Buttonholes - TICK!

So excited - I have finally figured out how to do buttonholes on my sewing machine! It may sound like it's really easy, and to be honest, once you have the right foot and understand which switches to flick, etc, it really is! I decided today was the day, and I was going to figure it out.

Cue 20 minutes of me feeling a bit sweary and wasting bits of scrap material (also: this is how it has always gone before when trying to make a buttonhole). This was also how I felt about zips until I actually gave them a try. Now I love them!

All of a sudden, I realised there was one more setting I had to adjust. I had never noticed it before. D'oh! Adjusted - and my machine basically did it for me!

Behold, my first ever wonky buttonhole.

I'm very proud of it. It may not be perfect but now that I know I can do it, I can work on making them even better. Also, I tested it with a button. It worked!!!

I'm looking forward to doing more and more, as they have uses beyond just fastening buttons. It opens up some patterns to me that I had been avoiding because of the heavy button component...now I can give them a try!

Great Appliqué Tutorial

I love appliqué-ing different shapes and designs onto clothing, bags and zippered pouches...sometimes it just adds a little something. Here are some of mine:

Easy Felt Applique

Tempest Ahoy Small Zippered Pouch

Tie Appliquéd Shirts

If you are new to appliqué, you may want to check out the following tutorial (via What The Craft) as it takes you step by step and is really well explained.



There's heaps of different ways to appliqué...I personally love using Wonder Under (sometimes called Vliesofix in Australia), which is double sided iron on interfacing. In other words, you iron the shape on to the interfacing, and then you can iron it on to your project before top stitching around it. I find it adds stability and it's easier to place your appliqué.

Kid Pants

Some Kid Pants made this weekend with some funky IKEA coordinating fabrics. I found the pattern was a little too skinny and short in the rise for the kid in question, so added co-ordinating strips of fabric down the sides and a separate waistband for more wiggle and wriggle room.

Hula Hoop Rug

Gosh, I love this hula hoop rug tutorial, by Nicole Blasenak Shapiro, as seen on Family Fun! What a fun thing do do with some old t-shirts or fabric scraps. 

Appliquéd T-Shirts

Had some fun making tie appliqués for some kids' shirts over the weekend, what do you think?

If you want to give it a try yourself, head over to Crap I've Made's Appliqued Onesie tute. It really is quite simple and I've already had random compliments from strangers! They look great. Thanks, Char!

Sewing machine is still alive!

It's been a while since I have had the time to do any new sewing, but last night and today I leapt on the brief window of opportunity that I have to sew over the coming weeks.

It felt great to get some things done that have been on my mind for ages. Gifts, new items for sale (not yet in the shop) etc. The sewing itself is great for me though. It's not just sewing an item, the end result. It's the whole process for me, an excited meditation of sorts. I sort out problems, think of solutions and bliss out.

It's the process of sewing itself, and other forms of creating. Maybe you're not a sewer or a crafter, but I think many people have a hobby like this. Maybe for you it's reading, running or gardening. Maybe it's dancing, singing or cooking. The feeling is the same. Tell me, what's your hobby?

Mini-eco's Printable Sewing Cards for Kids

mini-eco has posted a free printable to help those with curious children. If your kids love crafting with you, this would be a great way for them to stay occupied while you do your thing, learn a new skill and create something lovely. Check out these cuties - mini-eco's printable sewing cards, with a great tutorial to accompany them.