Atomic Mum

Australian vintage Patterns

2012-02-07T12:42:00.000+10:00

When it isn't one thing it's an other, the last two weeks it's been a sick house hold, this week it's me.
On the up side I got some new vintage patterns to share.

Which would you sew first and why?

Wilkinson were well known for there school uniform patterns. Many of the patterns are still the same for many schools here in Australia, it's manly the fabric that changers.

Happy hunting and sewing everyone.

New Look 6334

2012-01-24T20:05:00.000+10:00

Well after a busy few months and Christmas, New Year and back to school all over with I can try to get back into sewing. Master 8 (almost 9) still has a cast on his arm and Master Little 3 is full of beans.

Miss Little 7 however got a new pair pj's, and here they are New Look 6334. No it's not vintage but it's home sewen and she will wear it, the most importance thing of all.

This was an easy pattern, there is loads of details I left out mainly due to the fact the fabric is so busy I didn't think they were needed. I also changed the back button and loop for a press stud.

A close up of the neck area, I just love the cute little ruffle. Lace was suggested for the neck but as you can see I didn't use it.

Miss Little is very happy and I have fabric left over to make something else, maybe some long pants.

It's lovely to be back sewing again and I look forward seeing what I've missed.
Happy Sewing.

Away From Keyboard

2011-12-06T15:53:00.001+10:00

I wont be doing much of anything but looking after Master Little 8 for the next few weeks, however with Christmas fast approaching I might need to find time to sew for sanity sake.

Master Little 8 has badly broken his arm and we have spent the last two days in hospital. Lots of love and care, it wouldn't be so bad but the cast goes from fingers to shoulder, his going to hate it when it starts to get hotter.

Thank you to everyone for the lovely comments for my other posts.
Hope you are having a good week.

Vintage Vogue 1171 - Part 2

2011-11-29T20:04:00.000+10:00

It may have taken me longer than I planned but it's finished and I'm happy to say I'm please with the effort.
I put a lot more hand sewing into this dress then I first planned and more then I have before but it was worth it. I will also be doing more of it from now on.

Do you think it looks like the dress pattern envelope? Apart from the length I do.

This is everything basted together, top to bottom. So far so good.

Right side of dress, pleats match.

Left side of dress, pleats DON'T match.

Ripped out the basting and tryed again, this time with two lines of basting.

This is the underside of the collar, the self-facing that sits against the neck. I have hand stitched it.

On the inside of the waist I used bias to double as an inner belt and to seal away the edges of the fabric. I machine sewed it on the inside only and then hand stitched the edge that would show on the front.

Here I used the same bias to finish the hem. While I used the machine to sew the hem I was not totally happy with the finish, until I ironed it out.

With the waist finished I then added the buttons. I've already had lots of comments on them. Aren't they lovely.

All but the hem left to do now, oh and the belt.

I picked this buckle up secondhand, it worked well. This is also the first time I made the belt from the pattern, most vintage patterns have a belt made out of the same fabric for the dress.

Finished front and back.

While I spent more time on this dress then I have on any other I am very happy with it. I have always skipped a step or changed a bit but never done more then I have to. I guess I used this dress as stepping stone to improve and test my sewing skills. Now I know what I can do I need to find something harder to sew. Hmmmm maybe sewing for Atomic Dad, hes hard to please.

A Look Inside - Woman, Dec21, 1953

2011-11-16T13:23:00.000+10:00

With Christmas on it's was I thought this was a good magazine to have a peek in. Truth be told there are few adds and little colour, lots of articles. There's a bit of gossip, a bit of fashion, a bit of celebrity but it's not all trash like so many to day, just take all with a pinch of salt and you'll be fine.

Have you started you Christmas shopping yet?

Hope your enjoying your week so far!

Some Fancy Ladies

2011-11-15T10:21:00.000+10:00

Over at Super Kawaii Mama's blog other then some great ideas for vintage fashion she is offering one lucky person the chance to win an exclusive photo shoot in Melbourne and as much as I would love to win I need your help. Why do I need your help? It's all about the click throughs and no ip repeats.

Please click HERE

Not only will you be helping me towards winning but you can have a look at the the calendar by Some Fancy Ladies for 2012.

Thank you for helping me.

Vintage Vogue 1171 - Part 1

2011-11-13T22:49:00.001+10:00

I came across the same green as this pattern and knew I had to sew it. This is the first dress for my Summer/Wet season challenge and I really should of finished it a few weeks ago. None the less here it is so far.

First was the bound button holes, having never done them before it was well worth the effort. I photo copied and then traced the button pattern so there were no errors on my part. It worked really well and apart from and few not so perfect bits I am happy with how my first attempt went.

Before I turned it in the right way, I couldn't get my photo of the front to show on the blog clearly. Hope to get a good shot when I'm finished.

One to the arm holes, as few of my outfits have sleeves I feel very confident about how these turned out. Overedge stitch on the raw edges,as well stitching the seam allowance and understitch on the facing.

Here you can just see were I hand stitched the facing on the inside. I used one thread to sew with and picked up two threads of the garment. As this dress will be for every day wear and the large collar will hide what we can see I am happy to leave it. Other wise I would pick only one thread of the garment.

Basting the collar and interfacing together, did some of this by hand. So much easier now.

A close up. Things to note, interfacing has been trimmed away on seam allowance to reduce bulkiness, no overcasting as the seams will be inside the collar all sewen up once finished.

Completed collar and neck interfacing sewen on to bodice. Did a fare amount of basting by hand to get this all to sit right. Still have to slip stitch the neck interfacing down.

You can also see in this shot that I still need to do some work on the darts, at the moment they have been hand basted into place to make it easier to rework them.

I have also started the skirt but there's not really much to show yet. I've just done the ground work, overcasting the edges and chalking up the dart and pleats, that kind of stuff. My aim is to finish this dress this week. I also have a UFO that I would like to at least do some work on before I start something new.

Until next time, happy sewing people.

My New Me!

2011-11-11T09:27:00.000+10:00

Well kind of. Atomic Dad ordered my birthday gift on y birthday and this week it has arrived. The box says it's a Dressmaker Model, Atomic Dad say's it's a dummy, Atomic children think it looks like a headless lady (which is true), what every you call it it's mine. I would have loved a vintage dress form (that's what I call it) but since it was a gift I should be grateful for it, and I am.

I've already spent time matching my size to her and am about to use her. I have wanted one for so long.

When we pulled her out of the box it had this sticker name on it I'm not sure if we'll call her it but I leave it for now. *Big Claps* I have the biggest smile ever right now, I think I'll go do some sewing.

Have a great weekend everyone.

A Look Inside - Australian Homemaker & Handyman, June 1956

2011-11-09T14:15:00.000+10:00

I know a long heading but I had to fit the whole thing in. I thought I would mix it up a bit and have a look inside the Australian home, not just the fashion. There is lots of colour and all sorts of helpful bits. The best thing about these types of magazines are the amount of house plans and home shots you get. I feel it really gives you a very good sense of how there homes looked and felt.

I hope you enjoy the peep!

Well till text time, happy home improvement.

Scrap Quilt

2011-11-04T21:47:00.000+10:00

As many of you would know being a sew can come with some good and bad bit's. This quilt is about just that, the good, the bad and one very messy sewing area.

The Good - all that lovely fabric that you just can't get rid of. Have you ever heard yourself say or think "I'll just keep that" "It's too cute/pretty/ lovely/the feel to trow away." "I could use that later." and the rest of them. We keep all these bits, some far to small to really ever make anything out of on it's own. You collect a "stash" a pile of fabric that's everything you've been given or couldn't leave the store without.
The Bad - Well it's much the same as above really. The "stash" takes over and in my case I have Atomic Dad asking why my sewing in overflowing into his hobby.
The answer - a scrap quilt. Get a box, as big as you need, two if you need to. Put all your bits of fabric less then about 50cm / 2 feet into the box, these are bits that are too small to make any one thing out of. Set aside a day to sort and sew, this is great to do with a friend.

(this fabric is leftovers from a jelly roll I used)

(I had lots of long bits)

I'm one of those people that love rules. I just can't sew with out a pattern, even if I make that many changes it doesn't look like what it started as, I just wont do it. The same goes for quilts, a scrap quilt can be much like a crazy quilt and my mother is great at them.

Suffice to say she would cut and pin and hand me the bits and I would sew them together. Now Master Little 3 has a new quilt that he just loves, it has bits of his pants and shirts in it that make it even more his.

We have worked out that we can make another quilt too, this one more green in colour.
I really suggest giving this ago if you have never made a quilt as it's cheap, will help clear up some sewing room, easy to do (no right or wrong way) and best of all, you have a new quilt.

Games Day Australia and Sewing

2011-11-01T16:19:00.000+10:00

Here are a few pics from my trip to Sydney for Games Day Australia. You can see my costume and how it went together. Also a Dwarf war banner that I made for the day too.

One of the large gaming tables.

My friend Josh, working.

Two friends from our town that also made the trip down. We are standing in front of my banner.

And the iconic Space Marine.

While the day was far from vintage it was a lot of fun and I made some new friends, one of whom will be putting a post on my blog about a few vintage finds of her own.

Work and Stuff

2011-10-23T19:58:00.000+10:00

I'm still sewing, mostly finishing off UFO's and lots of mending. It's been raining too much for any gardening, even getting clothes dried is an issue.

This week I have a mix of traveling for work, training and more work. This means any spare time I have will be spent on the family so I wont be on the blog for the next week at least.

Hope you all have a great week!

A Looking Inside - AHJ January 1949

2011-10-18T20:55:00.000+10:00

This is currently one of my oldest Australian Home Journals, however I have seen olden one on ebay.
This one was hard to scan as the cover is damage down the spine and it has the very thin feel to the paper. Filled mostly with written articles and adds there was little to pick from anyway. I do not have the patterns for this one which is a bit disappointing but I'll live.

