Two tutorials and and an interfacing sale.

There's been a bit of a blitz on A-Line Skirt-making around these parts.  This one is in fabric by Surface Art, and it's headed for display at GJ's Discount Fabric.

Instead of a plain skirt with a print panel, this time it was a plain panel on a print skirt.  It needed a little something to make it sing.  I went with a bit of raw-edge applique and a squiggle of stitchery.

I fused some Vliesofix (WonderUnder) fusible webbing to some scraps and then cut out parts of the fabric design.

After much aranging and rearranging, a design was finalised and the pieces were fused into place on the skirt.

On the underside of the fabric panel, I fused some Fuse-and-Tear embroidery stabiliser.

...and stitched all over the place.  The stabiliser stops the fabric from puckering as you embroider.  Because it's fused to the fabric, you don't have to put it in a hoop.  It stays nice and flat.

And then you tear it away from the back of the fabric.

I use this stabiliser a lot on bags and purses, and I don't worry too much about getting all the little bits out of the stitches, because nobody will ever see it there.  On the skirt, I had to employ the use of a tailor's awl to pick away the stabiliser between the denser areas of stitching.

But it was worth it in the end, when the stitched design was all lovely and flat. Not a pucker in sight.

 

I accidentally bought WAY too much Fuse-and-Tear stabiliser a while ago, and I've decided to clear it at wholesale price. $1.80 per metre, in store only (3/99 Helen St Northcote), until sold out.

 

If you're not into stitchery and think this isn't for you, can I just give you another use for it?  In place of tracing paper, baking paper or non-woven interfacing, this stuff is excellent if you're tracing off patterns. 

 It's super-strong, and doesn't tear with pinning.  The fusible stuff on the back is kind of rubbery, and holds the fibres together.

 But better than that, it makes the patterns FUSIBLE!  You don't actually need pins!

 And (like freezer paper) it peels off and sticks down again, at least a few times.  I've only re-used my patterns 3 times, but each time it stuck perfectly. 

I imagine small, detailed pattern pieces, or fabric with a lot of movement and drape, could be managed nicely with a fusible pattern.

To make it worth the trip in to see us for $1.80 stabiliser, this week we're also offering a 10% discount on all the interfacings and Vliesofix we have in stock.  There are also be a few other pattern and hardware bargains to be had.

To Market, to Markit ...and a whirlwind through life.

It was a big weekend. The Australian Quilt Market was on in Melbourne.

There was almost unbearable cuteness to be seen (and lots of me stopping to chat) around the Creative Abundance stand.  RicRac and Mellie&Me side by side, and surrounded by all the other talented CA crew.

I wasn't exhibiting, so it was fab to be able to wander about and meet lots of other designers, reps and distributors.  Lots of inspiration, collaboration and opportunities were shared.  And there was lots of fabric.... lovely fabric.

This is part of the Riley Blake stand, which was singing with fresh colour.

Best of all was the fabulous company. 'Twas great to catch up with Lisa, Pauline and Jodie (over what was supposed to be a quick lunch) and still feel the bonds that were made in those early Stitches and Craft Show days. 

 

I also popped into Markit@FedSquare on my way through to the AQM on Sunday.

I must admit I was a tad overwhelmed by the crowds (as I was trying to negotiate my way through with the unweildy bundle of my helmet and the basket off my bike).  I didn't stay as long as I'd planned and I appear to have missed seeing a few friends who were there. 

From what I saw, the quality of the work was extraordinarily high and I hope that all the stallholders had a fab day.  It looked stunning.

So many ideas swam about in this little ol' head of mine this past weekend.  Life's big questions danced beside frippery, colour and design, while I relished the ability to ride a bicycle in glorious Melbourne sunshine and eat Japanese food for 3 of the weekend's meals. 

 

There was hope and opportunity, exasperation and desperation, unstoppable giggles and cathartic tears, newborn-baby-cuddling and an education in boutique-beer drinking. There were surprises and uncertainty and there was the comfort of time spent with old and very dear friends. There was a sense of being bouyed up with love and support, and there was hair that did something different every three minutes (must get a haircut or new styling product).

This weekend was one big jumbled mash up.  Life, in concentrated form.  Ain't it grand...?

 

Now, it's home-again, home-again... and I have laundry to wash, a book to write and a kid to get to school each day.

And I'm listening to KT Tunstall.

