Something old. Something new.

I started a pattern for these 150mm (6") curved sew-on purse frames when the wee girl was five months old. Ahh...great ambitions that were never realised...(when the little treasure started crawling at five and a half months!).

We discontinued the frames a while ago but still have half a dozen in black and five in antique brass, so I've put them on the virtual discount table....

They're lovely frames with loops for a chain. If you can manage the patternmaking side of things you can buy them for the AMAZINGLY LOW PRICE of $8.00 for the black and $11 for the antique brass. (They were more like $13 and $16 before).

We were also sent the wrong pens when we ordered our air and water soluble pens a while back, and couldn't be bothered with the pallaver of sending them back. They're on the discount table, too. They're Japanese-made Chako pens. Now $4.

Neither of these are listed on the website, so if you'd like to place an order you can email or phone Ann Marie and mention "the one's on the blog" - she'll now what you're talking about.

Phone (03) 9940 1533 or email sales@nicolemdesign.com.au .

And now for something new.... shiny, shiny 50mm triglides and 40mm antique brass triglides. We had each of the styles in opposite sizes.. if you know what I mean? - and now we have the whole range. Yippee!

And there's a revamped shopping-carty website on the way. I'm still taking photos, rejigging text.... and even Leah has been linking and tinkering while she's on holidays!! It's a big job, but we're inching closer to completion.

In the meantime, I've updated the current website with all the lovely new oblong rings and triglides.

You may also notice that the new super-improved Baguette pattern is finished and available. The lovely Ms CurlyPops tested it for me and she tells me that despite her usual lack of confidence with advanced patterns, she found this one was easy to follow. I checked out the bag and was impressed.... so impressed that I gave her the overhauled Day Bag instructions to test!! Stay tuned for news on that front...

Lovely Loot

People very generously gave me lovely presents at the blogmeet on Friday.

Extraordinarily beautiful Myrtle & Eunice cards...

Dear Fii's tiny hexagon brooch - sewn with love and tiny stitches.

I've often marvelled at the super-thoughtful gifts that Nikki from My Black Cardigan has made for other people. This time I was the honoured one. She made fortune cookies for me - MADE THEM ESPECIALLY FOR ME.... she of the one-year-old twins!!! Each one with a tiny crafty message to make me smile. You're too sweet, Nikki (and gosh, you have a lovely name!).

No presents were required and I was touched and humbled by the talent, time and thought that went into these.

Other people made beautiful baked goodies - my favourite almond macaroons, rich brownies and cakes, super just-out-of-the-oven scones, orange and poppyseed cake, apple crumble, florentines..... all too good.

Thanks lovely ladies... You're all busy gals and I appreciate all the time and thoughtfulness.

Bloggy Morning Tea

Isn't it great to meet bloggy friends? A bunch of us had a great chat, a bit of a giggle, and consumed vast quantities of sweet treats in my studio this morning.

It was great to put faces to names and names to faces. (I'd chatted to Gina in GJ's one day and didn't know it was her! Pennies dropped today!).

I feel lucky to be surrounded by so many generous, talented people. It's a wonderful thing to feel a part of such a warm, welcoming community of kindred souls.

A big thank you to ....

Cath - Mobble Gobble

Cathy - Tinniegirl

Nikki - My Black Cardigan

Lara - Thornberry

Tania - Myrtle&Eunice

Fi - Dear Fii

Melanie - Sugarlemon

Anna - Polly Pratt

Margaret - Konstant Kaos

Gina - Clutterpunk

Cathy - Miss Marzie

Louise - Lululollylegs

Liz - Lino Forest

Jodie - Ric Rac

Lara - Kirin Notebook / Ink&Spindle

Teegan - Ink&Spindle

Sandra - Pepperberry & Co

...for coming along and making a great morning happen.

And a big slice of cake to Sherrin, Annie and Sooz who all had things get in their way of attending this morning.

Super-sized thanks to Ann Marie - Crafty Girl With Ruffle - for all her super-sized help!!

My studio is somewhat flooded with sunlight so most photos (taken quickly with my happy-snap camera) were washed out. Did anyone else get some good pics?

EDITED TO ADD - See Lara's pics here. (Thanks, Lara).

