smallthingsmade

to market

2012-03-02T17:21:00.000+10:00

Please come and visit me at the Young Designers Market, at Little Stanley Street, South Bank, Brisbane this Sunday 4th March. I will be at the Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE stall with some of my hats, collars, and accessories...... a sneak peek can be seen here.

a tippet

2012-02-28T11:45:00.000+10:00

'She has a Mannish Style' by Yuko Takada is a great Japanese book with some simple patterns for making mannish looking garments. I have had the book for over a year and decided to finally make something from it!

So with a child free morning I made Tippet 01 in a soft black linen with a Petersham ribbon tie.

The tippet is a stole or scarf-like narrow piece of clothing, worn or draped over the shoulders. An unusual accessory yet to be partnered in my wardrobe.........

smallthingsMade weekend classes have been very popular.

I still have a couple of spaces available in the next block of classes starting March 10. Please book here

weekend sewing classes

2012-02-09T11:40:00.000+10:00

Weekend sewing classes for Brisbane Young/Teens ages 10+ will now be offered by smallthingsMade. The weekend classes will consist of 3 x 3hr sewing workshops held on Saturday mornings/afternoons during the school term.

Beginner students will learn all the basics of machine sewing and simple garment construction. They may select three of smallthingsMade's Young/Teen sewing projects to make over the three classes. This may include a Skirt/Top/Tote or Skirt/Pyjamas/Dress or Skirt/Dress/Cushion etc.

Students beyond beginner level can 'Bring their Own Project'. Over the three classes they will be guided through the workings of commercial patterns and make a simple dress, jacket, skirt or top of their choice.

Weekend Sewing Dates for 2012

Feb 18, 25, Mar 3 (9-12noon) SOLD OUT
Mar 10, 17, 24 (1-4pm)
May 12, 19, 26 (1-4pm)
Jun 2, 9, 16 (9-12noon)
Jul 14, 2, 28 (1-4pm)
Aug 11, 18, 25 (9-12noon)
Sep 8, 15, 22 (1-4pm)
Oct 13, 20, 27 (9-12noon)
Nov 10, 17, 24 (1-4pm)

For more details and bookings please visit here

students work

2012-01-27T12:29:00.002+10:00

Some very pretty things were made in the smallthingsMade january school holiday classes. You can have a look at some of the students work here on the smallthingsMade Flikr site.

I have been getting a few enquiries about machine classes during the school term, please email me if you are interested as smallthingsMade may start running Saturday afternoon classes.

It has been such a wet start to School in Brisbane. A week of muddy school shoes, wet bags, soggy school notes and dripping umbrellas - so please rain go away, and send us some sunshine soon......

xo K

happy holiday sewing

2012-01-12T10:57:00.002+10:00

happy 2012!
the stunning Port Willunga, South Australia
two weeks of reading, relaxing, beach adventure and long lunches with family
well rested and ready to launch into.....

smallthingsMade School Holiday Sewing classes starting Monday 16 January!

there are still a few places available in the Softie classes on Monday and Thursday mornings. If you missed out on the Hair Accessories class, please book into the Thursday softie class and you can make yourself some beautiful hair clips and head bands.

due to demand I have added another Skirt Class on Monday 16, 1.00-4.00pm. Please book in quick to secure your spot.

also, I have now posted images in the smallthingsmade booking site of the Summer Dress we will be making on Thursday afternoon. This simple pullover dress includes a gathered waist, extended shoulders and bias neckline and looks great made up in a lightweight summer lawn.

looking forward to some happy summer sewing next week.....

january 2012 school holiday classes

2011-12-06T03:37:00.000+10:00

School Holiday Sewing Classes in Brisbane for kids and teens are on again in January!

To celebrate the first birthday of smallthingsMade I will be giving away a Kids Sewing Class to the first person that books into one of the Kids Sewing classes scheduled in January 2012. Please proceed to the checkout as normal and I will refund the first lucky customer.

Also, up to December 16, I will send Gift Vouchers with any booking. A Gift Voucher will make a great little Christmas present for someone special. Please book into your preferred class and then email me a request for a Gift Voucher including the recipient's name and mailing address.

