Another video tutorial

This video is all about achieving neat edges while weaving, I hope it helps someone out there.

It's a long time since I bought new fabric and Spotlight was having a 30% off sale so I couldn't resist! My eldest daughter has a birthday in a few weeks, so I have plans ;)

This is my current weaving WIP - a merino scarf with a pastel gradient warp and solid grey weft. I started out weaving in plain weave with black yarn but hated the result, so I "unwove" and restarted with the grey and a warp float pattern - so much better! 

Hand woven shawl, poncho, wrap???

I had this fabric sitting around and wasn't sure what to do with it. Yesterday, inspiration struck, I tried some pinning, then some sewing and finished up with a beautiful, warm and drapey garment that I'm quite taken with!

Here is the back view.

I said to my husband "if I was thinner I could wear it with a belt". He said "wear the belt anyway". Awesome husband :) 

It's a versatile piece - it can be a wrap, a poncho, a shawl, it's pretty cool!

And what would a photo shoot be without Lou (aka Noodleberry).

I posted the garment on Facebook and a lot of people want details, so I will try to recall what I can!

The cloth: Woven in 2 panels 140cm x 50cm (one panel was slightly longer)

Both panels were hemstitched on the loom.

I used 4ply merino (grey) and my hand dyed handspun in the warp for the stripes.

I used a 10 dent heddle on my rigid heddle loom.

The construction: I lay one panel on top of the other. Taking the top panel, I made a full twist in it (like a mobius scarf). Woven fabric is reversible, so both sides look good, major bonus ;)

Leaving a neck hole, I pinned the panels so that they would be joined for 24cm. I tried it on numerous times, adjusting the pins to get a good fit. Then I sewed the panels together on the sewing machine, pressed the seams open, then topstitched the seams down to strengthen them. 

Apart from wet finishing the fabric and cutting the fringe straight with a rotary cutter, that's about it.

If you have more questions, ask away!

Making for cold weather

We've had a cold snap this week, Winter is really here. My oldest girl has nearly worn out her handmade tops, so it was time for a new one. The beautiful navy floral print is a gorgeous Stenzo knit from Zebra fabrics, it's so incredibly soft. Other prints from Crafty Mamas.

The loom is always dressed these days! For this scarf I used hand dyed merino and also my hand dyed, handspun. Simple placement of colours gives such a great effect!

Thin stripes of solid colour paired with a variegated handspun makes a party of colour dots, I love it.

This is a sampler I've been working on. I thought it was about time for me to see what this rigid heddle loom can do, I've been lazy with all this plain weave! Using Jane Patrick's book "The Weaver's Idea Book" I've tried out about 8 different patterns using pick up sticks and it's really not hard!

I posted this photo on the Facebook rigid heddle weaving group, encouraging members to have a go at making patterns and the response was huge! It seems I'm not the only who was stuck in the plain weave comfort zone.

I'll be utilising some of these newly learned techniques to weave a scarf to enter in the Royal Melbourne Show weaving section, can't wait to get started!

Seamstress in the making..

Gem (my 8 year old) made her first skirt! I call it the awesome skirt, can you see why? :)

This girls is a big maker (gosh, where did she get that from?) and constantly has something on the go, usually a little wool felt stitchery project of her own design. But she hasn't made herself any clothing before.

We drafted a pattern together based on the Crafty Mamas hoody skirt. She chose to have a stretchy knit skirt rather than a woven (like Mum wears). So, we started with a white Stella base.

She did most of the sewing on the machine herself, with my guidance. Except the waistband, that's the tricky part, so I did that for her. The waistband is also made of Stella, so it's one of those gorgeously comfortable skirts - no elastic.

Next, she had her first experience with dyes. After some discussion and planning, I showed her how to mark and tie the skirt, then apply the colours to get the effect she wanted. She was amazed to see the colours run into each other and mix, creating new colours. I don't think she understood much of the dye process before, you need to actually do it and see it in action.

After curing overnight (what a painful wait for a young lady!) we cut the ties and rinsed. Then the awesomeness of the colours and patterns was revealed. The look on her face when she realised what she had created was priceless.

Here is another recent project she came up with as a surprise for me. It's the best little pincushion I've ever used! She embroidered "Ma" at the top and used a polymer clay button I made ages ago.

