Today's post is brought to you by the letter J

This bird is a Black Neck Stork, commonly called Jabiru in Australia.

Several years ago I recall seeing an Australian alphabet in cross-stitch, and the Jabiru represented J. Don't those legs look fragile to bear the weight and height of the bird? Unfortunately we couldn't get closer to get a better picture.

Speaking of better pictures the quilt I won last week is still un-photographed because the weather has not been kind; strong winds for a few days, followed by rain, rain and more rain. The quilt is too large to get a good picture inside but never mind, outside will improve soon. We hope. Summer may be a little late this year but that's OK, the hot weather will come soon enough. I don't mind if it stays away for a little longer.

This week the sewing room has been in use for making some clothes. I have been digging into my Retirement Stash of fabric and out came a few pieces which will be used to make summer skirts; the one currently under the machine needle is a white faux (that's a fancy word for fake) broderie Anglaise, but instead of the fabric being embroidered it is printed with yellow around the edges of the holes. Because of the holes it is fairly sheer, and I am past the age of wanting the world to see everything I own, so it is being lined in deep gold solid. Last summer I bought a gold tee at a local op shop which matches beautifully, so that and the new skirt will be my Christmas outfit this year.

The next piece to be made will be a gorgeous solid green, not quite teal, not quite jade, a lovely rich cotton fabric bought in Toronto, Canada, in 2007. (Have I ever mentioned that I really like green?) Here in the Small Smoke I was able to find a matching green and white knit fabric for a top, so that's another new outfit. The last piece in this sewing session will be a skirt in a border print which shades from deep blue at the hem to pale aqua at the top, overprinted in black - there was no way the colours in this fabric could be matched, so its top will be black.

I am enjoying the process of making clothes. When I was a sweet young thing of 18 or so I bought a second-hand sewing machine, a pattern for a little top, and a yard of fabric......cut it out and sewed it up.......and was so proud of myself. The only sewing I had done was at school and that wasn't very much; my mother didn't sew, so I just blundered along on my own. Over the past umpteen years I have clothed myself, and my children, and even my husband. I have made wedding gowns, and 19th century-style ball gowns for myself (until just a few years ago I used to do vintage dancing, and made all I needed - gowns, hair ornaments, everything) but now I only sew for myself and just everyday clothing at that, because it suits the life I lead. Have you noticed how many quilters are dismissive of those of us who use our machines to make clothing? "Oh", they say, "I used to do that but now I can't be bothered". That's their choice, just the same as making clothing and quilts is mine. Over the years I have gained many skills in sewing, and how I choose to use them is my business.

"Indifference to dress.

Indifference and inattention to dress is a defect of character rather than virtue, and often denotes indolence and slovenliness. Every woman should aim to make herself look as well as possible with the means at her command. Among the rich, a fondness for dress promotes exertion and activity of the mental powers, cultivates a correct taste, and fosters industry and ingenuity among those who seek to procure for them the material and designs for dress. Among the middle class it encourages diligence, contrivance, planning and deftness of handiwork, and among the poorer classes it promotes industry and economy. A fondness for dress, when it does not degenerate into vain show, has an elevating and refining influence on society."

Correct taste, deftness of handiwork, and economy.......all sound like me.

Enjoy your days!