Sew Darn Tired

To our U.S. friends being battered right now... I hope Sandy is kind and you are all safe. Good luck. Kookaburra (on right) Here, when you hear the kookaburra call you know it's going to rain.

Has anyone used Lekala patterns? There are some seriously great designs there and they are so cheap and they fit to your own size. I mean look at those dresses... I love that one with the folds and that top jacket is just dreamy. The coat at the bottom - just simple clean lines. I'd love to hear if anyone other than Tanit Isis Sews  has made any I'd love to hear how it went. Oh... I have my last lecture and tutorial for this year tomorrow and in two weeks my first (of four) exams... but on the 13 November at 7.30pm I am finished for this year!(But who's counting??)

As the Hunters and Collectors song goes "Do you see what I see???" I saw this ad in Gumtree and immediately emailed the seller... all these patterns for $10 - that wasn't what thrilled me (even though some are nice - but I mean really I don't need to get any more patterns - not that it stopped me buying some the other day..oops!). No, what thrilled me was the Very Easy Vogue pattern in the bottom left corner.... a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress pattern! The anticipation was almost too much - the woman emailed be back... she'd had no response from the Gumtree ad and so she took took them to the salvos!!! Like I said - DAMN!!

  I made a pair of running shorts! Ha that's a joke.. I don't run..YET! I made these about 5 months ago from an old pattern (I can't find it at the moment tho). It's a one piece pattern and I didn't hold much hope for it really but it fits really well. I added about 5cm to the length as the pattern was short (too short for my legs). This was a piece of wicking fabric I bought for a dollar off a remnant table. It was the exact size for these shorts. I used my overlocker and a twin needle for the hems and waist and I used contrasting pink thread.  I also made a little pocket for the front of the waist. This helps me know which is front and back and also, if I ever run outside I can put my key in there. I bought a treadmill recently - just a cheap one from Aldi that was only $300. A (tall)friend suggested making sure it is long enough but I'm pretty short and it 'fits' me well. Now as I can't get out to walk because I can't leave my son ...

  These are some rtw jeans that my son had. The khaki ones fit him like a glove.. the others...look like *rap! The length of that crotch was big enough nearly for me! I find that a lot with pants for boys... anyway we'd had these in the wardrobe, along with two other pairs of pants (pull on ones) with the same problem so i decided I'd tackle them... this is about 2 months ago actually, but just noticed the photos again. So I cut the pants to the same shape as the khaki and voila! Three 'new' pairs of pants and no trip to the shop. Sometimes I just figure, by the time you get into the car, drive 20 mins to the shops, get a park...you get the picture, it's just as easy to adjust (in this case) or make something from scratch yourself! Notice how the foot tips back due to the thickness of the fabric With a small spacer it raises the foot, making it easier to move forward I also thought I'd share a little tip I learned in fashion design college (anothe...

Hmm.. that mirror was embarrassing so it was cleaned as soon as I saw the photos. It wasn't noticeable in real life! Notice it's at about 8 year old boy height! So this is a ruffle skirt I made about 6 weeks ago. I got the fabric at the fabric sale I talk about for $8 per metre. It was the only colour. If you hold the fabric up one way; it was just like normal ruffle fabric... nice straight ruffles going across, but if you turned it the other way,the little catches in the knitting made the ruffles scallop and I thought it looked interesting so cut the skirt this way. The skirt is really comfortable and goes with a black merino wool knit top I bought at the fabric sale last year for $5 and the little cotton/linen jacket in the photos is from this years sale for $10. You can't see it in the photos but it has buttons down the centre back - a cute feature. I cut the skirt in a way that made a little fish tail at the back and you can also wear it to the side an...

I made  half made this jacket about 20 years ago... wow I can't believe it is that long ago but it is! This was my first and only attempt at welt pockets of any kind.... and with at zip!! I impress myself. (maybe only me!)And how is that zip insertion?? Again I impress myself... This was not at a time when I had any guidance, technical assistance (from books or teacher or anything) bar the pattern instructions ...and there was not a thought in my head that I should do practice welts. Never would have occurred to me until I read it in a blog. So obvious when you read it! I know they are not great but I am pleased with them and the zip. This is a Kwik Sew pattern that I still have and will try to finish this jacket in the long summer holidays for my Mum when she walks.  The fabric colour is most like the top photo. It is completely water proof and I got it for less than a song at the fabric sale I go to about once a year.I've got more things I need to co...