You SEW Girl

On Friday

2012-01-30T11:04:00.001+11:00

Strange, that I mentioned my father-in law here on Thursday. Not 24 hours later, he was gone.

His life spanned 81 years, from war-torn Europe to the peaceful suburbs of Melbourne. He built a life for himself and his family here, continuing on his own after the tragic early death of his wife - mother of his 5 children. He saw his children, grandchildren and great-grand-children grow and was proud of their successes, small and large. The strength of his loving family is testament to the values that carried him through the toughest of times.

He was a strong character - complicated, funny, fiery, and fiercely independent. We loved him, and feel blessed to have spent the last 14 months with him in our everyday lives.

There's a big gap in this household now, but the pain of age and illness is gone for him.

You deserve a good rest, Illias. Rest in peace.

New playground equipment

2012-01-27T00:27:00.006+11:00

Or rather, a re-purposed old and scruffy one....

A public holiday meant that I had the choice of a child-free day at work to catch up on things (and a disgruntled family at home), a catch-up on an enormous pile of ironing or doing a spot of knitting under the apple tree.

I had dreams of knitting up a storm (or a pair of socks) today. Mostly, we made a red hair ribbon from some scrap tencel yarn. We did it twice - the first being too wide and too short.

Several weeks ago, I spent an evening or two working through this machine knitted sock in cheap Lincraft sock yarn. I wasn't in love with the yarn so wasn't willing to put another night or two into the project. I gave it to my one-legged father-in-law (waste-not-want-not).

I made some toe-up socks by hand in my bamboo sock yarn, following the same short-row process for toe and heel. It's been a slow project but I finished them today. They're dodgey-as (and I tried a new cast-off that looks really rough) but the socks feel beautiful to wear. I'm completely smitten with this yarn. Considering that they were meant as a learning project and they're just for wearing about the house, I really don't care about all the little short-row holes and wonkiness.

Today I made a bamboo yarn sock on the machine - I'm hand-knitting the rib as I write this blog post. I'll blog them as a finished pair... when they're a finished pair.

And I'm leaving the ironing for another day...

...again.

Little Big Girl (Dress)

2012-01-23T23:58:00.004+11:00

The idea is still tumbling around... I want to make a pretty, age-appropriate summer dress for 5-10-year-olds. I know I'm not alone in not wanting my girl to look like a Bratz doll. And she doesn't want to look like a baby anymore.

My girl has had a bit of a week of it - lots of learning about kids with no sense of "the golden rules" of play (co-operation, consideration and compromise rule at our house).

I'm struggling to grow past Mama Bear protectiveness and onto sensible, guiding-hand parenting. It's probably a bit like trying to navigate the path between the sweet, open innocence of everybody-loves-me infancy and the reality of learning to get along with people. We're both feeling a bit bewildered and out of our depth here.

...and (back to the dress, because that's SO MUCH EASIER to deal with) ...as much as I like it, I think we have to lose the bow on the back and perhaps make a more grown-up belt with buttons (or at least offer it as an option). I've been told that bows are for babies.

The sun-smart cap sleeves are staying. And I have another skirt variation or two to try before I settle on one in particular.

Edited to add: My girl only likes LONG dresses, preferably with a bit (or a lot) of twirl. She somehow climbs trees in them, bows and volume of fabric and all. I won't be making a short version for her because it won't be worn, so I'll be looking for pattern-testers (at some point soon) who want to try that variation for me.

It's a work in progress... as we all are.

When I first saw it, this fabric* spoke to me of vintage frocks with big skirts. It cried out for a gathered waist and a party-frock feel. I'm working towards the modern, age-appropriate twist.

*Sorry - I cut the selvedge off and forgot where I bought the fabric.

It's all about subtlety and nuances right now. We're working through things as best we can.

So.... any thoughts on age-appropriate dresses for 5-10 year olds...?

Back to it.

2012-01-18T21:57:00.000+11:00

We've started back at work this week and I'm feeling all the better for the three weeks of rest and quilting.

I'm finally able to look at a yearly planner and think about workshops and courses. I'm pencilling in dates, moving them around and thinking about new workshop ideas. And tomorrow the lovely web-techie guy is coming to discuss web-techie things for the website.

We're also updating the pattern information for the Pattern Review shop and updating the STOCKIST list, so you'll know where to source my patterns and supplies. (NOTE: Pattern Review is at least another week or so off being up-to-date. It's a complicated process to upload all the information)

Lots of work that is quite invisible, on the surface of things....

And there was a bit of a reworking in the showroom late on Monday night, with more shelving, the shiny new patterns and everything moved around (so the girls couldn't find anything when they came in to work on Tuesday... oops!).

Some bargains are to be had for in-store shoppers...

(Excuse the poor light in these shots. I only thought to snap a few haphazard shots this evening before I left for home.)

And I have ideas a-brewing for a new pattern. Thanks to my assistant, I also have a booklet in which to write it down. (Yes, she's now making kits for me to make kits... spot the kid who has grown up surrounded by craft...)

For the hour before I left tonight, I allowed myself a spot of sewing time, to work through a few of those pattern ideas. A reward for an otherwise non-creative few days.... and I'm itching to get back to it.

It's good to be back where I belong.

Quilted!

2012-01-14T22:59:00.002+11:00

The holiday project is complete. The wonky-block, make-it-up-as-I-go-along quilt is finished. Quilted and bound and amply covering the double bed. I'm just waiting for a sunny day to wash and dry it to snuggly it up a bit.

Today's little hang on the line was a staged photo opportunity. Seeing it like this makes me feel a bit pleased (it looks like I invisaged it) and a bit annoyed with myself (that I didn't unpick and rearrange the blocks for the third time).

I'm not as sure about the chopped-off running-off-the-edges blocks as I was when I ran them off the edges and chopped them off. (Ho hum. You don't notice them when it's on the bed.)

The backing fabrics are a mish-mash from the stash, with a bit of Andalucia from the Quilt Fabric Delights sale page.

The "panda quilt" is also done and has been claimed by the wee girl. She won't notice that the wonkiest machine quilting occurred on the areas where black thread shows the most.

I've had a lovely stay-cation these last few weeks, but it's time to prepare for the year ahead. We open for business again on Tuesday.

Sewjeen

2012-01-13T21:58:00.002+11:00

In the Irish language, the suffix 'in' ("een" in English) means "little", and is often used at the end of a name, with affectionate connotations. You may have noticed that I sometimes call the wee girl "the girleen".

Today, Lara and I had a little Sewjourn, for our little girls. It was a Sewjeen.

The bigger girls used their own machines and 4-year-old Stella used my old Singer - unplugged and acoustic style (hand-turning the wheel). Lara and I caught up on a few works-in-progress and a bit of a chat while the girls sewed all manner of creations. I finished my big quilt (photos forthcoming).

I also quilted the "Modern Quilt Blocks" quilt (known here as "the panda quilt") and hope to have the binding on by tomorrow afternoon.

And another quilt has been started....

Carefully made by my own girleen, these 'blocks' have been arranged on the studio floor. I'm loving them, and hoping she sticks with the project long enough to make something from them.

And I'm hoping that this year, when I escape to Sewjourn, I don't have a stowaway in my luggage.

Getting serious

2012-01-12T22:45:00.003+11:00

My little holiday in quilting land saw me back at GJ's yesterday, investing in some batting, thread, extra fabric and EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE (again). I think I've learned as much about quilting from the help the GJ's staff have given me as from any other source.

And today, I fell in love with my machine and my studio space all over again, as I free-motion quilted the scrappy quilt. Binding is tomorrow's task.

In other news, the wee girl decided that she must cut her hair.

But was only willing to let go of the length below the elbows. And she wanted a fringe. She looked a bit like this (and I didn't like it).

Today she was fed up with mid-length hair getting in the way of everything she did, and insisted on a shorter cut. We found a hairdresser with a vacancy and we now have "an easy little bob", which has been flipping about the place since, while the wee girl sings the praises of half a metre less hair.

I've been marvelling at my confident, competent girl.

Here she is, sewing up bags (of her own design, with no help from her mother welcome or tolerated), confidently threading the machine,changing stitches and ....ahem...wearing the wrist band from the swimming pool yesterday. Doing her own thing.

She asked, "Can I go to Sewjourn?"

Print it!

2012-01-09T11:26:00.004+11:00

Somewhat inspired by this fab little book with a bit of Lotta thrown in (all while channelling Maya) I felt compelled to print things with the girleen.

Having an artist in the house means that occasionally we have the proper equipment in the house (like a print roller). Having the artist being a PAINTER (instead of a print-maker) means that we don't necessarily have ALL the right equipment. We used a lunchbox lid and acrylic poster paint.

The small girl had a small problem with thinking "small" on the amount of paint to squeeze onto the tray.

With our rudimentary tools (and abundant paint) we managed to create a few interesting prints on paper and fabric.

We decided to make fabric that we could then sew into something. I made an apple leaf print.

The girleen did a 1/2-a-lemon print, and then decided it was more fun to PAINT than to print (she's her father's daughter).

Ok, so as far as fabric designs go, it's not to everyone's taste... but she enjoyed it and is looking forward to making a bag out of it.

The way this paint stains clothes and furniture, I don't see a problem with the print fading too much with washing (or any other kind of stain-removal process, for that matter).

I think I enjoy the printing process more than the wee girl does (and if I'm completely honest, I'd probably enjoy it a lot more without her...). I hope to one day get some time to play a bit more with printing. For now, it's joining FELTING on the list of things that I'm definitely coming back to. I just have a few quilt and yarn projects to finish first....

It's like... random.

2012-01-06T22:25:00.002+11:00

We harvested more storm-damaged vegetables today, trying to bring some sort of order into the shredded mess that was the "bastja" (not sure of the spelling, but it's Macedonian for vegetable garden).

Our heritage variety carrots are full of free-spirited personality and colour. Not one of them looks like a carrot, but they taste GREAT. And I think the smell of newly-harvested root vegetables is one of my favourite smells in the world (...that and night-scented jasmine.... I know, the two are quite different).

Storms and tomato-eating beasties permitting, we're looking forward to a bumper crop of tomatoes within the next week or two. They survived the pummelling from the xmas-day hail better than the rest of the vegetables, and are destined for loads of tomato sandwiches and salads.

Once the sun got too hot and high, the girl and I retreated to the shade of the lemon tree and splashed a bit of cheap PVA glue around with some scrap yarn. I'm not quite sure what we're going to use this for, but it sounded like cheap entertainment.

Of course, the exercise involved a long argument about changing out of the new dress she donned for gardening and wearing something that didn't need ironing every time it was washed. Things are never as simple as they appear in blog photos.

At some point in the afternoon, I announced that if I didn't escape to the studio to play with my new fabric, my head would explode.

I'm prone to hyperbole.

A couple of hours at the sewing machine and I was feeling much more like my old (non-exploding) self.

I wanted to see what the "quilt" will look like when the plain bitter-chocolate colour is added to the mix.

Adding to the list of challenges to keep me interested in the project, I've decided that the layout has to be one with a variety of spacings between the blocks.

I started sewing bits together.... only having laid out HALF of the blocks. Quilt chicken. Let's see if I can make it come together in some sort of cohesive to-all-appearances-looks-like-I-thought-about-it design.

All you real quilters can look away now.... this is where I almost run out of pants-seat to fly by.

So... how was YOUR day? Random...?

Le Tour de Fabric

2012-01-05T23:11:00.002+11:00

What a huge day for fabric love....

A lovely bundle arrived from Quilt Fabric Delights. I was a bit excited about their sale page and the fact that they still had a small piece of the Patty Young "Andalucia" print that I needed, so I put in a little order on the weekend. (And yes - they stock my patterns, too!)

