Turtle power

Teenage mutant ninja turtles were rad.  So was the use of the word rad.  As kids, my older brother and I were desperately keen to be ninja turtles.  So much so older bro even dressed up as a TMNT on library day.

The moment the new sewhip magazine was delivered, the fate of a turtle was set.

Tragically for older bro, he is too old for stuffed toys, so the gift is for little bro (age 11).  He's still unawares of the turtle winging it's little way.

In practical terms, the pattern was easy to follow, the piece clear on where to join and how to piece it together.  Even how to stuff him to make sure his neck sits upright.  I diligently followed all of these steps, and have a slightly lumpy, top heavy turtle!  Even after fashioning a small tube to insert rice into the body, the weight of the head consistently tips him forward.

Tragically, our unnamed turtle is now referred to as the depressed turtle.

Why I learnt to sew

Male pattern boldness inspired me to think about why it was I learnt to sew...after a very unpromising start.....

Back in ancient history, when puffy vest were fashionable and walkmans the "must-have", I first encounted high school textiles.  My initial projects were not interesting, not creative, not well made.  One denim pencilcase, a tie-dyed apron and half made polyester skirt later.....I lead the discussion on how bloody sexist it was that we had to do textiles, and why wasn't wood-working on the compulsory course list at a girls school?

Not for another 5 years did I even think about fabric.  I'd moved to Melbourne for University, and was a very poor student.  During the cold winter, a pamplet arrived advertising a local community class on quilt-making.  Seizing the opportunity on saving money by not buying a new doona...I signed up for the classes.

After the first class I was hooked.  I made the ugliest patchwork square, but the community house lent me the sewing machine, and away I went frantically sewing.

I still have the first quilt I ever made, and it gets used everyday during winter.  While it certainly did not end up being cheaper than a doona - I've never needed to buy it!

Oh lincraft - why do you disappoint me so?

An impressive and most specific shopping list, with $60 in hand, it should have been easy.

1. Presser foot for my sewing machine. Do not stock. Any presser feet? Nooooo...
2. Sewing box for all my bits and bobs. Do not stock.
3. Size 9 quilting needles? Do not stock.


Sorry lincraft, easier question. What do you stock? Grey quilting cotton? Surely too easy - but no.

Oh to live near a spotlight again. Cheaper and better stocked.

Swing skirt project

At the moment my new challenge is to start making clothes for this year.  Being that I adore skirts, I thought this would be the perfect start.  Surprisingly it has gone very well!

I ended up having to shorten it significantly, as it ended up being middle on my shins.  Making one in bright red now.  Once that is finished I'll post pictures of both.  It's only a couple of hours to knock this up.

Dress for Princess

Recently SewHip magazine had a fantastic pattern by a designer Oliver +S, the free pattern link is here.
There was plenty of leftover fabric from the cupcake aprons, and I was just dying to use it again.  Although all our friends are having baby boys, my gorgeous cousin Corrine is a little princess.

I took the basic pattern, but due to the nature of the cupcake fabric, it was clearly going to be see-through, so added a lining.  Using just a white cotton, I took the same pattern piece for the dress and reversed.  Interestingly, this dress pattern would work perfectly for a fully reversible dress if you hemmed it perfectly.

It was easy to sew, the instructions were very straight forward.  I wish they had a pattern in my size!

I posted it off to Corrine yesterday, so hopefully I might get a photo back in return:)
I wish more friends had baby girls!  It's just so hard to see all this gorgeous girly fabric that I have no uses for.

Chuck rug complete!

Finally Aston's rug has been completed!  The binding took longer than expected, as the edging on the hand towel was quite bulky, and needed to be cut off.  I ended up folding the now trimmed edge to puff up the binding.

Overall it was a simple project, and should take 3 hours if completely machine sewn.  It used 1/3 of a moda layer cake fabric pack.

We gave this to our lovely neighbours for their son, and it's going to be pretty handy, as apparently smushing food on one's face and surrounds, is the best fame when you're under one :)

Today we also found out our friends are expecting their second child, so best getting cracking on another!  Although all my remaining fabric from this layer cake is pink....so I hope it's a girl!

Many cupcake aprons.....

After starting the cupcake apron, the half finished project came for a visit to my friends at work, and they all loved the fabric.  Quietly resolving to make another 4 (eeek) aprons by christmas, it significantly cut into  my blogging time!  That and I couldn't blog about the top secret project....

Each apron had a hand sewn project, with the initials for my friends all stitched in to personalise them.

I will post a picture of the final apron with pocket...it's just too cute.