posted on June 12, 2013, at 12:54 pm Last month, I crossed off another long-outstanding project that I finally finished – a wristlet for my friend, Lyla. She gave me the fabric from her own stash – oh, and by the way, if you’re into appliqués, you should check out her shop.
Do you like it? I did have a concern that the fabric would be too cutesy, know what I mean? But I think it’s adorable!
In the next couple of days, I’ll post about my next project… finishing the quilt I started for my friend, oh so very long ago! And after that, I’ll finish Moshe’s quilt, and then… oh boy, and then!!! Onto some really exciting projects – I’m making a coat for Moshe! Want to see the fabric?
I bought this superb wool from Tessuti yesterday, and I can’t wait till it arrives! It’s called Charcoal Intenso, and it’s a beautiful charcoal grey Italian 80% wool 20% cashmere. Divine! I can’t show you the lining I bought till it gets here and I can take a picture of it, because I think I might have bought the last of it. It’s a Fendi lining, with a lovely soft hand, while being quite robust and durable. It’s what’s called for when making a man’s coat, I’m told. Apparently they can be a bit rough on the sleeves, so a nice light silk that I’d use for a coat for myself, for example, wouldn’t go the distance. Go figure! 
Anyway, more about the coat another day. And I’ll also show you the pattern I’ve chosen, and hopefully a picture of the lining. In the next few days.
x Helene
posted on September 19, 2012, at 8:33 am Today I’m making a purse for my friend, Lyla. She’s given me some fabric she likes, and I think it’ll be quite whimsical, don’t you?
I’ll use the shoe fabric for the feature flap, with the navy fabric as the main bag, and the lighter blue fabric for lining. I’ll need to come up with something for the shoulder strap though. Don’t think I have enough navy. Well, I’ll go get started.
posted on September 1, 2012, at 5:39 pm  YSG! Florentine Teardrop Purse When Mum insisted I borrow her stunning white gold and sapphire jewellery to wear with a new outfit I’d bought for a family wedding in Sydney, even though I’d already made myself a new purse for the occasion to match my old gold jewellery, there was nothing for it but to make another evening purse. The gold purse just wouldn’t work.
Again, determined to find something in the cupboard and not buy anything, I finally settled on a piece from the same range I’d used for the gold purse, but in another colour. Much more of a match with the white gold jewellery.
Id just been down to Nikki’s office to stock up for Sisters’ Market, and spied her Teardrop Purse pattern. It’s just the right size for an evening purse! It wasn’t on the wholesale order list, but I had to have it! And, I picked up some more copies of the pattern for the shop that’ll I’ll also take to the market. I think it’s divine! If you like it too, be sure to pick one up from our shop or from our market stall on 8th Sep. I don’t know if Nikki will bring it back or not.
 Swarovski crystal beads I found these beads left over from my daughter’s wedding dress. Don’t they look lovely with the frame and fabric?
 the lining I used the same fabric for the lining and pocket as I’d used on the sides of the purse. I think it’s nicer than if I’d introduced another pattern.
 the side view I adore the cute puffy sides! This purse was also quite easy to make, although it did take a little longer than the party purse. Sewing the frame to the purse with the seed beads take a bit of time, but not too long. I still managed to finish up the purse in one day, with many interruptions throughout!
As always, Nikki’s instructions are fabulous. I managed OK with gluing the fabric into the frame, but I think next time it’ll go even better. Luckily, the sewing keeps it all in place, so even my poor gluing skills didn’t really pose any problems.
 view from the top I’m quite delighted with it. In fact, I love it! What do you think? I’m going to an engagement tonight, wearing my outfit with this purse. I’ll see if I can get a nice shot to show you tomorrow.
posted on September 1, 2012, at 4:00 pm  my outfit Our cousin’s daughter was getting married in Sydney, at Luna Park (should have seen how everyone eyed us all up and down as we walked with other wedding guests through the park in all our glitz and high heels!), and I’d just bought myself a fabulous little black dress with a lovely breezy dark navy thing to wear over it. I liked it especially because it made me look almost slim! I loved how the old gold necklace they had at the shop looked with the navy, so I bought that too. I’d worry about bracelet and earrings later.
Now, since our anniversary was two days after the wedding, we decided to make a week of it in Sydney. I found a lovely bracelet and a pair of earrings to match the necklace. Perfect. But I needed a new purse for this outfit, as none of mine would look at all nice with it.
Of course, I’d only bought the outfit four days before we had to fly out to Sydney for the wedding – nothing like leaving things to the last minute! Which meant that I had even less time to make a new purse!