Then there was a bit of a gathering of friends at Lara's house. Annie, Jodie and Rachel came into town for the day and we went ON TOUR.... after the exploration of Lara's sewing room....

..and awestuck gazing at the VERY TIDY cupboards full of fabric stash. (How DOES she manage it....??)

And there was a fair bit of posing against the famous wall....

We then went to Rathdowne Fabric & Remnants and then to GJ's. I forgot to take the camera out in Rathdowne, but managed to snap a bit of Annie in action at GJ's.

...and pretty-much lost everyone amongst the rows and rows of luscious fabric....

...and rows of toys all over the floor. (No idea who's wee girl that is....wearing a cat-print dress...)

I'm not sure if it was noticable, but I loitered around the pre-cut fabric shelf a few times. It looked a bit sweet-shoppish to me, and I was feeling a bit like a child..... but I resisted. I have to finish my quilts-in-progress before embarking upon any new adventures in the world of patchwork.

That small child in the cat dress took up position at the counter and talked "cats" with anyone who had a cat. Luckily (for her), Jodie, Annie and Suzanne (behind the counter) all have cats. As does the woman who was waiting patiently in the queue behind us.

My purchases were quite restrained, and mostly geared towards turning my quilt blocks into quilts. (I even managed to sew on the border of this one late this afternoon).

I also found enough spotty cotton fabric to make the back of the quilt. (The idea was to make a cot quilt, but it's now a single bed size.)

The only completely-without-purpose purchasing I did were these pieces, below - a mixture from both stores. They were too cute and too well-priced to pass up ($5.95-$8 per metre) and they'll go into the stash.

The only thing that I could have used but I DIDN'T buy, was the EXACT Patty Young fabric that I was looking for on the weekend. Along with the QFD piece that arrived today, I've organised Lisa to send me some from Sydney. And here's a bolt of the stuff, in my local fabric store.....

Our shopping day ended with a short trip to my studio for lunch and a chat. (I forgot to take out the camera again). The kids all played beautifully together (Rachel's kids are ANGELS, I tell ya - ANGELS!)

Thanks, lovely ladies, for a grand day out. I'm counting the days until we're sitting around the table together at Sewjourn again.

Playdate...

2012-01-04T00:55:00.000+11:00

...with a free sewing lesson thrown in.

We hid from the hideously hot weather in the air-conditioned comfort of the studio today, and invited along some little friends to play. My girl is indeed MY girl... she took the opportunity to teach her little friend to sew on the new kid-friendly machine.

I was heartened to hear nothing but encouraging words from the little teacher and lots of giggles from both girls. The little sewing newbie was put through the Winky Cherry* training programme of sewing along straight, curved, crooked and squiggly lines on paper, before she was allowed to sew on fabric. By the end of the day, the girls made a moon (of sorts) and a teddy-bear (ish) and had a lovley time, altogether.

The four year old younger sister got to play with fancy stitches on the fancy-schmantzy Bernina. Their mother and I caught up on a long-overdue chat, in between sewing and glue-and-glitter activities. Great stuff.

When the visitors left, the wee girl noticed that I'd put together a quilt top, using my test-blocks from my adventures with the Modern Quilt Blocks book. She found a whole new bag of inspiration!!

Yep. That's my girl. Always up for a new direction.

*My goodness! Since when did that Winky Cherry book get so expensive?! Santa brought it to the wee girl last xmas, but I believe it was purchased when she was about 6 months old. The girl was destined to sew, I tell ya.

Playing fabric chicken

2012-01-01T14:08:00.003+11:00

My fabric piecing continues, and new challenges are being set all the time.

It now HAS to become a quilt, and it has to involve as much of my stash as possible before purchasing any more fabric, and the super-bright colours at the centre have to be made to look like they link back towards a bitter chocolate base colour (I invisage plain bitter-chocolate-coloured homespun as the only fabric I will have to buy, since there is none in my stash).

I've used a lot of Tina Givens fabrics, because she manages to pull off some pretty unusual colour combinations, which - strangely enough - seem to be working in with my mad and unrelated mix. Then I moved on to Patty Young's Andalucia ("fire" colourway). With my heart set on this particular print with this particular set of quilt blocks, I dared not measure and estimate, in case I had proof that there wouldn't be enough. I WANT this fabric here and don't want to have to consider anything else in its place. I went for it, head-on, with high hopes of just scraping in with millimeters to spare.

Ok. So there wasn't enough, and I have 3 more 5" blocks to turn into 9" blocks.

I've googled and searched Etsy and trawled through my favourite fabric shop websites. No joy. Does anyone (preferably local) know if it's in any bricks & mortar shops or have a bit in their stash that I could purchase...?

Bravery is finished. I'm on to begging.

Slipping to the dark side.

2011-12-31T07:42:00.004+11:00

An impromptu invitation from nearby cousins, to play in their new pool, had the wee girl changed and out the door before I had time to contemplate how to best use my child-free time. Overwhelmed by crafty possibilities, I flapped about in unfocused circles for a bit. Decided to go for a swim. Came back, looked at the thread-and fabric-strewn floor and got the vacuum cleaner out. Decided life was too short (and child-free time is shorter still) so got out the new quilting book and a bunch of pre-cut fabric.

I carefully followed instructions (which was made super-easy by putting the book under my extension table and overlaying the fabric bits. Loving that!).

It all went well enough, experimenting with geometric shapes, the simple maths and construction of it all, but it didn't grab me. The whole thing got far more interesting after I set the challenge of making the same size blocks (12") until I'd used up ALL of the fabric scraps.

My puzzle-solving brain clicked into gear, and I finally got what it is that makes people want to sew lots of tiny scraps of fabric together. (Until this point I was completely bemused by the whole notion, which was why I started to think I needed to try it.... I needed to understand it.) When the little swimmer came back, I kept sewing, stopping only to toss a few noodles about in a wok for dinner and kiss her goodnight.

Then I put the quilting books away, pulled out the leftover bits from the cat quilt, chopped them up randomly and started stitching things together in an ad-hoc manner.... and stayed focused on the puzzle until the wee hours of the morning.

At one point, I found myself saying to the man of the house "I think I'm a scrappy quilter" and then feeling like a complete fraud, knowing that I'm not really a quilter at all. I have NO IDEA how this story will end. Possibly not in a quilt. The man of the house nodded and tried to look interested (but I think he was thinking about the cricket).

As I stitched together my riot of random colour scraps, my new pincushion smiled at me. It made me smile back (especially that machine-stitched closing of the seam. My girl is all about instant sewing gratification!).

And what of the vacuuming.....?

Well...life's a bit short, really.

This is RELAXING....

2011-12-28T20:32:00.101+11:00

socks on the beach, a photo by amazing_podgirl on Flickr.

No - they are not my feet nor is it even my photo (I borrowed it from Flickr - and might I add that I was heartened by the breadth of choice I had when I searched for "knitting on the beach").

For me, it's less about the sand and sun and more about knitting the socks. Or at least catching up on all the half-thought dreams and designs I have for various non-work-related crafting. All year I look forward to this time of year, when I shut down and shut out the work-related world... and play.

I brought home a few books, in the hope of trying a few new things.

And now the small girl has a bunch of thoughtfully-gifted books that are hugely inspiring.

Santa brought in this one (below) for the wee girl, but I have an inkling of an idea that it was meant for ME. The girl and I have alrady made a version of a little puppy (in the background of the photo of my books, above) from this one.

The baby cardi I was knitting in bamboo sock yarn was deemed too small, ripped out and the yarn allocated to toe-up sock experiemnts. A cap-sleeved top was quickly made in its place... but not quickly enough to meet the xmas deadline. It is yet to be finished and have its co-ordinating garments sewn. Grand designs in an unfeasible timeframe....

I finally found a pattern (on Ravelry) for a single-bed knitting machine sock that made sense to me. I had a little play with scrap yarn last night and then bought new sock yarn today to try it out properly (ahem.... I wasn't going to use the good stuff from my stash, now was I?!)

There is also another knitted cat in the works.

Oh, and I've been playing around with quilt blocks (forgot to photograph). And yes, my dining table really does look like that..... as does the kitchen table.

And I still have some FELTING books I'd like to sink my teeth into.

There are more Grand Designs at the bottom of the garden. Behind the back shed, there is a cubby-house in construction. I'm keeping out of it. And I'm trying to keep the smallest architect in the house out of the way of the builder (not always succeeding with that one).

We're planning a bit of gardening, too. The house and cars survived the xmas day hail-storm without damage, but the veggie patch came out the other side resembling a large coleslaw.

We gathered up the damaged vegetables and made a big soup with stock from the xmas turkey carcass. Waste-not-want-not and all that.

I don't want to go to the beach. I don't want to go anywhere, really. I'm like the proverbial piggie in muck.... My biggest concern is whether to quilt or machine-knit tonight.

All manner of merry

2011-12-25T22:33:00.002+11:00

Merry Christmas to all who celebrated it today.

Santa brought a new Elna mini sewing machine to the wee girl. There was much excitement (and pre-breakfast sewing). The machine goes at a pace that a 6-year-old can manage and has a small range of simple stitches, but is otherwise a normal sewing machine. (It appears that Santa is in on the indoctrination campaign.)

Before breakfast, she whipped up a teddybear (of her own design) for a toddler cousin....

...which gave me time to finish a baby hat (from my book) and a pair of shorts for a baby boy, who previously received non-gender-specific-verging-on-girly handmade gifts from me. I thought his Dad might appreciate something screamingly "BOY".

And then it was time for an extended family (in-laws) lunch. Great to get the family together....

Although, I must admit to being somewhat worried about the way that cousins play together these days.....

My girl was the only one who didn't own an electronic gizmo, so was loaned one, which she tired of quickly and then went out to hold court at the garden table. I took the opportunity to photograph the new dress. (I'm working on some new pattern ideas along these lines. This was the first toile).

And then there was food. LOTS of food. And family and kids and presents and more food. Lovely.

And then Melbourne did what Melbourne does best..... turned on a complete change in the weather (with a super-cell hurricane storm and massive hailstones thrown in... or machine-gunned in, as it seemed).

To top off the day, my little sewing girl went straight back to the sewing machine when we got home early this evening.

Having finished her second cushion for the day, she began making "a library bag" for me. As bedtime loomed, I allowed her 15 minutes extra to finish... and THEN remembered that we hadn't eaten dinner. When I suggested she choose from the leftovers, she enthusiastically started looking through the fridge. I then added that the time it takes to eat something would mean that there'd be no time to finish sewing. She was sitting back in front of the machine (fridge door left swinging) before I could finish my sentence. "Then I'll just do more sewing!"

That's my girl.

'Twas the week before Christmas

2011-12-20T00:05:00.003+11:00

I've been snapping photos randomly this week, in case they come together in some sort of coherent, thematically-linked manner to inspire a well-mulled-over, thought-provoking blog post.

But all I have to say about this photo is that I made a HOBO bag to send up to Addicted To Fabric in Canberra.... and it has a zip....

And I quite like the lining.

I also like the look of our new patterns. That Tania knows how to tart things up, doesn't she?

..And the studio is a mess. (Nothing to do with Tania.)

I found this photo of my 12th birthday cake - a free-standing sewing machine. My mother was a fantastic sculptor when it came to birthday cakes.

(The other cakes on the table were for my Mum and sister - our birthdays fall in the same week. I think my sister made the caterpillar cake, or perhaps I did).

The cake pic prompted me think about this sewing obsession of mine... but I didn't come up with anything profound to say about it. It just IS what it is.

Then today I had to supply a magazine with a mugshot. Very weird to have to look at high-res images of my face.

For a while there, I wished I was either vain enough to have my teeth whitened and my wrinkles filled, or not vain enough to care about the wrinkles and the discoloured teeth. I ended up thinking that I should just go back to not looking at high-res images of my face. I is what I is.