 



Stepping out with a few of the locals...

It's the Australasian Quilt Market (wholesale trade show) in Melbourne this weekend.  I've decided not to exhibit this year but made a few samples for F.D. Textiles, to show off just how fabulous their fabrics look as my A-Line Skirt. 

These two skirts are both made using the gorgeous Veritas Design fabric that I fell in love with at the Sydney AQM earlier this year.  The denim is also supplied by F.D Textiles. 

 

Loving the local gals, I am.

 

And I'm loving this skirt..... I didn't want to take it off.



 

In Melbourne this weekend, there are also lots of opportunities to support local businesses.  If you're in the city centre on Thursday evening, there are all sorts of good things going on in Flinders Lane and surrounds.  Late night shopping with special offers with the small local retailers. 

 

And on Friday, there's a group pop-up shop with Nina Wish Designs and a group of designer-makers from regional Victoria.  They'll be at 112 Greeves St Fitzroy (my old street!) from 12noon-8pm.

 

 

In the days when I made hats for a living, Nina Wish was one of the boutiques I worked closely with. I made hats from their (mostly vintage) fabric offcuts, and helped out with garment patternmaking and sewing on a freelance basis.  We quickly became the best of friends and 20 years later, I feel blessed to still count Marion and Gordon among my dearests. 

 

I just dug out this photo, which I love, from somewhere in the early-mid 1990's.  It's the very end of a parade....

The parades were hard work to organise, and there was always a build-up of stress and late nights, so when the party went off, it went off with a bang.   We were young and energetic... so it was a big bang.  For me, this picture captures that tipping-point moment perfectly.  Good memories.

 

 

Have a good weekend everyone - and don't forget to support your local designers and makers.   

Revamped

At last, we have a new and reliable source of grommets for the Fan Bag, so we can add it to the list of revamped and rebranded YOU SEW GIRL patterns. 

It's been hanging in limbo for months, so I'm very happy to announce that it's NOW available.  If you can't make it into Northcote to see us, you can ask at your favourite YOU SEW GIRL stockist to order it in for you.

The Fan Bag is an instant gratification sort of bag project.  It's super-quick and very easy to make (even for beginners).  It's fully reversible and can be made as a day or evening wristlet (or both... being reversible).   It's also a really lovely gift-wrap for small presents (think: Christmas).

 

Another revamping - this time as a digital download - is the Make-Up Purse.  Like the Coin Purses, it's a great way to use up scraps and offcuts and makes practical, attractive gifts.  Also like the coin purses, the instructions for this one are all about making neat zipper ends (no bunched up corners).

I've revamped the pattern completely, making 2 x sizes for 15cm/6'' zips (one is the original size and one is taller and wider) and then there's an adjustment on the larger size to make purses to fit 18cm/7'' and 20cm/8'' zippers (all the maths and patternmaking is done for you for these sizes, but you can also extend the pattern to make pencil cases or purses of any length).

 

Watch this space for more new patterns for Christmas gifts.  I have a few new designs on the back-burner.

Crafting with friends

 It's all been about group crafting here. And what a fine thing it is, to be a part of a togetherness of creative spirit, and to be among wonderful friends.

  Yes, another Sewjourn.  Another restorative break from daily routines and responsibilities and a chance to spend time with talented, generous, inspiring kindred souls.

And I was inspired.. oh so inspired.... (and don't have the skills or patience for this sort of work, so shall just watch Megan's progress with this one and d r e a m ....).

 There was also healthy dose of machine-envy this trip, on my part.  Talk about fancy-schmantzy!

There was prolific garment making, a bit of quilting and even a Mod Bag.   Prolific sewing by all.

 ...and the weekend is never long enough.  I could happily live at Sewjourn.

Today we had a curriculum day at the girleen's school - a student-free day.  Since I have child-free weekends and we have a very important birthday this week, I thought my lateral best and organised a party for this morning.

 No surprises here... it was a CRAFT party in the studio (with a balloon and daylight-lamp centre piece).  The birthday cake was made by The Baking Team (me and my girl), with equal input from each in the baking and decorating.  We both felt pretty proud of our joint effort.

There was no pass-the-parcel or musical chairs and there were no tears.  There were half a dozen busy kids (and three busy parents).

 

Although all manner of card-making, beading, stickers, stamps, glitter and paints were on offer, the main activity that took their fancy was SEWING.   The kids used fabric markers to draw on cotton sheeting and we made the artwork into cushions.

