Sewing with Knit...WHATS THE BIG DEAL?

Hello,

Well today is a beautiful sunny day, birds a chirping, pussy cat is meowing & the horses are out back filling up on lovely fresh green grass..

Here is Paris (fat pony), Jasper (fat quarter horse)!!

Yesterday was a little monumental... Yes, MONUMENTAL! 

I have sewn a tinny bit with stretch fabric, with little success. 

So I have made every effort to stay well clear of the stuff..but, with a mother who LOVES & is a VERY clever stretch fabric sewer, there was always an underlying feeling that I was needed to face this, let's say HURDLE, in my sewing career. Oh, the other reason is I have a lovely customer who requested a dress in the stuff;)...thank you Alice:) 

I was happy for the challenge, nervous, read loads of helpful hints, remembered all what my mother has told me...

Black jersey knit fabric... Picked out by a customer as I was way to nervous to choose.

Cut.Pin.Stitch.

(but do first make sure I do use a ball point needle & correct stitch on machine!)

I can hardly believe it, I actually really enjoyed sewing with the stretch fabric. A lot to do with using the correct tools & keeping this thought in my head... Slow design, slow making.... That is what hand made is about. 

Finished & stunning...

Here with a newly made infinity scarf.

My Fabric Obsession... Obsession for quality...

Rescently I was asked about how I find the fabrics I use....

Today I am letting you into the very lovely world of-searching for fabric for Pollen. 

Hopefully you will find the drive behind the search as exciting as I do. 

Quality, pattern, colour & most important to me is where I buy from... Small business (even if it means I pay more),  mothers/fathers working from home  (just like myself). 

I love colour, whether bright & bold or pastel washed out & creamy soft. 

Right now I have been sewing with bright bold florals... 

Tomorrow is a soft to the touch black jersey for a special custom order. The following day, I hope to be working with vintage cotton, silk & linens that have been hand dyed locally (but that's another blog story). 

My most amazing find, after 6 years of searching, I found an Australian designer who had manufactured her own fabric range...

Above is two of her designs which I am making into ladies tops. 

Here another two from her collection... 

For those who love bright. 

Link to this beautiful range, which is 100% cotton. Quilting weight. 

www.buddiescorner.com.au

Supporting an Australian designer... 

XxAmanda

Working with Vintage Fabric

AWaistband attachedThrough the week I received an amazing little package in the post, filled to the brim with vintage/retro pillowcases.

At the time I was ankle deep in sewing Ladies Tie Waist Skirts, so it was easy to cut out one in some sunny, bright vintage floral. 

Gathering the waist up.

Waistband attached.

Almost done... 

With a creamy & grey background, this sunny floral is so lovely. Pillowcases have been given a new life.

XxPollen

Preparing for Markets

Hello gorgeous ones....

I don't really believe in setting myself New Year resolutions, but this year I feel I have... (Insert sigh...)

This year I have set myself a goal to attend markets. I want to see RESULTS, yes that's the resolution part. 

In my world  a light bulb switched on...

So I have set myself the goal of attending BrisStyle Indie Markets ( http//:www.brisstyle.com.au ) which are held the second Saturday

of each month...

I feel I need to take Pollen out & showcase in person the creations I have made.

Being a regular event, I feel BrisStyle will help me bring Pollen to the many wonderful people who adore handmade. 

Here is a surprise, hand crafted pendent lights... 

Mason jars transformed into lights, made by my lovely companion... He has cheered me on from the sidelines & now has expanded Pollens range into the homewares arena. 

I LOVE the look...  

Made using quality fittings & with perfection.

If you are in the Brisbane area come along & say hello... I would love to meet you in person.

Xx here's to a successful & cheery 2014.

XAmanda

For the Girls - ROMPERS

I have fallen in love with these ROMPERS for girls.

Yellow can be a little tricky, not suiting all... But this fabric is amazing! 

With the redy pink bunnies & tangle of green foliage who can resist?

With elastic waist for a comfortable fit, pockets to hide treasures & little fingers, hand made fabric covered buttons the details are endless.

Love BIG buttons...

And plaits..

This is a beautiful pattern by Figgy's.. 

The Year 2014...

New Years resolution...... BLOG!!!!!

Blogging ... Yes I'm going to show more behind the scenes, snippets of ME WEARING Pollen, children in Pollen.... 

Twins are now 3 ! (Where has the last three years gone?!!!!) 

New adventures are to be had...

LOVE.LIFE.PASSION.

XX Amanda

MELBOURNE-adventure begins

Wow! A weekend filled with little sleep & loads of possibilities. What more could I ask for? 

Gorgeous fabric surrounded me at the "Buddies Corner" stand. 

With Pollen designing the patterns & Buddies Corner designing the textiles the adventure to create together has begun. This is where our adventure begins, I'm wondering & excited about the defining moments that are around the corner. 

 

Knitting

Knitting in indigo blue & finding it the perfect colour fit for winter. Esther (now 2.5 years) has a wardrobe filled with pink & bright colourful clothes! Therefore I searched for a colour which fits beautifully with Pollen & the colours of the rainbow which I lend to use in Pollen Studio. 

Cool kid...

Munchkin alert... Zane wearing Pollen flannel truck pants. 

Yellow is standing strong around the studio at the moment.. It keeps showing up  & I keep finding myself drawn to it...

Long time between posts....& squares...

 

I've started making my little girl a bed cover. I am enjoying cutting out a few hundred squares & using loads of scrap fabric from my very LARGE scrap stash. I want it to be colourful, full of life, pretty & just lovely. My little girl has a strong will, makes me laugh & I so adore her girly ways... It's her & me babe amongst four boys!!!