So.... no deep thoughts at all this week - just photos and behind-the-scenes-last-minute-xmas panic (I started making gifts TODAY.... yikes!). No time to mull things over.

I hope that your Christmas/holiday plans are coming together, and I wish you all the best!

Itchin' for Stitchin'

2011-12-17T23:11:00.002+11:00

Great shop name. And a very lovely shop.

On a trip out west to see family today, I dropped in some patterns and samples to Itchin' for Stitchin at 11 Grant St, Bacchus Marsh (just up the road from where I finished High School).

While I was talking patterns and snapping photos, I set the wee girl a task to find her favourite fabric....

In her own words, "There are too many that I really, really love!"

There really is a fabulous range of fabrics, ribbons, embroidery threads and all sorts of everything. There are Phaff sewing machines.... and now, You SEW Girl patterns!

And yes - we found an absolute favourite fabric.....

PS. The girl is wearing an A-line shift dress, adapted from THIS book, in Martha Negley fabric.

Well, it HAS to be last-minute, really...

2011-12-16T15:51:00.005+11:00

So I've no idea why I started a little girl's cardigan in sock yarn. (It might have had something to do with the lovely bamboo sock yarn... I can't stop fondling it).

There's every chance the cardigan will be put aside for a birthday and a quick Fairytale Skirt from my book will be whipped up in its place, in time for Christmas. (But I'm giving the cardi my best shot.)

Other likely lads around the tree this year are toiletry bags....

And belts..... super easy and effective. Highly wearable... and quick. (And right now, I'm liking the idea of quick.)

Speaking of Le Book.... (was that a subtle enough segue..?)

If you're in the USA and would like to see my book over there, I might need your help. It appears that I accidentally deleted all my Google Analytics stats for my blog, just in time for my agent's pitch to US distributors*. Oops.

I need to show the distributors that you're interested. I hate to sound like I'm desperate for support, but I need new statistics! If you know any crafty people who might be interested, please feel free to spread the bloggy and Facebook love. The more US visitors, followers and "likers" I have, the more chance of US distribution.

*It appears that my publishers have no US distributor, but the book should be distributed in the UK next year, all going well.

And do you think it's alright to take knitting to the bloke's work xmas do tonight...?

So.... another week whizzed by.

2011-12-12T23:28:00.001+11:00

Fancy that.
I took some photos, but haven't had much time to write.

Last week I taught a few workshops at the Design And Technology Teacher's Association conference. One of the workshops was in simple, effective embellishments. My preparation for the class reminded me how much I enjoy scribbling with stitches. These photos are both of details on A-Line Skirts, but I now also have lots of scribbly bag bits in progress, which I hope to turn into bags.

I also taught another couple of Bag in a Day classes. We had lots of proud pocket moments on Saturday. And pannetone and mince tarts.

We also saw some of the new-and-improved pattern instructions in action. I must say, I think that the hellish job that the recent overhaul has proved to be, is absolutely worth it.

And I finished my winter woolly socks.....

...just in time for summer. (Although, this is Melbourne I'm talking about - you never know what the weather might do. I may just need them mid-January.)

The blueberry bush (thanks, Tanya) on the back porch is teasing me with the promise of fruit. Each morning, as I water it with the remnants of the coffee pot, I WILL those berries to ripen. So far, we still have green berries (and coffee grounds all over the leaves).

I'm afraid I don't have many words to share lately, and little time for blog reading or writing. Real life stuff stuff keeps getting in the way.

I hope that by the end of the week, there will be a bit more order about the place, and some dust will settle after all the upheaval. The new patterns are starting to go out to shops and fill our shelves.

This time next week, family will begin to gather from around the country and the globe and we'll celebrate the time we have left as a complete family. I hope to be reporting about trite small moments of Chrismas preparation happiness. Until then, it's back to the patterns, for me.

What's the collective term...?

2011-12-07T22:43:00.001+11:00

At our house, I think it's called "an OBSESSION of cats."

Yes, I finished the Persian (and I never EVER want to do loop stitch again) and she (of COURSE, she's a she...) is in fine catty company here.

We have "Fur Real Friends" (made in China battery-operated feline-eque monsters that meow and move like real cats. Freaky.)

Catty drawings EVERYWHERE - these ones copied from a "How to Draw Cat Doodles" book. (And I'm sayin' nothin' more about that book title).

Cats crafted from toilet rolls and paper towel tubes...

Every imaginable catty craft kit.... paper cats...

Paper CLAY cats....

Big fluffy chenille pipe-cleaner cats...

The skinny-mini version, using (non-craft-kit) normal chenille pipe cleaners. (These are the go-to gift of the moment. Look sideways at the wee girl and she'll make you six of them. They sometimes wear jewellery.)

Then there's the experimental cats... made out of uncoventional materials, like Fast2Fuse (no idea how she got her hands on this... I came home to find the finished cats). These cats have collars... sometimes with diamantes (of the stick-on kind).

I love the structural trussing on the inside. Ingeniuous, non?

And it's got me thinking about the fine and fuzzy line that separates genius and madness..... I keep looking at this Persian cat, and then looking at the rest of the book of knitted cats - all different and all designed with such attention to detail of form and character.

How does one work these things out.... and WHY?

Can you spot the rows knitted by the wee girl? On the first leg, she named me "purl girl", so I'd knit every second row (and do the increases and decreases). By leg #3 she did one or two rows, and from there on, when she said, "Let's work on the Persian", it meant ME knitting and her talking incessantly and/or doing somersaults off the back of the couch.

And when she goes to bed.... I take photos of the real cat.

This was taken when the man of the house fell asleep on the couch and the adoring cat fell asleep, cuddling his feet (...well if that ain't love, what is...?).

So.... does "Obsession" fit the bill?

Catching up.. and not.

2011-12-01T22:45:00.001+11:00

At this rate, I'll be ready for Chrismas by about August 2012. Right now, I haven't even begun to think of what we're doing over the holidays. No gifts are made or purchased. Even the bauble (above) is someone else's, from the wee girl's birthday craft table a few weeks ago.

And until now, I hadn't got around to blogging the gorgeous cat cupcakes and birthday cake that Cathie made for my girl's 6th. Gorgeous and delicious.

The wee girl nearly hopped out of her skin with excitement when she saw them. (And she was pretty-much hopping out of her skin with sugar overload by the end of the day.)

I only just caught up with press about the fabulous outfit that accompanied my bag to the Melbourne Cup a month ago.

One from the local paper in Melton and one from The Age.

This week has spun by in a blur, as I've been catching up on pattern edits, workshop preparation and the odd bit of sock and Persian cat knitting.... Unfortunately I'm still behind on the photographic front, and appear to have lost my social and social-media energy. Nothing to show, tell or link to.

The next few weeks will be the usual chainsaw-juggling act, and then I hope to SHUT DOWN for a few weeks. Breathe. I might even finish that knitted Persian cat.

Coming soon to a store near YOU!

2011-11-28T21:19:00.002+11:00

We had a good weekend at the Australian Quilt Market.

The new-look patterns were received well. Ordered for stores around Australia, New Zealand and online.

This was my little patch... very stark and white in the world of quiltiness.

I didn't take many photos, but I managed this one of Saffron Craig and Two Monkeys Fabrics. Fabulous stuff.

And I captured a bit of this Melody Ross fabric at Lloyd Curzon Textiles. I thinks I'm in love.

Today I took the day off. I was so exhausted I couldn't talk or think, so there seemed no point in going to work. I spent most of the day mooching about at a snail's pace, lying on the couch and watching dvd's. In the afternoon, I played with my knitting machine.

I'll keep you posted on where to buy my patterns, hardware and interfacing as we send out the wholesale orders. Hopefully by then, I'll have experienced the return of my brain and the ability to construct sentences.

Right now, it's back to the couch....

A bit famous again

2011-11-22T10:19:00.000+11:00

Gosh - I'm feeling a bit like the golden child (being Homespun Magazine's "Favourite" and all).

...and I'm very, VERY busy (getting ready for the wholesale show on the weekend). So that's it from me for now.

Seeya on the other side of Sunday!

Honey.... I yarn-bombed the kids!

2011-11-19T21:52:00.003+11:00

It was the wee girl's birthday week. The festivities wound around her being 6, losing a first tooth and having an enormous ball of machine-knitted jumbo yarn.

Many thanks to Angela from the Machine Knitters Association of Victoria for the inspiration and for actually KNITTING the jumbo yarn for us.

On the birthday day, I was "special guest" at school aftercare, with a bundle of yarny crafts and the jumbo yarn. The kids loved being a human knitting machine and the carers loved having all the kids ~~tied up~~ engaged.

Today was the party day. My plans for a low-key, set-the-kids-loose-in-a-park idea was relocated and reformatted when rain was predicted for this morning. Plan B was my studio and craft activities.....

...and a human Knitting Nancy.

I'm not sure what the kids thought of it all. Some were totally into it and others didn't seem to get it at all.

There were whispers amongst the adults about leaving the kids there and going for coffee.....

We didn't. We stayed and had fabulous cake. But that deserves a blog post of its own (and I'm too exhausted to post it just now).

Ah, Sewjourn...

2011-11-13T22:10:00.002+11:00

A little oasis of calm and a much-needed break from busy-busy brain and crazy-crazy life..... I need a dose of Sewjourn at least twice a year.

I'm incredibly lucky to be able to go each May and November. I'm truly blessed to share the experience with an amazing group of women.

Lara, Annie, Karen, Rachel, Kathryn, Megan and Tanya, THANK YOU for a restorative, calming, inspiring weekend. You are truly wonderful people and fabulous company. I'm looking forward to May already.

Jodie and Catherine - you were missed and we hope you can make it next time.

It was lovely to see Tanya making my Petal hat (from my book). I'm sure it'll look even cuter on a little someone (with a head).

The fashion parades were great, too.... Lara was busy making tops that fitted and suited Kathryn, Rachel and Karen. And it was a thrill to get up close to the amazing array of Annie's quilt blocks that appeared on the design wall.

I didn't get any sewing-for-me done. I didn't even get the planned AQM bag samples done. I finished the wee girl's quilt.

That colour kinda hits you in the face a bit, doesn't it?

I was up into the wee hours, free-motion quilting hearts all over the thing.

Before I started, I had NO IDEA how long it would take to do the quilting bit. That was probably a good thing. I'll be thinking long and hard about all-over motifs if I ever venture into Quilt Land again.

Another surprise was how long it took to decide on the arrangement of the patched-together backing.... and how much it resembles a Licorice Allsort.

But I think my trip to the craft show in Caulfield a week or so ago, to get a fat quarter of the "I love my Kitty" fabric, was worth it. It really brings the whole thing together ...don't you think?

You might have noticed...

2011-11-08T23:09:00.005+11:00

I've been somewhat absent from the social media scene (and any other scene you care to mention) for a few weeks. I have also been somewhat absent minded.

I've been busy... very, VERY busy.

You might have also noticed a new look about this little bloggy space. Around about the real-life place, there is similar evidence of a very talented graphic designer/art-director type having had a hand in things.

Yes. New logo. A proper grown-up one. (Clever girl, that graphic designer). And I'm rebranding the whole bizzo. Goodbye "Nicole Mallalieu Design" (as if anyone could ever say it, anyway*...) and hello "You SEW Girl!"

What you may not have noticed is that a new layout on ALL of my pattern instructions and covers is underway, to rebrand, streamline the printing process and bring early work up-to-date. While I'm about it, I'm also improving instructions, making bag samples, taking photos and drawing diagrams. A complete overhaul. An ENORMOUS. CAN. OF. WORMS. I'm trying to remember why I thought that I could do it all in the given timeframe.

"Timeframe?" (I hear you ask).

