Why?

Why do shoes that are tight never stretch but ones that are a perfect fit always stretch?

Why aren't bras true to size and always need to be tried on?

Why do I always wear white when we are eating bolognaise sauce and it inevitably lands smack bang in the middle?

Why does the hair on my legs grow at 10 times the rate as the hair on my head?

Why do the kids always want to eat my food and not what i have specially prepared for them?


Why do bad things happen to good people - when they already have so much to deal with?

SewJourn

I had a lovely little get away to SewJourn over the weekend with a lovely bunch of women I met when Alexander was at kinder. We have been once before so we were all prepared for a major sewing session. Around the glorious catering and serene country walks I actually managed to get all of this made - and nearly finished. There are three pairs of flanellette PJs for the boys for easter, a plastic bag for the present cupboard....

We made these great loyalty card holders - you know Spotlight card, coffee club cards etc from a tutorial here - very easy and quick to make using scraps - there is even a selvidge one. Our kinder teachers are getting them for Christmas - getting in early!!

Two half made and one dressed Poppy Dolls from here. Mine are done out of calico and will look much better when their heads are sewn on!

Two wraps tops, one for me and one for a birthday gift. ( remind me to show you how easy these are to whip up)

This dress which is using a scarf that I was given. It does need a black sash to tie around the neck and once that is in it will look good with a black belt. It is essentially like the little girls pillowcase style dress - oh and also a skirt which I forgot to put in this photo - actually I wonder where it is. Not a bad effort for one day and one evening sewing. I had to leave early on Sunday morning to get back for the fair. I told you those wraps were really quick to make!!

School Fair

Our little clown was performing in the junior choir at the school's grand fair which had a circus theme. He did a great job of 'sleepy geeves' or Daydream Believer by the Monkees!

Then for him it was off to play and with great weather we had a fabulous turn out and I even managed my first go at face painting. Much more elaborate set up and expectations than I had imagined, but it was ok. (Funny there are no photos of it!!)

And BEST of all I got my pine box! The old pine shops that used to be around don't seem to be around anymore and I couldn't find a wooden toy box to put in all our dress ups. Low and behold there was exactly what I wanted at the school trash and treasure - much cheaper than the options on ebay and the little boys love it.

Skirting the Issue

The sewing machine has been busy whirring and I actually finished the wedding skirt. It is gored satin back shantung with three layers of full circle tulle over the top. The edges are finished with a rolled hem. (This photo doesn't show the edging)

This is another skirt - but this time for me. With some poplin that I got from Darn Cheap for $2 a metre and was trying to do it for a night out - but didn't make it, but it is done now. All I need is somewhere to wear it.

Mini Moo cards

These are a lovely little package that arrived in the mail. My details are on the back with the concept being to give to parents of school mates to arrange playdates. I like them too much to give them away at the moment. Got them from www.moo.com

PLASTIC BAG TUTORIAL

Here are the instructions on how to make the plastic coated bag featured here. I showed mum and she went off to work to make them, and at the shop they are all excited and churning the things out as they are really easy and quick to do.

What you need:

2 pieces of fabric 38cm x 46 cm (15x18.5")

2 pieces of clear plastic the same as above.

(I get this on a roll from spotlight I think it is called table protector and I use the lightest weight.)

2 handles approx 70cm each. -I prefer webbing or belting but I am too lazy to make my own!

A walking foot for your machine - the plastic is hard to sew around the top opening and this ensures a neat outcome.

HOW TO MAKE BAG:

1. Iron your fabric - this is your last chance. Once you get the plastic on, you cannot go near the ]on. I spray my fabric with starch just to make it a little more crease resistant and sturdier. You can use light weight cotton as the bags strength will come from the plastic.

2. Put the fabric face up and place the plastic over the top and pin the corners.

3. Place fabric right sides together so that the plastic is sandwiched inside. The plastic sticks together so i find it easier to pull it off and start again if i need to reposition.

4. Once the pieces are in place, pin them together and sew around three sides - the two long sides and the base of your bag. Leave the top open.

5. Zig zag around your bag to stop the fabric fraying. Zig zag around the top opening too - but make sure this stays open.

6. Put your hand inside the plastic pieces to open it a little. What you need to do is put your fingers into the corners of the bag and line up the side seam with the base seam. From the outside it should look like a point.

7. Measure along the side seam about 1-2" and sew a line across perpendicular to the side seam.

Do the same to each side and this forms the base of your bag.

8. Turn the bag in the right way and use your fingers to gently press the seams.

9. Fold the top of the bag over about an inch for the top hem. Press hard with your fingers to get a neat fold along the top. Pin. Before this is sewn you need to position your handles.

10. While I cut these at 70cm there is only 59 cm visible from the top of the bag. I mark this having even sections inside the bag - there should be about 5 cm pinned inside the bag.

11. Mark the middle of the front and the back of the bag. Then measure 5.5cm to each side of the middle. this gives you a gap of 11cm in the middle of the bag which is the gap between the inside edge of your straps. Pin the straps so that the inside edge of the strap retains a gap of 11cm.

12. Now sew the hem around the top. It works best with the walking foot on and the outside of the bag facing you. I usually do two rows of stitching - this gives the bag opening a bit of stability and also ensures that your handles are nice and secure. All there is to do is clip off all the threads and your bag is ready to use or give as a gift.

2 Extras -

1. If you are giving as a gift, these are better if you roll them from the base with a bit of paper around the end to stop the plastic sticking and prevents creasing.

2. If you buy patchwork fabric and you pattern allows you to work against the grain (across rather than down the fabric, you can get away with 40cm purchase of 112cm wide, and have enough left over to make a little purse which would be a great addition to a bag.

Use freely and enjoy - my mum has so why should you be restricted!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great New Book - for young Boys!

This is a great new book in our collection - Jackson's footy. It is a hardcover book with beautiful colour illustrations. What is really nice about it is the content - about a boys love for his football which is very Australian but also lovely to have a book really targeted to boys.

As parents, we are actually not that into footy, the Big Squirrel doesn't have a team and I follow one which I have lumped onto the boys whether they like it or not, and they will continue to suffer because of it! We do do Auskick and while Alexander could take it or leave it, Benji and Spencer breathe the stuff. We have been carting a football around with us last winter, and I am sure it wont be long until it is a constant in the backpack again. This book is very relevant to us!

Fundamentally it is aged at preschool children and is a nice picture book with a very basic story. Having said that, its use of common words made it a good read for Alexander who at six managed it quite well. Hopefully he can read it over and over and over to the twins!

Not sure if it is in the stores yet but you can buy it here - they also do Made in Melbourne.