Behind the Scenes

 Studio Pollen

Behind the scenes....

I do not claim to be neat, but I will say I know where EVERYTHING is!!!

I also love the organic nature in which I create. I can have a number of items in the pipe-line at any one time! I have become VERY aware of not to go beyond this though...or I tend to not finish them!

I call this free style applique!!! Yes, I have come up with that myself!

Mathilda's Market 26th May 2012

Mathilda's Market



TO market, to market....

Breezy, cool, crisp winter morning...

The sun came out, & wow what a gorgeous building the Eagle Farm has!



Pollen & Cultiver (Ipswich)

A new friendship began this morning....

Like two little girls sitting under a tree, sharing make believe cups of tea!

'Cornflower' Ladies tops.

Up-cycled ladies tops.

'Poppy' Wrap Around Skirts.

Ladies Tie Waist Skirts.

Thanks Bec & Kyla <3

Pollen Clothing at Mathilda's Market Brisbane

The count down is on for the 26th May Mathilda's Market.

25 DAYS and COUNTING!

Please come and visit our stall at Mathilda’s Market at the Brisbane Racecourse at Eagle Farm, Ascot on Saturday 26th May, from 9am to 1pm. Entry and parking is free. With over 70 stall holders, yummy food and kids’ entertainment on offer, Mathilda’s Market is undoubtedly Brisbane’s finest shopping destination for our littlies. For a sneak preview of what’s in store, head to www.mathildasmarket.com.au, or check out their blog at www.mathildasmarket.blogspot.com. We really hope to see you there! (Oh, and if it’s a little too far to travel, you might be happy to hear that Mathilda’s Markets are held regularly in seven cities around Australia). More info at: www.mathildasmarket.com.au

 

Ikea TRIP!

Two babies & two adults....it was like a mission!!!

I was on a path to find shelving & display options for Mathilda's Market Stand.

I have an idea in my brain...well a few idea's to be truthful:)

This can bring trouble at the best of times....enter IKEA & a million idea's, options, colours, themes start bouncing around.

I was focused to not purchase that which was unnecessary, & that which was steering away from this particular image in my head!!!! OH MY!! HOW HARD!!!!

Let's just finish with, we adults went to the WRONG paying counters, thinking the quick exit is needed-two babies crying, over tiered, sick of sitting, over stimulated, WAY TO CUTE! & attracting attention which was distracting to us adults! YOU CAN NOT pay with CASH at a CARD ONLY counter! Dummies were being thrown, bum grope, pointing & THANK GOD we have mobile phone's & phone banking!!!!

We yawned the whole way home, babies slept:)

ADVENTURE had...thank you dear friend for experiencing IKEA with twins.....& I thought I'd go on my own one day!?!

CHEEKY MONKEYS.

One last thing.....Ikea children's cutlery works really well:) xoxo

MATHILDA"S MARKET

Pollen's GOING to MATHILDA'S MARKET

26th MAY 2012

I set this goal a while ago now. On a whim I thought I'd fill out the application form...this is what can happen when God goes before.

So in my excitement there is nerves, questions to myself (can I possibly do this? Am I GOOD enough? Will POLLEN sell? etc. etc.)

Let me tell you, that list of questions to oneself is LOOONNNGGG!!!

So, if you live in Brisbane or surrounds, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE visit Pollen at the Mathilda's Market!

It is a wonderful Market in a beautiful place.

Strawberry Shortcake Shorts

Blue Flower headbands

Oil cloth Children's Apron's

xoxo

'Snowdrop' Shorts

"Snowdrop' Shorts...the making in photo

Why 'Snowdrop'? I hear some of you ask...well, the ballooning to the leg reminded me of a tiny snowdrop. Elastic in the leg cuff has added to the ballooning effect.

If I could add a strawberry scent to these almost edible shorts I would.

In the photo above the curvy pocket is attached & ready for stitching.

Stitching.

Two legs with the pockets stitched on.

Curvy little pocket goes all the way from the front to the back!

'Snowdrop' is ALL about the POCKETS.

Leg cuff, elastic, & pockets all in place.

New 'P' & blue button tag is on.

'Snowdrops' Shorts.

Pollen_Sheila Higgins Photography

02.03.2012

Pollen

&

Sheila Higgins Photography

"spreading joy through whimsical creations."

Hayley, Mary & Ava

wearing Blue Birds & Blue Flowers

Girls Tie Waist Skirt

&

Blue Bird applique tee's

Time for Tea...were are they all hiding?

Pink Rose Girls Tie Waist Skirt

Girls Tunic Top

Circus is Coming to Town

&

Blue Birds Tie Waist Skirt

Sun Drenched afternoon in the sun...

Girls Tunic Dress

Boys long shorts...

find me a sailing boat

&

lets sail away...

left to right

Boys Long Shorts,Knicker Bocker Shorts, Slim-fit Shorts

Slim-fit Shorts Pink Rose

Ladies Tie Waist Skirt

Paddy O'Furniture, Kalbar

'Crate' chair & table

typewriter & vintage book

glasses (models own)

Vintage hand crochet flower headband

(my great-grandmother made the crochet flower)

Vintage inspired head wear, crazy big & dramatic.

G.Vie coloured rock necklace

& loads of LOVE

LOVE.PEACE.HOPE.

**POLLEN**

Huge thanks to my gorgeous little MODELS...they ROCKED it

& made us LAUGH & GIGGLE.

xxxooo

mary, solomon, hayley, ava, eric, luke, zane & esther

xxxooo

dear sarah, i can't forget you MMMWAAAHHH!!