mend- it is a four letter word..

Have you ever had one of those garments which relies upon ruching elastic, to give it shape? 

 And then the elastic decides it is going to give up on being , well, elastic?  So instead of a gathered item you have a saggy rag?

saggy elastic

I had a garment like this as a small child. It was a swimming costume. I distinctly recall having it aged about 4. The wretched garment went on and on and on. I wore it for swimming lessons at school aged 11. I hated it, and it was a relief when that one gave way!
 So, a friend of mine also had a garment like that. But in her case it was a rather elegant and pretty dress. In a fine fabric, with beading around the neckline. But it had sagged.

So, the question was, could I fix it? I had never attempted the job of sewing ruching elastic into a garment before, but I knew the principle, and watched a couple of videos on youtube. Which, incidentally, contradicted each other. And I had a bash.

First, though, I had to take out the old elastic!

3 hours later... a pile of old saggy removed elastic ( why is a cigarette coupon from the 1960s in the picture? I welcome guesses, and if anyone gets it right- I will make them a surprise! just the first one to get it right, thank you. )  And then winding ruching elastic onto bobbins. There is an art to this. An art I have yet to master. But I did it. Somehow.

And then to sew elastic back into the dress.

 If you look carefully at this picture, you will see some ends in the middle. No, the bobbin did not run out. The elastic broke. It broke several times. Sometimes I removed it and started again. Other times, I just kept on going, having sorted the bobbin out again.
And one bobbin lasts about three rows across the back.
I eventually got the job finished, and I await information as to whether it is satisfactory. I have no idea what I might do if it isn't, as the elastic sews in at the tension it wants, and there is very little I can do to adjust that!

Latest arrivals in the garden? This peony is now open. She is very frilly and dainty. 

 My little pink rambler is being little and pink...

 

A hot lily makes a gorgeous rich impact on the eye, and self sown foxgloves grace the ignored corner here.

And I have yet to confess to my other half- but I have signed up for a triple zippy pouch swap! Sign ups go until July 6th, and posting out is in August- 17th I think. I have wanted to do one for a bit- since I saw Annaliese's ones, and this will make me do it!

And a housekeeping note- I got some really lovely text charms through from a texty charm swap group! no Idid not take photos- but go and look at Cindys if you want- they are the same but much better photo's than I can do! One of my daughters has requested a selection for making a new kindle cover! So suitable! Of course she may!

Belated, Sewmamasew, I was a winner!

I was lucky enough to win two giveaways in the
 great giveaway, but I was waiting until the second one arrived, to blog about both at the same time. First, I won some patterns that the lovely Germaine over at Yageol was kind enough to be passing on to be put into use. 

There are two magazines with traceable patterns, and two actual patterns here. I do not know why it is so difficult to get this type of magazine in UK. I think they are brilliant. And there are a really fabulous selection of patterns here. Oh, yes! they will get used!

Thank you Germaine!

And then I also won these rather fun charms. These came from Atia. There are very varied prints in this collection, with florals and scissors, leaves and butterflies, as well as some abstract prints. I think these should prove very useful, Thank you Atia!

 Now, a few shots from the garden, to keep my daughters up to date!

Clematis

tree peony

Fruit cage to go on very soon! There is a redcurrant lurking!

and today's disaster? The iron decided to send out smoke signals... I smelt it first, and then saw the little plume of smoke arising... Ok , a new iron has had to be bought... I feel as though I buy new irons every 5 minutes! I know it is a few years really, but surely an iron should last longer than this! And you just cannot sew without an iron!  Can you?