Finally finished.  Because the width of the panels wasn't too long, this will be an "over leggings" dress.  Still, its interesting.

Cityscape tunic by Dani, on Flickr

It has pockets!!!
Cityscape tunic by Dani, on Flickr

I may or may not do a bit of a flex, by lining up the mini-pleats with the darts.   

Cityscape tunic by Dani, on Flickr

Hey there @Tiggy ... wow what a huge trip you are going on.

So, when coming to Aus, its helpful to remember its a huge country, and therefore the weather will vary dramatically.

So yes, a cardi or light coat will be needed for April in Adelaide, but you will need light daytime layers for the NT as it will still be quite warm, although by April the nights will be cool'ish.  April will be coming to the end of the wet season, so you may find it very wet.  Light fabrics for the heat, but long sleeves and pants to cover your skin, because there will still be mozzies.  And yes ..... sun protection, we after all, are the leading country for skin cancer. 

Those same light layers will be useful in Cairns, as yes, it will be humid, quite likely all of Queensland, as you come down the coast.  That being said, you are right, you may be in a lot of air-conditioning, and yes, we do tend to run those quite cold.  As you come down the NSW coast, you may find it a slight bit cooler, especially if you go to any of the mountains areas.  You won't need a padded, heavy jacket ..... but cardigans, long pants, shoes/socks rather than sandals ... you may find a little bit of need for those.

I would put together a good sized capsule wardrobe, of pants and tunics in linen blends, rayon dresses, perhaps a loose fit kimino jacket for over them, and then a light-med weight cardi.. Cotton blend scarves are great to do double duty as sun protection, and to wrap around the neck if it gets cool.   Good walking shoes/socks, and sandals for the hot days, swimmer.

Going up through the centre will be quite sparse population wise, but coming down the Qld and NSW coasts, you will encounter lots of civilisation, and therefore just about every medium to large sized town will have an charity shop, that you will be able to pick something up, should the weather do something unexpected. 

Have fun on your epic holiday.  I am sure you will love it.

Its not quite craft stuff, but its for xmas.

When I was a child/young adult, caramel tarts made from condensed milk (also known as Dulce De Leche), were an essential part of the xmas table.  But to make the caramel back then, was a dangerous exercise.  Basically you put cans of condensed milk into a big pot of water, and then put it on the stove, on a slow simmer, for hours.  But, put the cans on their end (instead of their side) and/or forget to keep the cans covered with water, and you can guarantee an explosion of epic skin burning and ceiling staining proportions.  The pull tab lids on cans pretty much put paid to this method, as they would pop open under the pressure.  So Nestle put out Top'n'Fill .... premade caramel, with no dangerous stove action.  And for years it was great.... until it wasn't.  Nestle stopped producing it here, and instead imported it from spain.  Now it is runny, and tastes vaguely like powdered milk.  Not acceptable.

Recently, while looking at how to make this in my Thermomix, I came across instructions for making it in the can, in the slow cooker.  The water isn't boiling, so there is less pressure on the can.  Yes it takes 10 hours, but worth it for a thick caramel that will set in the tart case enough to slice.  I am quite happy.  Because of the pull-tab lid on the can, you can't store in the can, but a sterilised jam jar does just fine. 

Slow cooker caramel by Dani, on Flickr

Hey folks, how is your xmas sewing going?

Yeah I know, a bit late.   

I can honestly say, I didn't make anywhere near as much as I was planning.  DD apartment disaster really put a brake on my sewing time, and I haven't make anywhere near the amount of stuff I was planning. 

I did complete one gift last night.  A set of packing cubes for the MIL.  She does a lot of short term house sitting, and I thought a batch of packing cubes might be good for her.  The tops are enbroidered with butterfly's, and the fabric is a series of australian themed quilting cotton.

Packing cubes by Dani, on Flickr

Packing cubes by Dani, on Flickr

Packing cubes by Dani, on Flickr

Hi there cacran, welcome to the group.

Like you, I am an enthusiastic sewist ..... I often refer to myself as a dabbler; not especially talented, but determined, and always happen to learn new stuff.

At the moment, I am heading in a new direction in my sewing life.  I am ditching a lot of the sythetic fabrics (the classic fat girl wardrobe), and embracing being a "woman of a certain age" who can darn well wear leggings and a long dress if I want.  I have not quite gone to the bloomers/old doileys stage of lagenlook, but certainly, getting there. 

I am looking forward to seeing your creations, and hope you find lots of inspiration here.   

Why silly? It’s beautiful. I love the special quilting 

LOL, its silly because I started it with a ridiculous deadline on myself.  My work friend was finishing up last Friday, so I had to get it done quick smart. 

Good morning folks, I am looking for a pattern suggestion for a tricky fabric.

Recently I purchased some vintage silk/linen fabric.  Now I am not precious about my fabrics, vintage or not, they get used.  I don't believe in "saving" fabric just because its old.

Now when I ordered this fabric, I had the expectation of it being a soft, drapey fabric, suited perhaps for a lagenlook like dress/tunic.  When I received it, it had quite a papery feel, very stiff.  No matter I thought, it just needs a wash to get rid of any sizing.  So wash it I did, although in respect to the silk, I did not tumble dry.  While softer, it still has a very firm, stiff feel to it. 

So, what do I make with it?  Do I persist with a lagenlook style dress?  or interline it (its quite see through) and make a fit'n'flare dress?  Or a button down shirt?  For reference I have 3 metres x 110cm wide.  Would love some suggestions.

Silk Linen fabric by Dani, on Flickr