Sewing
Behold! The Dexter!
Some men like to buy their wives diamond necklaces, 60 foot luxury yachts or small islands in the Carribean as tokens of their love. Mine likes to give me obscure sewing ephemera – far more interesting than necklaces etc. And so my latest gift is The Dexter. Intrigued? The Dexter is a hand-held sewing machine…
Read MoreThe Haywoods do Fancy Dress
It’s the final week of school holidays and there’s been plenty of sewing going on here (not much else to do in the middle of a heat wave). Our family attended a fancy dress birthday on Saturday, with the theme of L, E or B (being the initials of the birthday girl). Unfortunately the 38…
Read More2017 Christmas Dress
That time has swung around again where Christmas plans are underway. This of course includes thinking about one’s Christmas day outfit. I didn’t get around to making anything new last year, but thought I might this year. It’s rare that a garment goes perfectly right first go, but that’s what’s happened this week. I had…
Read MoreRuffler Attachment attachment
This week I have been making some aprons with ruffles around the edges. I had been putting off the job because of all the gathering, but then a saw a ruffler attachment video on facebook. Wait a minute! I own a ruffler! I’ve never used it, but it’s been sitting in the accessory box all…
Read MoreWhat’s that gadget?
Inspiration: Corduroy Day 2017
My dad was fond of saying If Fashion and I cross paths, it is Fashion’s good fortune. And that’s what has happened: corduroy, one of my very favourite fabrics, is in fashion this season. (Well, for you people in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a bit late for us; we’re already thinking of sundresses and tank…
Read MoreA pair of bathing beauties
My children have started swimming lessons again, in an indoor heated pool. After their lesson they get in the car with their towels, then shower and change at home. I had in mind to make them some sort of toweling dressing gown to wear after their swim. The sewing brief: long, robe-like, hooded, long sleeves,…
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 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 MoreBeautiful trims from old neckties
Do you have unworn neckties at your house? Too ugly or unfashionable to wear, fallen down at the back of the wardrobe? If you’re ever in need of a small amount of bias-cut fabric for binding, piping or trim, an old necktie could be the answer. Even an ugly necktie can make a beautiful trim.…
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