Mixing and matching

FNSI started early for me today.    The last lot of fabric that was given to me  by the charity organiser contained a lot of plain fabric so in order to "dress" it up I used up some odds and ends of floral  fabrics that were left over from garments  previously made either for Miss M or myself.    I hate having fabric sitting around without a purpose.   Out with the scissors and four dresses were cut out - they will have floral bodices and sleeves with plain skirts.

I even had enough time  to finish off one today.   I timed myself from the cutting out stage to completion - it  takes approx. 3 hours per dress for this design.  

Thanks Wendy for organising us again.    I hope that you are "drying out" after the big wet up your way.  

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

The Tardis

I was given some leftover fabric by a Dr Who fan featuring the Tardis which has been sitting  in my sewing room and everytime I looked at it I wondered what could  be made using the fabric.   The donator of the fabric had a birthday last week so as part of her present she was given the fabric back in the form of a boxed pouch.

I lined the pouch with the same spotty fabric used for the tabs on either end of the zip and added a key charm as part of the zipper pull.    

The recipient was thrilled to receive it and I enjoyed making it so a win win all round.  

It has been rather hot for the last  few weeks so not much sewing has been happening.    I did manage to find a few more yellow fabrics to use for my log cabin blocks but they are yet to be cut.    

Linking with Oh Scrap

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Happy sewing all

A first time for everything

I have never thought of doing a pocket sewn into the side seam of a garment until the other day.     Now that I think about it it was something that I considered to be too hard and fiddly  but after having watched a few you-tube videos on how it is done today was the day to have a go.   I have to say that my fears  were soon dispelled and it was quite quick in relation to making patch pockets.  

Here  is the pocket as seen from the inside of the dress.   I did overlock the pocket before attaching it to the dress and then did a row of stitching just inside the overlocking to give it extra strength.

And here it is seen from the right side...….you can just see the opening if you look hard.

I have to say that I impressed myself  with the result and a pocket in the side seam will be an addition to all garments from now on.  

I am off to sew more pockets….back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Hello Sunshine

The colour for February's rainbow scrap challenge is yellow.      This gave me an excuse to wander into my sewing room today and have a play around with the yellow scrap tub.    This is what was found

Now that I see them together there may need to be another rummage around to get a bit more variety in the colour value - they all seem to be middle of the road to me.    More lights and darks are needed.
My OMG for February will be to sew up 4 yellow log cabin blocks and then join them to form 1 large block.

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Happy sewing all

Doing a little bit of this and that

After a particularly hot week - this photo was taken in the shade outside our back door yesterday afternoon

It was much cooler today with drizzle on and off all day for which the garden will be grateful and being the first Friday of the month means FNwF.   During the  week I had been "production lining" library bags and all that was left to do today was slot the cord through the casing so that I have about 20 of them ready to deliver over the weekend.

While I wait for  February's colour to be announced over the weekend for the rainbow colour challenge I needed to cut more strips of light fabric - hopefully these will be enough for the 4 log cabin blocks.

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Happy sewing all

My luck ran out

I have always considered myself to be lucky enough to get to my age...….3 score years plus a few.....and to never have been stung by a bee or wasp but that all changed late yesterday.     There I was out in my garden picking some lovely fresh little cherry tomatoes to add into our salad for dinner and spotted a few which were in an awkward position....down low with the best option to move the  table and go in from the patio side and that is when it all happened.

Unknown to me there was a wasp nest under the table so when it was grabbed and moved about 6 wasps were disturbed and all flew in my direction.   Fortunately I am still agile and able to move fairly quickly however one wasp  was quicker and took a liking to my arm by latching on....painfully.  I was able to flick it off,  race inside where an ice pack was applied and an antihistamine taken.

Once the sting had subsided somewhat time to get on with dinner and other duties.    Needless to say hubs and I did not eat dinner outside due to the fact that the wasps had become very active.     Just on dusk they had settled down so time to go out with the trusty wasp spray which has a very good spray jet that allows you to stand back safely quite some distance from the nest and direct the nozzle where it needs to go.

I was able to get all the wasps in one go.    That table has been in the same position for 20 years or more and used daily with never  a wasp seen near it let alone 6 in one nest under it.     We will be vigilant from now on and make sure to check under the table before using it.  

These are the little tomatoes that were left behind in a hurry...…..I went back this morning to pick them plus others after doing wasp lookout duty.    

Today I have an itchy red patch on my arm - about the size of a small egg.     More ice has been applied and another antihistamine taken but it could have been worse - all 6 could have taken a disliking to me.

Another good day to stay indoors, keep cool, do some  sewing plus finish off the book that I am reading.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Australia Day

What do I think about when it is Australia Day.....how lucky we are to live where we do.    We have the freedom of choice, an abundance of food, access to good medical services and many other options which all make for a much sought after lifestyle.

I also think of the beach - always a tradition for those living along the coastline to visit on Australia Day as I did early this morning.    I was there just in time to see the sun coming up over the horizon.

Then of course follows the traditional BBQ lunch of which hubs and I will enjoy  later on today.  

I did get an opportunity yesterday afternoon to get the four red log cabin blocks sewn together which was my OMG  for January.  

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all