1940s style jumper

I've begun yet another project! The latest Rowan magazine has lots of forties-inspired jumpers and cardigans- my favourite era. I couldn't resist making this one:






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Finished sari dress

From sketch to pattern to finished garment. I will post photos of me wearing it!










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A Plea for Donations!!!

I have decided to go back to Africa to participate in some voluntary projects. The first one is based in Swakopmund, Namibia, where I discovered a textile charity that teaches local women how to sew, in order for them to make a living for themselves. The second is a youth centre in Knysna, on the Western Cape of South Africa. This youth centre supports children who live on the streets or have been kicked out of school; I have been invited to teach them how to sew. The third is a textile charity that works with disabled adults, again teaching them how to sew in order to make a living. I hope to be away for at least three months and obviously this will cost money. Flights, accommodation, insurance, food and transport all add up. I would really like to be able to share the skills I have with people less fortunate than myself; to give them the opportunity to develop skills they could earn a living from.

If you feel that you would like to donate a small sum (every penny gratefully received!), please look for my paypal account under: Sarah Magill, sarahmagill@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you for reading this post :)

Belt?

Dress is almost complete, just need to insert the zip, trim the net petticoat and do some hand stitching on the shoulders. Should I add a belt or cummerbund???






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Indian Sari Dress Progress

I've spent all day cutting the pattern and making up the bodice for this dress. I'm really happy with the shape. I've pinned the skirt fabric onto the stand and think it needs some volume/ structure underneath, so will probably add a net petticoat.












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Indian Sari Dress

I bought the most beautiful mustard and deep purple sari silk in Delhi last year and have been saving it for a special occasion. It's one of my best friend's birthday this week and she's emigrating to Australia, so it will definitely be a special occasion. There are 6 metres of various parts and I draped it on the stand to see which parts would make a nice 50s style dress.






I love the block colour idea, but think the all purple idea would suit me better.

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Tie-front Dress Progress

I have finished the tie-front bodice inspired by the Pattern Magic books. I made it up in a reproduction 1950s style cotton quilting fabric. Just need to decide on the skirt style now. I'm thinking pleated or gathered.






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Flying Geese Progress

Well I've made all my individual 'geese', now it's just a case of arranging them. I like the first idea below, but am trying other ideas before I start sewing.











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Flying Geese

Just starting a new project... Again!!! Visited the Eternal Maker shop in Chichester, which is a textile lovers idea of heaven!!! All the quilting fabrics you could ever imagine and nice ones!! Not those boring shade of brown and beige we find in little villages.... I spent an hour putting together a collection of fuchsias, reds, oranges and turquoises, which I intend to make into a flying geese quilt. Check out my progress below:















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Card Making and Stamping

Mum recently went to a card making workshop and bought some supplies. We had a lovely afternoon of crafting yesterday and I made some greetings cards and some tags for textile products I make.
















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Dar es Salaam

I recently visited a friend in Tanzania for a few days. We stayed at Mikadi Beach Lodge in Dar es Salaam and it was just beautiful. Blue, Indian ocean, blue skies.... and way too hot and humid for me coming from cold England!

2nd Sophie Quilt

Finally got around to quilting my second Sophie Quilt, made in a rail fence design from Moda's Sophie jelly roll. I struggle to prevent the fabric ruching/ rucking up when machine quilting, even when I release the presser foot pressure, lengthen the stitch AND use a walking foot! However! I have found a solution! I'd never tried free motion machining with a darning foot and no feed dog. Wow! Quilting finally works for me! I was familiar with this method for machine embroidery, darning etc, but thought I would have the same problems with the walking foot when used for quilting, so never tried it. I'm so glad I did; I feel so much more confident about quilting now- I usually dread that part of quilt-making!! I used a simple vermicelli/ wandering/ swirly pattern. Getting your hands and feet coordinated takes some practise, but I'm really happy with the result.








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Camera Bag

I'm off to Tanzania for a week on Saturday and really dislike the boring camera cases available in camera shops. There are some amazing, quirky designs on the market, particularly Etsy. I designed my own to take with me, made in indigo, Japanese quilting fabrics and natural batting. It was a really simple design using a front and back, sewing the internal corners to create a 3D shape. I covered some plastic sheeting in a fabric sleeve for the base and used French seams inside and binding along the top edge for a neat finish. The strap of the camera forms the strap of the bag.









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Girls' Indian Tunic

Having made a prototype of a tunic with button-up yoke, I had a go at making one in one of the many hand printed, Indian cottons I have. It needs binding at the neck armholes and some buttons, but I think this is a really cute summer tunic! It's age 3 if anyone interested in purchasing it!






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Patchwork Cushion Covers

Finally completed three hand-pieced, patchwork cushion covers, coming to Etsy soon!



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Children's designs

After making a couple of prototypes for some girls' clothes (see earlier post), I decided to draw up a range of designs utilising my 26 metres if printed, Indian cotton! I'm thinking easy to make, simple tunic tops,dresses and skirts.






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Indian Sari Tops

Bought a couple of printed polyester/silk saris in India and want to put them to some use. All 6 metres each of them!! I've started making some patterns from these designs.



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Clothes for the Girls

I have about 26 million metres of hand block-printed Indian cotton to use and I thought I would try my hand at children's clothes. I bought the Winifred Aldrich pattern drafting book for children's clothes and have made a prototype tunic top and gathered skirt. This will be my half term project!

Africa Purchases

Seems like ages ago I went shopping in Swakopmund in Namibia and found some beautiful telephone wire bowls to send home to my mum. Interestingly, they are constructed starting at the top of the bowl.

I also found her this lovely cushion cover, hand embroidered by African women through a charity run to support them.

We stopped off along a dusty, Namibian road and looked at the bog standard tourist souvenirs, such as carved figurines. Beneath the junk, I spotted this handmade quilt top. The lady was reluctant to part with it, but I managed to persuade her. I'm not sure if I should leave it as it is or make it into a quilt.

India Purchases

Finally got around to photographing the beautiful textiles I bought In India: hand block-printed fabrics, silk saris and embroidered cushion covers to name a few. Just what to do with 26 metres of cotton.... Got a bit carried away!!

Wall-hanging made from recycled saris

Wooden block-prints (hand-carved)

Embroidered cushion covers

Silk sari

Printed cottons