February Knit Challenge

Here is my finished project for the February Knit Challenge I actually finished it two weeks ago and the outfit was for Sian However she refused to model for me So I finally got Molly to agree to a photo shoot I have made it from dyed stockingette which is 100% rayon knit It is a beautiful fabric and I actually sell it from my website

for crafty people to dye and print It is a beautiful fabric very inexpensive fully manufactured in Australia It has a lovely drape and is cool and light to wear. I dyed it first with a direct dye then I printed the humming birds and butterflies on it The humming birds have been hand coloured with diluted sun print dyes They are very versatile and can be used just for painting on fabric One does not have to always process them in the sun They are simply fixed by ironing . This dress was inspired for the Chinese New Year I used the little toggle buttons at the neck as a decoration  and on the back as buttons. They were sprayed with purple sun print so they would match the dress.

Sun Printing Workshop

We had a successful day Sun Printing at Boonooroo On Sunday 22nd February The weather seemed a little dicey on the day before so I set up alternative processing lights just in case we need to use them Thankfully after one small shower of rain we had wonderful sunshine and were able to continue the fun

Five ladies attended two painters a quilter, a scrap booker, and a graphic designer. They worked on a variety of media including, canvas, fabric, paper, wood and acetate We had a lovely shared lunch lots of lively conversation and altogether had a very inspiring and satisfying day

 Some of the ladies have asked me to teach them screen printing in a couple of months That should be a good workshop too.

Little Mim Giveaway

This doll is 10 inches tall, made with cotton tricot and Hilco knit, stuffed with carded wool and her hair is a beautifully soft cashmerino aran. Her hair is styled. Her dress and pettiskirt are removable.

Isn't she beautiful?

Designed and handmade by Curls at The Handmaiden Blog spot

You could win this little darling for your chance to do so; follow the link and leave a comment!

But stand in line because I'm dying to win her!

Is it TuTu Much?

When my lovely daughter spotted some crystal organza in a fabric shop, she asked "Mum could you please make me a TuTu?"
Molly suffers Aspergers and has been the subject of bullying all her life, so I was a little worried at making her something that was so different to what most 13 year olds wanted to wear. My 12 year old just snorted and said "don't you dare make me one!" Molly loves pretty things and just loves to dance I knew the locals at the bowls club where we go to dance and socialize on weekends would be supportive They just love Molly and are in awe of her dancing skills. So for a week I was immersed in mountains of frothy frills while I endeavored to work out how to make this. I found a whole lot of fabric in my stash that I could use including the yellow satin, which I promptly screen printed my butterflies on in blended colours.I had no real pattern so had to work it out as I went .
I adapted the bodice from a 70's dress pattern that I had making it longer and adding the lacing and tulle at the back

The ruffles were made from the organza and some small pieces of yellow tulle that I already had I edged the tulle with satin ribbon to give it a nicer finish.
Thank god for my ruffler attachment or I would never have attempted this! It made life easier!
I made a sash from the organza to go around the hips attached by small loops
Finally I luckily had and off cut of yellow lycra I made the tights with and used some of the yellow satin to make the ties on the legs.

Molly loves it and can hardly wait to wear it to the Valentines Dance at the club next week end!

Reusable 5cm drafting paper

How to make your own 5cm Reusable Drafting Graph Paper

This is a simple idea to make drafting paper that you can write on with a white board marker and wipe clean to use over and over again.

Recently at the oppie I came across a beautiful book Little Clothes for Little People by Lia van Steenderen Printed in 1987 by Exley.

The book cost me all of two dollars and was full of gorgeous children’s clothes patterns

displayed, via 5cm grids.

Now for the dilemma, apart from the fact I could not buy grid paper in that size locally and after paying such a low amount for the book I was not in the mood to pay for a stack of paper. I certainly did not want to go to the bother to draw up a grid for every pattern piece either (Not on my list of favourite things to do!).

So got the old grey matter churning and purchased a roll of contact. I actually bought two, one was marked with squares and numbers and lots of writing on the back; however the other one was marked in red squares only in blocks of 45 x 50 cms Perfect!

Number the small squares across the top and down the sides of the paper It will make it easier to rule up.

5 x5 of these red squares make a 5cm block

Rule up your squares in a contrasting pen colour

Cut another piece of contact 45cm x 51 cm. Allow your self a little extra to line up the plastic with your paper base.

Use a ruler to help adhere the contact evenly to the paper a few small creases make very little difference so don’t panic if your first one is not perfect. Trim any excess contact at the edges.

Draw up your pattern piece

Trace off your pattern

You can use tracing

Paper I actually use

vilene I find it more durable

Wipe clean and start again with the next piece 

These are so quick and inexpensive to make. Make up at least 4 and you can sticky tape them together to draw up larger patterns.

Also they just roll up and store in a draw until you need them

I am going to make up a whole lot of those lovely patterns Hope this helps you too

Julie-Ann

Are You Ready?

Well I have drawn the winner I actually did it at 2o'clock this morning because I could not sleep! I cut up bits of paper and numbered them from 1 to 20 put them in a container......shook em all up.......and drew out.............number 11! Going back to the list of comments and counting...........................MoederKip  !!!!!
congratulations Nat!!!! I will be contacting you shortly!


I wish I could have drawn everyone You all left such lovely comments thank you! Don't feel too sad if you missed out i will have another giveaway in a few weeks


Julie-Ann