The timetable for the January School Holiday period is as follows;

Mon 16 January, 2012
10-12noon
Kids Sewing 2: A little Felt Softie ages 6+
1.00-4.30pm
Young/Teen Sewing 1: Petite Skirt ages 10+

Tue 17 January, 2012
10-12noon
Kids Sewing 6: Hair Accessories ages 6+ NEW CLASS
1.00-4.30pm
Young/Teen Sewing 1: Petite Skirt ages 10+

Wed 18 January, 2012
10-12noon
Kids Sewing 5: Pin Cushions and Needle Cases ages 6+
1.00-4.30pm
Young/Teen Sewing 3: A Handy Tote ages 10+

Thurs 19 January, 2012
10-12noon
Kids Sewing 2: A little Felt Softie ages 6+
1.00-5.00pm
Young/Teen Sewing 6: A Summer Dress ages 10+ NEW CLASS

Fri 20 January, 2012
10-12noon
Kids Sewing 7: Hand Embroidery ages 8+ NEW CLASS
1.00-4.30pm
Young/Teen Sewing 4: A Cushion with a Zip ages 10+

For more information and bookings visit here

hatsMade

2011-12-05T23:41:00.001+10:00

A few hats to show from the first year of my Millinery Diploma at the Metropolitan South Institute of Tafe. A big thank you to my teacher Robyn Smallhorn for her inspiration and energy in the class.

Keep posted for the launch of hatsMade very soon.........

school holiday classes

2011-11-22T14:34:00.002+10:00

smallthingsmade will be running School Holiday Classes between Jan 16 - Jan 20 next year. I would love to offer more dates, but I need holidays too!

I will be posting a timetable very soon and will be offering a few new classes to the list.

the fabric store

2011-11-17T10:55:00.000+10:00

Brisbane's new dress fabric store has arrived....... the fabric store in Newstead. Lots of gorgeous silks, cotton, linens, stretch fabrics fabuously layed out in a large warehouse in Wandoo Street.

term 3: school holiday sewing classes

2011-09-06T19:24:00.004+10:00

School Holiday Sewing Classes are on again. The classes will be held at the Hall behind the Ithaca Presbyterian Church at 100 Enoggera Terrace Red Hill.

The timetable is as follows;

Mon 19 September,2011
10-12noon
Kids Sewing 2: A little Felt Softie ages 6+
1.30-4.30pm
Young/Teen Sewing 1: Petite Skirt ages 10+

Tue 20 September, 2011
10-12noon
Kids Sewing 3: Cross Stitch ages 8+
1.30-4.30pm
Young/Teen Sewing 2: Petite Top ages 10+

Wed 21 September, 2011
10-12noon
Kids Sewing 5: Pin Cushions and Needle Cases ages 6+
1.30-4.30pm
Young/Teen Sewing 3: A Handy Tote ages 10+

Thurs 22 September, 2011
10-12noon
Kids Sewing 2: A little Felt Softie ages 6+
1.30-4.30pm
Young/Teen Sewing 4: A Cushion with a Zip ages 10+

For more information and bookings visit here

sewing: spring cushions

2011-09-05T09:49:00.001+10:00

Sewing some some Spring colour and comfort into my little girl's bedroom and preparing for a new Cushion making class to be included in the next School Holiday Sewing Classes starting Monday 19 September.

These cushions are made up in Japanese fabric by Echino in 'Woodland Pink' purchased from Peppermint Stitches in Toowong. More lovely Echino fabric perfect for home decor can be found here.

young sewing: week 1

2011-07-27T14:58:00.008+10:00

Isabella, Sophie & Bianca have spent the past three Saturday afternoons doing the smallthingsMade Introduction to Sewing 1: Young/Teen Sewing class. Here is the beautiful work from the girls created in in the first week and here and here is the lovely work they created in the second week. Each made a skirt, top and pencil case over a three week period.

The skirt is a great first project for beginner students with no sewing experience. Students are shown how to thread and use a machine, taught a basic flat seam, how to make an casing for an elastic waistband and how to machine a hem.

