Just a reminder to bring your projects along this Saturday at 1.00pm to the Gordon White Library Community Meeting Room and enjoy some interrupted 'creative me' time! Remember to bring all those bits and pieces you need to progress your project.
If you're out of ideas, there's plenty of magazines and books in the library to inspire you!
So.... seeing you sewing (and socialising) on Saturday 30 May at 1.00 pm at the Community Meeting Room at Gordon White Library.
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
Monday, 23 March 2015
Too hot to sew?
Bring your projects along this Saturday to Gordon White Library Community Meeting Room and sew in the cool comfort of air-conditioning!
I can't wait to see how much I sew and then pull out this time!
Looking forward to seeing what clever projects folks are working on this month!
See you at Gordon White Library at 1.00 pm on Saturday!
Sewing, talking, drinking coffee (or tea!) .......
I can't wait to see how much I sew and then pull out this time!
Looking forward to seeing what clever projects folks are working on this month!
See you at Gordon White Library at 1.00 pm on Saturday!
Sewing, talking, drinking coffee (or tea!) .......
Sunday, 1 March 2015
A little stitch, a little social.....
It was bliss to stitch in the cool of the GWL Community Meeting Room on Saturday, considering the hot and muggy weather.
Out of the blue visitors prevented our resident expert in all things textiles from attending SSS as planned but that is life. Was it John or Julian Lennon who said something along the lines of "Life happens while you're busy making other plans"? Another of our regulars was unable to spend the whole afternoon at SSS but still popped in so that her daughter could model a dress her clever mum had made from a t-shirt and fabric recycled from another garment.
A newcomer came armed with Burda Style magazines and paper ready to start preparing some paper patterns. Further investigation of the pattern of her daughter's choice, decided her that it would not be a flattering style thus warranting further perusal of more magazines to find something more suitable. Fortunately she had borrowed several from the library's collection thus finding much inspiration.
One of our regulars brought along a sewing project that was not quite matching expectations. After experimenting with several notions, the siren call of the Burda Style magazines proved too much so the project was hastily packed away and periodical perusal began. So much of the fun of sewing is browsing through books and magazines looking for ideas. The beauty of Burda Style is that it is bit of an indicator of what fashion is coming our way so one can be ahead of the latest.
Our resident cross-stitcher verged on being cross when after much careful counting it was discovered that way back at the beginning ........ there was a mis-count, hence necessitating, for the second SSS in a row, some more therapeutic pulling out! It has taken nearly six hours of work to achieve next to nothing! Hopefully new glasses will assist in preventing repetition of this at next SSS! Maybe cross-stitch is not a good choice when sewing socially!
A cup of coffee, biscuits and some social commiseration helped dimish the pain!
Hope you continue to enjoy that Burda Style browsing and stitching. Keep on sewing!
Out of the blue visitors prevented our resident expert in all things textiles from attending SSS as planned but that is life. Was it John or Julian Lennon who said something along the lines of "Life happens while you're busy making other plans"? Another of our regulars was unable to spend the whole afternoon at SSS but still popped in so that her daughter could model a dress her clever mum had made from a t-shirt and fabric recycled from another garment.
A newcomer came armed with Burda Style magazines and paper ready to start preparing some paper patterns. Further investigation of the pattern of her daughter's choice, decided her that it would not be a flattering style thus warranting further perusal of more magazines to find something more suitable. Fortunately she had borrowed several from the library's collection thus finding much inspiration.
One of our regulars brought along a sewing project that was not quite matching expectations. After experimenting with several notions, the siren call of the Burda Style magazines proved too much so the project was hastily packed away and periodical perusal began. So much of the fun of sewing is browsing through books and magazines looking for ideas. The beauty of Burda Style is that it is bit of an indicator of what fashion is coming our way so one can be ahead of the latest.
Our resident cross-stitcher verged on being cross when after much careful counting it was discovered that way back at the beginning ........ there was a mis-count, hence necessitating, for the second SSS in a row, some more therapeutic pulling out! It has taken nearly six hours of work to achieve next to nothing! Hopefully new glasses will assist in preventing repetition of this at next SSS! Maybe cross-stitch is not a good choice when sewing socially!
A cup of coffee, biscuits and some social commiseration helped dimish the pain!
Hope you continue to enjoy that Burda Style browsing and stitching. Keep on sewing!
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Time for a 'stitch-a-thon'!
Hello everyone!
It's time to escape this heat and humidity! Bring your sewing projects, sewing equipment and sewing accessories to the wonderful cool of the Gordon White Library Community Meeting Room this Saturday at 1pm!
Looking forward to joining for you for some chilling and social stitching!
It's time to escape this heat and humidity! Bring your sewing projects, sewing equipment and sewing accessories to the wonderful cool of the Gordon White Library Community Meeting Room this Saturday at 1pm!
Looking forward to joining for you for some chilling and social stitching!
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Social Sewing Saturday kicks off for 2015!
