The sewing extravaganza continued last night. I cut out and made another skirt. The fabric came to me from the stash of an elderly lady and I suspect it is quite old as it is only 90cm (36 inches) wide which is definitely not the norm these days. It is very fine and 100% cotton. I have fully lined the skirt yet it is still light and very comfortable which is good since it is going to be 33C here today.
I have been busy with my sewing today and wanted to show you what I have done.
This morning I started on the blouse which I cut out earlier in the week. I was on target to have it completely finished today, however, the sewing machine decided to misbehave. The automatic buttonhole function is not working, I do not know what the problem is and have tried all of the usual trouble-shooting ideas – re-thread the machine, reset the buttonhole settings, clean the bobbin case etc but all to no avail. I will have to ring the sewing machine shop tomorrow.
In the meantime, here is a sneak preview of the blouse. It is all done except for the buttons and buttonholes.
The next project is another skirt but I decided to have a short break from making new things and set about repairing/refashioning this bag.
This bag belongs to my daughter and it previously had rope handles which were knotted on the inside. The holes were finished with large eyelets, however, one of the eyelets had pulled away from the fabric. In order to repair the bag I removed all of the eyelets and made new handles.
I used some scraps of chocolate brown fabric which was lurking in my stash. I had to join a couple of pieces together to get enough length for the handles. The straps are double-stitched to allow for heavy weights that may be carried in the bag. You can still see the eyelets holes on the inside but all in all it is a functional bag again. It is great to be able to give items a new lease of life.
I have been making good progress on several fronts here.
Yesterday I spent the day sewing so have something to show for it. I started by drafting a pattern using an existing purchased skirt. I had some fabric that had been given to me and this is what I created. I have yet to do the hem and the handstitching inside the waistband but you get the general idea. I am not entirely happy with the fit over the hips and also the side pockets are not sitting perfectly but that will improved on in the next attempt.
I will still be happy to wear this as the shirt I am going to make will cover the less than perfect area. This is going to be the top (also gifted fabric). The colour match of the yellow flowers with the top is much better than the photograph would lead you to believe.
The other project has been slowly but surely working through the various piles of ‘pending’ paperwork.
This is some that I had been carrying around in my bag for a couple of weeks. Today I actioned most of it – emails sent, phone calls made and most of it now shredded. There is still a little to go back in the filing cabinet.
This pile is on the small table in the guest room. It is mostly from our USA trip from over 2 months ago so my goal is to get it sorted out this weekend. I have finally culled and sorted they photographs from our trip which has been quite a big job.
Tomorrow we are having lunch with friends and are looking forward to sharing the photos from our trip with them.
Have a relaxing weekend wherever you are.
Yesterday we hosted a Christmas gathering for our neighbours. We live in a semi-rural area and often the annual Christmas function is the only opportunity we have to get together.
We were mostly on the verandah, however, I had cleaned and set up the living area in case of inclement weather. Although it is still November I did want to have a simple, Christmas-themed decoration.
I put this centrepiece together using a crystal salad bowl and some silver balls which are normally used on the Christmas tree. It looked really pretty and effective.
Here you can get a good view of one the tablecloths that I have converted from a rectangle to an oval to suit the table. You can read more about the project here and here.
Did you get sucked into Click Frenzy?
Was it a success or total disaster? I guess it depends on your point of view and whether or not you were involved. Now for the ramifications. Check this news report.
My day was much more sedate. I did some paid work from home and then spent some time cleaning my living room.
When I decide to clean properly I remove cobwebs and dust from the cornices, clean windows, skirting boards and the floor as well as dusting and polishing the furniture. It is a big task but definitely worthwhile when it is finished. I also cast a critical eye over all of the ‘stuff’ and make sure it is still current and relevant. I did toss a couple of things but generally everything I have here is useful and/or loved.
I have not completed the whole room yet but here is the shelving unit which is all done.
I have been away for a few days in Melbourne for a combination of work and pleasure and arrived back late this afternoon to the second consecutive day of wild summer thunderstorms. Luckily, we have not had the worst of it – just some much needed rain. The humidity is off the scale and everything is damp.
I have done one load of washing and the second load is in the machine. There is no point in hanging it on the line in this weather – even though it is under the verandah. The clothes will just hang limply in the damp air, so it is time to resurrect the indoor clothes airer and dehumidifier.
Here is the airer set up in my spare/sewing room. It is a rotary one and the outside lines are high enough that I can hand jeans/trousers or even sheets on them.
The load of washing is hung and there is plenty of space for a second load.
I will have the dehumidifier running overnight in the closed room and the washing will be dry in the morning.
I am gradually working my way through a pile of clothes that I brought home from Missy’s place nearly 2 weeks ago. I was helping her to sort and declutter in preparation for her interstate relocation.
Some items were deemed not suitable, too old, worn out or simply no longer loved. Most would suitable for someone else so they went to the local op shop.
I did score a scarf which Missy no longer wanted. I am not usually a huge scarf fan but this was a small lightweight one in turquoise, black and beige/gold colours which caught my eye. I have worn it twice in less than a week. The first time was out to dinner when I had a black skirt and 3/4 sleeve top of the same turquoise colour. The top has a v-neck and no collar so the scarf really finished it off nicely. Secondly, I wore white 3/4 trousers and a black camisole with a gold tie-up 3/4 sleeve mesh top. I used the scarf as a belt for the trousers and it added a bit of colour and brought the whole outfit together. I certainly had not gone out looking for a scarf like this but once I saw the opportunity it fits really well with my existing wardrobe.
