beautiful distractions

whilst slogging through my WIPs, I couldn't help but 'research' the interwebs for more inspiration or excuses, and on one excursion I found the wonderful world of Bendigo Woollen Mills online. The chances of me ever getting to Bendigo are pretty slim (although it is somewhat increased now that I know of Woollen Mills Factory Outlet).

Aside from all the wool they are selling, they also sell cotton ... beautiful wonderful cotton. I don't often (read never) work with wool due to the climate and the fact that anything short of cashmere makes me itch. Their shade cards did not disappoint.

Their balls of cotton are available in both 4ply and 8ply and are 200gr as opposed to the little 50gr ones. They have a special on until the 19th of December where you can buy 12 balls for $106.00 whereas normally it is $13.00 a ball and no postage. I think I found my Christmas present :-)

down with the UFOs

I hate UFOs, no really, absolutely loath them ... and no, I have not got an irrational hatered for aliens of any sort, but UnFinished Objects are the subject of my ire.

They are usually projects where I have to think a little. Either the instructions leave a lot to be desired for or it is particularly fiddly (or I am just Giggles Butterfinger) or I haven't got everything for it or I haven't got quite enough fabric and it requires some imaginative cutting or or or ... the list is long.

I now have 8 UFOs and my patience with them is so thin, I considered throwing them. However, after that bit of rage passed, I realised I needed to make a plan ... I love plans and lists ... yeay something positive in all this mess.

For the rest of November I, Giggles Butter ... no in the Sun, solemly swear to work on all 8 UFOs (excluded is the 5 a square scarf) as listed below.

1. Pink Gingham Dress Butterick B4176
2. City Scape Shorts Patterns by Figgy
3. colourful quilt top as chosen by my sister
4. redo hem for Tunic
5. finish blue gray T-Shirt
6. hair band for school craft sale
7. christmas tea cosy for school craft sale
8. sewing machine carrier bag

They don't all have to be finished as such, but I will have to have worked on it.

A little bit secondary to this is that I really need to start making the christmas presents (list to come shortly) and the purpose of this whole learning to sew business: the CHRISTMAS DRESS.

I have finally narrowed down the pattern for the dress and the fabric, but that'll be a post all on its own :-)

Sewing is contagious - the sequel

Well, I haven't posted much this past month, because my baby sister has been visiting us from Vienna. We did a lot of touristy things, but she also got intrigued with the sewing machine (note to self: must really name the sewing machine otherwise she'll feel like she doesn't belong).

So after finishing the Dolman Sleeve Top, we went to Spotlight and she chose some blue seersucker and set to making her some PJ pants. She originally wanted to make a tunic, but I had no patterns here and she found the free one we printed out a little daunting.

It was fun and a little easier then with my son, because a, she didn't need a step under the foot pedal and b, her attention span was longer.

Why yes, I have started her on the bad habit of using ordinary pink chalk to trace. I have pointed out to her the various other pens and chalks I have and that for some reason or another I always seem to go back to the chalk.

The pattern came from the Sew Everything book and was for Yoga Pants originally. It was a fun thing to do. I did point out my lack of expertise, but we really did have a good time. She seemed to like the sewing (and tracing and ironing) and we shall see whether she'll go as far as purchasing her own machine (and iron). Sadly there is no finished picture - as I am getting old apparently I forgot to take one, so I leave you with a picture of another visitor to Tangalooma - an Australian Pelican (the largest species on the pelicans).

Shoes tutorial

I am forever falling in love with cute little shoes with bows.

I absolutely adore them, with is kinda funny as I have next to no time to wear them. Living in Brisbane with the heat and humidity sees me wearing mostly thongs (not the underwear) or some trainer related shoes (I have several pairs and a pair of sandals that are a bit like trainers).

Anyway, I found this wonderful tutorial where with the help of bias tape and fabric glue one can create the most adorable shoes with bows out of an existing pair of shoes. I honestly can't wait for the Autumn shoes to come into the shops and go get a pair of ballet flats try it out on.

Japanese Flowers

can I just say that I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of the crochet Japanese Flower. The are whimsical and sweet and the possibilities are endless. I have been itching to try them, but always thought they were too complicated. However Revlie has this lovely Tutorial to get anyone started and Sue (who made those beautiful pink flowers in the picture underneath) explains the variation that I like the most in great detail here, so no more encouragement was needed :-)

I have bought the yarn - I know I know ... breaking my 'no more buying yarn' fasting for Lent -, but it was so beautiful and there was no guarantee that it would still be available in those colours after Easter. It is a cotton/acrylic mix thus giving it the clean edge I think is necessary for this kind of crocheting.

I have been looking for a project and the coming winter provided me with the perfect excuse - a scarf that consists of 2 rows of flowers for my little daughter. I initially only bought the purples and white, but then went back and got the pinks and aqua as well. It just increases the amount of different combinations and I can't wait to get started.

the Superman Dress

the Superman dress from Cation Designs deserves special recognition of being possibly the most awsome dress ever, no seriously, it tickles me pink and even my husband, who normally smiles indulgently at my flights of fancy, was impressed.

the red sash is optional, but the cut-out in the back is inspired. I will never look at printed children's bedsheets quite the same way :-)

Dresses I love Part 2

After reading the article about red vs blue dresses (coincidentally my 2 favourite colours) I couldn't help but post my first love from SewWeekly.

I bought the pattern even though I have no experience at all in sewing from patterns, but the goal for this year is to learn. It is my favourite style of dress anyway and hopefully it will be my Christmas dress for 2012.

Dresses I love

I absolutely adore JuliaBobbin's Mad Men obsession. Her Peggy Dress is beyond wonderful and a true inspiration for why I need to get much, much better at sewing :-)