Posts by lizhaywood
5 Favourite sewing tips from The Dressmaker’s Companion
The Dressmaker’s Companion is a book absolutely loaded with sewing tips, and these are five of my favourites. These are five tips that have made a BIG difference to the way I sew; maybe you already do them or maybe you’ll find them useful too. 1. Sew an ease stitch around the sleeve head It…
Read MoreShow and Sew
I know you’ll agree with me that when one visits a country (or city) show, a long look at the handicrafts section is always important. Preferably an unhurried look with a friend who sews. Our country show is a one-day event, which we went to yesterday. I had vowed to enter an exhibit this year…
Read MoreA skirt that goes with everything
A Skirt That Goes With Everything -well, that was the dream. Time will reveal the reality! I’ve been turning this idea over in my head for a while now, examining capsule wardrobes in Pinterest, considering the perfect fabric, reading blog posts on colour analysis in one’s wardrobe, etc etc. I’m aware of the problems of…
Read MoreTHAT blue dress: Vogue 2787
Regular readers of this blog may remember the blue dress, Vogue 2787, I started making as a possible “author talk outfit”. Read about when I started it here. The fabric was 50 year old cotton and came from a collection given to me. I did finish the dress but I never wore it…
Read MoreAn Inspiring Day
I’ve just returned from The Australian Sewing Guild’s (South Australian) Inspiration Day. It sure was inspiring! I was the first speaker of four (which worked out well for me, because then I could relax and enjoy the rest of the day), and for my talk I was interviewed by Anthea Martin. She asked me about…
Read MoreCreating a book cover
The cover of The Dressmaker’s Companion has received many favourable comments, and you might be interested to read about how it was created. Because The Dressmaker’s Companion is a self published book, the cover was my responsibility. All the advice I read on book cover design exhorted Don’t do your own cover! This is great…
Read More3 Great pincushion ideas
Are you a pincushion user? Or do you use a pin tin? I was a pin tin user for many years, until one day I made myself a pincushion and never looked back! Lately I’ve been experimenting with some different types of pincushions. Large pincushion This pincushion is like a mini house brick. I made…
Read MoreThe book has launched
Last night was the official book launch of The Dressmaker’s Companion; I’ve held off this week’s blog post so I can tell you about it. Seventy of us packed into the Barbara J Long room at Clare’s town hall. It was a cold, wet, wild night outside but indoors it was cosy with wine, cheese…
Read MoreCounting down the days…
It’s only 4 days until The Dressmaker’s Companion is unleashed on the world, and one week until the book launch at Clare Library. I’ve been busy writing a speech and digging around in the shed for photos to make a power point presentation. I discovered that from a twenty year career, I have less than…
Read MoreThe Mayor with Flair: An interview with Allan Aughey OAM
Mayor Allan Aughey is known for his colourful and interesting clothes as much as his passion for regional development. He has been mayor of Clare and Gilbert Valley since 2006 and previously was deputy mayor of the Pt Pirie Regional Council. In 2015 he was awarded an Order of Australia for services to local government…
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