Linda

My husband will be working in Calcutta shortly and I had been thinking about getting him to buy me some fabric whilst he was there. I h ave been wondering though how practical it would be if he bought me saris- would they be too fine to sew garments? How do you identify good quality material from poor (remember my husband is a man- not being…[Read more]

Oh, it’s OK. Found it!

If you’re in the UK it starts tonight with a look at past contestants and where they are now.BBC2 Wales at 8 o’ clock.

That would be brilliant, Sarvi! Very nice of you.

I’ve got no idea what a micro-encapsulated environment is but it sounds great! Thanks, Todd.

I’ve watched both series and it’s addictive! I get excited on the day it’s due to air. I find I fluctuate between being incredulous that some sewers don’t know how to do basic techniques and being humbled by how brilliant some sewers are. After the show I always want to jump up and sew something. If you can access it, do watch it, I know you will enjoy it.

Oh, never heard that suggested before. Interesting.I presume it re-hydrates the coconut, does it?

We call them spring onions in the UK.

Just read your post- I love Alice Waters’ style of cooking! I discovered her for the first time when I went to Denver with a friend and visited a fantastic book shop (forgotten what it’s called but highly recommend it). I bought Simple Foods and one of hers on vegetables. This week I bought a secondhand copy of another one of hers as well. You can…[Read more]

Here they are- hopefully.

Oh good, glad it was helpful. The book I mentioned is a thin little volume as she self published, I believe. But packed full of good stuff. I then bought more of her books to be able to understand fit. A lot like sewing to fit, isn’t it?!

Perhaps we could have a forum for non sewing related crafts, including cooking, if Liesl didn’t mind, of…[Read more]

Firstly, don’t underestimate the value of knitting a tension square! Most knitters dislike knitting tension squares, rather like most sewers dislike sewing a toile! But if you want your socks/garment to end up looking like the designer intended, then you’re going to have to bite the bullet and do it. Begin knitting with the needle size you think…[Read more]

Firstly, don’t underestimate the value of knitting a tension square! Most knitters dislike knitting tension squares, rather like most sewers dislike sewing a toile! But if you want your socks/garment to end up looking like the designer intended, then you’re going to have to bite the bullet and do it. Begin knitting with the needle size you think…[Read more]

Firstly, don’t underestimate the value of knitting a tension square! Most knitters dislike knitting tension squares, rather like most sewers dislike sewing a toile! But if you want your socks/garment to end up looking like the designer intended, then you’re going to have to bite the bullet and do it. Begin knitting with the needle size you think…[Read more]

Deb, I’ll be glad to help if I can. For knitting socks- when I started I just bought some sock yarn from Opal and the pattern was on the back of the label. Nothing fancy, just plain old socks. I knitted about 8 pairs like this before I felt I knew what I was doing. None of them fitted because I had not learnt how to adjust to fit different foot…[Read more]

I’m ashamed to say I haven’t bought Liesl’s book yet, but it is on my wish list. I have read so much positive feedback from people on this forum.

I am excited (again!) and can’t wait for the Gail Brown book- glad you think it’s good. I do look up info online but my favourite is reading a book. I recently bought an secondhand edition of Singer Timesaving Sewing book without expecting a lot from it. Was I wrong! It’s a great book, only slim but packed full of tips. Like you, I adore shopping…[Read more]