At tafe I learnt lots of tips and tricks for sewing. Most I've forgotten now because I just don't use them. But there was one that I struggled with every time we did it. It was a neat way of finishing off a facing at a zip, with a sneaky little fold. I've been trying to remember it for weeks now, every time I finish off a skirt I have a go but no I just have to do the best I can. 

And then, this week I was lying in bed when it just popped into my head, I just remembered it!!  And it's actually pretty easy!! Gosh! I'm almost an expert now after finishing off 6 skirts. 

Till the next batch....

Update but not of fabric and some vintage interiors.

As you may or may not know, I'm in the final throws of a Certificate IV at Tafe in 

Fashion Design. A whole world has opened up, a world I've wanted to be part of 

for a very long time. I'm flat out and apologise for not having much to say, well 

I have lots but no time to say it in. 

Running a small business, studying full time

and being (single) mother take up pretty much every second I have. 

But I keep saying 'it's only one year' and that year is almost over. I have a 

work placement to complete with Sally Smith, and three final big assignments. Then after the Christmas

holidays I'll be back to my usual stuff with lots and lots of ideas for sewing with and for 

selling vintage fabrics. 

Recently I did manage to get a bit done on the website, 

a bit of streamlining, it far from how I'd like it but that has to wait till next year. 

 I've removed most of the sub categories in the 

belief that you might more easily stumble on something new 

and interesting as you browse though all the fabric and I think people get bored of seeing

the same old thing.

But if I get feedback that it's not working, it's an easy change back

or I might go a completely different route. 

Thanks for reading, thank you for choosing me to purchase your

fabrics from and for helping me grow my business. I feel very grateful

to still be doing what I love and not feeling like it's work, 11 years down the track.

If you want snippets and random images of that I am up to

please check me out on Facebook (vintage fabric addict).

I try to stick to sewing and fabric but often get distracted.

Cheers Elizabeth

And now for some lovely vintage interiors.

HOLIDAYS!

I hope I haven't given the impression that I'm sailing smoothly along here.

It's hard, very hard to keep all the balls in the air. 

Today I talked it over with a friend in my class and she's feeling the same way. 

I've thought numerous times of quitting.

As she said 'the important things are being left undone'

Time with our kids, helping out with school, fitness, health and visiting older relatives.

Last week on Friday I was close to tears in class, it was so hard and just full on!

So while I recommend it to anyone, be prepared for your life to start becoming 

very regimented and at the same time messy. 

Like this studio-office-storage room. 

It's a disaster and one of my holiday projects is to get it organised again

so I don't feel like I'm totally loosing the plot!

Happy Holidays!!

I can't believe....

It took me 6 hours to 'whip up' these two simple skirts yesterday in class. 

They were meant to have a frill at the hem in the contrasting fabric but I ran out of time. 

6 hours!! I have a long way to go...

Not so perfect invisible zip.
Unpicked 3 times!!
This is where the time went. 

Ah! That's more like it. 

Hey Look What I Made: Sewing: Market Bag & Pyjamas: TAFE

Our first project this year was a pencil case, well I'm not going to show that 

because I've made lots of those. 

But I'm pretty proud to say I also made a big lined market bag. 

Not 100% in love with how it turned out but you know I can live with it. 

Or maybe I'll sell it. 

The fabric is pretty great though. 

And this morning I just finished off a pair of pyjamas for BossyGirl's Birthday present. 

And I'm pretty happy with them. She loves them too. 

They are meant to be a 'matching' set, note the red dotty fabric inside the pockets 

and the matching trim. That gingham trim is just adorable.

I love sewing!

I can feel my brain working! and a few New Fabrics

As you might guess my life is pretty full-on at the moment. 

I know we are trying to fit too much into the days

because I'm feeling very stressed.

Two styles of dance, music, drama, film society and a school production

added to me running a business and being at Tafe three days of the week 

and well....I'm not sure I can handle it. 

But so far I am. 

Pattern drafting and Pattern altering is pretty logical

but boy it works your brain! I can feel it.

 And by about 2pm, I'm feeling usually

Brain Dead and so ready for a nap!!

But it will improve the more I get used to it. 

Today we sew and that's usually pretty breezy!

In between all that...

I managed to get a few new fabrics onto the website yesterday

and today. 

I lucky break and New Fabrics!

I went to my (Fashion Design & Technology) class orientation day yesterday. 

And the best thing has happened,

the course has been restructured so that 

we do only 3 days instead of 5...

long days, but that means I can get so much done at home

and with the business as well...you should notice no difference.

So there was no need for all that panic!

I'm working on old stock from a closed down fabric store.

Lots of funky polyester jerseys and some really kooky Kaldors.

The last four here are from that lot.

I should go away more often! The Future and New Fabrics.

Sales up, Website hits up.

Vacation Notice up.

A guaranteed way to create more sales is to go on holiday.

Why is that??But hey I'm not complaining!! 

We are now back from our little Byron Bay experience.

 It rained and rained and so that means only one thing, a gourmet tour of the region. 

We took a 'rain check' on my sister's birthday present to me, her red Audi convertible and I'm glad as we would have had no chance to use all the features!! So I left the spotty head scarf at home and I'll take up that offer another time.

Byron, Brunswick and Bangalow were all lovely places, a lot has changed but the vibe remains the same. We felt safe and welcomed by all the lovely people. I have to say they have some of the best shop assistants I've ever come across. There is lots of great shops and food all over the place. 

We saw this fab movie: http://sff.org.au/films-container/i%E2%80%99m-not-dead-yet/ and our Chad Morgan loving friends - we now 'get it'. We attended a singing work shop with this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEKME9i-MsE and came out feeling uplifted!! Lots more food, more shopping....discovered this really cute shop: https://www.facebook.com/fabulousmrsfox.shop and this one too: http://www.lazybones.com.au/. 

On the last day we renewed our spirits at the Chrystal Castle: http://www.crystalcastle.com.au/ ready for the long trip home.

I feel like I've really had a break proper and I'm ready for the new year ahead with 

lots of plans and energy. 

Gourmet burger at Bangalow BangBurgerBar

Our accommodation was superb!

Soaking it up.

Overall BossyGirl and I have had an amazing holiday period, we've seen lots of old friends and had a couple of trips away. There have been lots of sleepovers for Bossy which means lots of me-time for me. 

Bossy heads off to a new school in a week and I feel that we've celebrated the end of an era for her. 

She has a new and exciting future at a school where the goal is to send kids home excited about what they have learnt, not dumbing them down so they drag their feet and and cry 'I'm so bored'.

I'm off to school again. It's time for certificate IV in Fashion Design and Technology and I'm beside myself with excitement!! I can't wait to share that with you.

But  today it's business as usual, I'm adding more fabric onto the website, I must get more sewing patterns onto ebay if I can and then I have to start packing the huge pile of orders since I've promised they will all be posted on Monday.

I hope your'e feeling as good as we are.

Happy 2012!!

New website fabrics for today: