Monday, July 31, 2017

Small Joy


Little things make all the difference.  Three of the studio's sewing machines went for service.  They are back.  How lovely that every part is cleaned, oiled and working just so!

For many years I did only hand sewing on my teddy bears.  Mostly, I still do.  In time I have started making more little clothes and accessories.  For this a simple sewing machine that can work slow, tiny, straight stitches is invaluable.
My favourite machine is still the Singer 1928 hand operated model.  The black sewing machine in front.
All the sewing machines are older than me, and came to me after numerous owners and working very hard.    How I would love to hear the stories they could tell!

Jannie at JVN Sewing Machine Service patiently and meticulously looks after my machines.  He specializes in industrial and computerized embroidery machines, but he is a fount of wisdom when it comes to vintage machines, and shares my enthusiasm for them.  His workshop is in Lyttelton, Pretoria, and you can contact him at 012 664 3162 if your machine needs a service.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

happiness@nr4: Sew a Softie Tutorial: The Kids are in charge!

Hello Everyone
Please visit Liezel's blog to see what she and her girls are designing for Sew-A-Softie.

happiness@nr4: Sew a Softie Tutorial: The Kids are in charge!: Hi Everyone! How exciting it is to write this post on behalf of my girls. When I told them that I would like to challenge them to be respo...

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Random Favourite Things

Random favourite things in my studio.  The felt frog I made from a pattern by Cynthia Treen, The leaf plate and lily flower are available at Ceramix, crochet succulent plants made by Dawn at LiveCreatively365.

Thursday, July 6, 2017


I've been cursing lately when trying to do crafts or work at my computer.  Thought it was time for new glasses, but when I went to the optometrist, I discovered that it's much worse.  I'm developing a lazy eye.  Miniatures are indeed hazardous to one's health.  Apparently the muscles in my right eye are straining when focusing at close range, and have decided to give up.  So it's not that I can't see, it's just that as soon as I concentrate my focus on one area for a few minutes, I lose binocular vision because my right eye wanders off to look at something else.  It can be fixed with therapy, let's hope.  I received my colourful Brock String and new glasses on Monday.  With diligent exercise and not working on miniatures for more than a few minutes at a time, I should see (literally!) an improvement in about eight weeks.