Hope you enjoy.

Well that's all for now.

In the Garden - October 2011

2011-10-16T23:23:00.000+10:00

Well it's October and the sun is out in force. This time of year is often knowen as the build up, you can feel the change in the weather and the sun getting stronger, wet season is on the way. I say wet season becuse that's what it is, we can have endless rain for weeks. I've never really had this big a vegy garden before so we'll see how I go this year.

In the past if my plants look like there getting to much rain I pull them in under the carport but then they were in pots so it was easyer. We have raised beds so this should help with drainage but who knows.

On the up side our second lot of bananas have started and the pinapple is starting to look more like a pineapple and less like a spiky flower. The strawberries are going strong but this is as close as I get, the children eat them as soon as they can.

While the potatos, radishes and silverbeet are all going strong, I've added watermelons to the end of the first bed as well. In the second bed I've planted corn, beans and lettec. The corn has already started to shoot, so here's to praying the rest do as well.

November look to be a good month and I hope so. Heres to good rains and lovely sunshine.

A Look Inside - Australian House & Garden, March 1966

2011-10-12T08:20:00.000+10:00

Since I've been inside for the last few weeks I've spent the last few days outside digging up the garden. To reflect my need for sun and fresh air I though this would be the magazine. Australian House and Garden, March 1966, while it was rather fat there was more adds then anything else. Should you see anything in the contents your would like more of please let me know.

I just love the brightness of this cover, it reminds me of a movie, just can't remember which one.

See all those louvres, I grew up with walls of them and it was my job to clean them. I use to use a hose from the inside of the house would you believe, my mothers idea.

This idea is still getting used today, I'm just not a big fan of it myself.

Well that's it for now. Hope your all having a great week so far.

And the Winner is!!!!

2011-10-11T09:27:00.000+10:00

I love to share and it's even better when I get to share with lots of people.

Since only two people would like to win Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions,

you BOTH WIN!!

Congratulations to

Brittany_Va-VoomVintage

Vintage Coconut

Please email me at j.l.boniface @ live.com.au (no spaces) and I'll get your books shipped.

Happy reading everyone!

Costume M4490

2011-10-10T11:47:00.001+10:00

I was going to post this last week but I've been a bit behind on things around the home and only now have gotten the chance to sit still. This is part two of my costume I wore to GamesDay Australia, part work, part play. See part 1 here.

So here is the dress, I've used view D with a few changers.

I've used a very light muslim in white to help with ghostly effect I was after, worked very well. However laying out the pattern almost did my head in and I ended up just cutting as I need. I just didn't have the space to lay it all out and cut in one go.

Dress all sewen up and ready for first fitting. I went with size 14, but I am a size 12 on the pattern, as there was very little room between sizes and I wanted extra room. I also knew I could take the dress in if needed.

The back was meant to be laced up but I put a zipper in. This was not hard, removed the need for one pattern peace and one step. You could leave it in for a more historically correct outfit but I did it.

Sleeve's added.

This dress had gussets much like the last dress I sewed with them (VV1043) but at least I knew what to do this time.

Finished outfit, I also have an underskirt to post about but that can wait for now.
This is me at Games Day, it was so much fun.

I hope you all had as much fun as I did on the week end.

Give Away - Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions

2011-10-03T18:16:00.000+10:00

Well now that I have finished reading the book and wrote my review and done some sewing for it, I have one copy of Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions to give away. Really It's quite simple, I would like to know why you would like a copy of Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions (and "I want it." does not count). After one (1) week I will ask my mother to pick her fav comment.

So until then, enjoy your reading!

A Weekend Away

2011-09-29T21:56:00.000+10:00

Well I'm off to Sydney for the weekend tomorrow. It's a 3 hour flight so I've got some time to kill on the plane, still not sure what I can other then read. We are hoping that Qantas are not having too many issues with our flight as there are industrial action issues going on right now.
Atomic Dad and I are off to Games Day Australia, it's a big day for us and our other hobby, Warhammer. I really wanted to get the rest of my costume posted before we left but I ran out of time and light to take photos, so sorry but you will have to wait till I get back. Or if Atomic Dad brings his laptop I might get to post some photos after the day has ended.

Hope you all have a great week end, I know I will.

A Look Inside

2011-09-27T21:21:00.000+10:00

Today I've scanned Australian Home Journal June 1954. This one is a bit worse for wear and was a bit hard to scan so I got what I could. On the up side it did come with patterns.

I love all the outfits on the cover, just thing when will I ever get time to make every thing I want.

Would love to find some of these bowls for myself.

A brand still around in Australia today.

Heating the the middle of the year, yes it is winter for us then.

Well some colour would have been nice, maybe inside the line next time. lol, my little one does this on my paper work from time to time.

I don't think I've seen an issue without an add from Ingola yet.

Well I hope your week is going well, I'm off to do more sewing.

See you soon with some stitching done.

1920-30's Slip

2011-09-25T20:00:00.001+10:00

This slip is from Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions, in each month of the book there is a magic pattern. We were invited to a Broads and Gangsters birthday party a few weeks ago and I needed to find something to wear. At first I hunted around at the op shops etc but couldn't find anything. I didn't want to wear a black shimmy dress as I knew most likely everyone else would be, as it turns out I was right.

After a bit of a whinge Atomic Dad asked why I wasn't just making something, truth be told I had thought of it but couldn't think of any patterns I had from the era. Then I remembered the magic patterns and started flipping through the book looking for something. This is what I made.

While it looks like I'm wearing a lovely green dress, I am in fact wearing a slip cut on the bias. I used green satin in the hope it would look more like a lovely dress then a slip and I think it worked.

I had to draw and cut my pattern myself, a first for me, but it wasn't that hard. I did cut it out one peacie at a time tho and was glad I did, being cut on the bias meant each pattern was layed out differently so now fold in half and cut two. Was well worth the work.

Bottom of dress with front sewen in, not as easy as I thought.

Three corners together.

Five corners together, lots of basting. This drove me up the wall, the only time I though satin was a bad chose, it's so slippery.

And me in the finished dress, opps, slip.

It was very easy to make and feels great. I got a few lovely comments and I didn't look like anyone eles there. All said an done it was a great night.

Butterick 4669

2011-09-17T21:42:00.000+10:00

This is not a vintage pattern, nor an outfit I would normally make but it is part of a costume I am wearing to Games Day Australia. I have not taken a photo of the model I painted yet but she is a Tomb Banshee, and I very much wanted to go dressed up and just love this model.

This pattern is from Butterick's Making History range. I have made B and used a satin (fake snake skin pattern) and lined with cotton.

Laying out the pattern wasn't hard at all. I did not make my own bias but the pattern allows for this should you wish to. A great idea if your using different colours or fabrics.

Front and back have been sewen and basted together. Lots of basting in the pattern.

Checking the fit before I start adding the bias.

Bias started on one side. Fits well so far.

Bias done on one arm hole and down back, never done this before but love the idea.

Here you can see were I sewed the bias flat down the back. This means there are no raw edges any were, inside or out. The finish is so easy to do and looks great.

Arm holes and back finished.

Trying to get the fabric and lining of the peplum (little skirt) to match up. More basting, before adding bias around the whole edge.

Trying to get top and bottom to match.

Almost finished. All stitching is done. This is the outside of the pattern.

And here you can see the inside. I love the neat finish I was able to get.

Added eyelets and laced up, not happy with how this looks at all. It feels great but does not look too good. The eyelets wanted to cut thought the fabric or the fabric was too weak for the eyelets, either way they needed to be fixed.

Since I want the look of the rope tie holding the top together I put hook and eyes on the inside. These came from my stash of sewing bits, if I was making this to wear more often I would have used black ones but you can't tell once I finished anyway.

I'm very happy with how this turned out in the end. Finale photos will be in a few weeks once I get all dressed up and have a fun filled day of hobby.

This was a very easy pattern to do. If you have been thinking of doing it or are looking for something different, go for it! Style A could be a very modern vest made with the right fabric.

Happy sewing everyone.

Summer/Wet Season Patterns

2011-09-12T21:14:00.000+10:00

After going through all my ideas with Atomic Dad and talking sewing till he wanted to go to sleep last week I put it to one side to think on patterns. I went through all my boxes looking for what I had that would work in with my ideas and what I would like to sew and wear. Trust me there are things I have sewen for the sake of sewing and never worn, I really don't want to do that again.
I layed out all my pattern ideas on the kitchen table after dinner and got Atomic Dad to help pick what he like. I swear he knows me better then I know myself.
So here is what I hope to be sewing over the next two months.

Well I do need to keep dry so I might as well do it in style.

I've made these pants before but I need more of them, and I might give the top ago.

I plan to use some fab fabric to make a dress from this apron.

I won't be making the vest/ top for this pattern but love the dress.

Would like to make B (the yellow one, bottom, middle). It will be great for the sunny, windy days.

Hope to sew E, I love aprons with pockets. I fill them with all sorts of thinks.

I just love this simple dress.

I plan to make one outfit every two weeks. This will give me time that I need so much but if I can I will try a make them faster. Better to give myself more time then less.

Happy Sewing Lovely People.

Book Review - Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions

2011-09-11T21:01:00.000+10:00

"An Inspirational Guide to needlework, cooking, sewing, fashion and fun."

By Amy Barickman

Let me start by pointing out that this is an American History book, while this may not bother some people others will like to know ( like myself). I think knowing, or not, can sometime effect how you feel about a book or the way in which you understand the book. With that said....

Amy choose a rather different layout for this book but I think it works well with how she has chosen to write and the message she is trying to convey. That is to say filling it, from January to December, with a year (or more) worth of articles. While there is a month to a chapter they are also broken into seasons. So for readers in the southern hemisphere it will be around the wrong why. I do like the idea and think Amy has done a lovely job of it.