There is only one downside to all this. I think I'm going to have to hide my fabric stash :)

Always making

It's true, I'm always making something and more often than not I'm making many things! Here are a few of my recent and current projects:

I'm quite in love with this Primrose already, lots of knitting to go but I'm enjoying every stitch. I dyed the yarn especially for this dress and it looks better than I envisioned. It's going to be for my littlest woolly lover, she is a most grateful recipient of anything knitted.

Always dyeing yarn....sales have dropped off a little but it's only natural considering it's Summer here. Anyway, my Etsy shop is stocked with plenty of yarn at the moment.

I have tea towels on the loom and things are going pretty slowly. I'm hemstitching them on the loom which always adds a bit of time and I'm also using 4ply cotton, so the weaving is not quick. These are my first tea towels so I hope they are a success after this time investment!

I dyed and made a top for me - it didn't suit me at all so I cut the main part down to make a top for my eldest girl along with some Euro fabrics from my stash and one of my favourite top patterns for my girls - CZM Mareen. This girl just won't stop growing!

As usual I have about 1000 ideas for things I "must do" but don't have the time or money for, but they keep me ticking and I'm grateful to the time that I currently have to be creative. I have a couple of exciting happenings cooking up in my mind for this month, so stay tuned for those!

God bless you all :)

Girl's dress recon

We have some kind neighbours who often give children's clothes they no longer need (they have 3 girls so it works out well!) I loved the fabric and full skirt of this Pumpkin Patch dress but the halter neck was a little too lacking in modesty for my taste.

A pair of sharp scissors, a sewing machine and 30 minutes later... it's a skirt! I have had such precious little time to sew lately and this was such an easy alteration to make, it's even lined. The cost of the elastic and thread come to about $1, what a bargain :)

And most importantly, it passes the twirl factor!

Sewing marathon

OK, I exaggerate with the whole "marathon" thing, but I am pretty happy with my sewing this week!

All the tops are made using the Mareen pattern by Cinderella zwergen mode - one of my faves for the girls. All the fabrics are from Crafty Mamas unless otherwise specified.

Butterflies and pink striped jersey by Lillestoff 

I just had to buy this fabric for Mary. It may be hard to see, but it's farmyard animals, and she is a great lover of animals :) Farmyard knit is Lillestoff and pink stripes are Gita. I made it into a dress to really show off that cute print.

I hand dyed the fabrics for this one, I wasn't sure about the yellow neckband but I really like it now. The little mushroom is an iron on velour from Crafty Mamas.

Not a modelled shot for this one, as the little recipient is really under the weather. Isn't it cute though? I may have a hard time getting her to wear it, she won't take off her knitted rainbow dress, even in this warmer weather!

I did make a top for myself too but I'm not happy with it and am currently consulting with some knowledgeable Crafty Mamas for alteration opinions.

What do you think? My husband thinks I'm an amazing sewist, but really the trick is in getting beautiful quality fabric that speaks for itself.

Til next time, God bless you :)

Sewing

Well, my sewing machine still has not returned from servicing (3 weeks and counting!) but last week the sewing centre kindly lent me their resident dinosaur, which despite all it's protesting, actually does a fine job.

The skirt I'm wearing (you didn't think I sewed that coat did you, nu uh!) is from Lisa at Crafty Mamas. It's the Hoody Skirt. I used dark grey Stella and found it a little drab, so jazzed it up with some Stenzo binding on the hem, much better. I can honestly say this is the most comfortable skirt I've worn (I'm a big skirt wearer!) and I'll be making a lot more of them. There are 3 different lengths to choose from.

Now, onto the boy who has patiently been waiting for me to sew him some more tops. I used my trusty Jalie Men's t-shirt pattern which can do no wrong in my eyes, even if I do have to adjust the fit for my guys. Black stella for the body and black and white striped Gitta for the sleeves. 

He is very happy with it and I'm so glad to have a 13 year old son who still asks me to make clothes for him!

Don't forget the giveaway if you haven't entered yet you have until Friday to do so. If you're having trouble leaving a message from a mobile device or any other reason please let me know, either through Facebook or email so I can still enter you in :)

Been sewing a little..

The cooler weather brings not only the urge to sew but the necessity as little girls become less little and need new, warm clothes.

This pattern is called Burda kids t-shirt, which seems rather drab to me - it's more of a crossover top. The fabric is a stripy Japanese knit from Spotlight which I was keen to test out. I found it a little slippery under the machine, not too bad, but I prefer the Euro and Australian knits I usually buy. Yes, they're more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Gem loves the top :)

Funky pants - pattern and beautiful velour fabric both from Crafty Mamas.

