Deb's Needle & Thread

Library additions

2012-01-14T20:08:00.001+11:00

It is not like I have heaps of sewing or fashion books, no really I don't, and it is not as though I don't have time to read them. Oh well anyway, I bought two more books today. I decided to buy from http://www.bookdepository.com and before you say but that is in England and you are in Australia, yes you are right. I have bought from them a few times now and find the delivery is swift, the postage is free and the prices are better than I can get here (even in department stores).

So what did I buy?

There are a few more sitting in my wish list but these will do for now.

Q before I go. What are your favourite/must have sewing of fashion books? There is always room for one (or two) more ....

Oh dear!

2012-01-04T22:41:00.000+11:00

Where does the time go? I can't believe I have neglected both my blog and my sewing for so long. It has been a challenging year but that's life..

I want to get back into a little sewing but know that time is at a premium and I know that if I try to make anything too complicated I am simply setting myself up for failure even before I begin. So what is the answer? A simple goal of one top a month. I think this is an achieveable goal.

I have no idea what patterns I am going to use or what fabrics the tops will be in, I am somewhat out of touch with what there is out there atm, but that will come. I have very little time to ponder this till the kids go back to school so it might end up being 12 tops over 11 months but that is ok.

For now I am checking out the latest patterns and those I have stashed away to see what I am going to make but whatever it will be I can guarantee it will be something simple!

Some progress

2010-11-01T16:33:00.003+11:00

OK so it's not on a white shirt, but I did get somewhere today.

Between ... running kids to school in the morning, collecting eldest ds from school before midday, going shopping with eldest ds for new jeans and a belt to wear to a class dinner tonight, picking up 2 Burda mags from the library, doing the grocery shopping, getting petrol in the car, and collecting the other two kids from school ... I have managed to trace off and alter the pattern, and cut out the fabric for a top for myself, and download and trace off a pattern for newborn pants (for a friend who just had a baby).

Unfortunately there is no time to sew now. I have to get the groceries away, organise dinner for the other 3 kids and myself, supervise homework, iron some jeans and a shirt, and then take eldest to the restaurant.

Perhaps tomorrow ...

So ...

2010-10-27T15:35:00.005+11:00

I have been leafing through my pattern folder today trying to decide on which pattern to use for the white shirt sew along. I am starting from scratch with a new pattern (no TNT's yet) and I am really not sure which way I want to go.

I am considering McCalls 5433 (view a), McCalls 5522 (view a), and Simplicity 3684 (view d), but I also picked up Twinkle Sews from the library yesterday and love the Balancing Act shirt, although I am thinking that is not the best shirt to start out with.

I guess I need to think about it a bit more, but in the meantime I have some white Poplin I plan on using for my first attempt/muslin so I will be getting that in the wash shortly. Once the muslin is made I have some white shirting with a pale grey stripe (already laundered) that has been waiting to become a shirt for some time, I hope the wait will be worth it.

Never too many white shirts ...

2010-10-27T09:40:00.009+11:00

I confess ...

I do not have one white shirt that fits well and looks nice on, sigh, and this is the reason I have joined in the 'never too many white shirts' sew along.

http://www.sewingontheedge.blogspot.com/

Some of the girls are aiming for TEN white shirts, using a combination of patterns and fabrics, but my plans are not that ambitious.

I am aiming to fit, sew, and re-fit (as many times as necessary) the same single pattern to hopefully end up with a TNT (tried n true) pattern that can be tweaked and changed and used again with various fabrics without having to re-fit.

Now to check the pattern stash and decide on a starting point ...

New (to me) Sewing Machine

2010-10-27T09:23:00.004+11:00

I love Freecycle!

You never know what you will see being given away and last week my luck was in.

When I saw 'sewing machine' my heart was all a flutter, when I saw it was on offer from one of my friends my heart skipped a beat. I sent off an email straight away and was promised the machine almost imnmediately. It was collected during a lovely catch up visit a few days later.

This is not a unique machine, it is not an antique either, it is a regular machine that you can get (re-branded) all over the place. Why am I so happy about this machine? Well it has something my Janome 6500P does not, a free arm. Now some of you may think no big deal and I know I can manage without one as I have done so for years, but when your smallest person in the house is only 4 and there are things such as little sleeves to sew in and hem it does make it easier.

After earlier receiving back my two older machines I had leant out and discovering bits and pieces missing, and dealing with that disappointment, I am pleased to say that this machine will fill the gap they left quite nicely. I have given it a good clean and it is already running well, once it's had an oil it will be humming along nicely.

