Fabric Spill

Roboticus giftus

2011-07-29T18:06:00.000+10:00

That's latin for a robot gift.

If you haven't been onto etsy, firstly you are banned from the internets. Secondly, if you are even remotely crafty you have to love the cross-stitch designs of andwabisabi.

This is a handmade gift (as this is handmade gift year) for a friend in the UK who unsurprisingly, loves robots. She also has a cat called Rebus. Clearly very good stock.

Buying moda charm packs in Australia

2011-07-28T21:41:00.003+10:00

I love moda charm packs. Yes, for the traditionalist it can be the lazy way to quilt, but seriously I don't have the financial backing to buy enough of a stash to ever have anything that matches.

But moda charm packs are always so well priced in the US....but expensive here. Until I stumbled across this gem of a shop!

Want it, need it, quilt store

I bought three charms packs and express registered post for $40! EPIC WIN!

Christmas presents...and future procrastination starts........now.....or maybe later....

Burp cloths from a made by rae tutorial

2011-07-22T19:58:00.000+10:00

5" blocks from a layer cake

The finished product :)

Well it's been a busy sewing time around here...but the problem with schneaky projects as gifts is that you can't write about them....

But following a dear friends baby shower, I gave her a stack of burp cloths from this made by rae tutorial which is super easy and just great to not think about things like absorbency....I defer to people who already have little people in this regard completely.

Totally recommended as a baby shower gift :)

What kind of serger to get?

2011-06-29T21:48:00.000+10:00

I'm lusting after a serger at the moment, but as much as I want one, I'm also intimidated by so many little threads....

From what is out on the blogs the Brother 1034D is a pretty amazing machine, but has been replaced now. And it's $700. Eeeeeeeeeeek.

Sad face :(

Kate's fat cat

2011-06-14T21:20:00.000+10:00

After making the original fat cat a second was requested. This fat cat is not quite as obese as the first fat cat as seen here. This fat cat has a few improvements, namely better ears, arms and a tail.

Working in felt is quite rewarding in terms of finishing a project quickly, but it can be quite fiddly when sewing on all the features. I tried using my sewing machine to do some of the applique, but it's hard to make the stitch coverage even. Then again with practice it could save me alot of time. This fat cat was getting sewn together in the car on the way to the party. I like to live dangerously. (also known as foolishly disorganised).

Actually, fat cat number two is still not even as fat as the real life model. Mei Ling likes to sit in the centre of the action. Also known as whatever I am sewing at the moment.

Nursery curtains

2011-06-03T21:17:00.000+10:00

Something that has been taking up a considerable amount of time has been the sewing of curtains for the nursery. We decided to paint the nursery blue, even though we don't know the gender of the baby. Even if it's a girl, there is no bloody way that room would be painted pink. Or purple. Worst case scenario we put some decal clouds up on the wall. Gender neutral FTW.

The fabric was in Spotlight recently, and while I hadn't even been thinking about curtains really - the blue dots on the fabric were the exact same blue as the walls. I'm pretty sure that's fabric stash fate calling right there. So I lashed out and bought 4m of the fabric, and 4m of blockout fabric. Which was a staggering $80. But it was just sooo matchy matchy.

Anyway...these are the most time consuming tab top curtains you could ever see. After spending $80 on the fabric, there was no way in hell there was going to be a mistake in the cutting. Measure 6 times then cut. Maybe. It probably didn't need the blockout lining behind it, as I've got a white curtain behind - but if it helps this baby sleep (when it arrives) then it was worth every cent.

The curtain rail is the fantastic ikea Hava curtain rail which is super easy to put up (especially when you make your husband do it) and has the double layer of curtain well spaced. We've used this curtain rod style in a few rooms with the single windows as it's a simple and classic style. Not a fleur de lys in sight.

Lady grey sewalong update

2011-05-30T21:51:00.000+10:00

All the way back in September I decided to participate in the lady grey sewalong. Then I started doing local sewing classes and realised I had no.clue.at.all.

AND nearly a year later, I've decided I'm ready to commit. Being a preggosaurus, I've gotten rather sick of the idea of sewing maternity clothes, it's cheaper usually to buy newborn clothes, and there is no way I'm making clothes to fit post baby body as I'm yet to get the measurements.

