Wonderful book from Alabama Studio

My goodness.   Thank you Alabama Studio.

In the true spirit of Christmas (????) I have committed that common crime of buying myself a Xmas present or two perhaps more often that I bought one for someone else.   I go shopping so rarely that being forced into the world of shops and pretty goods - I find myself going "ohhh, that's nice - might get that for myself" with frightening frequency. Not confined to physical shops, it also happened when I was online finding some books for friends and family.   I have ended with 3 for myself.... is this so wrong?

However, I can't feel bad about it because one of those books was Alabama Studio Sewing + Design by Natalie Chanin.   I found it very difficult to focus at work today once I opened the Alabama Studio book and couldn't wait to get home, tuck in to a chair, and get reading.

I have devoured this book.   It is truly hands-down the most helpful, un-naff, stylish, creative sewing book I have read to date.   No more frilly apron patterns or plastic bag holders - these guys have packed so many useful hints, tips, techniques, and styles into this book I feel I need to say thanks irrespective of having paid for the book.   The instructions for stitch styles are very clear.   The designs are effective.   And the generosity of laying bare all these wonderful ideas just makes you feel lucky to read the book (in a day of meagre offerings and stretching things out to make more money - it is so enjoyable to find a book that keeps giving on every single page).

I am very keen to try out some of these techniques which will all be very new to me.   If I can get myself organised in the next week, I might be able to take a few portable projects with me to pass some time whilst camping over the holidays.

Pleated handbag

I picked up this fabric at a fabricabrac sale and knew it would be perfect for a couple of bags as the prints are so eye catching and happy.

Recently I finally decided to action the plan (rather than think about the plan).  And here are the results. 

I think they have turned out great. I made the bags quite large so they are almost totes, fitting all you stuff and a book easily. This meant I only had enough fabric for one bag each, but I think its worth it. It makes them absolute one-offs.

Am in the process of popping these three handbags up on my felt site.

A very bleak Fair day

Spent yesterday at the Thordon Fair.   A friend was having her first market stall and as its always easier with 2 people, I offered to help.   I also threw a few things out on her stall to flesh it out.   She was selling some intricate smock dresses for little girls.

And what a horrid day Wellington turned on for the Fair.   It has been glorious weather prior and its glorious weather after.   But Sunday, the day was terrible - gale force winds that blew everything over (including taking people's gazebos into nearby trees), and generally kept you on your toes.   It had rained up until an hour before set-up and we are thankful the rain held off for the day, but the clouds sort of blew through the street, lending a real chill to the air.   And of course, this kept the crowds away - lets face it: I wouldn't have got off the couch if I hadn't been involved. 
 
So, all and all, not the best foray into the world of fairs for my friend, but certainly a realistic one. 

My highlights included (i) buying this toffee apple that I'm going to eat tonight.
 
(ii) acquiring this teapot to match the mugs I'd bought the previous year.   I love this design and love the quirky shape.   I figure if I keep buying an item every time I attend a fair where this talented potter has a stall, I'll eventually have the whole set.

Chemo Head Scarves

- ideal for the uncoordinated

I wanted to do something for my mum who is in the process of surviving breast cancer and is currently stoically fighting through her second bout of chemo treatment. 

As I'm sure anyone who's seen someone close go through this process, you feel entirely useless in this situation - not being able to 'take away' any of the troubles or ailments.  Add on top of that having a mother as strong and stubborn as mine, she will go to all lengths to make sure she doesn't "burden" her daughter.  Her determination and steadfastness is incredible, if not slightly annoying for those of us left with only offers of little things and minor assistance to try and make ourselves feel better, like some way we've lightened her load.

She started loosing her hair shortly after the first bout and I felt like it was important to be prepared.  She wanted to figure out how to tie a scarf to make a head cover but we determined pretty quickly that wasn't gonna work for us - we are way too unstylie and uncoordinated for that type of thing. 

So I wanted to sew a few scarf head coverings that were easy to wear and provided comfort that they weren't going to blow away or reveal peaks of scalp.

I used this wonderful pattern kindly uploaded by Brimming with Love called the Milly Tie Hat Pattern .  Thank you so much for sharing this pattern. 

I made two using this pattern, in contrasting fabrics.  One from light cottons and one quilting cotton on top with nice warm sweatshirt material on the inside.  The pattern provides a wide band.  You need to roll the band (as shown on the pattern picture) to show the contrasting fabric otherwise its quite large.

I didn't take any photos of those before I gave them to mum.  But I did make one more, taking 2 inches off from around the band (this meant the seam sits around the face without needing to be folded up).  Excuse the hideous photos but it gives you some idea.

So, along with her sleeping caps, her wig, and this little collection of head scarves, at least I feel better that she has a few head coverings to choose from.  My Mum - what a star!  

Round scrappy cushions

As with any person who like to sew, I have become a chronic horder.

This was underlined by my dear friend who - when I mentioned I might try and get to the next fabricabrac sale to buy up some great deals - pointed out we should be setting up a stall and selling fabric stashes rather than buying more. Yes ok ... perhaps she has a point. Thanks V.

So I took the pattern for the sprocket pillow from cluckclucksew.com and put it to good use with the load of scraps and bits of fabric I have stashed in a big metal pot.



The results are very cute and effective, and for the price of the stuffing only, are a wonderful way to put those scraps of this and that to good use.









I am thinking of making some much larger versions with beanbag filling for floor cushions. Might be fun. With a coated cotton base they could be for outdoor use too.

 

A calm and moody moment on the coast before the southerly blasted in yesterday

Kitch Nirvana

When I visited my brother recently in San Diego I stumbled across a place called the Antique Centre in Ocean Beach.  It was like a Nirvana of fun-ness. 

It was the last store on my list and I had given myself 5 minutes to wander round until the next bus back into town.  It didn't take long to decide that I wasn't going to make the bus. 

I could have pitched a tent and lived in this place.  It was a massive shop with individual sellers having an area each to display their wares.  Some of the displays were fantastic and the sheer amount of goods was just astonishing. 

From little old New Zealand where just one of these booths would have made the coolest store on the block, I just wanted to get a shipping container and fill it up.  This will be the first place I visit next time I'm in town.