The fairy godmother project

For an unbaptised atheist, being asked to be a godmother was, well, rather a surprise.  But since the child’s parents were quite clear in their expectation that I should lead the child astray (in the nicest, most socially just and politically aware manner), I said yes.

The plan was for the deed to be done in November last year, along with his older brother, but the Catholic Church was a bit busy, what with Christmas approaching, so it got put off.  In the meantime, a  younger brother arrived, so it became a three-for-one deal.

Meanwhile, the christening gown I’d started making, got put away (tiny fiddly pieces cut from lovely silk satin that fairly haemorrhaged silver wisps).

Then the date was set, and the urgency resumed.  With much hand-sewing and very careful ironing, it gone done with a week to spare and posted to the child’s parents.  Except my godchild is nearly two and it didn’t fit.

But it did fit his younger brother.  Best of all, Young Ben didn’t even throw up on it!

Of course it’s not all about the godchild – the fairy godmother needed something sensational to wear.

Purple coating and the most sensational lining ever.  Which, it turned out, was absolutely necessary – the church was absolutely freezing.

And here I am with my Godchild, Will, wearing the fairy godmother jacket, which is the best garment I have ever made.  It fits perfectly, nothing went wrong during the construction and it’s absolutely unique.

The Great BSC Perth sewing weekend away

This is so exciting! A weekend away, just the BSC Perth ladies, wine, sewing, cocktails, sewing, yummy food, sewing…

We’ve booked the Dwellingup Forest Heritage Centre from Friday night June 15 to Sunday June 17.  It has has single bedrooms, a huge kitchen and the dining room has enough tables to spread out your fabric and patterns.  The price per night will vary with the number going.

You’ll need to bring your own towels and bedding, and make it generous as we’re staying in Dwellingup and it gets cold.

Also your sewing machine and some projects, wine, any food you’d like to share, the makings of cocktails…

Enough of us are fab cooks, so meals with be mouth-watering, hopefully made from ingredients sourced locally. We’ll probably have one or two meals at local establishments, to be decided when we see what’s on offer.

email bscperthwa@gmail.com for a flier with details or see the BSC Perth Meetup site

Another sale

Love your knits?

Potter Fabrics has a knit sale this week: Tuesday 15 ’til Friday 19 May.

According to the email I got and facebook, half the store is stocked with summer and winter knits and they’re all 20% off.

Potter’s is at 12 McEwan Place, West Leederville.  Mention you’re with BSC Perth and you’ll get a special welcome.

April meet – a bit of catching up

Our next meet will be on Sunday April 15, 1.30pm, at Sandra’s studio in Malaga.

Bring along whatever you’re working on or join in our make do and mend afternoon.

Do you have a pile/basket/shameful secret stash of garments that need their hems sewn up/buttons sewn back on/to be taken in a bit to fit properly?

Bring them along and get them done.  Your conscience will thank you!

Don’t forget to let us know if you’re coming by RSVPing over at MeetUp. Click here to let us know whether you’re attending!

March BSC meet – Sunday 18 March

Sometimes life gets in the way.

So – this month’s BSC Perth meet will be Sunday 18 March at Sandra’s studio in Malaga.   (email bscperthwa@gmail.com for the address)

Sincerest apologies if you’ve written the TBC date in your diary and gotten yourself all worked up for a Saturday meet.

Treasures you don’t expect to find

I love a garage sale – the thrill of the chase, the treasures you find, the ridiculous prices.  This had been in storage for a good many years.  It was dusty and the case a bit dented.

 

 

 

 

 

But for $25, how could I lose?  The lady who’d carefully put it into storage also had this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That is a  box of 28 decorative stitch cams.

Unfortunately, we have some sort of a mix up.

 

 

 

 

 

That is both a knee drive controller thingy and a plug that most definitely needs a foot.  There’s no hole for the knee drive and there’s no foot.  It also seems to be missing a drive belt.  Neither can I find a name or serial number.  I’ve googled it and can’t find a picture of it on the interwebs.  For now, it’s the Pinnock Mystery.

I shall take it to the sewing machine repair man and see what can be done.

2012 – the BSC sewing year

Now that you’ve got your sewing mojo back after the mayhem of Christmas/New Year, BSC Perth has some fantastic plans for a year of brilliant sewing.

While it’s fun getting together in Sandra’s studio and gossiping while we stitch, there have been suggestions about running meets in a more structured way.

So – from a cider-fueled brainstorming session that included a large piece of paper and textas in lots of different colours, here is the BSC sewing year. (subject to change according to feedback)

January (Saturday 14, 1.30pm at Fleur’s house) – general sewing.  Bring along a project and your sewing machine for an afternoon of relaxation with a bit of sewing thrown in.  Email bscperthwa@gmail.com for the address

February (Sunday 19, 1.30pm at Vanessa’s house) – knickers! Bring along some soft cotton knit (a t-shirt is perfect) and sew yourself some fabulous unmentionables.  Stay tuned for a post from Vanessa with links to patterns and other resources and a list of what notions you might need.  Email bscperthwa@gmail.com for the address)

March (Saturday 17, 1.30 – subject to change, venue probably Sandra’s studio but this may also change) – general sewing.  Bring along your latest project and sewing machine, or sew some angel bags for a charity that helps kids who are abruptly taken into foster care.

