Category — Sewing

I have had big plans for much blogging but alas, time is short and the sun is hot (melting my house I think).    However, have got to share what Andi found here:

Have been busy making stuff other than babies:

I’m doing a market – how funny. It will be interesting to see how it goes.  I have always admired anyone who gets out there and makes the effort but Lara’s post a feww months ago got me thinking.  I figured, this is the local one and its now or never.  So come on down to check out my rack……. filled with boys and girls dress ups and everyday wear made from recycled, remnant and reclaimed materials.  Or just come and say “Hi” –  (there is a fancy flyer but I’m too technically challenged to sort it out):

North Melbourne Market Day

Vintage, designer, handmade, tasty treats

10AM – 2PM, Sunday 15th November

At the Lithuanian Club

44 Errol St, North Melbourne

….and I got very envious of mag / book collection at friend’s house recently. Bought these on Monday:

My smallest (soon to be middlesized) assistant chose this fabric from that haven tessuti to make this dress:

Am booked in to do this market (more to come on this when I finish my contract at the end of the month) so busy getting things together for this. Dress is on the post Nov 15 todo list (unless it proves irresistible before then….)

Anyone got any hot tips for using these dishdelishous japanese books / patterns?

Haven’t had much time to get into the craft zone but here’s the quilt which was off to Japan (I lashed out on a walking foot and although I had no real idea how to work one, it did seem to make a difference to my “in the ditch”-ness – way less bunchy):

And the present for a 5 yr old’s birthday (where a funny thing happened: it was at one of those play centres and was a kinder kid. One of the non-invited kinder kids co-incidently turned up at the centre – this kid had cake with the party and was not at all camera shy when the parents wre trying to take a photo of the birthday girl and her family. Too funny…):

Part of the present was also one of the glittery headbands with a rose.   I really like these tops, I gave them to a few special little ladies last year for christmas.  Ours get wear in winter as well with a long sleeve underneath.

if you have any pocket money left after the quilt show, the gj’s sale is still on for a couple of days. 25% off all fabric and craft accessories in the patchwork floor. I picked up this lot on friday. The first group is an emergency quilt for my bro who is flying off to Japan later this week and whose bambina is due in a couple of weeks. How exciting!!!

I have been making a few of these for gifts.  We had a mass production session recently.  They are sooo fun (as in the tiaras, not the 5 hours of sewing with kids pestering you - although 5 hours of sewing would be fun if you had someone else to manage each and every want 7 children can come up with).   It was actually a lovely day – an almost guilty pleasure hanging out for the whole day – kids and all.  You can’t do that often or with just anyone.

Follow this link to my attempt at a tutorial - Sequin Tiara - and make one for yourself – or for someone who you think would appreciate some party headwear.  Go on -  “HAVE A CRACK!!”

Had to have the lime papercuts from cookie’s fabric delights yesterday. Have been thinking about new cushions for a while for the couch. Will also do a couple more when I get some of that fancy printing fabric. (Jemima is in the photo as it was the only way I could keep pushy, cranky little person out of the photo.) One of the othersides is this gorgeous vintage curtain fabric – an op shop find from a few months ago.  This is such a quick turnaround for me – the papercuts didn’t even make it to the stash.

Got an impromptu night out with mr last night, lovely relos offered to hang out with the girls.  They also provided some one on one attention for our day in the city on Thursday. 

Puppets at Fed Square, Ferris Wheel and Birrarung Marr park. (this is Gordon – he is staying with us for a week from creche – the kids are keeping a scrapbook of what we get up to with him)

Knowing we would be cooped up in the house today, I took the girls to breaky.  They smoozed a cookie -

Tomorrow, we will have to do something though – we all get a bit frayed around the edges if the girls are left to their own devices for too long……  Happy Rainy Windy days

gosh I feel better about monging in front of the tele when I am doing something as I watch / listen.  CSI is losing me slowly but these have kept me in front of Katherine, Jim, Nick and of course Horatio and co.

And have embarked on another epic (for me) adventure with the needles which made it all ok to have (don’t tell anyone) Brothers and Sisters on.  It took me a while to work out how to cast on (my mum did it for me last time) – i love this wool, its so busy it doesn’t matter how not very neat you are….

Although it’s been a while, I have been keeping up menu planning and things have been ticking over in the sewing room…

finished 9 patch quilt – this sprinted out of the blocks but took its time getting around the course:

 Princess dress – my kids are petite and many of our dress ups don’t fit the girl’s friends.  

Knitting – three years ago, I started a scarf in that dreaded feather yarn – it took me two years to finish, is totally uneven with a few holes and left some serious dents in my knitting confidence.  When my Mum was here recently, I thought I’d give it another go – (this wool from spotlight, I have just used plain stitch but the wool makes it interesting.)  Finished.  In much less time than my last tragic effort.

And finally, Judy at Perle 8′s spent some time and patience recently and guided me into the land of granny squares.  Haven’t had the time to get obsessed but I can see why people are ‘hooked’….

Hopefully this arvo, will get some more time to hang out with the janomes.

my square for someone’s birthday quilt – happy birthday Jo.  (incidently, my first “King’s Crown” dont you know)

10cm squares quilt – something quick for the couch or a picnic

the disappearing 9 patch – genius and tricksy (very much a work in progress so next step is piecing it all together)

got a mending night tonite – long list.

a Finished Object:

As usual, an 11th hour rush for me with Damage catching train to bendigo on sat so he could drive while I finished stitching the binding.  Had to come via bendigo to catch last days of the Golden Age of Couture show, and to drop in on mates about to venture off around the great brown land in their F250.  Goods delivered at christening minus signature bit thing.  Which was great because the first hymn at the service was “Be Not Afraid” – tops bit of advice really so that’s now stitched and will be added asap.  I have also decided Not to Be Afraid.