Over the last few days I’ve had two whole days in which I could sew to my heart’s content as the girls were being looked after by their wonderful Grandparents. I spent Saturday morning doing the prep for the shirring that I mentioned two posts ago but had to stop at lunch time due to another appointment.

Today was day two and as soon as the girls were picked up I got everything ready. The shirring is meant to be easy according to the tutorial I am using but I discovered that my Brother BM 2600 will not do it! I adjusted everything accordingly, rewound the bobbin a few times and nothing! After feeling frustrated and searching on the net for answers I discovered a few reviews for this sort of basic machine. One review basically said to ‘forget shirring with this machine’. Sigh. All that prep. Looks as if I will have to borrow a machine off someone because I’m determined to finish what I’ve started. After all, I’ve got five tops/dresses all marked up and ironed and ready to go! I have been pointed in the direction of buying a gathering or walking foot but I think its just the machine.

Anyway, after a short break to let my frustration subside (and a walk to the shops in the heat) I came back to the machine to attempt project #2 for the day. I managed to successfully make these three bibs (using this free pattern, slightly modified) which will go to special bubbies who have been born recently (actually, haven’t all bubbies been born recently! Oh dear). The good thing about going over the the shops at intermission was being able to poke around inside the local op shop. I normally can’t do this because the stroller won’t fit in the door. Poking around turned up a towel that I was able to cut up and use for the bibs as I’d already given away all my cloth nappies. So, here are the results of all that work, at least I was able to achieve something in my two days of quiet.