Gather & Make

12/09/2025

Do you know how to crochet a granny square? Come along to our Crochet Amigurumi workshop and take your skills to the next level! We will be learning how to make spheres that can be modified to create jellyfish, beanies and other 3D designs.
More details and bookings here https://events.humanitix.com/crochet-ami

28/05/2024

Second project in my new studio is my version of the Costa Tote by Helen’s Closet Patterns.

This project was originally part of a sewing course I did with some of the members of my craft group.
My Costa Tote bag has been made with a new printed tropical drill fabric on the outside and lined with a green drill on the inside.

The Costa Tote is a modern, everyday lined tote bag. It features a version with the option of two asymmetrical pockets with dividing lines, creating a total of four pockets. Or you can make a reversible tote without the pockets.

I’m going to be honest and tell you that I did not whip this bag up this weekend (although you easily could). In fact I started it years ago.

Due to issues with the machine I was using at the time, I struggled with what should have been an easy (beginner) project to complete. I was so annoyed that I made a couple of silly mistakes. One that required me to unpick the whole bag! 🥺 After making a second stupid error whilst rushing as I neared completion, I threw it aside in frustration! My potential beach bag got shelved for another day.

The reason why I’m telling you this is because I want those new to sewing to know that even experienced sewists make mistakes. Sometimes our machines don’t play fair! Sometimes we don’t read the instructions properly. Or we may be just having one of those days.

When I was moving from my old sewing space to my new one, I came across the bag this project was in and put it at the front of the pile. (I prepare some of my projects in cloth bags so I can grab one as I’m heading off to craft group or when I’m in the mood to sew)

So on Saturday, when I felt like sewing I finally faced the challenge and completed it! And yes I’m aware of the irony that after a long, hot Summer here in WA I finished my bag just in time for Winter!!
Well, at least I’ll be prepared for next Summer or look bright using a bag in some of my favourite colours.

16/04/2024

First little project in my new studio - adjusting the buttonhole opening on these denim shorts belonging to my youngest teen daughter.

It literally took me longer to find the small snips, than it did to fix the previously unusable buttonhole and snip off the loose threads that were going to get caught in the zipper! (Haven’t quite got everything set up properly yet)

Summer should be over where we’re situated, however with a top temperature today of 30 degrees Celsius, she’ll still get some wear out of these thrifted shorts from Salvos.

01/04/2024

Hello! I have been very quiet on here over the last year due to lots of personal and family reasons. However there’s been lots happening behind the scenes as we’ve been setting up a new studio that will give me the space to re-focus again.

We’re sorting out my old studio/office this Easter long weekend, so that my eldest daughter can take it over as her bedroom, and moving some of the storage, tools, craft supplies and materials into my new studio.

There is a lot of materials to sort through, reduce, rewash (in some cases) and store, or put straight into the new space.

📷 Some of the denim clothing I’ve collected for refashioning/upcycling purposes.

Taken in my old studio on my wonderful large table that it usually too full of office and sewing equipment to sort clothes on!

23/10/2023

Very handy tutorial for bag makers.

07/10/2023

Awesome initiative, to take textile waste and transform it into something so innovative and useful! ♻️

03/04/2023

Great sustainable gardening tip 🌱

29/03/2023

Your Easter challenge 😆🐓
•
•
•

Even our avian pals deserve to look cute and cosy.

07/03/2023

There are time when sewing really tests your patience.

I’m mending a certain brand of sports shorts for my youngest. They were playfully ruined by a neighbour’s dog. And before you get all judgemental, my daughter was offered money to replace them, which we have. I just thought I’d also try and mend the damaged pair.

It’s been a mission. I started on Saturday at my craft group, thinking they’d be done in minutes. How wrong I was.
Let me describe the damage to you. Because I forgot to take a before photo. The band of wide elastic was ripped off a third of the length along the top. The whole gusset area was torn. Plus there were two decent rips and three holes on the right leg! Most people would have ditched them but I thought if I could repair them, then she’d have a spare pair for mucking about in.

Seeing the elastic back on was fine. And because I thought to back it with fabric, repairing the gusset wasn’t too bad either. But my machine clearly does not like the dri-fit stretch fabric. This is the third time I’ve had to remove the needle plate on my sewing machine!!! The fabric got caught up twice trying to sew the rips on the leg. I’ve bent one needle and broke one!
So I resorted to hand sewing the holes and tears on the leg.
Now she has a spare pair. Finally!! Three days later!

06/01/2023

✨Happy New Year!✨

Here’s to a year filled with lots of joy, creativity and wonderful makes! 🌈

This year one of my goals is to practice and play more with different art and craft techniques 🎨

Yesterday I found the new Shine on Creativity Workbook, published in Australia by Hinkler.

It’s filled with artistic ideas, exercises, and prompts from internationally acclaimed artist Jessi Raulet.
Jessica is an American artist who moved to Paris for love ❤️

Looking forward to being inspired by this beautiful workbook, filled with the author's vibrant art and illustrations.

01/01/2023

R.I.P Vivienne Westwood, passionate and outspoken environmental activist who used her platform to speak up for nature, climate change and overconsumption, pushing for quality over quantity. She was a trail blazer. A pioneer. She changed the face of fashion. ❤️ 8th April, 1941 - 29th December, 2022