The next task is to put aside my scrapbooking stuff and create myself a little sewing space ...

Oh my goodness!

2010-10-27T09:20:00.001+11:00

Has it really been months since I posted anything here? I am so sorry but life does get in the way sometimes and despite good intentions there are just not enough hours in the day.

I am pretty much on top of housework, garden maintenance, school stuff for the kids, etc. and have put aside my scrapbooking for the time being (my mojo has deserted me) so besides the Spring Cleaning (which I am yet to start in earnest) there is just the usual day to day stuff to contend with. Hopefully that means I can actually get some sewing done soon.

Stay tuned for upcoming plans ...

Arrived safe and sound

2010-02-22T14:20:00.003+11:00

Well the fabrics I ordered from http://www.fabric.com/ have arrived.

After the minor problem of a few out of stock items and having to choose replacements, the order shipped from the USA on the 10th of February and arrived here in S/E Qld on the 16th of February. That was not bad at all considering it had to clear customs, the package sat in Mascot (Sydney) for almost two days and in Brisbane for another day. It was certainly faster than I anticipated and when you get a delivery across the other side of the world in that amount of time it makes the high shipping costs understandable!

The fabrics are all as they appeared online apart from the green slinky which is a slightly different shade to what I expected, but I do like it so no problem there. The weather has been awful here the past week so I haven't managed to get them washed etc. but I plan on getting to the pink slubby knit first as I want to make one of those cosi-cardi wraps before Autumn gets here.

I am very pleased with the service and also with the fabrics. Will I shop there again? I certainly will, although I need to shop the stash for a little while before I do any more fabric shopping :)

A slight change of plans

2010-02-10T19:40:00.005+11:00

I received an email this morning from Robyn of Fabric.com to tell me that two of the fabrics I wanted were only available in shorter cuts. The lengths available (eg 1/2 yard pieces) were not really what I wanted so I chose a couple of alternatives. My fabric order now looks like this. Gone is the purple slinky knit and there is a soft green slinky in it's place, and gone is the b&w floral print knit, and in it's place some sofrt pink linen blend. I think I will be able to make some nice new pieces with these ...

Online shopping

2010-02-09T12:51:00.004+11:00

I felt like I needed a little retail therapy, and with the discovery of online coupons for http://www.fabric.com (thanks Karen), I finally gave in to temptation.

I had been looking at some of the fabrics for a while, in particular jerseys and a linen blend, but I had been worried about shipping costs. I thought about if for a while and then decided to go ahead, I figure that if I could even find the fabrics here they would cost me about the same (if not more) than what I paid including the shipping. I think I ordered about 15m in total.

Delivery from the USA could take a while, after all it does have to come half way around the world, but I can be patient, can't I?

First pair finished

2010-01-02T19:17:00.009+11:00

This morning I decided to leave the housework and start on the pyjama top before I got bogged down with all the other stuff. This worked well and the sewing was a breeze. Ok so the dishes didn't get done till later and the floor is still waiting to be vacuumed, but hey I have a new pair of pyjamas :)

Update: The pyjama pants are fine, very loose and comfortable, but I am unsure about the top. Although suggested fabric types included all types of cotton I think it would have been better in a softer fabric, this fabric has very little drape and the top does not sit very well. I will make more pairs of these pants but think I will use a different pattern for the next top.

First day of the year, 1st piece made

2010-01-01T19:27:00.006+11:00

Happy New Year everyone.

I am not one for new years resolutions but among other things I have decided that this year I am going to make some time for me, every day, something I have not done for a long time. I really need to take time to slow down and have some fun, time to enjoy things like reading, sewing, walking in the fresh air, or just plain relaxing. I intend to do whatever needs to be done (housework, shopping, laundry, study etc) early in the day and once it gets to 2 or 3pm then it's my time until I need to start making dinner or have something urgent to deal with. I don't know how long this will last but I am going to give it my best shot.

I worked hard today to get things done so I could have some me time and it just happened I was finished with everything when my little one decided to have a nap.

Today I have sewn up a pair of pyjama pants in a stripe cotton using Simplicity 9505. They are nothing flash but I really need pyjamas. I altered the pattern slightly as I didn't want shorts and I didn't want full length either, I made them just under knee length.

