Search Results for: sewing

Hi

Another busy week with plenty of secret and somewhat frantic sewing. One of our girls was born on my husband’s birthday almost 4 years ago, so we have a double celebration next week.

My husband loved hand puppets as a kid and has been ~~hounding~~ asking me for years to make him one.

As I have no such affinity with puppets I got on my high horse and said I wasn’t interested in making puppets, which only pressed the issue further, my husband being of the somewhat stubborn and mildly eccentric persuasion.

Enough of that. I have made him not one but two hand puppets, and what do you know, I really enjoyed making them and will likely make more. Can’t wait to give them to him. Pattern from Planet Puppet.

Some little Mary Janes for a cousin’s new baby.

One of my favourite flowers – the jonquil. They take me right back to my impoverished uni days when a winter treat was to buy a couple of cheap bunches of jonquils on Sydney Road and fill my tiny little flat with their heady scent.

These two are thick as thieves and spend most of their time together now. Miss G has taken up facepainting and is always looking for a willing subject or two. She has a real creative flair.

And when not facepainting they can be found at a posh tea party where one must wear floral dresses, posh hats and use their “lady” manners!

I was sent a silver bezel, among other goodies as a kindly gift from Kerrie at Jackobindi. I cut out a little circle of fabric and sealed it with mod podge, then poured clear resin on top. Cute huh?

Apart from these, and many other goings on I have been dreaming and drooling over the Harkaway Homes Catalogue. Hope springs eternal!

Have a great weekend, God bless.

Crafting for charity

by Kelly 9 Comments

I’ve heard many a time that the best way to help yourself out of a low period is to work for the benefit of others and I find it to be very true.
Over the weekend I’ve been busy sewing for a handmade auction at my husband’s work for someone very much in need.

I’m very happy with this bag that I designed as I went along with a great deal of winging it! I went to Spotlight to buy handles, but when I saw the $15 price tag for a couple of bits of plastic I changed my mind and made a strap.

The bag is pleated (that took ages!) and has boxed corners, if that’s what you call them.

Hobo bag from a commercial pattern.

Finished with a matching fabric covered button. I hope these bags raise some money for the auction.

I picked some lemons from our tree to make a small batch of lemon curd, I love it.

Thanks to all who commented on my last post, I so appreciate your positive support 🙂

Too busy to blog

by Kelly 4 Comments

That’s me this week, but somehow I think it’s a good thing. Busy baking apple pies, (why can’t I just stay in the kitchen permanently?) teaching long division, human anatomy and creation history, scraping + sanding + painting, looking at country properties (sigh) plus a little bit of sewing. None of this leaves much time for blogging, but today I’ve made time to show a little of what I’ve been up to.

I’ve wanted to make some hair accessories for the girls for ages and now that all 3 of them have long hair I had run out of excuses!

I’ve also completed and sent my cushion for Vic’s swap, but as the recipient may not have her parcel yet I’d best not reveal. Now, for today I hope to make some more hair accessories and work on my sister’s birthday present before I run out of time.

Have a great weekend 🙂

Progress

by Kelly 3 Comments

Better?
Actually, I really enjoyed cleaning up my sewing space. I came across projects and ideas I had forgotten and feel I can now focus on what I need to do next.

I finished a wool felt horse that had been sitting for I don’t know how long. Usually if I start making something I’ve designed and it’s not going according to my “vision” it gets abandoned. Must get over that.

I have so many materials and ideas and now I feel inspired to get stuck into it. I went through my sketch books (how long is it since I indulged in the luxury of drawing?) and designs (hey brain, remember all those plans you had to release your embroidery designs – they’re all there, still waiting!)

Today I have some princesses requiring some new tops and shorts so that will be my starting point.

Happy sewing, crafting, doing!

Waldorf softie doll tutorial – Part 1

by Kelly 8 Comments

It’s high time for a tutorial here so I’ll teach you one of the things I know best – dolls! This tutorial is for the style of doll you see above in a small size (9 – 10 inches). You can scale things up for a larger doll or just make a little one. They are great as a first doll for a younger child because there are no small bits as choking hazards. Please use this tutorial and pattern for personal use only 🙂
Today we make the head. I have a lot of pictures for beginners who want to have a go.

Materials list for head –
Finger bandage (or other bandage you can sew to size) approx 4 inches long x 1 & 3/4 inch wide
Approx 8 x 8 inch piece of cotton tricot
Clean, carded wool
Strong tying thread
Basic sewing kit and machine.

Your piece of bandage should fit comfortably over your index finger (to give an idea of width). Run a gathering stitch around one end with needle and thread, gather up tightly and knot.

Turn right side out (RSO)

Stuff very firmly until the head measures about 4 inches from the top and tie into a knot to prevent the stuffing from slipping back down.

Now tie about 3/4 of the way down with some of your strong cotton or linen thread. I find it easiest to tie doubly around to get it super tight. You may find it easier to get someone else to hold the knot initially.

Now with the same thread tie half way between the top of the head and the first tie.

Lay the head with knotted ties to the back on your piece of tricot doubled over. Trace a rough outline around the shape of the head, allowing a bit of extra room. Use a disappearing or water soluble pen for best results.

Place a couple of pins to hold the layers together. Don’t cut this out! With your sewing machine set to a small stitch, using matching thread and with a ballpoint needle (important!) sew on the line you have drawn. Don’t sew up the bottom as you’ll need to fit this over the inner head. Cut out close to the stitches and turn RSO.

