Yes, it isn’t an elaborate creation behind the scenes to rival Project Runway, but it is my suburban sweatshop. Lots of you have asked me to post more about all my projects and design endeavours. Most of what I create I create only for myself and my family. But don’t be fooled into thinking that this was just some natural talent I was born with, oh no. It has taken many years of trial, effort, failure, study and stabbed fingers to get where I am now. It is infinatley reqarding though, as it seems that more often than not I don’t really want what I find in the stores and must resort to my own skills if I want the pictures in my head to come to life.
Sometimes I work from patterns, some times I just make it up as I go along, and then occassionaly I combine the two and alter basic patterns to make them do what I want.
I do have a cutting table, but more often than not is just isn’t big enough for the scale of the projects. I tend to spread right out on the lounge room floor, shoo the puppy away and try not to cut the tassles off the rug!
I am very lucky to have a dedicated studio space that serves both for blogging as well as all my other creations. It isn’t the tidiest but then, I can always find what I need and I fit an astonishing amount of stuff in there!
But just what am I making….?
Stay tuned to see this week’s creation in the next Daily Outfit!
I love the cuff I have the black version with a white bow....
How do you manage to sew with MissTwo around? I can’t sew with MissIcy around. I miss it too.
That fabric is stunning SKM, very ‘An Education’, may I ask where you got it from?
I haven’t touched a sewing machine in years! I really should brush up I always think of things I want to make and them I file it away in the ‘one day’ box and forget …. well new year new process!
You look glamorous WHILE working? Unfair.
Wendy B: Sorry, I’ll go for a more Eliza Dolittle before look next time!
Rebecca: I have that box too!
Brumby: I have a few secret places I go to and this one came from a designer fabric remnants factory.
Icy: Now there’s a good idea for a whole post right there! To be answered soon.
Oh I love that rose print! Faboosh!
I have been working on getting my craft room (aka ‘crap room’) together so I can have my sewing machine out and ready to use anytime I have the inclination to sew something. It has been AGES since I made anything. But once the room is together I wont have any excuses.
I would love to see a 360 of your room and how you organize it.
Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife
I am just in the learning stages of sewing, but I get too bored with patterns the way they come to finish them. I do better just making things up (and, believe me, I get TONS of ideas in my head that are WAY beyond my ability to create in real life at this point). It is encouraging to know that, if I keep at it, I may come to a point where I can actually crank out something good.
Oh, and, not to be kinky or anything, but I love how your bra strap matches your tape measure.
I’m so excited to see what you’re making! I’m not much good at the sewing machine, but I’m a pretty decent knitter. I love coming up with inspiration for projects, then making them happen.
That’s amazing! I would love to learn how to sew
Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Hey, I recognise that material! I have a skirt from Portmans in that same fabric. And I love it!
I always get halfway through projects – and I love buying fabric way too much too!
From the pattern, I’m guessing a pretty new dress? I can’t wait to see what ever it is!
Eeek. Can’t wait to read more about this! And I too wonder how you manage to sew (and do your many other activities) with 2 tots around. My one child is almost 10 now, so it’s a bit easier. But when she was under 5, I could barely keep it together, much less create!
You look INFINITELY more fabulous than I do when I’m sewing! Can’t wait to see the finished product.
I have the same Portmans skirt. A secret stash of portmans fabric without the odd sizing
I sew all the time and have only a card table, I would recomend a cutting board for cutting out pattern pieces. They are just thick cardboard pieces which folds out to a 2m*2m mat with measurements, circle lines and girds on it but it makes sure you don’t cut the carpet or the floorboards.
Claire: Yes, I have one of those boards too, but they still don’t allow me to spread out the way I like. In this case I was working with just over 4 meter lengths and need to lay it out all at once!
Becca: I’m interested to hear about this Portman’s skirt as I haven’t seen this fabric. I’d like to see what they did with it as it is a very heavy weight polished cotton, almost curtain like.. Do you have pics?
Lily: You’re too kind! It was a super hot day too at 39 degrees C.
K-Line: I’m planning a whole special series just to address issues like the one you had, so stay tuned.
Rosie: It sure is!
Bold as Love: Do you have pics of your skirt? As I said I’d love to see how they used it as it would be a very tricky heavy fabric.
Lola: All it takes is the first step, so be brave and give it a try!
Lisa: Oh it is SO good – I can’t wait to show you!
Bekster: Yes, I’m pretty much the same. I really don’t want to end up looking like a Burda catalogue! And yes – cheeky you – it does! (It was a SUPER hot day)
TGH: It is an amazing one.
I’ve moved to the new house and now have my sewing room too. For sure my projects aren’t as cool as your. 39 degrees?? I’d love to live in your country!!
LOVE it!! I am definitely keen to see more of your sewing adventures. I really wish I had time to sew – Thread Den is literally only around the corner from my house too…but I struggle to get enough drawing time in let alone sewing *sigh*.
Yay for working on the floor! Can’t wait to see!
XXASAB
Yay pretty dress! You look amazing, even when you’re sewing. I assure you, I am nowhere near as glamourous when I sew/design/create.
Can’t wait to see your sewing project…looks to be a dress I imagine. I sew quite a bit and have a 4 and 6 year old. It can be done!
That fabric is stunning! I found a really similar one recently, but not enough for a dress (sad). Oh well, I got a very cute apron out of it!
Here is a terrible picture of the skirt. It no longer comes even close to fitting, I’ve lost a bit of weight and it now hangs even stranger than it did!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beccac/4291180875/
and this is the underside
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beccac/4291920820/
I’m thinking of turning it into a clutch. It now sits in a box with all the other things that need doing!
Becca: Wow – it really is the same! I’m actually using my remaining fabric to make a matching bag too. Great minds hey!
I love seeing snippets of you working on a project!
I can’t wait to see the finished dress (which is what I’m assuming it is! 
–the fabric is *gorgeous*!
? Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
I cut out on the floor too. I have to spread all my material and pattern out. Can’t wait to see the finished product !
[...] remember me slaving away over a new creation here right? Well, here is the final [...]