Truth be told I'm still not sure how I feel about this book. It's not that I dislike it at all but that it doesn't really grab my interest. Overall Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions is well written, well put together in a creative way and has a lovely vintage feel to it. Since the book is based around Mary Brooks Picken (who I had never heard of before) and her writings the era is mostly 1920-1930, and this is evident from the many images through out the book.

Every aspect of life is covered from single woman looking for work and/or a husband to mothers keeping house and the older woman looking to improve herself. Cooking and sewing are only apart of what makes up the pages, health and beauty, housekeeping and millinery and the lovely inspiration areas too. In many ways this book will remind you of how lucky we are to be able to have so much choose and be able to do so much more in once day, if only we could be as efficient as they once were.

There are two main areas that my interest different people within the cover, and a lovely cover it is. These areas are American History, both woman's and sewing. There is little of today but that is not to say you can't take what you learn from these pages and applie them to today's world, you can very much so.

Overall review - While I like the idea of Amy Barickman's Vintage Notions it is not a book I would keep in my bookshelf. It is too American for me, and the wrong era. I would recommend this book to others to read as I think it has a lot to offer the right person.

*Should you agree or disagree with me on anything I have written you are most welcome to post a comment but please remember to keep it neat and clean.*

Summer/Wet Season

2011-09-06T13:59:00.000+10:00

Well I'm going to take the plunge and join a sewing challenge, I really like what they are doing over at Coletterie. So I've joined Pinterest to help me collect ideas from around the internet. Since most blogs I've read are doing a Fall Challenge and I'm moving into Spring/Summer I'm putting a twist on mine. I will be doing a Summer/Wet Season Challenge for myself, since that is more like my weather.

So here is my palette idea's.

Source: chickflicksmusicals.blogspot.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

Source: fabricworm.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

Source: todocoleccion.net via Jasmine on Pinterest

Source: fabricworm.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

Source: bing.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

Source: fabricworm.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

Source: bing.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

Source: fabricworm.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

Source: bing.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

Source: fabricworm.com via Jasmine on Pinterest

Ok, so now I am going to pick my fabric and patterns and plan how many outfits I will make.

I get to go fabric shopping!!!!!

A Look Inside - Australian Home Beautiful March 1957

2011-09-05T12:48:00.000+10:00

I picked the us today from the post office and have just finished flicking through it. Don't you just love the cover! What I wouldn't give to have that stove. The Magazine is 96 pages but I've only put a few up, mostly the colour pages and adds, the contens page is also there, should you read any think you would like to see please let me know.

Enjoy!

I like the layout of this home, it's something I would take into mind if we ever build.

Hope your week is as colourful as these pagers were.

A Look Inside - AHJ April 1951

2011-08-30T10:54:00.000+10:00

This month was full of more word and adds then I've seen before, somethings never change. There are some nice photo's of hair styles and interesting adds.

Let me know what you think of the baby vicks add, we still have some of it in the house and use it often.

They are just too cute, I wish my boys would let me dress them this way.

Have you noticed yet that almost all the back covers are an Arnott's add. I remember eating these as a child and my children eat them too.

A Look Inside - AHJ July 1957

2011-08-22T10:45:00.000+10:00

I thought a bit of winter was called for, since it's still cold outside and the sun is shinning. It's like when it rain and your still so hot you think your going to boil. Our weather is in a class of it's own some times.

Enjoy the look see. Sorry this one is a bit worse for wear.

If anyone every finds one of these please tell me, please, oh please.

Don't you just love the flannel! And standing behind a homemade BBQ too, you just don't see it anymore.

Till next time, enjoy your day and may vintage come your way.

Vintage Finds

2011-08-17T20:29:00.000+10:00

A few weeks ago my farther told me about a cute little vintage house in town "That I just had to go see." While it took me awhile to get the time to find it it was well worth it. Love Lucy Vintage Boutique is just so cute, and such a lovely find right in the heart of the city.

I picked up two scarfs and a purse for myself and ordered some new shoes. I will be popping in again as it's not far from work.

The pures still had a little ticket inside that I've kept. It reminds me of the old movie tickets, and even it's it's not that old I don't want to know, it's just such a cute touch.

Till next time, happy hunting.

A Look Inside - November 1954

2011-08-15T14:08:00.000+10:00

It's been awhile since I posted but I'm sure your all going to like this.

This in the inside of Australian Home Journal from November 1954, remember here in Australia November is the start of summer for us. Which explains all the lovely frocks inside! Enjoy.

Well I hope you enjoyed them all. Nice peek into the past.

In the Garden

2011-08-05T08:32:00.000+10:00

The vegy garden was a common part of life in more vintage times. Our families were asked to grown there own food to help with the war effort and this continued for some time after the war. I have also see a number of garden layouts and plans in many of my book and magazines. A must have for everyone was the lemon tree, this we put in the first year we moved into our home. Since sewing has all but stopped I have been putting my extra energy into our garden (and my new part-time job, more on that later).

We have put the vegy bed's in the front yard for the best weather. So far I've planted out radish, silverbeet and potato's and here you can see we already have sprouting. The children are so excited.

About a year ago I planted two types of passion fruit and while we have had fruit on the vines for sometime, only now are they almost ready to eat.

We have moved the banana suckers (baby trees) to the front yard but this big one has got fruit and we are waiting for them to go yellow.

I also have lost of others bits going on around the yard, like the compost bins and loads of herbs but right now it's raining, so maybe a day inside today. Does anyone else grow food plants? I love to hear and read how others have gone. I am no green thumb, that's for sure.

Time for a New One?

2011-07-25T21:08:00.000+10:00

Well I'm not sure but I think my sewing machine is on it's last run. I got it serviced about six months ago and it's been great until the last week or so. The revers stitch button is not working, it's making some strange noise's sometimes and every other time I turn it on it doesn't turn on.

Currently sewing slowly due to this and doing hand sewing as much ass I can. Taking it off to get looked at this week. Hope all your sewing and craft is going better then mine.

New Look 6018

2011-07-07T22:52:00.000+10:00

I've wanted to do this pattern for awhile and Miss Little 6 would really love a new dress. Since it's winter in Australia and it's her birthday soon what better time then now to do it. The pattern it's self is a current one and yes I did buy it new, as long as she get good wear out of it I think it's worth it. If the images aren't any good, the fabric is a lovey pastel pink linen.

Oh this fabric is a very old bed sheet given to Miss Little by her Nanny, something she had in the cardboard from her girls. Since it has a big rip in it now I wanted to keep it but never knew what I would do with it, well now I do. I'm going to use it as the lining and interfacing for the dress and jacket, it will be soft against the skin and I think it will add that personal touch to make it that much more lovely.

Today I did all the prep work. Washed and ironed fabric, read instructions while waiting (I often do this a few times), ironed and prepared pattern. After dinner I did all the cutting, fabric, lining and some stiff interfacing. It's now all layed out on the spare bed for the next step.

The dress.

The jacket.

Hope your week has been going well, mine has been great!

A Look Inside - Complete Household Guide

2011-06-27T13:41:00.000+10:00

Australian Women's Complete Household Guide, Illustrated, The Sunday Sun, Sydney (no date).

This is more of a DIY mixed with a "You Should Know" book and in many ways not a lot has changed. I have been reading parts here and there, as they take my interest. It's a lovely well written book and would be of as much help today as it would of been when it was first printed.

I can only guess that dew to the plain cover it original came with a colourful dust cover but alas I might never know. Oh well the inside more then makes up for the loss.

Cloth nappkins are a lovely touch. We have a few and people are often shooked. Why I don't know.

And just incase you can't read the contents list - When would you build, Home repairs, The garden, Child care, Careers for the Adolescent, Cookery, Home entertainment, The art of letter writing (lost of some people today, such a shame), Dressmaking, Handcrafts and hobbies, Pets, Culture, Health, Legal.

I just love some of the ideas here, and the colour.

There are a few great floor plans through the book, great for if we ever get to build.

Now if only I could do that, it just never works for me.

There is lots more black and white images and step-by-step bits that I haven't put in but you get the idea.

Hope your all having a good week.

Vintage Vogue 1043

2011-06-19T21:17:00.000+10:00

I've had this pattern for a bit but just wasn't sure what fabric to use, so dug something our and put it together.

Back of pattern reads - Below mid-calf dress has fitted surplice bodice with stitched tucks and short kimono sleeves, left side zipper closure, underarm gussets and inside belt. Contour belt has buckle without prong.

While I'm a size 10 - 12 when retail shopping (not that I do that any more) I was a perfect size 14 on this pattern and found the fit lovely.

If you've never done a gusset before you may need some help with this pattern, as the gussets are not straight forward and may need trimming. This inside belt was a new one for me and even tho I thing you could get away without it, it was good to try.

Here you can see the pleats for the front once they have been based and pressed. These were very easy to do and I found the pattern spot on.

Me getting the fit and the waist, just prior to trying to get the gussets in.

You can't even see were the gusset is meant to go, it was too big for the size I was sewing.

See, look at the shocking basting. I pulled this out a tryed again. I ended up cutting almost an 1" off one side to get it to fit flat. Looks great now.

Top half finished, fits well. Still have it based closed were the zipper will go.

Skirt on the ironing board, I spend a lot of time here when sewing. Sometime I iron as much as I sew.

Getting the fit right before I baste and sew it all together.

All finished. Apart from some of the dots not lining up right I am really happy with this dress. It went together very smoothly and fits lovely.

Not sure why but the back was done in two, tho there didn't seem to be any need for this. If I sewed this again I would take out the seam allowance and place on fold next time.

Well, that's me and an other dress done. I look forward to some warmer weather to wear this in, or maybe I need to sew a coat or jacket to match.

