A Quiet Week at the Computer

I bet you wonder where I have been!  

I have spent this week either teaching at the shop or on the computer doing the final edit of our two new websites.  For someone like me it is boring work, simply because I have to go through screens and screens of stuff checking that all the fonts are the same, that the prices are correct etc.

And when I haven't been doing that I've been having medical tests.  Today it is a Full Body Bone Scan!  I'm sitting at home waiting to go back to the testing service having already been there for some scans this morning and being injected with radioactive dye.

I have also managed to finish the Spring 2012 Newsletter for Michelle's Sewing Basket which is quite a job.  The newsletter is 20 pages long and this one includes a Patchwork project, templates for Christmas projects and a project using 5D Embroidery Software.  Phew.

Tomorrow, my sewing room is going to be surprised to see me so that I can finish off the dress I began on the weekend.

1920's Dress Started

I was really excited to get my patterns on Friday, and printed everything off.  I had some time (and inspiration) so got started with the base of the 1920's flapper type dress yesterday.  So far it doesn't look very exciting as it is just a shell of breathable lining with a plain silk Georgette overlay.

I have draped and cut the other fabric, one side is a lovely fine lace, and the other is Silk Georgette, with a lovely floral print on a black background.  It looks lovely on the model, although I have a couple of things to resolve.  I hope to get back to the machine tomorrow.

I have discovered that using the clover fork pins with these delicate fabrics works really well.

Have a great weekend!

And so it is Friday, and after a busy week I feel totally exhausted.

I have managed to check a few things off my to do list. And I'm hopeful of getting stuck into the two gowns I need to make for the convention in a few weeks time.

Going through my stash I have, in my head at least, sorted out what I will make the flapper dress out of, and so I think I will start with this one.

I guess my biggest problem is that I can't decided on the other gown.  I brought three patterns because of my indecision, and I'm still procrastinating!

Have a happy weekend!

Fun in my sewing studio today ...

Today I enjoyed a spontaneous day in my sewing studio, making a beautiful smocked hanger.

If you haven't done smocking on an Embroidery Machine before there are a few tricks that you need to know.

I began the entire process by taking 2 1/2 meters of batiste, and cutting it in half down the length.  Setting aside one length to use for the lining and back piece, I took the remaining length and pressed it before rolling it onto my rod ready to be pleated.

It does take a while to load the pleater with thread.  I used Polyester construction thread today, because the batiste is such a light floaty fabric, but if you were using something heavier, I'd switch to waxed quilting thread.

I pleated the center of the entire length.  Here's a tip, tie a knot in the one end of the pleating threads to prevent the pleated fabric from pulling right off the threads.

Next I prepared the pleated fabric by straightening the pleats and spreading them evenly.  I find that a wide tooth hair comb can help when doing this.  If you are very picky you can pin a measuring tape to your iron board and actually count how many pleats are in every inch ... but I'm not that picky for something like this.

Iron a batiste interfacing to one side (the wrong side) of the pleated fabric.  This stabilizes the pleated fabric ready for machine embroidery.  Press really well in the section that will be smocked, and a little less heavily towards the edge that will be fluted to form the delicate trim to the hanger.

Choose an embroidery design, make one yourself, whatever.  I used a lovely design from Janny Primrose - Smocking Heirlooms #1 (we sell this at my shop), which required two hoopings.

Now go ahead and embroider the pleated fabric.  I don't use a topper when I do this, but naturally you will need a stabilizer in the hoop.  The reason I don't use a topper is that I want my thread to wrap around the pleated fabric.

Meantime I drafted a quick pattern off the shape of my pre-padded hanger.  Just a simple shape is fine.  You need one front (the smocked piece), one back, with a straight edge and two lining pieces with straight edges.

Hem the three straight edges with a tiny turn up hem and a zig zag set to say 1.5mm long and 1.5mm wide.

Join the front and back at the sides, and the same with the lining pieced.  Slip the lining piece and outer piece together and sew across the top leaving a small gap along the top edge for the hanger's hook.