Fit over the inner head like so. A little peak of tricot will stick up at the top, pin it back.

Using your strong thread as before tie tightly around the neck with the knot to the back.

Using a few pins, play around with the placement of the facial features. See how close set eyes differ to….

..widely set eyes. Your choice.

Using the pins as your guide, draw some small circles at the eyes and mouth. Use a disappearing or water soluble pen, it makes life much easier when mistakes can be removed!

Using 2 strands of embroidery floss (knotted end) and entering from the back of the head come out at the top of one eye. Work sating stitch to fill in eye. Let the stitches float on the surface of the skin rather than pulling tight.

Here’s a tip for needlework facial features: Use a larger (doll) needle to take the thread through the head. Once through, switch to a normal embroidery needle with a smallish eye. This works in 2 ways – you don’t make too many larger holes in the skin so your stitches look neater and you never lose a needle inside the head!

For the mouth you really only need one straight stitch. Using matching thread, sew down that little peak at the top of the head I mentioned earlier, just some small, neat stitches to hold it down.

Well, there is your part 1, I really appreciate feedback for tutorials – even if it’s just pointing out mistakes! So, let me know what you think.

Part 2 is now available!

Has blogging changed?

by Kelly 18 Comments

Or is it my naivety that leads me to ponder in this way?

The number of bloggers who seemingly start out as your everyday “I’m here to share” type personality and quickly become “hey, I have 600 followers, time to make some money!” seem to be on the increase. Have you been romanced yet? The blogger who “finds” your blog and leaves a comment for every post you write, quickly becoming your best blogger friend. And what happens when you become a follower of their blog or buy something from them? You never hear from them again. Ever. No emails, no comments, nothing. Sound familiar?

I realise that blogging can be a good way to make money. It can be a great advertising platform for your business (I always mention a new Etsy listing and have links to my shop) but doesn’t there need to be more than that? These thoughts led me to revisit my reasons for starting a blog in the first place.

I enjoy reading other blogs.

I have learned a great deal about various crafts, homeschooling and so many other interests from the internet and blogs. I felt that I could also share skills in this way.

Initially I wanted to document my sewing and crafting journey. My blog has become more personal over the years so that I now also share a lot of myself and my family.

I still think blogging is a great thing, but I guess from time to time I start to feel a little disillusioned by the whole “big blogger, small blogger” thing. Kinda like a popularity contest?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject……

Oh, and by the way – if you’re one of those bloggers I’ve been “romanced” by – I no longer visit you. But then I guess you wouldn’t be reading my lowly little post now would you?

Spring around the garden

by Kelly 2 Comments

Our little suburban space is looking pretty special right now and is a beautiful place to spend time. The garlic is nearly ready to flower.

The apricot tree is laden with fruit this year. The war will soon begin between the humans and the birds!

Love in a mist is so pretty.

One of the first morning glory flowers.

The rest of my Saturday will be spent sewing skirts and Christmas gifts, in between “everything else”. In other words, I may actually get some sewing done but who knows? If not, at least I can enjoy the comings and goings of the children and be thankful for them.

I hope you enjoy your family today too.

God bless.

Mandala dress

by Kelly 3 Comments

I finished this dress/ long top for my 3 year old today, it was quite a process, but well worth it! First came the dyeing then the sewing, as I wanted separately coloured pieces. I used habotai silk and made up the design as I went along.

The back view is a beautiful turquoise. I love turquoise. The dress sits gorgeously on her and is light and flowing.

I’ll be making these in various sizes for my Etsy shop once I do a little more tweaking. I think they would do well at a market too, which I hope to do eventually. If anyone is interested in pre ordering for Christmas you are most welcome to contact me.

Phew, it’s finished!

by Kelly 1 Comment

You know how some projects just drag on and on, you lose your enthusiasm or don’t have the tools you need?

I started this cover for my A4 size art journal yonks ago, I don’t even remember when. I really liked these fabrics from a Crafty Mamas swap with Carolyn so I wanted to use them to make something I would be seeing often.

I started out hand quilting but realised it was going to take me forever (those who hand quilt entire quilts now have my utmost admiration!) so I bought a free motion foot for my sewing machine and made this my guinea pig. It took a while to get used to and I still need practice. Youtube was a big help, except when I saw that 4 year old girl machine quilting like a pro, then I felt really embarassed!

My son has been having a go at fabric painting and has had some fantastic results! Here are a couple of his first swatches.

He’s looking forward to doing lots more.

Ok, that’s all from me for now, I have to get back to baking that lemon curd tart I started. I want to say thank you to those who commented on my last post – all very helpful and constructive advice.

Watch out for a giveaway here in the very near future.

Lotsa leggings!

by Kelly 3 Comments

I’ve made many pairs of leggings for my girls this winter and I think they would be quite happy to live in them permanently. They look great on their own, with a skirt or with a dress. And they keep those little legs toasty warm.

Did I mention that leggings are super easy to make? I’ve used the same Burda pattern over and over.

I bought this beautiful spotty soft cord from Craft Mamas to make pants for G (that’s a little pocket on the leg there, it’s hard to see). I was a little disappointed when she proclaimed that they are “horrible!”

Apparently this is because they’re not leggings!

Ah well, lucky she has two little sisters who can grow into them.