The valleys are low...but the mountains are high

Two steps forward, one step back. I have now put the 22 inch invisible zip into my Colette Truffle FOUR times. Four. Yes. Twice today.

#1 I managed to put the teeth in the wrong way but notice before I have done too much. OK, quick unpick about 8 inches. Not too bad.

#2 Get the zip in OK on both sides but the waist seam doesn't quite match - it's just out. I sew up the seam anyway THEN decide I really ought to try again. Out it all comes.

#3 Get the zip in great. I take my time and even baste it in to try to get the waist seam to match. It's still a little out but I decide I can live with that. I sew the facing in and finish the seam, Then zip it all up to admire the finished article. That's when I notice - the shoulder strap is twisted. See pic above. My heart sinks. Swear a bit. Make a cup of tea. Rip it all out.

#4 I think it's right this time! The middle vertical seam is the zip. The horizontal seam is the waist. I am very proud.

Should I have left it alone after the second time? This time last year I would have been thrilled just to get the zip in let alone have anything line up. Am I getting too fussy? What do you do when you mess up?

Happy Easter

Yum!

Passing on skills

Looking after a friend's kids today. Turned out to be loads of fun and we passed a couple of hours knitting. I had a good student !

A vintage touch

I got this from the last sewweekly pattern swap. Just the thing for my truffle dress !

First you gotta speed it up, then you gotta slow it down....

If last year was all about meeting deadlines and challenges then this year is all about getting it right and taking my time. So I have made a not-wearable muslin (my sewing teacher calls it a toile - no idea why not a muslin) out of an old sheet to try to get the fit right before I make the dress. So far I have spent about 8 hours on this project - anyone recognise the pattern???? The dress is nearly finished.... I have added quite a bit to the length and done some "full bust" type adjusting to stop the inevitable gaping. Fingers crossed!

Other recent crafting, I took the idea seen here to make some magnetic dolls to put in my little girl's party bags after her 4th birthday. Sadly I couldn't find tins so I made little bags to keep them together for the fridge.

Finally, this isn't crafting but my girl looks like such a sweet vintage bathing beauty I have to share:

See you soon xxx

Mia gets a parcel

Mia and I have received a very lovely parcel from a very lovely lady. Thank you Judy! I have made a video of Mia opening it but I can't get my video to upload. While I keep trying you can see what Mia was lucky enough to get from Judy at her blog, Sew Blessed Maw here.

Judy has been having a difficult time lately. That she has the time and energy to think of others is astounding. I am very lucky indeed to have a friend like Judy, even if she is so far away. I know many of us who "met" on http://www.sewweekly.com/ think of her as our Sewing Maw and are wishing her husband Kenny Coke a speedy recovery. Love to them both.

Judy I wish I could give you a big hug. Maybe one day xxxxx

PS After LOTS of trying I can't get my clip to load so here is a pic of Mia in the dress - it is oerfect and she was so thrilled to see her name on it, she spotted Mickey Mouse straight away when she opened it.

And here Mia is having forced her rather too large favourite doll into the "dress" that Judy made to go with her own dress - it is now a top!

Judy she and I were both delighted x

Thanks Rachel - just what I needed x

In January Rachel of the House of Pinheiro had a deadline and so asked for contributors to her fabulous blog. Luckily she wasn't bothered about the quality so I was allowed to join in. On top of being on her fantastic blog she also sent me a thank you gift. Isn't it cute? Rachel is SO clever and talented. And this week I was very very very busy, so it was just the pick me up I needed.

Thanks Rachel x