The next dates for this class are scheduled for the September School Holidays.

cherry hat

2011-07-24T20:23:00.000+10:00

a playful quick knit
'gypsy garden' yarn by knit collage in colourway cherry blossom
this whimsical handspun yarn is a combination of wool, mohair, sparkly trims, treasures, colours and textures
a fun little hat ......perfect for a girly girl!

knitting: toast & honey

2011-07-19T14:40:00.000+10:00

the winter winds have arrived in brisbane

in the making...... 'toast' cuffs to match 'honey' cowl

pretty : skirts

2011-07-12T22:26:00.000+10:00

A few of the skirts made by smallthingsMade beginner sewing students Sara. Lou, Annika & Lauren in the June School Holidays. How pretty are these?

The next Introduction to Sewing 1: Young/Teen Sewing class for beginners starts Saturday 16 July. We still have one place available in the class! The class runs for three Saturdays and students will make a Skirt, Top and Pencil Case. For more information and details please email me

crafty creations

2011-07-03T07:41:00.001+10:00

flower brooch by Ailish age 11

The Term 2 School Holiday Classes has seen some lovely work created by many happy smallthingsMade students. Please take a look here to see some of their creations.

All classes are now sold out. If you did miss out on getting a place in one of the classes please email me to be added to the smallthingsMade mailing list to find out about the next School Holiday Classes.

term 2 school holiday classes

2011-06-18T10:31:00.006+10:00

School Holiday Sewing Classes are on again.

The timetable is as follows;
Mon 27 June
10-12noon
Young Sew 1: Brooches ages 6+ SOLD OUT SORRY
Young Sew 4: Geeks Gadget Covers ages 6+ SOLD OUT SORRY
1.30-4.30pm
Young/Teen Sewing 1: Petite Skirt ages 10+ SOLD OUT SORRY

Tue 28 June
9.30-12.30pm
Adult Sewing
1.30-4.30pm

Young/Teen Sewing 3: PJ Pants ages 10+ NEW CLASS SOLD OUT SORRY

Wed 29 June

10-12noon

Young Sew 2: Softies ages 6+ SOLD OUT SORRY
1.30-3.30pm

Beginners Knitting ages 10+

Tue 5 July
9.30-12.30
Young/Teen Sewing 1: Petite Skirt ages 10+
1.30-3.30pm
Beginners Knitting ages 10+

For more information and bookings visit here

sew knit: find explore

2011-06-17T12:02:00.000+10:00

sewing] a few weeks ago I stole some time and made a dress out of Liberty of London's 'Kenzo Gold' winter weight wool/cotton - what beautiful fabric this is. I used my new Clover bias tape maker for the first time to make the bias for the bound neckline. This little gadget is fantastic and I can't believe it has taken me so long to get one. They come in an assortment of sizes and make the job of bias strips so easy - I used the 18mm size, however I would recommend the 12mm for bound necklines.

knitting] a quick winter knit of my favorite kind. A textured cowl using this pattern on circular needles and Cascade 220 yarn. Warm, textured and made while watching a very popular and addictive cooking show - yes you know the one.

finding] inspiration
modern, clever, sustainable sewing patterns from NZ designer Papercut Patterns
whimsical wool from knit collage
bell lights from lightly

exploring] brisbanites don't have to travel too far to reach some superb places. A recent camping trip found us exploring the Bunya Mountains just north west of Brisbane. It is a unique landscape with the ancient Bunya Pines towering the rainforest, waterfalls abundant, range-top grasslands, birdsong and wallabies....beautiful.

road trippers

2011-05-25T18:41:00.000+10:00

Craft Victoria window display

I have just returned from a family road trip to Melbourne, with stops in the Victorian Alpine Valley, Snowy Mountains, Canberra and back to Brisbane. Here are a few highlights for anyone thinking about a road trip adventure with a few craft stops and some family fun....

Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo

Craft Victoria

L'uccello

Bright

Beechworth

Heide Museum of Modern Art

Mount Buffalo Chalet

The National Potrait Gallery

Just to keep me sane over those 4500km in the car, I had this lovely cross-stitch from The Six Week Boutique to work on.

stitching bunnies

2011-04-22T06:50:00.000+10:00

grace's bunny

Happy Easter from smallthingsMade!

