Part One: The Plan, The Seeds and the Location. For anyone unaware, I am Eastern European by background, which means that I grew up eating some unique foods. Living in Australia, it was very rare and costly when we went back to Europe to visit family, but it also meant we were flooded with delicious … Continue reading Garden Quest: Growing Alpine Strawberries
In August, I took a little down south sewing mini getaway to Manjimup to relax, eat amazing snacks, and of course sew. I try to take this kind of mini trip every year as a dedicated block of time for self care and it's always fun to get a few sewing project crossed off the … Continue reading Sewing Celestial Themed Cushions – Square and Moon Shaped
Plant. Pick. Pickle. Being Eastern European, pickles are a part of daily life, and I absolutely LOVE pickles. My mum has been making homemade dill pickles for as long as I can remember, and I will annihilate a whole pot of pickles, chug pickle water and even add it to soups. There is something pickled … Continue reading Garden Quest: Pickles for Pickle
As someone who has always been surrounded by music, sure enough, on the first of October, I will waddle down to my record player, and pull out a selection of Autumn/Fall/Halloween/Spooky inspired vinyl to listen to throughout the month. This is something I've done for years, and certain albums and soundtracks really get me all … Continue reading My Favourite Vinyl Records to Listen to During Spooky Season
Whenever I go to a thrift store, I always take a look at their sewing patterns (if they have them). Oddly enough, I don't find a lot of sewing patterns at thrift stores and most of the ones I do find are from the 80's which isn't always my style (who can pull of shoulder … Continue reading Sewing Butterick 6789 Jumpsuit from 1993
If you've been around for a little while, you might know that I have a mini ironing board from Ikea that I use for my sewing. After I made my first ever dress, I had some left over fabric in a cute fox print which I began turning into an ironing board cover (I actually … Continue reading How to Make an Ironing Board Cover
Shopping my fabric stash and using Charm Lamour Dress Pattern If there is any occasion where I have the opportunity to make myself a new fancy dress, rest assured I will ignore all logic and my bursting wardrobe and make myself a new fancy dress. This year for Cooly Rocks On, I knew I would … Continue reading Sewing a Vintage Rose Garden Cocktail Dress for Cooly Rocks On!
Tending the Garden, Tending the Soul: How Gardening Can Heal Gardening, at its core, is an act of nurturing. We cultivate seeds, provide sunlight, water, and protection, all with the hope of witnessing vibrant growth. But gardening, much like life itself, is a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. It's a humbling experience that … Continue reading The Mental Health Garden: How Gardening Changed the Way I See Relationships
With my new sewing room all set up, it's time to add a few finishing touches. As you progress in your sewing skills, you start using and learning new tools that make things a little easier; one sewing tool I've always wanted is a Tailor's Ham. These 'hams' are a tightly stuffed pillow used as … Continue reading How I Made a Tailor’s Ham (with a free pattern!)
I said brrrrr it's cold in here! So let's make some winter pyjamas. Cosy winter pyjamas are an absolute joy yet I've never made myself a pair. Last year I attempted to make my first pair of proper pyjamas using the Butterick X Lisette B6296 pattern and I knew come winter, I'd have to make … Continue reading Sewing Retro Winter Pyjamas using Lisette B6296
If you hang around the vintage sewing community, you will hear of several patterns that have a bit of a cult following. These patterns are often rare and very sought-after so most of us will miss out on owning/sewing the pattern however, some companies sell professional reproductions of vintage patterns meaning the original pattern is … Continue reading Sewing Vintage Butterick 9629
Vintage clothing adds a touch of timeless style and history to your wardrobe. But those delicate fabrics and potential wear-and-tear require special care when it comes to cleaning. Fear not, fellow vintage enthusiast! With a few simple steps, you can keep your favorite finds looking fresh for years to come. Before You Begin: Assess and Identify Check the label: Some vintage … Continue reading A Guide to Cleaning Your Vintage Clothing
Combining Vogue V9000 and Butterick B6354 Life doesn't always give you much free time and days off are few and far between which means when I have time to sew, I don't want to waste it deciding and planning my projects. Like most of us that trawl through the World Wide Web, I'm on Pinterest … Continue reading Sewing my Pinterest Board: Sage Green Gingham playsuit
There's a wonderful moment in life when you realise you have free will and can do whatever you want in your own house. I had this revelation a few years ago and have unleashed my inner child upon my house and have started creating a cosy, safe, fun and colourful home. Honestly, it's been super … Continue reading Making a Gallery Wall for my Vintage Sewing Room
At the end of last year, I made a sewing post where I reached deep into the dark corners of my fabric stash and finally use something thats been stored there for years. I loved the result (and also the fact I didn't have to look at the fabric sitting there any longer) and decided … Continue reading Saved from the Fabric Stash: Shell Skirt
Cooly Rocks On held in Coolangatta every year, is one of Australia's biggest nostalgia festivals and it just keeps getting bigger and better each year. Cooly Rocks On goes on for 5 days and is jam packed with events, live shows, contests, food, music, shopping, dancing and so much more. It really is a must-see … Continue reading Sewing Vogue 9100 for Cooly Rocks On!
Way back in November of 2021, I attended the Polka Dot Vintage Markets where I discovered an adorable white wicker handbag that I instantly fell in love with. This bag has since travelled with me and gone on many an adventure by my side. When I was originally buying the bag, I noticed that the … Continue reading How to Replace Your Vintage Handbag Straps
Featuring Daschunds dressed as Hot Dogs! Years ago, whilst placing a fabric order from Spoonflower, I picked up 2 meters of their signature petal cotton designed by Alexdesignsthings, who just so happens to also be a sweet friend of mine. When I first learnt that a friend designed fabric and it was this cute, I … Continue reading Sewing Butterick 6413 as a Mini Dress