaria molly taylor

    I will make a cat bed, I already have the material, pink and black leopard print fur fabric, should be cute

  54. AvatarNicola McC

    I’ll be making myself some lovely, new dresses.

  55. AvatarHeather Knotts

    A patchwork duvet cover for my grandaughter

  56. AvatarMrs McG

    what a fab prize, some bunting & cushoins for my little darling’s bedroom & hopefully dresses for us both !

  57. AvatarMrs McG

    what a fab prize, some bunting & cushions for my little darling’s bedroom & hopefully dresses for us both !

  58. probably some small little items first for gifts for people until I get the hang of it!! 🙂

  59. I’d like to try my hand at sewing machine pictures.

  60. ill be making some cushion covers

  61. AvatarLouise McNicol

    I’d love to make a patchwork quilt, I have so many things that belonged to the children I couldn’t bear to throw out, I’d use the fabric from them. X

  62. AvatarDeborah J

    Curtains for my oversized windows

  63. AvatarAngela Wilcox

    I’ve always wanted a sewing machine. I would make some curtains first. We’ve lived here 5 years and still haven’t got any downstairs (just blinds) as they are an awkward size to buy!

  64. AvatarFelicity Kelly

    I would start to make homemade christmas decorations! Also some bunting, I’ve always wanted to make bunting!!!

  65. Awesome prize. I think I would make some bunting first.

  66. AvatarKristy Brown

    I would refresh my daughters cushion covers as she is too grown up for them now.

  67. Avatarsarah pearce

    some new clothes for my daughters dolls x

  68. AvatarCharlotte G

    Dolls clothes 🙂

  69. AvatarJane Middleton

    cushions

  70. Avatarkim neville

    Would like to try making some cushion covers first

  71. AvatarJACQUELINE ROBERTS

    Repairing all the knees on my Boys jeans

  72. AvatarJennifer Rhymer

    I’d make my little girl a dress, I’ve already bought the material!

  73. AvatarSarah Lewis

    Being a cat lady I hope to make something similar for my cats.

  74. AvatarRachel B

    as a beginner I would start off with some cushion covers.

  75. AvatarNaomi Buchan

    I think i would start with a patchwork quilt so i can get used to using it x

  76. AvatarEllie Jones

    Just a simple cushion for now as its been a long time since I’ve used a sewing machine 😛

  77. AvatarAmy J

    I’d love to make some cushion covers 🙂

  78. Avatarlaura avery

    Id use it to make my son some new dolly clothes. 😀

  79. AvatarGeorge Worboys Wright

    A draught excluder now it’s started to get colder!

  80. AvatarChristina Cooke

    I’ll be making lavender bags with the kids for pressies for their nan’s! :o)

  81. I’d like to try some things for Christmas presents … but they’ll have to be fairly simple as I’ve not done any proper sewing in years … perhaps some lavender hangers or something 🙂

  82. Avatartracy sinclair

    I would make some cushion covers for my living room x

  83. AvatarLaura Carroll

    Some little hanging hearts for cupboard doors 🙂