The lady grey jacket however is fairly forgiving due to the pattern shaping, and by the time I finish up sewing classes in 5 weeks (before my 'confinement') hopefully it will be finished. So far all the lining pieces as cut, and the jacket pieces, this monday it's time to cut the interfacing and start assembling!

The pattern is from the lovely Colette patterns

One yard wonder - fold up apron

2011-05-29T21:26:00.000+10:00

I completed the second one yard wonder, a child-sized apron. But wait, it doubles as a bag! Unfortunately I don't have any small children this will fit - but we've got one on the way :P

The one yard wonder book is quite a good sewing book for beginners, a few really useable patterns. A few very random things like legwarmers - but hey, what's not to love about the 80's?

New sewing machine - singer

2011-03-06T11:28:00.000+11:00

I LOVE my local op shops. I get awesome sewing patterns from there. Going rate? 50 cents. And just before christmas? A 1973 singer sewing machine. In it's original case. With the original receipts (FYI, $110 in 1974 - and with the time value of money thats $763.26)

What did I buy it for? $20.

It sews like an absolute dream, and even buttonholes come out very pretty. The only problem? My desk isn't quite sturdy enough and when she's going full pelt, then the desk gets the speed wobbles.

Sorry trusty toyota, but as you've just been relegated to quilting duties. Only.

Husband shorts

2011-02-27T11:28:00.000+11:00

Peter from Male Pattern Boldness has a great post about learning to sew...which I read after finishing my first attempt at a pair of mens pants. And don't get me wrong, the pants are fairly wearable. Providing you don't want to wear them out of the house.

But following Peters advice, I just tried again, but this time with a pair of shorts, and you can really tell the difference between the first and the second time. Which is very much the same for everything I've made. Really puts forward the argument of making a muslin, but I'm usually far too impatient for that. Such a fool. Except for the lady grey jacket I'm making, which has a full bona fide muslin.

Anyway, back on track. The shorts are actually made from fabric bought to be the lining of the original pants, so I skimped a little on quantity. Which has lead to the only problem with the shorts, there wasn't enough fabric to do back pockets. Which according to the husband makes them look like girl shorts.

Too bad. If you don't like them make your own. Or at least be quiet and I'll make a third even better pair! And maybe next time I will iron them before blogging them.

Maybe.

Blue silk dress

2011-02-20T18:12:00.000+11:00

This project was my first foray into sewing with silk, and I was trying to finish it in time for my work christmas party. However that didn't quite pan out, but I did finish just in time to find it not fit around my belly anymore (due to baby, not pies)

Overall I'm pleased with the fit, I had to go down a few sizes and the pattern had far to much ease, and then do a full bust adjustment...which in this kind of pattern pretty much just meant to cut the chest patterns out of a larger size.

The way to make sewing with silk easy I've found is to use toilet paper inbetween the seams to stabilise them as I sew, and then it's quick to remove once sewn.

And the fabric? $9 a metre. Alannah Hill. Heart.

Pantaloons? Yes please!

2010-09-30T21:17:00.001+10:00

Pinned waistband on the pants

Less pants, more chinos. But not. Inadvertently, I took a pattern for chinos, bought suiting material and ended up with pants for wearing out to dinner. Only. But that's ok, they're for the husband! Perfect excuse to take me out for dinner more!

I previously was a subscriber to a UK magazine called sewhip, thanks to my parents for a lovely birthday present. And I loved it....for 10/12 mags. You see, they changed editors. They were more based on things and clothing patterns....and somehow more random crafty shite slipped in. Let's be honest people. There are only so many weird oddly specific craft items you ever need. I.e. sewn banners, or felted headbands, or finger puppets.

But, back before the editor changed, there was a pattern for mens pants....and I thought...why not? I completely ignored the sewing skills required, and began to plan....

Pants prior to zip

There were a number of times when I should have realised this project was possibly above my skill level.
1. When I had to ask what to use as lining.
2. After I bought lining, it just looked way to hard and I ignored it.
3. When tracing the pattern was really difficult. Extending the legs? Bah.
4. Right now when it's time to put the zip in.

But...to be honest, aside from little hiccups, they are actually coming together quite well. While it probably made sense to not make a difficult project, I've learnt a lot more than I've mangled.

Huzzah!