Like most people she had some items lurking amongst her clothes which were not wearable for a variety of reasons. We assessed the viability of each piece and I brought some home for some alteration/mending to return them to fully functional pieces.
The handiwork has included replacing buttons, letting down hems and a multitude of minor adjustments that enhance the wearability of a garment.
One dress gaped where the bodice crossed over but since it was a stretch fabric I just permanently sewed the crossover section. Another top had fold back cuffs on the armholes which needed to be pressed into place each time before wearing so I stitched them so that it stays in place. These adjustments are not usually evident at the time of purchase and it is not until you wear an item a few times that you realise that it is not as ‘easy’ to wear as you would like. Sometimes there is a simple solution that can make all of the difference.
This is the pile that I have finished. There were some other maintenance jobs like trimming off loose threads and pilled fabric. All of this combined with washing has created a pile of items with a new lease of life.
I still have a bit left to do but it is not as bad as it looks spread over the ironing board. Soon it will be a neat pile of wearable clothes.
One of the things that I have learned from my involvement in Project 333 is that nothing deserves a place in your wardrobe unless it is wearable and you love it.
Do you find yourself with a cupboard full of clothes and ‘nothing to wear’? Perhaps it is time to check out what is lurking in the cupboard.
This afternoon I left work early (3pm) and did the shopping on the way home. Simply Good where I buy most of my dry goods (flour, seeds, nuts and dried fruit) is only open until 5 pm on weekdays and 9am – 12md on Saturday. I am happy to support these traditional opening hours that allow retail staff to spend time with their families, however, I do have to be organised as it is about 40km away from where we live. Since it is on my way to work I decided to drive my car to the railway station nearest to the shop and then do my shopping on the return journey.
I stocked up on all of my usual supplies as well as a couple of extras for some Christmas cooking and I am hoping that I will not need to go again until the New Year. Aldi supermarket was my next stop and I was particularly to find that the cat food (fish varieties) was back in stock. Finally, a few things from the fruit and vegetable stall and I was home. By this time it was almost 6pm but still daylight for another 40 minutes.
When I arrived home I checked for mail, collected the rubbish and recycling bins that had been emptied. Next it was down to the backyard where I let the chickens out for a run, watered the vegetable gardens and weeded the small bed where the lettuce seedlings are becoming established. I picked lettuces, collected eggs and organised fresh feed and water for the chickens.
Collect the washing from the line, turn the plastic bags which were drying on the airer, unpack the groceries and decant the loose nuts, seeds etc into their relevant jars.
Then it was time to cut up the chicken and vegetables for the stir-fry and make the sauce.
While I was doing all this it occurred to me that most of these chores exist because of choices I have made, but I would not have it any other way.
I could throw out the plastic bags, put the wet washing in a tumble drier, buy my eggs and all vegetables from the supermarket, buy ready-made prepared meals and convenience foods but I choose not and I am very happy with my choices.
It is exactly 7 weeks until Christmas Day. We are planning a relatively simple Christmas . Belle and her family will be arriving in time for lunch and staying for a night or 2. We will have 4 children under 7 with us so I am looking forward to sharing the true spirit with them. We will also spend some time with my mother, sister and brother on either Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
Gifts – I have a couple of small items for the children and will be adding some handmade gifts as well. None of us need more ‘stuff’.
Meals will be special but definitely not excessive. It will also be a gluten-free menu and as much as possible,grain-free as well.
We generally do not get involved in the many Christmas parties as our focus is a small, family celebration. The one exception is Christmas drinks with the neighbours. We live on a long rural road and this is the only time during the year that we see some of the neighbours. This year we are hosting the event which simply means that I will sweep the verandah and set out some extra chairs and glasses. Everyone contributes a plate of finger food and brings their own drinks.
In the meantime, life goes on as usual. Miss O has a birthday coming up, I have a conference to attend interstate, Missy is relocating to another city and I have deadlines to meet at work. This is all aside from the day to day routines.
Do you have any special plans for the coming weeks? Do you celebrate Christmas?
Blogging has taken a back seat this last week as my ‘real’ life has been rather busy.
We have been away for the weekend to catch up with friends and celebrate a ‘milestone’ birthday for my girlfriend. We had a fabulous time and I have returned refreshed and with renewed enthusiasm after our short break.
I am working through a pile of mending/alterations of clothes for Missy which I have promised I will finish before she moves interstate in a couple of weeks. I have spent some time helping her declutter and sort some things prior to her move as it is an ideal time to rationalise exactly what you have and what you need. There is no point in paying to move things that you really do not want to keep.
Speaking of things you do not want to keep, this is a pile of fabric that a friend offered to me last week as she did not see the possibility of using it any time soon. I have accepted it and have space to store it until I start creating. I think that may be next year as the next 7 weeks are looking pretty busy in the lead-up to Christmas. However, I already have some plans for some of the fabric and am looking forward to using it. Thanks, Sandra.
I mentioned that it is 7 weeks until Christmas but my busyness is not really related to a crazy shopping frenzy or significant over-indulgence in food. It is more about a self-imposed deadline for projects that I want to complete both at home and at work before the end of the year. More about that in tomorrow’s post.
organised castle 