Sewing: Freestyle Quilt Mash Up

The best way to de-stash before an international move is have a family member have a special birthday and be determined to make a special handmade present while you are packing!  I'm not sure if it was good therapy or plain stupidity.  It's the most fun I've had making a quilt though - I call it my de-stash, free-style, mash-up of goodness.  Sorry if your eyeballs are hurting, my niece LOVES colour...

My intention was to use this pattern for the whole quilt which is stunning but I didn't have the patience for it in my time frame.  You can see a block of chevron in the first photo which coincidentally looks like a tree :-)

The back and binding were made from scraps.  I had lectured myself on not buying any new fabric for this project but sadly had some big patches to fill in, so I caved.  It was the last project I completed with my beautiful sewing gals - I miss Tuesday nights at my place.

Visit: Alexander McQueen - Savage Beauty

via The Pandorian

This week I visited the Alexander McQueen Exhibition, Savage Beauty at the V&A Museum.  It was a visceral experience which left me in a weird but happy place.  I would highly recommend booking tickets soon as the earliest available tickets are around mid-May.  If you live local and frequent the V&A like I do, you could become a museum member and go back as often as you like without waiting for a time slot.

The exhibition evolved in complexity as you progressed through the rooms.  I experienced almost every emotion on the spectrum in a short period of time, from calm to overwhelming.  I thoroughly enjoyed the pieces themselves, the workmanship, materials, textures, manipulation and pairing of textiles and even the bizarre.  It was a spectacular showcase of some amazing works of art, I can't wait to go back.

via Beautyandthedirt

via Beautyandthedirt

Discover: Alabama Chanin

I just discovered Alabama Chanin and I'm just so excited about their cool techniques and point of difference in the fashion industry!!!  A company whose ethos is inspired by the principles of the slow food movement and are fully invested in environmentally responsible products and materials, ahhh so very cool.

Not just that, their craftsmanship is top quality and everything is truly beautiful to look at, a work of art.  While I prefer the simpler, un-embellished pieces I so appreciate the details - the embroidery, embellishment and hard work that has gone into their h-a-n-d-s-e-w-n  garments.....woah.  They do machine make clothes too and primarily use locally sourced organic cotton.

I was so excited I purchased founder, Natalie Chanin's, Hand-Embellishing Knit fabrics course on Craftsy.  I'm not planning on sewing along and making the jacket included but Natalie is such a gifted teacher,  I've enjoyed what I have learnt so far.  I was lucky to get the course on sale too... I love learning :-)  Of course there are books, courses, sewing supplies and Natalie's journal has some really interesting, thought provoking articles under the Beautiful life and Inspiration category.  I'll leave you to get lost in the world of A.Chanin yourself....

All photos via Alabama Chanin

Sewing: Woven Hemlock Tee

Nani Iro - Shine Many Ways was my choice of fabric for my first woven Hemlock Tee by Grainline Studios.  It's my second Hemlock and while I'm not convinced it's the best pattern for my body shape I like a comfy shirt and Jen's patterns.  The Ivory fabric is a lot more 'latte' than Ivory, I feel like I need some contrasting Navy around my neck or a tiny pocket :-)

I would also recommend using a fine or new needle as I didn't bother changing mine from my last few projects and wished I had after some unpicking the cotton sateen it left me with visible holes.  They have already started fading after a little smoothing out with my fingers and then ironing.  The fabric crinkles a bit but it's sooo nice to touch and wear.

Amber from Fancy Tiger Crafts cut her sleeves on the bias and I might do that if there is a next time.  I have enough arm movement but wished there was slightly more ease.  I may alter the sleeve length to above the elbow if I have any shrinkage - even though the fabric is pre-washed.

Overall I'm happy with my new 'Spring' top - it's a nice quick sew.  It was freezing outside on Saturday when we took these photos... Come on Spring weather, this Aussie is SICK of the cold.  We didn't ever intend for back to back Winter's on moving to the UK but that was the result of a long visa wait, boooo.

I remember the under arm seam on my last Hemlock tripped me up - I tried to sew it at too much of an angle - I think the picture on Jen's tutorial wasn't real clear.  Ironing the seams the way she instructs is important and so is clipping under the arm seam too for woven fabric.  Some lazy person hasn't unpacked her over-locker yet!!

I hope someone finds these photos helpful, they are the sort of pictures I look for when I am stuck on something.  Clearly I don't pattern match!

Sewing: Book Week Costumes - Oliver and S Cape

We got to experience our first book week since living here in London!  Something I had always looked forward to doing since having school age kids but our Canberra school didn't ever participate, now I feel somewhat relieved.  However, I did enjoy making the Red Riding Hood cape from the book, Oliver and S - Little Things to Sew.  The outside fabric is just cheap lining which cost me five pound, the button one pound and the lining is an old sheet.  I bought Anya's 'Merida' dress on e-bay second hand and despite Anya's hair colour being perfect for Merida, we decided Maid Marion was a true book character.

Anya is seven years old, so I made the large size as suggested and lengthened it by eight inches.  I found the armholes were in a little bit of a weird place regardless of the length.  Having said that the pattern comes together beautifully and I found it a satisfying and easy sew (read_no fussing over size adjustments_).

No Maid Marion is complete without her side-kick Robin Hood!!!  I surprised the kids with a bow and arrow just before taking the photos - they were chuffed!  When I decided to make Anya's cape I completely tossed out the idea of making two costumes, I'm not stupid.  I went against my no polyester policy and bought Josiah's outfit online too - our dress up box is slowly being replenished.