April (Sunday 15, 1.30pm, Sandra’s studio in Malaga) – make do and mend.  Do you have a pile/basket/shameful secret stash of garments that need their hems sewn up/buttons sewn back on/to be taken in a bit to fit properly?  Bring them along and get them done.  Your conscience will thank you

**Later in April – the Inaugural BSC Perth Sewing Weekend Away!  This is very exciting!  The plan is a bit vague just now, but round about the weekend of April 27-29 we will book the accommodation at the Dwellingup School of Wood and spend a weekend there sewing, watching fashion-inspired movies, exploring Dwellingup and generally having a lovely weekend away.  More details as they are sorted out.

May (Saturday 19, 1.30 Sandra’s studio in Malaga *subject to change) – general sewing.  And it’s the day before Jacquie’s birthday, so champagne and cake!

June (Sunday 17, 1.30pm Sandra’s studio in Malaga) t-shirt refashion.  Stay tuned for a post from Debra with links to resources for turning an average piece of cotton knit into something fabulously unique.

July (Saturday 14, 1.30pm Sandra’s studio in Malaga *subject to change) – general sewing.

August (Sunday 19, 1.30pm Sandra’s studio in Malaga) – boxer shorts.  Stay tuned for a post from Sarah with links to resources and patterns.  These are simple enough to be finished easily in our usual three-hour session.

September (Saturday 15, 1.30pm Sandra’s studio in Malaga *subject to change) – general sewing.

October (Sunday14, 1.30pm Sandra’s studio in Malaga) – op-shop challenge!  Expect a post after the September meet about this.  You’ll need to go to an op-shop and buy a piece of clothing for $5 or less that you bring along to the meet and refashion into something no-one will ever guess started life in a completely different guise.

November (Saturday 17, 1.30pm Sandra’s studio in Malaga *subject to change) – general sewing.

December (Sunday 16, 1.30pm Sandra’s studio in Malaga) – BSC Christmas party.  It’s a bit too soon to be thinking about how we’ll celebrate, but expect bubbly to be involved.

We’re also going to bring back Show and Tell – if you find something gorgeous or make something of which you’re particularly proud bring it along and tell everyone about it.

And we’re going to have a constant de-stash swap box going – if there’s a piece of fabric or pattern you’re realistically never going to make, donate it to the box and someone else can put it to use.

Expect also to see a BSC notice board in Sandra’s studio.  Everyone can put up notices to events of interest, articles from newspapers or magazines and so forth, and that’s where we’ll keep name badges (admit it – there are names you don’t know and have sort-of missed the change to ask).

Sandra is also very keen to organise a couple of frocktail events.   These could even be aligned with the general sewing afternoons – finish off  your haute couture creation, rush home to frock up, meet somewhere chic for dinner and admiring glances.

Field trips are also on the agenda – we hear that Potter’s Fabrics has planned a new, bigger shop and there’s a suggestion Sandra’s beloved, James, might also take a screen printing workshop.

Does that get your creative juices flowing?

The nipple skirt

But more on that later.

In case you don’t know, our Sandra is a regular contributor to Peppermint Magazine’s Sewing School.  I really like the origami skirt from the Autum 2011 issue.  It’s been that long before I’ve had time to sit down and do some concentrated sewing.  So, last night, I downloaded the pattern and instructions.

Sandra says you should use plain fabric, but this Ikea print seemed like it would work, and it’s sturdy enough to hold the funky 3D pleats.  And I have a contrary streak.  She also says to interface the waistband, I figured my fabric needed no more stiffening, so I didn’t.

 

 

 

 

 

First you cut out six pairs of this boot-like shape.  The pattern works for a series of sizes, but to customise, measure your waist, divide by 12, and grade the pattern piece to that measurement at the waist.  You can also lengthen or shorten.

 

 

 

 

 

Then sew the pairs of boots together, long edge to long edge, then each pair to each other pair, short edge to short edge.  This is where it gets three dimensional.  I french-seamed the pieces, but this came unstuck when I got to the putting the zip in bit.  So I zig-zagged that final seam – it’s not pretty, but it’s not going to go anywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

Turn over the waistband and the hem and you’re done.

 

 

 

 

 

And here’s the reason for the title of this post.  Unmistakeable, aren’t they?!

New Year’s sewing resolutions

Well, why not?  Lots of us make resolutions about other parts of our lives, and sewing is a big part of mine.

1. Sew in more sensible fabrics – less silk and floaty, fray-y, swearing-inducing stuff, more cotton and linen;
2. More sensible, everyday clothes and fewer cocktail frocks and ball gowns;
3. Cut off loose threads as I go;
4. Work harder at my finishing – careful cutting, straighter seams, french seams, overlocked edges;
5. Learn to grade patterns so they fit properly instead of crossing my fingers and cutting;
6. More hand-sewn presents, made in good time instead of last-minute rushing before a party;
7. Get my sewing room set up; and
8. Work through my stash.

Anyone else?

Art for your sewing space

Sometimes some art on the wall is what’s needed to, erm, get a message across.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For your viewing pleasure: http://handmaderyangosling.tumblr.com/