I've booked a stand at the Australian Quilt Market - the WHOLESALE show - in a couple of weeks (trying not to think too much about the number of days). I've also made the decision to wind down the retail side of my business and focus on design and wholesale.

To suceed in a niche retail business requires a pro-active, interactive approach. While I've been busy, pro-actively interacting, I've managed to keep my little business going. BUT.... it's seen me working six days (and nights) a week with no time to work on new patterns. And I've got to thinking....

What is it that I actually DO...?
Am I a craft retailer or a designer-patternmaker-teacher-thingamie? (I still haven't worked out the job description, but I like the second option best).

Oh, and wasn't there a home, child and bloke to think about...? Perhaps spend some time with...?

So far, there's no timeframe for the end of the online store, but that is indeed the plan. We'll continue to sell my patterns, interfacings and a selected range of hardware WHOLESALE while winding down retail.

We'll keep the showroom-shop going at the studio. If you're in the neighbourhood, you'll still be able to drop in and stock up. If you're doing classes with me, you'll be able to buy all the bits you need. But the online shop is not going to be the focus of the business anymore, at it appears to have become over the last few years.

If you want access to my patterns, hardware and interfacings, perhaps you could have a brief word to your favourite local or online fabric/craft store and suggest they stock "You SEW Girl!" products. (And please don't just ask them to get the goodies in - you need to actually BUY them!).

You'll be happy to be able to get the new and improved patterns and bits when you need them - with no postage or handling.
The stores will be happy to have another stream of income that also helps to sell more fabric.
I'll be happy, because I can focus on finishing a few of the kazillion pattern ideas I have.
...which will also make you happy (again) because you'll have more patterns to play with and more new tricks to learn from them.

It's win, win...errr...win, win, win, win..... in theory, at least. Who knows how it'll all pan out, but sometimes we have to take big jumps in order to evolve, non? I've never shied away from radical leaps into the unknown and my crisis-management and survival skills are finely honed from a lifetime of doing just that.

If you're a retail store or a producer of handcrafted goods, you'll be able to buy from us at a wholesale level. If you haven't contacted us before about this, feel free to drop us a line at sales@nicolemdesign.com.au .

When I get through the next few weeks, I'll be able to think about a class schedule for next year. I love teaching and will continue to do that as often as I can.

Phew. It feels better to just put it out there. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I hope that you'll stay with me. I need all the support I can get.

xxxnikki

PS. I'm still trying to figure my way through the blog-button and HTML jungle, and can't seem to get the buttons to display clearly on a sidebar. If anyone is expert-ish in the area (or even if you have half a clue), I'd appreciate your help.

*To get the flat Australian tongue around the name "Mallalieu", try saying this three times, quickly...
"Mal - al - yoo" (the "al's" rhyming with "pal").

A grand day, altogether.

2011-11-06T19:04:00.001+11:00

A lovely Bag in a Day Class. Great company, gorgeous fabric, fabulous bags... (and an abundance of Helens!).

I cracked the metaphorical whip and kept them hard at work - although we managed to have a good chat, lots of laughs and we even rescued a cutting mat after it had a little run-in with a steam iron.

There was a reasonable amount (..ahem..) of fabric envy, on my part. Cathy had this amazing (vintage or incredibly high-quality repro) Venice street scene fabric.

Andi made herself a new camera bag with Echino camera print and my Large Tote pattern.

In fact, there was a bit of an Echino-fest going on.

(One of the..) Helen's Hobo bag was gorgeous mix of all sorts of Echino fabrics.... and that A-line skirt she was wearing looked right at home in there, too!

Thanks girls, for a fabulous day!

'Twas grand.

A Day at the Races

2011-11-01T20:33:00.001+11:00

Was had by this little Kiss Purse.

I made it to accompany a fabulous outfit made by Zanet Couture and am looking forward to seeing photos of the whole ensemble's appearance atthe Melbourne Cup Fashion on the Field. The dress was a vision of 1950's-inspired glamour!

I went NOWHERE today, except from home to work and back again, despite having two free passes to the Melbourne Cup.

I'm in the middle of a huge revamp of pattern covers and instructions. All other activity (except the occasional theraputic knitting of a Persian cat and a sock) has been put on hold.

I shall hopefully have something to blog (or even perhaps a tweet to Twitter or an update to Facebook) at some point soon.

Right now... nothin' but a big can of worms.

Purses de jour

2011-10-29T21:38:00.001+11:00

Thanks lovely ladies for a great purse frame class today. It was a great way to spend a Saturday!!

Tonight it's back to life, back to reality..... and I'm back to knitting cats.

So, what ELSE did I do in Canberra..?

2011-10-28T10:51:00.000+11:00

Lots of knitting and un-knitting* of this sock.

*Note to self: Do not knit fancy stitch patterns while watching Downton Abbey.

...And what of the two-at-a-time socks...? Well, it just wasn't much fun. I had to concentrate too hard and it took the joy out of meditative knitting. I ditched one.

On a lunch break from teaching, I discovered the hidden joys of A Stitch 'n Time - the nearby yarn shop. The display and merchandising in the shop isn't a patch on the lusciously inspirational Morris and Sons, but if you know what you're looking for, the yarns are divine and the prices are super-great. I bought sock yarn in both wool and bamboo-nylon (it's LOVELY... and I'm thinking baby cardigans...) for about $18 a ball. The beautiful green Italian cotton feels almost like bamboo - it's so soft and lustrous.

And then the bloke (who came up to Canberra for the weekend with the wee girl) found this book in the Portrait Gallery bookshop. He thought there could be no better fit for our cat-mad, knitting kid.

They really are very cute...

And I had plans to work with the wee girl on something simple, like a kitten. Of course, she set her heart on the Persian before I got around to discussing the benefits of "baby steps" when one is first learning to knit.

But of course, she's a dreamer. A Visionary. She has plans of her own.....

Oh yes.... she has plans....

And so, the much-un-knitted sock remains much-unknitted, and the new yarn is still looking luscious and lustrous in it's original wrapping.

And we've started knitting a Persian cat.

Addicted to Fabric.... (Yep!)

2011-10-25T15:37:00.001+11:00

I spent three days in this wonderland of patchwork and dressmaking fabrics....

What a wonderful setting for classes and a trunk show, surrounded by so many beautiful fabrics and quilts.

I had a fab time and enjoyed meeting lots of great sewing gals during the four classes and trunk show. It hardly felt like work.

Purses and bags were made.

Sewing newbies were amazed at what they could achieve...

..and I was treated like royalty!

All in all, a great weekend. Many thanks to the folks at Addicted to Fabric and to everyone who came to a class or the trunk show.

I'll be back in Canberra in March 2012. I believe the workshops are booked out, so you may have to go on a waiting list if you're keen to attend.

Can't talk....

2011-10-19T14:04:00.007+11:00

Busy packing for Canberra.

Just leaving you with a few Xmas present ideas from You Sew Girl, le book....

for the kids and babies in your life or circle of aquaintance... (or any other excuse to make cute stuff)....

Things like baby hats...

kids belts (with or without velcro, depending on the age of the kid)....

and pre-school backpacks.

The cheapest way to get my book overseas still appears to be through Fishpond. They seem to have some sort of SUPER deal going at the moment. It's listed at $26.99 AUD with free shipping within Australia. International shipping rates are listed HERE. (Perhaps the book could be a xmas present...?).

EDITED TO ADD: Not sure what's going on with Fishpond. The price seems to flip between $26.99 and $69.99!

Of course, for more instant gratification and support to your local businesses, the book is also available at bookstores and fabric shops across the country.

And if you'd like a signed copy, you can buy one from me (or go to Addicted to Fabric in Canberra this weekend!). I'll be doing a "trunk show" on Friday night, so you can also see the real samples of the projects and patterns.

Seeya next week!

Oh yes, and I'm over at Whip Up, too....

2011-10-18T08:44:00.002+11:00

There's little how-to for a baby gift over HERE at Whip Up, along with countless other fabulous projects by talented people.

Kokka-loco and purse-mania

2011-10-17T20:33:00.005+11:00

Yep. Purses. Production-line style. This one with a (completely intentional, of course....) wrap-around bird.

The odd playground scene...Cutesy stuff.

Gotta love those Japanese prints. These are all from Duckcloth a year or so ago. I've been thinking about Echino (by Kokka) fabrics as a panel in my A-line Skirt.

(BTW - Did you know that Duckcloth are now stocking my A-line Skirt pattern? As are GJ's and Addicted to Fabric. You can now buy the pattern and the fabric together!)

Then it was onto a bit of quilting fabric.... Shell purse and 90mm purse frame purses.

And then I gave up on old and goopy glue. Things were not coming together as they ought, so production has been suspended until new glue arrives.

I have a few more purses to frame and a few more made in various stages of construction to take to Canberra on Thursday. I'm also madly sewing up step-by-step samples of bag bits for two purse frame workshops and two Sharper Edge classes at Addicted to Fabric.

Busy days.

A massive crafty, chatty sort of day

2011-10-16T11:28:00.011+11:00

Saturday morning. Ink & Spindle HQ. Surrounded by gorgeousness and 3rd birthday celebrations (for the business)...Somebody brought a kid along, who made a beeline for the food and ate all the corn chips.
And during the fascinating demonstration of the printing process, managed to be right under Lara's elbow... ...the whole way down the table.And then the kid drew some pictures and insisted that Tegan ignore the customers and admire them "on BOTH sides, because they're very good."
I've no idea who brought the child, but I'm sure she'll never be invited again.

Strangely, the same child was there when I got to the Made 'n' Thornbury market (mostly seen loitering about the craft table and sitting herself down for some face-painting).
It was great to see all the gals from the "Make Craft Your Business" course that I met a few months ago (when I was speaker at one of the sessions) with their own craft market stalls. And 'twas an absolute joy to see Veronica from Mulberry Threads with her fabulous felted accessories. Veronica was one of my most dedicated students - regularly making a 4-hour round-trip to come to bag-making classes. I think she could show me a thing or twenty about felting.... her work is stunning.

This crochet wire work was lovely, too.

These gorgeous critters by Make It Wednesday were totally charming. They're all made from odd socks and pre-loved clothing, handmade in Melbourne and completely original. Love, love, love... and you can buy them here.

I also caught up with Lara, Cathie, Margaret, Melanie and my friend Lisa (blogless and not crafty, but very nice) and a few other stall-holders I've come to know over the years.

Then Lisa and I went for a late lunch in a cafe (Plan B, since the drinks stand had closed up early at the market). It was fabulous to be able to spend relaxed time with one of my oldest-and-dearests and have a good catch-up (funny....that kid was there, too, roaming about with her cat-face facepaint, making friends with other diners).

And then I came home and had a long telephone conversation with Leonie.....

And then I didn't feel like talking anymore. So my beautiful wee girl and I did some knitting together.

Kid Stuff

2011-10-14T21:58:00.004+11:00

Oh, the cuteness of this Aunt Lindy's Paper Dolls fabric.... I'm in lurve.It inspires all manner of cutesy-wutsey bags and hats for littlies. I made my Small Tote and Kids Hats patterns up in a patchworky mix-and-match style. Tonight, I was trying to beat the fading daylight to finish and photograph these (no time for a final press)....but the light beat me.

Yes, things look better with a bit of a press and proper lighting.... see? (I'll have to press and re-shoot this one).Earlier in the week, I'd made the winter kiddie set, using the Kids Beret and the shorter version of the Small Tote (a variation included in the Small Tote pattern) in pinwale corduroy. And I discovered a new page-load craft.... Kanzashi flowers! (Previously, they'd only been TV craft).

A pursey sort of day

2011-10-12T20:59:00.004+11:00

I'm sewing up a purse storm for the classes and trunk show at Addicted to Fabric next week.... are you going?
We realised today that we still have a couple of places left on the Purse Frame Workshop on 29th October here in Melbourne. (Details and bookings HERE)

And if you can't go to a class, rest assured that you can still get the kits here. The instructions are very well written (even if I do say so myself) and come with the back-up of tech support if you need it. They are a "class* in a packet".