The tricky part is deciding how to finish off the front piece.  I carefully pealed back the excess interfacing and trimmed it back to the embroidered stitches.  This released the fabric to fall into tiny pleats.  Then I carefully stitched a 5/8" wide edging lace to the bottom edge, first with a small zig zag stitch (1.5mm wide and long) and then with a wing needle and a pin stitch.

The finishing touch was to hand sew on some beads, which had the bonus of holding the layers together!

Spring is in the air, time to sew!

It is a beautiful sunny morning, the type of winter day that makes you think of the summer ahead.  

I have a whole stack of sewing to do for myself before the weather warms up properly, and am enjoying being in my studio and working on some new clothes.  I have a figure that is almost impossible to buy for, unless you are happy wearing tents or clothes out of stretchy fabric all the time.  Using the custom patterns from Fit To Me gives me the ideal, something I can make myself and be sure it will fit! 

My biggest vice is never quite finishing off one project before flitting off to another, so today I absolutely must cut out the lining for this jacket and finish it off.  

I noticed in the Target catalogue that Lace Jackets are all the go for spring, and since I have some of that in my stash I thought I'd make this same jacket in lace!  I love the shape of it, simple princess line, with an open front that can be finished so many different ways!

Enough blogging, time to fire up the Pfaff Sensation and get some sewing done!

Guess Who is Still Sewing ...

Whoever thought that sewing clothes was something no one did any more is in for a shock.  Not only do people still sew their own clothes, the choices in patterns is amazing.  Obviously you can go to one of those "big" shops and buy from a well known pattern brand, but have you thought about all the other possibilities?

Here is one site that I found out about, which specializes in Vintage clothes styles, including plus sizes!  http://www.craftsy.com/user/492955/pattern-store;jsessionid=724BF7BD5743C5BC1463951CE2B3F929.rush

It is just a few weeks until the Australian Convention for Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff and Singer (I am a dealer for all three brands), and one of the evenings has a themed dinner of 1920's Flapper!  Now I definately don't have a flat flappers body shape so making something that will flatter, will be quite a challenge.  I found a designer, Anna Depew from Mrsdepew on Etsy that has some great Vintage patterns from the 20's, 30's and 40's, but if you like 50's vintage the above ones are the ones for you.

I have a bolt or two of silk jersy knit lying around the place, and I think I'd like to use that for the gown.  Once my Etsy patterns arrive I'll post photo's of my gown as I make it.

Seeing stars (It's time to do some Paper Piecing)

It's Thursday here in Australia.  And our winter is trying to fade into spring, although I don't think it is looking particularly nice today with a gray sky that wants to rain.

I am suffering from a rare and aggressive form of arthritis, which has forced me to forego the teaching I love, and leave my retail shop in the hands of my darling husband Jim, and our very capable staff.  Every now and then I get it into my head that I must be all better and do something very dumb.  This week I decided that I would come off my pain killers (mainly because I'd like to be able to drive a car again), and after several days to terrible pain I regret it now.  

After another sleepless night, I am going to give myself a day off, and stitch the quilt I am making for my son James for Christmas.  My new supply of paper pieces came yesterday from our supplier, Sue and I am all set to do some basting.  At Michelle's Sewing Basket we stock lots of different papers and templates at the shop and can order in any that you are after.  When I'm working on a project I get in some bulk packs for myself.

Paper piecing is a very relaxing form of patchwork by hand.  If you have never tried it I really recommend it!

You need to start by buying a template for cutting your fabric, and of course the papers.  When I first started I recycled the papers about 8 times each one, but frankly they do get a big floppy by then, and for the stars I am doing now the points are really vital so I think just 3 or 4 times for this quilt.  The template makes it possible to fussy cut, and although I haven't done any for this quilt, you can get some fantastic results.  I am going to use a Jiny Beyer border in the quilt and may well make some stars from fussy cutting the print.

Meantime for the "ordinary blocks".  The first step, of course is to cut your fabric.

Next, take one of the papers and one of the fabric pieces.  Notice that the fabric is bigger than the paper, because it includes the seam allowance.

Now pin the wrong side of the fabric to the paper, centering it better than this photo!  You really do need to pin the fabric before you baste it to the papers otherwise it shifts all over the place.

