TinkeringTimes

Sew it Up

Anything I know about sewing I learnt from my grandma and the fashion & textiles course I studied at college. The combination of these lessons were a fantastic grounding, one in infusing every last piece of work with love and attention to detail; one with the know how to find inspiration and execute the technical know-how.

But I know there is so much more I don't know and whilst waiting for a meeting in a school in my work life, I thumbed through a sewing book I spied in the staff room. Though I only looked at 3 or 4 pages I instantly saw what a fabulous resource to all things stitching and making it was. Instantly I put it on my Christmas list.

When I unwrapped it I sat silently reading it page by page for an hour or so. I only wish I had time to devour every word cover to cover, however life gets in the way of such luxuries.

Whilst I continue to work my way through it, I wanted to say how highly I would recommend it to beginner and intermediate makers. It deals with technical tricks in detail, provides a few delicious projects to test them out on, and provides a fantastic grounding to get you going or build on existing skills.

Thank you Ruth Singer for putting such as wonderful book together, and for Santa for bringing it to me. You can find out more on Ruth's blog and see some sample techniques and projects *here* and follow her on twitter *here*

Happy Christmas

I think I've just got time left today to say Happy Christmas. This image is the digital card I've emailed people, based on the real ones I made to post and hand out. In the end I only managed to make twelve sadly. I'm already thinking one of my first projects for 2010 will be to start making Christmas cards so I have plenty for next year.

I hope you were lucky enough to have as lovely a Christmas as we did in our house. Happy New Year to everyone too.

Goodnight Lily

To Lily, who taught me to sew. I don't have the words I need, but my friend and poet Annie lent me some a year or so ago that I saved for this time... (thank you Annie)

Stars

There is a sewing machine in the sky and all the stars are stitches and Nanna says if we unpick all the stitches we can make something that’s only for her and me.

I hold her cotton bobs while she threads the needle with silver and then she lets me press my foot on the pedal.

When we are finished, we are sewn into the stars, the two of us.  We will always be stitched into the sky together.

One day, I plan to sew something to go with this poem. Nothing I think of is good enough so far. But one day...