So I'm really free now

So a couple of weeks ago I announced my freedom after finishing a three week prac teaching block. However, I still had one assignment to complete. So today, I am really free - yippee!!! I have no more university until February and better yet two child free days per week! Yep - AWESOME!


While I'd love to be able to show you some of the many things I've been making, I've actually had my machine packed away for over a week!!!!! I think that's the longest I've ever not sewn. Unfortunately, painting our upstairs space, which houses my machine, has taken priority and I don't think I can paint any faster. I painted a full 9 hours on Tuesday, then another 9 on Saturday then another 4 hours on Sunday. You may remember from earlier photos that the walls were royal blue, with matched architraves and skirting boards and the ceiling was bright yellow. I can't imagine a time when that colour combo was cool. The bathroom had the same royal blue on the ceiling!! What were the previous owners thinking! So far there are 4 coats on the ceiling, 2-3 coats of oil on the architraves and skirtings and one undercoat on the walls. I'm hoping two coats of wall paint tomorrow will finish the job - so probably another 9 hours tomorrow.

On Wednesday I will set up my machine again and will heading into vintage pattern world. First up is the Simplicity pattern on the left.

It's from 1981 and I never thought I'd make an 80's pattern, but it seems really nice. I'll be making the red version - the bodice is cut on the bias, the straps cross at the back and button at the front, which I think will be rather cute, and the skirt has a couple of pleats, which is very fashionable today. I'll probably make a muslin of this one though, as I will need to adjust the waist and probably bring the neckline down a little. Hopefully it'll work, I'm trying to squeeze it from a 1 yard cut of Anna Maria Horner pastry line fabric from my stash. Anywho we'll see.

The pattern on the left here actually came to me from my Nana, who lives just a hundred meters away. It's an original 1950's dress pattern and I'm hoping at some point to attempt it in the sleeveless version which is on the top left. The Guy Laroche Vogue pattern on the right  is from the 70's and it's LOVELY! So super stylish, but it's waaaay too big for me. I just love looking at it though. Maybe one day I'll find it in my size and maybe have somewhere to where it too...
Anywho, lots of dreaming and planning. I just need to start doing... well once I finish painting and then I  also need to get cracking on my huge Christmas present list - eeek!!