Free Pattern: Pussycat Bow
The pussycat bow blouse. Margaret Thatcher wore them. So did my high school maths teacher, and a million air hostesses. Mel Trump wore a pink one, and lately Evan Rachel Woods wore a supremely elegant one to the Golden Globe Awards. It’s certainly a very smart yet feminine way to wear a blouse. The pussycat…
Read More2016 The Year That Was
Welcome to my first post for 2016. 2016 seems a long way off now, but I’m still writing “16” and crossing it out for “17”. Each year I keep a record of the things I sew. Do you do this? Maybe a private Instagram or Pinterest account, a blog, photos tucked away in a folder…
Read MoreLast post for 2016
Hi All! The school holidays start today and this blog will be on holidays too until January. Thank you for reading my blog and keeping me encouraged! Why not subscribe and get a notification of each new post, including the first one for 2017. I post weekly on Mondays (but sometimes Sundays, or occasionally Tuesdays).…
Read MoreA Christmas Day dress
Ladies, Do you like to whip up a new outfit especially for the Festive Season? How nice it is on Christmas Day to slip into a new dress you’ve made yourself, ready to greet the visitors, drink in hand! I don’t make a new outfit every year, and some years my choice has been thwarted…
Read MoreThe 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…
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