[needlewoman]

Yes, H sometimes it would be nice to return to the fearlessness of being a child. I asked the Janome stall minder at a recent Stitch and Craft show that I attended about the buttonhole foot that’s supposed to be good for doing them near seams but they didn’t have any feet on show which I thought pretty poor but not the first time I’ve met the lack of organisation that often characterises the companies that display at these Shows. The woman suggested I use my embroidery foot which I did try for buttonholes on a corduroy vest, and it turned out quite well. So glad you have a trusty and reliable way of doing them.

Mother of orange book report came thru quickly with arm measurement, and approval of my mods to the pattern so we are good to go which is a relief – not that cutting out two other sleeves would have been the end of the world. Same mother commented after I completed a Family Reunion before Easter, that it would look nice as blouse, and as you say, Maggie, it’s a pattern that sews very quickly. Do you mean you pressed the pintucks in the wrong direction? I’m sure it doesn’t really matter. Next time I make it, I want to try some bias under the yoke facing, and do the button tab, too. I chickened out that version last time, and did the ruffle instead.

[with love Heidi]

I suspect that the foot doesn’t work because I want dense buttonholes and increase the stitch density, I think I have been spoilt by the ones my Elna makes.

No sewing for me yesterday but I spent an hour with a 4 year old letting her by herself driving the machine, it took lots of my concentration but so worth it to see her getting straight lines by the end of it and how much she remembers about what to do. I had the full size machine set up on a child sized table with a child sized chair making it the right height so she could see and reach the foot pedal without straining, it looked very cute 🙂

[Masha Richart]

Oh Heidi, that sounds so adorable. And seeing as I have not only a nearly-4-year-old who would love to use the machine, but also a child sized table and chairs AND an extra sewing machine … oh my. I might have to give this a go.

Still haven’t sewn anything. I got so frustrated with that separating zipper and now fixing it means picking out stitches … it may remain a WIP for another four years. Or maybe I’ll just trash it (this is saying a lot as I never throw anything away; frugal to a fault). Then I cut out a long-sleeved t-shirt for DS from some interlock I’m not crazy about to test out a long-forgotten pattern I found in my stash. Yesterday during nap time I tried to sew it but he kept fighting the nap. By the time he finally went to sleep the others were up and dinner needed making.

I am overwhelmed with stuff that I want/need to make – when I do have a minute of time I don’t even know what to work on! To trace, cut or sew?

So I’ve been knitting instead.

[Tamara]

I have been managing just an hour a day this week to get something done at the machine. Been down with the flu and managing a rather hectic week. Been doing more housework than sewing but I intend to reward myself with a day off from life’s dramatic twists and turns and chain myself to the machine tomorrow. I want to cut out and sew a couple of things for myself as I am so sick of wearing the same thing I have decided to cave and just make regardless of the kg’s that are supposedly disappearing (note to self get new scales or chuck ’em out!)

I have decided on a portfolio and a continental blouse – one of each but I will lengthen slightly as my current portfolios feel a little too short in the length (despite lengthening the pattern already). I’ve got lots of ideas for the back of the continental but I might just make as per pattern to start with and go from there.

Other than that the hour daily at the sewing machine is to make a small sampler quilt for the show (local not Perth Royal). It will decorate the dining table after it is judged.

After I have made the two tops for me I have to get on with more appliqué and quilting and other show stuff. Lots of different things that require sewing both by hand and machine.

[Masha Richart]

Can’t wait to see your stuff for you, justsewit! I want to make a Continental blouse sometime – I like the one Liesl did with the slit in the front neckline. The original neckline is too high for me, I think.

[with love Heidi]

The child sized table and chairs helps but it was definitely not relaxing! Except for the sound of the machine ; ) just because I needed to watch her all the time, it also helped that her siblings were not home. But ever so satisfying to see her sew.

