Making a 1950's Party Dress

I was invited to a 40th Birthday Party, the theme was 'Grease' - the movie.  I decided to make a general 1950's dress, not an outfit that directly comes from the film, because I wanted to create something that I would have the opportunity to wear again. 

Last year I came across Sense & Sensibility Patterns on the net.  I am not an experienced sewer, but they had a pattern that even a beginner could give a go. So I dived in and purchased the pattern and then a pink fabric with white polka dots, and gave it ago.  

Overall I found the pattern a little bit of a challenge because I've never ever constructed pleats, but with the help of a few tutorials on YouTube, I was on my way to completing my first ever dress. 

Overall I was happy with the result, but next time I wont make the sash, I found it kept bunching up and moving. Other than that the dress was perfect for what I wanted.  

Sense & Sensibility Pattern

The finished dress

My Creative Space - My Son Sewing

My son has to create a scene in a shoe box showing the life of an insect, for school. He choose the bee. Yesterday I showed my son how to do basic hand sewing. It took him awhile to get the confidence, but by the end he was sewing at a faster pace. Oh while he was sewing, he was saying he was "sewing like a man". He is such a funny dag.

The Bee!


To see more creative spaces float over to Kootoyoo

Sewing an Itchy Bird

Recently purchased this wonderful paper bird sewing kit. I had to have it, when I saw it at Magnolia Square last Saturday.

So to tackle the kit I quickly learn't how to do blanket stitch, by watching a Youtube tutorial. I liked this Youtube video, not only did I learn a new stitch, but I was able to learn via hearing this soothing music. Which was a must, for a budding sewer like me. So on with the kit.

Itchy Bird has included everything in the kit, which sells for $10.00. The instructions, paper, thread, icy pole stick, pattern, glue spots and legs. What you need, is a sewing needle and hot glue gun.



Isn't the bird so cute. The paper is a print of an old London map. So perfect.
[If you want to contact Itchy Bird, please email me and I will send you her email or go here for their Etsy store.]

Into the Den I walk......

It's been a very muggy day here in Melbourne, but I thought I would venture out to North Melbourne to pay for my stall for the first Thread Den Market for 2010.

Paying was easy at the very cute Thread Dean, it was trying not to buy anything, that was the challenge. I assumed wrong, I thought, it's during the day, it will be quiet. I was wrong, Thread Den was busy with the sound of sewing machines with many wannabe sewers taking a basic course in sewing. I have heard about these courses, I might look into these later this year. Seeing it is a goal in life to be able to sew properly with confidence.

My location at the Thread Den Market will be in the Ballroom, sounds very grand. So looking forward to it, but the sad thing is, I wont have my craft market buddy Little Cooties sitting next to me.

Design and Sew!

Recently I was asked to design a sewing list for Pin, Cut, Sew! With any project I do a little research on the subject. It amazes me, how much is out there and the amount of talent that is bursting from the crafty blogs on the internet.

I have many friends who sew or knit, they produce beautiful costumes and every day clothing. I always find their work inspiring. I have tried to sew in the past, but unfortunately I have discovered that my talent is not in this area. My sewing kit puts me to shame, maybe one day it will grow. However my paper collection is taking over!