Spring...and a girl's thoughts turn to sewing

The weather starts to warm and once again I'm thinking about sewing new clothes for spring. Here are some fabrics all purchased from Spotlight. From left: A printed cotton, stretch red cotton sateen, another printed cotton, lightweight stretch denim, cotton stripe.

The red and denim will become pants, with the other fabrics as shirts/blouses. Now I'm no dressmaker just a humble home sewer, so I like simple easy designs. I wouldn't mind adding a ruffle detail to the small floral print.


I will use my old faithful modified pants pattern but these are the shirts I like to make. I tend to prefer classic styles. At the moment I'm rather fond of denim-style jackets - in bright colours if possible.

Cheers
Ann.

Six Random Things

Image courtesy of Lubylu Cards

Well, it seems that as part of my initiation Fer has tagged me. Thanks Fer, here goes. . .

No.1. . . I'm not awfully comfortable talking about myself (could make this tricky, eh?)

No.2. . . I have a weakness for shoes although I can't afford to indulge this passion as often as I'd like. Doesn't stop me trying them on though. High heels, pointy toes, slingback. The brighter the better.

No.3 . . . I enjoy making my own clothes. You can't beat a good shirt. Thank goodness for the invention of elastic and automatic buttonholes.

No.4. . . I have done the *peg* thing and then moved onto matching the coathangers to the clothes. Bought an awful lot of plastic coated wire coat hangers just to get the right colours. Sigh. Solved the problem by changing to wooden coathangers.

No.5. . . I would love to do a jewellery course so that I can make my own silver jewellery.

No.6. . . I simply adore fancy afternoon teas. The kind with little sandwiches and cakes and real leaf tea in a china pot. Terribly civilised but oh so twee.


Now for the rules:

1. Link to the person who “tagged” you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

I don't actually know enough people as yet to tag them. Perhaps next time.

I'm off to let Fer know that I have posted.

Cheers
Ann.

Second Hand Rose

White sewing machines aren't as *glamorous* as their Singer cousins but this little beauty has won my heart. She's a 1916-17 White Vibrating Shuttle Treadle Sewing Machine in the original twig cabinet.

I know they are a dime a dozen but this one is rather special. It was a gift from a work colleague and I have had the privilege of seeing it in its original setting - a 1919 Arts and Craft house designed by the owner. She was among the trailblazing women to obtain a degree at Sydney University in the early 1900s and pursued a career as an Engineering Draughtsman.

This machine hasn't seen active service in nearly 50 years and is looking a little tired and neglected...but with the right care I hope to bring her back to life again. I seem to have all the attachments, five bobbins and most of the instruction manual. I also have the original purchase docket from Anthony Hordern's Palace Emporium (think Sears) dated November 1917 showing that it cost the princely sum of 7 pounds, 17 shillings and sixpence!


I certainly have my work cut out for me and will chart my progress here. It would be wonderful to get her working again and machine piece a quilt on her.

Ann.