Hello everyone,

I have recently got into sewing and making things in general. I hand sew, and have also got one of those mini-sewing machines for about $30 (no room for a proper machine, and also wanted to see how into it really am) - it is great for just simple joining things together, I am pretty impressed with it actually. I hadn't used a machine since high school, but was inspired to by my sister in UK so got a intro lesson at a place in Melbourne for Christmas where you can also book machines to use which reminded me of the basics.

My main love is upcycling/recycling things. I am really quite rubbish at following patterns so I just make it up as go along. I also dislike making the same thing twice.

This is probably my favourite creation - some flares made out of an old top of mine for DD.

Purple flares

(This picture is on a facebook page I have just for craft/sewing/upcycling stuff so that can share with anyone easily)

I have also found a few blogs, books etc -

Crafting a Green World by Heidi Boyd- is about making things out of recycled materials (some sewing, but also knitting and other things) - I really like this book!

A blog called Made for Baby has some patterns on it for old T-Shirts etc, and one called Made By Rae

( will check the links guidelines and then post some links)

Arcadia - Really interested to see the backpack

Shanti - I second the library as a great source of sewing books, our library also loans out magazines and there are sewing and knitting ones as well as Better Homes and Gardens you can borrow.

Oh and in my ticker pick my DD is wearing one of my very quick creations!!