Life is a little patchy for me!

It all started in  November 2010 when Evelyn took me to the Quilt and Craft show in Brisbane.  That is what started me on my sewing addiction, what too shy to even think about quilting, seriously, quilting is way harder then making a basic dress or skirt!

Once (1) year later, we return to the 2011 Craft and Quilt Fair on one sunny Saturday morning, I had the pleasure of catching up with Rebecca A and meeting Rebecca S - together with Evelyn (after preparing with some breakfast at Poppy's Cafe at South Bank) we braved the hordes of, let's say enthusiastic mature ladies who knew what they were there for!

Ok, scene set, now I decided this was the place to purchase my simple quilt pre cut pack to try quilting for the first time! And so I found Drunkards Path.

So here is Drunkard's Path Pack, 11 pre cut half circles and 11 pre cut square with semi circle cut out of one side.



So before I can get started with sewing I had to arrange 
Them into patches, so please see step 2, matching the Squares!






I am now up to step three, sewing each of the set together, the first 4 or 5 were a little 'skew' but I am onto it now!


Watch this space for the third shot, all the sets sewn together and playing around with options on how to place them together!


Look at the pictures here....SO MANY OPTIONS!  I am addicted to this simple quilt patch of drunkards Path, next I am do a modern fresh 2 maybe 3 colour one.

Vaguely Vogue Update

I actually finished this off a while ago, but have been a bit slack in posting my project updates.


Here is the finished product - sans a nice, big shiny button on the front - or maybe not?
I ordered some magnetic snaps online, and they're sooo easy to use!

I like it! More to come, and since I scored this from Chrystal without doing all the hard work, I definitely need to make one for her first.

Satin Lining Lies

This beautiful table and chairs were given to Mitchell and I from his Parents.  They once belonged to Mitchell's Great Grandparents.  As a  house warming gift Lisette and Tim generously had the table and chairs traditionally restored (approximately built in 1920s out of Queensland Maple).


As part of the restoration process, we needed to select material for the chairs to be reupholstered.  With the assistance of Lisette's creative eye (I think in a past life she was involved as some sort of designer, architect etc) we selected this fresh aqua and chocolate fabric.


The picture to the left here shows the beautiful table and chairs after their make over.  I and Mitchell adore them, it is so special to have a piece of family furniture like this in our home.

Typically, Lisette with her generous nature, offered to have cushions made for the couch that match the reupholstered chairs.  I declined the offer saying that I would like to have a go at  making some.  So, Lisette, purchased the left over material from the chairs for me to make the cushion out of, plus, some complementary fabric.


So as you can see to the right (and below), I have created the cushions with sections of the fabric that are on the table chairs and used the complementary fabric as the back of the cushion and for either side of the centre piece to soften the intensity of the pattern for the couch.


I have also inserted a zipper (concealed) and aqua satin lining - which I might add was a NIGHTMARE.

My key learning from this experience -Satin Lining Lies.


If you can, do not pre cut your satin lining, just use the piece of material you are sewing as your guide and put it though then sewing machine with your satin lining behind and then 'cut it out' of the satin lining.  Of course this method only works for concealed lining on cushions and bags etc....I am nervous about when I try and line my first dress....but that will be for another day.


CB

Book Covers!

Fabulous presents, simple to create, so many options, great gift for boys (in the right fabric!!!)


So....there is a story to this one.


This book cover is a gift I made for Evelyn (have you noticed I only make things for Evelyn and my Family.....that is because they are not up for public presence yet!)


Anyhoo, I needed the dimensions of Ev's fab cookbook, so I texted Rob to measure it for me....like any good bloke, he just took the book and gave it to me! At the time I thought this would be high risk because Eve would notice for sure, she did't really......and I am glad Rob did, I had to do a few more measurements then I intended!!!


So out comes the saying again, measure twice....cut once :-)


The fabric is so French Country......was delightful! And Eve LOVED it, which made me really happy!


Learning from this project...

Stitch Tension: At first I thought this was hogs wash....it isn't, understanding how the material behaves under the needle pending the tension setting is important.  Due to the heavy fabric I used, I needed to loosen the tension (to penetrate the material) and shorted the stitch length (for strength and a finished look).


Handy hint...the longer the stitch the more 'home made' it looks.


CB

Centimetres lie....