It's time to make dinner now and I won't have any more me time today but tomorrow I hope to get on with making the pyjama top from the same pattern as the pants, view F. The top shouldn't take long, the fiddly bit will be making the drawstring but I made one today for the pants (not in the pattern but I wanted one) and it didn't take very long.

Once these pyjamas are given a trial run to see how they stack up comfort wise I will either make another set the same (with perhaps a different top) in the other fabric I purchased, or wait till the McCalls pattern I ordered a few days ago arrives. Either way I am so looking forward to have some new 'jammies and having two pairs to choose from will be nice.

What are you working on?

Ready to sew

2009-12-30T21:55:00.003+11:00

The going has been slower than I would have liked but my darling little one so lovingly shared his flu with me and I am dragging myself around at a snails pace.

Despite feeling pretty average I really want to get these done, and I have managed to wash and dry the fabric (even though I was tempted to skip this step as the washing machine was working overtime anyway), cut out and make a few adjusments to the pattern, and cut the pieces out for one pair of pyjama pants and one top.

The pattern placement took some extra thought as I believed I had purchased just enough for pants from this particular piece of fabric, but with the addition of a centre back seam and altering the length of the pants from full length to 3/4 (as I wanted anyway) I managed to squeeze out a top as well.

I am hoping tomorrow I will feel up to sewing, but if not the next day ...

Fabric update

2009-12-29T14:44:00.003+11:00

I escaped from the house this morning on a little fabric finding mission.

Unfortunately in my travels I discovered that the store I wanted to check out will be closed till after New Years. Oh well, not wanting to go home empty handed I decided to make a detour via the local Spotllight store, which was only a few streets away from where I was anyway.

Spotlight did not have many fabrics in but I settled on some lightweight cottons. The first one has a blue background with lemon, pale blue, pink and green outlined hearts on it, I purchased enough of this to make one pair of 3/4 pyjama pants and hopefully a pyjama top.

The second fabric has a white background and stripes in navy, blue, green and pink (much the same colours as the other fabric) but unfortunately there was only enough of this for a pair of pyjama pants. I will need to go back at some stage and get something that co-ordinates for the other pyjama top, but it's better than nothing.

So off to the washing machine these go. If the kids don't need me too much today, which is highly likely as 3 of them have the flu (as do I), I might get some patterns traced off or cut out, not sure which way I will be going with that yet.

I am hoping to start sewing tomorrow but that depends on how well I feel. At least I am making some progress ...

A late WIAW

2009-12-28T18:58:00.002+11:00

Ruthie is holding a WIAW over the Christmas break, with prep being done the week prior to Christmas and the sewing starting on Boxing Day and some of the girls are already producing finished garments.

I fianlly decided I will join in but I will be a little late.

I have been searching for PJ's but cannot find what I want in the style, colour or size I want, so I have decided to use the WIAW to create 2 pr pj bottoms and 2 tops. It might not be what most people have in mind for a WIAW but it's what I need right now.

Despite best intentions I haven't made it to the fabric store yet, but I have found the pattern I want to use and decided on how much fabric I will need. I spent the day today catching up on housework so hopefully tomorrow I can venture out for a little retail therapy and get some fabric so the WIAW can begin.

Once I get these pieces done then I might still consider the Winter (Summer down under) 6 pack. I could do with some more summer tops and thin pants (probably linen or linen blend), so we will see ...

Happy Sewing.

Will I or won't I?

2009-12-14T23:12:00.002+11:00

This is a mad time of year for everyone, is it not?

With the boys on summer school holidays there is so much to do and, with Christmas approaching at lightening speed and me still trying to tame the spring cleaning, there are simply not enough hours in the day to do everything I need to do, never mind the stuff I want to do. So why I am I wondering if I have time to get some sewing done amongst all the madness?

On the Sewing Guild there is always something happening and at the moment there are three tempting options to ponder. There is the Wardrobe in a Week (which is actually one week prep and one week sewing) to complete 4 garments, the Winter sew along (or Summer for those of us down under) with a 6 garment goal, or the more challenging SWAP (Sewing with a plan, 11 garments to be made). Any of these choices would add some much needed variation into my currently lacking wardrobe and each has it's pro's and cons, but I am not sure I can complete any of them.

I haven't had time to sort through my patterns or fabrics to see what I might like to make with what I have available, and for now I am still pondering, but I am leaning towards the WIAW. I have done this once before and know I can do it, so that might be my jumping off point and if I can manage it then it could morph it into the Summer Six Pack. I don't have any TNT's yet so I am pretty sure the SWAP is beyond me atm, but I'll get there.

