Quick Post and Another Confession

I was sure I didn't need any more fabric when I agreed to meet a friend at a local fabric store the other day. My plan was to enjoy her fabrics and head off for a coffee, however when I saw these two prints I didn't even try to resist.

In case you want some, the selvedge says, "world of Susybee for Hamil Textiles Design # SB 20049" and "20052".

Sewing Again?

I go through phases in sewing clothes for myself. Lately I've been in a slack phase, but maybe that's about to change. I've been slowly sorting the boxes of stuff that are cluttering the studio. These include fabrics which I have bought at various times and with varying degrees of thought. Here's one:

I'm guessing it was an impulse buy. It had a note pinned to it, "summer top for me". As soon as I started evaluating it I came up against a few challenges. The instant appeal is the lightweight cotton--ideal for a summer top--except with the all over broderie anglaise it's full of holes and therefore see through. It also has a border design--that cute little scalloped edge. To make the most of it I would need to cut the pattern pieces at right angles to the straight grain. I think that's ok. The fabric is so heavily embroidered that it's going to be nice and stable anyway. As for being see through. I'll try lining the top front section. Lining the entire garment would defeat the purpose.

Yesterday I got as far as buying a matching piece of poplin and washing the fabric. Next I need to choose a pattern. I'll see how that goes.

Packages

Gone are the days of "brown paper packages tied up with string", but packages are still one of my favourite things. This little pile of gifts and challenges arrived yesterday morning. There's a sweet little parcel tied up with pretty ribbon which I can't open until my birthday. I've also been told not to squeeze it . . . intriguing! Then there are two large pieces of fabric making their second interstate journey: a length of red wool-blend suiting and some purple seersucker. These have travelled from Melbourne to my friend D's house/s in Queensland, but have remained in her sewing space with their destinies unfulfilled. They've come back to Melbourne to see what I can do with them. I'm thinking about cutting up the red to make some scarves/wraps and the purple might just become part of a fun summer skirt for me. The red floral fabric is part of a party hosted by D at her blog, Make Mine Silk. The challenge is to turn the fabric into something and blog about it. I'll have to get my creative juices going on that one. By the way, invitations to that party are open, so follow the link if you'd like to take part. There's a challenge of a different sort obscured by the hand-written note. That's a pair of fingerless mittens I made out of my handspun wool-silk. The moths have had a nibble at them. I have to find a way of securing the frayed ends and darning the hole, so D can enjoy them--hopefully this winter.

Australia post is going to do pretty well out of us this month, because the mittens will soon join a pile of warm pretty things which has been building up at my house ready to send up to my friends in Queensland. Then it will be D's turn to open up her package and enjoy the gifts and challenges I've packed up for her.