but its not my birthday

I'll be sitting up like Jacky tonight reading these in bed.
I have quickly perused Bend The Rules. It's got the juices flowing.



Added: Hi Jodie and Claire, I will just put my 2c worth in about the books. I prefer Bend the Rules,(not to say the other isn't worth buying, try and wait to see it in a bookshop first). BTR is very pretty book and I learnt a few things in there that isn't in the Readers Digest Complete Guide to Needlecraft,ha ha.

walking foot

Its amazing how a little gadget will give me hope for the future. I bought a walking foot and I can already feel/see less frustration and hesitancy for quilting projects down the track. I gave it a test run last night on the bag, though it looks like a cushion. Its a bacu. Anyway it works a treat.





A planned still life of a couple of os finds today.

friday night sewing

This has been a UFO for about two months. It is voile from Spotlight. But I will admit something. I had some pattern pieces left over from the interfacing around the arms. It was just like when you buy a flat pack from Ikea and at the end of putting it together you have screws left over when there shouldn't be. Well that's what happens in this household. Eh, I figured I'd wing it and am happy with the outcome.



So chic and long. Pattern from late 1960's. Summer love.

A NEW DAY

There is a skirt cut out laying over my chair, a top that has been half sewn on one pile, a quilt to be binded on another pile, a dress to be refashioned on top of the table,and some threads that were going to be friendship bracelets under the table in the bin(all those little knots made me nuts). I will start again this weekend to finish.

THE QUILT WHISPERER

This was found last week. Its actually a doona cover that has been mostly handmade, some machine made. The hexagon shapes have been laid on top the red fabric all delicately stitched.

I sit and and make up stories about the person(s) sewing this. I can see three distinct styles and threads. I see the reason why it was abandoned. Maybe the ink stain on the back from the grandchild was the last straw, maybe the final wash showed the threadbaredness of it.
It was hard to part with, twenty years maybe more but she bit the bullet.




A few repairs needed and good as gold.

REPAIRS

Finally got around to repairing and putting binding on the first quilt I made. Its only been over 10 years without it. I enjoyed doing the little stitches. Although the corners are a bit dodgy, I'll work it out for the next one - HA!. Its been much loved and washed.

ENOUGH ALREADY

I'm really milking these bags.



They seemed to like them.

DOTS, PREFERABLY RED AND WHITE

Give me dots and stripes and I'm happy.
Pillows from recycled blanket and new fabric.



These are my take on the little hand towels that you find at stalls run by the little old ladies, the ones with crochet tops and the buttons. Recycled tea towel with press studs just slung around the kitchen handle.



Dining room chairs. Picture enhanced a wee bit, I have a somewhat shaky hand. The light is really changing with the winter upon us.

BONDS AND EMBELLISHMENT

This has been on my to do list for a while. Some old lace, Bonds singlet and hour at night in front of a re run of Project Runway.
At Caringbah Markets there is a stall that sells these for big bucks. I bought a rather pretty long sleeved one from them last year but figured I could make my own and save a few pennies.

CUT UP

Two piles of fabric cut up and rearing(reering?) to go. Finally cutting into a bit of the stash and it doesn't hurt at all. This top one is going to be bunting. God knows why I need bunting. Maybe for the market stall I intend to have one day soon?



This lot is going to be a quilt. A present for Christmas for the in-laws. Already it's May and I'm starting to talk about Christmas. Akin to the supermarkets putting out hot cross buns on Boxing Day tut tut tut.

PILLOW SACKS

This is the name my son has labelled my new, and to me, very pleasing effort for the September Sew Retro theme.
An equally ambivalent response from his father and not much to say from my (usual)Number one fan daughter. I dare say the dog would have ehh sound too.
Well I think they are splendid. Ikea fabric with a touch of barkcloth. The black and white ones at the back are store bought Ikea pillow sacks.

ROSES AND INPATIENTS

Sewing is something I have to do. I am not a great sewer though. It frustrates the bejesus out of me but I have a need to do it. Once I start a project , right away I want it finished. I have a character flaw called impatience.

I cut out the pattern.. next, the fabric.. do it quickly but accurately, overlock.. slowly but surely, sew.. with haste but straight, try it on to see how its looking... Zips, repeat one to three times... leave sitting around tempted to shred it.., hand stitch hems and finishing touches - nearly there...try it on again. Phew not bad, looks ok... now photo, in the front of the bbq before the sun goes down and before you stop and think what sort of picture it will make infront of that monstrosity.



My experience with August Sew Retro. Next month I will try ommm ommm ommm.

GREY POLKA DOTS

Another skirt from the same pattern. I do have to finish the hem tho' but I'm so impatient and had to post the post.

WHY I DO WHAT I DO

The completed skirt for Sew Retro. No animals were hurt, or swearing involved during it's making. It lends itself to warmer days though.



My childhood still lingers with me and influences lots of things in my life. As I have alluded to here, this little lady was one of my influences with clothes and craft (and I do not agree with her so called PC - there I said it). Here she is modeling one of the outfits I made when I was about 10 years old. I remember basing this dress on one of the Hollywood MGM musicals that I used to watch on Saturday afternoons. Seemed like you had all the time in the world to make things.

SEW RETRO

Now if only I can remember how to get it to the sidebar.