Life and the garden

So much has happened since I last posted.

Sewing wise, It's been like a sweat shop in my sewing room, I've been really productive.

I've churned out 2 skirts, a toile of the Ava dress, the ava dress and cut out 3 dresses.

One of those dresses is going to be my birthday dress which is not to far away.

I think it's due to my new job and the setup in my sewing room has changed.

Life wise, well I'm enjoying my job so much more than the last one. Although the travel time has doubled each way which is sometimes frustrating and tiring.

Ben and I have been working on our back garden for a while now.

I gave ben a chainsaw for christmas, but it didn't work, after waiting 2.5 months we finally got a new one from the manufacture.
Less than 2 weeks later we ripped out 4 trees and had 6 stumps removed.

We bought bricks around that time, so we levelled the back half of the yard. And started the edging, it is such hard work!

Next week we are laying turf. I am so excited. Our yard will finally start to take shape.

I now have to figure out what kind of plants I want for the beds. I want flowers all year round. Any suggestions?

If anyone is on twitter, I joined a few months ago, my user name is allegravintage if you want to say hi.

Thanks for reading!

Fabric Friday

Note: due to Blogger scheduling error, this is getting published today, not yesterday.
I am very proud of my fabric collection, I don't think it's massive but I've been told it is, I love all the fabric that I have. I'd like to share with you some of my new fabric.

Last Tuesday I was in the city area for my job interview, I had a lot of time to kill before I had to catch the train home, so I reluctantly wandered down to Tessuti's, they have a lot more of fabric than the last time I visited!
I found some swimwear fabric which I couldn't live without, and a remnant piece called Tamarillo Wash Finish, its a beautiful colour and so soft to touch, I'd love to make a blouse for my new job. The Tessuti ladies are so friendly and I love chatting about sewing with like minded people.

swim wear left, tamarillo right.

After leaving Tessuti's I walked down Flinders lane to the Nicholas Building, I've been determined to go to Buttonmania for a while, as I was walking up the stairs I got distracted by all the other stores that I didn't go in. I'll have to return and when I do I'll get a covered belt done for my Ava dress. I then continued down Finders lane, I took a detour to Lincraft, I was so uninspired, I quickly left.

I then made my way to Cleg's, ah how I enjoy "visiting" cleg's, I do wish I wore McCall's 6350 dress to show them. I spent ages looking at everything, nothing really took my fancy until I saw this slinky poly/spandex knit, I thought it would be suitable for a knit dress, so I got 3 metres. I hate not having enough fabric when I go to make something so I try to buy a little extra.

So that's all my new fabric, while I haven't imposed a ban on myself, I have to love a fabric before I take it home, which is pretty reasonable. My sewing teacher, class mate Sally and myself are going on a fabric shopping trip in two weeks time, who knows what will come home with me. Have you bought anything lately?

On the sewing table....

I should really say whats on the cutting table as that's what I'm up to at the moment, its Ava by Victory Patterns, this dress is so me, when I saw it, just a few days before this post, I thought yes I'll go back and buy that, then I forgot what site it was on, so I was thrilled when saw Alana's post.

I've got another wedding coming up in early May, this one was a surprise, as the couple didn't intend on marrying for a few years, but the groom's mother is very sick, hence the wedding. I'm sad for the couple & his family, but I'm also happy for them. The wedding is in the Dandenong ranges, which will be beautiful but freezing.



Alfred Nichols garden in the dandies.

 I plan on wearing the Ava dress, with a really warm coat! I have 2.6 metres of highly textured dark blue dupioni, this photo is a pretty accurate colour wise.  I plan to buy some black lace tomorrow, which is my last day of holidays.

 I've really enjoyed my time off, I'm so much more relaxed now. I think I will be in the future as well, as I now have a new job!! I'm transferring to our head office, so no more selling, working weekends, or working during the crazy season. Wwwwwwwwwoooooooooohhhhhhhhhoooooooooooo

I gave them my resume on Monday, had an interview on Tuesday, got the job Wednesday. I have to say I'm pretty pleased with myself, this is the 8th job I've applied for and gotten! I will be commuting by train so I'm looking forward to reading etc for 2 hours everyday.

I now have to make some work appropriate clothes, any thoughts?

Thanks for reading,

Kat