New venture?

Last Saturday, we brought Ji Yuan to see Nomade by Cirque Eloize of Canada. It was such a magnificent performance, the best show we've seen so far this year and Ji Yuan was practically dancing in her seat. This review, although dated, says it well. Each and every member of the cast is at the same time an acrobat, singer, dancer, actor, comedian, musician, a true entertainer in all senses, so multi-talented and so all-rounded.

July spells the start of my one-month yarn hiatus. Just as well to give time to reflect a bit on my crafty pursuits which so far have been pretty much one-dimensional, so single-faceted, kind of monotone. No spinning, no dyeing (not yet), no sewing, no quilting, no beading, no cooking or baking, no scrapbooking. Just knitting and the ocassional crochet.

I used to cross-stitch and needlepoint before the children came. While in Singapore, I bought a small cross-stitch kit for old time's sake. Koolaid dyeing is next on the horizon, can't wait to start. Maybe I can venture into fabrics, inspired by the lovely quilts that Hillary and A.J. recently made.

So I dug out this toy-like sewing machine that run on battery. See how small the machine is, that hand belongs to my 2-years. Then the sewing notions, still pathetic at the moment, and limited to pins, a pin cushion, fabric chalk and a picker (I expect a lot of mistakes), put into this cookies tin from Bengawan Solo. Won't it be nice if there are fabrics in these prints?

Then the fabrics. I thought a tote bag should be good as a first project and bought the blue/green floral cloth that remotely resembles William Morris prints and matching plain Christmas green one. And a red floral print and solid orange to match. Greedy me. I cut up the red fabric to make this tote bag pattern from Rowan 31.

The so-called 'machine' really is a joke, it so small and is operated by pressing a button on the side, leaving me with only one hand to hold the fabric. The tension of the top and bottom threads couldn't stay even and the fabric kept bunching up. After fiddling over an hour, all I got was a not-so-straight line. So I gave up. Hearing my plight, Eva has kindly offered the use of her machine when we next meet up. Aye. So much for my venture.

Comments

[Jennifer]

With all the wonderful fabrics out there, I seriously need to get a machine... Those fabrics are so pretty!

[Chie]

What a coincidence! I too recently started to be very interested in fabrics and sewing. I bought some fabrics for my very first project(in years actually... I used to sew a lot when I was still a kid) which probably will be a small pouch, but I also bought a pattern for a bag. :D
Thanks for the link to the totebag!

[Tracy]

You'll be pleasantly surprised by what that little gem can do though. My first steeking experience was with one very similar in style. I bet it turns out great.

[eyeleen]

Your fabrics are very pretty. Good luck with the sewing. I used to sew, and now I have an fabric stash that is slowly being over taken by yarn.

[erin]

Totebags are great for keeping knitting projects too.

[lauray]

As chie says, what a coincidence, me too! I was looking into those tiny machines last year until I was told by experienced sewers that those are not very good. The threads barely hold together most times. Only good for mending small things. So I got a cheap sewing machine to see how I like it. Been doing it on and off, but really getting into it now..:)

[emy]

Hmm...I'll take a dip in the sewing pool once all the clutter is cleared.

The sewing machine is doing its evil chant to get me to use it.

[mrspilkington]

i got my crafting star in needlepoint too! i've made my first tote bag -- just finishing it up tonight ( i hope) still tackling my first skirt. i'm liking the sewing thing a lot... i'm worried, though -- i already feel a fabric obsession coming on! :)
i have a hunch that you will do gorgeous work.