I created these towels as a gift for Evelyn and Rob's bathroom, I am told that these towels are out of bounds to Rob!!!  I think I am going to have to make some for him...


Anyhoo, whist putting these togehter (very easy to do) I learnt that toweling eats cotton, so even though I left a margin of 3-4 centimetre's at each end of each strip (so 8 cm's more then I needed!) for trim etc, it was not enough! For two of the towels by the time I got to the end, I had run out of material!!


Eeeeekkkk


So I had to sew a tiny bit on, very fiddley, very annoying, and made the job a little skew wiff but did not ruin the look too much.


So upon reflection (or frustration!) I have learnt to  NEVER shorten something until you have reached the bit where you MUST shorten it.  Like lining (watch this space for my rant on lining!!!!) it disappears when you combine it with another fabric, even if you have measured 3 times!!!!


CB

From "In pieces (literally!)" to "Vaguely Vogue"

Project Vogue Accessories 8527 - handbag....I forget.....


And this is where the problem begins.


You see, Chrystal aspires to the crafty-ness (as is craft not character) of our Evelyn, however, Chrystal does not have the 3D scoping eye to place this 1920's inspired clutch within reach (pun intended!).


So, conclusion, Chrystal has issued the above bag pieces to Evelyn (for keeps) to see what creativity will flow fixing up Chrystal's fashionista desires.....What is a bet it is going to be fabulous!

Evelyn.....we are waiting with baited breath!


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Ok, here is where I got to before the sewing machine decided to crack the sh*ts (nonononononoooo!)


I think it looks pretty good! I LOVE the fabric, especially how it is contrasted by the aqua lining. Because there's so much interfacing in it, it keeps it's shape really well. The only thing I'd think to change is maybe use a different colour for those cross-over straps on the front - prob a white with this material, or maybe a solid red to match the pattern. What do you think?


I especially like how your pleating made a curved shape in the otherwise straight lines of the pattern


Although, there are quite a few pieces left over....should I be concerned? What have I missed? I'm not putting in a zipper (laziness, and fear of the zipper), I'll wait until my magnetic snaps arrive from Ebay, and pop one in instead.

Take a tote....

Post CraftExpo 2010, I was officially addicted....I learnt what fat quarter is, there were literally thousands of them there, in every colour and texture you could think.  I found the above fat quarter which I turned into the above tote!.  My very first try at Sewing without supervision (trust me that is dangerous in the first place!!!).

I have made this with no pattern, originally I had square corners, however Evelyn taught me how to make them diagonal (I forget the word Evelyn used for that....Eve can you post a comment below this post with the right word?) to make it stronger.

I made this bag with my Poppy in mind, he gets around on a Scooter and I thought this would fit nicely into the front basket of his scooter when he goes shopping.

CB

An Introduction

Hello to all who are kind enough to take a look at our Blog!

We (being Chrystal and Evelyn), have caught the sewing bug, big time, and want to share the fun we are having.


(plus show off our projects of course)


How it came about:
Well, Evelyn was taught to sew and craft from girlhood, from her very crafty Mum. In recent years, I've dabbled with sewing, but it's not until I finally got out of the hell of sharehousing, and now living with just my Hubby, that I have the space to set up a sewing table, and really get stuck into it.


Mum taught me quilting, and while it's fun, I don't have the patience for it yet - I need instant gratification!


Chrystal finally finished her Masters, and after years and years of study, found herself with time on her hands. She enrolled in a basic sewing course, caught the bug, and now can't stop thinking about her next project.


What you'll find here are our successes (many, hopefully), failures (many, definitely!), and a few laughs. We'd love it if you want to join in posting your projects also - our dream is to create a little community of Crafters. 


Our ultimate dream is to meet up with local crafters in the Brisbane area, and maybe start our own sewing group (not like you see your grandma going to, although we'll get there in 40years lol). We mean 'sewing group' as in a group of friends who meet regularly, have a gossip and some bubbly, share our projects, and our hints and tricks, and just generally have a good time. Hmm, ok, like you see your grandma going to, but we'll all just be 40 years younger.


Well, that is all for now - this is Chrystal and me, looking stunning at my wedding (couldn't find any more recent pics, so sorry if it looks like we're showing off. But really, we both think we looked pretty gorgeous on that day, so never mind)