Autumn has been stunning this year, and until quite recently really quite warm. I was still working out in my shed, (I really should start calling it my studio, but can't quite bring myself to do it.) without the need for any heating until just a couple of weeks ago, I'd put off insulating too, and then it got very cold.
Last weekend I spent all day Sunday cutting and slotting polystyrene insulating boards into the spaces between each wooden baton on the shed walls and roof. I also laid some left over floor insulation Woody found in the cellar, under my rug.
There was a noticeable improvement immediately.
During the week I managed (despite the household being struck down by various wintery bugs) to run up a curtain for the shed door, using some curtain lining and a vintage tablecloth bought in the local charity shop.



Today, I went out to the shed armed with PVA, a big brush and a pile of botanical prints I'd torn from old diaries, and had been saving for several years, and decorated one wall of the shed. The wall I face when sat at my sewing machine. I know these prints will inspire me as I work.



I'm still left with three rather boring white polystyrene walls, but I have a plan for at least one of them.
I think the ceiling will stay white polystyrene, at least for now, but I might search out a carpet remnant for the floor. The insulation on the floor and the rug are ok, but my shoes off policy in the shed means I could do with something warmer underfoot, and possibly some shed slippers...I've been dropping hints considering the big fat man is due next month!

I'm also dreaming of installing a little pot bellied stove. I use an electric heater at the moment, but I'm concerned about the cost. I'm going to have to save up for a stove though, and I'm probably pushing my luck expecting the fat man to bring me one of those.

After decorating this morning I've spent a lovely cosy day tucked away in my shed, catching up with a bit of dull, and rather lazy sewing. A pair of lounge pants and matching head scarf , and a new skirt.

I have a few things I've worked on recently that I haven't yet blogged, down to those pesky winter bugs again. Hopefully I'll get a chance this week to photograph everything and share them with you soon.

Yes, a whole day! Radio 4, Autumn sunshine, happy chickens clucking and scatching outside the door, and the hummm of my sewing machine.



I haven't had much chance to sew for the past few weeks. The children all went back to school or college, and in some cases new schools. Ernest has started (and loves!) playgroup, and weekends have been taken up with University open days for India.

Today was the first chance I had to work on my dress for Fall for Cotton.
I initially thought I might sew the whole dress using my treadle machine, but I'm simply not practiced enough with the treadle yet, so I took my trustly Lily down to the shed.



This is the first time I've done any dressmaking in the shed, and it went well, but I need to refine the flow. too many trailing wires and too much mess. I'm sure, the more I work out there, the more I'll learn how to make the space work.

I at least finished my dress.



More on that to come...
Meanwhile just look at this fabulous kimono made by Hannah Harris using my free Kimono tutorial. I love her choice of fabric, and the addition of pockets.

I have heard that some people are having difficulty accessing some of my tutorials on their Ipads, apparently this is a quirk of Google, where some of my tutes are hosted. I'm working on moving my tutorials elsewhere, and they should all be moved in a few weeks. Meanwhile if you can't access any of the links from my tutorials page please do let me know, jeanette at lazyseamstress dot net or leave me a comment below. I can always email you the pdf.