Sewing mishaps and the AQC (Australian Quilt Convention)

I will start with my sewing mishap this week.  I wasn't going to blog about it at all. 

I decided I would because not all sewing adventures can be a success.  We come up with a bright idea, and then, nah, didn't work out.

I wanted to try the Receipt Holder Tutorial by Lisa Amundson available for free on Craftsy
 So here it is:

What I think were my mistakes are:

• the interfacing I used was too thick for the job
• I didn't line up the flap closure evenly
• my top stitching is questionable

Maybe I should try making it again, don't know.  I have a policy of making something again when I've had problems with the design or sewing.  I think I'II have to follow my own advice.


Yearly the Australian Quilt Convention (AQC) hits Melbourne at the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings.

I ummed and ahhhed about going this year.  You know how it is, if I go, I'II buy more fabric and stuff I really don't need.  Even on the Saturday I still toyed with the idea.  In the end I decided I would go on the Sunday.

My main motivation behind finally deciding to go was that I wanted to visit the Sizzix stand run by Annie's Designs (www.anniesdesigns.com.au).  I'd exhausted the range held at Spotlight and I had questions that no Spotlight or Lincraft staff could answer (don't worry I'd tried, I'm over the blank looks and wrong information).

While searching online I was alerted to the fact that the Sizzix machine was the only one on the market that would accept dies from other machines.  However, I didn't want to try it, until I could confirm it.  Also, I really didn't know what my machine was capable of and the types of dies that would go through the machine. The only way I would be able to get this information was to talk to a Sizzix expert.  So off to the show I went.

The fabulous thing is, after talking to Annie's Designs, that my Fabi Sizzix machine can not only cut through eight layers of fabric, it can with some extras cut paper and balsa wood without blunting the blades!  I also discovered a wonderful wide range of dies that go through my machine.  Annie's Designs were so helpful, if you're in Australia and use Sizzix machines, get online and look at Annie's site.

That's what I've been up to (besides work), what have you been up to?

Sandra