Pant pocket topstitching

Now they are almost finished...but it would be unlike me to finish a project in a timely fashion. Therefore, onwards with a new project, I'll be back to you in a few months pants!

Lady grey sewalong

2010-09-28T22:01:00.000+10:00

I'm doing the lady grey sewalong! Using the lovely pattern from Colette Patterns for the lady grey coat,

I probably went the wrong way about buying my fabric. 1. Heavy duty calico for my muslin. 2. Red lining from alannah hill. 3. Blue wool crepe from the oddest fabric store I've ever been too.

As a result the muslin will be too heavy, the wool might not go with the lining, and I have no idea what it will look like when it's finished. Why did I get blue crepe? I wanted purple. Fabric regret? A little. 4m at $20 a metre? Definitely. Have. Fabric. Regret.

So, the question is, continue in with an almost Navy coat with red lining, or sell the wool crepe on ebay and start again? OR, do I make the lady grey with the Navy lining, maybe put some red and white trim on there and make it a shipshape with a naval theme?

Ballet skirt for a little ballerina

2010-09-27T21:37:00.000+10:00

Making a basic ballet wrap for little girl, I used a silk crepe from an old dress..making everything do double duty!

1. Measure your ballerina around the hips in inches. This measurement will be known as X.
2. Draft two copies of the template piece on paper.

3. Fold silk in half in line with the selvedge. The two pattern pieces will be places apart, with the measurement of Y between the top and bottom pattern edge. To calculate, perform the following calculation. Y = X – 15”.
4. Mark pattern pieces on the silk and cut out. You should have two silk pieces.

5.     On the long edges fold over the edge by ½ inch, and use small pieces of sticky tape to hold them in place. You will be stitching through the tape while this holds in the edges in place.
6.     Sew a narrow zig zag stitch along the long edge on both pieces
7.     Trim along close to the zig zag stitch.
8.     Place the short edges together, with toilet paper inbetween to stabilise the seam, pin and sew with a short straight stitch together. Ensure the hems are facing outwards as per the diagram. This ensures when you complete the French seam they are both facing the same way.

Ballet wrap seam stabilised using toilet paper

9. Trim ¼ inch from seam
10. Turn over one edge over and straight stitch ½ inch to enclose the seam
11. Hand sew on the snap fasteners 4 inches apart

Ballet wrap finished detail

Opportunity shopping (indeed!)

2010-08-15T13:08:00.000+10:00

Since have moved out to the burbs (see lazy blogging excuse number one) I have notice a high number of op shops. Rather pristine un-hipster raided op shops.

I wasn't much fussed...until one day walking home from work was this dresser in the window. After some husband wrangling (i.e. but even if we don't like it in a year we can sell it on ebay) I arranged to buy, and pick up this lovely dresser. It needs some work, some of the drawers are damaged from so much use...but can you believe it actually came with the key for the door? This is a one owner only dresser.

In addition, in waiting for someone to talk to about buying it...I found this awesome dress pattern (uncut) for the extortionate price of 50 cents.

So, 67.49 later..I'm very very pleased. With two new projects.

Puppy coat

2010-08-01T22:48:00.000+10:00

This weekend I had planned on finishing some pants and starting a dress and so forth...when somehow after taking our dog Misty for a walk, we ended up at the RSPCA. Not leaving Misty there of course, but getting suckered into a new family member. This is Hamish. Hamish is a 4 month old german shorthaired pointer. He's a smooch and remarkably (for the first 24 hours) not much trouble except for the upset tummy, which has meant we've gone through 2 rolls of kitchen paper today.

However this Melbourne winter is still a little cold for a pup, so I set about making a dog coat for Hamish out of an old cat polarfleece blanket. If you're looking to make one of these, go to here for a fantastic pattern. I didn't use the pattern directly, but as a guide to what shape the pieces needed to be, and then literally threw the blanket over the top of Hamish and started marking it for cutting.

Being a whipped together sunday night project I'm pretty happy with the result (and the model), but I had to leave part of the neck unbound as to have some stretch when getting it on him. I only had a polycotton to use as bias binding, which didn't have enough give. Seeing as he will grow out of it pretty fast, it's not the end of the world.

My current excuse for being lazy

2010-07-29T21:03:00.001+10:00

Ok, I haven't blogged in a very long time. And I've prepared a very long list of excuses...but will only share the top 3.

