Who'd a thunk I could be anything more than a beret model..? With my height (or lack thereof), nobody would have picked me as a fashion illustration... but here I am....
...poncing about on the cover of my new Draped Dress pattern. I've lined up some pattern testers (thanks to Facebook and Twitter and no thanks whatsoever to Blogger, which wouldn't let me log in for over 24 hours) and I should have a finished pattern by the end of next week. (All going well).
Although there was much laughter and conversation (and the odd glass of wine), the emphasis was definitely on sewing. The dining room table was mostly re-purposed as a cutting room with my sewing buddy's and my new super-sized cutting mats. There were late nights and finished garments.
I began another textiles-magical-mystery-tour - this time with knitted bits of wool and linen gauze. So far, the road has taken an unexpected turn.... (and I'll return to this story when there is some sort of ending in sight).
Many thanks to my fellow Sewjourners. It was an absolutely soul-reviving pleasure to spend time with you and I'm counting the days until we return.
I hadn't forgotten about my raffle for the glam pattern... I was just so busy (and then so BLAH) with the AQC stuff that I couldn't find the time or headspace to deal with it. I was also somewhat disheartened that only 2 people donated to the Red Cross to go into the draw. So....I'm sending Jen and Tanya a pattern each.
Right now, my number 1 priority is to relax and unwind... spend time with the wee girl... see how much chocolate I can consume... stuff like that. The theft of the bag brought up a lot of hitherto unaknowledged grief, stress and exhaustion. For once, I'm not going to plough on through it. I'm going to stop for a few more days. 
You can also choose to add (a rouleaux or flat) wrist strap or handle and there are even instructions for making the strap detachable. The possiblilities for variation are endless and the design is multi-purpose. 
The cute and clever crafty chicks.... in a colourful splash of quilting cotton.
... Catherine! Well done all, for your generous donations to flood relief. 
It has a pleated gadget-pocket and a compartment pocket....
..and another pocket on the front. 
It holds a 15" laptop computer (although I never quite got around to making a sleeve to match the bag) or it could be used as an everyday satchel to carry books and files to work or school. It could also be a nappy bag.
This bag is a smidge smaller than the size the final pattern makes, but it's possibly my favourite of all the samples that I've made. I love the fabric prints (an old range by Timeless Treasures, called Lindsey). 
I know that not everyone can come to a class in Melbourne on a week-night*, so I'm re-working my beginners workshop notes into a self-paced "How to sew" course.
*Yes, I know... they've been thin on the ground lately, ayway...
Beginners Sewing Class 1 is all written up and on its way to be tested by some lovley people. (No pressure, dear testers, but....) I hope to have it all finished and ready to go in about a week or so.
I think this project would be a good Christmas present for anyone wanting to learn to sew, accompanied by a yard/metre of cute fabric (or a new sewing machine?). Just thinkin'....
(You may also remember that one year I wrapped my xmas presents in shopping bags instead of paper...? ) 
If all goes well in the final stages of lease negotiations on the new digs, I will be quickly scheduling some real-life pre-xmas workshops in swanky new premises. Please keep your eyes on this blog, Facebook, Twitter to be kept informed. (And if you're on the mailing list, keep checking your junk mail folder!!).
It's only taken about a year to get back to this design (!!) but the pattern is currently finding its way out to testers, and should be ready to print very soon.
Making the bag with gathers, with pleats, with flat piping, corded piping, no piping....
...with one strap, two straps..... different rings...
...making it in monochrome wool and leather and then in super bright and summery Tina Givens prints. 
Switching the contrast panels around. Making it all in the same fabric....
Changing the direction of the pleats....
And now I understand its construction inside out ...and back again. 
I've been playing around with Vilene S320 for making bags and I'm feeling a bit gushy and besotted again. I particularly like the combination of cotton quilting fabric, S320 and H640 wadding. Structure, flexibility and a smooth flat finish ...all in a lightweight, easy-to-fuse interfacing. I told you I was prone to gushing about it, didn't I...?I'm also loving this Secret Garden range by Patty Young. It's been in the stash for a while.
Love makes the heart sing.... and makes me feel all generous and giving. I want to share the love around and give everyone a chance to experience the joy that IS Vilene S320. 
Lesson learned - never leave the 4-year-old in charge of choosing the printer ink.... (I know!). She wanted to choose it so I said "No.8 pink -with an M on it". Obviously something distracted me from checking it until three weeks after it was purchased, I'd lost the receipt and damaged the packaging. The one I wanted was 8M - not PM. With no hope of returning it and $26 down the gurgler, I'm happy to see it go to a good home.
There were so many people interested in my selvedges that I felt bad about giving them all to one person. I decided to divide them into "large letter" size lots (vacuum-packed in zip-lock bags) and post them out to a few randomly chosen people. Some of you may have received a bundle (if you happen to be a regular customer) and some may have received an email asking for your address.
..even though Jodie has exhausted her interest in using them (with all manner of overwhelmingly amazing projects) and doesn't need any more.
Can anyone else use them...? They're mostly yard, half-yard or yard-and-a-half lengths (and there may be a few two metre lengths too, I think).
If you're inspired by Jodie and have an idea of what you'd like to make with these selvedges, leave a comment to let me know and I'll send you the bundle. If there are lots of responses I might have to draw names out of a hat.
Thanks to everyone who went in to the draw, and special thanks to those who blogged a link.
The Winner is KATE from Fox's Lane! Congratulations, Kate! When you send us your postal address we'll pop the pattern in the mail to you.
This is the Kid's Hat that was used as the barrel. The fabric is Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet range. It used to have a matching Tulip Dress....
On another - completely unrelated and without segue - point, there appears to be a magnetic catch drought. The next shipment of the 19mm silver nickel snaps we usually stock will be mid-February. To tide us (and you) over, we have these swishy snaps until then. They're a bit more expensive, but rather nice. Prices are the same as the antique snaps of the same quality.
While two of my older sisters sat neatly with their embroidery, I spread out with sewing machine, a pile of dresses and bags of buttons and threads. (In other words, assumed the position of my 16-year-old self on the kitchen table). The one thing I forgot was a tape-measure. 
The Tulip Dress is in its final stages. See my Flickr page for a few more pics. You might also start to see some pattern testing pics popping up on a few blogs. Here it is at Matching Pegs and two versions at Thornberry. It's also here at My Black Cardigan.
