Linen Birdy by Red Stitch Designs

Brenda from Red Stitch Designs creates the most amazing little creatures. I asked her to make Anya a little birdie for her bedroom - using some of the fabric from her bedroom makeover. This sweet bird sits on the bedhead (for now) to keep Anya company while she sleeps.





Brenda's attention to detail is close to perfect, her stitching is beautiful and she makes gorgeous original, well-priced designs. Visit her madeit store or if you are lucky enough to swing by Canberra, you can purchase Brenda's lovely work at Shop Handmade.

Photos courtesy of Red Stitch Designs

Gorgeous Children's Sewing Patterns

Aren't these divine patterns from Heidi and Finn on Etsy? I have heard they are easy to follow which is always refreshing news. I would love to sew these for my girl (although she loves a good twirly skirt)! The little bolero is too cute, I'd like one myself.



This is a great unisex pattern! I am desperate to learn to use the over-locker (serger) my Mum gave me to use.... especially when I see patterns like this. On an un-related note, how frustrating was it having blogger out for over 24hours!!!! We have started my migration to Word Press - not fast enough I say! Have a great weekend.

My Creative Space - Mini Bean Bags

Did you have these at school when you were a kid? I have vague memories of them but saw them about the web last week and *bing* - the perfect way to use our Moda Pillow scraps! They are just charm squares filled with split peas from the supermarket.



Anya delighted in filling them with me - thank goodness for the funnel and vacuum cleaners I say! We have been practising our throwing and catching, balancing on our heads and even Josiah is enjoying playing with them. For more fun join in here.

My Creative Space - Moda Floor Cushion

Last time you saw this cushion it was a work in progress. I am happy to say I finally finished it! Anya is so pleased and loves to sit on it for reading and watching ABC kids! I think her brother likes the colourful fabric but he regretfully gets 'shoved' off by his big sister any times he tries to use it! ha ha I may need to make him one too! Any good boy material recommendations along the same style as Moda?



For good crafty inspiration visit Kirsty's.

My first Patchwork with Moda

Anya and I are working on a patchwork cushion cover for her floor cushion that she likes to read on. We used Sherbit Pips by Moda and Its a Hoot by Mo Mo also for Moda - I got mine from Retro Mummy. It is my first ever Patchwork and I love PRE-CUT fabric! I can't imagine
doing it any other way and I dislike hexagonals just for the record - not my style.



Anya LOVED placing the squares in all multiple arrangements - I have to say it was very carthartic, I can see how it gets addictive. The fabric is also delightful and I love looking at it, I definitely have some favourite squares. Thanks Posie for letting me pick your brain for all those first timer questions :-) We have both sides sewn up waiting for batting - post Christmas...

Free Tutorial - Ruffled Scarf

In the spirit of the last minute Christmas gift....I present to you my ruffled scarf! This may serve those in the Northern Hemisphere better for the month of December but book mark it for your DIY 'must-do' list for winter for the rest of us. Inspired by my sister-in-laws cool black scarf on her last visit from NZ I went straight to the fabric store then straight to work.



Cut yourself a 2m length of a stretch knit fabric (mine is 187cm) and 30cm wide for the base of the scarf. Then cut approximately 35 strips of the same fabric, my pieces were about 30-35cm width and 7-8cm long. Cut them wider than 35cm if you want more of a ruffle than I have here.



Without finishing edges of anything sew the small strips of fabric across the width of the scarf base, layering them as you go. I didn't pre-gather the strips as I wanted a subtle ruffle on this scarf but might try a lighter knit next time with more of a gather. I just pinched little pleats almost in places along the strips and sewed a straight stitch across and Voila! You could always use elastic in your bobbin to get more volume :-)

Ed's note:

Vintage Sewing Patterns

I have such a big bag of 'reject' patterns from my sister's mother-in-law that I inherited. I was going to sell them on e bay or something... It will be a job to do before we move! I of course kept all the cool ones, like these pictured! My sister has a massive bag of rejects also... and she doesn't really sew! Some patterns I kept just because they made me laugh - like the knitting patterns for men - such bad photos! This bottom Butterick pattern is very Jackie O inspired I think!

My Creative Space - Japanese Sewing Pattern

Well, it seems I like a challenge :-) My cousin Gret sent me this lovely children's Japanese sewing pattern for my birthday in Jan. The instructions are completely in Japanese!!!!! eeeeeek! Fortunately I prefer pictures to follow anyway... however a few English words like 'back' and 'front' would have been handy! Hmmmm...

Fortunately there are many great sewers out there that have conquered before me and left helpful advice on their blogs. The only one I really used was The Purl Bee, she included the symbol for back and front and it was a life-saver! Gret has a post on her blog sighting a few more helpful links for Japanese crafting.



All in all it turned out pretty well but a little boxy for my liking. I haven't decided if I will take it in or not. Anya loves the little pocket and wanted one on both sides. I originally made it for our family photo shoot last weekend, but ended up putting Anya in something else. I think this pattern would be lovely in a really light, flowy gauze/cotton fabric.

For more creative spaces visit Kirsty's place.

Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt - pattern review

Finally I have finally finished my Amy Butler Barcelona skirt! I received that pattern back in May and bought my material in July.... here we are November and I wore it today for the first time. Sooo comfortable, I love things that sit on my hips low. This skirt is truly so QUICK and EASY! I will probably make a layered one too (on the pattern cover) but that may take another 6 months ;) If you have the pattern sitting in your cupboard, get it out and make it this weekend! You could definitely do it in an afternoon. If you have any doubts about what an invisible zipper foot looks like (for the invisible zip) then hop on over to Lara's blog Kirin Notebook for a fabulous tutorial on invisible zips (on a pillow - but it's all the same principal). Happy sewing and YAY for finishing projects. PS: If you are new to my blog that is a baby - not beer belly!!! 4.5months along.

Sewn

I totally forgot to mention that Sarah from SEWN came and took some photos at the Handmade market and has featured a couple of mine on their site. If you go to the gallery section, then Handmade market in Bloom you will see some lovely goodies that were on offer. I am picture 14 and Gret was picture 13. Sewn has some great features including interviews, find a fabric search tool, sewing and quilting glossary (great for beginners), free patterns, tutorials - what isn't to love?!

'My Place' now has a blog

The lovely store My Place at Bowral in the Southern Highlands, now has a lovely little blog. Add it to your google reader, I am sure they will feature some lovely things there - I downloaded my free apron pattern just this morning!

Friday favourites

I love these romantic bolero's from Bonzie. They are an independent Irish fashion label and a family run business (Aunt & Niece which I think is really special). Some more of their work on Flickr if you are keen to check them out. I got married in January in Australia - not the time to be wearing any sort of jacket/bolero! Have a lovely weekend.