The smallthingsMade April School Holiday Sewing Classes have now finished. Lots of fun was had by all that attended and beautiful work was produced. Some of the work can be viewed here.
For those that missed out, please email me to be on the mailing list for the next School Holidays in July.

precious knits

2011-04-21T23:33:00.001+10:00

What I enjoy most about the start to the cooler months of the year is unpacking my children's precious collection of knits made by my dearest Nanna, Jean Nellie Dell.

Nanna, you are such an inspiration!

the coffee date dress

2011-04-11T14:57:00.001+10:00

Two smallthingsMade young sewing students are currently making dresses from the The Coffee Date Dress pattern available through BurdaStyle. This is a fantastic free download and made up is so flattering with it's fitted bodice, front ruffle and A-line skirt.

Lovely 15yr old Jenna is making her dress in a cotton chambray (pictured above) . She required no alterations to the pattern other than shortening the length of the skirt by a good 10cm. We made a few modifications to the instructions, the pattern made reference to Sew an all in one facing which looks very complicated. My preference when sewing a bodice with facings is to sew the shoulder seams, insert the facing, under stitch and then sew the side seams last.

Photographer, Clare Sophia has spent her classes modifying the coffee date dress pattern into a backless cocktail dress similar to this one. Stay tuned for some very gorgeous pictures of this one when it is finished....

term 1 school holiday classes

2011-03-23T06:33:00.001+10:00

After the huge success with the January Holiday Sewing Classes, smallthingsMade will be running Term 1 School Holiday Sewing Classes from Sat 16 April to Thur 21 April. The classes will be held at a new location in the Ithaca Presbyterian Church Hall at 100 Enoggera Terrace Red Hill.

Kids sewing classes for ages 6+ will run in the mornings between 10-12noon and classes for Young/Teens ages 10+ will run in the afternoons between 2-5pm.

The popular softie class now has two new additions of an Easter Bunny and Chick to make. The cross-stitch class has a few new designs including letters so young sewers can cross-stitch their own initial, making an artwork for the bedroom wall.

A couple of new classes will also be offered including a Beginners Knitting for ages 10+ and a Geek's Gadget Covers class for ages 6+.

In the Beginners Knitting class we will be gearing up for the cooler months ahead and making a very practical, stylish little scaflette. The class is also open to adults accompanying a young/teen, so please book yourself a place in the class and make a scarflette too!

In the Geek's Gadget Covers class we will be hand embroidering and embellishing a cool new cover for a geeky gadget, game console, mobile. mp3 or alike.

For all the classes offered, dates and times please look here. Classes can be booked online in the smallthingsmade shop.

adult sewing

2011-03-18T12:51:00.002+10:00

Penny and Linden joined the Adult Sewing 1: Sewing Machine Basics class last Saturday and made themselves a smallthingsMade market bag each. They were both very confident on the machine and looked like they enjoyed a bit of sewing time uninterrupted by precious young ones.

Inspired by the lesson Penny went home made another bag (pictured above) and pants and pyjamas for her daughter!

On Tuesday, Celeste and Suzanne finished the second lesson of the Adult Sewing 2: Simple Top class. They both perfected the bias bound neckline detail. This detail looks so much better than a facing so we explored a few variations using bias around necklines. Suzanne's divine mushroom coloured linen proved challenging as it frayed and moved around due to its open weave. The french seams worked perfectly for this fabric.

Both Celeste and Suzanne chose to do the extended sleeve option for the top to see them through the cooler months approaching.

The smallthingsMade top pattern can be easily modified into a shift style dress and has lots of different sleeve options to choose from. Suzanne was very happy with the fit of her top and set off to get more fabric to make a dress.

ombre

2011-03-17T16:04:00.001+10:00

Ombre meaning to shade in French is a type of fabric that gradates from one colour to another. I fell in love with this stunningly beautiful satin silk fabric many months ago after seeing it here and in a different colourway here. Pondering what to make, something floaty, easy to wear and something that shows off the graded tone and soft drape of the fabric.

