Tangled threads

As my overlocker does not have a cover, every time the ceiling fans are turned on the threads get blown around and become tangled together - this usually means that I have to re-thread the entire machine, which drives me a little insane. So, this weekend I thought I'd make it it's very own cover from a lot left over scraps from making the girls things - hence the abundance of pink. I saw a similar cover someone had made, but for the life of me I cannont remember whose blog it was. The cover is made up of 2inch squares and then finished with a border and backing fabric, with ribbon ties to hold it on. Not perfect but I'm happy enough with the result. I don't know how anyone can manage to line small squares up perfectly but it obviously can be done. Please excuse the grimy table - it used to be our camping table but I "borrowed" it and it is now mine. Its actually clean but I just cannot get the marks out of it.

As well as sewing I have been wanting to try out this recipe that Gilly posted on the Craftymamas forum. It is for milo scones and they were delicious - its hard to stop at just one. If you want the recipe head over to Gilly's blog.

And finally, just because they look so pretty, some photos's of the flowers I picked from our garden this morning. I must be getting old as I can't remember the name of these either.

Make it Perfect - Versatile Wrap

I've been really bad and neglecting my blog whilst having to complete a full time work placement for uni - now it's finished I've actually got some time to sew again.

I've made something for myself that fits great, I love the look of and I actually wore out in public! It's the Make it Perfect the Versatile Wrap. Whilst on holidays in Queensland I bought this gorgeous cotten sateen with this skirt in mind - the contrast trim in a cotten poplin. It was really easy to make (even drafting up the pattern) and took me one afternoon from drawing up the pattern to finishing it off. I have plans to make a heap more of these.

I wore the skirt out to morning tea with a few friends and they asked where I had got my gorgeous skirt from - I nearly fell over with shock but was quite chuffed that they thought it was that good. In the picture dd is modelling it for me as it is somewhat difficult to take photos's of myself (lacking a full length mirror and dh off at work) Please excuse the wrinkles too - I didn't get time to iron it as the sun was soon setting and I wanted to get the photos done.

Antonia #2

As I am getting more comfortable with sewing knits I'm moving out of my comfort zone and trying new things - reverse applique this time. As the Antonia is fairly plain I thought adding a star to the front would make it more interesting. This is my first go at reverse applique and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out (apart from the fact the stitching around the outside is a little messy due to the tension on my sewing machine being out of whack - sadly it is in need of a service).

This is my favorite t-shirt pattern as it is so versatile. Now, I even might try to make myself one - I just need to get the grown up version of the pattern first!

Farbenmix Antonia

Whilst having sewn with woven fabrics for years I have only just recently started sewing with knits, thinking that they were difficult to sew - I can't believe I waited this long as they are fast becoming my favorite. The knits for this Antonia are a mix all purchased from the Crafty Mamas shop - the quality and vibrant color and designs of these knits are amazing and make them such a pleasure to sew with.

I made a short sleeved version of the Antonia as we do not get much cold weather up this way. It is the largest size which is a 158/164 and fits Jess who is 10, but is very tall. At first I thought the shirt looked too wide for her but when finished is the perfect length and width. I think I will be making a lot more of these in future as it was very simple and went together very quickly.

Pink patchwork pillow

I really need to think of a way to come up with more interesting titles. Seeing that I have been neglecting my blog for the past few weeks due to technical difficulties with my computer I thought that I should get my act in gear and post some photos of what I have been doing with my time since exiled from the net,lol.

I got the idea for this pillowcase from a cushion that Clo from Sew2bHappy made. As my dd's have been complaining that their bedrooms are "boring" I thought I'd try and give them somewhat of a make over - starting with their beds I have started on the pillowcases - don't ask how long it will take for a matching quilt, I'm pretty slow at getting things finished and with 5 children it could take me a few years (I kid you not!)

The design was basically made up as I went along - starting off with just the name and then adding some embroidery and then thought I'd use up what scraps I had laying around to do the patchwork sections. The only part I had to purchase was the fabric around the outside borders and for the back of the pillow case as my stash is lacking in plain fabrics.

Now I only have 4 to go.......

Swimwear - not so scary

These are not for me - though it would be nice to fit into them . My oldest dd asked me to make her a pair of swimmers and as I have not made anything for her yet I thought I had better give it a go though the thought of sewing lycra had me worried. Anyhow, seems my fears were unfounded as these swimmers came together quite easily - most of the sewing was done on the overlocker and finished off on the sewing machine (which was somewhat painful as my machine appears to have an aversion for knit fabric and elastic - the bobbin thread was knotting with the top thread and pulling through the front of the fabric if I sewed any faster than at crawl speed)

The pattern is McCalls 8813 - I would use it again as there are three different style tops and 2 different style pants. This is a size 10, though I'm not sure what the entire size range is.

No modelling shot of this one - dd refused (which is fair enough - she usually wears her swimmers under a tank top and board shorts) though dd 9 did offer to,lol.

Ballerina pillow

Cross stitch was one of my first sewing loves - I've been doing them for years but do not have many to show as it takes me an incredibly long time to actually finish anything. Once I actually have it finished I then can't decide what to actually do with it.

It took me around a year to finish this - the first 80% taking around a month and it was then put aside and done in dribs and drabs until I finally finished it last week. I orginally intended to frame it and put it up in the younger girls room but Bel asked if I could make it into a pillow for her and so this is the finished result - not too bad if I say so myself.

Farbenmix Feliz

I love how this dress has turned out - it's a great pattern, fairly straight forward (well, with the online instructions anyhow - the photo tutorial was a godsend as I doubt it would have been quite as easy or turned out quite as well.)

The dress is made up out of cotton poplin(?) from Spotlight as I didn't want to cut into any "good" fabric until I knew how it would turn out (aka: botched job)

This would have to be the longest it has taken me to put a dress together - I blame it on all those ruffles at the back as I did not have a ruffling foot and did them by hand. They really were not that hard to do but it was not my favorite part. As there were no instructions for the ruffles included with the pattern I think I may have positioned them incorrectly (they are different from in the photo tute) but I still love how it looks anyhow.

As I'm new to blogging I still have yet to work out how to put my photos and text in the order that I want them.

Sewing Machine Meme

What better way to start off a blog about sewing than with this meme from Sew Mama Sew.

What brand and model do you have?
I have a very basic Brother Star 110
How long have you had it?
I think that it is about six years since I bought this machine new.
How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
It was $499 Australian
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
I'll try to sew anything that takes my interest. Right now that includes clothes for my children, bags, cushions, rugs and I have bought a walking foot for it so that I can try quilting.
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I'm sewing heaps more now than I used to so the machine is getting a lot more wear and tear than in the first few years that I owned it. It could probably use a good service at the moment as it has been a few years since the last one - if only there was someone close by to do the job!
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I have a love/hate relationship with my machine. When it works well I love it and when it dosen't I am not very happy with it. I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that the machine is quite basic and only has 21 stitches and hates shirring - or if the problems are due to user error.
What features does your machine have that work well for you?
Hmmm.....well, while I would love it to have a lot more different stitch options it does the job I need it to do, it is very straight forward to use and has a drop in bobbin and needle threader which is brilliant.
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
Shirring - I have yet to find out a way to get it to work.
Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
Nothing that would make it interesting.
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
It is a good basic machine for beginners but anyone wanting to do more advanced sewing should look for a different model
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
Having a machine that has functions related to the majority of what you sew. Good price and reliability of after sales service.
Do you have a dream machine?
At the moment it would be a Bernina with the option of an embroidery module.