1. Husband and I bought our first home, and moved in. Which is very time consuming between signing and reading documents, cleaning things and carrying furniture. I'd easily allocate two months to this kerfuffle.
2. I've spent all of my time since moving reading design magazines, and blogs...and thinking of plans for our home with no correlation to reality. Load bearing walls, budgets, time blah blah blah. The second story devoted to the library is my favourite dream feature (it is complete with bookshelves with ladders). In addition this library would have conceptual art from LOTR, Tim Burton and the Dark Crystal.
3. I haven't done much sewing and in guilt, therefore no blogging.

As the weather warms up (I hope) I'm venturing into my sewing room more, and will have more projects complete.

And the last dirty secret....Katies quilt still isn't complete. And Katie's been married for a couple of months now. 3 actually.

But, just to help understand why I might spend so much time on point number two, here is a picture of what I'm working with. Oh, i mean the curtains, not the evil looking cats.

Not getting much done

2010-04-11T19:18:00.000+10:00

And that's for two reasons.

The first being that Kate's wedding is next week, therefore I'm sewing like mad trying to finish the binding.

The second being we're moving houses this week, and the I'm surrounded by boxes and the sewing machine is all packed up:( The real challenge will be this binding, when I'm about to run out of thread to boot!

Alannah Hill silk (AKA the one that got away)

2010-03-25T22:42:00.001+11:00

18 months ago, I tried on a silk Maxi dress for $80. It looked fantastic, and for some STUPID reason, I didn't buy it. Even after the shop girl said I would regret this. Damn her foresight.

But we'll get back to that in a moment. Being a poor Alannah Hill addict, I have often frequented the Clear It store in Brunswick Street, where all of her excess/seconds/samples are sent. And only recently did a dim memory reappear, of the rolls and rolls of excess fabric also sold there. Within 3 hours, a lunchtime expedition was launched to Brunswick Street.

And oh the delight. Printed silk, $9 a metre. Lightweight pinstripe suiting, $4 a metre. THAT IS CHEAPER THAN MY COFFEE!!!! So naturally I came home with 6 metres. Gosh was the husband surprised.

Thus, the plan is to recreate the dress that got away, in better material and the perfect fit. Now to just find a pattern. It can't be that hard right?

The pinstripe? That has already been set aside for one of the following 1950's dresses. The only question is, which one? I'm leaning towards the one with the little underbust belt.

one yard wonder shorts

2010-03-21T20:50:00.000+11:00

Recently I added One Yard Wonders to the growing sewing library, and have given a few small projects a try. The first was the sleeping shorts. I'll start with saying I love the final result, but it took some tweaking.

Where to start...I suppose the first problem was that having seen the picture of the very young slim woman wearing the shorts, I anticipated the outcome would be for my posterior to look the same. That was never going to happen. The pattern calculations were based on a slim build, so *hint* by taking the measurements at the widest point, I was able to get the width. The other problem is the inner seams don't allow for any "booty". So add on a inch there.

If a pattern asks for your hip measurement, but you're wider a few inches below - use that measurement otherwise it won't fit as well. It's better to have some ease around the hips than too tight around - well, where ever that place may be.

Aside from that, the only other issue was insufficient instruction around the final waistband. I ended up putting in a tie, for two reasons. One being that my old pyjamas had a tie, and the other being I dislike elastic. Neither reason being very good, in hindsight some elastic along the back would be very comfortable, but this isn't built into the dimensions of the pattern.

I used french seams for comfort, however the next pair of shorts will have flat felled seams. Definitely give this a go, very quick to make and overall good instructions.

Like the cherry fabric? I just couldn't resist.

Spring Top week - game on

2010-03-08T12:20:00.000+11:00

I'm not sure where I'm going to find the time, but I've decided to join spring top week with Made by Rae!

The last top I made (first and most recent) was her design for last years Spring top week - and I think I've got a few ideas of my own......

Challenge accepted!

It doesn't kick off until the first week of May, but with moving house in-between it could be challenging.

Summer Ruffle top

2010-03-03T22:28:00.000+11:00

February was busy. Very very busy. But - we have persevered, and we are one hem away from completing Made by Rae's summer ruffle top. While the bloggers in the Northern hemisphere are heading back there - I attempted one last ditch attempt at holding onto summer with this light top.

