Giant Preying Mantis

He is approximately 25 cm  (10 inches)  long

The Sewing Workshop Patterns

I decided to purchase The Sewing Workshop Sew Confident Course with 3 Patterns.  Although I have been sewing for a long time I know that often I cut corners.  When I was younger I liked to make 'going' out clothes that I might only wear a few times, (or for that night) and did not always use the best sewing techniques.  Now I want to make fabulous everyday clothes and am revisiting basic sewing techniques.  This course does it for me and I am happy to be doing things differently.

The T-shirt pattern fits really well and I have few more cut out and ready to go.

Two T-Shirts

http://sewingworkshop.com/linda-lee/sew-confident

Dressing Gown

   I purchased the painted silk velvet from Beckford Silk in the UK  and really wanted to use it but was unsure of what to make.  Came across this in Burda 1/2012 .  I am really liking Plus size patterns....is it a sign of my age?  Decided to use the silk rather then hoard it, and had the blue/green for the trims already in my stash.
   This garment was included in my SWAP 2012.

Burda 1/2012

Detail of the silk velvet

Completed Dressing Gown.  

Duster Coat

Duster Coat

    Found this out of print  'Cutting Line' pattern on the Vogue Fabric web site and decided to buy it.  I made it from grey tencel and included it in my SWAP.  I really like the back and the splits but prefer a collar and set in sleeves for my jackets/coats.
    I really like sewing Cutting Line patterns as the way they go together is very different then what I am used to.   No, I doubt if I would sew this pattern again.

Detail of the front

I love the back with the drawstring

This is the true COLOUR

SWAP 2012

http://www.cuttinglinedesigns.com/    I decide to make a few Cutting Line Design patterns up for the Swap.  I have already blogged about the "Blouse Perfect "and "Anything But Ordinary" shirt. Here a few more.  Both patterns went together really well and I love them.  The overshirt is a little big however I like to wear it to the beach.

Shell made from a red linen

                                                                     

Red Linen top

Detail of the front 

GIANT SNAP PRESS

SNAP PRESS

SANTA gave me this! also good for using as a weight to hold steady that slippery fabric.

SWAP2012

Have not been in paid employment since February, and really enjoying not working.  It is great to enjoy your own thoughts and to day dream,   even better to sew and sew and sew....

I have struggled with this SWAP. (and the last one)!  The rules require we select 7 items from the list of clothing types and make 4 of these twice,  11 pieces in total.  The idea is to select classic? TNT (tried and true patterns) that can be used over and over again.

THE DRESS

Burda Magazine 6/2008

 This  fabric was from Chic Fabric at Erina.  It is a synthetic with a metal thread running through it, which gives it a crinkled casual look and is impossible to iron.  I look forward to making this dress again in really nice shiny dark navy silk with gold teeth in the zip!

I got up enough courage to add metal holes and snaps.  I need to show you what Santa gave to me for Xmas .... and industrial snap machine,  makes snap making easy.