Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Classes will probably start January 16, but I will send out and email and Calender in the new Year with all the details.

In the meantime, if you are interested in starting to Sew With Wendy, send me an email or join up to my mailing list through facebook.

Email Wendy@sewingwithwendy.com.au

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sewing-With-Wendy/117067381703901

A few photos from the last month

I decided I needed a new apron for Christmas. I've had Kwik Sew 3787 for ages. So I rummaged through my stash and came up with green gingham and pale pink homespun. A subtle combination for Christmas, but also suitable for other occasions. I'm very pleased, it's so pretty.

Dance costumes - there was definitely lots of red, white and blue in the Studio during the final weeks of costume prep.  Surprisingly the sparkly blue was quite easy to sew and it didn't fray like we all expected. There was still glitter and sequins and sparkles to vacuum up after class though.

The BeauDance Academy end of year concert was very good. It was the story of a little girls birthday party, and while playing pin the wand on the fairy, the birthday girl was transported around the world of dance. She went to Asia, Africa, America, Europe, and the Arctic. Lots of variety. 

 Kate made a simple cool top for Summer from a lovely cotton

she picked up at a garage sale.

Rather than putting a button and loop at the back opening, we decided to stitch the flaps down and create visual interest instead.

Buttons could be used rather than simply stitching, but we decided the fabric was patterned enough without them.

  

Emma-Lisa made a few retro stuffed toys for the Darlington Markets.

She used vintage fabrics including a chenille bedspread. 

They were gorgeous.

Christmas Embroidery

Personalised Embroidered Towels - perfect Christmas gifts

Quick turn around on stock towels

Colours include Baby blue, Baby pink, Royal, Fuschia, Cherry, Lime,

Forest, Chocolate, Cream, White

Towels with names embroidered start at $25 + postage

Towels with names and picture embroidered start at $30 + postage

Standard bath towels 450gms

For more details email Wendy@sewingwithwendy.com.au

Custom made baby sheets

Locally made standard or custom sized cot and bassinet sheets.

Go to Glenda's ebay shop 

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Custom-Size-Baby-Sheets

Last week's classes

Emma-lisa is making a pretty summer dress for her daughter from a tablecloth.

Kelly is making another pair of yoga pants.

Maggie and Georgia are making patchwork covers for their sewing machines.

Gift ideas

Emma-lisa is making cutlery rolls as gifts, using upcycled fabric

A Quick and easy project idea

Weekender Bags

Ellen's bag is looking very pretty in pink

Marg's spotty bag is ready for a weekend away

Free motion quilting

Sue's first attempt at free motion quilting

She had lots of fun and did a really good job

Christmas is coming ...

Marg is working on a Appliqued Christmas Tablecloth

with cheery Santa faces

Techniques

Applying binding

Strip piecing

Gathering

Unpicking

Teenage Classes

Boxer shorts

Hanging Pockets

Zippered Pencil Case
Pressing Hems

Today in class...

Donna started her first quilt and Natalie started some hanging pockets

Australian Sewing Guild - Industry Day

Had a fabulous day in Toowoomba recently.

The day was hosted by the Darling Downs Region, and they did a great job. The ladies in the kitchen put on a delicious spread for morning tea and lunch.

There were 3 Presenters Maureen Thompson, Martyn Smith and Suzanne Gray.

Maureen has just retired from Scafs at Indooroopilly. She has previously produced a book on designing your own skirts from a simple pattern or using no pattern. She presented her next book on Designing bodices. Maureen presented in a way that is easy to understand and her book has ALL the details and pictures to make it easy to do at home. I purchased a copy and need to set about making myself some bodices (or they may become dresses).

Bodices by You by Maureen Thompson

Martyn Smith's presentation was all about interfacing. McCalls have developed some lovely new interfacings, that at the moment are available through Spotlight. I will be ordering some to have on hand for classes next month.

The most important thing Martyn said (more than once) was

DO NOT USE STEAM to apply your interfacing. Ideally use a press, but an iron will work if it is hot enough 185 approx. cotton to linen setting for 16 - 20 seconds. The disadvantage of the iron is the plate is usually full of holes (for steam). So if you have a solid plate use it instead. Let the interfaced piece sit and cool before you move it carefully without getting your fingerprints on the piece (use the seam edges). Ideally use a separate padded board for applying interfacing because your ironing board will be full of moisture form all that steam you use when pressing fabric and garments.

Names of new interfacings

Suzanne Gray specializes in Fractured Knits. She uses a variety of knits and jerseys, prints and plains to create gorgeous jackets and shirts.These can be made from a basic t-shirt or cardigan pattern. Suzanne was full of tips and tricks for sewing with knits and creating one of a kind designs.

A small selection of Suzanne's ideas

Beaudesert Show 2013

Beaudesert Show - Needlework Section 2013

This was my first year as Chief Steward for the

Needlework Section at the Beaudesert Show. 

I enjoyed it very much, learned a few things,

will change a few things, took note of a few things. 

It was interesting listening to the judges comments as she worked her way through the entries. Some comments worth noting include

make sure you adhere to the Class title.

