General chat thread for BB girls who like sewing

[wysiwyg]

Maz - The sewing challenges sound like a great idea - I know I am taking part in April Stash Bust which is just where you don't buy anything craft/sewing etc related in April and use up all the bits and pieces you have stashed. There is a contest for that too, not sure if I will enter but the idea of being 'in' a competition or challenge does keep me motivated.

Beema - If you click on my link to the purple flares and use next and previous links can see all the stuff I have been making. Is nothing very adventurous though, but am so enjoying it.

[Ryatha]

oh, just saw this thread and I am in!

I started sewing about a year ago when I realised I need a hobby and wanted to make some nappy things for DD2. Since then I have bought an overlocker, heaps of fabric and set up my own sewing 'lair' in our back room. I love experimenting with different patterns and generally end up making up my own. I have made a fair number of nappies for Fred as well as friends, some clothes for Lumpy and presents for friends with babies.

I want to start trying to make some clothes and underwear for DH and myself, even thinking about doing a tafe course.

Of course working full time and looking after two kids means I don't have that much time

But a sewing challenge sounds good - even a show off page where we can show each other our creations would be good as well.

[Ryatha]

Maz - The sewing challenges sound like a great idea - I know I am taking part in April Stash Bust which is just where you don't buy anything craft/sewing etc related in April and use up all the bits and pieces you have stashed. There is a contest for that too, not sure if I will enter but the idea of being 'in' a competition or challenge does keep me motivated.

The stash bust sounds like a great idea, I think I need to do that to use up heaps of my left overs I have floating around

[maz]

Maz - The sewing challenges sound like a great idea - I know I am taking part in April Stash Bust which is just where you don't buy anything craft/sewing etc related in April and use up all the bits and pieces you have stashed. There is a contest for that too, not sure if I will enter but the idea of being 'in' a competition or challenge does keep me motivated.

I really, really like that idea but allas a certain someone wont get my scraps that month

OHHHh we could call it
scrap heap challenge
like the ABC do for their junk vechile things they make.

We should start with something simple....I cant do patterns well so would have to have a play KWIM

[ss_storm]

Just found some of my photos and uploaded them all to an album on facebook: Photos - Sewing & Stuff

More to come as i'll dig out my other half done projects

[Ryatha]

I really, really like that idea but allas a certain someone wont get my scraps that month

No scraps! nooooo

He He He - I think I have enough here to last a few months, I don't get much time to sew with all the marking I have at the moment

[luna moth]

My life is a stash bust!

I love upcycling and recycling stuff. I often buy offcuts down at Reverse Garbage in West End in Brissy and work them together. I also love to get remnants from House of Franke, Stuart in Hawthorn in Melbourne and make stuff out of that. I went back to visit in Jan - since I moved to Brisbane, they have had to quadruple their storage space for remnants and rejects! I also pull bits from freecycle and off the side of the road and get creative with them.

90% of what comes out of my sewing room is dresses. In the last year I have done three cushion covers, one skirt and about 20 dresses (OK, so officially, that's like 84%? But whatever!) I've done a few nappy-type things too, which I do love, but had to shelve for a while.

I'm in!

[yummymummy]

this thread looks great, can't wait to read other people's tips and ideas as well as seeing people's creations!!

ps. i borrowed some awesome softies books from brisbane library with patterns in it too. definently worthwhile checking out the library for ideas! and in northern rivers now ren you can place an order for a book you want them to buy and they will order it in so that it can be borrowed, i asked about this at my local library!!

[Ryatha]

audax - what type of dresses do you make? I really want to start making them for myself and the girls but I'm not sure where to start? Do you use patterns?

[*Beema*]

Ohhh the crap challenge does sound cool We do a craft swap on another forum, but it could easily be a sewing swap, where everyone who wants to join in, a bit like a secret santa, you have to make something for another BB'er. Maybe hints on child sizes etc would be useful

Love the pillows Maz, are they a childrens size or the normal size? We tried a normal size one in DD's cot last year when she needed to sleep upright but it didn't really work very well

Arcadia, that backpack is stunning!!!! I love the materials as well - awesome!!

wysiwyg , I lvoe the clothes you have made, so many clever ideas on recycling, DD would love the ITNG top, such a great idea to cut and reuse!!

SS_storn, your teddies are gorgeous!! I love the chair covers too

Photos of some of the bits and pieces I have made

Sewing Album #1

Sewing Album #2

NICU Gowns 2009

Just a little bag For ventolin, spacers and inhalers for Daycare.

NICU Gown for Micro Prems 2010

Can't wait to see everyone's creations as they all come together! I am so inspired to jump back on the machine now

[Ryatha]

I have all my pics on a blog, am I allowed to post that address here?

[*Beema*]

I have a blog link in my sig and that hasn't been a problem, as long as you are not selling or trying to make money, otherwise that would be competing with the MPM's who pay for the opportunity to link their business in their sig

[luna moth]

ryatha - pretty ones! Sometimes I use patterns, sometimes I just draft. I tend to let the fabric guide me. Current projects are a strapless satin number for my SiL, and a "happy dress" made out of this gorgeous vintage print stretch that DH bought for me after our m/c in July, has taken me forever to finish the dress, it has about a million pleats, but I just look at it and I drool with happiness. I will do a facebook album of my creations soon and link to it.
I also made my wedding dress - can link to that one:
Wedding dress

I have often wondered if maybe I'd like to try and make some $$$ out of my sewing. Not too sure right now.

[Daydream Believer]

A challenge sounds good, I lack motivation to make anything. Unless someone says they want something or need something, then I'll do it in a couple of days.

Stuff I have made recently is in my facebook pics, If you want to see it PM me & I'll send you the link

[*Beema*]

Audax ~ Wow your wedding dress is awesome!!!! That is so cool that you made it

[maz]

WOW!! look at what you guys make!!!! I feel very much like an amiture

I dont think you can put links up to your blog if you sell stuff from it...eg custom orders ect.

Ive just been to spotlight ....I found the most gorgoeus fat quaters there....gonna have me some fun me think

[Ryatha]

right, so since I'm not actually selling anything and wont be for aaagggeees, I have removed any 'selling' things on my blog. It really only has pics of the things I make for myself and friends, so I hope it is ok. Can someone look at it and let me know if I need to make any more changes?

But here Cheekibots is my blog, with pics of things I have made recently.

ETA - woops I forgot to add - wow for that wedding dress it is just fantastic!

[maz]

will do in a min hon

Have a question for you all.

J man and I have a 4 poster canopy bed on layby.....I want to put a valance on the top BUT Im not into florially or lacey stuff and I cant go anything with a big pattern. I had a look in spotlight today and I couldnt find anything in the right colour .....what do I do???