Replies

1. 
   Susan -homedecsewing | May 06, 2008 03:58am | #1

   Welcome, where are you learning to sew? Do they still teach sewing in your school ? What a wonderful trade, and from what I have seen its an art that needs to have newcomers, so best wishes to you . Its so much fun to create what ever you can dream of. Susan

1. 
   denise | May 08, 2008 01:46am | #2

   Hi Susan from Australia.

   I sewed for many years at your age but I was self taught,  I wish that I had, had all the facilities there is today for learning.

   I love to watch the videos that Threads provide and all the hints I think they still have their basic sewing magazine even though you cannot subscribe to it  that may well be only overseas though.

   The best advice that I have received now that I am in contact with this site is to make a sample out of e.g. calico ( slopper in the U.S.) and then when you perfect that garment stay with that pattern, and just add to it e.g. a pocket a embelishment etc.

   But I find if I just have different fabric no one really ever says 

   'O that's the same shirt as I saw you in last week,'  if they notice they never say.

   hope it all goes well for you and when you have small children and need to make ends meet you will be the envy your your friends .

   denese

1. 
   Susan -homedecsewing | May 08, 2008 03:15am | #3

   Hi Denise , I think you must have got me confused with the first poster, I've been sewing for over 40 years, lol. But I still love this site and am never to old to learn something new from this valuable wealth of information ! Can you see my website from downunder ? its at http://www.homedecsewing.com I ask because I think it needs some jazzing up. I'm trying to do a new coverpage and I am open to any and all suggestions. Whats the weather like down there? Susan

1. 
   denise | May 08, 2008 05:01am | #4

   Dear Sussan i am very honored that you would ask me.

   The only picture I am not sure of is number  6 as this is a new curtain treatment for me.

   We built a new home an Australian federation design with the windows that round and extend out,  ( you may be able to see it on a site) it is also very Victorian English and I also noticed it in Canada.

   Your web site is very nice and love the old sewing machine at the beginning.

   The first room looks so nice my style I love the old english or French provincial

   I have used a lot of Laura Ashley fabric in my home.

   I used a lot of lace and then put what we call a holland blind at the back the windows are individual.

   In our lounge I used very heavy lining on a self cream brocade, the self pattern is roses.

   In the Study I used voile in a white with a self pattern like a scroll  pencil drawing and put heavy white lining behind it really love that effect and now all the children have left I am going to do our sons room in a similar way.

   The only problem I have is that we have French doors that lead to  Juliet Verandahs the doors open out so I cannot put any screens we should of had the door opening in.

   you mention your husband is an installer,  It is now compulsary here to have the pull chains for the blinds and curtains in a saftey catch at the side of the window,  we have had a few deaths where little toddlers have woken up and unfortuanley have put the cords around their little necks what a tradgedy  I think our state is the only one that has introduced this on all new installments.

   It is Autumn her but still 17 deg.  i am pleased the above is in place as we are expecting our second grandchild any day now.

   sorry about the mistake i do hope the young lass keep sewing.

    

2. 
   denise | May 08, 2008 05:06am | #5

   p.s. perhaps a drawing of a victorian type home just in between the second paragraph or an american vintage home i love the ones I have seen that are two story and are made of what looks like a wooden product I saw a story on travell in Boston i think that may be the homes i am thinking of.

3. 
   Stillsewing | May 24, 2008 09:17pm | #7

   SusanYour home dec is just fantastic. If I could afford it I would get you to come to my house and replace my puny offerings that are around my house. Anyway wishful thinking -- I wish I was as creative as you.

1. 
   Susan -homedecsewing | May 24, 2008 09:46pm | #8

   Thank you for the kind remarks. I happen to live in Florida and around some very wealthy clients, thank goodness. So its been a real joy designing for these very opulent homes.How wonderful to be in Ireland, I am of irish desent, my maiden name was Reardon. Have you heard that name over there? Just curious, and thanks for checking out my site, it makes me feel so very contenintal ! lol Kind regards, Susan

2. 
   Lilith1951 | May 11, 2008 08:18pm | #6

   Welcome to sewing and the site, sewawsome.  I'm always glad to hear of new people learning to sew.  It has been a source of joy and satisfaction for me throughout my life.  I've sewn very complex things, but still have fun sewing simple things, too. 

   One of the fun books out there, which I recently found, is Amy Karol's, Bend the Rules Sewing.  You can find lots of easy things to make for yourself and others and learn some new techniques, too. As long as I've been sewing, I still enjoy making something simple, but different, for another person as a gift.  You can take a simple pattern and find a fabric and/or embellishments that make it special to that person (or yourself!), so they know you were thinking of THEM when you spent your time to make it.

   This site here has lots of good information in the archives, but there are also tons of experienced people here to ask questions of if you don't find what you're looking for.  So please share with us and feel free to ask question.