About

Hi, I'm Ros and here is some info about me!

If you have a question about a tutorial, sewing in general, or about me I'd love to hear from you - please email me! roslynruss{at}gmail{dot}com.

Thanks to my readers for these questions and I've thrown a few extra ones in that answer a few other things that you might like to know.

What inspired you to start sewing?
In 2010 I was a bit bored at home with my daughter - being a Mum is really busy but I wasn't very stimulated - and I was a bit sick of the mass produced baby stuff. I wanted to add a more personal touch to the many baby gifts we were giving our family and friends who had new bubs. I started reading blogs, got my friend Lyndelle to give me some informal lessons, and the rest is history!

How did you learn to sew?
Some informal lessons from my friend Lyndelle, some tips from my Mum and lots of practice using blog tutorials, which I still think are one of the best resources for at home sewists.

What is your favourite place to buy fabric?
I have total envy of my US readers - fabric in Australia is extremely expensive. In person I shop at Spotlight, Rathdowne Remnants and GJs Discount Fabrics, and online I like Hawthorne Threads, Fabric.com and Etsy.

Is Melbourne better than Sydney?
Yes.

What is your guilty pleasure?
At home, a huge bowl of spaghetti bolognese, a can of coca cola, and the whole 6 hours of Pride & Prejudice (Colin Firth / BBC version) on DVD. Bliss. And some chocolate for dessert.

What was your favourite song when you were 13?
Hmm...1993.  'Boom Shake the Room' by Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, 'Informer' by Snow, 'Sweat, A La La La La Long' by Inner Circle, and other such classics were on high rotation on my cassette player, taped directly from Barry Bissell's Hot 40 Countdown. All you Aussies reading this will be laughing right now... I was also loving the Bodyguard soundtrack, Janet Jackson, and in 1993 I went to my first concert - Lenny Kravitz!

I commented on your blog and invited you to link up to my party, but you didn't - don't you like me?
Yes I like you! I read every comment and appreciate them all very much. I am grateful for your invitation to your link party but if I linked up to every party I was invited to, I would end up being on the computer all day!

What is your work space like?
No perfect craft rooms pinterest style here I'm afraid. Its currently a disastrous mess on the dining table. Every time someone comes to visit it all gets packed away. Watch this space though - I am setting up a permanent sewing space thanks to Ikea birthday vouchers sometime soon!

How is your real life different to what you show on your blog?
The same as most Mums I guess - much of my day is taken up with changing nappies, tidying up mess, kissing bumps and scrapes better, grocery shopping, laundry. I have craft and sewing failures that often don't get published! That aside, I'm pretty honest on my blog, what you read is what you get.

Most embarrassing moment?
During my first pregnancy I had some problems with uncontrollable and sudden bodily functions. Once it happened in public far away from a bathroom...you can guess the rest. Mortifying.


What sewing machine do you use?
A Janome 419S. I bought it second hand on ebay about a year ago. It is just a beginner model, no whiz bang digital stuff. My husband just recently surprised me with a Janome 744X overlocker (serger) which I am currently having fun with!