Time will tell ...

Where are the patterns?

2009-11-22T19:14:00.002+11:00

We live in a part of the world where being at the beach, pool, or lake is a big part of our lives, especially in Summer (which is approaching fast), and you need appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the very harsh sun. I prefer longer length board shorts and either a tankini top or rashie, but finding something suitable in shops is almost impossible (and always expensive). I decided to make my own and that's where I hit a stumbling block.

I have been searching pattern websites for ladies board short, tankini and rashie patterns, to no avail. Surely somewhere out there they exist? After some time I discovered a mens board short pattern made by Jalie, but that's it. I am so disappointed, I was really hoping there would be half a dozen or more patterns to choose from but sadly there aren't.

So my question is this, if you want to make your own sun safe swim wear what patterns do you use? Do you adapt another pattern, have you drafted our own, or have you given up as it's all too hard? If you have sewn your own what fabrics have you used and where did you get them from? They seem to be almost as hard to find as the patterns.

Hopefully someone has been there done that and can point me in the right direction. Right now I am feeling rather down about the whole thing but the kids are hoping I find a solution fast as the school holidays are just a few short weeks away.

I await your words of wisdom ...

No sewing today

2009-11-11T12:51:00.002+11:00

... hopefully tomorrow I will get back to my machine.

Monday was ds#2's birthday, yesterday was taken up with the car being taken to and collected from the mechanics and grocery shopping, this morning I had appointments to go to and just after lunch I am collecting eldest ds from school to drive up to my mothers to set up my nieces wii to work with the new wireless modem. I have a couple of layouts I need to do for the DT but they don't need to be done till Friday.

So if all goes to plan tomorrow will be a sewing day, once the mornings housework is out of the way. I have two tops that have been cut out waiting for me to put them together for weeks and they will be the first in line. Hopefully they will go together fast and then I can think about the next project. There's only a couple of weeks left to complete the Autumn (or in my case Spring) sew along but I doubt very much if I will get another 4 items completed in that time. You never know though, miracles can happen ....

What are you working on atm?

Finished

2009-11-09T17:18:00.005+11:00

Well I have finally finished the clothes I was making for the little girl in Sri Lanka. It's just as well I am done as the people taking them over are leaving on Friday and I need to pack these up and get the package to them before they finish packing their bags..

Plans changed a little and I ended up with 4 separate outfits, 3 of which are shown here and have a matching little head scarf (folded over the shoulder of the striped top).

The 4th set is blue and white and matches clothes she has already received. I didn't take a photo of the other outfit as it was simply shorts and a little cropped top.

I am yet to give these a press so please forgive me, I wanted to get this post done before I stopped to make dinner :)

It was nice to make some girls clothes for a change, something I haven't done since my niece was little (she's now 12) .... I just hope the little girl will like them.

Once I catch up with the housework I might be able to get some sewing done for me, maybe!

Catch Up

2009-11-03T09:31:00.008+11:00

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while, at the moment there are not enough hours in the day to do everything I'd like to. Anyway as far as sewing goes, this is what I have been up to ...

My Autumn Sew Along collection is not going anywhere. I still have the black twist front top waiting to be sewn up and the white crushed knit top is at the same stage. I did cut out a pattern for a pair of Marcy Tilton pants but as these are a new pattern to me and I have not made pants in decades I need to fit these from scratch. I have put these items on hold for the moment though as I have another project I must finish first. I am not in a hurry for these things and whenever I finish them it'll be fine with me.

What am I doing instead of the Autumn Sew Along?

The people who live next door to my parents are off to Sri Lanka in less than two weeks and the family they know there are doing it tough (as a lot of people are). There is a little girl in the family (3 yo) and I thought it would be nice to make a set of clothes for her before they go. I have some lovely lightweight cottons in oranges, greens, pinks etc that should be perfect for their climate and I am aiming to use these to make her some pieces that will mix and match.

The first pattern is New Look 6883, I am hoping to make at least two pair of pants and two tops from this pattern. Then it's on to New Look 6504 possibly in a green gingham if it has enough body, if not it might be a lightweight drill in white or yellow. If there is any time left I hope to whip up a top and shorts from McCall's 9369. Should miracles happen a knit dress from New Look 6478.

