The Heat is On!!

You may have heard that it was about 43c (that's above 109f) in Sydney over the weekend... So what does one do when the temperature is too hot to venture outside? 
Sew of course!! 

In my case, I have a huge backlog of UFO's (un-finished objects) that are keeping me from doing anything really meaningful with my sewing... I would love to make plans for Autumn and Winter wardrobes for myself, I have a couple of pretty dresses for my daughter planned and my husband is even starting to come up with ideas for himself to be sewn... but every time I sit down to sew there is a mass of unfinished things that I really need to do so that I can clear my head and really enjoy what I am sewing. 

The first thing then that came to my hand is a pile of digital PDF patterns that needed to be stuck together and then cut out...


I love the instant gratification of buying patterns online. The only problem is that it usually means that I go on a buying frenzy and get bored quickly by the idea of sticking and cutting them all.  

That being said, when I really want it now, downloadable patterns are really the way to go and when I get on a roll it doesn't take long at all to get them all ready to work with!  

My current favourite companies for downloadable patterns are: 

• Hotpatterns - based in Florida, USA
• Style Arc - based in Melbourne Australia

And then Burdastyle and Simplicity Patterns are also the other companies I have tried.  Burda has such a huge range of different styles to choose from there is really something for everyone and a lot of basics that could be adjusted to your own style which is always fun! 




I just love not having to leave the house or get out of my pyjamas for my new pattern fix!  Of course that doesn't fix the problem of not having fabric... but if you saw the size of my fabric stash you will understand why that really isn't an issue right now!  

So I worked away on sticking together and cutting out the patterns that I have bought recently but haven't prepared yet... and I can see that if any of these great patterns are to go by that I have a great wardrobe in my future! 

The Hotpatterns I have are: 
HP1158 - Fast & Fabulous Tailored Trackpants
HP1198 - Fast & Fabulous Diorella T-Shirt Blouse
and the Deco Vibe Gatsby Cardigan - Jacket & Gilet which has just been released... this the pattern that started my recent buying fenzy!  It is so beautiful and I really can't wait to get to making it even in this heat! 

The Style Arc patterns on the list are: 
Jessica Dress
Marilyn Dress
Tessa Top and Pants and I bought as a bundle







Here is the finished product ready to move on to cutting out my material! 

So what projects do you have on the go? I have a few more that I will blog about soon... its really motivational talking about all the things I need to do... gives me a clear goal to work towards! 

Happy Days
x iconicdoll

A room with a view

Are you an early riser?  Try as I might I have never been able to sleep in and have a long lazy day... as soon as those birds are singing I feel the need to get up and get things happening for the day.  But I mean, who wouldn't want to get up and start to enjoy the day when it is a day like today!  Look at that blue sky... admittedly I'm looking at the row of townhouses across the court yard from our house, but I love this little view from my sewing table.  I love to hear the birds sing, I love to see the sky, I even love observing the goings on within our little townhouse complex - the kids playing outside, the lady cleaning her balcony across the way.  It gives a real sense of community and doesn't make me feel like I'm in a time out or isolated.

What is your sewing space like?  Do you have a lovely view? Is there anything you need to have in your surroundings that makes you feel happy and content? I'd love to hear about it... I'm still working on making my sewing space ideal for me... I will post more photos later of what my current set up is like... in the mean time here is some inspo from Pinterest I've been drooling over!

x iconicdoll