It's raining, it pouring

Hopefully we will see the dams filling up a least a little. It has been raining and showering on and off for a couple of days now. It had been nearly a year since we had gotten "rain."

Off to the country today, for a dress fitting. The wedding is 2 months away. Our car broke down the other day so I am driving my parent in laws car, as our other car ( that they use) is not safe for driving in the rain as the fan or something doesn't work to demist the windscreen. I finally had a good night's sleep last night and have finished my work for the morning - Jay is having nap.

I went to the courts to see the JP there. They have recently installed a security thing there. Mum used to work there and said it was about time, as they have been talking about upgrading security like 10years ago when someone was stabbed. Anyway, I was nervous and went through with my house keys in my pocket and the alram went off. I jabbered like a gumby to the security man, who was all very nice about it. Oh well.

Update

So yesterday I had a good think and realised that really I wanted to open my own website - I discussed it with my husband and he agreed with me. I guess I felt I needed someone else's approval of my stuff. I just want to have a go.

My head is stuff and my throat sore, so I won't be doing much sewing today...arck, just when I actually have the time.

A little progress

I spent a good part of yeaterday searching for a name and working on my marketing plan. I have to wait until the biz is registered to confirm the name though, so I won't give anything away! I wanted a name that doesn't sound like too many others, with a website available too - hard to do!

I also realised that I was calculating my prices wrong...not good at percentages apparently! It is actually easier to do now. I am a little worried that my prices seem high but I I do not want to underestimate my ability or indeed the time that I am putting into my work.

My plan is, and had been for awhile, to sell via an online mall and then if that goes well to move to my own webstore...very daunting for little ol me! It is hard for me to be open to more people than just my dh.

No time to sew - card making today at mother's group and then I have to do some more washing to catch up from the weekend. I also have to finish my data entry work.

So hard

...to come up with a good name that does not limit or exclude things that I might want to do in the future with the biz, but that is not used or similar to another biz. I have been using this site to check for Australian businesses - very useful.

April in Paris

April in Paris was a favourite movie when I was younger. Why is it that they (tv networks) never show the old musicals and the like much anymore. I remember watching seven wives for seven brothers, calamity jane etc all the time when I was a kid. Plus I could not even find the little house of the prairie series at Big W the other day.

Alas, I can only name dresses after them I suppose. This is the dress made from a stretch cotton elastane with parisian features printed on it. Like I said, one of my favourites.

I spent a large portion of yeaterday thinking of a name for my biz...very hard. Very hard. Came up with a great option, then I thought that it is too difficult for people to spell correctly. So scraped that one.

Little changes

Photobucket is down, so I can't upload the other spring-y dress. It is made from one of my favourite prints - different Parisian features.

I have fiddled with my blogger settings, so maybe I can receive comments now, who knows- I hope so.

I have decided to step out with the biz...it is what I have wanted for so long, we are in the position to do it and I have to take risks. I just have to come up with a name. I was going to go for Quirky Threads, the name of the blog, but as there are two other businesses with similar names that I have used (Autumn Threads and Dancing Threads on ebay) I want something else. Something with quirk or quirky in there, as I like that word and like to think that my creations will be somewhat quirky.

Spent some time last night drafting up more dress bodices. I have a whole list of things I want to draft up.

Spring dress

Spring has sprung in Ipswich already...truly. It has been up there (30ish) for a few days now. So I felt like making something floral. I used the ottobre tank/singlet top, added a gathered skirt and voila, a dress for spring. The dress worked out to a good price. Fabric was on sale, I only used about 40cm, add a little thread, an hour of time...

Do I step out?

Dilemma that has haunted me for some time - do I step out and make my sewing a business or do I keep it a hobby.

I have the support of my husband either way. Is my sewing is good enough? I think so - I am fast and I can make my own patterns. There are several options I can go with, opportunities have opened - do I take this as a sign to go for it?

I don't take risks often - is this hindering my ability to make the decision? If I have spent so long thinking, dreaming, planning, and this is what I want to do, why can't I just do it?

Pondering more today - I will sew today and see what the day brings.

Welcome to Samantha

My friend Sue had her baby, a little girl named Samantha, on Sunday. We had mum's group at her house today and I have to go back later to deliver a meal for them. I am definetly doing to early release program with no. 2...so much better being at home. I gave her the gown that I had made. I was feeling very clucky but not so much when I was holding her...she is so tiny.

Softies

So I love all the matryoshka prints and appliques in the Oilily fall/winter 05 collection. And I needed inspirtation for a softie toy...These dolls don't look as funky as the Oilily prints, and I am not sure I have the right scrap fabrics to pull it off, but I have made a drawing and will have to test out the best way of doing it. Wish me luck.

Added pictures

This is Jay showing off her tower that she made by herself. She is also modelling the tracksuit I made ages ago...you can't see it here, but there are little hippos embroidered on the top and the bottom. Hoodies are so cute on littlies, don't cha think? The fabric used to be a pumpkin orange colour until I attacked it will bleach. Now it is a nice shade of peach.