I know anything at all will be appreciated as last time they visited they took clothes I made for my niece when she was 3 or 4 (she is now 12 and had long outgrown them) and she loved them, but I am hoping she will really like this wardrobe that is made just for her.

The only things standing in my way of getting done in time are the fact that my overlocker doesn't want to play nice so I am having to find alternatives (that are not as fast) for seam finishes, and I have been battling a virus since last week. Oh well, I'll do what I can and will hopefully have something to show by the end of next week.

Thanks for dropping by,

Slowly slowly

2009-09-25T19:53:00.004+10:00

With it being school holidays I have had very little time for myself, these 4 boys of mine are running me ragged. Not on the agenda today was a trip to the Shopping Centre to buy X-Box games, but it's ds#1's birthday next week and the games he wanted were on sale for 1/2 price. What can you do?

Anyway, I did find half an hour to cut out the knot front sleeveless top from Simplicity 4076. This top will be the first article of clothing I am making for the Autumn Sew Along (or Spring for those of us downunder). Yay, I am finally underway!

I have waited for this pattern for a while and I am eager to see how it makes up but I can't sew tonight.

The fabric is a black ribbed knit and it's hard to see what you're doing with black fabric at night, especially when there isn't much light in the dining room to start with (yes that's where I sew). I also have a scrapbook LO due for the Inspiration Team, which I must get done tonight.

Hopefully I will be able to get it sewn up in the morning, looking at the pattern it shouldn't take that long. I have not made this one before but made up a Khalia Ali knot front top a while back, but the method of construction on this one looks so much easier.

I have dropped the idea of a trench for now, it's already too warm and the idea of making one for it to sit in the wardrobe for the next 6 months does not appeal to me at all. So far the amended plan looks like this ...

1. Pants or skirt - no idea yet
2. Sleeveless Vest - Kwik Sew 3618 (maybe)
3. Layering Piece - totally undecided but possibly an overshirt or tunic
4. Shirt - McCalls 5664
5. Top - Simpicity 4076 - cut and ready to sew
6. Top - New Look 6891

I wonder how many times more I will change my mind before I get this done?

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-09-25T19:48:00.000+10:00

Check this out .... so cute!

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Mmmm

2009-09-08T10:18:00.003+10:00

Despite best intentions there has been no sewing this week. I have had my hands full trying to get the garden sorted (it badly needed attention), helping kids with assignments and experiments for school, getting ds#3 ready for camp (tomorrow), organising the Council to fix a leaking water meter, visiting my parents for Fathers Day, as well as all the usual housework, study, etc.

The postie just delivered a parcel of fabrics I purchased. There is black stretch cotton shirting with a white stripe (enough for a skirt and shirt and vest), 2x2 rib in both aqua and black (for tops), and white jersey with a black, pink and gold print (for a top).

I don't need these straight away but I will wash them ready for when I do. After a bit of housework and I finish packing for ds#3's camp trip I might get around to getting the next project (whatever that may be) cut out and ready to go.

Happy sewing,

Next Project?

2009-09-05T19:08:00.004+10:00

I am undecided ...

After making 3 tops and a skirt in a week (even though they were very easy) I am eager to get stuck into some more sewing and have a go at something a little more complicated.

I have so many things I want to make but I don't know what I want to do first. There is a trench from Burda 1/2008 in poplin, a Kwik Sew vest in denim, a couple of blouses and tops, and goodness knows what else. I have accumulated a little stash of patterns and fabrics and I am looking forward to making a dent in them, the only trouble is finding enough time to get anything done between everything else I have to do.

I did manage to trace off the trench pattern and I have washed and dried the poplin ready to go, but the vest pattern is calling my name and I have also washed and dried the black denim for that. If I can't decide I might have to make both of them!

I wish there were more hours in the day ...

Today

2009-09-02T18:28:00.002+10:00

Today I went out with the intention of only picking up the 5/2009 issue of Burda magazine from the library (which I did) but while I was out I decided on a side trip. I stopped at Spotlight on the way home, which actually entailed a 15 minute detour.

I managed to get two patterns I'd been wanting, Kwik Sew 3618 and Simplicity 3786, some thread and a few other notions I needed, and some poplin to make up the trench for the Autumn (Summer) Sew Along.

The Simplicity patterns were on sale for $7.50 each with another 10% off for being a VIP. I ddin't know they were on sale and only had two numbers with me but I might go back for a couple more I have my eyes on before the sale ends. I also discovered they have a special on McCalls, buy one get one to equal value for free, so I might look and see if there are any of those I want too.

