Sandra Loves Sewing: Retirement quilt

Sandra Loves Sewing: Retirement quilt: No, not my retirement, quite a way off that! My friend Ronda and myself decided that we would make a retirement quilt for our colleague, I...

Retirement quilt

No, not my retirement, quite a way off that!

My friend Ronda and myself decided that we would make a retirement quilt for our colleague, Ian. Men's quilts can be difficult as you are limited to the style and colours.  I think we were quite successful with our efforts:

Using tartans and golfing themed fabric the quilt turned out quite well. After all it did get a paw of approval:

Merry Christmas everyone, may you have a wonderful time with family and friends.

Sandra

Sandra Loves Sewing: Elves handy work....

Sandra Loves Sewing: Elves handy work....: Pesky Elves are now whipped into line, well almost. First Christmas present finished and will be given to the special person tomorrow. T...

Elves handy work....

Pesky Elves are now whipped into line, well almost.

First Christmas present finished and will be given to the special person tomorrow.

Taken from:  Quilting Arts - Create Handmade Gifts for All - Candy Glendening. I decided that  I would make for a few people the 'Journal and Sketchbook Cover'.  Here's the first one off the rank:

I found a lot of preparation goes into making these, but, once prepared, are very quick to put together. I guess, preparing eight of them would take a bit of time.  I am happy with the outcome, someone asked me whether people still used notebooks, I still do.  I actually use a mixture of electronic and a notebook or diary.  I think most of us teachers do, perhaps more for To Do lists.

I decided that I think my recipients would still like them. So I went ahead.  Inside the front cover is a business card holder and on the back cover is an area for other notes.

Spiral bound notebooks are from Daiso.

I have more to show you, however, I will share next week. Have a good week everyone.

Sandra

Those pesky elves...

Those pesky elves were quiet for a while.  Seems they haven't been focused on the purpose to their being...to start making those Christmas gifts.

So, last weekend I found where they were hiding, seems they had started early with their post Christmas celebrations without completing all their Christmas tasks! Santra was not happy.

They've been hard at work this week trying to find a balance between work duties and Christmas duties.  They've finished some of their Christmas duties tonight. They are working on a project of Notebook covers. Everything is in stages. Hopefully we will have finished projects by the weekend and photos to show you......Santra (alias Sandra D)

Nothing is by chance .....

I'II share with you a quote from one of my favourite authors, Richard Bach:

Nothing happens by chance, my friend... No such thing as luck. A meaning behind every little thing, and such a meaning behind this. Part for you, part for me, may not see it all real clear right now, but we will, before long. -Richard Bach, Nothing by Chance: A Gypsy Pilot's Adventures in Modern America, 1969 Today started out like any other Saturday, I took my time getting out of the house and then started out on what I needed to do today.  A call from my husband took me off my initial journey to visit GJ's Discount Fabrics in Brunswick East (www.gjsdiscountfabrics.com.au) - I will have to revisit this journey again sometime this week or the next. To cut a long story short, my husband and I ended up walking down Sydney Road in Brunswick, Australia. This is where I need to digress with my story today. On Australian TV, I began watching a show called "Meet the Frockers".  Basically the show is about how brides and their dressmaker work together to come up with the perfect wedding dress.  In every show in this series it follows three wedding dress designers and their brides.  Whilst following this series I just fell in love with the team of Mario and Ines at their bridal store  'Crocé & Colosimo Couture' (https://www.facebook.com/crocecolosimo) I fell in love with their dresses because of their beautiful finish and design.  Besides this they had a wonderful nature when dealing with their brides and gave them much attention and had such a love of what they did. I wanted to meet them. Back to today. Walking on Croce & Colosimo Couture (after hours) today, like a kid in a candy store I peered through their window, then I spotted Ines in the background.  Through the door I just wanted to tell her how much I admired their dresses (they had already closed up).  Then she opened the door and I also got to meet Mario.  We had a good conversation and I got to tick something off my bucket list. So, did this happen by chance?  Not sure, but I am so glad I got to meet this wonderful pair, they are as delightful as they appear on TV. Sandra

Ottobre Design again

I finished the top to the heart quilt this week and now have moved back to dressmaking.  Some ten weeks ago I cut out a dress, sewed the sleeves and stopped. Just stopped.  I have no reason for this sudden stop in sewing.

So after finishing the Heart Quilt quilt top, which started out as a baby quilt top, will now be a 21st present for a special young woman next year.

"What to do next?; I asked myself. "Finish that Ottobre Design dress", my inner voice replied.

I had purchased this stretch fabric from Rathdowne Remants in Brunswick, Victoria, Australia.  I don't normally fall in love with stretch fabrics; my preference is for natural fibres. This one however, I walked away when I first saw it.  Two days later I returned to purchase this fabric (I knew that if I was still thinking about it in a few days, that I would absolutely have to buy it). And buy it I did.

So, +Ottobre Design Woman Autumn/Winter 5/2013 arrived (sometime ago) and I knew that style 17 Transition wrap around dress would be used with this fabric.

It's not quite finished, but you get the general idea.  I have not added the ties and finished the neckline, hem nor hemmed the sleeves. So it's pinned onto the mannequin.

Below is a close up of the fabric:

I love Ottobre magazine, the fit  of the patterns is impressive and so are the many techniques.  Down side, I've become lazy and don't feel a need to pattern draft dress patterns.

I'd love for Ottobre to release an issue that includes some evening wear.

Give this magazine a try, if you haven't already done so.

Happy sewing everyone.

Sandra

I'm all hearts

After having minor surgery and being buzzed out from the anesthetic, I was up until 6.30 am the next day, rather than watch TV, I thought I would cut fabric. So I did, I am on the way to completing this quilt top from fabric scraps.  I like how it's coming together.  I used a design from the web site:  www.quilt.com

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.

Fabric Bargain - Jobs Warehouse

Jobs Warehouse in Melbourne opened today quite unexpectedly.  They had closed down some time ago, shut up shop with rolls of fabric left inside. It opened today to sell to the public.  Hubby was walking by and rang me to rush on down there as full rolls of fabric were selling for $10.  Could I say no to this? Of course not!

Of course I picked up bargains, a roll of Thai Silk for $5 and a roll of beautiful white linen for $5. Had I known I would have got there earlier.  The rolls were virtually walking out.  I think I missed the best of it, but then again, how much fabric can one truly store in a two bedroom apartment?

Although I am elated at my purchase, I am saddened at the end of this era of the Melbourne rag trade. Jobs Warehouse was the last of what existed before; 60 years of history now gone. We now move into a new era (or have been moving towards a new era for some time now). Even up to the 1990s I can still remember Flinders Lane still having wholesalers taking up space above retail shops. Now all gone. I hope that someone makes a documentary about this.

Reassuring today that most buyers of fabric were young people enthusiastic about fabric and their craft.