(*Granted, there are no Tim Tams in the purse kit packet, and no cups of tea or funny conversations about gorillas and no hands-on help at your beck and call..... but if you can sew and follow instructions, you'll be able to make yourself lots of gorgeous framed purses).

A Couple of City Chicks

2011-10-11T20:35:00.006+11:00

I'm doing a bit of a revamp of bag samples. I want to have lots of fresh and inspirational things to take up to Addicted to Fabric next week, I want to overhaul the look of the pattern covers and... well... I keep coming up with new ways of interpreting the patterns, and want to SHOW you!

Among other things, the City Bag got a freshening up.
I made this one from a few (garment-sewing) offcuts of fairly heavy green linen and patched over a panel of a scrap left over from one of my original A-line skirts. I used 32mm flat o-rings in antique brass colour.

This one, I made from quilting fabric I bought at GJ's for a completely different project..... but I thought it might work as a City Bag. I put a tri-glide on the strap to make it adjustable. (Tutorial for an adjustable strap HERE).

And here are two I prepared earlier.... but hadn't photographed properly. You can see my original post about them HERE. This red and black one is a quilting fabric I bought at GJ's about three or four years ago. The orange one below is made from the last few scraps of orange moleskin I had left over from hat-making days. The panel is a bit of Kaffe.

As a handbag to use and carry, I really love the City Bag. I've all but completely worn out the original cover-girl one, which I made in upholstery-weight microfibre 'suede' (and machine embroidered a huge bug on it). It always gets lots of comments.

I wear my City Bag hands-free style - across my body - and the curved shape at the top sits comfortably around my body, but it can equally be worn over one shoulder. The zip at the top makes it secure and it has a zippered pocket and compartment pocket in the lining.

I'm a bit inspired to make a few more, but I have other samples to make.

Don't you love a group of crafty gals...

2011-10-09T11:41:00.017+11:00

..who don't think it's weird when you invite them over for lunch and a spot of scissor-sharpening? Instead of leaving my scissors to be sharpened somewhere, I like to have the scissor sharpening guy (Steve) come to me and sharpen while I wait.

Since I moved away from all the fashion businesses in my previous building, I had to think of a way to make it worth Steve's time to visit.
Umm... do I know anyone else who might need scissors sharpened...?
Oh boy, do I! We had a great catch-up over cuppas and lunch. Steve the scissor guy was mighty happy (...with everything except the dodgey cup of tea I poured for him. Sorry Steve - I think the pot had been sitting there a while....).
And the entire building was completely utilised for the event.
We had babies and blocks on the balcony....
The electronic games arcade on the stairs for the bigger kids....
The small children were sent to the dungeon (the garage, resembling crafty-kid Heaven).

The intricate and careful design work in the hama bead creations spoke volumes about the world these kids live in.

As did the resemblance of this beauty, to a granny square!! (Guess whose kid...?)

Big thanks to all who came along. These lovely ladies and their great kids -

Dee

Cathie

EDITED TO ADD: Distracted by the call (from a small girl) to teach a small girl how to crochet this morning, I forgot to add the grand finale to the scissor-sharpening lunch. The seedling queen (my sister) made sure anyone with space in their garden took home some of her surplus seedlings. She gets a bit excited about planting seeds, but is lacking the 40,000 acres to raise them to adult plant stage. Several of us spent some happy planting time this weekend, and look forward to heritage variety vegetables and flowers - thanks, Leonie!!

A very simple Small Tote Bag

2011-10-05T21:51:00.004+11:00

The Small Tote is one of my "beginner" bag patterns. Nice and simple in its overall shape, it teaches you the basics of making a well-finished bag.... ..including a facing, a magnetic snap and a simple zippered pocket. I decided to tart it up with a bit of Auntie Cookie fabric, denim and clear PVC. The straps were easy-peasy webbing.

...And every seam I sewed, I sewed and unpicked twice. Then I sewed the strap on back-to-front and didn't notice until I'd topstitched the facing to the bag. Then I sewed it all up and realised that it had no magnetic snap in it.

I made every imaginable botch-up on this, the simplest of simple bags....

And I couldn't help but think that this girl was being a bit sarcastic....

...and that perhaps I should be thinking more about what I'm doing while I'm doing it.

Flirting (in a non-committal fashion) with Blogtoberfest

2011-10-04T22:32:00.005+11:00

It appears that I'm blogging on a daily basis, even though I didn't sign up for Blogtoberfest (because I couldn't possibly make that sort of commitment..!?). It might be that I actually have something to say, like "I made a new version of the Day Bag...."

Or it could be, that with school holidays being what they are, I'm happy to get at least ONE work-related(ish) thing done in a day, even if that's just a late-night blog post.

So anyway, I made a new Day Bag (over the last week) and I got a blog post written today.

Who'd a thunk it?

EDITED TO ADD: Yes, I love the fabric, too. It was originally purchased at GJ's a couple of years ago for a table runner I made for a friend. In rather typical style*, when they told me it was the last two or three metres on the bolt, I bought the lot. It was also the feature panel on one of the original A-Line skirts (that became my A-line skirt pattern) and there's a teensy bit left for another project.

*A sure-fire way to make me buy twice as much fabric as I originally intended, is to say, "Oh, that's the last of it". I'm terrified of being caught without enough to finish something and will (almost without exception) say, "I'll take it all". (There's a tip for all you fabric-sellers....)

Thank Heaven for Little Girls....

2011-10-03T22:42:00.005+11:00

On Sunday, I was utterly charmed by the sight of five little girls skipping into the Collingwood Children's Farm for a birthday party. So much sweet, open exuberance, with real warmth and affection for each other..... just gorgeous.While the wee girl and her friends went on tractor rides, fed farm animals and ate party food, I knitted furiously (yes, even in the sheep paddock). I was determined to finish off the fourth of the little Ruby Slippers, before our next stop.....

Adorable twin girls now have a pair of Ruby Slippers each (to remind them that there's no place like home) and some new little dresses and bloomers.

Sugar and spice and all things nice.... and lots of fun things to make for them. (Bless their little bamboo-merino socks).

Grand (final) day.

2011-10-01T21:32:00.004+10:00

It's days like this that make me glad I'm not running about on a football field, playing a ball game in front of thousands of people.
As the black clouds rolled over Northcote and the rain lashed against the window, I thought about how cosy it was inside.... ...and how much I enjoy retreating to my sewing cave.....
...and how disinterested in football I am .

Project Management (and the slippery slide to the dark side...)

2011-09-30T21:23:00.011+10:00

School holidays have seen me, once again, giving up almost all hope of getting any actual work done at work. I'm just in the studio to pay bills, order stock, answer questions and organise projects to keep a 5-year-old engaged in creative activity.
We decided to turn her accumulating cat-fabric stash into a quilt (with the help of some pre-cut fabric squares from Lincraft). The girleen was actively engaged and creative with the planning stage (including the rule: "Don't cut the cat fabric any smaller!!"). And she was dead-keen about pressing seam allowances....for a while, at least.My no-brainer set-up with the seam guide and quarter-inch foot on the machine failed to entice her to sew. I think she guessed how long it would take.

She preferred to loll about on wheely swivel chairs and give directions....

And play games on the computer I was supposed to be working on.Meanwhile, the quilt top was sewn together in an ad-hoc manner. A bit higgledy-piggledy and a riot of colour (with a few - ie. black - bits that don't quite go...), it suits my mis-matched-riot-of-colour, non-conformist, cat-mad kid to a T.

Now we just have to finish it. And NOW.... where is this going? Not sure.

But I happened to buy Kathreen Ricketson's fab new book* on a whim the other day, and I keep looking through it.... I reckon the pre-cut fabric thing is the hook......

I can't see myself becoming an obsessed quilty type, but am a bit intrigued by the notion of making a quilt that uses some sort of planned cleverness. I can see myself buying a jelly roll or layer cake or two, although I've no idea when I'll find the time to sew it.

*And I finally got around to buying the Perfect Fit, simply as a resource in the (ever-expanding) library.

A complete by-the by....
I've been thinking, that my plan to will my craft book library to the wee girl is a complete waste of a good craft book library. She's a manager, not a grafter. An ideas-girl, not a technician....

She'll go far in her adult life... and will probably delegate her commuter-crochet to any poor unsuspecting passenger who happens to sit next to her on the train.

Little things

2011-09-27T21:24:00.006+10:00

The fancy-schmantzy sewing machine came home with me this weekend, and on Sunday, I finished some teeny-tiny dresses and bloomers on the kitchen table.And I finished the Ruby Slippers...
...while juggling school holidays and family dramas and big scary leaps into the unknown.

Right now, I'm happy to look at the cute, little stuff.

So you want to design handbags...?

2011-09-25T08:26:00.003+10:00

This stencil illustration was made by my dearest, dearest friend Super-Duper-Tracy . It expresses that joy and pride I see in other people when they realise just how clever and creative they can be, and how that makes me feel....(...and I love how my teeth look so pearly-white...!)

I love seeing bags or purses in boutiques, online, at markets or on the arms of people in the street, when I know that I helped the creators to learn how to pattern-make or sew. It's nice to have played a small part. It's warm and fuzzy stuff, you know...?Right now, we have a couple of gals who are dead-keen to learn patternmaking for bags, so we've scheduled a class especially for them. There's still space in the class for three more people, if you're at all interested in joining us. DETAILS AND BOOKINGS HERE.

Before anyone asks...I'm afraid this course wouldn't work in a weekend format. You really need a week between classes to digest and practise and experiment with what you've learned. I also don't have time right now to develop it into any other format (online, correspondence etc). I'm afraid that this format - the weeknight class - is all there is for now.

GO on.... make my teeth shine pearly-white... You know you want to....

A little bit of what I fancy....

2011-09-23T20:56:00.025+10:00

I'll have to live to 187 to fit in all the things I want to learn, read, see and do.
Lately, I'm working 6 days a week and spending the other day doing family stuff (mostly family LAUNDRY and family CLEANING.... occasionally visiting elderly parents or attending a children's party or two).

I decided that the answer was to capture more leisure time in the little bits of in-between.....
I've been itching to make itty-bitty ruby slippers since buying this book early in the year. In between errands in the city this week, I found myself back at Morris and Sons, and bought this DIVINE "Paddington" 6-ply 80%bamboo - 20% merino.

Last night, in between episodes of productive instruction-writing and complete brain-fry, I squeezed in a spot of slipper-knitting with it. I'm onto the other slipper now (in between page loads).

At work yesterday, in the few minutes between my brain blowing a CAD-diagram-drawing fuse and home-time, I cut up cute kiddie fabric.
Tonight before I left work, I made those scraps into bias binding and sewed a few garment seams.

I'll finish these few little baby outfits tomorrow, in between the end of the Bag In A Day class and a semi-reasonable time to go home ...and hopefully in time to give to some tiny new people on Sunday.
In between an appointment time and the actual time of said appointment this week, I learned to knit socks 2-at-a-time. I used scrap acrylic yarn, and had every intention of making the full practise-socks..... but I wanted to play with nice yarn, so ripped these off the needles.
It's all about the yarn, isn't it?
The one-at-a-time socks were finished in Post Office queues and during swimming lessons, hairdresser visits and various waiting-for-kid times. (If you ask the wee girl, "They took THREE gymnastics to make!")
In between getting the girl and bloke out the door to school/work and getting myself dressed for work, I'm fitting in a swim every second day. Yep, I'm feeling SO MUCH BETTER for the exercise, the breathing space and the think time.... and feeling a bit more like the me of old.
I've even managed to squeeze in a few early nights and a bit of reading. Love a good cracking-read potted history, me.... And I think I may have mentioned my love of costume-dramas, before...
My Sunday night viewing of late is as many episodes of Downton Abbey as my eyes can take. My head is positively swimming with Edwardian collar and pocket details.