For example a "soft toy" must be for playing with and cuddling,

otherwise it's not a toy.

Size restrictions must be adhered to.

Attention to detail decides the winner.

Press, press, press! ( I think I say that one a lot too)

If the Class specifies an item "not mentioned" you shouldn't enter something that belongs in another class (even if you are limited to 2 items).

It was great to see some of my students work entered.

Juanita's skeleton shirt for her husband came second.

Ellen's Log Cabin Quilt came first in the Novice section and also

received the Encouragement Award.

Esther did well with the dress she made for her Year 7 Graduation.

Maggie and Georgia both did well in the Primary School section.

Maddison (not a student of mine) is 12 years old and does the most amazing work. She sews and smocks beautifully. Her Mother and Grandmother are both very talented and have taught her well. I think it is wonderful to have 3 generations of talented sewers who share their skills.

Lesley's tutu performed well (pardon the pun LOL), though

I didn't teach her that one.

Marg's teddy bear delighted the judge so much, he won Grand Champion.

There were some new faces this year which is terrific.
There are so many talented people around here, and we really need

to encourage them all to enter.

Remember - there is no Show without entries.

So watch out, because next year I'll be chasing your entries. LOL

Beaudesert Show - Needlework Section 2013

Miss Universe - Designer Gowns or What?

Interesting choices. Made by designers ( what is a designer by the way?), but seriously, are these gowns suitable for Miss Universe to wear representing Australia? The blue frilly gown has elegant foundations, but is way to frilly and fluffy to carry off true elegance. The Wattle dress looks like it's been through the mulcher, and the other 2 belong in the bedroom. Hardly a national costume. What has happened to stylish dressing? The black outfit is not much different to Miley Cyrus's white outfit this week, and it didn't get any good reviews. There are some fabulous Australian designers whose work is stylish and elegant. I wonder why they didn't make the cut? Maybe they didn't enter.

Just my opinion. What did you think?

Sewn in class

Check out Em's pockets

Cushion made from a retro tablecloth

Tunics and dresses

Found some lost photos

Today I spent a couple of hours trying to sort my digital photos.

They seem to be stored all over the place.

As a result, I found a couple of class pics from earlier in the year.

A Crazy Patch Santa Stocking.

Kate made some bunting and Emma-Lisa made some peasant style dresses to sell at the Darlington Markets.

Teen and Children's Classes this week

New teens class with Natalie, Alyssa, and Misa who was visiting from Japan.

The girls all chose lovely bright colours for their cushions.

Georgia made a satchel from some very pretty fabrics.

I forgot to take a photo of the lining. Oops.

Esther and Maggie have mad diary covers.

They'd all make great entries in the Beaudesert Show.

Don't forget entires must be received by August 30.

Recent Embroidery Jobs

For a dedicated Coach

Daughters of Dairy Farmers are going

 to be on TODAY on TV.

These shirts are currently competing in the National Barrel Horse Association comp in Brazil

This week in class ...

The girls chose bright colours to make their first sewing project.

 

Jan has made a special quilt for baby Summer

Embroidery in progress

Happy Birthday Georgia

Georgia was very lucky to receive an overlocker for her birthday.

She has not used one before in class, so I quickly designed a very easy cushion cover that she has sewn entirely on her new overlocker.

Well done Georgia - nothing to be scared of!

Sewing on a Saturday

Sue has joined my Saturday morning classes, and is

making a colourful wallhanging.

Saturday mornings are general sewing so if you'd like to join us, send me an email wendy@sewingwithwendy.com.au

DTG Canvas Print

A practice print - a photo onto canvas.

Looks terrific in real life.

What would you print on a canvas?

Maggie and Geogia's Projects

Maggie and Georgia are both 10 years old.

Here are some of their projects so far.

Hanging Pockets
Fabric Boxes

Elastic Waisted Skirt

Reversible Satchel

Bags

Anne made her satchel from wool blanket left over from my dressing gown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ellen and Marg made beaded handbags in class.

Handbag created using fabric weaving techniques.

Embroideries - recent special orders

Baby Boy Cot Quilt For Sale

Baby Boy Quilt For Sale on eBay
I made this quilt for display, but it has not been used.
Go To http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300937690901?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

Interesting Photograph for a Plus Size Pattern

This is a gorgeous dress pattern, on a gorgeous model.
So what size do you think the pattern comes in?
6-16?
Nope - way to small.
It is 18W to 24W.
Who would have thought!
A little bit misleading I think.
I wish pattern companies would use real sized models
for their Plus Size patterns. Well actually, real sized models for
all their patterns would be ideal.
Check out the other views at the link below.

http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6801-products-47110.php?page_id=101

Term 3 Newsletter - Classes starting SOON

Click on this link to go to my latest Newsletter
http://mad.ly/0a62d3

Class Pics

 

 Juanita made Nemo toy bags for here Grandaughter

Maggie and Georgia made Hanging Pockets & Fabric Boxes

Marg's Beaded Handbag

 

Kate made an easy fit dress or over shirt

Juanita made a funky skeleton shirt for her husband