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