Numbat - a lesser known woodland creature!

On a recent visit to the Perth Zoo I encountered a Numbat and wondered why I had never seen one of these Australian marsupials before.  I was struck by her beauty.  The colours in her fur were vibrant - appearing orange with black and white stripes on the lower part of the body.  She seemed very happy foraging in her enclosure, oblivious to being watched, hoping and jumping and scurrying.  Numbats are endangered. Once found right across the lower half of Australia, they are now only found in a very small region of Western Australia. The introduction of the red fox has been one of the major causes for such small numbers of numbats. Loss of their woodland habitats has also exacted a toll. Numbats eat termites and are active in the day - making them even more vulnerable.  The Perth Zoo has a breeding program and has so far been able to release 100 numbats back into the wild.

The red fox, which destroys so much of our native wildlife, has been a popular motif in recent times.  I thought I'd have a go at adding a numbat motif to a skirt.

Using a photo I found on Google images, i sketched my version.

 

Then translated this into fabric and stitched it on to one of the skirt front pieces I had cut out before stitching up the skirt.  Here is the finished result.  I'm happy with it.  I wanted a soft, light approach that blended, almost camouflaged, with the rest of the skirt

Goodbye Kitchen, Hello World

I really enjoy taking fabric that has had another life and turning it into something new  - for example other clothes, tablecloths, bed linen or homewares.  Clothes made from tablecloths all have a name that begins with "Goodbye Kitchen, Hello World"  These are some of the things from this series:

 

 

A Merry Mishap

Some weeks ago I had an idea for a tunic that kind of lapped over at the back and which, I imagined would look great over leggings or tights and a jumper.  I drafted the pattern in three sizes - small medium and large and so enthusiastic was I that I didnt bother making a muslin first. I cut straight into some beautiful Echino linen fabrics.  Not once, or twice but three times. one in each size.  I sewed the first one.  Making some big blousey pockets.  All went well ... until it came time to test the garment on an actual body.  It looked suspiciously like an apron,  but still I was confidant.  On it looked dreadful  - like an old fashioned pinnie; a shapless sack.  I was so disappointed I cast the garment aside.  The only consolation was that I had only stitched up one.  The other two, I knew I would be able to use the fabric in some other way.  The completed one, though.... Normally, I would unpick a disaster and just start again but this garment had french seams on linen and a whole lot of binding. I couldnt bear the thought of all that unpicking.  So it stayed, sadly slumped in my sewing room for weeks.
One day I had another idea and got to it.  I'd cut the top off the pinafore, form some pleats, attach a waistband and turn it into a wrap skirt - with big blousey pockets.  And here is the result:

 

So happy with this result I went on and turned the other two cut out pinafores into skirts as well!

I've learned my lesson though,  next time I'll be making up new ideas in less valuable fabric in case I cant resurrect the disasters!

Green, to be seen

Look what I spied peeping under my clothes display at last Sunday's North Melbourne Market.  How good is that green!  Suits my Dora Ruby skirts, too.
It was a good day - beautiful outside, perhaps the last taste of summer  until next summer.  Makes me think I need to get a move on with making more wintry things.

1st day of Autumn

 

Well, Melbourne has had at least two seasons today - autumn and winter.  The cold has been shocking.  Just sprung up from who knows where. Grey skies this morning didnt look particularly threatening, so I washed all the towels. Before the machine had finished the cycle, it was pouring with rain, so I reluctantly put the towels in the drier, then just after I took the towels out, the sun came out and the wind picked up.  As Alexander says in the Terrible, horrible, very bad, no good day, "Some days are like that".
Having the heater on, first time for months has caught me by surprise.  Last week, however, I did happen to make some heavier skirts ready for cooler weather.  I've posted them in my on line store today but here is a peek of two of my faves.

piece by piece

For months I have been handstitching these little hexagon pieces. They've travelled with me while on holiday by the sea.  They provided moments of peaceful reflection during the busy Christmas period and they helped me to feel like I was doing something productive while watching Friday night thrillers.  It is the first time I have tried this form of paper pieced patchwork and I look forward to doing more as it is very relaxing.  Removing the papers once the shapes were joined was a lot quicker than I had thought it would be.

What shall I do with my newly created piece of fabric?  I know, I'll make a wrap around skirt with the patchwork as the front panel.  I'll line this piece with a soft white cotton then I'll team it with some light blue denim to make the rest of the skirt.  

You Gotta Love this City

 

My house is getting a new roof this week.  Yah!  That should stop the rain coming in!  So I'm staying in an apartment in the city.  Walking down my 'this for this week street'  is a treat. I do love this city!

 

 

 

 

 

And this is the view from my sewing machine... by day

 

and by night