clouds and um... clouds

Here are the last of my new fabrics. These first two have been around for a little while but never available as fabric till now. Both were designed around the same time and embarassingly, both seem to have had the same working title of Clouds. Not very inspired.

I think I need some help dreaming up better names, any suggestions?

The cloudy one appears in the shop as Cloudy (?). The green print I'm calling Links (like I said, naming help people!) though it started life as Clouds. Cloudy was made around the time I was playing around with kids' designs for the Project Selvage competition. My kids love this one and want me to make a pillowcase with it and so I've only got one FQ left in the shop, be quick if you like it.

Links started as a doodle. I've had it printed in this graphic grassy green on white but love it in these other combinations here and here. Hmm, if only I could get everything printed every which way.

Also new is Marbles in large format on purple/mauve. I love the marbles big and have some more of the large blue on order. I have 4 FQs only of this. I had lots of fun the other day playing around matching it with the other prints in the series. I like the way they play together, just as I had imagined :-)

My favourite combo is perhaps this one below, the new Flower Bed prints. My friend was similarly smitten and has just snapped up most of the Bloom and Daisy Dots to make pillowcases for her girls' room. She was here to pick up some Marbles fabric she'd ordered for her son's duvet/doona cover. Can't wait to see how they all turn out. Hopefully I'll get pics to share.

barcelona

Amazingly (because I have been procrastinating about making this skirt for as long as I can remember!) I finished my Barcelona skirt the other day. After canvassing your opinions about skipping the lining, and getting some great advice in return I decided to substitute a bias waistband. This decision lasted about as long as it took to make up the bias. I wasn't happy with the way the skirt was hanging as its quite a thin fabric and it didn't look right, wasn't flattering.

I'd been worried about a facing riding up or showing through the fabric so I bit the bullet and decided to try a lining as the pattern says. It was actually a quick sew though annoyingly I had fiddled with the sizing on the outer and then cut a straight medium on the lining which turned out to be a perfect fit. Hence the (dodgy) darts added at the last minute at the front of the skirt, to make the two match.

The best thing about the lining is the inspiration I had to use a vintage sheet from the stash! The pattern calls for calico, but I can only imagine that the calico they are talking about is much lighter than the fabric I have of the same name which is quite heavy. I felt it would be hot and cardboardy, making the skirt quite stiff.

The vintage sheet is the perfect solution. Not only do I get a pretty print lining that makes me smile even if no one else sees it, but the fabric is prewashed (many times over!) and its soft worn finish makes it so comfortable to wear. Not only that but its full cotton and lightweight. Perfect!

Apologies for the crap photos of me wearing it, I tried twice but this is the best I could get.

I like this length but want to try a slightly shorter A Line. I think I might use this pattern I just bought (retro discontinued on Etsy) inspired by this pic in my pinterest board. Isn't it cute!

p.s. Thanks for the fabric orders and sweet comments. I've been playing with my new prints today and hope to make something in Bricks to share on Thursday. Though must stop sewing and start Christmas shopping soon!!

bricks in print

There's something wonderful about printing pattern on fabric and seeing the designs come to life. So it was fun to pull out the Bricks fabric and see how it worked in lengths. I'm really happy with it!

After all your feedback I couldn't decide which to print, so I have four versions. Two large format - purple and bright blue, and two smaller format - yellow and sky blue.

They are now up in the Flower Press shop for a bit of Christmas sewing.

I can feel a Lego bag coming on. Something to keep those little pieces under control. Or maybe a zip pouch made in Bricks fabric with Lego Mini Figures inside (we love those round here!). Wouldn't that make a great stocking stuffer, actually don't tell my boys, I'm definitely going to make some!

For the next little bit I'm giving a little discount and free postage in Australia and $1 for OS, on all my new fabrics, to celebrate and thank you all for your lovely feedback. It means so very much to me.

I've got a couple more prints too but I'll share them another time. Oh and that skirt, I finished it yay! I have a photo, its not very good, still raining here, but I might post it here after the great advice you shared.