Saturday, August 20, 2011

Love - for a very special duo

Well, this carrier was supposed to be a surprise.... but I missed her birthday and some!!!

I have been blessed with so much. There is a particular lady who has no idea how she blessed me. Her story and her journey is so inspirational, and I feel absolutely honoured that she has shared it . She doesn't know how she has changed my outlook, she doesn't know how she has changed my thoughts, challenged me, and made me look within to ask myself some big questions.

The answer to all of those questions of course was simply, 'Love'. It didn't matter what the question was - I finally understand.


Her little lady is growing up so fast, and she has lots of needs - her mama really hasn't been able to be spoiled in any other way but with love. So I made her Love to send her way, as a thank you for all she has done for me.


Thankyou K and little B - you are both astounding in your beauty. You guys know what life is all about.

Its about love.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Free Bird

You know what day it is, dont you? Come on - its the 15th! Its Gossamer Dreams day!!!

Its also our Birthday!!! WOOT! So before showing what Ive made for the occasion, I want to say a quick and heartfelt thankyou to Lesley (of Cherubs Kiss). She has worked so hard, and continues for our industry as a whole - lots of things wouldn't happen without her. Cheers Lesley, you rocketh!

Without further ado - here is Free Bird, a Full Buckle Baby Carrier with (wait for it) TWO base colours - purple and olive! So, the front panel and one strap is olive and the back of the carrier and opposing strap is purple! Radness!!





It has a peaked headrest and tuckable hood...

and the front panel has appliqué and hand driven stitches...

TOTALLY OOAK and a bit rockin' I reckon.

I hope you like it and I hope you come along tonight to enjoy the party at Gossamer Dreams!

Industrial Sewing Machines 101 - Part 1

I just nearly fell off my chair!! Someone is saying that industrial sewing machines chew wraps?? That is one of the funniest things I have EVER read!!!! What do they hem wraps with?? What do they make the Hopp and Storch 1/2 buckles with? Time to dis-spell some 'myths' that are being created by mistake (Im sure).

It has to do with your needle. Any machine that has improper weight needles will chew through anything - chiffon OR denim! That is, of course, when we are talking domestics. That does come into play with industrials BUT you need to make sure that you (first and foremost) have a machine that suits your needs. Industrial machines are built with a specific application in mind and simply do not perform well in other applications. Its quite unfair to lump them all into the one category - just like domestic machines!

Also, Wrap fabric really IS only fabric. Yes, it is special, yes we love it, but in the grand scheme of things it is fabric and sewing machines are made to sew fabric.

Now, Vintage machines are in fact very nearly industrial - they fall into a domestic heavy category. I have a collection of vintage machines and yes I love them but for me I am a professional and I choose to use professional machines. If you ask just about anyone else in the industry what they use, you will find that they end up with industrials. Domestics just DO NOT HAVE THE POWER to sew through the layers I sew through.

Anyone worth their salt would investigate their options. Like anything, different sewing machines serve different purposes. My Juki is a dressmakers machine, designed to sew anything from chiffon to heavy denim. Which is classed as light to medium. Although we class canvas as heavy weight it really isnt in the 'industrial' world. Shade sails, tents, annexes are considered heavy weight and then there are even heavier applications that industrials cover. Machine models are made with a specific purpose in mind, and they serve that purpose extremely well but only that purpose, IYKWIM. Domestics are designed to fulfill many purposes but not all purposes proficiently.I love my Juki - it is so amazing. I am able to sew through many layers with complete ease, and it is 100% stress free. My stitches are perfect, and it has just made my life so much easier. And because my machine is ideal for MY purpose, it sews through wrap fabric beautifully and with complete ease.

It is such a shame when people say that any machine doesnt suit their needs. It means that they haven't had the right information to base their choice/opinions on. As I said, ALL industrial machines are built for a specific purpose, but it is incredibly hard to find information out there. There just isnt any. I was lucky and had the advice of three very experienced people (an ex seamstress who did piece work for years, and two mechanics, one that solely works on industrial sewing machines/bartack machines/buttonholers/bag closers/ etc you get the picture), and they led me in the right direction.

I absolutely research every option when considering a new machine to add to my collection. I LOVE SEWING MACHINES! I am well versed in vintage style cam machines, and sure they are lovely. I have three vintage cam machines of my own, one is a total pain in the ass, the other is amazing and in mint condition, and the third burnt its own motor out while being haunted by some poltergeist (it needed a bypass in the pedal to make it function in Australia). I have my heavy domestic Elna which is AMAZING (some peeps call the semi industrial but they arent), and she does all my decorative work (did I mention that I love her!?).

I just wanted to throw some of those well-meaning but uninformed ideas out the window :).

Stay tuned for Part 2 :P

Sunday, August 14, 2011

big Shia

A toddler sized full buckle Beetlebum Baby Carrier with peaked headrest and tuckable hood!!! All the bells and whistles!! I made this carrier for a very special mama and I really hope she loves her <3.


Now, Gossamer Dreams is having a birthday stocking on Monday night!!! Ole!! I have made something mildly rocking for the occasion - I will blog it tomorrow :P

To Thailand!

Another of my beautiful friends is off to Thailand soon with her crew - her boy is quite big now and.. well... she needed a new carrier of course!!!

This is a reversible Half Buckle Beetlebum with a solarveil panel, it will be fabbo for the hot hot balmy heat over there. On Bamboo Denim - I have mentioned how much I love Bamboo Denim, haven't I??!


This is the 'Papa' side - and it suits her husband well :). They have been so busy with the year that has passed, so much has happened. They are such a beautiful family, always smiling and laughing. When we chat I love to hear the rough and tumble of the children playing freely in the background. Beyond perfect!


Apart from being incredibly jealous of their impending trip, I am excited for her to get her special fluffy. I just love my friends SEW much! Love you S!!!!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Zelle

Zelle was made for a very special lady who has been stalking for years - I've known her for a long time, and know just how long she has wanted (ahem... NEEDED!) a Beetlebum Baby Carrier.

So I had to make her one :). I asked her for hints and ran with it!!

Zelle has a tuckable hood and peaked headrest, and is a standard size.


This fabric is similar to a favourite of mine - this is a Kimono Silk, and it is just divine. It has texture to it too - and the print is completely rockin', I must say!


Zelle is already flying on her way to snuggle her new mama and babe. I really hope the wait was worth it, I really really hope they love love love her :).

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Lovebird

My darling friend sent me her Natural Mamas Girasol oh so long ago - and like all my friends, waited ever so patiently for me to make her carrier for her! This time I think it is rather lucky, because she gets a tuckable hood and head rest!!

Hood hidden


Hand-driven and Mel designed applique to the headrest, the bird even has a love heart eye <3. The hearts have tails that meander across the headrest.


And the hood out, I just love this combo and I love how the Natural Mamas Girasol translates when restyled into a Beetlebums Full Buckle.


Some say patience is a virtue (it is...), some say better late than never (yep that too!) but I say that good things come to those who wait, and I am grateful for that <3.

Love you B, and I hope you love your Wrap Restyle!