February Round 2- Some Frustrations

 I mentioned previously that I hoped to crank up the sewing machines. I did make a start and managed to sew 2 long sleeved shirts from an old pattern in my collection, well I thought I was doing great. The shirts have ended up being sleeveless. I need to drop the armhole, widen the sleeve a bit. My swimming regime has strengthened my arms. Lucky for me, I had to work the weekend where I could pick up bias tape (I know I could make it, even though it has got pretty pricey) from Spotlight Bundaberg to finish them off. Whilst in there, I had a look through a pattern book. Apparently these are also going the way of the dinosaurs. The parent company has been sold in the USA so I believe that my collection of patterns and Burda Magazines will have to suffice in the future.  I did manage to buy this pattern. I recently found a Muu Muu pattern 2nd hand and this is slightly similar to it. So, I get around to cutting the pattern out to discover that it is probably the wrong size. I did a bit of online shopping for the smaller size and paid albeit reluctantly the inflated postage price for 1 pattern. Since running a small online retail business I know what the actual AUSPOST postage charges are and am glad that I do not inflate my postage costs for my customers. I have the fabric sorted for the second style, just waiting for the smaller pattern to arrive. I am thinking we might use these as a style for our future Pop Up shops for Batik Fabrics.

One of my fabric customers purchased a set of fabrics for the Modern Quilt Studio Mystery Quiltalong commencing February 20, 2026. I looked it up, read about it, They are using Grunge fabrics, whilst I prefer Batiks and obviously she does too. I signed up, decided to use prints as opposed to her tonals and I think I will use a navy background while she is using cream. We get our first instructions sometime on Friday or Saturday so we will start doing some sewing. I need 23 fabrics plus background so a few may be deleted or swapped. We will keep you updated.

Beginning of Febrary 2026

 Often been said "Where the bloody hell did January go?". I feel like that this year. The heat, the tennis, trying to unpack fabric boxes, keep up with the fitness routines and trying to tidy up after Christmas, (shifting furniture to accommodate all of the grandkids that needed a bed) kind of spilled over into re arranging 5 rooms in this house, including the Batik Fabrics Online fabric rooms. So, February (the BEST month of the year) has arrived and I feel just maybe, I am catching up.

My new corner for my laptop, instead of using the large table (my sewing table) as a very untidy desk. My laptop was currently in use in the other office in this photo.

It was a very hot day, so here it is out under the one air conditioner in this old queenslander.

A flatbed scanner is on the sewing cabinet. The table you can see, belongs to a purchase made late January. I went on a road trip to Strathpine, met a wonderful lady who was selling her 1 year old Juki Industrial Straight stitch sewing machine. I was driving Dad's RAV 4, and the table plus machine fitted perfectly in the back so I figured he was smiling from above. One of his lifelong passions was visiting clearing sales and acquiring old stuff and making do. I have actually used it to sew a facing on a quilt. 

My thoughts are, I used to have to clear my table of paperwork, fabrics etc, lift a heavy machine on, set it up etc before I even sewed a stitch. Now, I just walk in, remove the cover and turn it on, It actually talks to me, sit and sew. Plus, it is under the air con!  Happy Days. 

The fabric room just inside the door, still needs a bit more re arranging but there is lots of new fabrics to move in yet so is still a work in progress.

The main cutting table, and the Long Arm sitting patiently waiting. I use the table part as storage for stationery supplies and underneath for fabric. I do turn it on regularly to keep it oiled but I do still hope to have time to actually quilt with it again.  Will let you know how February turns out, as we go.