Posts by lizhaywood
The Chosen Beard
Well, our country town’s Christmas pageant is over for another year. I played the part of a shepherd in the Nativity float, along with other shepherds, several real sheep and goats (easy to come by around here), three wise men, angels, people in tinsel carrying banners, and of course Mary, Joseph and Jesus. …
Read MoreOur knitted beard collection
Our Australian country town has a penchant for dress-ups. Are other country towns like this? Since moving here, I’ve lost count of the number of dress-up theme days, fancy dress birthday parties, parades, concerts, plays and other activities requiring dress-ups. Not that I’m complaining! In our dress-ups box we have some knitted beards from the…
Read MoreMaking festive necklaces
Here are some festive necklaces to make with the children in your life. They make good presents for Grandma!
Read MoreVintage buttonholes
Are you a person who likes sewing buttonholes? If you do, I bet you have a machine that makes Really Great ones. If your machine makes so-so buttonholes or you’ve had problems with it, it’s hard to get enthusiastic. My “everyday” sewing machine is a 1964 Singer that doesn’t make buttonholes. Instead, I select different…
Read MoreCelebrating corduroy
Do you love wearing corduroy? I do. It’s a feel-good fabric that oozes comfort, warmth, and happy 1970’s nostalgia. This Friday the 11th is National Corduroy Appreciation Day, as proclaimed by the (currently in recess) National Corduroy Appreciation Club. The date, 11/11, is the number that most resembles corduroy. Yes, I know what you’re thinking,…
Read MoreResewn: Shape Shape’s Reversible circle vest
Shape Shape’s Reversible circle vest left me disappointed last week, but even though I was still undecided whether it’s “me” or not, I just had to have another go at it. I really do like the concept of this pattern -a reversible collared vest made from a circle. So simple to sew and wear. I…
Read MoreShape Shape: Reversible circle vest
The Reversible circle vest from Shape Shape by Natsuno Hiraiwa (2007 Interweave) is an unusual pattern but easy and fast to make; I cut and sewed mine in an evening. It features on the front cover of Shape Shape. Am I happy with it? Well, I was kind of disappointed, but partly because I’m not…
Read MoreA good old fashioned Country Show
There are few events, apart from bushfires and clearing sales, that bring country people together so well as a Country Show. I visited our one-day show, and there was lots to see as there is with any show…shearing competitions (as above), animals, farm machinery, all manner of agricultural produce, cake decorating and the hotly-contested fruit…
Read MoreExhibition review The Dressmaker costumes
The costumes from the movie The Dressmaker are on display at the National Trust’s Ayres House in Adelaide, and I visited it last week. If you’ve seen the movie no doubt you loved the fabulous costumes, and there are more than 50 on show, all thoughtfully displayed. The exhibition includes a short documentary…
Read MoreLike or loathe it: topstitching thread
Topstitching is an great way to emphasise a construction detail, hold seam allowances flat, hold interfacing in position, or to add interest to plain fabric. It also reinforces seams, and I heard that topstitched garments require less ironing! I’m a bit of a topstitching evangelist these days -I really love the look of it- but…
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