Having our first Social Sewing Saturday on Queensland's election day was not great timing! However the lure of space, quiet and blissful cool proved too much for three stalwarts.
One of our regulars popped in to model a delightful summery dress that she had been sewing at SSS last year. It was great to see the wearable result after witnessing the planning, the cutting-out and then the start of the stitching. Some modifications she had incorporated were discussed and examined in fine detail. Wearing your own unique creation is such a source of satisfaction.
Another sewer is experiencing a baby boom among her friends so is busy sewing gifts for the mothers-to-be. Her daughter has created this wonderful reversable pattern for playsuits that make it easy for mothers to dress and undress their babies. They are simple to make and easy to wash, making them an ideal present for busy new mums. This clever sewer was selecting a variety of cheerful colour co-ordinated combinations that would look cute on any baby.
One of our long-ago regulars has a different schedule this year so was able to come along again. In her Christmas cleaning, a set of favourite curtains developed frayed tape so after much therapeutic unpicking, she had bought replacement tape but needed a big table and cool to sew such an awkward project. After several trips to the car, she was well-equipped and ready to sew. After a few minor hiccoughs she had a beautiful set of curtains ready for hanging. Apparently she'll have the next set ready for repair at our next SSS! The big tables and air-conditioning make sewing large projects in summer so much easier and more pleasant.
Our regular cross-stitcher was enjoying stitching some wording and after some meticulous counting reached a point where it was discovered that the whole process had started one square out! So, after a couple of deep breaths and a tiny bit of unsocial muttering, the meditative unpicking began! Eventually, she was back to where she started and after moving one minute square, the process began again. Sewing can be such a lesson in patience and mindfulness.
Hopefully your stitching projects continue to progress and see you all again in the quiet cool of GWL Community Meeting Room next month!
One of our regulars popped in to model a delightful summery dress that she had been sewing at SSS last year. It was great to see the wearable result after witnessing the planning, the cutting-out and then the start of the stitching. Some modifications she had incorporated were discussed and examined in fine detail. Wearing your own unique creation is such a source of satisfaction.
Another sewer is experiencing a baby boom among her friends so is busy sewing gifts for the mothers-to-be. Her daughter has created this wonderful reversable pattern for playsuits that make it easy for mothers to dress and undress their babies. They are simple to make and easy to wash, making them an ideal present for busy new mums. This clever sewer was selecting a variety of cheerful colour co-ordinated combinations that would look cute on any baby.
One of our long-ago regulars has a different schedule this year so was able to come along again. In her Christmas cleaning, a set of favourite curtains developed frayed tape so after much therapeutic unpicking, she had bought replacement tape but needed a big table and cool to sew such an awkward project. After several trips to the car, she was well-equipped and ready to sew. After a few minor hiccoughs she had a beautiful set of curtains ready for hanging. Apparently she'll have the next set ready for repair at our next SSS! The big tables and air-conditioning make sewing large projects in summer so much easier and more pleasant.
Our regular cross-stitcher was enjoying stitching some wording and after some meticulous counting reached a point where it was discovered that the whole process had started one square out! So, after a couple of deep breaths and a tiny bit of unsocial muttering, the meditative unpicking began! Eventually, she was back to where she started and after moving one minute square, the process began again. Sewing can be such a lesson in patience and mindfulness.
Hopefully your stitching projects continue to progress and see you all again in the quiet cool of GWL Community Meeting Room next month!
Monday, 26 January 2015
Need a de-stress after voting?
Just a reminder that SSS for 2015 starts this Saturday at GWL Community Meeting Room at 1.00 pm. It looks like it could be rather quiet as many folks have contacted me to say they won't be able to make this Saturday!
However if you are looking for a quiet time in the cool of air-conditioning, don't forget to pack up your project and bring it in for a bit of un-interrupted progress.
Happy stitching!
However if you are looking for a quiet time in the cool of air-conditioning, don't forget to pack up your project and bring it in for a bit of un-interrupted progress.
Happy stitching!
Monday, 1 December 2014
What a wonderful way to spend Saturday afternoon!
With treats from an earlier library event to sustain us and the air-conditioning to cool us, we were off to a promising start!
Our FOML, expert in all things fabric (and a lot more besides), led the way as she cut out these very cute looking owls who are going to transform themselves into oven mitts and then fly their way all over the world as Christmas presents! As it's our last SSS for 2014, we won't get to see the final product unfortunately. We do know there are going to be some very lucky folk who receive these beautiful handmade gifts!
Our chronic cutter-outerer fooled us all this Saturday as she worked industriously on converting a shop-bought pair of pants into something designed especially for her! There was much discussion as to the best way to do this. As cloth and patterns are so expensive, sometimes it makes economic sense to buy something ready-made that has potential and then use your sewing skills to adapt it so that it fits and suits you perfectly. It works very well when you pick up an item at a bargain basement price. It's a lovely way to combine the best of both ready-made and hand-sewn options.
