A Peek in my Sewing Room...

...while it's still presentable!

I spent a very satisfying morning tidying up my sewing room today.

Which means for a short time most things are were in their place!

{I've since started cutting strips to bind a quilt, so.....}

I get great satisfaction from peeking into other people's sewing spaces: seeing how they store things, checking out the stash, eye-balling the sewing machines.......and frequently drooling over finished projects and coveted tools of the trade :) 

So, it seems fair that I should reciprocate and let others peek into my space.

(Thank goodness I had the foresight to take photos before I started sewing again!)

Come in!

A whimsical purchase last year at a market - and timed to match my resolve to move the spare bed down to the rumpus room so I could finally have this lovely room to myself- No packing up each time the MIL came to stay!

A bit of an aerial view of the sewing table by the shutters for maximum light during the day - and night. The arrangement of the table at right angles to the wall means I don't have my back to the ceiling light. The cane chair is actually an old commode hidden under a 1600 quilt made from scrap strips. It's a great place to sit and unpick or hand sew. The baskets hold mending and works in progress (not all mine, a couple of my daughters as well :)  The little old table at the end is a singer sewing machine with fold out table - it makes a great space for the over-locker or GO! when they come out.

Jenny Janome - a QC6600P. She's a feisty madame that can handle most things. Note the knee lift - I can't sew without it now since I started using the commercial machines at TAFE ........that and the one press thread cutter :) The little drawers down the side hold all my bobbins, assorted feet for Jenny, spare needles and other bits and bobs that seems to collect in drawers!

The wall behind the sewing table books, magazines, threads, the over-locker, the GO! cutter, baskets of batting and felt, patterns, fat quarters, a few more works in progress in handy baskets (I daren't put them properly away - their would be NO chance of them ever getting finished!). Lady Penelope is standing sentry by the door.

 The ironing board with various tools, rulers, pin board with business cards and articles.

It's a bit tidier now - I've only just put away all the lengths of ribbon and such I'd hung there 6 months ago for the furry of Christmas gift sewing!

As you can probably tell - this room was originally a bedroom. There are vast amounts of cupboard space...which strangely I manage to fill. Every single inch of space is filled with my gear - despite my son saying I would never need it all when I launched my takeover!   There is a handy dandy light above the  dressing table making it easier when I'm using the cutting mat there.                           (Try to ignore the precariously stacked basket under the dressing table - I do. It's the ironing basket, lol) 

Just a little bit of the stash...looking pretty orderly at the moment.

It does not look like this when I'm in the midst of planning a project!

This is where I keep larger lengths of fabric for dressmaking, backing quilts and such. None of this is allocated to a project it is for 'just in case'. 

(There is a whole other space for projects-in-waiting)

I love my sewing room.

It is a little small, but is light and bright and cheerful - and it does have heaps of storage! I think my favourite bit is the shutters - they help create the lovely light - or block it out on hot days. They allow me a wonderful elevated view through the trees and across an urban valley.

It is the first time I have ever had a dedicated sewing space: not one I share with the office, not a corner of the kitchen and not a table in the spare room that has to be packed up every time we have someone to stay. I am very lucky :)

What do you like most about your sewing space?

I hope you have enjoyed your little tour.

If you'd like a peek at some other sewing rooms, pop over to see Charlotte at Lawson and Lotti  who has run a series called Sunday Sewing Space.

Another good spot to is the back page of Molly Makes magazine, which features interviews and pics of designers sewing spaces.

Cheers for now,

Kathy

May Skirt Challenge

Right - so I know it is now June 3...

...I ran a little late...

But

I did make most of this skirt in May.

It's my contribution to Curly Pop's 

Make it in May

Skirt Challenge.

So, the deal was to choose a skirt pattern you love, pick your most fantabulous fabric, sew, sew, sew - and show off via your blog.

And here is my 3-day-late offering:

(Delightfully modelled by my lovely daughter :)

And here's the show-off bit - 

I designed it myself!

This involved  slew of concept drawings, third scale design drawing, drafting a pattern, constructing a toile and creating this masterpiece!

"Kathy's A-Line Skirt with Faux Wrap Feature"

See the flirty faux wrap blowing in the breeze - and no chance of a flash of leg to distract passing motorists! AND the twin ties - that serve no purpose at all other than decoration!

And finally - I have mastered the invisible zip - though  it probably should sit a little higher, (I might have to pop in a discreet hook and eye).                                                                                           Not shown is the facing in the print contrast fabric for a bit of only-I-will-know-about-it bling :)

It probably goes without saying that I am quite proud of myself for creating this.