A Look Inside - AHJ May 1959

2011-06-06T14:41:00.000+10:00

This has to be one of the most colourful Home Journals I have so far. Also take note of the Lux Liquid add, it's one of the few adds I've seen were the males in the family are helping with house work.

Hope you enjoy.

Opps! So sorry so have come out upside down, not sure what went wrong there.

Moving Forward

2011-06-01T21:57:00.000+10:00

Well, I've spent a lot of time not on the Internet and while the only sewing I have done has been to play catch up with my Pie's and Tart's quilt. Truth be told I've spent a lot of time doing lots of other stuff. I've been on holiday, a fabric shopping spree and started a clean out of my home.

I've been rethinking were I want to be heading and giving the blog a face lift. It's a shock to know that in almost 18 months my youngest will be off to prep and his first year at school. I like to plan and have it all layed out before me so that I am prepared for what ever life throws at me. Right now I'm not sure how to move forward but know that time moves forward for me.

Thank you for sticking with, I read many of your blogs and words when I can and really enjoin doing so. I look forward to much more reading.

Laptop Issues

2011-04-30T09:11:00.000+10:00

While it's not my laptop that is playing up, it is my husbands. Since Atomic Dad's is much more important then mine, as we run most of our business from it, it has meant the my little laptop has been commandeered till a new laptop arrives. This has meant almost no time to blog, read others blogs or just wander through the net.

I do have a few go things I would love to get posted, the finished place mats and I finished my mock up for the men's shirt, as well as my first real men's shirt, and a few other bits. Oh and some great items I've sewen for a wedding I'll going to soon.

Please bear with me while I wait too. Thank for visiting and hope to see you soon.

Sewing Place Mats

2011-04-22T10:52:00.000+10:00

I picked this panel up in January and the moment I saw it I knew who would just love it. I don't think they read my blog but just in case I wont say any names.

This fabric is part of the Wine Counrty by Rosiland Solomon, I brought it from one of my local fabric shops and am so glad I found it. I will be making six (6) place mats as a gift to a family member and will be trying a few new sewing technique's at the same time.

Aren't the colours just lovely.

And the background fabric.

First and foremost as always is to wash, dry and iron the fabric. Once done I then cut out each panel and divide up the background fabric, add to this your filler. I have always been told to have a bit of each layer pocking out from under the last, you can see what I mean in this photo.

I'm off to finish sewing these together. I will be having a go at free hand quilting and then adding black bias binding to the edge. All sounds very easy, lets see.

Happy Easter everyone.

Mum's Fabric

2011-04-19T21:00:00.000+10:00

My little brother's (who is taller then I) wedding is coming up soon and for weeks my mother has been talking about me/her/us making something for her to wear. A few weeks ago week got the pattern, sorry I don't have it at hand but it is a vogue pattern. Sunday just gone Mum came over and we cut the pattern out. I just love the fabric she has picked.

It is a silk but that's all I know about it.

Every bit is different, it looks like someone has spilt water on a water colour painting.

Even without a flash much of the shine just wouldn't go away.

Since Mother dear has taken fabric, pattern and all home with her this will have to be a taste of what is to come. I have a feeling I will be putting this together at the last moment.

MBP Men's Shirt Sew-Along 3, 4, 5 & 6

2011-04-12T16:17:00.000+10:00

Step 3.

1 & 2. Pockets - Well I skipped the pockets for my cotton mock up and I am comfortable with sewing pockets, having sewen smaller ones on my little boys shirts. I'm not sure Atomic Dad even wants pockets at this stage, will cross that bridge when we get there.

Step 4.

1 & 2. Sleeve plackets - Since I'm sewing the short sleeve view I wont be doing this step. However I think I might give this a go later, as it looks like a good technique to learn.

Step 5.

Interfacing collar - I have to admit I don't normally interface my little boys collars. This is for two reasons, 1. they get washed a lot so the interfacing doesn't always last as long as I would like and 2. there little boys, they really don't needed or want nice standing collars, a good iron with starch works for me.

I am interfacing the collar and front of Atomic Dad's shirt so here is how I went on my mock up. I have also done the interfacing for the shirt front. Sorry the photo's fuzzy.

Step 6.

1. Stay stitch the neckline, 2. Finish outside edge of facings, 3. Sew front facings to back yoke, 4. Measure and stitch pleat on shirt back, 5. Attach back and back yoke, 6. Attach front pieces at shoulder.

It sounds like a lot but it's not really. See, done.

I have sewen more then this but I'm off to workout my fuzzy photo's before I post some more. I must say tho this shirt is starting to look really easy to do, if I do say so myself.

Sunday Sewing - McCall's 3996, view C

2011-04-10T20:42:00.000+10:00

This week my sewing picked up quite a bit. I have sewen two black gaming cloths, half way thought the mock up for Atomic Dad's Negroni 1014 shirt and started and finished McCall's 3996, view C.

First I would like to explain why this outfit and why this fabric? I went to an ASG (Australian Sewing Guild) meeting and ladies may take in scraps of fabric they don't want but are too big to throw and then someone else may take it and bring back what they have made for sow and tell. So the top half of this dress was some fabric I picked up. I just love the pattern and colour and knew right a way what I could do with it. The bottom half is a simple white linen I brought.

I am not going to go into detail about the construction of this dress as this is the fourth time I've used this pattern, while it may be the first time I've done view C they are all much the same. Blue dress - view A, Black & White - view B, and a green dress I seem to have forgotten to post about. As you can see I love this pattern.

I am pleased to say the top fits very well but less pleased with the fitted skirt, it pulls tight across the front thighs and lower bottom. While this did not happen in the fitting I can only guess I moved something between there and the sewing machine. There is little I can do as I can not let the seams out anymore. And don't worry the black belt will be replaced by a brown one when I find one, it just works better they the thin brown belt I have now.

The buttons come from my stash and in this case these buttons come from the stash that I got from my grandmother. They a more of a bronze colour and curve inwards.

Top of finished invisible zipper, and it only took one unpick to get it right.

Bottom of zipper, I am very please with how well this went in. This is the first time I can say I am pleased with my own zipper work.

And here is the only other issue I have with my finished dress and I am not sure what I can do about this now. I have to say that when I did the fitting I really didn't pay as much attion to this area, lazy me, and I only spotted it when I did the zipper up. Truth is I am too pleased with my zipper to unpick it and I figger I can hid it under a belt so only you and me know about it (sssshhhhh).

As aways I will let the dress hang for the next week and then I will take up the hem. I am thinking about knee height. I will add this to my day wear, a nice dress to go out in but not so classy for dinner.

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

What is House Proud?

2011-04-07T12:07:00.000+10:00

A month or so ago I was I know that I wasn't very house proud, it was said in passing but I do tend to take this to heart and dwell on them. A week after that and much thinking I went and ask my mother what house proud meant to her. We have decided that it is a mix of being both clean and tidy, and of being organized. (trust me these do not come hand in hand for everyone).

I am more organized then clean and the person who made the comment is far more clean then organized. However there are things in my life that I would rather be doing then cleaning all the time, like playing with my children or sewing. I have a few hobbies that take over a bit and so do the children.

Really running a household is a full-time job and more so the more people that live there, but I know I forgo doing things, like doing the floors every day or sometime the folding, to do things I would like to do, like sewing or reading. I have a Must Do List but I suspect that this Must Do List is bigger or smaller depending on how much importance one puts on them.

So really being clean is not at the top of my list, having a clean kitchen before I go to bed is but I can live out a magazine worth house, it just wouldn't feel like home without a bit of messy from the children.

There are some great post's around the net about cleaning but I not sure how much is house proud, I still don't think a truly clean house is the only thing it takes to be house proud and if I wrong then so be it.

Here are a few posts think are related to this topic,

One Yellow Cottage

The Retro Housewife

Atomic Mum

Now I'm sure there are more out there I just have missed or forgot about, but should you google house proud like me yo will most likely come across lots of cleaning services. LOL so I guess to most people being house proud is all about having a clean house.

How do you feel? What ratio of clean to organized are you? or what would you like to be? Really think about it, I was surprised when my mother said she didn't think I was that house proud either but that she understood why I was upset by the comment. I wonder how much of it is a generational think.

Try to Get Sewing Again

2011-04-04T13:25:00.000+10:00

Well my last few ideas haven't really helped much but at least I tryed them. However there is nothing like a deadline to get one moving. I have been asked to make some table covers (not table cloths) to go over some gaming tables. It is easy and so there should be nothing to stop me, I'm not even paying for it. And then there's a birthday gift I have to make for this month. Can't give away too much about that till after the birthday.

So I've started on both the above sewing bits and then got so far and found I was missing things to finish them. What else to do? I couldn't just pop down to the shop as they were all closed for the weekend.

In the end I cleaned up the hobby room, as you can see there is a fare amount of stuff, and cataloged my Australian Home Journals. It was rather productive and I feel a lot better about getting back into sewing now.

Hope your week has started off well and goes on shining (somebody better be getting some sun as we still have clouds and rain).

Bits of Australian History - 1952

2011-03-18T12:52:00.000+10:00

Much happened in Australian in 1952, here are just a few points of what was happening in Australian that year.

King George Vl dies - February 6th, 1952.

16th of November - Lang Hancock discovers iron ore in Western Australia.

Mervyn Richardson invents the Victa Lawnmower.

Australia at war with North Korea (begain in 1950).

Australian Calendar for 1952

Dame Joan Sutherland makes her London debut.

Harris & Nugent Fabrics are established, sold in 2010 to Verve Designer Collections.

Want more? Wiki has a lot more detail, I just selected bits of what I know and what I've found, plus some random stuff I dug up off the Internet. Hope your all having a good week.

