Mon Cherie Francais

After trying on Liesl's wonderful beret at Sewjourn, I couldn't wait to make one of my very own!


My Beret Pattern arrived in the post Thursday morning, so I got to work Saturday afternoon, and whipped one up for myself.  It was super quick and easy - it only took me about an hour to cut out and sew (after I'd chosen the fabric from the stash). As with all Nikki's patterns, the step by step process in the instructions was a dream.

There are plenty of variations to choose from so that you can make it in a style that suits. I made mine up using the medium size, with a shallow crown.

I've got the puffy steroid face going on at the moment

I did consider making it in a bright vintage floral, but I thought it best to stick to a classic wool fabric in a classic Melbourne steel grey colour for the first one.

I wore it all day yesterday and it kept my head toasty and warm on such a cold winters day.

Of course, I couldn't possibly resist adding some colour via the lining fabric. I received this gorgeous pink and green floral from Tracey at Thrift Nest Sew..... and it just so happens, that it's the exact same floral the Bec used on her Panel Bag.

If you'd like to chuckle about what Liesl's beret got up to at Sewjourn, pop on over and visit Gypsy. It turns out that our Gypsy is quite a poet!

I ate vegies yesterday and I liked it

Well it helps that the vegies were morphed into a very yummy and scrumptious pumpkin pie which was accompanied by whipped cream!

It was a lovely little crafternoon at the Beccasauras abode yesterday.

There was a little bit of kiddie craft...

.... and some serious tiny exquisite embroidery stitching going on

.... and then there was my stitching.

But, as per usual... it was all about the food!

I ate so much that I nearly had to call for a wheelbarrow to roll me out the door.
Thanks so much for a very wonderful day out girls!


PS - I'm so glad I'm in the Dance for Cheese loop now... and we even got a personal demo!

Pretty Pinnies

It was such a beautiful day yesterday. The sun was streaming in through the windows in my craft space, so with no other plans for the day, I decided to hit the sewing machine.

When Gypsy came along to the NCB this week, I promised that I would help out with her request for pinafores to be donated to the Dago Dela Hera Orphanage in Kenya.

I had a pattern in the stash that I'd picked up for $1 at the oppy yonks ago - it's a McCalls 7783.  The request from Gypsy was to make the pinnies reversible, so that each one is actually two dresses in one.
I cut out two sets of fronts and backs from the pattern, and then ditched the rest of the pieces and instructions while I worked out how to make it reversible instead.

I found that the easiest way to make it reversible was to sew up the side and shoulder seams of both the dresses, and then iron the seams flat on each. I then placed one dress inside the other (with wrong sides facing together), and stitched in the ditch along both side seams to attach the dresses together.

To finish off the seams, I first stay-stitched all the way around to join both, and then bound the neck opening, arm holes and bottom of the dress.

I was rushing at the end, so the arm hole binding needs a bit of unpicking and extra work still.....

There's still time to help out - just get in contact with Gypsy, or bring along your contribution to the next Northern Craft Bonanza to pass on. If you can't make a pinny, they're also taking donations of simple elastic wasited shorts for little boys.

Whats a Name - part 2

Look what I found in the letterbox when I got home lastnight! My swippity-swappity name tag.

I'd spied this over at Snailblazer last week, and of course I loved the fact that it was made using a crocheted doily. I even got an extra little pressie too.

Thanks so much Cass - I can't wait to wear it at Sew It Together.

Whats a name?

I finally finished stitching my Swippity Swap Name Tag for Sew It Together lastnight.

I thought a little bit outside the square (literally) and created an aqua and red flower brooch (measuring 9cm x 9cm), with a piece of felt stitched in underneath. I've embroidered my recipients name onto the felt.... (which of course, has magically been erased for these photos).

Note to recipient: please forgive my crappy embroidery skills!

At the end of Sew It Together, the felt can be snipped away with a pair of scissors leaving a brooch which can be kept.

I'm not going to pop it in the post just yet.... I'm going to wait until we get closer to the deadline.

Getting stiffy with it

Head on over and visit Gypsy for a guest post from me!