The Beauty of the Blog

Early on in the year I created a post about covering enviro bags.  My friend Lyn in Perth liked this idea and started covering bags.  A couple of weeks ago she emailed me to say that she has now made over 100 bags.  Some of these have provided funds for Arix (pictured) to go to University in Bali and become a doctor.  Lyn says that her bags are walking out the door!  She loves her new project.

Online Buying

Yesterday I went to the barn-like chain fabric shop in the city.  It has been reduced in size and has less fabrics.  I was very disappointed but did manage to find some nice printed silk reduced from $30 per metre to $5 per metre.  Luckily this week I received some fabrics ordered online.  Here are the fabrics from two of my favourite online stores.

Australian KimoYES - vintage Japanese fabric for patchwork  The yukata fabrics can be bought by the metre but are only 32 cms wide.  I use them for skirts, trims on jackets, etc.  The kimono pieces I use as panels in tunic tops, cuffs and collars on jackets, etc.

Cotton Yukata fabric

Cotton Yukata fabric

Silk vintage kimono piece

Vintage kimono remnant

Kimono fabric

Vintage kimono remnant

Vintage Kimono piece

Vintage kimono piece

Sew for U Alice Springs www.sewforu.com.au/  This is the shop from which I purchase Aboriginal print fabrics which are used for jackets, skirts, bags, etc.

The Punjabi Top

In the past year, thanks to my wonderful Indian dancing friends, I have learnt more about Indian clothing.  I have recently done some alterations to some Punjabi tops.  This is the longer length top worn over pants.  The tops sometimes come sleeveless, as in the picture, but may have the sleeves as part of the package so that they can be attached if wanted.  The sleeves are put in before any of the side seams.  The sleeve and body side seams are sewn as one thus making alterations easier.

The beautiful colours of the Punjabi tops.

Sleeveless garment awaiting insertion of sleeves.

Top and sleeves.

Generous side seams.

My Open House

Over the past few days I have had Open House so that friends and clients could come to look at some of my latest ready-made clothes.  It is fun to see people trying the clothes on and to work out who will like which items.  Here are some photos.

Some of the clothes on racks.

Some of my fabrics. 

The skirt rack.

Jane in cotton circle skirt.

Kathryn in tunic top and knit skirt. 

Jenny in black linen dress.

Marion in Thai silk jacket with Kimono fabric trim.

Jenny in cotton caftan.

Wilma in Aboriginal print jacket.

Susan in commissioned linen top and mesh jacket

Wilma in a commissioned skirt made from fabric she purchased in Vietnam.

Wilma in tunic top with kimono fabric panel.

Thanks to all the wonderful women who come and try my clothes and enjoy having unique and different garments.

Hannah's Dresses

Hannah is a family friend who I have known all her life.  Here are the dresses I have made for her Year 6, Year 10 and Year 12 Formals.

Year 6 - embroidered, lined organza skirt with purchased top.

Year 10 Dress - satin backed crepe.

Year 12 Formal.  Lined silk dress.

New Patterns

During the week I took lots of "stuff" down to my nearest Salvation Army Opportunity (thrift) shop.  While there I had a little look around and found a pile of dressmaking patterns, all in good condition.  I bought six patterns for 50 cents each. I was keen to try them out so made up the jacket in some Aboriginal print fabric I had in my stash.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!  I have no resolutions but a strong determination to focus on using more of my fabric stash.  Meanwhile there is work to be done sorting fabrics, finishing garments and pressing completed garments.  Here we go!

Garments awaiting final pressing.

Jacket awaiting finishing.

Fabrics to be sorted, folded, stored.