Pattern Tester: Cambie dress.

A while ago I was lucky enough to be selected to test Tasia's Cambie dress pattern for her Sewaholic patterns range. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to pattern test for her again, as the last time I did so was with her very first pattern the Pendrell blouse.

Weeks of back to back cold weather and rain delayed me taking photos of the finished dress. Then I underwent heart surgery to fix a problem with my heart. This delayed things even further!

My Cambie dress was made following View B. I omitted the pockets as these are not something I like to have in my dresses. I sewed up a size 8, but it turned out a little too big, so I had to take it in. The fabric is a light textured cotton that I have had in my stash for over a year. I had been saving it to sew up into a dress, and when I saw this pattern I knew it fit the bill perfectly. I lined the bodice with the same fabric, but left the skirt unlined. To prevent the skirt being see through I wear it with a petticoat, which also adds a bit of volume to the skirt. I really love how Tasia has included a separate waist band piece to join the bodice to the skirt (although with my belt on this can't be seen). The finished dress reminds me a lot of the dress I made for One Pattern Seven Bloggers.

It's so nice to be blogging again! I am still recovering from my operation and am still quite sore and bruised, but I am determined to get some sewing done tomorrow.

Sam xox

Joy the Baker.

Do any of you read Joy the Baker blog? If not you simply must go and pay a visit. Last year Joy launched her Enjoy! subscription gift promotion and I signed up . Every three months subscribers are sent a mystery gift selected by Joy (a small fee is paid by the subscriber before each delivery).

I had completely forgotten that it was around this time the second gift would be sent. A card was left in my letterbox notifying of a parcel for collection. When my husband went to the post office he was totally confused, as on the sides of the box was printed "King Arthur Flour"... "What on earth has she bought..." ran through his mind, with "... and who on earth is King Arthur" following quickly after. You see, down under we have never heard of King Arthur and his flour.

All I can say is you know it must be something good when you arrive home and your husband demands that you bake the espresso cupcakes immediately. And this guy doesn't even like cake!

Maybe the espresso powered had something to do with it.

A fantastic package, thanks Joy! Yum yum yum...

Sam xox

This blog post expresses my personal opinion only. 

I am in no way affiliated with the above mentioned company or blog author.

February Beret progress.

Ironic really that I am knitting the February Beret in February. I am only 1 inch away from finishing the gull lace pattern, then it is on to some basic garter stitching to finish. I am thrilled with how it is looking and am wishing summer away too quickly in order to be able to wear this.

I am using the circular needles and yarn I bought recently from The Yarn Cafe. The yarn is deliciously soft on my hands and perfect for this pattern. I also indulged in some quality circular needles that promised not to twist - and they haven't once!

To begin this pattern you have to knit up an icord. No, it's not some fancy stitch designed by Apple. I tried to 'read' how to knit an icord but I couldn't quite wrap my brain around it, so I resorted to Plan B (Youtube). This video demonstrates how to knit an icord perfectly.

I have been reflecting a bit on why I have taken to knitting so quickly and intensely in the last month, and left sewing on the back burner for a bit. I am known to my friends to be someone who takes to things quickly and strongly, but this is a little different. Life has been so very stressful of late and I feel that things are beginning to get on top of me. Homesickness is getting to me, which would be fine on its own, but it is the latest in a long series of stressors. I feel like my tank is running on empty and I can't be the perfect wife/friend/worker that I want to be. I guess none of us are perfect really. Knitting is different to sewing. It has brought me a sense of calm and quiet that I guess only a ball of wool and some needles can do.

If you want to knit one of these berets for yourself, you can find the pattern for free here (you don't need a Ravelry account to access it).

Sam xox

Beware: Learning in progress.

I've started knitting. Seriously knitting. Like ordering wool online, purchasing a pattern and proper needles kind of knitting. I'm nervous and excited and so very confused by some of the pattern instructions, but with my Paton's Woolcraft: How to Knit booklet beside me (and the internet) I am working it all out.

It's going well so far. I have begun knitting a baby cardigan for my friend who is due in June, which will be winter for us down here. She is not finding out the gender, so I am playing it safe and knitting in a cream/neutral coloured 100% Merino wool. It's hard to make attractive gender neutral baby gifts, I was originally going to knit something up in a dark navy, but thought better of it. I reasoned girl babies could wear navy, however I wasn't sure my friend would think this was ok, so plain creamy beige it is.

It's been fun to see a number of other bloggers out there also pick up the knitting needles for 2012 (or earlier) and creating some beautiful things.

Some knitting Etsy love...

~ Susan Bates Knitting Needles ~

~ Begin to knit ~

~ 9" Boye Needles ~

~ Vintage English bone handled tools ~

~ Circular Knitting Needle Case ~

~ Bakelite knitting needles ~

Are you on Ravelry? I have finally spent some time on this website and it is seriously amazing - a Burda Style of the knitting world (or is Burda Style a Ravelry of the sewing world?) either way, it is a great online community and has taught me quite a bit thus far. My Ravelry profile is 'hand-quilter' if you want to say hi :-)

Sam xox

Sewing in 2011 - looking back.