Old and New

2011-03-15T12:32:00.000+10:00

The week before last I brought a new camera but the that evening Atomic Dad went to a work dinner and WON a new camera, really that's just ironic. The camera he won is better then the one I brought so I'm keeping it and taking the other back, I just don't know that much about it.

Here is the old camera, it has been through a lot with us.

And the new camera. It seems really easy to use and take smooth images.

The box says it's a Kodak EasyShare M580. For mean time I'm still read the booklet that came with it and playing with all the buttons. Hopefully once the rain calms down for a bit I can get some nice shots of the garden and outside but till then we are stuck inside.

Sunday Sewing - Simplicity 4825

2011-03-13T21:08:00.000+10:00

This great little apron was a gift for a friends birthday, the first of my homemade gift's for the year. I only brought 1m of this fabric, at the time I just thought it was so cute but had no idea what I would make with it. After coming across Simplicity 4825 I just knew the two would go great together, it also takes one off my To Do List.

I chose view 3 for this fabric.

The only down side to this pattern was I didn't have as much fabric as required but it all worked out in the end.

I chose to do french seams on most of the seams as I like how they look and feel they give a better finish.

Here you can see were I've done a 1/4 inch seam and am now trimming part away for the next step.

I've sewen the fabric wrong sides together, then pressed it so the seam is on the inside and sewen an other 1/4 inch seam. I think this looks better for aprons seams as they maybe seen, unlike the inside of a skirt.

Next I hemmed the bottom of the apron. This was done with a foot attachment and makes quick work of it, however for an even stronger hem you could fold this up again and stitch.

Here you can see one end of the waist band inside out with the tie ribbon also sewen in.

Once turned right side out I have stitched 1/4 inch much the same as the french seam. Here I used red ribbon instead on the recommended fabric to match, this was one area I was able to save fabric.

On the lower edge of the waist band I pressed about 1/4 inch hem, you could then baste each side if you wish but I didn't. This was done to prepare for the gathered skirt of the apron to be basted inside.

To gather fabric (like most things) is really very easy once you know how. I set my straight stitch to it's longest setting and stitch the area that needs to be gathered, then hold onto one end of the thread and slowly push/pull fabric till I get the gather I like. Note: I had to resew a few time's when I first did this, pulled too much etc.

This isn't the best photo but you should get the idea.

Alone the bottom there are three lines of stitching 1 is were I basted the gathered skirt on, 2nd is 1/4 from edge of the waist band and 3rd is as close to the waist band edge as you can do. Afterwards I unpicked the basting.

No matter how long you've been sewing or how hard you try sometimes you with just have unpick things. To prove this you only need to so what I did on the underside of the apron. Oh well, can't be perfect all the time.

Sorry this photo is a fare bit fuzzy, I didn't see how bad it was till I uploaded it and since I have already given the apron I can't get a better shot. Oh well, an other thing I need to work on. Hopefully you can make out the scalloped edge, it was meant to be longer but I didn't have the right amount of fabric and I also didn't add the brade/ric-a-rac and I felt the busy cupcake design didn't need it.

Hope you have had a fruitful week whatever you have been up to. I am off to work on some more tarts.

Wroking Wordrobe - Step 1 - Patterns

2011-03-12T17:09:00.000+10:00

Pattern has been selected. I played around with many ideas till I sat down and talked it out with Atomic Dad, he really does know me better then I do, and came to an agreement. I need a suit pattern as I don't have one, this one is from So Vintage Patterns and I just feel in love with it.

I only have enough tweed to make one Jacket or skirt and will base all the other fabric options on how well they match the tweed. While I started looking through my stash it was very easy to realise I just didn't have anything work worthy or that matched the tweed.

So while I look for suitable fabric I will get to work on something else. I also plan to do a draft in cotton of the Jacket before I make it, this will help me get a better fit without working the fabric too much. I should of done this with my green 60's dress, lesson learned.

Hope your all having/had a great week end.

Thrifty 365: February Review

2011-03-09T12:59:00.000+10:00

I lost the first week of this month, and most of the second, due to Cyclone Yasi. Boy was she a big one.

The "Do's" I did
Homemade bread (not photo's to prove it but it's true)
Went to 3 different thrift/secondhand store's, didn't buy anything but it was funny. One I wont be going back to as it wasn't my kind of store.
The "Do Not's" I did
Well I'd didn't do much so this was easy and since I stayed away from fabric shop's I didn't buy anything I didn't need.

Other Bits
Brought new gym shoes, I put this in line with underwear, must only buy new.

Overall this month was a bit of a loss but while I didn't do lots of "do's" I also didn't do lots of "do not's". Well can't have every thing. Join in or learn about Thrify 365 here.

Something Other then Sewing

2011-03-03T22:13:00.000+10:00

I have not been myself for sometime and have been trying different things to give me a pick me up. One of those things is painting but not the sort you might think of first. Long ago when I saw more free with my time and well before children were any were near idea's in my mind I used to paint. Paint what you might ask? Well anything that I could. Then I came across a game called Warhammer and fell in love with the detailed art work. This game also happened to be a hobby of Atomic Dad's (no this is not how we meet) and not too surprising he was delighted that I wanted to paint his armies for him.

After many years of on again, off again painting, I have gone back to it for something else to do. This hobby is many produced by Games Workshop and one of the stores has opened in our town and has really go the creative vibe flowing again. I thought I would share some of what I have been up to, but I must worn you this is a WAR game and as such lends it's self to death and blood and lots on none G rated stuff, Oh and not retro at all. (well we do have some of the retro stuff from the good old days)

Now the photo's are not that great, borrowed camera, and they are so small they fit in your hand.

I know so far from retro and sewing it's not funny but I am hoping a change is as good as a holiday, as they say. I am currently painting a man for Atomic Dad that is for a painting comp this week end, I currently am hoping to place well, let alone win.

Hope your all having a good week and an even better week end.

Monday Sewing

2011-02-28T23:05:00.000+10:00

Well I'm a bit behind and I didn't get much done. Between no camera still and lack of sewing drive it's no wonder I haven't done much or had much to post about.. What I have done -

Finished 1st month of Pies and tarts.

Did all the prep work to sew cupcake apron, it's on my to do list.

Tided and set up new sewing/hobby room.

With all this lack of nothing I am going to do some thing different to take my mind off sewing for a few days and see how that help. So I closed up the sewing desk and put away all my pattern and fabric. A must do for this week is to buy a new camera, there's nothing like a good photo to share with friends to perk one up.

Well we still have a lot of rain, so much so we haven't been able to mow our grass in weeks and I'm not sure when it will get done. So here's to hoping you are all having better weather then I and if not that you are making the most of what ever you've got.

Room to Move

2011-02-23T21:05:00.000+10:00

I've been a bit blank on the blog front and it truly reflects the lack of sewing in my life. In a hope to boost my mood Atomic Dad and I moved rooms around and now have a hobby/sewing room. If our camera was working I could show you photo's but that will have to come later.

Work still left unfinished, well there is a bit. I've got my MBP men's shirt sew-along cut out and waiting and I've almost finished my first month of my block of the month - Pie's and tarts. The second BOM for pie's and tarts has just arrived in the mail so I need to get a move on. Sewing repairs are growing, nothing new.

I've got Master 8 going on camp this week end and have to make a birthday gift that is way over due. Really I think I just need to sit down and sew, and once I've started I should be right. Oh and I still need a new camera, should add that to my to do list for tomorrow.

Hope your all having a good week and the sun is shining were you are.

MBP Men's Shirt Sew-Along 1 & 2

2011-02-15T21:34:00.000+10:00

Step 1.

1.Familiarize myself with the pattern - I did this before the start of the month but read it again while waiting for Cyclone Yasi to leave. Good things is all written down so I look back at it as often as I need to.

2 & 3. Cut pattern pieces and trace individual pattern size - For the first time ever I cut the actual pattern out at the size I wanted and skipped the tracing part.

4.Prep pattern before cutting fabric - My pattern really needed a good iron before use.

Step 2.

1. Prep muslin for cutting - I used a inexpensive cotton and had washed and ironed it in January, so I just needed to lay it out.

2.Cut out pattern - I use both weights and pins but prefer scissors for cutting.

3. Cut interfacintg - I did this using the same interfacing I will be using for the finial shirt. I am putting interfacing on the front and collar of the shirt.

Sorry there are no photo's, our camera got a bit wet and is taking purple images. Does anyone know a good one to buy, will have to a have a look on the weekend.

Well that's were I sit with the sew-along so far. All the cut out bits are sitting at the end of the bed awaiting the next step. Since I am still mentally finding my feet and really want to get this pattern right for Atomic Dad I'm not going to rush this. Besides I still have some hand sewing of my Pies and Tarts Quilt to do.

What a Week!

2011-02-10T20:24:00.000+10:00

Well it's been over a week since Cyclone Yasi hit home and I still feel like we are pulling our self's together. While we still have our homes and our family many did not fair so good and my best wishes and thoughts go out to them.

This is just a short post as I've just got the Internet back and to be truthful I am feeling very deflated with all the stress. I don't have any enthusiasm to do much of anything right now. Any ideas on how to pull yourself out of a rut? All ideas most welcomed and thank you as well.

Thrifty 365 - January review

2011-02-02T15:35:00.000+10:00

Last month I have not done much more then spend a lot of time planning, which is not a bad thing. I am not a big thriftier in the respect that I don't shop second hand, yet it has been over 1 year since I brought retail clothes for myself or family. So it's a start.

The "Do's" I did,

Meal planning and make homemade treats,
I have started a list of gifts I can make for friends and family,

The "Do Not's" I did,

New men's shirt pattern for Atomic Dad,
New suit pattern for myself,
New fabric total not need, just one of those moments, best way to prevent this is not to go near fabric shops (not sure that's going to work)

I know this month was not that great but I've got to start some were and it might as well be at the bottom. I was making plans for February but I will put that all on hold till Cyclone Yasi is gone and see how we are.