Gotta love a bargain, and speaking of bargains ....

On the way out of Spotlight I saw a VIP special on floor rugs, and they just happened to have one the right size, colours and pattern to suit our loungeroom. I wasn't really looking for one, even though we've lived here 14 years and I always thought a rug would be nice, but when they were on special marked down from $129 to $49 I couldn't resist.

I think I better stay home tomorrow, going out the front door usually costs me money!

Autumn Sew Along

2009-09-01T13:30:00.005+10:00

The girls at Sewing Guild have proposed an Autumn Sew Along for Sept to Nov and I have thought about it for a while now and I have decided to join in. I am a bit worried about my level of skill and lack of time, but I will give it a go just the same.

The aim is to complete a wardrobe capsule of co-ordinating pieces that will see you through the next season and add to what you already have. It's Spring here now but who knows what the weather will throw at us, especially after the last two weeks, but I think I will plan as though we are going to have a Spring and not jump straight into Summer.

With that in mind, I will be aiming for 6 pieces. I have only decided on two patterns so far and think I will make those first and decide on the other items as I go along.

1. Pants or skirt -
2. Sleeveless Vest - Kwik Sew 3618 (on shopping list)
3. Lightweight Trench Coat - Burda 1/2008 #129 (traced yesterday)
4. Shirt -
5. Top -
6. Blouse or Top -

I have been adding to my little fabric stash and I am pretty sure I have enough fabric to pull this off. I have black denim, white drill, yellow denim, white stretch shirting with black/grey stripes, black/white/yellow floral stretch cotton, black rib knit, black stretch cotton with pinstripe, and a few more pieces that will also co-ordinate. Hopefully I won't need much more than a few zippers and some buttons.

Of course this is subject to change as I am more than likely going to change my mind at least once, or twice, or ....

I made it!

2009-08-31T14:39:00.003+10:00

I thought it would be fun to have a go at the WIAW on Stitchers Guild but little did I know what obstacles were going to be placed in my way. We had an interstate visitor, 4 sick kids, family and friends dropping by, a birthday to celebrate (mine) and all the other things life throws at you.

Regardless of these hiccups and trying to manage a house and four kids, I still completed my 4 garments in a week. OK so these patterns were not in any way difficult, in fact these are probably the easiest patterns available, but I now have an additional skirt and three tops in my wardrobe.

I used Vogue 8435 for the skirt (minus the front overlay due to lack of fabric) and Simplicity 3768 and 2898 for the tops. The blue floral top seems a bit long to me but I am not going to decide if it needs changing or not until after I have worn it.

It has been quite some time since I made anything for myself and although I am not exactly thrilled with what I have made I know my skills can only get better the more I sew.

So what's next? Perhaps the Six Piece Autumn Sew Along, although it will be Spring here so Spring/Summer garments will be more appropriate. Mmm what do I need?

Happy Sewing ...

WIAW - prep week

2009-08-16T13:58:00.002+10:00

Well prep week started on Friday and I am sad to say I am not where I wanted to be at this point in time. I have had 4 kids sick for the past week (the flu) and for the past few days I've been feeling rather blah myself and not exactly in the mood to do anything.

Despite everything I have sewn up 3 test garments. One is OK (a skirt), although I am reworking the waist as we speak, but the other two (tops) were a little disappointing. I am not giving up on those two patterns, but I will leave the resolution of fit issues until I have more time, energy and patience.

I have one more test garment cut out and ready to sew, and was hoping to do that today but the lack of energy and feeling sick has got the better of me. I will persevere with unpicking this waistband and hopefully getting it redone before the day is out, and leave the last test garment to sew till tomorrow.

If worse comes to worse I will make up two skirts and two of the tops (presuming the fit is OK), but if not I might have to do a bit of a re-think. Oh well, we live and learn ...

They're here!

2009-08-12T17:20:00.004+10:00

Wouldn't you know it ...

I made up my mind to forget the McCalls patterns for the WIAW and do trials of other existing (but so far unused) patterns using knit fabrics a friend gave to me recently when she was getting rid of her stash. I have traced and cut out patterns and fabrics and have them sitting in little piles with their patterns and instructions, all ready to sew.

The McCalls patterns arrived this morning and, although I really want to make them up in the fabrics I had chosen for the WIAW, I have decided to leave them alone for now and continue with making up the test garments already underway. The Sewing Guild has a SWAP (Sewing With A Plan) scheduled albeit tentatively for the end of the year, so maybe these patterns and fabrics can be shelved till then. I think they will make a great summer wardrobe.

