All out

Well, as I expected, that 10m of tracing interfacing didn't last long. It ran out today after tracing off another top and a pair of cropped pants. I will have to go to Spotlight tomorrow to get some more as there are another 2 Burda magazines waiting at the library for me and I know there are at least 4 or 5 things I want to trace. I wonder if I can leave the kids at home so I can have a bit of a wander around on my own? That's probably just wishful thinking!

I thought I would share a pic of the fabric I picked up at the op shop recently. I am not sure what the fabric is and not sure what I want to do with it either, but for $4 I couldn't walk past and not get it now could I?

Also here is the remnant piece I got while I was in Spotlight last week. It is 1.9 m long x 150 wide but again I am unsure as to what it is, but at $1 a metre (and therefore under $2 for the piece) it was a bargain waiting to be had. It is a lovely lightweight fabric with a feather print in gorgeous shades of blue. There is plenty there to make 'something' with but I'm not sure exactly what just yet. It will be nice and safe in my meagre but slowly growing stash for a while yet :)

Tracing, Tracing, Tracing!

I have collected two loads of pattern magazines from the library now and I have been busy tracing off patterns and copying the relevant instructions. I have patterns for tops, shirts, jackets and pants, but no skirts yet, so I am hoping I will find one I like in the next issue.

I am almost out of polytrace and yes I did get 10m just the other day but, like I said, I've been busy tracing. I am woried about going back for some more as Spotlight have 20% off on Monday and Tuesday and although that would save me a few dollars on the tracing interfacing, it would probably lead to more fabric purchases!

I wonder if I can resist temptation?

Oops!

Well I knew it would happen ..

I went to Spotlight with intentions of only getting interfacing to trace patterns with, and I came home with ...

10m of interfacing (only $10) as intended, plus

1.9m piece of patterned crepe like material for a top ($1.90 in the offcuts bin), and

3 m of jacket fabric ($36) - I got the black

Oh well, from all that I should be able to get a top and a jacket and I am hoping there will be enough left over from the jacket to make a matching skirt for me, but if not I might be able to make a pair of pants or waistcoat for the youngest member of the house, which will be a bonus.

Patterns everywhere

Ok they're not really everywhere but they are all over the table. I have only managed to trace off one complete pattern today and I have cut it out roughly. I am aiming to get finished with the patterns asap so I can return them to the library. I can add the seam allowances and hems and make any pattern adjustments later on.

I have scanned the instructions for the patterns I want and the line drawings as well so I have an idea what the end product should look like. All that's left to do now is the rest of the tracing. I have reduced the list to 10 patterns but I don't think I will have enough polytrace to do them all, so it looks like a trip to Spotlight is in order. It will be hard not to divert my attention to the fabrics while I'm there but I will try!

I am hoping to get this jacket made first, as it's something I am lacking in my wardrobe. I don't know what fabric I want to use as yet but it will have to be something that will go with jeans as that is pretty much all I have in my wardrobe for winter.

What fabric would you use for a winter jacket?

Reading Material

It's hard to find Burda magazines here on the coast, and when you do they are around $16 each, not cheap!

You can imagine my joy when I discovered the local libraries have a collection of them. I went online and put a reserve/hold on some (as well as some other sewing books) and got the call yesterday that three magazines were ready for collection. I braved the horrendous weather yesterday afternoon and went to collect them.

I was pleased to see them all in hanging packets, the patterns already removed from the magazines and placed in the packets behind the magazines. They are all in good condition too, which was a nice surprise.

I am starting to think about what fabrics I would like to have in my very small collection. I have a few summer weight cottons for tops, a few bits and pieces for making shorts for the boys, and some odds and ends of polar fleece, but that's it so far. It's been a while since I did much fabric shopping so I am doing a little research into what is available locally and online.

I need some basics for my stash, some gabs and knits for skirts and pants, and some jersey type fabrics for tops, but apart from that I think I will just go with the flow and get what appeals when I see it. I think it's probably best to buy fabrics with a particular pattern or project in mind but hey I'm not against grabbing a special when I see it.

I have joined the Lincraft Club and am already a Spotlight member, and although I don't expect to find any truly great fabrics through either of those stores they do have some good specials on fabrics every now and then, as well as notions and patterns, so that will come in handy.

I think I better get some housework done so I can start tracing these patterns. There is a jacket in one of the magazines that I would like to make soon, it's winter here and I am over sweatshirts and jeans, well not completely but I would like a nice jacket :)

Until next time ...

Discoveries

Well things are coming along nicely in my attempt to re-aquaint myself with the world of sewing.

I have uncovered a forgotten stash of fabrics that were residing in various boxes in the garage. Of course it will not be enough and I must start adding to it as soon as possible! I have looked through the Kinitwit patterns I found the other day and, although some are way out of date, the straight skirt patterns and basic t-shirts will be useful.

I have subscribed to Australian Stitches Sewing magazine. I used to read it years ago and might have some copies somewhere, but I haven't found them yet. While I was grocery shopping I picked up last months issue from the newsagents, with two back issues for a grand sum of $9,95, so I have plently to read until the first issue from my subscription arrives.

I have also discovered that the library has a collection of Burda magazines and plenty of other sewing publications, all of which can be reserved & collected once they're in. I did buy issue 3/2009 this week but knowing they are available from the library is brilliant and will save me heaps of money, which of course can be put towards more fabric.

Now if there were only a few more hours in the day we'd really be getting somewhere!

New Collections

As I hadn't been sewing for some time I gave away most of my patterns and had very little in the way of supplies, so it's almost like starting over again.

A few years ago I purchased a great machine, a Janome 6500P, envisaging all the lovely things I could create with it, but unfortunately it has done little more than mending, making a few bags and cushions, and sewing on scrapbook layouts ever since I got it. I also have an overlocker sitting in the cupboard gathering dust. Talk about going to waste!

I have recently discovered that I kept my Knitwit patterns and sewing books, and a few other patterns that can be run up with little fuss.

Over the past month or so I have been adding to this very meager collection a few patterns at a time. I discovered I can order Simplicity & New Look patterns online at a fraction of the cost they are in the local Spotlight store and have them delivered straight to the letterbox, which is so much easier than trying to choose patterns in the store with a toddler in tow.

I have purchased a few summer tops patterns and a skirt/pants pattern, and I have my eye on a few more. I am sure there are many more patterns I can find online too but these are OK for now, quick and easy. I also picked up the latest copy of Burda magazine that is in store here, issue 3/09, and there are a few patterns in there that I would like to make up too.














I have also started re-creating the fabric stash. I purchased some fabrics suitable for summer tops last month and I stumbled across a 2.5m piece of a lovely cream fabric in an Op Shop this week, so that was added to the stash too. The cream fabric is already washed and dried and ready to be made into something, but the other fabrics haven't been touched yet.

The next step is to go through the clothes I have and discover what is missing from my wardrobe and what I could do with more of. I don't have much spare time so I have to use it wisely and choose my projects carefully.

Back later ...

Welcome

Just a quick post to say hi to anyone who might stumble across this blog.

I decided to create this blog dedicated to my sewing adventures so anyone interested in this part of my life would not have to wade through the other day to day and scrapbooking stuff on my other blog.

It's been many years since I did any serious sewing, I have been dabbling in making bags and craft items for the past 5 years or so, but right now I have the itch to stitch. I don't know how much time I will find for my sewing endeavours but I'm going to give it a try.

I'll be back when I have something worth sharing,