 There was a small discussion about why there ought not be a pillow fight at the end of it all, and each kid went home with their own personal cushion.   They were all very happy and very proud of themselves. (Check out the canary cushion - drawn by a 6-7 year old friend of the girleen. I know adults who couldn't draw like that.)  The birthday girl made up one of the jewellery-making kits she recieved as a gift (she can sew anytime!).

I'm seriously exhausted after the day, but feel happy that some good memories may have been created for my beautiful 7-year-old girl.

 

I had a brainwave yesterday, which also slots into the "crafting with friends" theme ...possibly because I was still a bit loved-up from the weekend and wanted to share the joy.

 

Since I'm free the first weekend of  December, and I don't feel like travelling or spending time setting up the website/PayPal for a scheduled class, if any group of friends would like to book a class with me in Northcote, I'm available for a private xmas-crafting class.  I can take up to 6 people in my studio, and provide mulled wine, mince tarts and some great gift-crafting skills and ideas.  It'll be a flat day rate that is cheaper than the per-person rate of the usual classes (because we won't have as much admin to do).  First come, only one served.  You choose the class you want to do.  Just a thought.... Contact the office for details.

Take 2

I wore my newly re-knit and revamped blue dress yesterday, and thought to take a few photos. 

 

It appears that I have only about three standing poses, as yesterday's photos look almost identical to the first round.... only this time with  a few minor improvements in the dress (and more hair on my head).

 

This time, the shoulders are seamless and the side seams are smoother.  The gauge is slightly tighter.   

I'm far happier with this result than the first, but there are still lessons to be learned with this yarn and this principle of no-brainer patternmaking for knitwear (it's a rectangle with a slit in the middle for a neckline).  And I still have to work a bit on even tension (perhaps I should have washed that yarn before re-winding and knitting again...).  But generally, I'm ok with it.

 

 

I'm even halfway to sorting out the undergarment dilemma (thinking of making lycra slips in the same colour as the dress).  Having tried on every slip in my local shopping centre and buying one, I'm still wondering why anyone would think that a small bust needs flattening and squishing up to spill over the top.  Not a great silhouette, in my opinion, but it appears to be the norm in shapewear  (and I've hacked off the elastic around the neckline of the slip I bought).

...so I ripped out the red dress to start that again, too...

New pattern and a workshop vacancy.

I'm sure there are more enigmatic or poetic titles I could have thought up for this post, but really... it's about a new pattern and a vacancy we have on my Zippers for Bags class on the 17th.

 

Firstly, the new downloadable Market Apron project.... 

 

 

This is a development on the aprons that I made and we used for the AQC, Stitches and Craft and Quilt and Craft shows.  I think the design would work  equally well for a school fete, craft market, garage sale, sausage sizzle outside Bunnings or any other time you need to handle money away from a cash tin.

 

The apron ties securely around the waist and back to the front, under the 'skirt' bit, and it has deep compartment pockets for coins.  (Believe me, nobody could pick those pockets without you noticing!)

 

 There are also two hidden zipper pockets.  When we were doing the shows,  we used the front zipper pocket for the working float of smaller value notes, and we put all the large-value notes and credit card dockets in the zipped pocket that is directly against the body.  I always felt very safe from the threat of opportunistic theft with this arrangement.

At the big craft shows, our stand was often so crowded that we couldn't get back to the shelf where the pens, notepads and EFTPOS machine were kept, and we needed a pocket to carry things like that (and... errr... Lindt balls).  

 

So, I developed the "easy access" pocket (widening the top of the pocket by pleating the waistline). This is an optional variation on the original design that you can take or leave.

 

(And yes, I should have pressed the hem on that dress... or cropped it out of the shot.)

 

And I nearly forgot to mention the lovely Saffron Craig fabric that I used for this particular apron.  These two prints are from the Magical Lands range.... and getting rarer by the day.

Many thanks to the pattern-testers who volunteered and helped to refine the instructions.  Anna has blogged the results of her testing here.

I mentioned a Zipper Workshop vacancy... which is a bit like mentioning hen's teeth.

We've had a cancellation for 17th November, so if anyone wants to take up the place, I'll throw in a free pattern for you.  The listing on the website is for the next Zipper workshop, which is on the 16th February next year, so don't click on that one... you'll need to email or phone us.