The complete skirt. I really love this print and the pattern is a favourite of mine at the moment. It is a-line, has a yoke and side zipper. My fav pants pattern is like this too. The WWNW gals would love them. I started the skirt ages ago but had to stop as I did not have my invisible zipper foot. I kinda forgot it has 2 splits in the pattern and sewed on side completely up. However, upon finishing it, there is plenty of walking ease so it does not require two splits anyway.

I love stretch poplin

Very comfy for summer skirts, which is what I have been working on, since Cindy returned my invisible zipper foot. I did not use interfacing at all in the yoke, so I used some cotton tape so that the waist line does not stretch out. I will have to get hubby to take of photo of me wearing the skirt - he is currently out fixing up SIL's car.

This is the first weekend in a long time where he is not working, fixing cars (well, it was unplanned and shouldn't be for to long) and I am not doing kids' church or creche on Sunday. It feels like a holiday. We are going out to lunch and doing some shopping together tomorrow.

Wondering if I should participate in the softie swap on the essential baby sewing thread. I would have no idea what I was doing. Will give it some thought.

More parcels

My fashionable fabrics order arrived yesterday. A yard of each of the above plus flamingo disco dots, which I can't find a picture for. I am in love...I did not realise the Penelope Pastel had a lady (presumably Penelope) all over it - I must be blind. No idea what it will be, the dollhouse seersucker (what a name for fabric) will probably be a peasant top or dress.

Plans for today: Cut and sew another outfit. Plus washing. Yay.

I had some a child and work free day (thank you Ekka show holiday) so I did some cleaning and sewing. It is hard to see in the picture, but the top has little tucks at the top. I am thinking of adding a few buttons near the top. It was going to be a dress, but after running out of shirring elastic (just in the bobbin) I decided a top was good enough. It may need a bottom made at some stage, maybe some white shorts.












This is my first attempt at a hankerchief hemline, adapted from a yoked circle skirt. This will have a matching white singlet and applique to make it a set...maybe a headscarf too.

I need to trace a larger singlet size. I have the idea to applique them, to make them unique, but I may leave them plain too, as they will go with all of the overalls from last summer (I made them a size 2 and then moved the buttons...with Jalisa's cloth nappied bum they are by no means baggy)

Well, it is fun and cheaper sewing with vintage fabrics. But with the age, they are a lot more fragile than I thought they would be.

Fabric finds

So why is there more fabric selection at a country town than the whole of my home city? This is what I hauled home. A bag full of vintage offcuts...these will be great for some little tops. And some yardage...cord for pants or skirt, I could make a poncho or a jacket with the black and white houndstooth and the printed cottons will make awesome dresses I think.
I bought buttons too...but no clothes. I was tempted by a wool/silk jade green top. It was too small for me but I thought about making it into a dress for Jay. In the end I did not get it, as I actually have some knit in the stash in the same colour.

I haven't shown a photo for ages, so I took some of her out the front of the house, wearing her Mama made outfit...great shot of the bin and dead palm leaves...oh dear!

Inspiration

This is just one delightful set. I have always loved Juniper * Berries's creations since seeing a lot of her sew and shows on the Sewing Mamas board. I love that she has not only used a side panel on a girl's set but that it widens into a a flare to make gauchos...I must try that one day, maybe for the next cold season.

It looks so easy to just combine different fabrics, but it is a lot harder than it looks. Sometimes I will have a combo in my head but when I put them together it just doesn't look right...the colours don't quite match or something. However, I have found that I just have to step out and go for it, as you can never really tell until the garment is being sewn together.

I received 3 parcels yesterday...all very exciting. Two prizes and an ebay auction that I won. Still waiting on another couple.

50 posts

No pictures to show. No websites to point out. I am trying to limit my internet downloads. I just have a mountain of washing to do (being sick and busy contributed to a pile up).

Tomorrow we are driving out to Boonah to shop in their op shop, which is apparently a treasure trove of goodies from the city. Hopefully Sue won't go into labour out there. Might not get back to the hospital in time!

Postman rant

I wanna know why our postman comes so late in the day...around 5pm most days. It is particulalry torturous when you are waiting for packages.

I have caught a cold, but we still had friends over for dinner and a dvd. Good night really. I had trouble getting to sleep with my sore throat but felt better after a shower in the morning.

I am trying not to get sucked into more ebay auctions. I have to try and not bid on this one auction...it is still pretty low but it may get higher and that is when I get into trouble...bidding more than I originally intended to. That must be the psycholgy of the site.

Black Wool pants

I have abondoned the retro dress for now...there is just no way I can wear it if I finish it anyway, so I am a bit annoyed and don't want to finish it. It is a lovely fit, I just have too much trouble removing it.