Inspired by these designs; Mina Stone's 'Saronic Tunic' and Akira Isogawa's 'Boat Neck Kaftan' and this dress from his Spring/Summer 2011 collection, my dress was carefully cut and sewn. It is simply gorgeous to wear and I love it......

sewing class success

2011-03-06T21:14:00.001+10:00

Saturday afternoons have proved very productive for Isabella and Mia, two lovely 11yr old beginner sewers in the smallthingsMade Introduction to Sewing 1: Young/Teen Sewing class. Over three Saturdays, they made themselves a skirt, top and a zippered vanity bag each.

I wondered how they would go with the final zipper & buttonholes class as these are challenging elements for such young sewers with no previous sewing experience. But as you can see, the girls did such a fantastic job and they are both very proud of their first ever sewing projects. They were a pleasure to teach and I look forward to seeing them in more classes.

japan lovely

2011-02-28T16:41:00.001+10:00

How I love parcels in the post, especially when they are for me. Two new Japanese pattern books to do a bit of winter wardrobe planning! Purchased from the fantastic Etsy store, Japan Lovely Crafts.

smallthingsMade features in the North Lakes Messenger this week (Feb 26 edition) with thanks to Trish Goodfield.

Trish runs the store TrishAlan Designs with her husband Alan and writes a weekly art/craft column 'The Crafters Way' in the Messenger. This week she has interviewed me about smallthingsMade and why I like teaching sewing to young people. To view the interview take a look at here at The Crafters Way.

Also, for more about Trish Goodfield and her creative talents making hand dyed fabric and threads, needlework charts and kits, and Kumihimo, please read her featured 'Shop Handmade' interview with the BrisStyle team.

library bag tutorial

2011-02-17T14:37:00.008+10:00

A library bag was urgently required for my little girls' first trip to the School Library this week. This drawstring bag sews up in less than an hour and works really well with any kind of fabric. For an eco alternative you can use an old bed sheet or pillow case. You can even sew a few scraps of fabric together to make the bag. I used a remnant of an Alexander Henry fabric "birdsong" in the pink colourway purchased at Funky Fabrix.

Materials

Pins

Tailors chalk

Scissors

Ruler

Safety Pin

Fabric 50cm high x 85cm wide

Ribbon, tape or cord 1m length

Large bead (optional)

How to

Fold the width of fabric in half with right sides together so you get a 50 x 42.5cm rectangle.Pin in place.
From the top of the bag mark a point with the tailors chalk 12 cm down the side.
Sew up the bottom and side of the bag using a 1cm seam allowance. Stop at the marked point 12cm from the top.

In the 12cm portion of the fabric where you did not sew the seam, fold and iron 1cm at the side and at the top of the bag fold and iron a 0.5cm hem.
Fold the top over again to form a 5.5cm hem. Pin in place.
Finish the raw edges at the the sides and bottom of the bag.

Sew along the bottom edge of the hem.
To form the drawstring channel, sew a second row of stitching about 2.5cm up.
For a beautifully finished edge at the top sew a third row of stitching close to the top edge and down to meet the second row of stitching as shown.

Attach a safety pin to one edge of the ribbon or tape and thread it through the drawstring channel.
Thread a bead and knot the ends of the ribbon together.

The bag is finished and ready to collect those books!

valentines

2011-02-14T10:30:00.001+10:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all those lovers out there.........

adult sewing classes

2011-02-02T08:43:00.001+10:00

The first smallthingsMade Adult sewing class will start on March 1st and another on March 12th. The class, Adult Sewing 1: Sewing Machine Basics is a perfect class for complete beginners. Please book here.

Other adult classes have been drafted up and I will post dates for these soon.

drape drape

2011-01-30T10:28:00.002+10:00

Project Details
Pattern: Pattern No. 4, drape top (modified into a dress) from the Japanese pattern book Drape Drape 2 , isbn978-4-579-11308-8 also available here
Fabric: red jersey from stash

A little sewing project for myself this weekend. I have become a collector of Japanese pattern books, the styling is so beautiful, the clothes are very wearable and if you can sew they are relatively easy to make.

The hardest part about these books is they are in Japanese and it takes some creative symbol matching to work out which pattern you should trace from the paper pattern in the back of the book. Also, you need to add seam allowances onto the pattern pieces.