It's amazing how many little in-between times there are, and how much can be fitted in, when it's the stuff that I love to do. Not surprisingly, in making these things a priority, I haven't spent as much time online. I think that's a good thing. I feel like I'm DOING stuff.

I'm reminded of a story a friend told me,
about a friend of hers who met an old man in Ireland
who had hand-built an extraordinarily beautiful boat.
When asked how long it took to make,
the old man said casually "Nine years"...
The friend was astounded.
The old man said, matter of factly,
"Sure, it would have taken just as long
NOT to build it."

Now....If only I could fit in the finishing of umpteen half-developed Nicole Mallalieu Design patterns, a re-working of the wholesale pricelist and a website update....

You learn something new every day.....

2011-09-21T21:26:00.009+10:00

It's been a week of working through tedious technical stuff. Instructions. Ho hum.
With a materials list that included lots of Vilene S320 (and none of it's heavier cousin Vilene S520), I had to think outside the square (so to speak) when it came to protecting the fabric from the back of the magnetic catch. As I usually do these days, I used a 2.5cm (1") square of Peltex between the fabric and the back plate of the magnetic snap. But this time, I fused a few 5cm (2") squares of Vilene S320 over the back (instead of Vilene S520). It worked a treat!

Although not as cardboard-flat as S520, the layers can be fused on one-at-a-time with much lower heat and with less steam, and it sticks super-well to hold the snap and all the fabric surrounding it.

It doesn't actually need the reinforcement of the stitching around the Peltex square (because the Peltex and Vilene S320 are fused fast) but I still like the look if it. Ok - enough from me.... Back to the secret-squirrel cave....

Socka to me....

2011-09-16T21:39:00.012+10:00

I love this yarn - wool, cotton and a little hint of poly-something-in-Italian (nylon?). Warm, soft and (I assume) hard-wearing, it knits just as if I'd thought about the striped pattern it makes all by itself.
I'm really enjoying my adventures in The Land of Sock-Knitting. I'm a long way from flawless double-moss stitch and perfect tension ....and we won't mention my kitchener stitch.... but I love working within a new form, learning new things. I love that I can feel my brain sparking up new connections as my knitting repertoire expands. But mostly, I think I'm in love with making fabric from yarn.... and I love that sock fabric takes shape pretty quickly, especially when the socks are for a small girl. Of course, I should be doing something about meeting a looming magazine deadline, but after a couple of frustrating sewing days, I'm in need of a bit of stitch-by-stitch meditation and therapy.

The satisfaction of seeing something coming together (instead of seeing something being unpicked more than it's sewed and having to photograph every step 65 times from each angle...and then having to unpick again.... and re-shoot....) is where's it's at, man.

(Just sayin'....)

What's it all about, Alfie?

2011-09-14T21:06:00.007+10:00

Sometimes, when the fun of nutting out a new design or pattern has well and truly worn off and I'm bogged down in the nitty-gritties of instruction-writing, when I just seem to be doing nothing but paying bills, or when I think about how I don't get home until late most nights and work most weekends, I wonder why I do what I do. And then I take a look in the Flickr group to see what you've been doing with my patterns and my book.... and I'm reminded that the rewards are in seeing what happens when my work is out there in the world, in your hands....And sometimes, you send me photos of things that you've made - and I love that, too.

Tracy came to my Wrap Skirt class last Saturday. She decided that she was more in need of a summer brunch coat (summer dressing gown) than another skirt, so she merged the wrap skirt with a basic (New Look pattern) bodice and came up with this elegant little number... She sent me a photo of it, all finished.

Even better than that, she discovered the joys of the bias tape maker!!!!

So thanks guys. Thank you for sharing. You make my day more often than you could possibly know.

***
PS. Did you see the new linky widget thing I have on my sidebar? If you don't have my book already, you can have a browse through a bit of it online. Apparently it's still a month or two away from being offered to overseas sales. I'm not sure what that means re:when it will hit the non-Australian online shops, but I'll keep you posted.

Around the edges

2011-09-11T20:41:00.015+10:00

So, another week has passed....
Last week, some recreational sewing and knitting was fitted in around the edges of contracted work. I've been stock-piling cutesy baby fabriics for a while. Friends and family members keep expecting babies and I'm always looking for excuses to buy cute fabric.

I thought that this duck fabric was pretty unisex.... and then, when I made it up, a few second thoughts crept in. People are particular about how they dress boys, and I've only got girl-baby experience. I don't know....

I tried dark green binding. I'm still not sure....
Other cute fabric (from Kimono House) was made into a shell purse (my demonstration-model for the Shell Purse workshop). In between times, last week, I finished sewing the red beads around the edges of the frame and I'm a bit in love with it.

This book arrived last week, too.... not looking very sharp around the edges. It wasn't damaged in transit - it was PACKED with those great big dents along the side! (Thankfully, Amazon refunded me when I complained).

Apart from the dents, the book is pretty impressive.

I don't know how it rates (re: instructions) from a user's point of view, but the designs are good and the samples are well-made, which isn't always the case with bag-making books. I'm looking forward to looking through it more thoroughly.

On Saturday, we had a fun, chatty, Pattern-free Wrap Skirt class. Cathie took to the industrial iron like the proverbial duck to water and double-turned edges like nobody's business. KA-shhhhhhhhhhh!

Other achievements, fitted in around the edges of last week....
I enlisted the help of my SUPER SISTER to help me turn the bomb-site upstairs sewing room at work into functional teaching space. We now have a HUGE cutting space and a few extra surfaces and sewing machines. Hooray.

Gymnastics and swimming lesson enrolments were made for the wee girl and we somehow even made it to the try-out classes (it's only taken me 9 months to get around to organising this).

I undid nearly 10 years of recovery from sports-injured knees with a few short runs to and from the swimming pool. Back to twanging, aching knees. Oh joy.

Bought a pull bouy, so I can refine my swimming stroke (and... ahem...still swim with dodgey knees).

Box Instructions...

2011-09-08T20:58:00.005+10:00

The wee girl told me her favourite thing at school yesterday was "box instructions". After a slightly confusing conversation, I worked out that she meant "box construction". For this particular kidlet, the subject really ought to be re-named "cardboard cat-making". We're being over-run by these cute little critters (...and we're expected to remember their names).

This one (I believe her name is Jasmine) came with her own carry-case and "medical bag" (a la Octonauts).
The scale just cracks me up (if you'll pardon the eggy pun).

Calling all yarny types.....

2011-09-07T19:59:00.005+10:00

If you're into supporting things that are good for us all, and have room in your stash for some premium-quality yarn, I suggest you go here and read this...

...and perhaps pledge some support.

Photos, as promised....

2011-09-06T19:58:00.006+10:00

Somewhere amid the 300-odd (no exaggeration) step-by-step photos for my current secret-squirrel project, I ponced about briefly in front of the camera to show you the finished Crochet Lace Tank.If you look closely enough, you'll see the dodgey missed row.... so please don't look very closely.
As the crochet softens up and drops, I'm starting to think that I should have made a size Small rather than a Medium. (Or perhaps with all this swimming I'm doing lately, my shoulders will bulk up enough to keep the straps up...?). The back neckline is getting lower and lower as the straps drop....This top took less than a skein, came together quickly and feels fab (if a little big) to wear. I'm totally in love with the colour (called "Black Walnut").

Having a cuppa and a look through Ravelry with crochet-queen Lara today, has me thinking about what to do with the left over skein-and-a-bit of the gorgeous Claudia Handpainted (linen) Yarn that I have. So many options..... (And I'm trying not to think of the option of tracking down Prudence Mapstone and buying a few more skeins of this yarn. I love it).

Hmm... busy week...

2011-09-04T16:35:00.012+10:00

Not much time for online socialising or bloggy action, it seems.... Lots of secret-squirrel design work, quite a few visitors and a swim EVERY MORNING* from Tuesday-Friday.

*Nobody is more surprised than I am! Saturday was the Shell Purse Class... ...a lovely day of stitching and chatting with 6 lovely ladies, finishing up with 6 lovely new purses.

Somewhere between a post office queue and a page-load on the computer, I finished my linen crochet lace top (photos forthcoming...). I've now started on my very first practise sock. I'm using this book, some yarn from Auntie Wilma's stash and my fancy-schmantzy new circular needles, working slowly through my first practise mini-sock. I have some lovely new yarn to use when I get the hang of it.

Sunday... a day of...

.....laundry, vacuuming, bathroom-cleaning and Father's Day cake making. (The cake was decorated by the sweetest tooth in the house, for the bloke who thinks there's no finer snack than a lump of feta cheese and bread...). ...and more vistors (she says, looking out the window to see the extended family of in-laws arriving....).

Can I have a weekend soon...?

New rings and workshops.

2011-08-29T16:08:00.004+10:00

Yep - I finally tracked down hinged o-rings! If these are what you've been looking for, you'll find them HERE!!
And since the Purse Frame and Bag in Day Workshops keep booking up and over, I've scheduled two new dates. Purse Frame Workshop - Sat 29th October 2011 - details HERE.

Bag in a Day - Saturday 3rd December 2011 - details HERE.

And I believe there are still places available on the Pattern-Free Wrap Skirt Workshop next weekend..... details here.

A great day for being outdoors!

2011-08-28T21:01:00.009+10:00

Anyone who spent the day in Melbourne today would agree... It was the perfect day for a spot of outdoor knitting.

The wee girl - if you missed my post this morning - has finally got the hang of knitting without (much) help.

She's obsessed with it.... (no idea where she gets it from).

After a trip to the dentist last week, we dropped into Morris and Sons (and spent twice as much as the dental bill). OH. MY. GOODNESS. Yarn Heaven....

The wee girl picked out this yarn - aptly called "Fuel". It really sparked her drive to get to grips with the sticks. The instant-gratification of 20-ply on size 8 bamboo needles kept her interest firing on all eight cylinders.

By the time she went to bed tonight (well after this photo was taken), she'd finished 12 rows of stockingette stitch on top of this lot. Meanwhile, I was at the machine, practising short-rows and knitting my way through lovely tencel yarn. Very satisfying, to make a scarf in an afternoon... even nicer with a Spring breeze. The man of the house was pottering about the garden. Things are sprouting up and home-grown vegetables are on the way. There was much pondering of blossoms, and the promise of warm days ahead. I kept thinking of the bike path to work (and that daylight savings time can't come soon enough). I have many things to be grateful for. My family and the ability to enjoy a simple day with them is something that I will never take for granted.

...And the knitting kid is the icing on the cake, this weekend.

HOW proud am I...?

2011-08-28T09:00:00.004+10:00

I don't think words can express...

The indoctrination process started (softly, softly...) even before I started knitting last year.

She's now practising knitting while not looking..... and yes, they are pajamas (she got out of bed and started knitting before breakfast!).

For me....

2011-08-25T21:27:00.007+10:00

Having got myself into a bit of a pickle with the skein of linen yarn I bought at the Quilt Show, I managed to untangle it (....in just under 8 hours....) and wind it into a lovely ball. I can hardly stop admiring it... and working it into a Summer Lace Tank top for myself.

I've a little way to go before it's finished, but the top half seems to fit the way I like and I'm looking forward to finishing and wearing it.
Trying it on reminded me that I hadn't photographed the Coachella that I made earlier this year. I really wish I'd taken some photos before it was scruffy and covered in fabric fluff (I've lived in it this winter!). Luckily the tweedy effect of the yarn (Bendigo Woollen Mills something-or-other that I bought last year and can't seem to find on their website anymore) hides a multitude.

