"Finished" sewing

I finally got around to doing some sewing for work yesterday. I found this great black & white fabric- listed on the Rathdowne Fabrics facebook page back in March- as  "grand prix themed fabric". 

But in the Early Intervention field we also know it as "finished" fabric.  The picture symbol for "finished" looks rather  like a grand prix flag, and means that an activity is finished, or an object ( toy/game/ ipad etc) is " finished" or "not available". 

We often recomend that kinders and chilcare centres use a " finished" cloth to cover a table/ toy set when it it not in use, or to help with the transition from one activity to the next. For example " the puzzles are finished now- time to wash hands for snack time", accompanied by the auslan/ key word sign for " finish", picture card/ schedule for " wash hands"/ " snack time" ( or morning tea etc) and covering the puzzle table with a finished cloth.

I sewed up 10 finished cloths, and also made a reversable bag for teachers and therapists to use for sessions with clients.

iPad shown for scale- we often carry a range of toys/ games and assorted equipment to visits! 

Once items are taken out and used, the bag can be turned inside out and -

Ta-dah! It becomes a " finished" bag to put things back into once they are " finished" !

2017 Craft & Quilt fair

Surrounded by crafty goodness at the craft show!

2 Dr Who fat quarters I bought at the show. Thinking I might make a new bag.

Beads and new necklace from a couple of stalls I head for each year.

Bobbin holders and long fabric clips from Vic Sew ( planning on making another quilt so thought longer clips might be handy). Vlieseline tape (for sewing new tee tops)-a bargain at  $5 each!

Mollie Makes jacket take 2

I bought a 1.1m piece of scuba fabric from a  40% off remnants sale at RR a while ago. I had originally thought of making a dress or skirt, but figured I would probably get more wear out of a jacket.  

I used the zip front jacket pattern from a Mollie Makes sewing special, which I have made once before. I don't wear it much, but always get compliments when I do. I think one of the issues was I didn't have enough plain long sleeve tops to wear under it, but I have made a few more now so it will probably get more regular outings now!

Like the first, I opted to leave off the zip, and use a hidden press stud and large button on the front instead. 
The scuba is weird stuff to sew, the needle was skipping stitches until I adjusted the stitch size and tension, but I probably should have tried a new needle. I didn't realize how tough the scuba was until I was hand sewing the button on!
I added some extra facings which aren't in the pattern, but think it sits better than my first version, plus I left the darts out.  The fabric is pretty loud, and like the first, I will wear it more like a top, I don't like the way it sits when it is open...but that is ok, it makes it into a very funky top I think!

Sewing like greased lightning!- AND sewing bee FINALLY back on tv!

Nothing like being told at 5:15  that "remember these cuffs are too long mum" when the teen trumpet player is getting dtessed for 5:40 lift to play in the school production!  Aaarrrgghhh!

AND in very exciting news- purely by chance I googled " Great British Sewing Bee Channel 9" and discovered- would you believe it!- that Ch 9 actually started showing the sewing bee THIS AFTERNOON!!! Series 1 episode 1 was on today, the rest  is on every weekday next week at either 3pm or 2pm ( annoying random time changes, can't set the timer for daily!). Days & times in the screenshot here- can't wait to finally watch it!!!

Crafty coincidence?

I had a quick browse in Savers today, looking through the fabric, patterns,  and craft book section (yep, I did not look at the clothes at all!) Well I was wearing my new favourite (yet to be blogged) top I made from fabric found on my last trip to Savers, plus a scarf made from a silk scrap found at the nearby Don Bosco op shop!

I spotted this funky piece of Ikea fabric, I liked it but it didn't have a price on it,  so I left it and headed over to the books while I thought it over.

 I found quite a lot of interesting looking craft books, so I stacked them on a nearby table to sort through.  I weeded out a few, and kept 2 on pattern making/ fitting, and this book of assorted projects ( clothes, bags, gifts, quilts etc) which as some nice patterns.

I like these 2 simple strip quilts. Definitely planning on making more quilts now I have made my first!  

But imagine my suprise when I spotted this cushion pattern in the book- just look at the fabric used, the very same Ikea fabric I had just looked at!!! 

I figured it was a sign, so I went back & took the fabric off the shelf (turns out it was $5 which I think was more than the book cost!!!)   Might just have to make it into a cushion! 

Retro styled bowls

How cute are these retro scandi styled glass bowls? Spotted in Hot Potatoes bargain store, Sydney Road Brunswick. Note the cheeky description " inspired by pyrex" on the label!

 

* Unfortunately I couldn't get to the Fabric Restash event yesterday, as I have come down with a rotten cold. So instead I spent yesterday on the couch. sneezing & reading ( "An echo in the bone" an outlander novel, which finished mid action so now I sooo need the next book!!).