Working hard- or hardly working.

So when I posted the other day, I forgot about all the sewing FOR ME I've been doing!

I quickly wear them, they go in the wash, back in the wardrobe....forgotten! And getting the kid to take the pics- forget it!

So, into the patterns!

The first one took a while to get too. I tried these ones; just OK. I got a hot tip from Sophie about this pattern. And for $4.50 pdf download- we have a winner!

length is good. This is a cotton sheet;

then I tried some stretch. COMFY!

Just a warning, though- I'm about a 14 in the shops; I made the largest size 

in this pattern and it was snug. Comfy but snug.

Oh, easy to follow instructions too!

The next one was a pattern a friend had picked up. I stole the idea

 (hmmm, been doing that a bit) and tried it out.

Fabric is a ?Tana lawn from Spotlight.

No adjustments made to this pattern.

Easy- no zip! (for the zipper-phobes)

I tried a spunky double hem. Not twin needles, just 2 rows of stitching.

the 'poufy' sleeves remind me of bubble skirts! Don't love it, but don't hate it either.

Next (but not last) is the new flavour-of-the-month Lisette.

What do I like about these patterns? Simplicity (equals good instructions and good fit to me)

a cotton voile from Spotlight.

It's a 3/4 length tunic on me, I wear some grey leggings underneath

 (but NO leggings as pants haha)

I made this while the overlocker was at the shop being repaired. My machine has a

 great overlock stitch, slow but definitely do-able in a weekend!

pockets;

cute buttons from the stash (and no zips, zipper phobes! hmmm, maybe I'm a zipper

 phobe too, I choose a lot of patterns without them!)

I lengthened the sleeves, really easy to do.

As I chose an all over colour, you can't see the detail as much, but I like it!

So, what's next?

A pattern review of one I'm not too happy about;

getting a chance at this pattern;

and joining in on a spur-of-the-moment sew-a-long 

andthatsaboutallfornow!

Saturday.....

Warning. Following pics may cause nausea.

Thanks, Sam!

Sewing stuff

There's been a few projects going on this week, bits and pieces and another cushion custom order.

I found these tiny 75mm purses I'd cut out- they're on their way to being finished!

It gave me some inspiration for my doiley project!

a hat was finished too. God, her head grows a lot!

Unexpected review

I'm getting all ready for this great exhibition.

Having no idea what I'm making led some play in the kitchen yesterday.

I haven't played with the dyes for ages- a few years in fact! 

I still have the stash I got cheap at Spotlight- I'm still trying to find more of this brand, as it dyes double the amount of Dylon. And lets look at the colors....

This is Royal Blue, on a beige-ish tablecloth. I wish I could say I had editing skills, but seriously, I pressed 'auto-correct' and it came up this good! 

This one was done on the stove and simmered....

this one a bucket of hot water; 

 also a bucket of hot water. Not for very long either, as I had a kid

 nagging me to take it out!

(the bottom right doiley was a dark beige originally.)

I also had a box of Dylon from before they changed their packaging. On the stove constantly being stirred, it still was very patchy....

and whereas exactly the same batch of doilies went into the orange and came out uniform, this lot frustrated me a bit!

what do you think? has ANYONE seen the Uni-care dyes around? I've got a pot on the stove with my huge beige 'market tablecloth in it, can't wait to show you the finished product- it definitely won't be cut up!

PS Has blogger changed it's fonts? Or is it just me?

My disaster

I haven't been taking many pics lately, it's been 8 days according to the computer who files them all 

away for me!

There has been sewing, i'll try and snap some pics. But I thought I'd share my latest disaster!

I noticed in the last few days of using it my overlocker wasn't up to scratch. So it went to the 'naughty corner' for a while, then I took it in to be serviced.

Hmmm, my first attempt at Microsoft Paint shows I have some practice to do! 

(That tiny print says 'that bit'!)

See that little bit I circled? Don't snap it off!

And here's the reason why!

(Please don't aske me how I did it, I have no idea! I was asked at the shop "did you do this or this" and I said 'maybe'!! Felt like a naughty kid!

Finito!

I finished up the custom order I had last week with a custom cushion.

when the friend came over to look at fabric, she spotted this cushion on the Little Miss's bed.

As her daughter's b'day was coming up, she asked me for one!

This little girl loves green, so the shroomy fabric was a great pick (from Spotlight years ago)

and the photos and fabric appliqued on, with a bit of Vliesofix to help.

It was all a bit 'geometric' so I added the love hearts with a bit of pink at the last minute, I think it helped!

The mum absolutely adored it, and has ordered 2 more off me, 1 for her 2nd daughter, and one for another friend.

As I loved making it, I'm thinking I may have found an item I would be happy to make over and over- I can't get bored, as they are all different! And with email and phone pics nowadays, making a 'mock up' and getting the ok takes about 5mins! Stay tuned....

and another school year finally started on Monday for my big Grade 3 girl! She was so worried about having a male teacher, but has loved it from day 1- if I hear "Mr Gravett said" one more time......

 We both look a bit younger here!

Quilt a long along

Have been following along over here, sort of, when I get a chance!

I've quilted about half of the blue blocks, and 3 of the white bits.

and a sneaky bit of the backing.

There's a flickr group too for more great quilts.

I finished off a little project for me too- a quilted cover for my 2012 diary!

front

and back. Something cute to look at every day!

and removable for washing.

back to the custom orders now!

Visiting Friends

Not much craft happening at the mo, have been entertaining  family/friends! Melinda and I go back to little kids living next door to each other; her sister, my BFF, passed away when Little Miss was a bubba, but we've kept in touch and get visits when they're back in the country!

A visit to Queen Vic Markets;

 lots of hanging out and catching up;

 the kid doesn't start school till Monday (apparently they are having 'Curriculum Days' for the first 3 days back at her school) so has been filling her time creatively!

Murray has been completely spoilt; Franco is his new best friend and I'll be checking the back of the camper van when they leave to check he hasn't been dog-napped!