Hardware store love for the sewing room

 Someone posted about these roller cutters on a sewing related FB group (the Sewing Library) I subscribe to. I thought I would share in case you were in need of a good, cheap rotary cutter and unaware of this cheap alternative:

For the princely sum of $10 (some people have found them on sale at random stores for about $5) you can get a roller cutter and 10 replacement blade at Bunnings. Not all stores seem to have but I think its definitely worth a look-see if you happen to be cruising by one and have the time. 

 I found mine in the power tools section, where they also sell things such as spirit levels, drill bits, spanners etc...

I've stocked up on three of these "Craftright" cutters in the last week (there's a rumour that the line is going to be deleted?) and I figure that should see me through for the next few years or so. Funny that my first rotary cutter was also a buy from the same hardware chain, a "Fiskars" cutter that I think I paid about $13 for. I'm mostly buying these ones for the blades (hello to not paying $7 per blade for a while) but the handle is actually suprisingly easy and comfortable to use- yay bonus win!

If you live in Western Australia I have seen these for sale at Malaga and Midland- if I visit any other stores and find them in stock I will update in my comments.

Makes it worth tagging along next time someone in the household needs to do a hardware run doesn't it ? ;)

Til then...

Happy Sewing (and cut-price cutting!)

Kate x

Op-shoppery: Recent fabric pickings (part 2)

The same op shop yielded quite a bounty on another day. The roll of grey is lining fabric, $8 for the roll but a bargain considering it costs at least $5/metre new. The pink fabric was also $8 for the roll. I think its some type of 1990's parasilk type synthetic. It has a matte finish and a crisp hand so I think would be great for a 1950's style dress: 

The pale mint green fabric is actually silk - 7 metres for $1 as it has several large stains, but at that price I can cut around them! Question is what to make with it as it very fine and floaty. Would it tear when wet? Have to do some testing...

The last fabric is a soft cotton-y dress fabric with an interesting faux stitched hibiscus print :

(yes I Instagrammed this one)

 Skirt or shirt maybe?

Oh and I nearly forgot! Either a very large hanky or smallish scarf? Regardless... am digging this graphic print:

 

All up quite a good haul for two separate half hour visits to my local Oppy ;)

Happy sewing/thrifting!!!

Kate :)

Op-shoppery: Recent fabric pickings (part 1)

Just some of the goodies recent thrift store visits have uncovered. First up a bag of fabric pieces plus a knit pattern for tees:

  

I'm not sure how i feel about the striped fabric, hoping it may be usable for maybe a bucket hat or perhaps pants for DS but not sure about the colours on him. I love the flower print for it's retro style.

Not in love with the train print but am pretty sure DS will be!

 

There isn't quite enough of the train fabric for a full child's garment but I figure a pocket or two (or maybe a hood lining?) can be squeezed out.

It's turning to colder weather here in Oz and suddenly fleece fabric - in any form- is starting to look good...

 Pays to be overprepared in the winter clothing stakes when you have two very mess-making three year olds running around ;)

Cheap patterns!

Looking to build or extend your pattern stash? Check out Patternplus- great prices AND fantastic service (plus cheap shipping to boot).
 Luckily I am pretty much stocked to bursting with patterns right now or I would be buying more.....