I must also thank the kids for being gorgeous and SOOOO well-behaved. They all played beautifully (and all stayed out of my cordoned off "scary sewing equipment" corner). The craft table and the dress-up box seemed to work a treat. The cake table was a resounding sucess, too.

And all those Moo card boxes I have really came in handy.

We must do it again some time...

Sewing Machine Advice

I'm often asked for advice on what kind of sewing machine to buy.

Because Sew Mama Sew has been having a month of sewing machines, I thought it timely to post about the machines I own, and link to the wealth of information about all sorts of machines there and on blogs around the world. Perhaps you'd like to review your own machine and link in to the meme...?

Leisl has also started a Flickr group to show off your sewing machine/s - I'll sew you mine if you sew me yours...

I have an almost embarrassing number of sewing machines, but my favourite of favourites is my simple straight-stitch industrial Singer. Bought for $250 in about 1994 and probably the most used and best travelled machine in the world. And the overlocker below has been a constant companion.

I bought this industrial three-thread overlocker for $150 in about 1988. It used to be in a lovely black and gold antiquey-looking casing. By the mid-90's, a few parts needed replacing and (as it's an obsolete model) I had to buy another $100 machine and get a mechanic to merge the two of them. Despite my instructions to keep the lovely black casing, he gave me the dodgey grey one and kept the black one for himself.

I have a collection of old domestic machines that people can use in classes. I think these older Bernina and Janome machines are the most perfect option for home-sewing-bag-makers-on-a-budget. They have the solid metal parts and gears to handle going through the bulk of fabric that you encounter with bags. (New Berninas and Janomes are great too - but I can't afford to collect them!).

My experience of newer machines (that people bring to classes) is that you have to spend a fair bit of money to get a new machine with the equivalent ability (and accessories) to plough on through thick bag bits. Those new plastic machines for under $400 don't really cut it for lumpy sewing. I bought these Berninas through a dealer who offers a great back-up warrantee and free service within the first 12 months. You pay a bit more for that (like... about $400) but it's good to have that back-up. (My advice: Get to know your local sewing machine dealer, kids!)

I picked up this Janome at an op shop for $30. It had supposedly been electrically tested, but was blowing smoke when I took it home. Strangely enough, I knew that a machine blowing smoke is not necessarily a big problem - it's often in need of a new condenser (geez, I sound like I know what I'm talking about...!), which isn't expensive at all. A full service and a new condenser cost me $120. A good, solid machine for $150.

This Singer was an impulse buy at the sewing machine shop. $150 including warrantee and service within 12 months. Solid metal parts. Cute retro styling. I'll have that, thanks. Something broke on it just after the 12 months warrantee period expired and the mechanic still fixed it for free.... like I said, get friendly with your dealer!

Ahhh... old faithful. This is the machine I got for my 16th birthday. It's seen some action. It's travelled around the world with me. And now my wee girl won't let me near it. Apparently it's HER machine (she sews things together by using the handwheel). I still use this one when I do buttonholes.

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Things I forgot to photograh:

I also have an old Pinnock like Lara's - which I've never used (because all those buttons confuse me... I must ask Lara for a lesson!!). My sister-in-law gave it to me. And I also have a Toyota domestic overlocker (also from the sister-in-law, who was upgrading). It's not my preferred brand but I use the overlocker all the time.

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Now, if you think that's an embarrassing collection, don't get me started on my irons and pressing equipment!!

I should be writing instructions...

...But my girl drew this beautiful UNICORN and I simply HAD to record it for posterity. (I think this one is destined for a bit of inkjet fabric treatment).

I'm looking forward to Friday's blogmeet morning tea.... we have about 20 crafty bloggers booked in to drink tea and eat cake. It's a very full house, and should be a hoot!

In the meantime, I'm not going to get near the sewing machine very often this week - I have HOURS of writing work to do!! Yawn.

Market Day

The wee girl and I had a grand day out in chilly Northcote today. A market extravaganza!
At the Uniting Church we caught up with Lara and visited the gorgeous Sandra (helped out by Teegan)...

We also visited CurlyPops, Polly Pratt and Finki.... and we ate lovely cakes from Melbourne Epicure. The wee girl found a puppet show to see and then booked herself in for face-painting (I followed her around being money-bags).