So I have finally started on some black pants. I washed up some wool elastane that I bought years ago in a sale, I think for $8 a metre. It is gorgeous and I am really enjoying sewing with it. The pattern is a little bit gaucho, as I made it a larger size to deal with my rear end. It looks big enough to get on without a zipper! I should have made them at the start of Winter, but it is still cool and I should get plenty of wear...can you believe I have no black pants. I used to, pre-baby, but they don't fit.

More exciting news

The other day, I found out that I had won the Crafty Mamas' July competition (creative children's clothing). Yesterday they announced the winner of the extra comp (christmas in july)...and I won that too.

I SCREAMED when I found out, as I desperately wanting to win the prize (Fabric gift voucher). Ahuge big thanks you to Lisa at CM and Leslee at Fashionable Fabrics. I can't wait to get the fabrics.

On another note, I got very angry when I read an article in the Sunday Mail titled: Sorry, but my children bore me to death. Fancy writing that!

This is my response to Ms Kirwan-Taylor's article (I wrote back)

Helen Kirwan-Taylor must be one of those narcissistic people that she is trying to avoid raising. No, I take that back because it appears that her children are rearing themselves. Maybe her children will be fine, but I would not be going around declaring that the needs of children can be met if you feed, shelter and tell them they are loved.

My parents both worked. I knew I was loved not because they simply told me (as I doubt I would believe it), but because they spent time with me, gave me physical affection, did special things for me, gave me words of affirmation and bought me things.

Kirwan-Taylor’s “needs” differ a great deal from those of her children. She needs not to be bored by the little things in life. No, she must deserve better because she spent so much time educating herself and building up her career not to bother with menial work us stay at homes are so “relentlessly” consumed with.

I think there needs to be some balance. Time for ourselves, time for our kids. I too believe that too a “kid first” culture is not right, but that doesn’t mean the “me first” culture Kirwan-Taylor is promoting is right either.

There was so much that could have been said, but I thought I would keep it as short as possible. I truly hope they get a lot of negative feedback, rather than positive. I couldn't stand other women actually embracing this junk.

I did some sewing yesterday when I should not have...my eyes were tired and so sore. Yet I really felt like sewing. And I was not thinking clearly...moving ahead a step when I hadn't completed the step beforehand. Oh dear.

Today we are going around looking at tents. We got our sleep-in (Jay is waking up later than usual lately, and it has been heaven for me). I won an ebay auction, fabric this time. Need to work on not spending time there...too much temptation. I go through good patches, but then there are times were much fabric is purchased. I don't think I have a problem though, as I am sewing lots.

Waiting game

Waiting for some fabrics to dry, so I can start making some new garments. I was all set to create, then I realised as I looked at my stash database that I hadn't even washed the fabrics I wanted to use. So in the washing machine they went. Isn't that always the way?

The retro dress is now hanging, but with our fairly busy weekend, I am not sure how much I will work on it.

Chocolate Milk

I could do with some chocolate milk right now. I really need to cut down on the caffeine though.

I finished this up this morning. I am still working on the retro dress. Jalisa has a cold and is clingy. We bought Jalisa a puppy (stuffed toy!) and she has been carrying it around non stop since last night. She wanted to sleep with it. It is rather cute.

Yay!

I have received some great mail over the past few days. I traded a knitting needle roll for some cloth pads with Lisa from Crafty Mamas. Plus, Lisa generously sent me some soap after my bar went missing in the post. The soap, vanilla musk, made my sewing room smell divine and me smell even better. So yummy.

Today I receieved an email from Evelyn at Autumn Threads that I had won their latest competition. I thought the prize was an Olfa kit but it is that PLUS $20 to spend on thread. I am so grateful...I don't think I have ever won a competition so it feels pretty good. I think I may get some of the Maxi Lock/locks threads.

I drove down to a fabric store yesterday (a different one that I usually go to) and was tempted by many things. I was just going there to get a couple of basics...plain colours...to coordinate with fabrics I own. I think I need to take swatches, as there are so many colours of pinks, and oranges etc that I did not come home with a good match.

Good though, because I ran into the lady who I job shared with a couple of years ago (I haven't seen her for like 2 years because she took 6 months long service leave while I worked fulltime). She told me who is having babies, lost weight, bought houses, on overseas holidays,broken bones, put backs out etc, as well as how the kids are doing (ie who has put on weight, who has broken anyone else's bones etc). She is saying hello to one of my aides, as the other is overseas.

Dress Houdini

The dress is coming along. I have attached both sleeves and skirt and it needs to hang for 24 hours to let the bias drop. I am a little worried though. The dress has one of those side zippers that gives more room at the waist. So far I have been having trouble getting the dress off - I am not used to a dress with sleeves. (That is why it is sitting on the ironing board rather than hanging up...it is a great fit when on, just impossible to get off). Oh well, I should at least finish it.

1. Bind neckline (decided on self fabric)
2. Hem sleeves
3. Side seam and zipper
4. Hem