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