[Tamara]

It is certainly a terrific idea. I had a toy one for the kids that they would “sew” with but again that wasnt relaxing either as they wanted me to sit with them – on a kiddie chair! I chose the floor instead. The little real one needs looking at – I have no idea why it has decided to eat fabric and not sew lovely stitiches anymore and unfortunately it was bought by my late mil at Spotlight so a service person is unknown. It is a puty as Imogen especially is frustrated by it. She wants to learn and I have strict rules about using my machine. Looks like it will be on the wishlist for christmas if the current one can’t be fixed.

RTWG I fear it won’t look slender on me the way it does on Liesl – I only imagine my body to look like that. But I am looking forward to being able to wear something new.

[Masha Richart]

I finished something! A set of knit pjs for baby boy using a Simplicity pattern that I had forgotten I owned. Really quite simple but I completely messed up the bottoms. Oh well, they’re just pjs. He won’t notice that the circumference of one leg is significantly larger than that of the other … right?

Yesterday my first order arrived from Girl Charlee. I’m in love …

[Tamara]

He’s barely at the halfway mark of his first year so no (giggle) I don’t think he’d notice.

I have a few things from Girl Charlee that I am yet to use but their knits are so wonderful aren’t they? I need to stock up on summer knits.

The muslin of the Continental blouse was made yesterday and took some fitting at the bust dart (it was heading in a very weird area) and I was nearly going to say I hate darts but don’t so much on this one as it behaved. Now I will go and choose fabric and get cutting on two of this pattern before turning my attention to the portfolio tunic length I think this time.

Then once these are complete it will be back to show stuff.

[needlewoman]

I’ve nearly finished the orange cord Book Report for Miss 8 which has required quite a few mods, and a vest in same fabric for her nearly 2 yr old sib. Have lots of things cut out – just need more energy, and sunlight. Bought some dark purple pinwale cord for same girl at Spotlight, and have found quite a few biggish pieces of quilting cotton in my stash that will make some nice tops to go with a pair of After School pants (my first when I get some proper measurements) At $6 a metre, it’s worth experimenting with my first O and S trousers.

[Masha Richart]

I think you’ll love the After School pants pattern, needlewoman. I really enjoyed sewing them. Pity DD1 hated them and DD2 is too big for them already.

I spent nap time tracing the Ice Cream Dress and plan to cut tonight after the kids are down. I’m making it for older daughter (first day of school) out of a yellow floral cotton we agreed on. I’m being a bit tricksy, though, by slipping in some natural colored linen as the contrast. Hope she still likes it.

[Tamara]

It sounds lovely!

Three muslins later and I am now ready to cut out the continental blouses. I have some Valori Well linene I want to use but need to make sure there is enough first after all the alterations and lengthening. I think I will just make two today and gt on with other things and leave the portfolio tunics for later in the week. I cut as I go so it doesnt matter.

[Tamara]

Finished one top and tried it on. I used one of the lisette prints I bought from Spotlight when I was in Perth last time. I love the print but I’m not sure about the top in the print. Or maybe I need a new mirror or something?! I made it to fit and only modified the largest size a tad (so I could easily get in and out of it) but … Anyway this is not the thread to complain about body image. I made myself a continental blouse and it fits – nuff said!

The next two will have embellishments and maybe they will look better!

It has just occurred to me I need to make something for the children for our day out next Saturday. Field trip cargos in the rust corduroy I have coming for Noah and I have visions of cropped cargos and a Firefly jacket for Imogen (my imagination is SUCH a riot sometimes!). She was in a “wearing black” mood today so I asked her what colour mood she would be in next Saturday and she said rainbow! Sweet! So cropped cargos with her cute little purple shoes a firefly jacket and her favourite blue fedora it is then!

[Masha Richart]

I’m chuckling at the “rainbow” mood. Can’t wait to see your blouse!

[Tamara]

Oh! Now I asked her and she announced all purple!! Can’t win! I have clearly told her though it cant happen because I don’t have enough purple in the stash so we have agreed to add purple somewhere to compliment her cute shoes.

So funny I have photos the kids took of my back when doing the muslins as I knew the back wasn’t fitting well but of course couldn’t see where. I wouldn’t dream of uploading them so when I can I will put photos up to show you the top.