What I'm working on

I thought it was high time I dropped in to give you an update of what I've been doing since my last post.  I didn't realise how long it's been.  I've been so busy starting projects but unfortunately not getting any of them finished.  Note to self; I must try harder to complete projects before starting new ones. One of those was a project for Jungle January of which I had everything ready to go, but got busy with extra hours at work and some health issues and it got put on hold and now I'm thinking it will have to wait until next summer.

Workshop sample - Whitework

I've also been working on an embroidery project from a workshop I did at the beginning of March and that's still a work in progress.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?  I've been working on a cross stitch as well.  Please tell me I'm not the only one who works on several projects at the same time.

With our Racing Carnival coming up in May I need an outfit to wear and I'm currently working on that.  I decided I wanted to make a coat this year from a pattern I purchased in 2009 but haven't made up yet.  This is my first time making a coat; surprising really since I've been sewing for so long.  I guess it's one of those things that scare me.  I'm not sure why but it does. Anyway, I figured if I'm going to go to the effort of making a coat I wanted to do it properly. I often have issues with fit because I'm lazy and don't do all the adjustments and make a muslin like I should before I cut my fabric but I really want to do this right.  I've made two muslins and think it's a pretty good fit.

I selected a nice jaquard fabric and washed it according to the instructions on the bolt.  I never pre-treat my fabric before sewing but there's a first time for everything and boy am I glad I decided to do it.  The result...

I cant believe how much it SHRANK!  15 cm!! Yes you read that right. 15cm across the width.  I don't know what I lost in the length.  It never occurred to me to measure it, not being something I usually do and all that, until I had cut half of the pieces out at which time I realised I didn't have enough fabric.  OMG what do I do now!  Maybe there is still some left; at the very least I have to let the store know about this.  I raced back to the store and yes they had some left.  Phew!  Breathe a sigh of relief.  They gave me the rest of the bolt - 1.8 meters, at no charge.  I hope there wont be any more problems like this to give me more reason to be scared of making coats, or maybe that's part of the challenge I have to come to terms with. 

Do you have a fear of making certain garments?  Are your fears justified?  Do share what they are in the comments.

Shopping tote

Everyone needs a shopping tote, for all those 'little' fabric purchases! No?  I thought so.  I know I do.  I hate those plastic bags the shops give you.  They always seem to get little holes in them either because of sharp corners from all the items that come with packaging or from the weight of all the fabric you've purchased :)  So, I made one!

I had this furnishing fabric in my stash and thought it was good and sturdy enough for making a bag.  I paired it with a drill for the handles and gusset.  I didn't use interfacing as it had enough weight without it.

The lining used for my bag is a quilting fabric from my stash.  I tried it out today and it was perfect for carrying my goodies.

So, have you made any quick projects lately?

Buy Nothing New Month

Have you taken the challenge?  I have!

"I pledge to beg, borrow, barter, swap and Buy Nothing New throughout October."

Living a sustainable lifestyle is a subject I feel quite strongly about.  Our daily choices have an impact on the world around us.  In my everyday life I strive to lighten my footprint on our planet by recycling items that no longer serve their original purpose.  I don't see the point in spending my hard earned cash unnecessarily, especially on items not intended to last more than a month or two, as I'm sure you all don't.  As this is a sewing blog I won't go into a great debate about these issues here but I do encourage you all to think about how you spend your money and what you spend it on.  Is it necessary or can you make do without?  Perhaps you can recycle/refashion something to achieve the desired outcome. 

Having taken this pledge I will not purchase any new items (apart from essentials, food etc) for the month of October.  Therefore, I will not be purchasing any new fabric unless it is thrifted, however I don't think this will have any impact on my sewing as I already have a large stash of Spring/Summer fabrics just waiting to be stitched into garments.

Frugal living with a make do and mend attitude is a sustainable lifestyle so why not follow the link and take the pledge.  Just think of it as a stress free, low impact savings plan.  Are you with me?