Catching Up

Happy New Year! I'm back and my computer is fresh and clean .... now to catch up on happenings here .... firstly I'm in love with my new dress... it's Burda World of Fashion 4/08 Dress 116, I've made one for myself and one (shorter and sleeveless) for my little sweet pea (age twelve) ...
Both of these fabrics came from my sewing week at Martin and Savage - they are 94% Polyester and 6% Spandex, and while I normally favour natural fibres, this fabric is something else ... just lovely to wear ....
The sleeves are a bit tight as I failed to read the instructions properly - I was meant to put an armhole facing and just insert a sort of 3/4 sleeve - but anyway, it still works ....

The centre front has a cute little drapey piece that tucks into bottom of the V - which I had to adjust to show less cleavage. This one's a winner - I love it!
Next up, we've had some birthdays here and I made some cushions for a nephew and neice ... they are 70cm square, and I used images manipulated by Big Huge Labs and then printed them onto fabric with my inkjet printer ....



I borrowed a Janome Embroidery Machine from school to practise using it .... my sweet pea has taken a shine to it and she's been creating lots of cool stuff .... of course eventually we'll have to make something with all this - but WOW - it has certainly captured her attention and sewing motivation ......

Here is a dress I made from prepared Shirred Fabric - this is so easy and lovely to wear - fabric is called READY TO WEAR from Martin and Savage
I rolled hem the top edge and the hems and the strips for the straps ...

This is the whole piece with two panels on it - here is where I cut it ...
Christmas is hydrangea time ....
And Baguette time ..... featuring some Kaffe Fassett .....

Very cute bag!
Now, some pics from my students .... here is Paul wearing PJs hemmed by Annalise - great work!
He looks pretty happy with them!
And here is Nicole's lovely beach bag and hat ...... the colours and fabrics of these two look fab!
She's on board her lovely boat on beautiful Lake MacQuarie (I assume?) .....

Note the contrasting under brim side - perfect!

And thats AHOY from me! If you live in the Newcastle / Central Coast area and would like to come along to learn hat / bag making I have classes coming up on Saturdays - 30th Jan, 6th Feb and 13th Feb - contact me for more info.