Giant ironing board and seamstress duster coat

 The facilities  at the new home for the Summer Hill Sewing workshops have been well and truly tested and they have passed with flying colours. The giant ironing board is proving to be indispensable, the huge cutting table facilitates very wide bolts of fabric and the industrial shed lights are  wonderful.

We are working on the old idea of a work coat called a duster. Dusters were traditionally worn by tradespeople and horsemen to keep the dust off their clothes. Here is our first attempt...not happy with the pockets so will work on the design over the next few weeks. Some of our sewers attending the workshops are contributing to this project; it is a work in progress.

Hopefully it will result in the 'Seamstress Duster' I envisage as the practical garment to sew in.

Feel inspired?

Now that 2015 is a reality, it is a great time to be innovative and creative with your wardrobe and accessories. How easy it is to put a little glamour  and colour into the streetscape by dressing up instead of down. As Tom Ford said 'Dressing well is a form of good manners'.
At the new Summer Hill Sewing Emporium on the farm, we have been making frocks for summer. Nothing like putting on a frock with a jaunty pair of mules to soften the prospect of returning to work. Frocks are so much cooler and more comfortable than trousers or jeans.

You can go for the retro look or the classic shirtdress.

There are so many good patterns available your choice is unlimited. Here we used Simplicity pattern 1429 to make a waisted dress using retro look fabric..easy and very versatile.

We are now back into the swing of classes with our weekly 'Half-made-never-finished on Tuesday mornings and Friday evenings. Also we are starting a Thursday beginners group; ring or email to ask about times. If you are from Sydney or the mountains a Saturday workshop with friends may be the ideal get together.