Creative Customer October/November Gallery Winners

Another AMAZING couple of months of customer creation entries for our online gallery! Thank you to everyone who emailed us their gorgeous creations!  I know I said two $40 gift voucher winners but it is Christmas isn't it so we have made our difficult decision and chosen three. And the winners are...

Joy has done such a superb job with her son's kindy backpack above! Backpack made with japanese Kokka Toyland fabric.

ITS A DOLLS LIFE!

I always love seeing what has been made by our customers with fabric purchased from us but I was impressed with this gorgeous dolls house revamp or "reno" by Sarah using Kelani Fabrics. Sarah sanded and painted her original dolls house, used interfacing to stiffen the fabrics and then applied fabrics to walls with spray adhesive. I think Sarah's idea will inspire many others to renovate their old or second-hand dolls houses rather than spend money on a new one. Well done Sarah!

Adriana has sewn this fabulous tunic top with Nani IRO. This tunic has shirred sleeves providing two options of wearing as seen in above pics. Adriana has also made this lovely sling bag using the Amy Butler Birdie Sling pattern with the beautiful Dandi 'Bloom' laminate and an adorable smock from My Folklore oilcloth.

Thankyou to all our customers for inspiring so many others in 2009 and I look forward to receiving more of your beautiful gallery entries in 2010! More details on entering our monthly handmade gallery competition here and I will announce our next winning entry early February.

NEW Sew Liberated Patterns

GORGEOUS new stylish & chic sewing patterns by Sew Liberated. What I love about this particular range of patterns is their simple style and design - I am a big fan of  an 'understated' but lovely modern-look that Sew Liberated have achieved so well with her pattern cover examples. Of course you can jazz them up if that is your preference! There is something for everyone in this range, childrenswear for girls & boys, patterns for women, and the Mei Tai - a gorgeous and very practical and cozy baby carrier!

More patterns & info here..

Sweet Babushka & Rose Knickers

Talented staff member Janine has whipped up these adorable knickers using our Babushka & Rose incredibly soft 100% cotton interlock. What child wouldn't want to say 'bye-bye' to nappies and begin toilet training with a pair of these! This sweet Japanese design is also available in 100% quilters cotton in a range of colours here.

Nicey Jane Competition Winner!

Thankyou to all who left comments for our recent competition. The number selected by the random number generator was '12' which means we will be sending Kris a half metre of each of her above favourite fabric selections from the fantastic 'NEW' Heather Bailey 'Nicey Jane' collection. Congratulations Kris and if you could please email us your mailing address we will mail your fabrics to you asap. Enjoy!

Contemporary Australian Xmas Fabrics!

Kristen Doran has just released this sensational limited edition Christmas Tree craft panel. Hand screen printed in the loveliest shade of red on a gorgeous natural cotton/linen blend basecloth. Turn into Xmas wall art, cushions, tea towels, stockings, table runner, placemats, napery, advent calendar or any other festive craft project!

We have just added a brand new shopping category "Contemporary Australian Christmas Fabrics" to showcase some of the amazing Australian designs for this festive season. Pop over and grab a little inspiration and celebrate this Xmas in true Aussie style!

Below are more gorgeous Australian designer fabrics perfect for decorating your Xmas table or home this year.

Shannon Lamden's 'Oh Deers' in raspberry on birch above and duckegg blue on hessian below. I think these would make great Xmas stockings, napery, cushions and kids Xmas clothing. (a hem on a linen skirt for the girls or a hem or pocket on shorts for the boys)

'Papercuts' raspberry on birch by Shannon Lamden.

Pippijoe's red 'Orchard' would make the perfect 'partridge in a pear tree'!

A little belated but elated welcome to 'Dandi' fabrics into our store! Dandi is made up of a four-women team of Industrial Designers who share a passion for beautiful and functional objects for the home. Drawing inspiration from Mother Nature the Dandi team weaves whimsical, beautiful and functional elements into its designs. 

