Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Heat beater

Sydney has experienced its hottest day since 1939 and Australia is sweltering from bush fires and off the gauge temperatures.  So my  sewing year has begun with a heat beating cotton tunic dress using my go to kaftan pattern Simplicity 2696.

After completing the machine sewing, the finished garment looked too much like a nightdress, so I gathered up some plastic beads that my daughters used to play with when they were younger and set to work on some Indian style beading.

Totally therapeutic and much quicker than you imagine.  I completed the beading over three nights of watching television.

I also have been working on a gorgeous lace mini skirt for my daughter which is waiting on zipper and hemming.  I've also finished a simple bamboo tshirt for my daughter and new black skirt for myself - an exact clone of one I sewed here, but this time will more sewing expertise.

I'm not sure that I'll get much more sewing done this month as I'm going down to Tasmania for a holiday and have booked my machines in for servicing while I'm away.

I plan to cut a knit top and piece together a muslin for a jacket to keep me occupied until the machines come home.  Thanks for all you encouragement about my huge to do list. 

This current offering is both a kaftan and a dress.  Do I deserve two ticks?!

Happy sewing.



19 comments:

  1. Hi Gail,
    I heard about the heat wave striking in your part of the world. This tunic is perfect for this type of weather, the bead work is gorgeous.

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  2. The heat in Australia is unbelievable. I hope that you and your family are safe from the fires. The beadwork on your dress really makes it special.

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  3. The beads definitely make it, and I'm impressed with how quickly you got it done!

    I did see something yesterday about how the heat down there is so crazy that they had to add new colors to the map. Hope you're staying safe and cool!

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  4. Oh my! I like warm weather; but when it's too hot, it's unbearable. Nice job of the beading and the tunic.

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  5. You're coming to Tasmania? You must call me! We've had a sudden cold spurt in the last two days, a welcome relief for fire fighters. I love your beading and really admire your patience. I agree about the therapeutic benefits from work like this.

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  6. I love the beading! It's something I've always wanted to try but have been too scared to try. Thanks for sharing, I think it's very pretty!

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  7. Lovely tunic. If I were where you are, I would be sitting in front of an open frig.

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  8. Yes. You certainly do deserve two ticks Gail.

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  9. Cute as anything! And the beading really pushed it up a notch. Have a great holiday Gail.

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  10. I just love the beading, really takes it up to the next level. Have a wonderful holiday Gail!

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  11. Wow. The beading is beautiful. Well done!

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  12. Beautiful beading and have a fantastic trip.

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  13. The beading is just great! Have fun in Tasmania. :)

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  14. I love the beading. It certainly gives it a lift. Enjoy your holiday Gail :)

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  15. The beading on your lovely tunic is the perfect finish and I am sure you will enjoy wearing this on another one of our hot days. Up here in Brisbane we are cooking too and I have locked myself in my sewing room and sewing away in the coolness of my home. I don't venture out at all except to the pool. I hope your holiday in Tasmania is fun and it stays cool down there.

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  16. The beading really makes this special. Have a wonderful holiday in Tasmania -- hopefully it will be cooler weather!

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  17. Sending your blog some love. You can pick it up on my blog.

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  18. yes you do deserve the ticks . I like that and I know what you mean about therapy. Yes with the floods up north and now the fires down here anyone who doesnt believe that things are seriously wrong with the weather must be nuts especially when you thingk that this is rerun of what happened 2 years ago!! Happy holiday in Tassy.

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