I’d always wanted to fill the “gold evening purse” gap in my wardrobe, so I searched through my fabric cupboard, determined not to buy more fabric. I found the perfect thing! I’d actually bought this fabric for a quilt I wanted to make, but hadn’t gotten to use it yet.
I love the gold, of course, but I really like the blue through the fabric in the little flowers. Makes it a perfect match with my outfit.
 Florentine II by Robert Kaufman Doesn’t it look brilliant with the jewellery? I picked out this little Liberty tana lawn print I had left over from my hexagon quilt (oh my god! I have to finish that!), and picked up a black zipper.
 this lining will look perfect with the fabric, don’t you think? I decided to use the Nicole Mallalieu “Party Purse” pattern I’d picked up on the trading table at a quilt guild sewing day, and I was amazed at how quickly I finished it! If you like, you can purchase your own downloadable pattern from You Sew Girl!
 Party Purse pattern I think I started at about 6:30am one morning, and by 9am it was done!
 Old Gold Evening Purse I love the gathered overlay! It’s optional, but I think it really makes it evening-y.
 the strap I wasn’t happy with the length of the strap when I made the purse; I thought it was too long. But I wore the purse to the MSO last night, and it actually is a perfect length! So that’s good.
 inside This purse is a perfect size to hold my lippy and blush, mobile phone, keys, and cash, with room to spare. Great little evening purse! Now I was all set for the wedding. Just needed to pack my case, and… go!
Oh crikey! I think I’ve used the word “perfect” a million times in this post! It’s just that everything – the outfit, the jewellery, the fabric, the pattern – is… well, perfect!
posted on May 8, 2012, at 10:48 pm So first, the update. I haven’t been posting really for quite a few weeks. Apart from that quick flash of images I posted recently. Have you missed me? I’ve definitely missed you.
My eldest daughter has been a bit unwell for the past 4 weeks or so, and I’ve been over there pretty much nine to five, Monday to Friday, taking care of her, and her baby. The latter is a very sweet labour of love; my grandson is adorable. Unfortunately, my daughter hasn’t been feeling the best, and although I adore hanging out with her, it’s hard as her mother to watch my girl be ill. Luckily, the medicine is kicking in, and she’s on the mend. It’s not over yet though, and I’m down to half days instead of full ones over at her house.
 Zaida Moshe and Austin Today, she decided to try to do the whole day on her own. I haven’t heard from her, and it’s lunch time, so I hope she makes it through OK. She’s amazing, you know. Never once – at least not when I’ve seen – has she lost it, gotten crabby, down, or anything remotely like that. She’s taken it all in her stride, mostly with a smile and a laugh.
Well, that’s where I’ve been. I have done some sewing though, that’ll I’ll have to show you. The bag I showed you in my last post was made mostly by catching 15 minutes here, 10 minutes there, a full half hour here. I also made these, in the same way. Although they really didn’t take much time at all.
 I'm calling this my 'iPad Slipcase, or "Travel-Light" Bag' |
 My little "dumpling" make-up pouch |
 Finally, a new earphones pod! Yay! |
You did notice that all the above pieces match my Winter Nest Satchel, yes? All in the same beautiful Ink & Spindle and Kristen Doran fabrics, yes? Now it’s like I have a whole personalized, matching range of accessories for my handbag. Handles one of my obsessions. Know what I mean? I love it! What patterns did I use? Well, the iPad slipcase is my very own creation. The Dumpling Make-up Pouch is by Michelle Patterns. And the earphone pod is by Erin Erickson. You’ll find more detailed images of these items here:
1. iPad Slipcase, or “Travel-lightly” Bag
2. Dumpling Make-up Pouch
3. Earphones Pod 02
4. YSG! Winter Nest Satchel
You can also find them all on the Bags Pouches Purses page, along with my other finished bags and things.
So now, you’ve read all the way to here. Thank you! But now, you’re wondering… “Didn’t she say something about some exciting news? Very exciting, even?” OK, here it is…
On 1st July, I’ll be launching my brand new business. I can’t tell you what it’s called, because then you’ll just do a search and find my very un-ready site. Not cool, know what I mean? However, I will tell you that I’ll be stocking all of Nikki Mallalieu’s “You SEW Girl!” products. Patterns and bag hardware. All of it! Including two beautiful brand new patterns that Nikki’s launching. I know you can already get some of Nikki’s patterns around town, and some shops even sell some of her hardware. I’ll be stocking everything, so you can pick up whatever you need right from my online store! I’ll be starting my shop with Nikki’s products, because I love them so much, and will be adding more product lines as the business grows.
OK that’s it for now.
x H
|
|
