Search Results for: sewing

Oh, the heat!!

I was up early this morning, watering the gardening and getting as much done as possible before the heat set in. It was truly wonderful to have some quiet time to myself with the children all still asleep, its something I rarely get. I also made dinner early to eat cold this evening so things are really under control for a change.
The first morning of back to (home) school went exceptionally well with spelling, maths and social studies for the boy and tracing, drawing and mazes for young dd. Little’un was sick yesterday but seems her normal, happy self today.
It was 38 degrees yesterday, 41 for today, 43 forecast for tomorrow. We have spent the past couple of weeks looking into all our air conditioning options which has led to the decision that we can’t afford it at this time, so its another summer of jealously listening to the roar of neighbour’s airconditioners while we swelter. Ah well, its been 14 years without, I guess I can go a few more.

I don’t intend to use the sewing machine this week, but the creative juices are still… trickling, and I’ve been sketching up some embroidery and bear designs for when it gets cooler. I’ve treated myself to the latest Homespun magazine as there is not much else to do when its so hot.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway which ends Saturday. If you’re a fellow Australian I hope you’re staying cool!

GIVEAWAY!

by Kelly 10 Comments

Hand embroidered homespun with a silky maroon border and backing, this cushion cover hot off the sewing machine measures 36 x 36cm. It has a flap back for easy insertion of the cushion. The giveaway is just for the cover, you will need your own insert (available at Spotlight for a few dollars or you can make your own with calico and polyfil). For a chance to win leave a comment. Winner will be drawn randomly next Saturday 31st January (the end of January already?!)

GOOD LUCK!

What I’ve been up to

by Kelly Leave a Comment

I made this skirt in sewing class, it turned out beautifully. I splurged a little on the fabric ( considering I normally but from the bargain table) but it was worth it. Its very much my style.

I made this dress out of scraps in sewing class, but I’m not keen on the colours and it looks a bit like a nightie. DS was happy to put it on for the photo opportunity, but refuses to wear it now. No surprise there.

Cloth doll making tips

by Kelly Leave a Comment

Here are a few tips that might help you out if you’re a beginner:

1. Do an internet search on the type of doll you’re interested in to get ideas and hints and an idea of materials you might need.

2. Use good quality materials if you can afford to. If you’re scared you might mess up the first one or two, try making them out of inexpensive calico or something similar first.

3. Use small machine stitches when sewing up the body, I set my stitch length to number 2.

4. I find it much easier to fold the fabric in half, draw the body design on, then sew and cut out last. This way you can control the pieces more readily and can get really fine seams when you cut it out.

5. Draw the outlines for the body on with a dark pencil so you can be precise when sewing.

6. For sewing tight curves I use the rule of stitch, stitch, turn. For larger curves the rule is stitch, stitch, stitch, turn. Leave the machine needle down in the fabric whilst turning, and make the turn gradual, not sharp.

7. Take your time to make your doll, rushing or stressing is not enjoyable.

8. If you find yoursef getting frustrated with any aspect of your doll, leave it for a while. You will have a fresh perspective when you come back to it.

Any questions? Well, I’m still learning more all the time, but ask anything you like and I’ll try to answer.

Books

by Kelly Leave a Comment

My mother in law has loaned an excellent book to me, I can hardly put it down. It is about a Christian woman’s journey through prison and labour camps under communist rule. I love to read these true stories as it teaches me so much about myself and my own life. It reminds me of how selfish and materialistic I am and that my faith needs to be so much stronger. My life is so easy and I take it for granted. The title of the book is “The Pastor’s Wife” by Sabina Wurmbrand.

On the sewing front I made a nappy cover and notebook cover yesterday, both of which turned out nicely. Now I’m waiting on my next Winterwood delivery so I can start on some more dolls and fill up my sad little Etsy shop.

My husband has cruised the garage sales this morning and come home with a bunch of action figures (enter very happy son!) and some excellent big lattice screens for the garden. Our new water tank arrives on Monday, can’t wait! Now all we need is some rain to fill it!

I hope you have a wonderful and productive weekend.
God bless.

A top

by Kelly Leave a Comment

I made the bulk of this in sewing class and finished it off at home. It turned out very well and fits beautifully, thanks to my teacher who is a dressmaker and drew up a pattern to my measurements. My husband loves it on me too – always a bonus!

I’m doing some rearranging and organising today, which inevitably leads to extra cleaning! Its always worth the effort when its finished though. Hope you’re having a nice day.

Little dress and holidays?

by Kelly 2 Comments

I’ve just started sewing classes again and finished this off lastnight. The fabric was left over from a bag. Cute huh?

