production

I'm having a jag of making as the fete draws near. I've been crocheting and sewing and cutting, getting into the groove of mass production. Most unlike me.

 Much more like the usual me, I've been organising and stock taking and emailing and farming out jobs to the other piecework mums from the fete factory.

This year I am feeling pretty confident. It's my third year managing the handmade stall I think this one will be better than ever. I'm much more on top of things, better prepared with a clearer sense of what stuff I'll be selling. I'm hoping this will translate to a much smoother set up and stall running. And a whisker less of total obliterating exhaustion.

I've plumbed the depths of my stash and let go of some really terrific fabrics - long held pieces, scraps and hand printed lovelies from good friends for sling and wrist bags, aprons and oven mitts.

I've bought some fantastic panels from Kristen for simple softies, made a load of crocheted brooches and bought all the gear for magnets, brooches, pendants, printed tea towels and more, so I think it should all look pretty good on the day.

In amongst the hullabaloo I've been sewing something else on the sly too. It's the small man's birthday next week and his request was for a new costume. The batman effort has had a good workout since I made it back in August 2010 for a then 3 year old Wil. Last year I made a new cape, since the original had become very much a capelet but the rest of the outfit is most definitely on the small side too.

I had to screen print the logo with my gocco before I appliqued it on, and even then it wasn't much fun, and the undies-on-the-outside with faux belt and belt loops was definitely fiddly. But I was thrilled to pick up the lightweight red mesh for the cape since I was worried the way it is actually attached to the top might result in near strangulation with a heavier fabric.

I can't wait to see it on.