Overall Rae has made a fairly easy to follow pattern, which I only made one change to - being the chest band, next time I will cut as two separate pieces (as opposed to folding it over) so the straps can be sewn inside the band.

I would recommend this pattern and style to anyone quite slim - or for the girls with larger assets, if you don't have a waist belt, this would be easily modified to make an excellent maternity top. In Australia, this most definitely is a "Bec Cartwright" style.

I've already cut the pieces out to make this in a pale purple without the frills - a quick easy to make work top!

(please ignore the washing machine, kitty litter et al)

Turtle power

2010-02-17T22:38:00.000+11:00

Teenage mutant ninja turtles were rad. So was the use of the word rad. As kids, my older brother and I were desperately keen to be ninja turtles. So much so older bro even dressed up as a TMNT on library day.

The moment the new sewhip magazine was delivered, the fate of a turtle was set.

Tragically for older bro, he is too old for stuffed toys, so the gift is for little bro (age 11). He's still unawares of the turtle winging it's little way.

In practical terms, the pattern was easy to follow, the piece clear on where to join and how to piece it together. Even how to stuff him to make sure his neck sits upright. I diligently followed all of these steps, and have a slightly lumpy, top heavy turtle! Even after fashioning a small tube to insert rice into the body, the weight of the head consistently tips him forward.

Tragically, our unnamed turtle is now referred to as the depressed turtle.

Why I learnt to sew

2010-02-10T18:53:00.000+11:00

Male pattern boldness inspired me to think about why it was I learnt to sew...after a very unpromising start.....

Back in ancient history, when puffy vest were fashionable and walkmans the "must-have", I first encounted high school textiles. My initial projects were not interesting, not creative, not well made. One denim pencilcase, a tie-dyed apron and half made polyester skirt later.....I lead the discussion on how bloody sexist it was that we had to do textiles, and why wasn't wood-working on the compulsory course list at a girls school?

Not for another 5 years did I even think about fabric. I'd moved to Melbourne for University, and was a very poor student. During the cold winter, a pamplet arrived advertising a local community class on quilt-making. Seizing the opportunity on saving money by not buying a new doona...I signed up for the classes.

After the first class I was hooked. I made the ugliest patchwork square, but the community house lent me the sewing machine, and away I went frantically sewing.

I still have the first quilt I ever made, and it gets used everyday during winter. While it certainly did not end up being cheaper than a doona - I've never needed to buy it!

Oh lincraft - why do you disappoint me so?

2010-01-31T18:18:00.000+11:00

An impressive and most specific shopping list, with $60 in hand, it should have been easy.

1. Presser foot for my sewing machine. Do not stock. Any presser feet? Nooooo...
2. Sewing box for all my bits and bobs. Do not stock.
3. Size 9 quilting needles? Do not stock.

Sorry lincraft, easier question. What do you stock? Grey quilting cotton? Surely too easy - but no.

Oh to live near a spotlight again. Cheaper and better stocked.

Swing skirt project

2010-01-27T22:40:00.000+11:00

At the moment my new challenge is to start making clothes for this year. Being that I adore skirts, I thought this would be the perfect start. Surprisingly it has gone very well!

I ended up having to shorten it significantly, as it ended up being middle on my shins. Making one in bright red now. Once that is finished I'll post pictures of both. It's only a couple of hours to knock this up.

Dress for Princess

2010-01-23T18:48:00.001+11:00

Recently SewHip magazine had a fantastic pattern by a designer Oliver +S, the free pattern link is here.
There was plenty of leftover fabric from the cupcake aprons, and I was just dying to use it again. Although all our friends are having baby boys, my gorgeous cousin Corrine is a little princess.

I took the basic pattern, but due to the nature of the cupcake fabric, it was clearly going to be see-through, so added a lining. Using just a white cotton, I took the same pattern piece for the dress and reversed. Interestingly, this dress pattern would work perfectly for a fully reversible dress if you hemmed it perfectly.

It was easy to sew, the instructions were very straight forward. I wish they had a pattern in my size!

I posted it off to Corrine yesterday, so hopefully I might get a photo back in return:)
I wish more friends had baby girls! It's just so hard to see all this gorgeous girly fabric that I have no uses for.

Chuck rug complete!