Plans for February were to visit one thrift store a week (something I would not normally do), MPB Men's shirt sew-along, shirt's for both boy's, start walking again.

Well I'm off to bunker down, have a good week and week end.

A Look Inside - AMJ February 1955

2011-02-01T21:58:00.001+10:00

At first I couldn't find an Australian Home Journal for February and got a bit worried but then I came across this one. My next thought was why did I buy it, it in such bad shape but it still has it's patterns, so I will just have to find one in good shape. It's missing the back cover and as you can see the front is not very well off, I've got it in a plastic sleeve to keep it all together but I wont be reading it for fear of further damage.

Please enjoy what scans I could do as I don't think I will be opening it again. Shame as I like the look of the dresses and the short stories look like a good read too. Oh well.

I'm not sure how much sewing I'm going to get done with this impending cycolon heading our way but at least if the power goes out I've got my Pies and Tarts quilt to do. Wishing you all lots of sun shine.

Sunday Sewing - Pie and Tarts Quilt

2011-01-30T20:47:00.000+10:00

While I didn't have my sewing machine I've been planing and catching up on other tasks. Last year I finished a long awaited quilt for Master Little 8 and while I have leftover fabric to make Master Little 2 a quilt I wanted to make something different for Atomic Dad and I. After some hunting on the Internet and asking at my local fabric shops I have decided to do two quilts both of them as Block Of the Months or BOM's.

Pie and Tarts is a hand pieced quilt from Busy Thimbles and costs me about $35 Aus a month, with everything you need. I picked this to give myself a challenge and I've always wanted to have a handmade quilt.

The second quilt will be for my parents and I will post about it next month once I have done my first block.

So step one was to cut out all the fabric bits, then tack the fabric to the paper piecing.

Sew your pies together as you wish and then sew them to the background fabric.

Once you have four blocks of pies sewen together you then sew a smaller tart over were they meet.

You spend a bit of time at the ironing board and most (or all if you like) of the sewing is done by hand. The idea of the BOM is to finish each month before the next arrives in the mail, this not only spreads out and gives you a clear time frame, it also spreads out the costs.

Hope you all had/have a great week end I'm off to finish some more patches.

Cloth Labels

2011-01-29T11:20:00.000+10:00

While I've been making so many clothes and other things I thought I should put my name on them, after all I am very proud to have made them. So I've been hunting the Internet for just the right label. I didn't want one of the labels that you can iron/sew on as I think they are too hard and my children say they itch. I also had to find someone small as I don't no more then 500, while that sound a lot it's not if you think about it. I made about 1 new outfit per fortnight last year and that doesn't include any of the extra bits I did and if I keep sewing at this rate (family are starting to put orders in) I'll use them in about two years.

So the hunt was on, after a while I wasn't sure about my idea. Then I found Woven Labels Direct and I didn't have to order 500, I could order a lot less. My order of only 50 arrived this week and I am so happy with them.

If you sew a lot I would recommend putting your own label on your lovely work, even if your not giving or selling your items I think it's such a lovely touch.

A Lot of New

2011-01-27T18:12:00.000+10:00

Monday

The last few weeks have been strange without my sewing machine. I’ve spent a lot of time planning the things I would like to sew and preparing for things to come. Monday was a day full of firsts and new’s, it was busy but great.

First, first for the day was back to school. Master Little 7 had his first day of year 3, Miss Little 6 had her first day of year 1. Oh and then I had to pull Master Little 2 from the classroom and he walked all the way home, normally he sits in the pram, so a big first for him.

A first for me, I’ve started going to the gym, well I’ve got a personal trainer. I plan to get fit and get that small waist that was the Dior Wasp waist.

Finale got my sewing machine back and also learned to sew an invisible zipper. And I found the Negroni pattern in my mail box and have started reading it to get ready for the MPB Men’s Shirt Sew Along.

Thursday

Well I started this post on Monday and never got around to posting it, not to mention that I like Atomic Dad to proof read it before hand. You can always tell when I've not do so, no dought that this post will show it. I'm not going to wait for him to come home today so sorry about the errors.

Between Monday and today Master Little 7 turned 8, we had small BBQ and cake. I've got lots of goodies in the mail and will post about them later. Have started the first of 2 Block Of the Months (BOM) and have lost my glasses some were along the way.

Our business is still a mess due to the floods but at least Atomic Dad is taking the spare time to rest a bit.

Well I think that's all for now, oh and started plans for my fathers 70th birthday and my birthday later this year. We are thinking vintage sailor theme as he builds boats and I like vintage. More on that later.

I hope everyone has been having a great week and things are going smoothly for you all.

Week Day Meals - Veggies & Pizza

2011-01-21T20:08:00.000+10:00

I know the title sounds strange and we didn't eat them in the same sitting, all tho I have had veggies on a pizza before. No this week saw less creative meals and more of the good old faithfuls, this was mainly due to a busy week and Master Little 7 refusing to eat anything healthy.

Oh and between my forgetful mind and a temperamental camera I was only able to get photo's of one meal but it was the good one.

Monday - Homemade Hamburgers.

You know bun, meat paddy on the BBQ, lettuce, cheese, tomato's, beetroot, salt and pepper and anything else you would like to add. The children always love it because they get to make there own and we love because we can say "you made it you eat it."

Tuesday - Oops I have forgotten.

Wednesdays - Cheat's Pizza & 3 Delish Salads (& Squashed Cherries & Vanilla Mascarpone Cream - that I didn't make due to the Atomic Children not eating there dinner.) This mean was from Jamie's 30 Minute Meals.

This was a not as big a hit as I had hoped, I think it was the vinegars that were a bit too much for the children. It was rather easy and I did do this in 30 min. I think you could almost get away with throuing all the salads into one bowl to make life easier. You could also make more pizzas if needed, as they are real easy to through together, or make them on there own. How ever this has a real Mediterranean taste to this dish so if you don't like Greek or Italian food this dish is not for you.

Atomic Dad's Verdict -
Atomic Children's Verdict - Liked the pizza but not the salads.

Thursday - Snags, mash and veggies.

What can I say, quick, simple and easy.

Well that was this week. Between all the rain and getting ready for school next week it was very busy. Not to mention I still don't have my sewing machine back yet. Hope your week end is a good one.

Sewing Patterns

2011-01-20T16:39:00.001+10:00

I'm in the middle of reclaiming my sewing area from under my mess, so while I was at it I thought I should start scanning more of my patterns. Besides it will give me good idea of what I have and could use. Hope you like them.

Don't worry if you didn't see anything you like there are loads more yet to come.

What I Sewed in 2010

2011-01-19T22:05:00.001+10:00

As a bit of motivation for myself I've collected together all the outfits I sewed for myself and my family last year. My favorite would have to be the Black and White ANZAC dress. What is yours?

1 Year Ago

2011-01-17T16:05:00.000+10:00

Well it was 1 year ago that I started this blog (1st post & 2nd post) but I started reading blogs and retro- frying my family a lot earlier. Once I started blogging I started sewing like I have never sewen before and how much fun have I had. I've made new friends, been inspierd by lovely people and gotten really excited on more then a few occations for the simple joy of sharing.

I would like to say a big thank you to all the Lovely People that follow me and my lot. Thank you to a the Lovely People that comment your words and support mean so much. I am looking forward to the coming year very much and truly hope to finish every thing on my To Do List, grown my Collection's, make new friends and have a hole lot of fun.

Please join me and my Atomic family as we retrofry ourselfs into the 1940/50's.

Week Day Meals

2011-01-14T20:02:00.000+10:00

As part of my To Do List I wanted to better plan our family meals, this was more focused on Monday too Thursday meals as these are the days I always have the most issues with. No matter how hard I trid last year I just never seemed to stay on top of it. I also wanted to try new meals and learn to be a better cook over all.

So this week I picked all my meals from "Jamie's 30 Minute Meals", I did most of the meals in about 45 minute. I did however have to keep stopping to reread the steps and remember what I was doing, I sure you could do them in 30 minutes once you get to know some of the tec-necs better as well as the meals.

Monday - Broccoli Orecchiette, Courgette & Bocconcini Salad, Prosciutto & Melon Salad.

Atomic Dad's Verdict - Ok!
Atomic Children's Verdict - Yuck.

I wont be cooking this dish again, not that it was a bad dish it is just too different in flavours for my lot and the Prosciutto & Melon Salad was a strange mix.

Tuesday - Pregnant Jools's Pasta, Crunchy Chicory & Watercress Salad, Little Frangipane Tarts.

Atomic Dad's Verdict - Yummy
Atomic Children's Verdict - Umm, what's that?

While I didn't mind this dish the children were not so sure, an other one that was a bit too different for them just yet. Might try this again at some later date.

Wednesday - Cauliflower Macaroni, Chicory Salad with Insane Dressing, Lovely Stewed Fruit.

Atomic Dad's Verdict - Awesome
Atomic Children's Verdict - Yummy, more please.

This was both easy to cook and easy to eat. The cauliflower broke up in the pasta and the children were none the wiser, it was great. And once they saw the fruit and ice cream they downed dinner. A must do again.

Thursday - Steak Sarnie, Crispy New Potatoes, Cheesy Mushrooms, Beetroot Salad.

Atomic Dad's Verdict - Sensational
Atomic Children's Verdict - Liked the Sarnie, loved the potato's, not too sure about the mushrooms or salad.

Next time I will make this as a little Burger's each, and no mushrooms for the children but it will definitely get cooked again. While there was not dessert, there was no need as we were all totally stuffed afterwards.

This week I learned that I can cook and that I can cook tasty meals. The best bit was that I stuck to budget as well. Will have to now plan next week. While it's not retro cooking it is meal planning and that is retro so it's good for me.