Now take a needle and thread and baste the piece. I usually use waxed quilting thread for this part because it is less inclined to twist itself into a knot.  I also use a larger needle than usual, just something like a Sharp 10.  To do this turn over the seam allowance using your fingers, and sew with a running stitch going right through the fabric and the paper.

The pointed ends get a bit tricky, I start at the less acute angle on the side, and work to the point.  Then I scoop the pointed end over toward the center of the paper.   

You need to hold this tip while you fold down the first side of the seam allowance, forming  a miter of sorts.

Baste up to this miter and just before you get to the tip, fold down the second side.

Now you have a nice pointy end, with all the raw edges tucked safely away from the folded edge, which will become the seam when we join the pieces of the star together.

You will still need to be careful not to end up with a hole in the middle of your star when you join the six pieces together, but nice pointy ends to the diamonds certainly help.

I use a ladder stitch to join my pieces, although it is more traditional to use a whipping stitch.  I also switch to a Sharp 12 needle and use either YLI silk thread, or Mettler Extra Fine Cotton.

So I'm off to find some music to listen to, or a movie to listen to and baste more diamonds while I rest and try to feel more human again.

Times are changing everything ...

Isn't it interesting how much technology has changed the way we live.  All at once we seem to have managed to embrace the instant nature of technology, loving the way we have instant access to information, while at the same time valuing all things "Vintage".  If I had a dollar for every time I said "I'll Google That" in a day I'd be very rich indeed!  And yet the Australian Olympic Team looked so chic in their Vintage style uniform!  Our kitchen appliances might have the sleek finish of stainless steel, but the shapes are right out of the 50's.

Even this blog is a great example of how technology has changed our lives, imagine that 20 years ago we wouldn't have dreamed of having a relationship with someone via a blog!

Of course in my work I have to stay up with all that modern technology throws at me. I have to know the software and understand the principals of the hardware too.  It isn't enough to know the machine isn't sewing right, I have to be able to figure out why.  I must admit I love this part of the job as much as I love the creative and artistic side.  When my intermediate 5D Software students were having trouble stitching out their digitized designs I really loved the chance to figure out what was happening and find a solution to the problem.

Of course technology has also changed the way we shop.  Just yesterday I wanted to find inspiration for two outfits I need to make to wear at the Blessington (Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff and Singer) Convention and found the internet so valuable.

Today I discovered a great site that offers wonderful discounts at businesses in your local area.  Take a look at this site http://www.clickprintsave.com.au/

Sharing Your Success

"Welsh Diamonds" a MAD Strip Club quilt project!

How often do you make something really great, and have no one to share the moment with?  It actually happens to me quite a bit, and while Jim is always so supportive, I'm not sure he always gets it.

I found this site on the internet that is set up for people to share what they have made with others who have similar interests  http://pinterest.com/pin/32721534763127589/

What a great idea.

The Final Test Sew ....

After spending months digitizing, I finally completed what should be the final test sew of one of the blocks for the quilt I'm doing.  

The quilt is "Friends of Baltimore", but instead of making the applique blocks, a group of students and I are busy digitizing them.  It has been a real challenge for all of us, and I think everyone has learned so much!  

My usual thing is to just test sew some parts of a design.  My first tests were to establish how big my blocks were going to be.  The original design has blocks that are 16" square, but when embroidered I thought they looked to clumsy, so I experimented with shrinking them until I settled on the size you see.  I also decided to set the block among some fancy stitch work, and so created the framing you see and the cross hatching, and cross hatching with candlewick stitches.  I'm delighted with the result, and the only changes I needed to make was to change the order a couple of a couple of elements.

I'm so looking forward to stitching out the four blocks I've finished and get on with digitizing some new ones.  Before I can do this I need to decide on what colour I want for the background.  I think that the soft cream I used looks nice.

I've had a few customers ask me if I would create some DVD Tutorials so people could learn how to digitize a project like this, and the news I have is that I am indeed working on doing just that.  It will take me quite a while to do, but I'd hope that sometime before Christmas I will have something ready.

Shifting Day

It is shifting day.

The truck is loaded, and Jame's life as a home owner begins.  I'm feeling a bit teary eyed and sentimental today.  Our eldest child, Cara, is floating around Europe, while living and working as a Steiner teacher in London, and now James is flying the coop.