We then went to the Northcote Town Hall for even MORE market goodness. We bumped into Liz and visited Felicity's vibrant stand. The wee girl ordered herself a babycino, sampled chocolates, and went home plastered in little brooches and badges. I had visions of bringing home a little something for me, but somehow it didn't happen (there appeared to be a vacuum on my wallet and my ability to think straight). I think I'll go back next week - I'd like to see more of these girls' work, and a few others I missed seeing properly today. Those chocolates the wee girl tasted looked pretty good, too... (I was too full of Cathy's cakes and a large hot chocolate to sample them today).

You can go, too.... if you're in the area.

The Northcote Winter Artisans Market
Saturday 20 June
Saturday 27 JuneSaturday
4 JulySaturday 11 July10-4pm
Northcote Town Hall
189 High Street, Northcote

There are loads of other great happenings in Northcote right now. See the program here.

What will we do next Thursday night...?

The Better Bags course finished last night. After 6 weeks we all kind-of got used to coming to our little sewing group each week. What'll we all do next week?

Here are a few of the bags that were present at the end of last night. Unfortunately, the previously-finished ones were not there for the photo. Thanks to Beccasaurus and five other (blogless) gals for lots of fun Thursday nights - lots of chatting, laughing, sewing and chocolate biscuit consumption.

Places on the rest of the year's courses and workshops are filling up. We're still taking names for waiting lists in case of booking cancellations (or scheduling of more classes - as we're doing now to cater for some of the larger waiting lists).

We still have a few places on the Advanced Purse classes - where you get to make your choice of these purses. (Intermediate sewing skills will get you by in this class, because it's a small group and you'll have lots of guidance from me.... and quite possibly chocolate biscuits).

More details here...

Wobbly Wednesday

I had a lot planned for my child-free day today. They're few and far between, and time is very precious. I always plan to cram in more than is humanly possible. But I forget.... having had my brain scrambled by the rest of the week's madness always leads to hiccups in the schedule.

Today I had a lot of sewing and photographing planned but the camera battery went flat. I then "charged" it for hours with the battery upside-down.... and by the time I charged it properly the daylight had faded. It was useless trying to photograph stitch details so I faffed about taking photos of random-but-bloggable things.

..like my wee girl's brooch. She wanted to make one (like mine) with one of her paintings. We streamlined the process somewhat to suit a three-year-old's abilities. We fused the printed fabric to super-thick non-woven interfacing, cut it out and stuck a brooch back on it. An offcut was glued over the pin to secure it. Voila! A very original (and quick!) LION brooch!

AnnMarie has been making compact mirrors and GAVE me one! Super-sweet with vintage images and the perfect size for discreet poppy-seed-in-teeth checks (or lipstick applications).
The mirror has a sturdy rubber edging on it to protect it from getting broken in my handbag. I love it.

AnnMarie also brought in a few large sized self-cover buttons so I could finish my bag. I used a Joel Dewberry stripe to add that splash of red. Apart from being the only fabric in my scrap bag that matched the cream and black and also had red on it... I liked the way the Regency theme came together in a kind of modern way.

I'm a bit fascinated with the Regency period at the moment..... currently reading another amazing 18th Century woman's biography. I digress... I told you my brain was scrambled.

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Soooo...... The sewing and photographing are in limbo. I've HOURS of writing work to do if I'm to call this day in any way productive. If any of you catch me leaving friendly comments around the blogosphere (or writing any more blog posts about what I should be doing) kindly point me back in the direction of the "Instructions" file on my computer.

Haven't I seen your face before...?

Yes, it looks a bit familiar....

Same, same - but different. Better.
And gosh... don't those new 40mm antique brass tri-glides look fabulous?

A new and improved Baguette pattern will be finished soon.... Despite great feedback on it, I've been wanting to rework it for ages. I re-drafted the pattern and am revising the instructions with all that I've learned in the (yikes!) five years since the Baguette was born.

(BTW - I'm thinking this black and cream number needs a splash of red... what do you think?)

Because of the extra development (read: "techniques and tips" for you, "hours at the computer and sewing machine" for me...) the price will be going up to $19.95.

If you'd like to pre-order the new version of the Baguette you can have it at it's current price ($17.60) and save yourself $2.35. Order before the price goes up on the website and you'll get a bargain.

EDITED TO ADD - THIS OFFER IS NOW FINISHED, SEE THE NEW PATTERN DETAILS HERE

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I'm also re-working the Day Bag instructions. Stay tuned for that one. Oh, and I'm fiddling around with a whole new bag pattern, too.... shhhhh.

