Sewing Green

Now I have to admit, I don't consider myself a very good sewer at all. I try. I definitely try. I just wish I knew what I was doing behind that machine! I know good sewing when I see it - like I know a good french champagne when I drink it - doesn't mean I can make it!

So I've gone the slightly more alternative angle of sewing - reading crafty books (which never used to be in my repatoire but is for 2010) of which I am sorcing lots of inspiration and ideas for MissChief Maker. I then try to find local women who make just as beautiful things to stock the shop. The book that just arrived in the mail from the US yesterday was Sewing Green by Betz White. I flip through the pages and look for the easiest things I can do - preferrably without having to go and buy anything new. So I updated some of my lounge pillows with some fabo Florence Broadhurst offcuts.

Sewing Green has also inspired me to think winter (see by the cover) so I am onto creating some girls' ponchos from beautiful old woollen blankets with designer fabric trims....yum. If I fail - I might be calling on one of you clever Aussie mums to help me out!

I also have been meaning to try felting. I've kind of achieved it accidentally by washing some jumpers last winter in hot water! I created this little girl's reversible scarf from a pink country road jumper last night - inspired by Sewing Green - one side a purple floral cotton print and the front side the pink jumper embellished with hand-dyed vintage doilies and buttons.