Monday, 9 July 2012

New Lambton Fashion Sewers


I have joined a sewing group and went to my first meeting last week.  How terrific it is to spend time with other sewing and fabric maniacs.  I cut out some new patterns and looked at what other people were making.  I got a pattern for the New York Opera Cape and will be making this soon.  As it was school holidays some members brought in their grandchildren and gave them some lessons.  Here are some of the children.

Saturday, 23 June 2012

Sewing Group Day

 

Yesterday I attended the Australian Sewing Guild (ASG) Industry Day at the Simplicity Company Headquarters in Sydney.  It was a great day and, of course, fabric and patterns were purchased.  Around 150 people attended and just looking at the participants' clothes was a highlight!   Here is one of the ASG members Suzanne Gray and a couple of her "fractured knits" garments.  I was lucky enough to attend one of Suzanne's crazy patchwork shirt classes some years ago.  She is an outstanding teacher and has great ideas.

Sunday, 3 June 2012

Bangkok Fabric Purchases

American Cotton 
Unfortunately, my shopping time on our recent holiday in Thailand was limited but I had researched fabric shops and found several that were on my "hit" list.  Here is what I bought.
Swiss Cotton
Italian Linen 
Thai Silk
Thai Border Print Cotton
Thai Silk


Japanese Cotton

Italian Linen

Pashminas for making into poncho style cover-ups

Rayon and cotton

Tuesday, 15 May 2012

Brief notes from Bangkok.

Here is a street-side clothing alterations business.  This was one of several I saw in the main shopping area of Bangkok.  


Silk weaving equipment at Jim Thompson House in Bangkok.  Jim Thompson is credited with revitalsing the Thai Silk industry after World War 2.  He built his house (made of several traditional Thai houses) near to the area where the weavers lived. 

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Drowning in Dressmaking

I have not been attending to my blog because I have been busy sewing up clothes for clients.  Here are some of the things I have made in the past few weeks.  These items are for my sale collection.
Mesh and crinkle cotton tunic.
Knit fabric tunic top.
Wool jacket with Aboriginal print fabric trim.
These items are for a client who had these fabulous fabrics from trips to Asia.
Border print cotton jacket

Silk shirt/jacket - love the colours.

Silk and rayon tunic top.

Sunday, 25 March 2012

More Wedding Dresses

Yesterday I attended a Wedding Expo at the historic Tomago House.  Some old wedding dresses were on display including one from Miss Porter's House, a National Trust property where I do volunteer work.  Mrs Porter's wedding dress, pictured here, is over 100 years old and is made from a fine cotton embellished with pintucks and lace.
Florence Porter's Wedding Dress 1910

Wedding Expo Tomago House

Wedding Expo Tomago House

Wedding Expo Tomago House

Wedding Expo Tomago House

Wedding Expo Tomago House

Saturday, 17 March 2012

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.