It is actually a project for my Fashion Design course - which is the main reason my daughter is wearing it rather than me. At this stage of the course we are required to make garments of a standard size (10-12-14)........and I am more of a 16-18 (sigh). 

So, despite it fitting my daughter it will probably go to my mum.

(Megan usually wears skirts that are much shorter - and doesn't mind so much if the breeze helps show off a bit of leg!)

Pop over to Curly Pops and check out all the other really wonderful skirts people created in May :)

I hope you enjoyed your weekend.

It's finally feeling like winter here in Launceston, though the sun was shining this morning

 and Mr SHH and I went for long walk along the river.

Turning cold now - I must get on with my granny square rug! Not long now I think :)

Cheers,

Kathy

Words and Pictures

Today's 

Words & Pictures 

are brought to you by 

TEA

If you are cold,

Tea will warm you;

If you are too heated,

It will cool you;

If you are depressed,

It will cheer you;

If you are excited,

It will calm you.

Cheers,

Kathy

Time for Tea

On Wednesday afternoon I returned to my last school for a retirement tea for a very special lady who has worked tirelessly to support students (and adults:) for many years.

The staffroom was packed with current and old colleagues, truly a testament to how 

many people she has touched in her career as a teacher's aide.

She gave an amazing farewell speech (of which she remembers nothing!) and there were quite a few wet eyes at the end - mine included.

After years of hearing reading, stacking chairs, covering books, teaching writing, building sandcastles, wiping noses, preparing resources, singing songs, planning lessons, toiletting and toilet training, shopping, cooking biscuits, coercing frightened boys from trees, tying shoelaces, providing physiotherapy, running speech and language programs, attending meetings, photocopying, laminating, helping teachers - teaching teachers, showing that 1+1 really is 2, making tea, providing a shoulder to cry on, making play dough, fundraising

and the many, many tasks she has willingly performed with care, compassion, skill and a great deal of fun and laughter......

...she will finally have time to finish a cup of tea!

 Hence my farewell gift to her.

Pop back tomorrow for some tea-leaf fun:)


Kathy

A Bright Shiny Star of a Weekend

I know I have said it before - but Autumn in Tasmania is a magic time :)

The air has been clear and crisp and the sun has been warm and sparkly.

It is the first weekend of school holidays for my kids, which means NO sport!

Lazy sleep ins, leisurely breakfasts with the paper,

coffee with friends.

We have all been feeling relaxed and mellow, with no huge pressure to be anywhere or do anything.....Bliss.

I have had a very productive couple of days, and the sewing has soothed my soul :)

First I began a mug rug as a gift for a friend who is retiring next week as a special needs teacher aide.  She's an absolute champion and I'm not sure who will miss who most! 

Still, now she will have more time for all sorts of things -

like cups of tea. Hence the theme of the mug rug I'm making her.

(And she might just get to actually finish them now!)

* * * * * * * * * * *

Earlier in the month I joined Curly Pops 

Make it in May

Skirt Sew Along!

Easy-Peasy!  Thinks I- 

We are designing and making skirts at TAFE this month.

I am loving this part of the fashion and design course.

I can make most things from a pattern, but have never really designed anything myself.

So this is glimpse of what I am working on:

Hard to get a clear photo of details, but here is my design analysis and my third-scale patterns.

And sections of my intermediate pattern pieces. The grid pattern paper we call 'spot and cross' and makes lining up rulers, tracing, grain lines, etc. so much easier. It's really easy to work with....and I have already bought ten metres of it to play with at home. 

And look below -

I am a fashion designer!

                                                                         

To the right is my toile: a calico version of the skirt without the fine details. This is to test my pattern - checking proportion, line, drape, fit, construction details and so forth. Here, Lady Penelope is wearing my toile. It's not overly attractive in calico - but does serve the purpose. I discovered that a design line at the front which is to be a feature, needs adjusting and that I have somehow miscalculated a couple of seam allowances. TI am using the blue tape to mark the new vertical design line. Hopefully just some tweaking before I can make it up properly in time for showing off for the Skirt Challenge.

                      * * * * * * * * * * * 

And finally, I've made twelve more granny squares for my crochet rug.

A shame it's not ready now - it's freezing outside!

Now, off to check out what everyone else has been up to over the weekend :)

Cheers,

Kathy

A cat & kitten update...

...harmony reigns