 Our bundle of joy was due on August 17th and has yet to make an appearance. So, to help keep my mind off the waiting game and to make productive use of the time I have left as a woman who can sleep, eat and go out when she wants to, I have turned my focus to some projects that I've been wanting to get done for ages. A couple of weeks ago the Farmers' Market was on in town and one of the stall holders was selling fabric. Most of it was of no interest to me, but this one print caught my eye and I just couldn't turn it down! I snapped it up, not knowing what I'd make with it just knowing I had to have it. I only bought a meter - a risky decision, but one that paid off because it gave me just enough to make two cushion covers and one apron. This project involved a lot of sewing firsts for me: the first involved making piping from gorgeous gingham fabric a friend gave to me and the second involved making rouleau loops. I really enjoyed making both! These pics show the details of the cushion covers; one of my favorite things about this project - other than learning new techniques - was to use vintage buttons and beautiful linen, both of which I picked up at a local charity shop. I love the blend of working with new, old and re-purposed materials! | 
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Another project that has been on my mind since before Christmas when we moved into our house, was to make a splashback for the sink in our ensuite bathroom. Everyday I'd look at the empty space and envision all of these different ideas. After making a peg rail a couple of weeks ago (reference my earlier blog "Side Projects"), I realized that rather than making something far more complicated than I have the facilities to accomplish on my own (which I kept stumbling over, because I had it in my head that I wanted to make something out of clay...a bit of a conundrum given that I have neither clay, glaze or a kiln!) I should keep it simple. So I just used some pieces of MDF board that I had lying around the studio - which happened to be the perfect size for the project - and collaged the boards with vintage reproduction maps of France. Ideal as the subject ties in with the peg rail. It was both an "aha" and "duh!" moment realized at the same time!
|  And, finally, my "piece de resistance" - a vintage-inspired, reversible apron. Again, I've used new, old and re-purposed materials. I've used the same gingham piping and for the top band/ties, I used a bit of ribbon that came with a cushion, which happened to be the perfect length. When I was thinking about starting the project, I hadn't intended to make it reversible. But I had thought about lining it. Then I figured if I was going to line the fabric, I might as well go a step further and make it reversible. Truly a new challenge to me! I spent a few days thinking about the construction of the apron before getting started. Once I got started it all came together without too much hassle. That's not to say it was an easy project - it was not without its challenges. But the satisfaction I felt after tackling what was for me such a big task was immense. This project in particular filled me with a huge amount of pride. Now, I just need to pop this baby out so I can actually use it!! |
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