You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘my creative space’ category.
In my creative space today…..
A new batch of softies
including some newbies and some old favourites
and a half watched First Season DVD of Big Love… Oh how I love this show…
What do you think of the new softies, does the Moustache Man take your fancy?
To check out more creative spaces stop by at Kirsty’s.
Rachel
For me one of the best things about moving, has been getting my very own sewing room. I have never had such a luxury and previously sewed and ran my softie business out of a corner table in my bedroom and loungeroom. This has meant that sewing hasn’t always been easy and if you have to get the machine out and put it away after each time you use it this can be pretty off-putting.
So I have the third bedroom which is lovely. It’s on the shady side of the house and overlooks the side garden. It has a ceiling fan and a built-in wardrobe which is full of Dan’s clothes. Unfortunately this house has very little storage, and no linen press so the room also has to store all our excess linen.
We painted the room whisper white like the rest of the house. Dan built me some shelves in the corner as previously all my fabric was in tubs on the floor.
I need to make a curtain to go across the front . I am think a bright Ikea print fabric would look great. I love how empty they look. I won’t feel so guilty next time I buy fabric. The tubs on the bottom levels contain my softie fabrics, and fabrics that I have earmarked to make things for the kids. The upper levels have all my dress – making fabrics.
Previously I had a small vintage table which had my sewing machine and overlocker on it. It was very crowded. We bought a desk for $10.50 on ebay… its huge.
It’s in pretty good condition and extremely solid. I plan to do something to it to make it a bit prettier but I am not entirely sure what yet. Any ideas. Look at the pretty view out the window, past our garden shed, it is a council reserve.
The small desk is on the other side with my overlocker and its bits and bobs.
These shelves house all my sewing books, patterns, and copies of my published softie patterns, along with lots of other random stuff. Hmm I probably could have tidied these for the photo a little, oh well. In case you a wondering the painting is by my 13 year old sister… she’s very talented.
So there you have it a tour of my sewing room… somewhat warts and all. I love it though. It makes going in to sew for long or short periods of time so much easier, and the kids haven’t set foot near my machines for some time. When they were in the loungeroom there was just way too much temptation. It has also lead to loads of productivity and I have been sewing more than ever. Hopefully I’ll take some photos taken in the next day or so, so I can show you what I been working on.
What do you think?
Rachel
Well my Burda 131 denim skirt was coming along nicely, the invisible zip is , well invisible.
and the waistband is looking fantastic
and so it was with much excitement that I tried it on at 10.30pm last night… And it was too big. Because of the construction method in the instructions (and I am generally vague after 8.30pm) I hadn’t checked fit until after I had put in my zipper and sewed the facing down. Doh!
Its only about 1cm on either side out, but to be honest I am not sure if I will bother to unpick the waistband and zipper to take it in. It was op shop denim which I also think was a little too heavy for the skirt, and frankly the most expensive part of the skirt was the $2.50 zip. I have put in invisible zips a few times before and always had lots of trouble… this time I followed a Sunni’s guidelines and also the recommendations in Sew U and it was a breeze, and is really neat.
I have finished a somewhat wearable muslin for Butterick 5211 and am about to start on the finished version. I found that the size 14 is perfect on the top but I had to blend down to a 12 for my waist and hips. Hopefully I’ll have that to show soon.
In other news I found a funny little fabric shop opposite the boys kindy. Basically it is in a garage and is filled will all sorts of SUPER cheap fabric. I purchased all this (in 2-3 metre pieces for) $23 dollars
and this
The last two are slightly crazy prints but the colours are gorgeous and I think they’d look great made into a very simple design.
I also received a package from Quilthome the other day it included
Anna Maria Horner volumes which I plan to make a summer skirt out of…
and these fabrics
which will hopefully look as cute as this skirt
So that’s all my news… Have I mentioned that in the new house I am going to have a sewing room. I have been stickybeaking at some great ones here and also admiring Karin’s.
Rachel
Today I’m thinking of Robot’s again, imagining fat ones, skinny ones, good ones, and evil ones. They will be part of a new crafty endeavour I am planning. 
I loved these shows as a child!
I’m also putting the final touches onto my whale pattern which will be ready next week, and planning a store update. Also I’ve been looking at the group Japanese patterns on Adults on Flickr and I’m itching to make something like this or this. Not sure If I could pull them off though. Thanks goodness its a sunny day in Sydney today. The kids are a little sick and I have no car today so we’ve been a little housebound, at least today we can go for a nice walk!
Hope you all have a great creative Thursday! As always thanks to Kirsty.
Rachel
Well then, my creative space this week has been super busy.
I am currently working on writing a pattern for my Moby Whale which will be available as a PDF download through my online store. I am super excited about it.
I am also working on pants for the boys (again)
I am a little addicted to making pants for them, this is my 6th pair. At the moment I am tweaking my pattern to make a ‘perfect’ toddler pant. I am learning that:
-my two year old needs pants that are a little higher at the back to accomodate his nappy
-I like a straightleg
-I really, really want an overlocker
-the 3 and a half year looks better with a proper flat front, and waistband
-his butt is superflat so his pants don’t need to be too deep
This pair are made from charcoal denim that I picked up from the oppy. A 4 metre piece for $15, which is a bargain. The feature fabric is a linen kawaii print ordered from karaku
I am also thinking of a simple project that I can take away with me… we are headed to North Queensland on Monday for a week and I’d like something simple to do. I’m thinking embroidery. I love these comfort stitching patterns.
As usual a big thanks to Kirsty for hosting
Rachel
I just finished off these two mini bunnies for a custom order that are going to be someone’s Easter present. Aren’t they cute I think I might even make one for myself…
Also in my space today…
Some new Kawaii goodness from Karaku. I have bought from Karaku many times and I can’t recommend them highly enough, their customer service is fantastic, they has a great range, and shipping is so fast (I ordered these on Saturday and they arrived from Japan this morning).
And
notice my little blue owl in the corner… My Oliver Owl pattern is featured in Patchwork and STitching magazine which I think goes on sale tomorrow. I am SO Excited…
To see some more productive creative spaces… head over to Kirsty’s
Rachel
In my creative space today(in no specific order)….
the beginnings of a cold I think…
a packet of mint slice biscuits lefts over from last nights Inner West craft room
arms and legs
a new idea
2 toddlers (one of which keeps kicking me off my desk chair)
10 kg of stuffing
sketches of robots
empty bunny and space cadet bodies (to see some full ones check out my shop)
Whats in your creative space today?
To see some others visit Kirsty…
Rachel
This week in my creative space is my softie line-up. They are haemorrhaging stuffing and in the midst of being sewn up. I usually like to watch TV while I stuff softies, and I like to sit them along the top of the couch as I hand sew each one up. I like to imagine them as Charactors in a law and order style crime show.
Lawyer to the witness: “which one stole the carrot?”.
So this afternoon my job is to sit on the couch and finish these guys. They are headed to Mathilda’s market on Saturday with Stav from My Messy Room, they are also in my shop.
As always thanks to Kirsty for hosting….
Rachel
As always this week I am working on Cowies. These are some of the last ones you are likely to see because after this batch is complete I won’t be making any more for a while. The vintage red and black scarf and foam balls are going to become a new necklace.
In the boys’ creative space today is playdoh. I suspect there is also some in H’s stomach as well judging by the green around his mouth. Oh well…
Happy Thursday Creative spacers…
Thanks also to Kirsty as always for hosting.
Rachel
