Crafting Retreat Weekend

On the weekend I was lucky to head off to a crafting weekend with girls from The Sewing Sisterhood.

I joined (from the photo above from left to right):
– Amy from Ladybugs and Daisychains
– Leigh from Sakurako with her gorgeous baby Emma
– Mel from Handmade by 3 Little B’s
– Rebecca from Baby Chilli and The Chilli Tree
– Karen from Apple Seed
– Bridie from Little Magnolia Buttons
– Mia from Mac and Mia
– Melissa from Bugle Bums
– Me – up the back!
– Jodie from Three Little Chickens

We stayed at The White House in Healesville which allowed us lots of beds and plenty of space to craft (we set up two tables in one living space for sewing and still had the comfort of the loungeroom for stitching and tea breaks).

I wasn’t there Friday so I can’t tell you what they got up to but I know by the time I arrived on Saturday a little quilting had occurred (I hope to update you more on that later – it is kinda a post on its own!).

We all decided on certain things we wanted to learn throughout the weekend and it was all so low-key and stress-free. Plenty of time for chatting, tea and coffee drinking and you should have seen the baked goodies that came – oh boy!!

First there was shirring lessons from Mel and Mia – learning how to do it and make little dresses. It is certainly something I would like to try soon as I really thought it was much harder than it looks!

Mia and Mel helping Jodie

Here is Emma modelling the dress that Leigh made. Seriously this little girl was an angel all weekend and was happily handed around to whichever ‘aunty’ was free and available for as many hugs and snuggles that she could withstand.

Emma modelling her mummy’s shirred dress

We were all sent a little fabric to make a token gift to swap (I blogged mine yesterday). It was so fantastic to see everyone’s interpretation of the fabric.

Our swap gifts (I was lucky to get the TSS heat bag in the middle)

I bought along some ‘stitchery’ patterns for us to do a little hand embroidery and taught a few basic stitches. It was lovely to see Bridie finish her little elephant for her soon to be born baby boy’s nursery (just 4 weeks away!). The free pattern is [here](http://soseptember.blogspot.com.au/2009/03/test_24.html#.UlygJhD4LDJ). I better finish mine to share with you.

Bridie’s cute little elephant stitchery

Amy shared some techniques for creating a zippered pouch. Since I already have made them, I thought I would make a zip clutch from Michelle’s patterns. This pattern is no longer available but lots of AMAZING bags, clutches, and purses to choose from. Thanks so much Amy for the tips on the zipper. I will absolutely be fusing them down in the future – much better finish!

My little zip clutch – future teacher gift!

After a late night on Saturday night we were up and out early and headed to Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander for brunch on Sunday morning. It was here that Leigh taught us how to sew with hexies (or hexagon quilting). I’m TOTALLY addicted now so expect to see them popping up everywhere.

A little hand stitching with hexies