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-the home of Simple, Speedy Sewing.

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Meri Blouse is a traditional dress worn in the Pacific Islands, originally introduced by missionaries I've heard. I made these four for a concert at church for some New Guinean ladies. The pattern cutting is very simple with little fabric wasted. And
To finish Me Made May, here's my favourite make of all time, worn by the lovely Emily. It's 5 metres of Ikea upholstery fabric, patternmaking uses subtraction cutting methods (google Julian Roberts, he has lots of free resources). As you can see from
What can I say? I'm in no danger of running out of handmade clothes for Me Made May (last count- more than 50 items in my wardrobe) but they are getting more...unusual. This flatpack shawl (it is a flat shape with armholes) was a college design proje
I made three of these dresses, because they look more complicated to make than they really are. This is black linen with a bit of sashiko stitching - cool to wear in summer or over a tee shirt when the temperatures go down. #memadewardrobe #sewers of

Stitches & Craft Show gets a makeover...

My craft show souvenirsCraft shows here in Brisvegas are often fairly ordinary affairs, with a good turnout from the over 60's.  But I'm pleased to report, when my sister-in-law Kia and I hit the Stitches & Craft show (www.stitchesandcraft.com.au)  yesterday, we were pleasantly surprised at some great stuff for sewing fans.

Entry was $16, but  found heaps of freebies after that...

  • Fashion Parades - Burda Style had a  parade of very cool clothes made from free and low cost patterns from their website.  And as for the Craft Parade - Where else could you see a black-leotard-wearing model carrying a sock monkey down the runway? ( I suppose the crafts can't walk down themselves!)

 

  • Craft Bars - Pull up a bar stool and sew a pincushion with Liberty of London fabrics.  You can also embroider a pair of handguns, a drum kit or (my choice) a shhhing librarian, courtesy of Sublime Stitching.

 

  • Incubator - A row of stalls from Indie Craft businesses - my favourite, Thread Den - a great Melbourne Sewing Lounge -  had vintage patterns and handmade clothes (fabulous 50's style swimsuits!) for sale.  Online store coming soon.

 

  • Reconstruction Zone - Lots of op-shop finds, buttons, trims, tools and a fleet of Brother sewing machines and overlockers to play with, thanks to Wardrobe Refashion.  Take a look at the set up here on their website.   A great concept, though I do think the addition of a few books like Megan Nikolay's Generation T  would've helped some of us get some ideas!

And when you need a rest, head upstairs to the cinema (we took our lunch up there, re-arranged the couches, let Kia's little boy Finn have a run around) and watch:-

  • Handmade Nation - a film about Indie Craft movement in America, based on the book of the same name.  My favourite bit - an interview with a great little business called Buy Olympia.  (Showing footage of their warehouse - " In the days before Pay Pal and Etsy, we'd stand right here packing orders, working out postage...then after 4 months, we bought a chair...)  Found that funny, and at the same time, dangerously close to home...

Hope this helps you decide whether to make the pilgrimage to the Show (runs in Brisbane 29 Apr to 3 May 09, Sydney 19-23 Aug, Melbourne - you missed it but it's on again 10-14 Mar 2010.)