The Craft Sessions

Although it's over a month ago now, I have to post some photos of the wonderful weekend I spent at The Craft Sessions. It was SO good. 

It's the first time I've been surrounded by so many awesome people who are just as interested in discussing knitting patterns, fabrics, yarn, pattern designers, blogging, quilting techniques, Ravelry...

There were so many different workshops on offer from so many cool people that it was really hard to decide which ones to do. In the end I decided to try 3 crafts that were new to me: freeform patchwork and block printing, both run by Lesley Keating from Maze & Vale, and whole fabric quilting with Anna O'Brien.

I have to say that patchwork and quilting have never really appealed to me (too precise, too slow-going, too bitsy). But this was different! Freeform patchwork was a revelation. Just grab a bunch of coordinating fabric scraps and start sewing them together. No measuring, precise cutting or matching corners. I love this! (Ohh and the gorgeous Maze & Vale fabric scraps that Lesley brought along for us to use!) I can't wait to do some more. And whole fabric quilting - just beautiful fabric and simple stitching (no patchwork required). From Anna I've discovered how much I love hand-stitching. Such a relaxing, mindful process.

I met so many lovely and inspiring women but a special mention to Jo my room-mate (who is making the most amazing English patchwork quilt - something I will never ever attempt) and Kylie who has revolutionised my knitting by teaching me her continental style method.

A big thank-you to Felicia and her crew who organised this event. Can't wait for next year!

Geranium Dress

My first Geranium!

Hehe! Now I know why people say that. Now that I've made one, I can't wait to make another. Such a great pattern... it all comes together so quickly and looks super sweet!

The fabric I've used is Raindrops from Carolyn Gavin's Spring Street collection. I love this fabric! When I purchased it a couple of months ago, I wasn't sure if it would be for Little Miss or myself. So before cutting into it, I actually ended up jumping online and ordering a couple for metres more for me.

Do you have a pattern that you've made again and again?

The Roly-Poly Rain Tunic

Photo by The Crafty Kitty

Oh my! How sweet is this little girl's tunic that Stephanie from The Crafty Kitty has made? I'm pretty excited about it because that's the fat quarter of my hand-printed Rain fabric that I sent her during the recent Handmade Fabric Swap!

Pop over to The Crafty Kitty for more photos and a chance to win a copy of the pattern (the Roly-Poly Pinafore Tunic).

...All this reminds me that I've been rather remiss in not yet posting photos of the 4 beautiful fabrics that I received from my swap partners. As soon as the sun comes out again I'll snap some pics, I promise!

Hemmed

Ooo la la, a new tablecloth! I bought this retro fabric before Christmas and I don't why I've taken so long to get around to hemming it. I love the splash of colour that it adds to the house!

It goes rather well with our dining chairs too (picked up for $3 each when our local community hall had a cleanout a couple of years ago).

How to drop two shirt sizes in 1 hour

I spotted this great tee as a gift for a friend (in this super lovely shop in Mildura), however only size XL was left and my friend is more of a medium fit. Thus, a quick alteration project to kick off my sewing for the new year...

First I cut off the sleeves and reduced the shoulder width by 1cm on each armhole (plus the new seam allowance will take in the shoulders a further cm). Note that you don't want to take any extra off at the bottom of the armhole however, as this will make it too big for the sleeve to fit back on nicely. Then trim off the underarm seam of the sleeve pieces so they open out flat. I also cut 2cm off each side of the tee and trimmed off the bottom hem. 

Then I simply sewed it all back together using an overlocker (serger) - sleeves first, then underarm and side seams. Finally use a twin needle to resew the hem.

Voila! A size medium t-shirt. I do hope it fits!