Bon Voyage, Leah!

LAX Sunset Airplane Landing
Originally uploaded by Felipe Barrientos

Leah's off to sunny California for three weeks, the lucky duck.

I hope you have a wonderful trip, Leah - enjoy every minute.

AnnMarie will be in the hot seat for the next few weeks, so you can address all sales and enquiries to her.

Six new baby purses...

These gorgeous kids arrived today. Six great sewing gals came to a purse frame class this morning and this is what they took home this afternoon. It's always a very satisfying sight!

'Twas a grand day, altogether - lots of fun sewing, great company, warm conversation and Tim Tams (the new hazelnut chocolate ones....mmmmmm).... and of course, the beautiful purses at the end of it all. A special thanks to Alex who flew down from Canberra for the day.

I think we still have a place on the 7th November Purse frame class available, if you'd like to join us next time.

There might also be a place left in the following if you get in quick. I only take six people in a class so they fill up fast.
Bags for Beginners 13th July
Advanced Purse Frames – 23rd November
Patternmaking For Bags 1 & 2 - beginning 8th Oct
Hats for All the Family - 11th & 18th Oct

For all details about the courses see the Courses page on the website. For enquiries or bookings please email us on sales@nicolemdesign.com.au or phone (03) 9940 1533.

Oh, DO drop in!

Teddy's tea party
Originally uploaded by Sílvia Leite

I've been loving meeting fellow crafty-bloggers lately. I'm thinking of having a morning tea blogmeet to get to see those of you I already know and to get to know a few of you I haven't yet seen.... and give a few other bloggers a chance to do the same.

Whaddya think..? My studio, 10am-12.30 Friday 26th June? Tea and cakes? Places will be limited so please RSVP (by email) ASAP - and I'll give you details of where and how.

EDITED TO ADD - FULL HOUSE! Thanks for the great response!

Oh... and you really ought to check out the rest of Sílvia Leite's photostream. Exquisite felt cuisine.

I'll just go put the kettle on....

Watcha Wearing Wednesday

Today I was wearing as much as possible... it was FRRRRRRRRR-EEEEE-ZING and the heating in our building was on the blink.

My watcha-wearing is actually yesterday's outfit. I knew I wouldn't have time for taking photos of myself today, so here's some I prepared earlier... It's remarkably similar to last Wednesday's clobber and nothing like today's. (Perhaps I should have made time today for taking photos today for the sake of injecting some variety...?).


I'm modelling my new CurlyPops brooch. I love it.

I'm wearing my new favourite top... still. I managed to accidentally machine wash it so it's a slightly different shape than it was last week. I still love it.

And layers of frilly things, scrunchy leggings and a cowl-top under-dress - all made on Sunday with a gang of lovely sewing buddies (including the fab Miss CurlyPops) in my studio. Please note - the rest of the gang were blogless - but very nice, regardless.

I'm loving frilly things right now. They flip-flip-flip as I walk. Gotta love that.

How to Transfer Pattern Markings

Every now and then someone askes a question that prompts me to write a quick tutorial. Techniques that are old news to more experienced sewers are sometimes new and valuable bits of sewing knowledge for others.

I was asked for tips on transferring pattern markings to the fabric. There are as many ways to transfer markings (tailors tacking, carbon paper, chalk etc) as there are types of pattern markings and symbols. Here are a couple of them that I use.

For dot markings, button or snap placements etc

On paper patterns I often stick a pin through a dot, lift the paper and...

Using a fabric marker pen or pencil, mark the point where the pin pierces the fabric.

I love my fade-away (air and water soluble) marker pen for its fine, highly visible dot.... that disappears when I'm finished with it! WOW!

More often, I punch a hole through the pattern (remember this gadget?) and draw the dot directly through the pattern, onto the fabric.

For T-notches and slit-notches

I use an Olfa Point Cutter. It rolls forward to make an accurate little snip. You can also use the points of your sharpest scissors (below).

The most important thing to remember with slit notches is to keep them tiny. You only need to snip about a 2-3mm. The notches are there to act as registration marks when you're at the sewing machine - to show where the seam allowances are or where one piece meets another.

You only need to see the snips (or nicks) when you're looking for them. Large snips can endanger the ends of your seams.