Becky and her Bobbins

Going to make a Dollhouse and Dollhouse furnitures

2011-10-20T21:44:00.006+11:00

I have been trying to entertain my 2 years old without buying toys. I thought why not make her a dollhouse and dollhouse furnitures to go with. This idea started on 15th Oct and I wasn't going to let this one to be my 5 minutes wonder. I'm going to make it and this will be her Xmas gift, so I've started the next day.

I'm amazed at what I have done so far. I'm coming up with new ideas all the time, I never thought I'd turned into a dollhouse nerd! This is going to be a great Xmas gift I can give to her.....I'm hoping this will teach my daughter that we don't need to buy and we can use

resources around the house. Of course, it's never going to be the same as the one in shop but hey, it's good enough for a 2 yrs old.

My stash Give Away

2011-05-31T09:41:00.009+10:00

I have 4 materials to give away. 3 of them are around 22cm x20cm (100% cotton) and the other material (abc baby material - polyester, is around 44cm x 60cm).

Postage cost $7.00 aus. I will post it using Touchbag.

Please comment below what projects you have in mind for them. I will pick a name off the hat on Friday 10th June 2011. I will contact you via your blog

My first Give Away - Sewing book

2011-05-31T09:20:00.009+10:00

I'm currently tidying up my book shelf and sorting out my sewing corner. I love my books so I want them to go to good homes and to someone that would appreciate it.

I have a book called 'Rip it - how to deconstruct and reconstruct the clothes of your dreams'. I have transformed 3 or 4 items from my wardrobe using this book but otherwise it's just sitting there.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7432-6899-8 by Elissa Meyrich

Please comment below if you would like it and why you want it. Postage cost $7.00 prepaid 500g bag and you can pay by paypal.

I will pick a name off a hat on Friday 10th June 2011. I will contact you via your blog

My poor blog...how I have neglected you!

2011-05-10T13:19:00.002+10:00

Wow I haven't been blogging for quite some time now. The last entry was Philippa's 1st birthday and I made her a dress for the special day. We took her to the zoo which she loved.

Well, Philippa is 2 years old now. Also, I had a beautiful happy son, Jonathan, on Australian Day 2011. I'm now a mother of 2 and boy, life is pretty busy and I'm running on a strict routine with 2 little people! My fav hobby sewing have been put on the back burner but I did spent a rainy Sunday sewing Philippa's 2nd birthday dress! Here is a pic (O&S dress):

Meanwhile, I will just admire all the beautiful handmade products on your blog!

She is 1 yr old !!

2010-04-24T18:49:00.007+10:00

We took her to the zoo for the day. Weather was fab and all the animals were out!

Miss P's birthday dress - for second opinion

2010-03-18T09:47:00.008+11:00

The front of the oliver & s dress

Inside the dress - lining

The shoulder seam that I didn't follow through

More stitching

2009-12-20T17:20:00.012+11:00

A little preview

2009-10-01T10:45:00.007+10:00

A glimpse of what I'm up to at the moment.....Work in progress. I was never good at cross stitching and still not my fav. Making this for a friend.

All pretty things

2009-10-01T10:14:00.005+10:00

Just noticed that I never posting the handmade gifts.

Miss Philippa received some lovely handmade gifts from families and friends. I would like to thank them for their time! I have some skillful friends.

Knitted by Granny

Hand painted by Nela

From Dimity - Name and bunnies cross stitches

okay, Amy didn't made this. She ordered it from a company. Clothes made into rose bubs.

Sock Monkey

2009-08-24T11:59:00.007+10:00

Many of you might know by now that I love monkeys. I tried out the sock monkey yesterday. My relatives were laughing because they thought it looked like an octopus (without the mouth)! It is an odd looking monkey!!

Miss P is 4 months old today and Craft show 2009 highlights

2009-08-22T15:52:00.006+10:00

Squirrel is 4 months old today. It has been a learning curve for me, especially coping with / managing a reflux baby. I'm pleased to say we are well and its getting better everyday. She loves to smile and such a nosey madam.

Another highlight of today …..I checked out the stitches and craft show! The show was held at Rosehill Racecourse. I dragged my husband with me, so that he can pushed the pram while I check out the stores. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit the craft bar. Miss P was so good throughout the 3 hours and she moaned when we put the blanket over her pram…..was a little scared that she might be over simulated but she loved it. Quite content, sitting there chilling and observing. Is she interested in sewing too?