For this dress I modified the top pattern No4. by lengthening it at the bottom (about 45cm) to make a longer style dress. The pattern is a cinch as it is in one piece and has a total of 3 seams. The difficulty was finding a big enough space (on my floor) to cut the pattern out. I followed the directions for finishing the neck and it was quite fiddly, I think I will use a different technique next time around.

Wearing this dress today to my son's birthday party teamed with leggings.
My C I can't believe you are turning 7!xx

My Weekly Inspiration: Birthday Cakes by Nikole Herriott and for foodies her Blog forty-sixth at grace is worth a look.

mould

2011-01-16T18:15:00.008+10:00

Many South East Queenslanders have spent the past few days cleaning up from the destruction of last weeks flooding. My husband volunteered to help with the cleanup and spent the day shovelling mud & rubbish from the basements of houses around parts of the riverside suburb of Graceville. The stench of the mud was something he says will stick for a long time. My heart goes out to all those that have suffered damage and loss from last weeks flood.

I feel very fortunate that our little house is perched on a hill and was safe from the rising flood waters . Our only damage from the extreme weather is a soggy muddy backyard and mould growing on the walls, my shoes and between the layers of fabric in our wardrobes. This weeks smallthingsMade Blog inspiration is some amazing mould creations by UK artist Elin Thomas. She has incredible skill at crocheting mould using the finest of threads.

Last week in our School Holiday Sewing Classes saw many fantastic sewing creations by some very clever young sewers. Please take a look at some of their work.

floods

2011-01-12T13:09:00.002+10:00

Sewing classes are still on this week at Ithaca Hall. The Hall and Enogerra Terrace is on a ridge well away from all flood prone areas. If you cannot make a class, please contact me as I will try to accomodate you in another class next week.

The first two School Holiday Classes have been a great success. Four young sewers in our Young /Teen Sewing 1 class went home wearing their beautiful skirt creations. A great achievment for first time sewers.

Creative hand sewers Kelsey, Kasey, Isabel & Sophie made these cute little owls in the Kids Sewing 2: Softie class.

rain clouds 2011

2011-01-07T10:20:00.004+10:00

Inspired by all the wet weather we have had lately the students in our Jan 2011 School Holiday Program will have the opportunity of making one of these cute little Rain Clouds in their class. The classes are filling up quickly so to avoid disappointment please don't delay in your booking.

There has been interest in future sewing classes and I have now posted classes and dates here for the first half of 2011. Young / Teen Classes for ages 10+ will be held regularly on Saturdays from 2-5pm at Ithaca Hall, Red Hill. I will also be running an after school session once a month that will be an open workshop where students can bring along their own projects and get some advice or just have fun sewing with friends.

Also on its way will be a website and some simple fun sewing kits for young sewers. Adults, please don't feel left out as I will be offering some adult beginners classes soon.

As as regular Friday smallthingsMade Blog feature, I will lead you to a weekly inspiration. This week's inspiration is the German magazine CUT . Enjoy all the needlework and craftiness from this very cool online magazine. This mag also has links to some other great sewing sites. Beware, it can consume so much time!

Wishing you all the best for 2011 from Kirstin at smallthingsMade.

felt

2010-12-20T09:20:00.002+10:00

Arrived today for our School Hoilday Kids Sewing Classes. The softest wool felt in all these colours ....I'm looking forward to seeing what beautiful creations our sewing students come up with.

sewing class gift voucher

2010-12-09T14:37:00.001+10:00

Treat someone special to a smallthingsMade sewing class with one of our Gift Vouchers. They come on beautiful 300gsm card with machine stitch detail and can be sent to you or your recipient. Your recipient may choose a date for their class that suits them best. You can purchase here. A timetable for 2011 classes will be coming soon.

spools of colour

2010-12-07T12:46:00.001+10:00

I love ebay purchases- antique wooden spools......

sewing classes

2010-12-06T07:10:00.037+10:00

smallthingsMade is very excited to present School Holiday Sewing Classes between Jan 10 - Jan 22, 2011.

We will also be having a fabulous calender of sewing classes and crafting workshops for ages 6+ to adult in 2011, so be sure to email me to be notified of future dates.

All classes will take place at the lovely Ithaca Hall on Enoggera Terrace, Red Hill, 4059. Class sizes are small so everyone can benefit from personal attention.