MPB Men's Shirt Sew-Along - Step 1

2011-01-11T21:52:00.000+10:00

I have decided to go with the Negroni #1014 pattern as I don't have a men's shirt pattern yet and Atomic Dad was happy with this one. I got an email today telling me it's in the post, so here's to hoping it gets here in time.

Fabric was easy as I brought this great retro style from Fabric Worm late last year and planned to make all three boy's matching shirt's (see To Do List).

Notions are also done. I'm going with white thread, even tho I've been told it's a no no but I think it will work. I've got red buttons as I'm thinking of doing the top of the pocket/s in plain red to contrast from the strips of the main fabric.

If you are thinking of joining us in the Men's Shirt Sew-Along there is a button on my blog that will take you there. If you've never sewen for a man before I suggest this a great place to start, I've sown many a shirt for my little boy's and once you've got a good pattern you can do a lot from there. It's a shame to say but men's shirts really haven't changed much over the years so it's more about the fabric you use then the pattern.

Sunday Sewing - Janome Decor

2011-01-09T20:26:00.000+10:00

I thought I would introduce you to my sewing machine, this wonderful piece of equipment was given to me about 9 years ago as a birthday gift and is still going strong. It's an Excel Pro 5124 for those who like details, I just like that is all mine. I have access to 24 different stitches and Button Holes, but I think I've only ever used about 10 of them.

What I love about my Janome?

It's reliable and easy to use, and as long as I keep it serviced it's never fallen apart on me.

What I don't love about my Janome?
Having 3 small children I sew alot of small clothes and can't get the sleeves etc over the end, it's too big. I also wish the right side had more space for those bulky items to fit better.

Machine Feet I own (other then the normal ones),

Rolled Hem,

Button Hole,

Darning,

Even Feed,

1/4 inch seam,

Zipper Foot,

Concealed Zipper,

Machine Feet I would like to own,

Ditch Quilting,

Binder,

Piping,

The truth is I've been sewing for along time using only straight and zig-zag stitch, and for many years straight stitch is all many people have had. So you don't need all those fancy stitch options or machine feet, they do however make it easier, faster and more fun, in my opinion.

I would like to learn some of the finer details about sewing this year so I can get the most out of my Janome. I know there are things it can do that I'm just not sure of or even know about. I would also like to clean up some of that mess you can see to the left, I've still got a lot of stuff from my mother to go through.

Happy sewing everyone.

Dreaming of Sewing

2011-01-07T23:40:00.000+10:00

Today I join the MPB Men's Shirt sew-along, this one is for Atomic Dad and all that fabric I keep buying for me*coff* him. I'm really looking forward to this. I have no idea what pattern I'm going to use yet but I can't wait.

I've also been thinking about a new wardrobe for work, as I like the idea of a uniform but since I'm the boss I don't really have one. So I've come up with an idea (will have to add to my "to do list"). New suite from the tweed I got in Sydney, and some other bits to mix and match. So it will be some thing like this.....

1x Jacket,
2x Fitted skirts (1x tweed, 1x ?),
4x different tops (these I've got lost of vinage patterns for),

I'm after a vintage pattern with a nice fitted coat, something lovely but dressy. I haven't finished going through my pattern boxes yet but I don't remember seeing anything of the like. Please, please, oh pritty please let me know if you find anything of the like, as I would love to own the pattern.

Oh No! No Sewing!

2011-01-06T21:10:00.000+10:00

I can't sew at the moment, what am I going to do? I'm either going to get withdrawals or lose interest, this can't be good.

Why can't I sew? I've been doings a few clothing repairs, mostly for family, and my machine started to play up. First it would miss the zag in the zig-zag stitch and then it started to make a funny sound. Well it is due for a service and it did get a work out last year but the time away from it!

And so there will be no Sunday Sewing of the sewing kind this week. I will just have to think of other things to do inside, inside as it is STILL raining on and off in my part of the world.

Oh well I'm off to find something to do this weekend, other then house work. Hope you all have a good one.

Historic Village

2011-01-05T20:17:00.000+10:00

When we did have a few hours of dry weather on the week end Atomic Dad took me to visit the Herberton Historic Village. It's a real mix of different ages with as much objects as possibly cramped into some of the spaces. Well worth the effort if your into history or if you just in this neck of the woods and are looking for something to do.

Here is a look into some of the rooms they have.

Worth noting there is a Dress Shop and Sewing Store with plenty for us sewing types or fashion buffs.

A few old cars and buggies for the men.

Sorry not sure what went wrong but some of the photo's are stuck side ways. Hope you enjoy them as best you can and hope your week is going well.

Sunday Sewing - Australian Home Journal 7154

2011-01-02T22:31:00.000+10:00

This weekend we went to visit my in-laws, since the weather has not been great I knew we would be stuck inside if not all of the time at least most of it so I took my sewing with me. It was a good thing too, we ran out of things to do after a while.

This post ticks one off my "to do list", pants for Master Little 2, but I'm sure I'll need to sew more of these not too far off. Little boys just seem to go through pants. I copied this pattern to brown paper for just that reason, it will last longer that way.

Since the pattern is really simple, just front and back I took out the pocket, I was able to sew two pants in just on evening and finished the third off the next morning. Here is were I've sewn pants together.

Then zig-zag stitch over 1/4" hem.

Straight stitch hem over again, 1/4" along pants leg.

Straight stitch top of pants about 1" and left an opening for elastic to be put in.

The fabric was really cheap but it is long lasting and will wear really well (made for this kind of job). The gap for the elastic makes it easy to be replaced when need at any time, this is a good idea as elastic will deteriorate much faster then your fabric.

And all three pairs of pants, just need to add elastic.

Well happy sewing and I hope it stops raining soon, just long enough to let it dry out a bit.

Meal Planning

2010-12-30T10:09:00.000+10:00

This post is part of my “To Do List”,

The Aim

I am not a very good cook, so I would like to better my skills in the kitchen. I would also like to master some basic recipes; these will form the base of my weekly meal plans. A must will be an easy and fast dish should a new dish I try be a total flop, it’s always best to prepare for the worst. I also need to take into account our family is dairy free.

Cook Books

I have a small range of cook books but do not plan to buy any more, I will visit the library if needed. I have a mix of vintage and modern, of meals and desserts, and a few children’s cook books too. In the past I really have not used these book that much, the main issue is time to learn something new and make mistakes along the way. I know about six dishes off the top of my head but they are just plain and simple, not real WOW to them at all. A few of the cook books have some “other” reading in them so I think that may be a good place to start.

The four main cook books I own that I plan to work from are The Commonsense Cookery Book, Australian Cookery of Today Illustrated, New Australian Cookery and Jamie's 30 Minute Meals. I have never made a bad dish from any of these books yet but I will admits I haven't truly tested myself, I always stick to the most basic dishes.

The Next Step

Well I know what I can do and what I’ve got to work with, I now need to see what’s in my cupboard to cook with. From here I will plan our meals for the next week; this should also help with making a shopping list easier (I do love lists).

Meal Plan

Thursday – Tarco’s
Friday – Fish & Chips (as part of movie night)
Saturday - Spaghetti
Sunday – Roast Leg of Lamb
Monday – Sausage Hot Pot (Slow Cooker)
Tuesday – Stake, mash & veg
Wednesday - Lasagne

We always make too much so Atomic Dad takes it to work the next day for lunch.
I will only post about the meal plan once a week at this stage as most of the meals are straight forward but once I become more confident I will try new dishes and post about them.

I’m off to do some reading and clean out my kitchen, Happy cooking everyone.

New Page

2010-12-26T21:20:00.000+10:00

I've been thinking on how the past year has gone and all the people I've meet, blogs I've read, thing's I've done and sewn. It has been a bit all over the place and sometimes I thought there was no end in sight but here we are at the end of an other year.

This year I would like to go forward with more of a plan. Like having one day of rest. So one day, passably Sundays, I will give my hair a rest from styling and sprays, my skin a rest from makeup and stockings, my body a rest from my waist cincher and anything else I can think of. I have also done a "to do list" it is one of my pages and can be found at the top.

Well I'm off to finish cleaning up after Christmas Breakfast, that became Lunch, that became Dinner.
Hope you day went well and was full of gay laughter and much yummy food.

Retro Fabric

2010-12-21T22:27:00.000+10:00

Well after years of collecting fabric just because I liked the look of it I have now started to sew with it. If you have been reading my blog you would have seen all the things I have sewn this year and hopefully you'll stick around for all the things I plan to make in the new year.

While I'm pleased I have taken control of my fabric habit I would still like to collect fabric but with vintage in mind. So to add to the vintage fabric I got in Sydney ordered some lovely cuts from Retro Age Vintage Fabric. Yesterday it arrived, the fabric is only small but it's lovely none the less and I like the idea of having real vintage fabric samples to use as a reference when next looking to buy fabric for a vintage pattern.

Oh and I got this cute fabric button, orange ribbon and green zipper free in my pack. What a nice little gift.

Hope you are all ready for Christmas!

Sunday Sewing - Australian Sunday Sun 4620

2010-12-19T19:15:00.000+10:00

Well I can't say I finished the green 60's dress on my own but it is finished. I have to admit that this dress may just be the limit of my current sewing abilities, if it had not been for one fact I would have spent as long as it took to work it out BUT I didn't, I took it off to a seamstress to help finish it.

The fact is that while the pattern is not easy and I've never done anything like it before that didn't stop me from trying. What stopped me from spending forever on it was the fabric. I got this small amount of fabric on a trip to Sydney and totally love it. I can't just go and buy more and I have only about 2 meter of it, with this in mind I could only do this once. I am not disappointed that I took the dress to someone else, in fact I am really pleased, it's much better then looking at it unfinished for who know how long.