The pants were too long, so I cut them off, hemmed them and made a matching headband from the excess.

I have plans for more leggings and long sleeved tops, of, and guess what?! I finished another cardigan, it just has to blocked and buttoned now :)

This has been a bit of a staple breakfast here of late - porridge with maple syrup and double cream. Yum!

Now I'm off to bake my bread and make a large pot of minestrone for dinner. Who says cold weather is dull?!

A little upcycling

We often receive donations of clothing from others, which is really lovely and very kind, but often we have to pass the clothes on or make some adjustments due to immodest styles or slogans.

Lovely dress, lovely fabric, innapropriate style for a young lady.

Ditto.

Easy fix. Cut off the bodice, make a waist casing, insert elastic and you have a pretty, flouncy skirt.

Ditto :)

Clothes sewing!

For husband, a Jalie Men's top with 2 sleeve option. Really easy to make with really good result. I used black Stella and for the contrast sleeve stripey Hilco, both from Crafty Mamas.

For me, a Diane Kimono dress from Serendipity Studio. I purchased the pattern from Earthgirl Fabrics.

This was sort of a test one - I used inexpensive broadcloth which has turned out a little stiff, but altogether I'm fairly happy with the dress and look forward to making the next one out of a lighter fabric.

You'll have to excuse my makeupless face :)

You can't see the finer details of the dress here but it has a drawstring waist and crossover bodice. I had some sizing issues (Medium bust, small waist, extra large hips!) so my next one will go down a size in the bodice, the skirt size is just how I like it.

One of the main reasons I took up sewing was to make and repair clothes for my family, so it's great when I actually have the time (and the fabric!) to do so, it's really so very satisfying :)

A birthday outfit and some more sneakies...

My first girl turns 7 today (whoa, where did that time go?!)

I can't tell you how difficult it is to make a surprise outfit for someone who is always home when I am, but I managed and it's beautiful and a perfect fit :)

For the dress I used one of my fast becoming favourite patterns - Mareen from Cinderella Zwergen mode. A beautifully easy pattern that is simple in design and showcases special fabrics really well. Oh, and if you like the woodland fabric, it's Lillestoff available here.

And for the Gossamer Dreams stocking here are some more sneak peeks of my items.

Gossamer Dreams opens on Saturday at 8pm so be sure to mark it on your calendar, there is just so much to choose from this month!

Mareen dress

A new Winter dress for a little one who has just turned 3. The pattern is "Mareen" from Cinderella Zwergen Mode. There are a number of options for different styles dresses or tops. Great pattern, very easy and quick. I do so love a pattern I can just cut and sew without needing to follow the instructions.

The floral print is a beautiful soft velour from Stenzo and the plain co ordinating knit is Indigo from Stella (from the Crafty Mamas shop).

She loves it, and it's so nice to be able to wear a dress in Winter with warm and comfy fabrics.

Growing outfits

I'm amazed how quickly the children are growing which means sewing clothes requires larger amounts of fabric! Something I love about the Antonia pattern is you can use smaller pieces of feature fabrics teamed up to make the top look really unique.

It's an easy top to make with a number of options and with some new stripey red and white leggings you have a whole new outfit!

All fabrics from Crafty Mamas.

Working on....

Another Ottobre 301 finished as the cooler weather continues to approach. Aren't Crafty Mamas fabrics just so gorgeous?! (And for those of you who tell me you can't sew with knits I say "Oh yes you can!!"

I'm loving the embroidery that I've been working on at night. It's a printed vintage piece that my Mum in Law gave me years ago. The reason I didn't start it earlier is because it was partially worked already (with very beautiful but old threads). I couldn't decide what to do.

Initially I tried matching the existing threads, but being of vintage era there was no hope of an accurate match. So I regretfully made the decision to remove the old threads, which came out easily.

I have no regrets now, as the vibrant colours I'm now using are looking so gorgeous and the piece is a joy to stitch.

Today I've been working in the laundry (it's not what you think!!) dyeing some fabrics which I'll share when they're ready.

I'm really excited to have ordered some rolls (yes, rolls!) of silk ribbon from the U.S. as well as some new silk paints, so I eagerly await that parcel, I have lots and lots of plans.

I hope you have had a wonderfully blessed week!