Travel accessories

My money belt got a lot of wear last time I travelled and is now on its last legs, so I've made a couple of accessories to take its place. The larger pouch fits my iPhone and passport, while the small zippy pouch fits all my cards and fits inside the big one! Not as sophisticated as a proper travel money belt, but will do the job and can be concealed under clothing. The large one is in cotton and the small one in oil cloth.





Zip detail.


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Cafe Boscanova

Went to a lovely vegetarian/ vegan cafe in Boscombe (Bournemouth) with my friend today. Great atmosphere, tasty juices and smoothies and yummy haloumi and vege-filled wrap with guacamole.









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Pavlova and Courgette Frittata

Made a gorgeous pavlova for a friend's birthday and used up the egg yolks in a yummy frittata with courgettes, sundries tomatoes and potatoes.





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Finished tie front dress

Finished at last!! Made this and hated it, so have spent a little time this morning re-fitting it so that I do like it!! I developed the bodice pattern from the Japanese Pattern Magic book.












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1940s Rowan Jumper Progress

Well, it's coming along, but taking me ages! I love that the stripes are made up from different patterns. Only the other half of the back, the front, the sleeves and the collar left to do...!!





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Oil cloth bag

Thought I'd try an oil cloth tote bag. It's tricky to work with, as you can't really use pins and it sticks to the sewing machine!! After some trial and error I discovered that a walking foot and tissue paper prevent it sticking and Sellotape comes on handy for tacking pockets etc on. I still need to add handles, but here's my progress so far.

The outer oil cloth fabric and the lining with pocket attched

'Tacking' the pocket on with sellotape

Peeling off the tissue paper after stitching on the pocket

Attaching the zip to the outer fabric and lining

The inside

The bag so far, minus handles

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Pea Guacamole

Good old Anthony Worrall Thompson! This is so healthy and so yummy!! It's from one of his low GI books. Also made amazing Thai steamed salmon tonight with stir-fried veg- melt in the mouth delicious!!



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Finished suzuko koseki skirt

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Travel Sewing Roll

I need to take my equipment to SA with me, but don't want to carry my bulky box, so I've made an equipment roll that can be packed in my case.






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On my way!

My t-shirt and ID card arrived from Travellers Worldwide today!! I'm off to South Africa for a couple of months in June to teach textiles to street kids and school-drops at a youth centre in Knysna. They have very little funding for materials and resources, so I will need to buy supplies. If you can afford to make a small donation, please click the yellow button at the top of the page. Every little helps!!



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Flying geese progress

Two different arrangements:





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Finished wings and bustier

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Travel sewing case

I'm going to South Africa to do some voluntary textiles work with street kids and need to take my equipment. Progress so far:



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Suzuko Koseki

Mum recently visited Japan to see my brother and came back with lots of gorgeous fabrics. She bought me this beautiful Suzuko Koseki fabric, which I plan to make into a skirt.



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Loafers

Was naughty this weekend... See below:



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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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