AliExpress sewing related purchases

I've tried to be more considerate in my sewing related purchases recently.  Bizarrely that's also meant buying individual items on Ali Express and I'm not sure I ended up either where I expected to be or wanted to be.  However, these were great buys that I wasn't able to buy locally.

Top: multi coloured zips with a big zipper pull.  Officially called closed ended resin zippers pull ring ;) e

I got 10 40cm zips for $10.94 NZD from MeeTee Official Store.  These were for learning how to use zippers for my little person's quiet book

Bottom left: Adjustable buckles to replace a broken one on BM's trench (which I love!).  I ended up mismeasuring the first set and having to buy another lot.  But I replaced the buckles at the waist tie and on the cuffs and it looks good.  Score as it means the coat stays in circulation longer.  On the down side I had to buy lots of 10 so have a tonne of these left over and also had to wait ages for the first set to arrive, realise it was the wrong size and reorder, and wait again.  A quick fix when they got here!  From Kinoko.

Bottom right: ok this was a late night impulse!  Some bias binding in a cute fabric.  I've bought some white before and it was of shocking quality.  This is good stuff though.  $4.66NZD for 1 inch wide and 5m long. From Palmybest store.



I also bought some iron in labels with my little person's name on them.  There's a variety of different dinosaurs.  In hindsight, I've learnt that naming your child's clothing isn't the safest thing to do as then random people know their names so I'll finish these up and get another set made up with something they will associate with but not give away info about them.  These were 84 for $21.55 from L&L-Handmade Store.





I've also purchased a variety of iron embellishments so they'll be popping up at some point...

Fabric a brac - Oophs!

I've been trying so hard this year to reduce my fabric stash. My sewing room has to be reassigned soon for LP's bedroom so I really need to consolidate and declutter.  

I've been using SewJourners Stash Shrinker spreadsheet to keep track of my fabric ins and outs.  I was doing great right up until Fabric a Brac in October.  FAB coincided with my birthday and I used it as a little too much of an excuse to over purchase.

But guilt aside, I bought some lovely fabrics and I've cut into just one of them since. 

This lovely echino print is only a 50cm length purchased from the lovely Maryanne of Made Marion.  This was a pure impulse buy - and not my usual colours but something just appealed. 

Two 50cm lengths of this fleece back cotton blend.  I can't wait to turn them into sweaters for LP.  I figure I can get two out of them with contrasting elements.

Far too much flannel for PJs.  But oh so snuggly!  I'm planning on a pair or two of PJ bottoms for me and some for LP.

Quilting cotton for a new cushion cover for the living room.  Our current ones are getting a little old and worn.  They're also not particularly well made - given I made them early in my sewing career and also didn't bother with zips or buttons and just used an envelope method to close them at the back.

Won't it look great?

Buttons from Vinnies ReSew.  

Some cotton PUL.  I'm not 100% sure what I'll use this for - possible another change mat as I think I've cracked my pattern.  I'm considering whether I make it up as a pattern and make it available on my blog.  It's fairly straightforward now that I've had enough time to figure out how all the bits go...

More quilting cotton - Babar - I loved this character as a child.  I'm hoping if I see the books again they won't have 'aged' and come across as racist or sexist.  One can but hope!

A short length of kiwi themed quilting cotton.

A small tonne of Dr Suess quilting cotton.

And finally a retro inspired quilting cotton.

All in all, I ended up purchasing 15.5m and my end dally was: 41.5m in and 48.5m out over the course of the year.  Bah!  I was doing so well!  But it can be a little too easy to spend and not so easy to sew it all up!