Earlier this year I bought a new Brabantia ironing board, a massive thing that DH hates because he says it is "too bloody big" but is a dream to use with lots of real estate.

Two days ago my sewing room iron died on the steam side and for sewing  you really need steam as I explained to Mr Don't Spend Any Money Until You Are Forced To. Not told him yet but I have researched and ordered, you need good tools!   

My normal ironing board upstairs is a table top one, which is good for small things but anything large and the fabric shifts it around.  Old ironing board had been put into use but against the other one it paled into oblivion so was destined to the charity corner.

Yesterday it rained nearly all day (wonderful) so I had plenty of time to search for the right price (second hand would have been fine). I'd nearly decided on the one that can be stored away in the wardrobe (if there was any room), but I had this nagging feeling it might not be strong enough.  About to press the buy button on the smallest Brabantia (still nearly £50), when I noticed an advert for replacement covers for Brabantia.  So I've done an about turn and ordered the backing felt, new cover and the straps you need for around £25. 

Now that will go down well with DH,assuming he even notices.   I can't believe what a difference a decent top makes to ironing.  My mother in law always used an old sheet on top of an old blanket.

I've upgraded since 2008, to using one machine needle that was only replaced when I managed to bring it down on something I shouldn't and it broke to a small round pin box that is full of old needles.

What  do you do with them/where do you send them?

I bought this when it first came out so I must have had it probably at least 2 years, possibly more.  Each time I got it out I stuffed away, because of the neckline, that type don't really suit me.  On Monday I gave in a started sewing some lovely fine drapey jersey I had which had made a super straight forward one with round neck, which suits me. 

https://mccallpattern.mccall.com/patterns/misses/tops?page=all


Well I've got to putting the sleeves in stage and  decided to try on.  Fits fine but even this stage I know I am not going to really love it because of the neck.  I'm just hoping the sleeves will detract (last top like this was a Vogue  with no sleeves and that went straight to the charity bag).

Why on earth don't you listen to your inner ear instead of ploughing on in hope it will be alright.

Just seen this for sale again on Ebay at around £350, I bought in 1992 and sold for £25 to a student in 2009.  It came out in 1987 and while it was a lovely machine to work with, once the circuit board has gone you are stuffed. My bobbin winder went first, not a problem but maybe a sign of things to come.

I do hope people do their homework before they attempt to buy.

After, what were, to me three big projects, I had a clean up of the floor yesterday and this morning cut out and marked a skirt and this afternoon, overlocked seams, zip in and  sewn up seams.   Better still I didn't have to keep running back to the pattern instructions to see if I'd missed anything out.  Pure bliss.  Facings, lining and hem next.  It makes a lovely change.  I might do a nice and easy top next before I start having to use my ageing brain on something that needs slightly more grey cells.

I'm afraid I am all about pictures and if I like the picture (sewing of course), I sort of look extra hard and try visualise on me.  Most of the time it comes out right, other times I discover that certain necklines don't suit me, or full skirts. 

Anyway earlier in the year I had seen a nice pattern for a jacket and thought that it would suit me I'll buy it for later, procrastinated, as usual, then discovered that the website had vanished and was being redone following opening of the ladies shop.  I kept tabs on it and now the website shop is back, but the pattern wasn't on.  Since it was one of her own I asked and was told she had just not round to putting it on and it would be put back on, which she did so of course procrastination had to take back seat and I bought.

It came this morning, (ordered yesterday).  No flat jiffy bag but a box and inside another fancy box (wrapped in pink tissue paper) and inside the pattern pieces and instructions.  After 20 plus pages for the  Waffle Tosti I now have the equivalent of 4 A4 pages, with not much in them.  I think I'm going to think about getting my brain into top gear or I'm stuffed.

https://www.sewwardrobe.co.uk/product/sew-wardrobe-honey-jacket/

About 4 years ago I bought some £1 a meter jersey fabric off Ebay.  Owner closing down so clearing his warehouse and it stunk a bit of damp.  I wasn't into jersey then so left it.  Found it couple of years later, not smelling so managed to get two nice tops out of it.  I was a nice creamy colour, very easy to work with and sew.  First time I washed them, they came out white.  Same thing has happened with jersey from Sherwoods, nice feel, nice colour, easy to work with, and not cheap, only it has taken just a bit longer for the colour to disappear and become sort of off white.

While DH was working I used Ariel Bio because he generally came home with heavy duty stains on his overalls (he was doing something in the garage a couple of days ago and when he walked down the garden I thought there was a strange man wandering around because he'd got the overalls on).  I'm beginning to wonder if I might have to change my powder.  With my allergies I wash bedding in a liquid soap but it's not much cop for stains.

I've been threatening for a bit then made my mind up and bought some following a review.  But they came from the USA and would not arrive while around the 7th February and I wanted them for the first project of 2019.  So I bought these in the meantime.

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07FYBKWZW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When I opened the box they seemed a bit heavy, which put me off, but I tried them yesterday afternoon, never even noticed the weight, they are so flipping sharp after the old ones.  I am well impressed, especially considering the price.  I've had one set when buying a sewing machine and even brand new they were never as good as these.  The ones that are coming are Ginghers, which also have good reviews. 

I did ask my sister for some for Christmas, not seen her yet, so I just might have another lot coming.  My cup runneth over