I have actually done some costuming! Mr D & I went to a friend ‘Night & Dreams’ themed masquerade birthday ball. I pulled out my Cobwebs & Roses dress for Titania, and Mr D pulled out his tails, and I made him a pair of donkey ears for a Bottom who would sweep Titania off her feet every day of the week. Here’s how I did it: Take one ratty old rabbit fur collar, grey: Chop in half: Fold in half, lining side in, and zig zag: Three cheers for the Janome Sewist 521, pretty much the only >NZ$500 machine that will go through four  layers of fur, two layers of collar stiffening, two layers of padding, and lining, plus double that at the ends, without a whisper of complaint: Now assemble the  frame and trimmings: Two $2 shop flower garlands, assorted bits of florists wire, florists tape, ears. Denude the headbands of flowers and leaves: Wrap wires around both headbands to hold ears, and insert into ears: Sew ears around frame to secure on: …

2016 has been the year of babies (amongst other things, but let’s not go into that…). All my friends are having them.  5 so far, with 4  more due in December or early Jan! As baby gifts, I’ve been making bibs – experienced mothers tell me you can never have to many of them, and they are fun to make. Useful AND fun is about as good as it gets for baby stuff – plus, quick to make, and great for using up fabrics scraps. So for the last three months, a corner of the sewing room has had a stack of fabric scraps and cut-out bibs, and whenever I need a quick sewing fix I make one up, and accumulate a pile of finished  ones.  Every few weeks there is another baby shower, or time comes due to send a package off, and my pile of done ones dwindles. This is 1/4 of the bibs I’ve made so far: I’ve made reversible ones: And ones lined in moisture-proof fabric: Ones with applique: And patchwork …