Pink Chalk Fabrics

My first internet order of fabric arrived yesterday! I had been waiting and waiting for it to arrive, although really it was very quick. It was all discounted too, so I was very happy.
I've learnt already that color is deceptive on the internet. I knew that already, I guess it's just confirmed. Also, given the plans I have for this fabric, I have no idea why I didn't get a second colorway for most of the fabric. That has now been sorted by another order (only $10 this time) for four half yards from pinkchalkfabrics this morning.
So, these are the materials I got. I've taken multiple photos of some as the weak winter sunlight here created a shadow on some fabrics. I ended up with 16 pieces of fabric, 3 of which were half yards.
Now comes the fun part of deciding what to make with them and who for :)

Adrienne

These are the hands of my wonderful friend Adrienne. Since I have started sewing again, she has helped me so much with all the mistakes I've made. I've led her into temptation - a new sewing machine (where is that evil grin icon?); and she has helped me work out where I'm going wrong with my patterns. So, with these hands comes a wonderful, patient sewing brain. She's holding the Ottobre tunic I've been working on for over a week, and she's scrutinising the non-sensical Ottobre instructions below it. Who knew that when you add seam allowances, you don't add them to the hem? Yep, that would be me.

Adrienne is also very understanding when despite her counsel, I still managed to sew the lady beetle skirt (see previous post) too big and have resigned it to the cupboard until Ruby is bigger next winter (it kept falling down at kinder today), and have managed to lose my way with this current Ottobre pattern.

Although our main purpose tends to be sewing, or knitting or helping others in Adrienne's case, we meander and philosophise through all manner of topics. I'm lucky to have Adrienne in my life. Thanks Adrienne it's wonderful sharing this sewing journey with you.

Sewing Day

Today was our sewing day and I finally took some photos of things I have made.

The second item I have made in the recent past is these pants as modelled by Alice.

They are meant to be 3/4 pants but she's a little bit of a shorty, and I figured they're great as longer pants in winter.

This skirt is the never ending skirt that took ages because I had trouble with feeling confident about cutting off a zip and whip stitching it, and then using it shorter than it was made. Who knew you could do that??

I'm also making my first ever Ottobre item at the moment and am using a cheaper material to practise with. Yes, I've got lots of things wrong. I've learnt that when you add seams to a pattern piece, only add them where seams would go. (Now that sounds pretty obvious, why didn't I work that out before I sewed bits together!) I've also learnt that when using elastic thread always have extra long threads so they can stretch with the material when you are sewing near it. I have now 'lost' my elastic threads on these cute little sleeves twice!! Oh, I've also learnt what to use as tracing paper, and that you don't need to have the patterns sticky taped to the window to trace them. See, lots of learning going on here.

I spent way too much time today trying to work out how to do shirring on Mum's machine. If anyone has a Husqvarna Quilt Designer II and knows the answer, please let me know! Although tomorrow is our sewing day, so I will use a friends machine and finally get it done! Yay! I've also had no time to even take photos of my material today, with lots of family visiting. Hopefully I will achieve that tomorrow as well. I think I need a 'to do' list, except that sounds too organised; something a little gentler like ' future projects' sounds good.

The beginning

Okay, so how more obvious can a post be? But, its 8.51am, Emily has to be at ballet at 9.30am and I'm sitting here creating a blog! Hence the title of the whole blog :) This is my life.
So, my aims are manyfold. I really want to record what our lives are like, and what I'm loving about my life. Hmmm, sometimes future posts may not present that I imagine. :) So, I want to blog our lives, with a focus on my hobbies, and trying to keep them going. A little space for me. Sometimes that is hard to find. So, sit back and enjoy the ride. If you ever come back that is :)