Below is a description of the classes we are offering and here is the timetable.

Kids Sewing 1: Let’s make a brooch – ages 6+

In this class you will sew your own beautiful brooch using hand stitching techniques. Choose from four designs; a bird, an owl, a heart or a cloud. We will teach you how to blanket stitch the edge, fill with stuffing and embellish with beads, a button & embroidery stitches. Lastly we will attach a pin to the back so you can wear your creation home.

All materials and equipment supplied by smallthingsMade.

1 x 2hr session
$35

For bookings & dates

Kids Sewing 2: A little felt softie – ages 6+
Softies are a fun introduction to sewing. Choose from our four cute designs. We will teach you how to cut out the softie shape, embellish it with beads, buttons and decorative stitching, blanket stitch the edge and fill with stuffing. Your softie is then ready for you to take home with you.

All materials and equipment supplied by smallthingsMade.
1 x 2hr session
$35
For bookings & dates

Kids Sewing 3: Cross Stitch - ages 6+
Come and count threads with us as we have fun with one of the oldest forms of embroidery. Cross stitch is making a big revival in the craft world and this class will show you how to do it. Using a design chart and embroidery hoop we will cross stitch a beautiful artwork for your wall.

All materials and equipment supplied by smallthingsmade.
1 x 2hr session
$35
For bookings & dates

Young / Teen Sewing 1: Petite Skirt – ages 10+

This class is a fun class to get beginner students on their way to basic machine sewing. Starting at the beginning we will guide you through machine basics including threading, bobbin winding, tension and stitch types. You will then layout and cut two rectangles which you will machine sew together using some basic stitches and flat seams to create a cute Petite skirt.

Students will need to bring

1m of 100% cotton fabric (min 112cm wide) and matching thread.

All other equipment and materials supplied by smallthingsMade.

1x 3hr session
$65

For bookings & dates ages 10+

Young / Teen Sewing 2: Petite Top - ages 10+

This is a follow on class from Young Sewing 1. In this class we will make a simple summer top. We will show you how to measure yourself to get correct sizing and then layout and cut our top pattern. We will show you the technique of french seams for beautiful finishing and sew a facing for the armholes. The top is then finished with a ribbon of your choice.

Students will need to bring

1.2m of 100% cotton fabric (min 112cm wide) and matching thread. 1.6m ribbon or cotton tape for the tie.

All other equipment and materials supplied by smallthingsMade.

1x 3hr session
$65

For bookings & dates ages 10+

Young/Teen Sewing 3: Zippers & Buttonholes - ages 10+
This class will teach you how to confidently sew in zippers and have neat little buttonholes on your garments.You will make a cute pencil case incorporating both these techniques.

All materials and equipment supplied by smallthingsMade.
1x3hr session
$65
For bookings & dates ages 10+

Throughout the year we are planning the following classes;

Young / Teen Sewing 4: Commercial Patterns - ages 10+
Adult Sewing : Beginners Courses

Private Tuition

fabric works

2010-11-06T06:47:00.001+10:00

I love the intricate geometries of patchworked fabrics in the late Louis Bourgeois current exhibition 'Fabric Works' at the Hauser Wirth Gallery in London.

projects complete

2010-08-02T15:18:00.003+10:00

Satisfaction as recent projects are finished.....

A house extension for friends at Mt Nebo on the outskirts of Brisbane. A lengthy design and approval process for this small living room & deck extension nested amongst gum trees. The feature of the space is this fantastic suspended fireplace and the way the house now connects with the tranquil surrounds of the Mt Nebo bushland.

Winter nights knitting contently on the lounge resulted in this cowl Steps to Midnight by Alison Brookbanks of six and a half stitches . A great simple textured pattern on circular needles.

welcome

2010-06-02T12:19:00.003+10:00

Welcome to my first blog entry!

For many years now I have been sewing/making/crafting things for myself and those I love. I am in the process embarking on a small venture teaching others how to sew. This venture is a complementary addition (or as my husband may think - diversion) from my professional practice as an Architect.

This blog is a journal about design, textiles, architecture, lifestyle and motherhood. It will document and share with you my endless inspirations.