Motherhood

2009-05-25T11:07:00.008+10:00

I'm afraid no sewing news from me. However, I managed to make another miss buttons the other day for a little girl christening (will blog when I download the photos). My daughter is getting into a routine now, so maybe I will have time to get back into it soon. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying and learning. Can't believe we all started so young and innocent. I took a video when she was 4 weeks old and I can see she is changing everyday.

Introducing our daughter Philippa

2009-04-30T08:03:00.011+10:00

It's been a busy week in our household with the new addition. She is one strong girl, I didn't expect I will have a 3.6kg girl (it must be the half western blood in her)! I only put on about 6 kg, so my tummy was all baby. All the midwives were amazed that I pushed her out because I'm very petite (4"11 or so). The staff at the hospital were very friendly and helpful, I cannot fault them at all. I stayed in the hospital for 2 nights to take advantage of the post natal support and also to take lessons from the midwives. After that, I was ready to leave and show her our home!!

After 16 hours of labour

I'm currently enjoying motherhood and bonding with my bobbin. Hubby has been a great help during labour and at home. It will be interesting when he goes back to work! Luckily, my parents will be visiting for 2 weeks soon and we have wonderful friends. She slept beautifully last night, I only fed her twice and she went back to sleep straightaway.

An old pillowcase that I no longer use

2009-04-20T20:37:00.028+10:00

I'm waiting to meet our bubba and the big day can be anytime now. As a result, I don't want to drive too far out of the neighbourhood so I can't visit all the craft shops! What can I do without new fabrics....?

I found an old single pillowcase that I used back in uni days (must have been 5 or 6 years ago!). I don't use it anymore as most of our beddings are matching and white now.

I should reuse it........ either convert it into a skirt, apron or a drawstring bag. It's always handy to have a simple cotton drawstring bag in the house. Everything was easy after determining the length of the bag. I also wanted to practice sewing an applique at the same time. Not perfect but practice makes perfect, doesn't it?

Experimenting and Recycling

2009-04-16T22:59:00.010+10:00

I recently tidied my closet and have found this cape top that I can cut up and recycle. I love the red / purple colour but unfortunately I hardly ever wear it.

Many friends and family members have brought baby clothing for us, I’m very thankful but I wanted to make something for bubba. I decided to try and make a reversible baby jacket because we are approaching into winter. I took the rough measurements off a baby jacket (3-6 months old) and drafted my own patterns. I wanted it like a kimono style with ties because it’s quick to put on.
The strippy fleece comes from a lady off ‘Freecycle’ (2 or 3 posts below). I think it’s suitable for a girl or a boy. I wanted to use up the scraps from the Chinese top (as shown below), so I cut out the small flowers and appliqué it on. I’ve never done appliqué before and you can tell if you look closely!!

2009-04-15T14:19:00.011+10:00

Found some scrap materials the other day so I’ve decided to make a top for myself. Made a similar one years ago but I’ve grown out of it and it was poorly sewn together. I just love this Simplicity pattern 5098, Chinese influence top with a zip at the back. However, the pattern doesn't match up after putting together the bust and waistline darts.

I read that babies will begin to show a preference for bright colours and shapes around 2 months old. The mobile in the room is currently neutral colours so I thought I could brighten the room up by hanging some decorations.

I found a free tutorial, paper globes, on hellomynameisheather.com . I've made something similar back in kindergarten days with the help from a teacher....the good old days.

Easter Holiday

2009-04-12T09:45:00.006+10:00

Easter holiday is an important annual religious feast in the Christian liturgical year. Although, I’m not a Christian but I do remember the scripture having attended 6 years of catholic school.

I’ve received this Easter gift from a friend. It’s all handmade (hand embroidery goods and she painted the box). It’s truly special when you opened a packet that’s handmade, so I'm going to try to give handmade stuff from now on. Hmmm, it will be difficult.

I wish you and your families a happy Easter.