I've a bit to learn about gauge-matching between straight and circular needles... but I really don't care about it not being perfect. It's the first non-rectangular knitty thing that I've made for myself, and it's comfy-womfy.

Apparently, I was a bit famous again.....

2011-08-24T20:21:00.004+10:00

Not being a quilter, I hadn't seen that my AQC stand made an appearance in Down Under Quilts recently.

A lovely surprise!....and strangely... (GASP!)....I'm tempted to try one of the quilt projects in the magazine.

Back to that WEBBING question....

2011-08-23T22:11:00.005+10:00

Like a hot knife through butter.....This little beauty seems to work a certain type of nowhere-near-as-expensive-as-an-industrial-hotknife magic on polypropylene webbing.

I bought it from Thread Studio at the AQC earlier this year. I've only just got around to trying it on webbing. I'm sure that a soldering iron would do the same trick, if you have one, but I think that this is a good option if you don't (I didn't). Just beware fumes and only melt webbing in areas with lots of ventilation.

On being the expert...

2011-08-21T20:33:00.008+10:00

Last week, I spent a few days making new versions of my Large Tote and Satchel (pattern HERE). I used Kristen Doran's divine panel print "Winter Nest" for this one and went to town with antique brass coloured fittings.
I squeezed the body of a bag out of the teensiest piece of Echino scooter fabric and used webbing for the strap. The adjustable strap goes from one side of the bag to the other.Saturday was another very full day of bag-making in my studio. Lots of fabric, lots of sewing, lots of cups of tea.... I gave lots of tips on ways to use interfacing, reduce bulk in seams, turn out sharp corners and create smooth lines and edges. I taught people to insert magnetic snaps and twist locks. I taught a few people to overcome zipper-phobia. I taught the girls a few tricks about making nice, neat straps with rings. I even gave a good example of why everyone should follow my advice to separate the lining pattern from the outside bag pattern before cutting any fabric, lest (in a moment of lapsed concentration) the wrong piece be cut.

Anyone can make this mistake - even experts. This bag - like myself - was made a little shorter than most.

("Wren" fabric by Ink & Spindle, teamed with denim and microsuede. Apart frpm being a facing's depth shorter than it ought to be, the bag looks lovely).

****
I've scheduled another Bag in a Day workshop for 5th November. I'll be underlining the section on "cutting" on the notes....

How to get the best deal and a few bargains

2011-08-18T08:29:00.016+10:00

I wish we could offer free shipping.... Postage is going up all the time, and the rates for different regions, parcel sizes and values mean that it's impossible to flat-rate or reduce our postage charges.

So, I have a few tips for you on getting the BEST VALUE....
I pay three lovely ladies to work on each order individually - giving you the attention you'd get if you just walked into your local sewing supplies store. They spend a lot of time packing, weighing, invoicing your order, and then emailing you to personally to make sure you're happy with it, and organising payment. They're happy to discuss your order via email or on the phone and give advice on the products. We also ship things out as soon as payment is received.

We believe that this service makes us unique in the online shopping world - and it saves you the hassle of getting out to the shops (including saving on parking, petrol and hassles with small kids in fabric stores...) but the $3 packaging and handling fee we charge barely covers the cost to me. However, I'm aware that it can be a substantial add-on cost to a small order (say, for one pattern).

Have you thought about getting together with a friend or two - your craft group, perhaps? - and putting in a group order? You will only be charged for one handling fee and your portion of the postage will more than likely be cheaper than to pay for a small parcel.

Or think about what else you might need to complete the project you're working on and make one order rather than two. If you scroll down to the bottom of each age in the shopping cart, there is a tab called "related products"...take a look!

If your parcel is under 5kg and you're within Australia, the cheapest shipping is often via courier flat-rate 1kg, 3kg or 5kg satchel. These days, we're finding courier more reliable than the postal service and insurance is included in the price of the satchel (unlike the infinitely variable add-on insurance with the postal service). It can save you a substantial amount in shipping charges to have your parcel delivered by courier.

To request Courier delivery, make sure you give us a delivery address where somebody can receive the parcel during business hours... perhaps your work address. (You can update your address as you place your order). Then, when you choose your delivery method, choose "COURIER".

While we're on the subject of saving money, we have a few specials on at the moment... like this lovely medium-weight interfacing... I accidentally ordered the wrong code, and what we received is slightly lighter than our usual medium-heavy interfacing. Same-same but different....
The swatch on the left hand side is our usual Medium-Heavy and the one on the right is the new one. The new one is a little lighter, a little more gauze-like (you can see more green cutting board through it in the photo, above).

It fuses beautifully and gives almost the same support as the Medium-Heavy, but it's not what we usually supply. For the sake of consistency in our stock, I'd like to clear this roll at a discount price. We'll deduct 33% from the usual price (making it $7.37 plus GST, per metre).

To order it, just order the usual medium-heavy (HERE), but leave a comment in the comment box with your order to specify that you want the DISCOUNT INTERFACING.

We also received a ridiculously large proportion of grey zips in our last delivery of mixed zips. They are all sorts of lengths but all the same colour - a sort of mid-grey that reminds me of school uniforms. I'm happy to see them go at $4 per bundle of 15 ($3.64 if you live outside Australia). At that price, they are not the least bit precious and could be used for toiles (muslins) or for practising your zipper-insertion techniques. Goodness, you might even sew lots of grey fabric....

You can order them HERE. I've added a "grey only" option in the shopping cart, which will give you the correct discount price.

In these lean times, a few savings here and there add up. I hope these tips help you out....

The Roses of Success

2011-08-17T09:22:00.009+10:00

One of the things that I love about making purses, is just how little fabric is required. The scrap bag is full of treasures that can be transformed into useful, beautiful objects. I've been a bit obsessed with scraps of machine-knitted experiments and disasters. Waste-not-want-not and all that....

I'm also enjoying the challenge of working with new materials within a familiar form. It's a magical mystery tour of design decisions, based on what the fabric will and will NOT do. I moved on to felted woollen jumpers (and stayed with the purse frames).

The green boucle was particularly thick, so I had to re-think the construction process somewhat. The seams are blanket-stitched (by machine) and exposed. The lining is attached to the outer fabric in the same way. I didn't reduce the seam allowance, so the finished purse is bigger than the usual Shell Purse. I like it.

Cue: The song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Occasionally (...ahem...) I'm still inspired to buy new fabrics, because they speak to me about the potential of future projects.... I dropped into GJ's on Saturday and found lots of inspiration... Stay tuned...

A family affair

2011-08-14T22:50:00.008+10:00

I visited the "Against the Tide" exhibition at the Substation in Newport today....and it felt a bit like home. I mean... the home I grew up in. Art all over the shop. Artworks by my sister....
And my brother.....
The whole thing has got me thinking about nature vs nurture in the idea of the "creative family". I come from a long line of crafty, creative, make-do-and-mend sorts... but is creativity innate or environmental....?
In my family, creativity was encouraged. Materials, time and space were allowed for the creation of anything we cared to make. Mess was allowed (...although I seem to remember an incident involving purple candle wax on the dining room carpet....hmmmm...).

My brothers, sisters and I have all grown into adults with a wide range of creative abilities and interests. Nature or nurture?

I meet people all the time who come to craft late in life and take to it like the proverbial duck (to the proverbial wet stuff). Is that an innate (previously untapped) talent, the result of environmental influences, or is it just that anyone can do this craft stuff if they have a go..?

What do YOU think...? Is your creativity the result of a nurturing family environment or is it something that was just itching to get out, despite the odds.....?

****

Against The Tide
August 5th - 22 August

The Substation Gallery
1 Market St Newport Vic
Gallery hours:
Thursday - Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm

Did someone mention a PARTY...?

2011-08-12T09:39:00.013+10:00

Before the quilt show, I had a little stash-busting blitz to refresh my display of purses. I think they look like they're having a purse-party.

Amongst it all, I rediscovered the quick-fix joy of making the Party Purse (pattern HERE). This purse was originally inspired by the memory of (many years ago) when I was bridesmaid for my best friend.

On the morning of the wedding, I realised that I had no purse to carry the essentials for the day. Having made the my own dress (and the flowergirl's) , I was able to whip up a matching wristlet with a few leftover scraps before getting dressed for the wedding. It wasn't this design, but the idea stuck....
A girl need a super-fast go-to pattern when she's caught without a matching purse.

This purse needs to be small enough to be elegant but large enough for all the essentials ...and it needs to be a wristlet, to free hands up for glasses of champagne, canape's and conversational gesticulations.
It needed to be infinitely variable, to suit a wide range of fabric types, occasions and personal styles. And it needed to be EASY AND QUICK TO MAKE. .
That's what the Party Purse pattern is all about.

So chock-full of instant-gratification was I, in my little Party-Purse-making frenzy, I found myself whipping these up and not wanting to stop. But stop, I did (other fish to fry). I took photos and then forgot all about blogging them.... so here they are, at last.

*****

PS. Many thanks to those of you who contacted me after receiving my latest newsletter. For some of you, it was the first ever (despite some of you being on the mailing list for years). It appears that we now have an email manager that actually SENDS the newsletters, so I'll be more inclined to use it as a medium of communication. If you'd like to subscribe to semi-regular (ok... it's actually quite sporadic) news about classes, products and sales, you can do so right HERE.

A grand day in.... Actually, three of them.

2011-08-08T22:50:00.017+10:00

The combination of cold, grey Melbourne skies and my feeling quite poorly made for a perfect weekend of cosy, crafty indoor activity.

On Friday I made a wavy (knitting-machine-short-row-practise) scarf using two balls of the lovely Tencel yarn I bought at the quilt show. All manner of dodgey-ness (in technique and finish) prevent me from giving it as the gift it was intended to be, so it's MINE...and it's sooooo lovely and soft to wear... and drapes beautifully. But dodgey... yes, too dodgey to give away.

Saturday was a sewing day with the wee one. We cracked into the Saffron Craig cat panels that I brought back from the Sydney show. The wee girl is cat-obsessed and likes sewing so it was a no-brainer project choice. Little snippy embroidery scissors gave her the control she needed to snip confidently around the seam allowances, and were a huge hit. (I only wish she'd listen to my advice about holding onto the main fabric and snipping off the little scraps, instead of the other way around. I guess she's only going to learn when she cuts herself. She's that kind of kid....)

She changed the name from the "Tom-Puss" printed on the panel (and we therefore had to make a new name-tag). I believe she also gave it a sex-change... "Kitford is a girl, actually...."

The other panel-cat is "Catford". (Catford is a girl too, I think).

The fancy-schmantzy sewing machine was set to super-low-speed and she sewed curves and corners - first with lots of help but needing less as the day progressed.
I drew lines to show her where to clip the seam allowances, and she managed without accident or incident. We used pinking shears too.

After a bit of stuffing and slip-stitching, Kitford and Catford were ready for bed..... ..with all the other friends. (Note: "Starrie" from the girl's last sewing lesson and "Snailie", a gift from the gorgeous Annie).
Then she decided to design and make her own cat and bird.
On Sunday we ventured out to the backyard for a photoshoot of the newly finished knitted dress (started on the train to Sydney). It was too cold to go out without a few more layers...the Beebop cardi I made last year, a crochet hat...
...and a hideous acrylic Collingwood (football team) scarf that the wee girl and I knitted on the machine a few weeks ago.
The dress was a bit of a make-it-up-as-I-go-along thing, based on a few of the techniques I've picked up from making other simple patterns. It worked really well and I've no idea how to repeat it.
I spent the better part of Sunday with the knitting machine. The wee girl made another softie cat, pretty much on her own. By the time she finished it, I was too busy trying to undo a major bungle on the knitting machine to take a photo....
But you've probably seen enough photos of the weekend in this post, non?

