I'm not normally much of a costume maker, but a recent invitation to an Alice in Wonderland party took my fancy. Lizzy and Mart were both invited and elected to go as Alice and the White Rabbit (respectively!)  After trying to convince Lizzy that she didn't want a horrible Disney-esque costume (who designs those truly horrible things????) I set about making a blue and white dress and apron and a vest and pocket watch.

The finished products looked like this...

Every one looks pretty happy in the photos, but  I have  some questions...


a)is it bad if your daughter looks disappointed when you present her with a handmade costume because it's not slippery and shiny and  looks like the one in the shop?  

b)Should I have made her a shiny blue one even if I really, really, really hate that kind of thing? 

c)At four, should she get a say in these kind of things?  

d)How much say do you give your kids in what they wear? 

I'd really love to hear your ideas...

Despite a bit of drama as we addressed the above issues, we all had a great time.  I do have one more question though...  If your kids get invited to a themed party, is there an expectation that they dress up?  The only reason that I ask is that my kids were the only ones in fancy dress. I kind of felt a bit like a Toddlers and Tiara's mum and we could have avoided the aforementioned drama. Anyways...

Somedays I really, really, really need a parenting manual!

PS  - We're starting our Beyond the Basics series tomorrow.  It's going to be a huge week with a fabric giveaway, a round up and two tutorials.  Drop in and let us know what you think! 

I did so much sewing before Christmas that I thought a week at the beach would be an ideal time for break.  

In a moment of craziness I decided to come away without any sewing.  That’s right – no hand sewing, no machine, fabrics or patterns.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.  Three days in and I’m starting to feel very, very twitchy… especially as I dropped my Kindle last night and I am now without any reading material.

With the absence of  any real sewing or reading to do I’ve resorted to the best possible alternative – setting some New Year's Sewing Goals by blog hopping!  What would we do without craft blogs? 

Well, I have now had a taste of what it is to be blog famous! It was fantastic to get such a wonderful response to our giveaway. It was even better to get all that amazing organisation advice. Now, if I could only fly like the flylady, remember the milk like that app, and have married a tidier husband I would be right!

The comments on our giveaway post are an amazing resource for anyone trying to get their act together. I am planning to collate them into a useful post but you may just have to wait for me to get a bit more organised! (What I really mean is - in the New Year when I have caught up on some sleep after the pre-Christmas sewing and cooking frenzy.)

I want to share a few comments that made me laugh.

Kathy told us:
"I play "Super McCleaning" with my 5 year old (he made up the game)... he changes his name to Max and I'm Roberta and we have a grand time cleaning together."
I can see then racing around the house in extra clean capes, whipping up a cleaning frenzy.

Meghan suggested I marry someone who is organised. Well, anyone who knows him, is aware that organisation is not one of Rob's strengths, but there is too much else I like about him to trade him in.

Cate was concerned that I might think she was a little crazy with this advice:
"I continually talk to myself, telling myself to do it properly, put it in it's right spot, pick it up now- not later"
Interestingly, this is one piece of advice I have already put into action and it seems to be working. So Cate, if you are bonkers, so am I.

Reassuringly I am not alone - it seems lots of people struggle with organisation. Check back in 2012 for that summary post.

And so to the winner.
I was thrilled to find that random.org chose this comment from Kim T

"Oooh, so sorry, organization is not my forte! You'd think it would being a homeschooling mama to 5 littles, but no. In reality, it's discipline I need, not organization. Discipline being doing that which needs to be done, yet no one wants to do it. :)"

As I read through all the comments as they arrived, this is the one that stood out to me. I know all the apps, websites, storage tips, calenders, lists and books that you have encouraged me to try are going to be really helpful, but ultimately I just have to do it.

Thanks Kim T for the reality check! I am not sure when you are going to find the time to sew a dress when you home school 5 little ones, but I hope you enjoy it when you do.

Well, so much for all the words! It's been ages since I have shared a picture of my 3 little ones - so here they are:

Two little felt kisses and two little felt hearts - a tiny sewing project made late one night.

I was tired and rushed, so the workmanship is far from spectacular. Despite their imperfections, these tangible symbols of my love for Madeleine satisfied an important need for both of us.

Madeleine's world is rapidly expanding. There is a new school with the potential for lots of new friends and wonderful experiences.There is also a fair bit of anxiety about how it will all work, away from the protection of the classroom, teachers and friends she has known for half of her life. This handful of love and a reassuring letter from her Mum and Dad, tucked in her school bag helped ease the stress for her on her first day of orientation.

For me, I know that Madeleine's world is becoming more and more separate from mine. I will have to satisfy myself with hearing about her new school life rather than being there to share it with her. Each stitch in these hearts and kisses is filled with my love. I feel like a little bit of me will travel with her on her adventures at school. And if she is ever feeling lost and lonely I hope she will remember her handful of love and find some reassurance by holding it close.

I've decided I don't like the word busy. I have been using it a lot lately, and I don't like the way it makes me feel - rushed, pressured and with no time to enjoy the things I do.

I am very lucky that almost everything in my life - working two jobs, sharing the running of a household and the care and love of three children, sewing and (occasional!) blogging - I really enjoy. There may be pressure to fit them all in, but these different parts of my life create balance and bring me pleasure. I say I would like more time, but in reality, other than a few household chores, there is not much in this list that I would be willing to give up.

So  I am trying something new. I am no longer busy (with all its negative connotations). My life is full - full of good stuff - work I like, sewing that is fun and friends and family that I adore.

And to celebrate, I have been doing something that busy people don't have time to do - a little hand sewing. Little projects to celebrate some big events.

Some birthday badges to celebrate two very special birthdays...

And a new bag for Pippa. She is off to big school with her sister.

