Yes I’m still obsessed with whales. Here are some more drafts, arranged in order of most recent.
I’m pretty happy with the first one, though perhaps he needs something more. What do you think?
Rachel
By the way this is my 99th post. The next one will be a giveaway!
This week I’m working on Christmas stockings (good grief) and Robots.
This weekend my creative space is going to go through a major overhaul. At the moment it is so untidy and nothing is laid out well. I can’t find anything! So I think I need to rearrange things. I hope to post some pictures of a reinvigorated space next week. I think I’ll also be doing some destashing and I’ll be having a giveaway next week, so stay tuned.
Thanks to Kirsty for hosting the creative space party.
Rachel
Saturday was spent making whales.
I made FIVE. Mind you none of them are saleable, but I’m pretty sure I have come up with the finished pattern. I find prototyping such a lengthy process, and sometimes it takes so long that when I have finished the final version I’m sick of the sight of the softie.
Often though they can be funny… for instance the Cowie that resembled Kevin Rudd, or this Whale which has a tadpole look.
Anyhow I hope to have some completed final version whales to show you soon!
Rachel
Some cool Japanese dogs purchased from Amy at Mathilda’s Market yesterday. The dog reminds me of the one from Snatch, which incidently is one of CountryDan’s favourite movies.
Tam is hosting the stash party here.
Rachel
I finally finished the busy red quilt this weekend. It was for my sister to celebrate her engagement. She loves bright colours and bold prints. I am really happy with it.
This quilt is throw sized, and from my own pattern. I used a variety of red and some pink and white prints. It was machine quilted in the ditch using the walking foot of my lovely new Bernie (for the first time).
Rachel
ps Apologies for the photos…. I need to take some more outside to better capture the whole quilt and the backing.
Funny hats
I was recently asked to consider making some ‘eco’ softies for a local store, and its been something I have been thinking a lot about lately. To be honest I know very little about fabric production methods, and bugger all about how hobbyfill is made. So far almost my softies have been mostly made of all new materials (that are pre-washed in phosphate free detergent) and are all stuffed with polyfil.
On the internet I have found it hard to find simple and clear information. From some reading it seems clear that world wide there is little clear definition around what constitutes a ‘organic fabric’, and the dyes used on it, and even less information on stuffing.
To clarify when I say ‘eco’ to me this means made with the environment in mind; either produced from environmentally sustainable material, using recycled materials, but also produced using locally obtained materials. There seems little point in using organic materials if they are all shipped over from the other side of the world. Is this what everyone else thinks?
So I have done some research on production of ‘eco’ softies from a cost and convenience perspective and would love if any of you wanted to share your ideas and opinions.
Fabric options:
As far as I can tell there are three options for fabric.
Organic printed fabric – can be expensive starting at around $16 US a yard (compared to around $8)
Locally screenprinted fabric- again can be expensive but most seem to be screenprinted on environmentally friendly fabric with gentle inks.
Recycled fabric from clothes, sheets etc. Requires a bit of luck and a lot of fossicking in Op shops… the fun bit.
Filling
So far stuffing seems to be a sticking point. The closest I could find was pure wool stuffing which is again expensive at $35 p kg (including the $10 for postage as it’s from Victoria). I have noticed some overseas softie makers using polyfil made from recycled plastic bottles but I can’t seem to source this locally. Does anyone know of any other filling types available in Australia?
Selling
Is there a market for ‘eco’ softies outside of specific stores that specialise in this sort of thing. Has anyone who sells handmade goods ever been asked about ‘environmentally friendly’ options? As a purchaser is this something that would change your buying decision in handmade goods such a soft toys?
Here are some interesting links on these issues
Thursday, I don’t care about you
The role of Organic production in the cotton industry
“Certified organic clothing” what does it mean?
I’d love to hear what y’all think
Rachel
So at this point in the relationship surely its fair to unleash a few truths about myself.
The first thing is that I am a grot very untidy person. Usually this works for me. It’s the way I live, and try as I might to be tidy it just doesn’t happen. So in many ways I have learnt to work around my messiness. However when it comes to crafting it would seem that untidiness and poor organisation are not good habits.
This is what currently sits atop my sewing desk…
My chair…
and my drawers…
And so here is my second confession. Most pictures on my blog involve significant styling. There I’ve said it.. surely most blogger’s dirty little secret. We can’t all be craft princesses, awesome mothers, and tidy domestic goddesses as well.
Anyhow in my creative space; Cowies awaiting faces, and horns and ears. A hippo for the kids that has been waiting for the power of vision for a while. And more robots and lions. Which brings me to my third truth… I can be lazy, which explains my lack of blogging lately. Will try harder.
More (probably) tidy creative spaces here…
Rachel
So I got my new machine the other day. It’s a Bernina Activa 230 PE. I love it already it runs so quietly and smoothly. Of course it’s already being affectionately known as Bernie. By the way check out the fantastic storage case in the background that houses the presser feet, bobbin etc.
Rachel
These softies and many others are now in the my shops on 