Downtime

2011-08-05T22:59:00.008+10:00

My post-Quilt-Show week has been spent coughing, sneezing, aching and feeling a bit sorry for myself. I've stayed home from work a lot - taking the rare opportunity when there's nothing scheduled that needs my immediate attention.

I took my machine and a bunch of fabrics home, to work through a few felted-knit ideas I've had floating about in my head. I ended up getting so frustrated that I forgot to bring home my favourite tools (ahem... and fabric scissors and pins) that I started a lot and didn't finish anything.

I tried writing workshop notes and pattern instructions, but my brain was too fuzzy with winter lurgies and ... well, I just feel exhausted. I can't write. I can barely think.

Today around lunchtime, I came home from a brief visit to the office and pulled out the knitting machine. I popped on a dvd of costume dramas (both Elizabeth movies) and spent the afternoon practising knitting short rows and getting lost in 16th Century royal court costumes. And I wished I'd been doing this all week (... I might even have finished something photogenic enough to share on this blog).

Craft Fair loot

2011-08-02T20:21:00.005+10:00

Don't worry, folks - I haven't taken up scrapbooking. I just bought a bag full of stick-on bling for the smallest crafter in the house. She was so impressed and satisfied with this, I've witheld the stamp set I bought until the next present is required.

I spotted this adorable fabric at Kelani's stand, and thought it would be perfect to make up into teeny-weeny-tiny baby gear for some brand-spanking twin girls I know. I hope I get something made from it before they're walking.

I loitered (and drooled) a bit too long at Prudence Mapstone's stand. Oh. My. Lordy..... if it's yarns you're into....

So anyway, I only spent a small fortune. There are worse habits and more expensive hobbies, non? And what's life without a few little indulgences... and a few skeins of hand-painted linen yarn...?

...and a bunch of to-die-for soft and drapey 100% tencel?

Over at Can Do Books, I found this Crochet Borders Book. A great reference for the ever-expanding yarn-craft library. Handy for make-it-up-as-you-go-along chicks like me, who find themselves without the skills to finish with a flourish. Also good for washcloth gift-making. And then today, I came across these at the op-shop (sort-of-on-the-way to the pattern printers).

Yep - lots of ideas and inspiration. Here's wishing for time to play.

Melbourne Quilt and Craft Fair

2011-08-01T20:44:00.005+10:00

Well, yes - it looked an awful lot like the stand in Sydney, only with a few new bag and purse samples (....and vastly lower stress levels on my part).
Doing three shows in four months means that the set-up is becoming routine, and it all came together much more smoothly. Little things were improved-upon but the basic system seems to be working.

I had a lovely time, chatting and meeting and book-signing. Thanks to my helpers, Leonie, Brianna and Adele. In between waves of squeezy-crowded-busy we were all able to take a few breaks and have a look around the show. Photos of my crafty purchases coming soon....
People seemed to like my work. The crowd was a good mix of friends, regular custmers, blog-readers and people who didn't know me from Adam. We sold out of A-line Skirt patterns by the middle of Saturday (more are being printed as we speak). Today, for the first time in a LONG time (can't remember the last time), I took the day off.

I woke up with the beginnings of a cold, a house that looked like a tip and a child with dreadlocks (after a week of Daddy-haircare). It was also the man of the house's birthday and there was MUCH ORGANISATION to be done for the "surprise" party that the dreadlocked child had planned.

I played Imelda May LOUD while I cleaned and baked, and then went shopping and did school pick-up. I thought it'd be nice if I could do this whenever I liked. Things got done, for a change, and I felt like "good Mummy". It was a nice feeling, after the last few hectic weeks of half-done everything on the home-front.

I need an early night... and possibly another day off. Chat soon....

Ever-so-slightly famous...twice on the same day!

2011-07-26T15:26:00.007+10:00

Gosh, it's drought and flood around here.... Today there are TWO different articles in three different regions covered by the Melbourne Times Weekly network of local papers.

This one (YOU CAN READ IT HERE) is an edited version of my words. It's in the City/Yarra Melbourne Times.

Bayside and Eastern suburbs will get this one (YOU CAN READ IT HERE), which is what the lovely journalist, Luna Soo, wrote after we chatted on the phone for a while.

*****

Conversation of note, on the subject.

Wee Girl: Why are they putting you in the paper?

Nikki: I don't know....perhaps they thought someone might be interested...?

Wee Girl: (Laughs incredulously)........

Winter blues and browns and shades of grey....

2011-07-24T21:49:00.018+10:00

The wee girl and I spent most of the day in pyjamas, bonding over my Auntie Wilma's yarn stash and knitting machine. We knitted several fair isle monstrosities in acrylic 4-ply. Ugly but fun.

I just spent time with my beautiful girl, who I won't see much, once the Quilt Show gets underway this week. We didn't take photos, but I was reminded that I hadn't posted these photos of a scarf I made last week.
It's in a simple tuck-stitch, with 2 yarns of slightly different brown tones knitted together. The colour is a rich shade of cappucino... None of my photos captured the subtlety or complexity of the colour, which is a shame. It's lovely.

I love the waffly, spongey texture of this tuck-stitch pattern. I haven't washed, blocked or felted it because I love SQUEEZING it and stretching it in different directions. It's very tactile stuff.

The bloke - dubbed "Mr Wintergarden" because of his current obsession with tending the sleeping winter bastja* - obediently wears the scarf. (*Macedonian for veggie patch).

(I don't think he gets the squeezing, tactile thing. I might reclaim the scarf.)

The sky was grey outside today. The news was full of tragedy, gloom and yet another talented young person's life ended too soon. We stayed cocooned in our lounge room. We had roast chicken mid-afternoon because we couldn't wait until dinnertime. We relished in the don't-feel-like-doing-anything-(so-we-won't) downtime and cancelled all plans for housework or supermarket shopping.

Haunted by the horror in Norway this weekend, I soaked up every ounce of ordinary family Sunday that I could. My heart aches for families who won't have the chance to do that again.

More Fashion For Less

2011-07-21T20:09:00.008+10:00

Ahem... and a very cheap fashion model.....

Yep - here I am, all Photoshopped and pretending to be over 5 foot 2. (You won't tell anyone, will you...?)

I'm wearing my newest offering on the pattern front, my A-Line Skirt. I originally made it as a basic skirt pattern for myself (that I could make in a zillion different ways and nobody need know that I only had one pattern). But Lara saw it, and then Tania... and before you know it, everyone was wanting one. It's now graded from size 8 to size 18 (US sizes 6-14).
I wear the size 10, because I like skirts that hang loosely off my hips. If you prefer to wear your skirts fitted around the waist, you can make the size that fits your waist (see that glamorous fashion model, wearing a size 8, below).

The instructions include how to insert the best ever invisible zip and also how to add a feature panel on both summer and winter-weight fabrics (two different methods). It really does make a zillion skirts - long, short, winter, summer, formal, casual..... The finish is tailored but the method is super-easy.

I reckon if you wear skirts to work, this could be the perfect fashion-for-less option for you! You could keep making them slightly differently each time, and nobody would know.... The skirt pattern will be on the website just as soon as I can organise it.

EDITED TO ADD: YOU CAN ORDER IT HERE NOW!

In the meantime, I'll share a bit of the reality behind the gloss of this high-fashion photo shoot.

Yep.. a very small 40-something crafty chick, poncing about in front of a camera while a friend reads out an amusing Facebook conversation. Cracking up.... and being strangely foreshortened....

Another day in Northcote.

***
BTW - Nice to be back in the land of the cyber-living. My laptop had a little holiday at the repair shop, but seems much better now, thank you.

Pssst! Want free passes to the Quilt Show?

2011-07-20T14:45:00.002+10:00

I have four free passes to the Melbourne Quilt and Craft Fair next week.

These will be randomly placed in parcels going out in tomorrow's post.

To be in the draw, place an order of $20 value or more in my shop and pay for it before 4pm tomorrow. Your free pass could be in your parcel!

***

I also have one dead computer and a trillion logistical problems caused by its absence. I shall return when things are running more smoothly.....

How things eventually come together

2011-07-17T09:59:00.013+10:00

Around these parts, things rarely happen in a linear, organised fashion. It's all multi-tasking, juggling too many ideas and not enough time, dodging unforseens, managing minor crises and drawing wildcards... and no lists. Most people who see this in action wonder how anything gets done at all.
But they do. All it sometimes takes is a few hours in the studio on my own, with no interruptions. Weeks of half-started projects are completed, photographed and hung in the showroom. Gosh, sometimes they're even Photoshopped and blogged.

(This felted wool number is my Sling bag pattern, with a bit of a ruffly rose made from the off-cut selvedge. I also altered the strap to put a big shiny ring in it. Fabric was a bargain from GJ's).

And HOW LOVELY to see a completed nest of A-line skirt samples - sizes 8-18 (US size 6-16?). My only disappointment was that I made this panel feature on the size 18 instead of in my size.
This pattern is currently being tested by lots of lovely gals, and will hopefully be ready in time for the Quilt and Craft Fair in Melbourne.
My patchwork experiments have been put to use in a few bags and purses. I tried to blend the craftsy look with a bit of street-smart topstitched denim and a few sharp lines. My Day Bag pattern was a good 'blank canvas' to play on...And I made the Day Bag as a satchel, in soft and fuzzy woolly Rathdowne Remnants bargain fabric with more patchwork and a few (..ahem... strategically placed) bits of leather.

This 150mm Frame Purse (below) makes the pretence that what is revealed by the cut-away area is indeed worth featuring (??) but it was a little idea I've had in my head for a while, so it was good to get it out.
And sometimes, to finish off a good finishing session, I just have to start something else...I made this Chunky Purse with some machine-knitted "learning experience" pieces. There was an awful lot of chopping and stitching bits on, until it resembled a rose-ish sort of thing.

It took ages. I nearly gave up and binned it a few times... and then poof! It appeared! As if by magic. (I only wish I'd done it in a colour that's easier to photograph.)

After that, I needed a super-quick-fix, so whipped up a Party Purse in the same knitted fabric - this time using the reverse side (ok.. so I accidentally interfaced the right side of fabric...As the wee girl says after embarrassing interruptions, "Let's continue...").

I slapped on a few randomly cut bits of felted jumper (sweater) with a few rows of top-stitching. Voila! FINISHED PURSE! (...and might I say, finished in an organised, linear fashion..?)
School starts again tomorrow, so hopefully there will be less distractions and more coming-together-of-things.

Gosh, I might even be organised in time for the Quilt Fair ....Who'd a thunk it?

Note to all the people who ask me where to get the patterns, purse frames, interfacing or hardware featured in my blog posts:
Please click on the highlighted text. It takes forever to put all the links in for you - please use them. :)

...and in between....

2011-07-13T10:30:00.005+10:00

Apologies to all who haven't received emails, blog comments or Facebook "likes"..... I've been busy.
School holidays, preparation for the Melbourne Quilt & Craft Fair, product development (trying to squeeze out another pattern before the show)... and in between, a lot of meditative, calming knittery. Just making this one up as I go along, from wool/alpaca/acrylic yarn I bought at Spotlight's end-of-Winter-2010 yarn sale ($1 a ball.. what do I have to lose?).

On Sunday, we had a family trip to Ballarat. While the man and child of the family braved the BRUTAL cold and FREEZING rain at Sovereign Hill, I sat in a cosy room with Annie's gorgeous Mum. She taught me lots of new tricks on the knitting machine - increases, decreases, a spot of fair isle...

...and SHORT ROWS!!!!! This, of course, opens up a whole world of garment-making possibilities and I'm positively BUZZING with ideas....

After an accidental caffeine consumption incident yesterday afternoon (thought it was decaf.... oops!), I was up and at it until 3am today, making a child-size prototype.

The prototype is currently having a little ride in the washing machine.... who knows what it'll turn into...?