Busy day but I loved it

2009-04-05T21:08:00.007+10:00

I was looking to make a strong nappy bag and came across this butterick B4560 pattern. It has a lot of pockets and quite structured when layer with interfacing and quilt batter. Here is the diaper bag after assembling 16 pieces together. Outer fabric and lining were chosen by my husband because he thought my initial choice was ‘too old lady’!! Hmmm, I love country and squares patterns.

Now, I can get on packing the baby stuff for the hospital!

Playmat - I was thinking to do the disappearing 9 squares quilt but I thought that I should stick with something simple (fabrics - floral, yellow squares and farm animals). Still, I was frustrated when it came to binding. Any tips would be great!!

I'm a monkey fan and my uncle posted this monkey as a gift to bubba. Plus, the cot is up!

2009-04-02T09:28:00.000+11:00

I have finished sewing the playmat last week, yay! I should really get on with the nappy bag (pattern - Butterick B4560) with 2 weeks or so left. So far, I have cut out all the fabrics, interfacings and I'm hoping to squeeze in some sewing today.

I'm a lady who lunches....not quite.

2009-03-26T10:07:00.002+11:00

Well, I'm on leave now! Have been nesting so no major sewing news to update but I do have plenty of inspirations and projects that I would love to get started.

Pending Projects:
A simple baby quilt / playmat
Nappy Bag
Another Margaret bag
A dress for bobbin
A skirt for myself
Changing mat

I have recently joined freecycle (a recycling community, stop landfill by giving away your unwanted items for free). It’s a fantastic idea and a lady has offered me some old sewing patterns and scrap materials. I was only too glad to accept the offer. Here are some of the patterns I have received:

I particularly loved the 70s dresses. However, they are size 14 so I will have to somehow adjust the patterns slightly.

Just started sewing the playmat quilt blocks.....it's very simple compared to other EB girls but let's take one step at the time. 2 options either sew the blocks together or make disappearing 9 blocks.
I want to thank my secret stork person. Going to make some thank you cards out of them.

March challenge Margaret Sling Bag

2009-03-01T17:37:00.004+11:00

I spent most of the day sewing the sling bag. I must thank raspberry swirl for coming up with this challenge and sharing the pattern link (by Elizabeth Hartman). Loved sewing this and learnt a few things along the way. Luckily I had some interfaces and interlining stashed away in the box and the exterior material is actually from big W (left overs cotton). I hope the recipient will like it on Sat and make use of the bag.

Miss Buttons chilling on the sofa

2009-02-28T09:57:00.001+11:00

I finished sewing the doll last week. I was going to give it to a friend as a thank you gift but then it guess it might be too childish for an adult. I will give it to a little girl instead.

Treadle and Vintage sewing machines, Mount Vic.

2009-02-28T07:58:00.000+11:00

We took the in laws to the Blue Mountains for the day and also popped into my favourite Christmas shop in Mount Victoria.

Checked out the old sewing machines displayed at the Mount Vic. museum.

The machine on the right, by Willcox & Gibbs, makes a single thread chain stitch (so no bobbin).

On with the new projects

2009-02-14T11:10:00.002+11:00

I received my Miss Button pattern kit (sew your own) yesterday! I saw this doll on another sewer's blog and thought it was cute.

Going to tackle this after the baby quilt.

Quilting

2009-02-14T11:00:00.001+11:00

My first attempt at quilting....as you can see the stitches are abit wonky and I'm glad this picture was taken from a distance, so you can't see the binding! I made this for a friend's baby shower gift. Actually, I thought the colours work well together and you can use it as a play mat. I'm planning to make one for my bobbin now!

Dressmaking pattern class (back in 2006)

2009-02-14T10:35:00.001+11:00

We lived near an adult community college when we moved to Sydney (2.5 yrs ago) , so I decided to enrol myself into a dressmaking pattern course. I fully enjoyed the course but the teacher talked too fast like the speed of a bullet, netherless, I loved the maths and drawing aspects. I wish I had carry on into term 2 now....

Past projects

2009-02-14T09:55:00.001+11:00

First attempt at skirts - It took me ages to sew the zip and lining together!

I found this fabric in a department store and had to buy it. I made this top using Simplicity 5098 pattern.

My first trouser - I was actually surprised with this one because it fitted quite well.

I found this material (leftover cut) in Liberty (UK) and thought it would be great to make a summer skirt. Loved the bright pattern and it was dead cheap.