Lightning McStitch

Thankyou Karen. My parent used to have shi tzu dogs. One was the puppy of the older one. I know it won’t make preparing for the inevitable easier but Princess died of cancer also. Belle (the pup) was fourteen and she had an enlarged heart and unfortunately passed away on Good Friday when they were up here at the farm. We had a funeral for her also…[Read more]

I was shopping in Geraldton this morning when my husband sent me a text to say that our little dog Buddy had been run over! I had to quick finish up shopping and get home so that we could break the news to Noah. Poor boy was gutted. So we had a little funeral for him and are now having a “wake” while I put the shopping away and wait for my parents…[Read more]

I was shopping in Geraldton this morning when my husband sent me a text to say that our little dog Buddy had been run over! I had to quick finish up shopping and get home so that we could break the news to Noah. Poor boy was gutted. So we had a little funeral for him and are now having a “wake” while I put the shopping away and wait for my parents…[Read more]

Sandra I have the Birthday party dress pattern but as yet have not used it. I look forward to doing so after hearing about your sweet creations.

I spent a couple of hours at the machine last noght sewing up the pink smocked dress. I just handstitching to do now which will have to happen today (this evening) as tomorrow it has to be worn.

The…[Read more]

Sandra I have the Birthday party dress pattern but as yet have not used it. I look forward to doing so after hearing about your sweet creations.

I spent a couple of hours at the machine last noght sewing up the pink smocked dress. I just handstitching to do now which will have to happen today (this evening) as tomorrow it has to be worn.

The…[Read more]

Thanks @KAREN. The children have two weeks off. It is the break between first and second semesters.

@Heidi woodwork is great fun isn’t it. I did a weekly help in the woodwork room with Imogen’s class for a good few years running. Of course they were only in there for half the school year. But it became something I really looked forward to. Our…[Read more]

Thanks @KAREN. The children have two weeks off. It is the break between first and second semesters.

@Heidi woodwork is great fun isn’t it. I did a weekly help in the woodwork room with Imogen’s class for a good few years running. Of course they were only in there for half the school year. But it became something I really looked forward to. Our…[Read more]

Thanks @KAREN. Going on a camp is probably the Australian way of saying an extended excursion. They are going to Ningaloo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ningaloo_Coast. Which is several hours away from us and will be camping for five days I think. It is a year 7 camp which happens annually for this year group and because it is the first year…[Read more]

Thanks @KAREN. Going on a camp is probably the Australian way of saying an extended excursion. They are going to Ningaloo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ningaloo_Coast. Which is several hours away from us and will be camping for five days I think. It is a year 7 camp which happens annually for this year group and because it is the first year…[Read more]

I am with @lightningmcstitch on this one. I made my baby girl some wool jersey Hopscotch nighties in the smallest size. Can you imagine how tiny those front yokes were?

I found a good steamy press made them behave long enough to stitch.

#teamballpointneedle here, I am very particular with needle choice and always use ballpoint needles for knits.
I do agree though, a nice sharp universal for attaching the woven collar would be best.

Any blunt needle will cause problems, some you may not be aware of until you wash your garment. I hate those little ‘pull’ marks that can…[Read more]

Okay, @sarahd2711 , that is seriously cute!

I think your fabric choice will be your deciding factor here. If you use a soft draping fabric, the fullness will be lovely.
A quilting cotton may look a bit odd.

@jesims, I alter a lot of ‘Light in the Box’ bridesmaid dresses and this is what works for me.

Place the dress on and pin out the excess in long French darts, take of the dress and tailors chalk the edges of the pinned section on the inside. Baste the darts in and try on again.

This can be very effective and means you have not cut away any…[Read more]

I wonder if this may help, it is not the Tea Party but it shows you how to join flat piping.
http://fiveandcounting-motherof5.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/play-date-part-2.html
Please disregard if it is not helpful.

Thank you @georgeandizzy.

I wonder if this may help, it is not the Tea Party but it shows you how to join flat piping.
Please disregard if it is not helpful.

Thank you @georgeandizzy.

So I finally ordered the pattern – I got the smaller size that her measurements actually correspond to rather than being cheap and trying to alter a size 5 so I have the pattern until she gets to middle school! I’m going to make a version in some very lovely green and white seersucker (which I know she will hate!) for size and then go from there.…[Read more]

@mama_knowles you have to go to a particular section – like Sewing With Oliver + S – or whatever – then you can create a new topic

Grr! Feeling grumpy at the moment over the fact that I found out that my daughter’s class is going on a camp next term and I have NOT received any informtation from school! I queried Imogen and she swears she didn’t get anything. So I had to ring the school and have it be sent through. We have to pay prior to them going. I am just so disappointed…[Read more]

Grr! Feeling grumpy at the moment over the fact that I found out that my daughter’s class is going on a camp next term and I have NOT received any informtation from school! I queried Imogen and she swears she didn’t get anything. So I had to ring the school and have it be sent through. We have to pay prior to them going. I am just so disappointed…[Read more]