24.6.12

Marc Jacobs mix up

A new resort collection by Marc Jacobs combines influences from both the 30's and 70's in a riotous mix of intense colour, print and texture!


Inspired I created a little mix up of my own....


 For the retro style HALTER TOP I combined two Liberty print florals and stitched around all the edges in a contrasting top stitch thread. It's worn here with the full and flippy RA RA SKIRT; very dangerous on windy days!
 

If you've never tried using heavy top stitching thread a quick HOW TO can be found right here.  The patterns for the reversible HALTER TOP and the RA RA SKIRT will be released soon.

21.6.12

TOOLS the tracing wheel

Used to mark out your pattern through a layer of fabric or paper it leaves a line of tiny holes for you to follow. 




13.6.12

HOW TO stitch in the ditch

A couple of new patterns we're working on require you to do some ditch stitching, here's how you do it....

1. Press the seam open.


2. With the right side facing up gently pull the fabric either side of the seam so that the stitching is exposed, this is the ditch.


3. Don't rush this next bit, stitch exactly down the centre of the seam (in the ditch) through the layers underneath.  Once you let go of the fabric your stitching should be almost invisible.


In the example below I used ditch stitching to create an inverted pleat in the back of a new style called the BIG VEST; pattern available soon.


7.6.12

Craft & Quilt Fair 2012



The annual Craft & Quilt Fair starts in Sydney next Wednesday and happily our sewing patterns will be available from Kelani Fabrics located at stand G40.
 

 The fabulous Elissa will be on hand to help with all your fabric selections and there are lots of samples on display for you to see.  Patterns include all of our cutest knickers as well as two new styles; the BUSTLE BACK MINI and the FLAPPER SHORT both of which start at a teeny tiny size 6...perfect for younger sewers!


Craft & Quilt Fair
June 13 - 17
Wednesday - Sunday
Open 9am - 5pm daily

Sydney Exhibition Centre, Halls 1, 2 & 3,
Darling Drive, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont
Kelani Fabrics - Stand G40

4.6.12

Peacock of Pieces

Entrants in the Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition were challenged to create 'the most spectacularly stunning thing/s you can from that one packet' and the resulting combinations of colour and fabric are both diverse and inspiring.
  

Jo's entry called 'Peacock of Pieces' along with all the other amazing creations can be found right here
  

....select your favourites and repin away!

You can buy fabric from Umbrella Prints online and read more about the very clever Amy and Carly right here.