Journaling your work

How do you journal or keep records of what you create?

Were you like me, once upon a time, where you never did?

It struck me one time, that I did not always remember what I had made and given away, until someone reminded me of what I had created for them!  Oops.

I then decided that I should keep a record of some sort of what I've created.

My first thought was, will it be a digital record or a hard copy?

One might argue, in the digital age that it should be purely digital. My problem is that I didn't feel that this would be tactile enough for me.  A picture to me, can not truly capture the textures and colours of the fabrics I use.

Yes, I agree that you need to have a digital photo, but, I wanted also to keep a record of the touchy feel stuff, the fabric and trims.

I hope my photo meets the approval of my professional photographer Mark Avellino from Mark Avellino Photography, www.markavellino.com.au  

How do you journal your work? 

Have a great week everyone.

Sandra

#quilting     #fabric            #journaling          #sewing        #patchwork

Back to it

I guess I was MIA.

You know how it is, you're all enthusiastic when you're relaxed and on holidays with the freedom to sew, no matter what the hour of the day is?  When you can begin sewing in the morning and decide at three o'clock in the afternoon that it's actually time to have a shower and perhaps go out and have a walk and grab some coffee. When you have time to think about the next project, meander through your favourite fabric shops and delight in the thought that I have no deadline to meet, except that that I set for myself.

Then, I was back at work.  That was four weeks ago.

I started over the weekend to try and get back into the groove.  You know, those buttons coming off my coat, it was time to sew them back on.  Then one of the quilts Ronda and I are in the process of putting together for the many pregnant women came back to me to finish hand sewing the binding; yes that job done to.  What about that blog?  Yes, yes, I realise I have neglected it, so here I am.

What other things have I made?  I've told you of my fascination with Ottobre Designs patterns, well this continues.  I am so looking forward to the new book due to come out soon. I've also told you of my bargains at Jobs Warehouse (now long gone) and of how I like to go out second hand shopping and coming back with tasty fabric/haberdashery treats.  So, the outfit below, combines all three things:

 The top is made from the linen bargain I got from Jobs Warehouse. This linen was the most exquisite fabric I'd come across in a long time.  Even though the pattern called for a visciose fabric (and I probably should have made it out of it (as it would have sat better), I think it is a top more suited for summer or autumn.

The skirt is made from a furnishing fabric found in one of my second hand store searches.


Below is the next installation in patchwork/quilting.  I put together the top and Ronda did the quilting.

That's all for now.  I need to take my advice and find time everyday to do something I like.  Take care everyone.

#Ottobre   #sewing      #patchwork     #quilting      #MIA

Fabulous Finds

In Melbourne, Australia us teachers work a four term year, so every 10-11 weeks we get a two week term break; then, at the end of the school year in December we have a five week break.

A pleasant ritual begun many years ago with my friend Jo.  At least once during a term break we will head to Mornington and scour second hand stores.  I look mainly for sewing related paraphernalia and Wedgwood and Jo Jo for art deco bags and collectable plates (this is only a short description of what we look for).

I quickly learnt through Jo, many a moon ago, that what families disregarded as useless (usually anything sewing related) ended up in second hand stores.  Over the years I have found good pieces of fabric never used; unfinished quilts; much haberdashery; vintage patterns and sewing books.  Somehow, some of this comes my way as I feel sorry that this stuff has ended up in a second hand store, I feel it is my duty to ensure it finds a good home where someone will appreciate it.  Here is a photo:

The background fabric is now in the process of 'becoming' something.

It gets me thinking, what do I want to happen to my sewing collection?

I don’t want it to end up in a second hand store.

I do want it to go to someone, or some organisation that would appreciate it.

I’ve decided.  It should go to the National Trust of Australia.  Once a year they have a sale of donated clothing, jewellery, hats, linen and sewing parphinalia.  The money from these sales goes towards the repair of costumes in their collection.  I would feel happy with this.

Have a good week, I'm back at work tomorrow.

Sandra

Ottobre Saffron Coat

Hi everyone

I finally finished the Ottobre Saffron Coat, Autumn/Winter 5/2013.  My coat is not Saffron in colour, nor did I make it from a wool fabric.

I decided at the time, when it came to cutting fabric, that as I was uncertain whether the coat would suit me, that I would cut the coat out of pin wale cord.  In hindsight, I should have cut it out of a wool fabric as it would be be a better weight of fabric more suitable for a coat.

Above is how it looked before I added the lining.

I really do think that a wool fabric would have sat better.  Now the decision, do I now make it up in the fabric intended or do I move onto another design?

Below is the lining to the jacket.  I often like a contrasting lining, it adds a surprise.  Why shouldn't the inside of a coat or jacket add a pop of colour?