Sitting quietly with a needle in my hand, if only for a moment, gives me time to appreciate the amazing fullness of my life.

I hope you can find some of that quiet time too.

The idea of me writing about sewing room organisation is hilarious.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I am the most disorganised person ever.  I know a lot of people say this about themselves, but it's really true about me.  No really, it is.

My sewing room has finally come to fruition - it's gorgeous and light and sunny (and there will lots of pictures to come, I'm sure).  It has lots of built in shelving, perfect for the big stuff- fabric, wool, pieces of felt, patterns and books.

It's the little things that do my head in, though, and sewing certainly has a lot of bits and pieces associated with it! Sewing machine needles and hand sewing needles, safety pins, bobbins,  straight pins, bodkins, bits of bias and ric rac, sewing machine feet, buttons - the list goes on and on. 

Take a look at the contents of my 'bits and pieces' box....

There had to be a better system!

Searching in the spare room (Lizzy calls it the 'messy room' for obvious reasons!)  for Martin's shoes, I came across 24 metal tins that were the perfect size for all my tiny sewing bits.   I spent the afternoon sorting and loved the fact that all of my things were neat and organised.  But then, how to organise the tins?

I found my solution at Ikea.  (is there anything you can't find at Ikea?) A magnetic metal board and some tiny magnets.   Add some spray glue and some grey spotted fabric from my stash...

and voila - a magnetic bits and pieces wall storage solution!

I love it and it's inspired me to keep the whole sewing room under control.  Does anyone have  any tips and hints  for a girl who needs a bit of organisation remediation?

What do you get when you take five beginner sewists, give them four hours of help and the versatile Sis Boom Sophie Tunic pattern?  Five beautiful, totally unique tunics and a lovely morning of sewing and chat.

Check these out!

It's amazing what people can produce with some time, patience, a little bit of help and a whole lot of encouragement  from their sewing companions.

We don't often write about our sewing classes, but they are something that we both love and are passionate about. Obviously, introducing people to the world of patterns and fabric, sewing machines and notions is our major focus.  But what we've discovered incidentally is how much of a pleasure it is to sew as part of a group.  

There is something lovely about having someone to chat with as you work your way through a pattern, someone to share your excitement as you conquer a top stitched facing,  someone to laugh with you as you unpick yet  another wonky seam... and for us, this sense of community is what sewing (and we're) all about.
 
To Lyndall, Elise, Mary, Martina and Kylie - you all did a great job this morning and we really enjoyed sewing together with you!

Isn't it interesting how our fears and worries change as we grow older?

Madeleine still doesn't like stories about wolves or anything else she deems scary, but ask her about sewing and she has no fear! "Mum, when can you show me how to make a zippered purse..... I want to make Pippi a quilt for her birthday, so I think I will ask Granny to show me...... I like your Japanese embroidery book, I'm going to make a pencil case with a Hula girl, a hibiscus and some sea shells on it...." Many of these projects are never started, let alone finished. However Madeleine has this quiet confidence that she can sew. It is not a scary unknown to her. She feels that if there is something she can't do yet, it won't be long before she can.

I think most adults have left behind their fears of the monster under the bed, but we often seem to have apprehensions that can hold us back. We feel that if we haven't actually been taught something, then we can't do it.

Take this picture for instance:

This is a pile of zippers. Yes, they do have teeth but they are not big ones and I don't think anyone has ever sustained a fatal bite from one. (Please, correct me if I am wrong!)

And this little guy:

It's a zipper foot. If you can use these two things a whole world of sewing opens up for you - bags and purses, skirts and dresses.

When I read blog comments and talk to people who come to our classes, the zipper and the zipper foot seem to be the monster in the sewing cupboard for many.

Many people think they can't put in a zipper but most haven't had the confidence to try. Our beginner students are amazed and then thrilled when we show them how to make a zippered purse in their second class. But you don't have to learn these skills in a class. You can ask a friend or family member to show you. And if you don't know someone who can help you, there are so many amazing resources on the web - pictorial tutes and videos.

What have you got to lose? An hour of your time, a $2 zip and some fabric scraps. If you are successful, you'll have a bounce in your step for the rest of the day and a huge new list of sewing projects you'll want to try. And if you're not, chalk it up to experience and schedule some time to have another go.

My current monster in the sewing cupboard is sewing cloths for myself. At university, I played around with board short patterns and party dresses. More recently I have made a few skirts. I have a long list of patterns I want to try but never quite find the time (read confidence!) to give them a go. I am willing to sew complicated stuff for my kids, but there is that monster growling at me from the cupboard when it comes to sewing for myself. I worry about the fit. I don't want to look homemade!

But, I have decided that monster has to go!!  I am working on an Amy Butler Liverpool shirt and have pulled out the Japanese pattern books, in an attempt to make myself a large part of my winter wardrobe.

Anyone else have a sewing monster that needs banishing? I'd love to hear about it. Maybe we could help each other along. Let's not let our monsters stop us from trying new things!

I seem to have lost my creative inspiration somewhere between a modge podge tray project gone bad and a yard of  of Japanese fabric that has been re-cut so many times that I may now (just) have a piece big enough to cover a hairband for Lizzy.
While trying to find it somewhere in the craft blogosphere, I did rediscover two loves (and perhaps my inspiration?)- ric rac and zig zag.

How gorgeous are these projects ?

Aesthetic Nest's ric rac dish towels

The Purl Bee's Spring Napkins

The Polka Dot Chair's Zig Zag Skirt

Craftypod's  ric rac lamp

and the piece de resistance...

Red Pepper quilts' Zig Zag quilt. (This is what I want to make for Mart's room!)

There is something so intrinsically appealing about ric rac. It's timelessness  makes me think of my grandmother's aprons and scones, but it's still a little bit chic.

Actually, so was my grandmother!