Sewing... does anyone sew?

It's a terrible photograph but you lose track of the good ones over 33 years and the original coat is in Canberra! As you can see, it's rather large - the left arm cuff is well and truly rolled up but it lasted from a maxi to a jacket - none of that 3 months wear for this amount of unfamiliar effort! 

Yes, photo please @afraser!

That coat is just too gorgeous @zoffiel  I can imagine wearing that - or at least, I could have once when I had a figure.  @AllyJay's comment is right - I think you could make a lot of pin money selling those.

Your lovely pillows would have meant the WORLD to the families .... and I bet the replacements when you weren't able to make them - just don't cut the mustard, @"Annie C"   xxx

Wow Annie C, they are both unusual sewing jobs- who would have thought.Yes,damn bc has a lot to answer for but don’t let it beat you down- get that sewing mojo back.

In the 4 years years after I "retired" from the Post Office and prior to receiving an Age Pension, I made more than pocket money through my sewing. 

I had 2 sewing "jobs" that I did at home. One was with a work clothing outfitters. I was paid good money to sew reflective tape on the legs of work trousers and stitch identifying badges on work shirts. Not exactly creative but paid well.

The other sewing job was with the local funeral service
sewing - wait for it - coffin pillows. Simple 12 inch (30cm) squares of taffetta with lace along 2 sides. Simple. Easy. Quick and paid well.

The local undertaker used to say to just sew them up, nothing fancy. Well my neat freak, anal retentive pride always insisted on a "proper " job. I used to joke that my head would be on one of these one day. Bit too close to home, that comment became. 


Then along came BC with all its attendant side effects and I lost those 2 sewing jobs along with the very useful supplementation of my age pension. 

 Now I still sew but just putter around for me. No where near even a tenth of the output. My concentration and skill is no where what it used to be and let's not bring motivation jnto it.

Damn BC.

I also sew, mainly quilts but also drain bags, other bags and a few stretchy fabric tops. i give away much to friends and charity. My sewing room is my happy place. I wish I could sew clothes better. When my children were young I did a knit wit course and sewed them T-shirt’s and shorts.  It was fun.  I am currently quilting a top I sewed by hand 15 years ago.  I don’t love it anymore but it will be good to finish it!

I am trying to figure out a way to pack my sewing machine and overlocker into my motorhome. I miss them terribly when on the road. I have resorted to cross stitch to satisfy my addiction but it doesn't have the same kick as actual sewing. 
I'm stuck in Syd for a while now while I wait for tests etc so I'm sewing up a storm.

I have one somewhere, it was a long time ago! 

@Afraser Sounds deliciously eccentric. Any chance of a photo?!

Yep. Blue base and a pattern of rainbow lorikeets with wattle trim! Nearly went skelly eyed following the pattern but my daughter wore it for years - OK it was very long when she first wore it and she looked like a colourful Dopey, but all my own work!!