Dandi Blooms oilcloth above makes the perfect tablecloth for the festive season and beyond and it wipes clean in a jiffy. The Dandi team have done a magnificent job at decorating this table! The key is keep it 'simple' and the Dandi Blooms really speaks for itself.

Dandi Olive Branch Pistachio sets the scene with a real Australian vibe above.

and here are a couple of fantastic ideas by the Dandi girls using the gorgeous Dandi Holly Berry!

Whatever you may choose.. Happy Xmas Decorating everyone!

Summer Sewing with Nicey Jane

Heather Bailey's latest collection 'Nicey Jane' is HOT in our store! May I just say that this new full collection is bursting at the seams with inspiration!!

Dresses & skirts for women and children, bags, quilts... the sky is the limit with this gorgeous collection in fresh summery colourways that have become a signature for Heather Bailey.

See below for more inspirational images from Heather Bailey..

We also have her latest adorable 'Henrietta' turtle sewing pattern..

Enough inspiration... Leave a comment on your top 3 picks from this full collection of 40 and we will randomly select one winner to receive a half metre of your favourite three. Winner posted here in a weeks time. In the meantime Happy Christmas Sewing!

Kristen Doran Hummingbird Inspiration

Kristen Doran has made this gorgeous dress from her latest Hummingbird hand screen printed fabric in our Kelani Exclusive fabulous colourway of Chocolate & Raspberry printed on a lovely cotton/linen blend. Hummingbird is also available in mustard & grey. I just love the exquisite detail in each of Kristen's textile designs!

Craft Schmaft

NEAT name... EVEN Neater designs by Claire Waring..

We all know the 'sock monkey' well, but incredibly talented fellow Aussie Claire Waring has taken sock softies to a new level and designed her own beautifully presented and packaged patterns and kits, each as adorable as the next! How cool is "Woof Woof" above made from a pair of plaid brown mens socks and coordinating designer fabric OR

"Mini Owl"

"Mummy Owl"

"Owl Mobile" (What a Hoot!)

and my favourite due to my youngest daughter being an absolute giraffe freak (maybe I can finally put away her giraffe security toy) - G-RAF!

Available for purchase here as kits including absolutely everything required to make these cuties (even the stuffing, needle & thread!) or as patterns for you to make your own sock and fabric choices. These would make a fabulous Xmas gift idea for the avid crafter or a gorgeous handmade children's or newborn gift certain to be treasured for years to come...

WARNING: Very addictive.. Once you start.. You won't want to stop!

Creative Customer September Competition Winner

Congratulations to Andi our gallery winner for September! Andi has used the gorgeous range of Echino fabrics to make these fabulous bags.

A special mention to our youngest gallery entrant Jemima who is  11 years old and handmade a lovely doll. Well done Jemima and I will be sending a surprise parcel to you shortly in the mail.

I would also like to wish one of our talented customers Jennifer all the very best with her new business making beautiful bags and reversible wrap skirts photographed above and below. Jennifer's business is called 'Bella Regazza' which in Italian means beautiful girl. Jennifer loves using unique and quirky fabrics such as Echino! View more of Jennifer's handmade items in our gallery and let me know if you would like me to pass on Jennifer's details if you are interested in having a fabulous bag or skirt custom made.

I will be posting our October creative customer entries in the gallery soon. Visit our gallery for further details on how to enter this competition and please note that we will be announcing both October and November gallery winners this time around in December with a special $40 Kelani Gift Voucher for the winning entries.

New Echino Patterns & Trims

Beautiful NEW Echino lace-look 100% cotton trims now available in store to compliment Echino fabric collections. Trims are sold on a card in a 2mtrs continuous length. Use as an additional feature for all your Echino sewing and craft projects.

Fabulous NEW stylish Echino bag patterns! Recommended for customers who enjoy and are confident sewing from Japanese patterns as sewing patterns are not printed in English. Included in these patterns are paper pattern pieces and diagrams to follow.