That will just leave us with young Kevin, rattling around the family home.  Sometimes I really do wonder where the years have gone, it seems like only yesterday that they were just youngsters roaming around the neighborhood playing and getting into mischief.  

Over my years teaching patchwork I've seen so many women go through this empty nest thing, but it is still a surprise when you find yourself here ...

   

Inspiration from the Garden

It has rained so much this winter, that our garden has become a jungle!

At this time of the year, we actually have a bit of colour in our front garden and I did notice that the daffodils have already bloomed! With the Cammelia's and Daphne still out it is looking really quite lovely, except for the fact that someone really needs to spend a day trimming and tidying the garden beds. 

When we were in Europe earlier this year I was fascinated by a display of Antoni Gaudi's sketches and planning.  He is the one who designed the Cassa Bello and the Sagrada Familia.  He used all sorts of shapes from nature to inspire his work and there was an annex at the Sagrada Familia that showed this.  Once I had seen his sketches I could easily see the trees in the columns that are a main feature of this spectacular church that has been under construction for 100 years and is still not finished. 

What do you think?
He also used bone shapes a lot, things like ribs and spines, and these were very easy to spot.

I've been mulling over a quilt that will be able to convey the idea of Antoni Gaudi's inspiration, but am still a way off getting something ready to sketch.

But what this taught me is that inspiration really is everywhere!  Not only are there structured shapes for traditional patchwork, but there are shapes and forms that can be interpreted in embroidery, clothes, jewelry and so much more.

I don't think my humble garden will ever inspire a world famous architect, but is does inspire me when I paint, draw, sew or embroider.

A Milestone in our Family

It is one of those big moments for our family tomorrow.  Our eldest son, James is settling on his first home.

He has brought a really lovely old wooden 1930's home in Warburton, about 45 minutes from Melbourne.  It is on a nice parcel of land, and he is itching to get to work on bringing the tired old house back to life.  It will be a lovely home for him.

Naturally I'm making him a new quilt, which I hope to finish in time for Christmas.  James loves really traditional quilts, and still has a Thimbleberries quilt I made for him years ago.  I think it was called A Secret Garden, or A Quilters Garden, or something like that.  This time I've decided to make a paper pieced quilt, since I can sit by the fire and do that when I am resting.  

I am making good use of my fabric stash to make the stars, which are coming together really quickly.  I will set the stars in a background copper/brown colour, and use the beautiful border to bring it together.

I have no idea right now about how I will quilt it, but no doubt something will come to me as I work.

Even though I do almost all my work by machine, I do love to have something to keep my hands busy in the evenings, especially in the winter.  

Meantime, we will all be busy this weekend getting him, and all his stuff shifted.  The weather is really awful right now, and so we are all crossing our fingers that the rain goes someplace else!

Looking for a new Project?

The last thing I need today is a new project!

I'm having a friend over for morning tea, before going back to my sewing studio to finish test sewing one of the blocks I have digitized in the quilt "Friends of Baltimore".  It is looking fab, with just three things to change so far!

But while clearing out my emails I found this great article about digitizing couching, so if you are looking for something to do today, check it out ...http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/26857/create-a-couched-embroidery-design?utm_source=email&utm_medium=eletter&utm_term=embellishments&utm_content=20120807-couched-embroidery-bag&utm_campaign=threads-eletter

The author gives great instructions, but of course if you have a Pfaff or Husqvarna Viking you also have the option of digitizing this with a simple running stitch, then embroidering upside down using a decorative thread in your decorative bobbin case!  What fun.

Best Students in the World!

There is nothing more satisfying as a tutor than seeing students fired up and achieving their goals.  I'm so excited by my group of advanced Digitizing students.  Right now they are working on digitizing the quilt "Friends of Baltimore".  Their work, and the level of understanding they have about the software is quite possibly the best ever.

Something Out of the Box

Do you ever wonder why we do things that we do?  You know what I mean, why do Hair Salons also do Spray Tans?  Why do Dry Cleaners, do alterations and repairs to clothes?  Why do plumbers install gas appliances?