2010-01-17T21:39:00.000+11:00

Finally Aston's rug has been completed! The binding took longer than expected, as the edging on the hand towel was quite bulky, and needed to be cut off. I ended up folding the now trimmed edge to puff up the binding.

Overall it was a simple project, and should take 3 hours if completely machine sewn. It used 1/3 of a moda layer cake fabric pack.

We gave this to our lovely neighbours for their son, and it's going to be pretty handy, as apparently smushing food on one's face and surrounds, is the best fame when you're under one :)

Today we also found out our friends are expecting their second child, so best getting cracking on another! Although all my remaining fabric from this layer cake is pink....so I hope it's a girl!

Many cupcake aprons.....

2010-01-17T21:24:00.000+11:00

After starting the cupcake apron, the half finished project came for a visit to my friends at work, and they all loved the fabric. Quietly resolving to make another 4 (eeek) aprons by christmas, it significantly cut into my blogging time! That and I couldn't blog about the top secret project....

Each apron had a hand sewn project, with the initials for my friends all stitched in to personalise them.

I will post a picture of the final apron with pocket...it's just too cute.

Finished cupcake apron

2009-11-15T23:39:00.000+11:00

Well it's been a crazy busy november, and I've had this v. cute cupcake fabric dominating my current plans to finish other projects. The pattern was downloaded online, but was exceptionally hard to follow, so the end project is not anything like the plans.

But then again, how hard is an apron?

I've still got to finish the pocket, I'm planning to stitch a giant cupcake on some pink fabric...

Trying to find the time

2009-10-26T23:22:00.000+11:00

Time = fail, it has been so busy of late, that I haven't made much progress. Ugh.

This doesn't mean I haven't bought new fabric for new projects. Whooooooops.

Whooops, new project started

2009-10-19T23:09:00.000+11:00

I know I'm meant to be finishing things - but I've made such good progress lately on my existing projects...I couldn't but help start making something with my moda fabric. This cute little packet I just adored, but had no idea what to make - something small but pretty and also useful.

Hence, I thought, babies are small - I know people with babies...I'll make a gift for a friend! And so a little chuck rug for Aston was decided upon. Little Aston is our neighbour's little boy, who has reflux, so plenty of towels required!

I'm feeling pretty lazy today though - so I couldn't be bothered planning it out - I just started sewing and cutting - and sewing back together. Bit silly really to chop up all the fabric just to put it back together again - but it's come up really nicely.

Now the real challenge is to finish it before Aston gets too big......

Onto the construction. All the blocks were 5", so I chopped all of them in half to begin with. Then there are three different types of block. The halves sewn short end, end to end. This made the strips above. Then I sewed all the left over blocks long side to long side. Then chopped it into thirds again to make almost log cabin blocks. And that made the busy strips shown to the right.

Then when I laid it out over the hand towel I was using as a base...it was too short! So finally I got some extra blocks and you can see those pinned below. Again, just 5" blocks chopped in half, and then sewn long side together.

The general idea from this stage (although I'm not sewing any more tonight - red wine is on the agenda), I'll stitch this down to the hand towel, then add a border much like the binding on a quilt. But machine sewn for a bit more durability, as I anticipate it'll be going through the wash a fair bit! And now, I've got all the pinks from the Moda pack left....just need someone to have a little girl now....

Projects complete!

2009-10-11T22:56:00.000+11:00

It's been a hell of a week- but this weekend I've been all hermitage and finally finished the fat cat, and also managed to finish a few other projects. It's nice, feeling such a sense of actually getting something done for me :) My husband did say that it would be nice to give to our first child. I think it will be sitting in the cupboard for awhile then!

In trying to get Katies quilt done, I've finally made all the binding. 9m of carefully folded and wrapped up, ready to go as soon as I've finished the quilting. I needed a bit of a break, as the stitching 4 rows on the border really felt like I was getting nowhere. Funny that, 5 years in the making and the borders seem to take forever. Bah.

But, what I did think was a real win was this fun little project from clothkits which was a free gift with a subscription from Sew Hip in the UK. (thanks mum!). It was pretty much the easiest 1 hour project. Not that I actually needed a doorstop, but I've looked on the webby, and there are heaps of other awesome projects. I really would like to try one of the little dresses. But this doorstop was seriously easy to make, with the full pattern pre-printed and easy to follow instructions.