These shot's were all taken by Master Little 7 and the batteries failed before we finished, I hope to get some better ones next time I wear it.

I love the detail at the neck, and think the buttons are such a nice touch.

The dark green bias trim is not part of the pattern. I made this change for two reasons 1. the interfacing pattern pieces are missing and 2. I am loving bias trim and what it can do to an outfit.

Ooh! I picked these shoes up on my trip to Sydney as well. There GREEN and look great with this fabric. I couldn't plan it better. The lovely seamed stockings are from The Lindy Charm School for Girls and I get so many comments when I wear them.

These photo's were taken as we walked out the door to a party on Saturday night so it was a bit rushed but I will be wearing this dress every chance I get. It feels great and am too happy to have it finished to care about the fact it wasn't all me.

Hope your having a lovey week end, Happy Sewing!

Lovely Pattrens

2010-12-15T21:38:00.000+10:00

As word slowly has gotten out about my love affair with all things vintage and much intrest in my growing home made clothes boxes of old stuff are finding there way to me. I say stuff as sometimes the gifter has no idea what's inside but that it belonged to someone that had passed. I got a bag of patterns some time ago and here are my fav picks.

Now I'm not sure if I'll get to make any of these in the near futur but I do hope so. Which do you like?

Home Decorator

2010-12-14T21:53:00.000+10:00

Today I came home to a package poking out the mail box, it was not what I was expecting but I am delighted none the less. I won this book on eBay and am so pleased to finale have it arrive. Australian Home Decorator and Painter, by B.H.Brindley, published by Colourgravure, while there is no date or year it was printed I did find a note on the side of the cover behind the dust cover. It puts the book as being used in September in 1952, what a great find.

It’s mostly a very practical book filled with, wait for it, words. No, what I mean is there are very few images, but what there is are just lovely. There are even a few ideas along the same colour theme we are planning to use. Well I’ll let the scans speak for themselves.

I hoped you enjoyed them as much as I. I have a feeling I will be going back to this book for ideas a fair bit.

Sunday Sewing - McCall's 2144

2010-12-12T23:17:00.000+10:00

Well I did say I would be using this pattern again for Master Little 2 and here it is, his new Christmas shirt. I first used this pattern back in September when I made Bird Shirts for both my boys. Each year I've been making things for Christmas, one year I made a tree skirt and an other I made Santa stockings, this year I am making everyone something to wear. I have already made my Christmas dress and am putting the buttons on Miss Little 6's skirt.

I picked fabric that I thought was a bit retro and a bit Christmas. I picked a red and green in the same pattern so I could use one as a contrast (collar and pocket, etc.).

Today I had to work in our bedroom and did all my cutting on the bed cover, I was truly worried at one point that I had cut the bed sheets. Atomic Dad and children had taken over the living area and it was a total mess, well it still is and it will still be there when I get up tomorrow too. Such is life with children sometimes.

Master Little 2 doing some modeling while I try and get some photo's. Since I made this pattern not too long ago I wasn't too worried about the fit.

This is were that 1/4" foot comes in handy. I hope you can see the detail were I have sewen around the collar and interfacing. I feel it give a neater finish and a more professional look.

And the finished shirt, sorry but Master Little 2 had gone to bed so no modeling from him tonight but I am sure when I do Master 7's matching shirt you will see him then. I have cut out fabric for a green pocket but am really unsure as to weather I should use it. I'm not sure if it will be too much and it will be quite small.

Any ideas would be most welcome.

Australian Woman

2010-12-08T16:34:00.000+10:00

I'm not a big fan of Australian Woman but I do have a few, I have added them to my Collections page. What I do like about them is there colour and photo's and images and "Gallery of Stars", in each copy there is a large colour photos of a start. I thought I would share the ones I have.

Hope you liked them.

Family Time

2010-12-08T11:14:00.000+10:00

One of the things I have liked most about Retrofrying my family is how much more time we spend together. While I think we could do more of it, our business does dictate our lives a lot. I have been trying once a week on a week night to sit down with our children and play a board game. Last night we played good old Snakes and Ladders, I lost count of how many times I had to tell Master Little 2 not to throw the dice but it was still a lot of fun.

We are slowly getting a few good games that we can all play, even Master Little 2. However we all keep an eye on Master 7, he is the biggest cheat ever, we can’t even trust him to play snap with Miss Little 6 without changing the rules to suit himself. Oh well it will come back to get him later.

With summer now here it’s good to have a few indoor activities, it’s either too hot to do anything or it’s too wet. We are missing a few games like chess, checkers and drafts but I think Santa might bring them when he visits.

Sunday Sewing - Australian Home Journal 7454

2010-12-05T20:32:00.000+10:00

This has to be one of the easiest patterns I've made yet it is from this month "A Look Inside". There was a lot of basting and gathers, still not sure about the way the neck sits but I'm happy with it anyway. The fabric is a cotton and very light, which is good since we are now in summer here in Cairns, I didn't want a too Christmas fabric so I could re-wear the dress thought out next year but something that still had the theme to it.

With the first fitting I choose not to make a too fitted dress, I wanted to take into account any weight gain over the festive season (and I always seem to put on a few kilos). The pattern does have a fabric belt that I will relie on to bring shape to the dress.

It took a few goes to get the ruffles right both around the neck and selves. In the end I cut an 1 1/2" off the selves as the puffed out way too much. You can't really see the neck ruffle that well in the photo's but Atomic Dad said its fine.

I used good old bias binding in white to finish the selves and neck, easier then using the same fabric and it means I've got leftovers to make Miss Little 6 and skirt. I also made the matching fabric belt but I think you could use red or green ribbon (which I plan to try later) for a colourful look. In the end I like the bow tied at the back and not the front as the cover drawing shows.

All up this was a very easy pattern. It has more of a house dress feel to it then a "Let's go out!" feel but I don't mind as I need a few more of those. I might make this pattern again but maybe with out the neck ruffle and less fabric in the skirt, mostly to save on fabric and cost.

As this is a Christmas dress I have already planed were I'm going to wear it, so look out for a few post with me out and about in it. Happy sewing every one.

Just a Little Rant

2010-12-03T12:05:00.000+10:00

While I love retro/vintage and am working to a more mid-century style of living it’s not all green grass and flowers. The whole thing is a lot harder then I first thought. It helps that Atomic Dad is on board but our small business just doesn’t won’t to play the game.

So while I slowly make my way through this modern world I’ve been thinking about things. Now if I said that to Atomic Dad I would get an “Oh no!” look, it’s not always good when I stop to think. Not only do we put our self’s under huge pressure but so does society, we each make up a part of the society we live in but it is also very much a crowed effort. It is a bigger version of pier-pressure that we talk about in schools and that we seem to think as adults we are immune to it, I think more of us are affected as adults then as youths, but that’s just my opinion.

Me, I’ve always been the outsider, the different child. Once I stopped trying to fit in, I got use to standing out and learnt to live with myself; I can’t say the same for everyone, as being honest with ones' self never comes to many people. I am a harsh person, I have little room for grey in my world, no fence sitting allowed.

So were am I going with this, the truth about modern society or lack of it. Instead of spending the extra half hour saved by the invention of the dish washer with our families we sit in front of TV screens or on phones or both (and I know my family dose this too). Instead of punishing children and their parents for bad behaviour we look for reason why is allowed to happen and find ways to remove the issue.

With all our modern technology we are still a highly censered society, don’t fool yourself and think the internet has all the answers it only has what people put out there truth or not. So many people are so wrapped up in there only little word that they often don’t really know what they’re talking about half the time and don’t have the guts to admit it. And please don’t think I don’t know I fit in here some were, for I know very well I do, we all have, do or will at some point in our lives. The key is to know when and fix it.

Well that’s my bit of a rant, and I don’t mean to upset anyone should you read this and feel so. It’s just me saying how I feel and you’re welcome to do so in your own space too.

A Look Inside

2010-12-01T19:59:00.000+10:00

Australian Home Journal, December 1949.

I only have two AHJ for December and have chosen this one as I plan to make the white dress one front (7454) for Christmas. It has a bit about easy to make Christmas girts and lots of different Christmas meal ideas and goodies. Other then the front and back covers there are no colour pages or adds, there is also a lot more pages of articles and less adds and fashion items.

Please enjoy and I hope you are having fun getting ready for Christmas.

Sunday Sewing – Blue Log Cabin

2010-11-28T21:43:00.003+10:00

Since the green 60's dress and I are still not on talking terms, I decided to finish a UFO and found the patchwork quilt I've been making for Master Little 7. This is a really old UFO and I knew I couldn't put off finishing it any longer, and I'm so glad I've finished it now. It looks GREAT, even if I do say so myself.

So here are all the blocks layed out on the floor.

A close up of a patch, you can see all the different types of fabric I used. Much of the blues were collected over a year, they mostly come from collecting blue fat quarters. I had so much fabric I ended up making way more patches then I needed for one blanket, and can now sew a second quilt for Master Little 2.

The backing fabric is calico. It is not the normal chose for quilters but I think it will last longer in a little boys room and the tea stained colour hides stains much better. Instead of making a fat boarder or the like I've used the same fabric and done more of a simple trim.

And here is Master Little 7 "oh so very happy" with his new quilt.

If you've never done quilting I truly suggest you try it.

Here is a photo of my first ever quilt, for Miss Little 6 (she was 2 when I made this). This quilt is made up of 10"x10" blocks of fabric. Very easy to do.

And the seceret to quilting is one of these little feet, it's 1/4" foot, you should be able to pick on up for all the modern sewing machines but not so sure about the vintage ones. If you have a vintage sewing machine maybe you could let us know, that would be great. You run the edge of the fabric against the right side of the foot and it sews 1/4" from the edge, assuming you cut straight, you get a perfect line. I've also found it great for bias binding and other small edge work.

Happy sewing all you lovely people.