Sometimes the answer is staring you in the face, and sometimes it is a bit more obscure.  When I went to my first Husqvarna Viking USA Convention I was so surprised to find that there was a Sew and Vac Association, which advised shops, and offered a whole host of services we'd normally associate with an industry association.  But how on earth did this association come about ... why Sew and Vac??  The representative couldn't understand why I was even asking the question, and so to him it seemed so obvious.  Historically women buy both sewing machines and vacuum cleaners, in fact traditionally all the small electrical appliances associated with "housewives" were sold together.

This is why, when we became a Singer dealer we also took their range of small electrical appliances like the steam irons, iron station etc. In actual fact we have had access to a huge range of kitchen appliances, which my home is full of.  I have several flat screen TV's, a Food Processor, a Wine Fridge, a Pizza Oven, a Deep Fryer ... the list is embarrassingly long!   Until now we haven't actually held much stock in the shop, choosing to use these products as prizes rather than stocking them for sale.  But now we have taken things a step further and this week we are very excited to launch our new partnership with Singer ... the Singer Professional range of kitchen appliances.
  http://youtu.be/lR3Zyt2aUz4


Even better, if you are a Cudo member you can grab a huge 50% saving off the versatile Sandwich Press!

Cudo Offer

Stock of these wonderful products are due to arrive any day at the shop, so look out for the display when next you visit.


I for one cannot wait to upgrade my toaster for one of the new Singer Professional ones.  My cheap toaster from one of the discount shops, is on it's last legs.  The toast comes out either burned or barely more than warmed through, and the lifty mechanism is all but destroyed.  The idea of a wonderful, sleek new toaster that will enable me to set the desired temp and level of browning is more than I can want!  I've chosen the ultimate toaster, with a sleek stainless steel exterior, the four slice toaster is going to save cuing for the toaster in the mornings.  It even has a bun warming rack, which I think will be super helpful.

So although it seems a strange marriage, for us it was simply a perfect partnership, the worlds best sewing machines and a range of professional home appliances for the everyday chef!  


What domestic Goddess could want more?

If I could find even half a brain it would be lonely ....

I was teaching in the shop a few weeks ago, and discussion had turned to the various things we clean in the dishwasher.  One of the group was surprised to hear that everyone else cleaned the filter for their extractor's in the dishwasher.  Wide eyed she exclaimed that she'd never even thought of doing that.


I had one of those moments this week.  My youngest, Kevin was preforming in a school concert last night.  His school is celebrating 50 years and most of the pupils have been rehearsing like crazy for months now.  Kevin and his year level were doing a dance which brought the house down.  


Anyhow back to the story.  He was required to wear a white long sleeve, plain shirt, jeans and runners.  No problem with the jeans and runners, but we couldn't find a long sleeve white shirt in any of the local department and discount stores.  Even further afield in Knox we drew a blank. Finally I found Target online and ordered it to be delivered to our local shop for pick up.  It was taking a few weeks, and I was getting a bit anxious, but finally it did arrive with just 6 days to spare.  So I was chatting to Kevin and asking if all his class mates had found shirts.  


"Yep", he replied, "although Mav's mum is making his".


Making his?????


How had I never thought of this myself????


Now I feel like a complete numskull, fancy not thinking of sewing him a shirt!

Arty Farty Flowers Class with Helen Godden

Yesterday was Helen's last day teaching at the shop, and what a day it was! A booked out class of students had the most marvelous day.  Just look at these photo's of their smiling faces and beautiful wall quilts!!

On behalf of Jim, myself and all our lucky customers I'd like to thank Helen again for sharing her talents with us over the last few day's.

Helen Godden at the shop

This week we have had the delight of hosting Helen Godden.  Helen is the International Ambassador for Handi Quilter, and a multi-award winning quilter.

On Monday she taught a class in free motion quilting, and yesterday a second class again on free motion quilting for those a bit more experienced.  Today she is teaching an "Arty Farty" class with all sorts of techniques!

Fortunately I remembered to press the camera into Helen's hands after breakfast and so she managed some photos from yesterdays class! Everyone who has been in the classes have enjoyed Helen's fun style of teaching, and I know I will be seeing some amazing quilting on their quilts.