It's going well on the sewing front! Maybe this blog to completion plan will work out!

Further work on the fat cat

2009-10-04T21:34:00.000+11:00

Finally finished the fat cat face! It's looking really quite silly, and it's now at the stage of sewing the little cat into 3d. The nose is a little wonky, but seeing as the cat nearly didn't get given a nose it can't be too picky about the one it gets. Tom thinks I should sew little arms on it, but I'm not sure.

The ears are causing me a few problems, I had originally planned to sew just two outlines together, but I think it won't make the ears as full and cat like as they could be. Trying to google a way to make extra little inserts at the back. And a tail - not sure whether to just sew an actual tail, or whether to embroider one.

Need to go and get the filler next - always drives me nuts that you can only get it in such giant bags. Seriously useful if you want to make a huge soft toy - or multiple toys.

Maybe I should just make some more....

Psychic felt skills

2009-10-01T22:01:00.001+10:00

UGH. So after thinking about Katie's quilt, which is most definitely close to being finished, I started thinking about all the other unfinished projects lurking in the back of the closet.

Turns out to be a couple - but not toooo bad. (but I'm pretending not to see the denim skirt or the satin dress). I was going to blog them all - but then I realised that was part of my divine procrastination technique, and that wasn't going to get anything finished.

But I'd forgotten about a little felt squishy toy I tried to make - which is quite amusing in hindsight. This fat cat was started when we were just back from living in the UK, and were living with my parents-in-law. Who could have known that I had psychic felt skills - as 18 months later I have a real life version of this little blob!

It's hard to see the extent of how fat Mei is - she tends to blob out towards the bottom end. But she's on a special diet now, so she might even be thin by the time the felt fat cat is finished. Unlikely though - that cat seems to spontaneously absorb carbs. Or bacon....

I've just stitched the other eye bit on, and started with a bright red tongue. The only problem is I did have a little red wine while sewing, and my blanket stitch got very very shady....

Katie's birthday quilt

2009-09-29T22:10:00.000+10:00

OK - commitment time. I started Katie's queen sized quilt in 2005 (eek), when we were students sharing a house together. 4 years later, engagements, pets and weddings, it's still not complete.

However, it's getting a lot closer. At the moment it's got wineglass stitching (all by hand) through the middle, which took significantly more time than I predicted, but the effect on the back has come up really nicely.

I tend to do all my piecing by machine, and quilt by hand. While painfully slow, the feel of the handsewn quilt is just so nice - I've got one of each on the top of my bed at the moment, and the handquilted one has far more flexibility. Personal preference I guess.

For the borders I've gone for solid colours, with strong lines to break it up. Around the final border it will be 4 lines stitched side by side - Katie actually asked for this, but it causes some bother, as I keep flopping around with 4 needles. In reality it would probably be easier to just sew around it 4 times, but that would be the easy way to do it.

The edging is a bit of a struggle, as I want to bring in the colours in the middle into the edge. I'd previously bought all the fabric for the edge, but then it was destroyed in a fire (better the stack of fabric than my half done quilts) - so I've started the hunt again.

At the moment I'm leaning toward this fabric - picking up the yellow and green. The colours aren't showing up very well. It was hard enough trying to get the cats to stop playing under the quilt for long enough to take a photo, so I wasn't worrying about the lighting and colours so much!
It's quite funny to flick through the photos quickly as Charlie was hiding and moving about under the quilt top, and you can see it move!

Best get to the sewing and less of the writing, or it'll never get done! A loft aim of having it finished before Katie's wedding would be nice (April 2010), or maybe I'll get booted from the bridal party!

In the beginning

2009-09-28T22:54:00.001+10:00

It started with needing a blanket. While a normal 21 year old would go buy one, I decided to make one. And with my first demented little yellow and orange patchwork square, it was all over.

So was the interest in yellow and orange. 4 years later, I've started 1 skirt, 1 dress, 5 quilts and 1 stuffed toy. I've finished 2 quilts. The result, a fabric spill. While partially attributable to the breeding quality of fabric (I go to buy one small thing and walk out arms laden), it's mostly attributable to a lack of focus. And thus you, blog, will inspire me to limp a little closer to the completion stage.

Hell, if the internet can provide lolcats surely it can provide inspiration. ? .

So the works stand as such -