As the year draws to a close, naturally our minds begin to run wild with sewing goals for the year ahead. I know mine is. Thoughts flashing through my head of scalloped edges, Colette patterns, vintage fabrics and lace detail. I must make an effort this week to write it all done (note-to-self, reread Emma's New Years Resolutions post)! I have already read some inspiring 2011 review posts this week by fellow seamstresses Gina and Lauran. I am sure many more will appear in the blogosphere before this week ends.

Here is my sewing recap for the year past...

Skirts and Dresses

Walk Away Dress - Butterick 6015

One Pattern - Seven Bloggers Dress

Simplicity 4310 Dress

Vogue 8184 Dress

Pillowcase Skirt

Simplicity 2656 Skirt

Tops

Sorbetto Top

Simplicity 1430 Blouse

Pendrell Blouse #1

Pendrell Blouse #2

Undergarments

French Knickers

Madeline Mini Bloomers

Casey's 1920's Chemise

Quilts

Pinwheel baby play mat quilt

Retro quilt

Other

Nested Bibs

McCalls 5861 Bikini

Brooch Board

Pin Cushion

Eighteen creations isn't half bad! Considering I went into sewing hibernation for many weeks pre and post house move, and have basically dedicated December to Christmas craft, I am surprised I have sewed this many things.

Highlights for me this year have been:

* Having my Pendrell blouse featured by Tasia on her blog! I was thrilled that the woman who designed the pattern liked my creation!

* Joining a sewing class.

* A new sewing machine and overlocker/serger (Christmas gift).

* Making a number of handmade Christmas gifts this year.

* Learning to machine quilt on my new machine (very basically though).

* Collaborating with Marie, Reana, Kat, Rachel, Jen and Amy on One Pattern - Seven Bloggers.

* Making a cake for my Grandparents 50th wedding anniversary - complete with royal icing!

* Teaching Sarah how to sew.

* Adding to my collection of vintage patterns.

* The new addition to our feline family.

* Moving house and building a veggie garden.

My final goal for 2011 is to get my sewing room in order (does anyone else feel like they are constantly battling their sewing room/space? I do, doesn't seem to matter how big or small it is, somehow it never feels like it is in order).

Sam xox

Is it too early to plan handmade Christmas tree decorations?

I know it is the last day of October, but my mind can't help clicking over, thinking about all the fun crafting/cooking/decorating activities that lay ahead over the next two months.

Purchasing the ingredients needed for my fruit cakes.

Dusting off the Christmas decorations and tree.

Visiting the QVB Christmas tree.

Purchasing a Christmas decoration for 2011.

A mad rush to finish handmade presents.

Hanging our Christmas stockings.

Deciding which handmade decoration to make for Christmas 2011...

~ found here ~

I am definitely going to make a set of these dollies!

~ found here ~

~ found here ~

~ found here ~

~ found here ~

~ found here ~

~ found here ~

&

~ both found here ~

~ found here ~

I hope some of these inspire you to make your own Christmas tree decoration this year. Mill and I are going to have a hard time deciding which decoration we will both make this year :-)

Sam xox

Pot holders.

I have been thinking a lot lately about trying my hand at making a pot holder.

This booklet has a number of different patterns that I have been playing with the idea of making. The booklet contains patterns for a number of different styled pot holders, plus a variety of embroidery options. The instructions are a little tricky to decipher in some of the patterns though. The (apparent) complexity of some of the patterns has put me off a little, as I just worry that my crochet skills are not good enough (I am a total beginner).

This is where EmmaLamb comes in...

~ from here ~

Aren't they the most beautiful things you've ever seen?!? The detail is brilliant and the colour combinations are perfect. I wish I had skills like this. I also love how they can be used as a decorative feature on a wall.

My favourite would definitely be Bessie...

~ from here ~

Emma has a beautiful Etsy store and also an inspiring blog.

A lovely discovery...

Sam xox

Cherished collections.

Casey from Elegant Musings is running a blog tour, and I am lucky to be part of it. The theme Casey chose was "cherished collections" and bloggers were asked to show collections that are precious to them - whatever the items might be!

I thought this would be a good way to get myself back into the blogging grove after our move. Today I am only able to show you one of my collections, as I am currently using my laptop through the internet on my iphone - not a lot of data and a pretty weak signal :-(

Once we have internet (and I am able to upload lots more pics) I will show you the others.

This is my Royal Doulton Tea Trio's collection. Most of these I have purchased through eBay, both Australia and internationally. I adore tea trios. I think they are soooo feminine and I love the vintage designs.

c.1933

c.1927

c.1980's

c.1980's

c.1936

'Royalty' c.1942

'Showers' c.1935

c.1936

Sam xox