The boys have all been sick this week but hopefully one or more of them might be well enough for school tomorrow. I just can't concentrate and get any sewing done with them all underfoot, especially when my sewing area is the dining table. Tomorrow I hope to get some matching threads at least so I can get underway when I have the chance.

Bye for now ...

Still waiting

2009-08-08T11:07:00.003+10:00

The WIAW is drawing near and the patterns from McCall's still haven't arrived. I had anticipated using the Easy Endless Options pattern (the one illustrated in black white and yellow) to make some pull on pants (altered to 3/4 length) and a couple of tops. The pattern is designed for wovens and these are the fabrics I purchased with this in mind (see earlier post).

It is already Saturday the 8th and prep should be starting shortly but I haven't got patterns, never mind made any test garments. I really wish I had some TNT's about now!

I am not sure if I should ditch the initial plans and decide to use Vogues instead (which have now arrived). I am favouring the skirt, pants and top from V8435 with perhaps the jacket from V8605. These however are designed for stretch fabrics, but I don't think I have enough for co-ordinating pieces in my little stash, so that would mean another trip to the fabric store.

I am really undecided as to what to do. Do I search the stash for basic knits so I can start on a mock up of the Vogues in case the other patterns don't get here in time or do I take a risk and wait for the others to arrive?

What would you do?

New (soon to be) arrivals

2009-08-05T17:51:00.000+10:00

In the previous post I mentioned ordering some new patterns from the USA.

Here are the Vogues ....

The Vogue patterns were only $6.99 each, opposed to anywhere from $20 to $30 here.

And here are the McCalls ...

The McCalls were only $2.99 and the normal retail for them here is between $17 to $20.

I would love for them to arrive soon but hey with the amount of money I saved I will be happy whenever they get here.

Progress, as little as it may be

2009-08-05T17:11:00.000+10:00

OK so the jacket hasn't materialised, it's been too warm to make the jacket I had in mind. Despite it being the middle of winter it is still hovering around the mid 20's through the day and I decided it wasn't worth making a heavy jacket with the weather being so mild. Hopefully next winter I will get the chance to make it, but for now it's on hold.

I have turned my attention to sorting my wardrobe and although I am not finished I have made some headway. I have removed from the hanging section all the items that are simply taking up space. Clothes I wore when working in an office and clothes that no longer fit me or suit my lifestyle. In their place I have a few new pieces I bought this week (3 pairs 3/4 pants and 3 new tops) and the things that do fit and I can and will wear. I still have some tops and jeans to sort but they won't take too long.

I am hoping to complete the Wardrobe In A Week (WIAW) challenge for the Stitchers Guild this month which will add a few more options to the wardrobe. The WIAW entails making 4 garments in a week, all prep can be done the week before but no stitching till the actual week. I haven't sewn for me in so long and have no Tried and True (TNT) patterns so I won't be making anything elaborate or fitted, it will have to be quick and easy pieces I'm afraid.

Patterns I ordered from the USA haven't arrived yet (McCalls and Vogues) although they have been shipped, but I don't know if I will have time to make test garments and fit patterns before the start date. If not I might have to resort to one or two of the patterns I have here but nothing is really calling out to me at the moment.

I received a package today of fabrics I ordered online (black denim, white striped shirting, and black white and yellow patterned stretch cotton) and hopefully these will be the basis for my WIAW. I have also ordered some yellow denim, together with some white drill, and yellow patterned faille (not pictured), but I don't know if they will arrive in time either. If they don't it's a good excuse for another trip to the fabric store!

For now it's back to the wardrobe and more sorting, washing the new fabrics so they are ready to cut, and deciding what new items of clothing I really need. I am thinking a white jacket would be handy but I'm not sure if that will fit into a WIAW plan or it will have to be done at a later date. Decisions, decisions!

Happy sewing,

All out

2009-06-29T19:00:00.000+10:00

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!

2009-06-27T21:40:00.000+10:00

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!

2009-06-24T14:42:00.000+10:00

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

2009-06-23T19:11:00.000+10:00

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

2009-06-23T11:19:00.000+10:00

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

2009-06-20T17:00:00.000+10:00

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

2009-06-18T16:32:00.000+10:00

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

2009-06-18T16:24:00.000+10:00

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,