Currently working on a skirt and a top, again out of Ottobre magazine.  I am so impressed with the fit of the patterns from this magazine.  If you haven't given them a try, please do. I'd be interested in what you think of the patterns.  I do like the sizing and fit of the patterns.

Have a great week everyone.

Sandra


#sewing   #dressmaking     #ottobre      

Finally, some dressmaking

Hi everyone

Now, I'm up to the stage of making clothes for me.

The weather here in Melbourne, Australia has turned cold (still not cold enough to put the gloves on), but certainly cold.  I love it, most people I know hate it, however, this is the only time of the year I don't complain about the weather.

This time last year I was in Granada, Spain.  It was very hot. I loved the colours of Spain the consistent blue sky with the sandy tones of buildings. The colours.  Before I went overseas last year I came up with the hair brain idea to go through my winter wardrobe and get rid of things that either did not fit or were outdated.  Did that. My thinking was that I'd have enough time to replenish my wardrobe.  WRONG, I need to work hard these holidays to bring my winter wardrobe up to scratch.

 Alhambra, Granada, Spain

But, I digress with my photo.

When I WAS a member of the Australian Sewing Guild I met up with a lady who put me onto Ottobre Design magazine. She gave positive reviews of the fit of the patterns, especially for us largish women.  So I thought I'd give it a try.  I agree with her the fit across the shoulders, sleeve length and general fit are great.

This coat is from Ottobre Design Woman Autumn/Winter 5/2013, page 9 (yellow one on the right):

I decided to make this out of a pin wale black cord, I have the shell and lining done with only the task of putting the two together, here's a picture of the outer shell of the coat, my inner lining is an orange check:

I promise you, a finished coat on me, for you to see in my next post.

Happy sewing everyone, take time out everyday to do something you enjoy doing, life is too short to put things off.

Sandra

#SandraLovesSewing     #Dressmaking      #quilting      #Ottobre      #sewing

Part of Patchwork Frenzy revealed.

I hope to return to dressmaking in the next couple of weeks. I am a teacher and in Australia, we are about to finish our school term. We are all counting down the days.  My sewing machine and I need to become more 

acquainted with dressmaking.

If you've been following me, my friend, Ronda and I have been making quilts for ladies at work who have fallen pregnant, with seven to do, here are three that we gave away today:

This one was made for Silvia (we knew she was having a boy):

This one for Eliza:

Finally this one for Helen:

I guess, when you have to produce in quantity, you have to keep the design simple.

We've tried to use leftover fabrics, but, you never quite have the right coordinating fabric and so have to buy some here or there for it to match.

What a shame, it meant another trip to the fabric store!

Anyway, have a good week everyone. Happy sewing.

Sandra

Patchwork Frenzy

Hi everyone

Well, after spending two days trying to work out technical issues with my internet connection, I am now back on line.

Primarily I enjoy dressmaking the most.  However, after a friend introduced me to patch working (many years ago), I now alternate between the two.  Unfortunately for me, it means I never throw out scraps of fabric when dressmaking as they may be 'useful' when I am patch working. I guess that many of us who do both, have similar stories to tell.

Of late, there appears to be a deluge in people around me getting pregnant, and therefore presents with it the challenge to produce baby quilts.  Well, my colleague at work Ronda and I thought that this was a good idea at the time that we came up with it. I've now rallied the term, "speed patchwork and quilting".  Besides trying to keep up with those at work falling pregnant, I also have friends closer to me having babies and birthdays.

Since last December 2013, I'd like to share some creations.

This lap quilt was made for a friend of mine named Jo for her birthday December 2013 (probably the first time that I actually completed a quilt on time for a friend - usually they are late).  It was my second attempt at quilting (all over). Usually I finish my quilts by tying them.

In January 2014 I created this block with an art quilt in mind:

Mm, need to develop this beyond the UFO stage!

Next idea, a full sized quilt for our bed (almost finished), but here are some of the fabric selections and blocks (to be revealed later):

This next small quilt was made for an ex-student of mine's son Paul:

Isn't he gorgeous?

A close up.

For a colleague's son at work, the following quilt. I did the patchwork, and my friend Ronda the quilting:

Off to the Australian Quilt Convention in April 2014 and did a couple of hours class on the Bernina stand and achieved this:  (OK, photo the right way around next time)

You guessed it, another colleague pregnant, the beginnings of the quilt:

The finished quilt, patchwork by me, quilting by Ronda.  I really liked the outcome of this, all those triangles drove me batty!  I must admit that I do like it once it is finished.  Jury is out as to whether I will ever repeat this feat (as I like to at least do a new design twice).

Someone is retiring, and this is the beginnings of it here:

So, Ronda and I have made three more quilts in the last two weeks.  I will reveal these to you in my next post.

Enjoy the next week everyone, and remember to find some time to give back to yourself and do something you enjoy.