Friday 16 January 2009

Hand made sewing tools

Dawn just posted photograhs of some beautiful sewing tools that her Dad made, so I am copying. This clapper and presser board were made for me last February or so by my husband, when I made my first ever tailored jacket.
 

 
Both items are made from Flooded Gum, an Australian hardwood. They are recycled from the verandah of our 1890's Queenslander, which was overdue for repair when we moved into our house 10 years ago. Due to the strong colour of the wood, my husband was a bit concerned that the wood would stain, once he saw me steaming my wool fabric under the clapper, but I have had no problems at all - although I always use a silk organza press cloth under the clapper or over the presser board. My husband has been looking at presser boards on the internet, and thinks mine is a bit vertically challenged, but it works for me and I am very pleased with it. The wood is particularly suitable for a clapper, as it is very dense and heavy, no seam can stand against it!
My husband made me this box for Christmas.
 

It is perfect for my new Christmas Fiskars. The lid is Queensland silky oak, and the outside is rose gum.
 
Posted by Picasa

13 comments:

ACorgiHouse said...

Aren't you lucky to have such a handy chap hanging around. Bet he's fun too! K

Vicki said...

How nice to have a husband who is so handy. Lovely sewing tools.

Dawn said...

Those are great! Isn't it nice to have crafty people around you?

Melinda said...

Wow, those are NICE!!!! Did your hubby use a pattern or make it up himself?

Sue said...

They look fantastic. Having good pressing tools makes all the diference. You are very lucky to have such a talented wood worker in your household!

Cennetta said...

Wonderful tools. Lucky you!

cidell said...

Wow. I'm kinda jealous over here. No kinda about it. I'm just plain jealous. Those are amazing, touching and beautiful.

angie.a said...

Those are jut gorgeous. I aw Dawn's too!

MareeAlison said...

Karen - I think your husband and mine would get on just fine. He loves making timber boxes and furniture and should I need some tools he'll be right in there. He's just finished building his 'shed' which is like a small house in our back garden, complete with terracotta tiled roof, finials, casement windows etc all to match our house. It's rather cute.

Diana said...

What beautiful items. I was just thinking Saturday when I was finishing my silk shirt that I wouldn't be able to get along without my pressboard in particular but I also use my clapper constantly. Thank you for your nice comment on my blog. Diana

Liana said...

What beautiful and thoughtful gifts. You are a lucky lady.

I've nominated you for a Kreativ Blogger Award. :)

Claudine said...

I've nominated your blog for an award. Please look here:
http://couturedetails.blogspot.com/2009/01/birgitte-at-bubblegum-for-breakfast-has.html

a little sewing said...

Wow those are very beautiful tools made by your husband. Pat him on the back!