Now, the holiday…….
My husband has time off in November so we decided we desperately need to go away for a few nights. Upon contacting our usual holiday accomodation at our regular destination we find they have raised their prices rather substantially. So, after much brainstorming we came up with the idea of buying a large family tent (we have a tent but its too small for all of us) and hiring a tent site at the caravan park. We have never stayed in a tent with 3 small children so this could be a very interesting experiment. We figure if it works out well we are saving ourselves a lot of money for future holidays by hiring a tent site instead of a cabin or house. Now to find a tent……………..

Needle case tutorial

by Kelly Leave a Comment

I can’t believe I put off making this for so long, thinking it would be difficult. It was easy! So here it is for all of you……

You’ll need:
Cotton fabric for cover measuring 12 x 6 inches. Also a piece of this fabric measuring 5.5 x 4.5 inches for the pocket
Contrasting fabric measuring 12 x 6 inches
Wadding measuring the same
Piece of felt or doctors flannel measuring 4 x 5 inches

Fold the two large pieces of fabric in half widthways and press, open out again.
Overlock (serge) all edges of the pocket piece. Fold all these edges in once and press them down. Pin the pocket to the right side of the contrast fabric (for the inside of the needle case) to the left of the middle fold ( see where I’m pointing). Pin the piece of felt to the right of the fold.

Pin the wadding piece to the wrong side of the cover fabric.

Sew around all sides, then sew 2 parallel lines down the middle, either side of the middle fold.

On the inside piece, sew 3 sides of the pocket, leaving the top open (it won’t be a pocket if you sew it closed!) Then sew (I’ve used a machine blanket stitch) across the top of the felt.

Lay the cover piece on top of the interior piece with right sides facing. Sew around 3 sides, leaving one end open for turning. Snip off all the corners and turn right way out, poking out the corners (use a knitting needle if needed). Now, fold in the raw edges of the end and press. Topstitch around the outside of the case, stopping when you come to the middle rows of stitching, skip over these, then keep sewing around. Give the whole thing a good press and you’re done!!

Here is the finished outside which would look lovely with a ribbon tied in the middle. I don’t have one handy, but if you do you may want to use it!

And here is the interior. Now you won’t have to go searching and growling for your needles!

I hope you like this tutorial and find it easy, but if not, please let me know if changes would be beneficial. Thankyou!

Beautiful home and garden

by Kelly 2 Comments

I love looking at pictures from Jackie French’s property,its just the sort of place I’d love to have one day.
I got a bit of sewing done today, worked on ds’s top but didn’t get to do the neckline (need ribbing). I also worked on an old UFO which is now nearly finished, its a wallhanging. Its very satisfying to finish something thats been lying around just because I lost my enthusiasm for it initially.
I’m sort of feeling in between with crafting at the moment, not really sure what I want to persue and just doing bits and pieces. I don’t really feel like painting either. I guess I’ll get my groove back. I’m sure going to the Craft and Quilt Fair on the weekend will leave me itching to get into it!

Kid’s cushion tutorial

by Kelly Leave a Comment

This lovely bright cushion was my son’s (8 years old) first sewing project recently. We had the idea of posting a tutorial for other kids who might want an easy project. Adult help and supervision is needed unless you are an experienced sewer. The cushion cover fits a cushion 37cmx 35cm.

You will need 2 contrasting fabrics of your choice.
Start by marking and cutting out 2 20 x 20 cm squares from one fabric. Then do the same from the contrasting fabric. This gives you 4 squares of the same size.
For the back of the cushion cut out 1 piece that is 54cm x 39cm.

Now you need to join 2 contrasting squares together. Lay them on top of each other with right sides together, pin along the edge and sew a straight seam. Do the same for the other 2 squares. Then iron the seams out flat. (Get help with the iron if you need it)

This is what 2 pieces joined together will look like with the seam in the middle ironed out flat.

Lay your joined squares on top of one another and pin together near the edge. Sew a straight seam to join them all up, then iron the whole thing and the seams out flat. This is the front of your cushion. It looks good if you sew a button in the middle. We covered our own button using a little button kit from Spotlight that is really easy to use.
Now you need to make up the back of your cushion. Using the back piece you’ve cut out, fold it in half widthways. Make hems along 2 sides of these pieces, these will overlap each other at the back of your cushion.
Lay the back pieces on top of your front piece with the right sides facing. Pin around all the edges. Stitch together with straight seams right around the edges of the square. Trim off the pointy corners.
Turn your cover the right way out, pushing out the corners so they are nice and pointy. Iron again if you like, then pop your cusion insert in.

Now you can admire your work and start planning your next project!

This is what the back should look like.