One of our participants is very productive every time she comes. Having young children at home and being accustomed to the interruptions that they bring, she positively flies through her projects at SSS when she has a straight run. This Saturday she put the finishing touches to a lovely pink outfit for a very lucky baby! Then with a flourish, out onto the lovely big tables that we have in the Community Meeting Room, she spread a beautiful emerald-seagreen fabric. Armed with plates from the kitchenette to hold the pattern pieces in place (pins are so passe), she swiftly cut out pieces to make herself a dress. A quick change of thread on her sewing machine, and she was zooming away sewing the pieces together. The dress was half way to completion when we finished SSS, not too bad for an afternoon's effort.
Over a coffee this resourceful sewer told us about the wealth of sewing assistance there is on the internet. As a relatively new sewer, she has found the assistance from sewing bloggers all over the world invaluable. She has found cyber-sewers to be very friendly and eager to share their skills with those who are seeking assistance. Free patterns are even available! It certainly adds another social dimension to what can often be a solitary craft.
Another keen sewer had been inspired to emulate a gingham tablecloth she had found, so she was industriously cross-stitching away on her own hand-made tablecloth. As she was using a different sized gingham square to the original item she was a bit disappointed in her efforts but it certainly looked great to us. (We are often our own worst critics. I guess the disappointment kicks in when the reality of the project doesn't fit the vision we had of it and then we have to make that mental shift in appreciating the beauty of what we have created.)
Recently, another Saturday social sewer had popped on this simple shift she had bought and worn in winter with a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath to find that in summer, things looked a little different without the T-shirt. With a bit of assistance from our FOML expert in all things sewing, the shoulders were taken up (very hard to pin one's own shoulder seams so another great reason for a solitary sewer to attend SSS!) and the shoulder seams re-stitched, so hopefully now the dress can be worn in summer as well as winter.
This was our last Social Sewing Saturday for 2014 but we will back in action, starting Saturday 31 January 2015. Looking forward to hearing about what you have created over the Christmas break and even more interested in hearing your plans for all things sewing in 2015!
Our FOML, expert in all things fabric (and a lot more besides), led the way as she cut out these very cute looking owls who are going to transform themselves into oven mitts and then fly their way all over the world as Christmas presents! As it's our last SSS for 2014, we won't get to see the final product unfortunately. We do know there are going to be some very lucky folk who receive these beautiful handmade gifts!
Our chronic cutter-outerer fooled us all this Saturday as she worked industriously on converting a shop-bought pair of pants into something designed especially for her! There was much discussion as to the best way to do this. As cloth and patterns are so expensive, sometimes it makes economic sense to buy something ready-made that has potential and then use your sewing skills to adapt it so that it fits and suits you perfectly. It works very well when you pick up an item at a bargain basement price. It's a lovely way to combine the best of both ready-made and hand-sewn options.
One of our participants is very productive every time she comes. Having young children at home and being accustomed to the interruptions that they bring, she positively flies through her projects at SSS when she has a straight run. This Saturday she put the finishing touches to a lovely pink outfit for a very lucky baby! Then with a flourish, out onto the lovely big tables that we have in the Community Meeting Room, she spread a beautiful emerald-seagreen fabric. Armed with plates from the kitchenette to hold the pattern pieces in place (pins are so passe), she swiftly cut out pieces to make herself a dress. A quick change of thread on her sewing machine, and she was zooming away sewing the pieces together. The dress was half way to completion when we finished SSS, not too bad for an afternoon's effort.
Over a coffee this resourceful sewer told us about the wealth of sewing assistance there is on the internet. As a relatively new sewer, she has found the assistance from sewing bloggers all over the world invaluable. She has found cyber-sewers to be very friendly and eager to share their skills with those who are seeking assistance. Free patterns are even available! It certainly adds another social dimension to what can often be a solitary craft.
Another keen sewer had been inspired to emulate a gingham tablecloth she had found, so she was industriously cross-stitching away on her own hand-made tablecloth. As she was using a different sized gingham square to the original item she was a bit disappointed in her efforts but it certainly looked great to us. (We are often our own worst critics. I guess the disappointment kicks in when the reality of the project doesn't fit the vision we had of it and then we have to make that mental shift in appreciating the beauty of what we have created.)
Recently, another Saturday social sewer had popped on this simple shift she had bought and worn in winter with a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath to find that in summer, things looked a little different without the T-shirt. With a bit of assistance from our FOML expert in all things sewing, the shoulders were taken up (very hard to pin one's own shoulder seams so another great reason for a solitary sewer to attend SSS!) and the shoulder seams re-stitched, so hopefully now the dress can be worn in summer as well as winter.
This was our last Social Sewing Saturday for 2014 but we will back in action, starting Saturday 31 January 2015. Looking forward to hearing about what you have created over the Christmas break and even more interested in hearing your plans for all things sewing in 2015!
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