pillowcases, votes and wishful machines.

Well, it's a good job i've been practising being frugal, as we enter another Tory era. They were not kind to me last time around, with lots of job loss, pain, and an 80's spent listening to my mum cry and scrape together meals from anything left in the cupboard. I am utterly unconvinced by the "compassionate" conservatism Cameron is touting. Still, we maybe get the government we deserve. I truly feel that many people have started taking for granted the things Labour have given us. A period without tax credits, family credits, help for the elderly, help for the poor, and cuts in education, health and ...er... everything will maybe open up eyes again. Those young people who have grown up taking all these things for granted will experience a rude awakening as they are told to "get on their bikes", and there will be precious little safety net for the middle classes if they come a cropper. This article about the Council Cameron touts as being the model of Compassionate Conservatism says it all. Don't be old, sick, or unemployed, people.

It could have been so different: we are now such a media entrapped country that I honestly believe Labour lost because Gordon simply isn't "media". He's a bit portly, he's got a wonky eye and a weird grin, and he couldn't ( and rightly, wouldn't) roll out his family for the press every 5 minutes, as Cameron did. I feel very sorry for him, he seemed almost a man out of time to me. I tried listening to him on the radio, and avoiding tv, and without the media spotlights he came across as a good orator and deeply principled. The principles I will miss in future.

Anyway, enough already. Onto making stuff.

Pillowcases! My local charity shops punt them out at 20p. As a result I have amassed this fine collection of vintage and cheapo cases. Poor daughter is going to be in pillowcase dresses till she is 18.I am particularly keen on making this dress out of the racing car pattern. I am looking at patterns, I want an adult pillowcase top! Someone find me one, please. Suggestions for easy-sew pillowcase patterns win a quilt made by me and finished in, er......2050 probably, if the last was any guide. Which leads me nicely onto.....

I must get a machine because handsewing takes too long! The elderly ones I have amassed are beyond help, my mum has offered me £150 of filthy lucre towards a new one providing I do all her seamstress jobs. SO i'm on the lookout. Currently veering towards Janome, but as a complete and utter novice suggestions keenly garnered. I will need it to be idiot proof, with easy instructions, the worlds' easiest bobbin loading, and threading, and good support and servicing. It's an investment though, i'll be needing it to sew cardboard into clothing after a few years in the new regime.......