A wonderful weekend.

I have just had the most wonderful weekend! It was extremely busy and I am so tired now but I had the best time. As if this was not enough in its own right I went to the knitting and stitching show at Olympia. It was a shopping fest but we also got to meet some of the best sewing stars. Tilly and the Buttons had a stall helping was Lauren Guthrie, who was just lovely, petite bubbly and so happy to chat. Next we saw Frances Tobin of The Makers Ateliers, her simple items were made in such beautiful fabric and her ultimate pencil skirt in all sequins was beautiful. But the best by far was Lisa Comfort from Sew over it, she was awesome! In fact I got rather star struck and felt to embarrassed to take a photo (gosh i am so British at times!). What can I say about this lovely lovely lady, she spent time going through her patterns, she had time to talk about the blog and even thanked us for following. We couldn't help but buy three patterns between us. I have to say seeing the patterns made up, I was really impressed, I think they are now my favorite.

Of course we used the opportunity to buy many supplies as  every stall was such good value. My favorite buy is the sew over it shirt dress and the fabric to go with it. Secondly, I am feeling knitting inspired and have pattern and yarn to get going. 

As if this was not enough we spent the evening with the best view in London, and my sister Katy joined in the fun. The Portrait gallery, sadly the Vogue exhibition was fully booked and to be honest we wanted to put our feet up. It was so amazing! The service was outstanding, as was the food. The view was great and we got to watch the sun go down.

As it was also mothers day and I was away from home spoiling my own mummy I was kindly treated by my daddy who took us to a fabulous fish restaurant from breakfast in Royal Tonbridge wells (luckily just around the corner from my parents house)

It has been great, and even though I took a day off work to recover I still feel like so tired. I think driving for four hours to get home after late nights and busy day may have something to do with it. With a few good night sleeps I will be ready to start making, and I have enough to keep going for at least a year! 

Any exciting things happening over mothers day?

Phoebe

I very loosely took part in the phoebe sew along. What I actually did, I bought the pattern when it came out got very excited about joining in with others, even cut the pattern out in time, and then, well timing went a little wayward! But the long and short is I have my first finished garment of the year.

I have really enjoyed my time making this dress, it completely reminded me why I like to make clothes.

I really made an effort with matching seams and lots of ironing (in truth I have been known to be quiet slap dash) I feel proud of my new sewing efforts. I was also rather pleased with the lining of the bodice.

Although not the best pictures I think you can see that it really has a great fit, all my worries about pot bellies and grading came to nothing, I stuck to one size and it seemed to work.

One of my happiest moments have been using my beloved vintage fabric that in the past I have been to afraid to cut into. This has been apart of my vintage pledge, next to tackle vintage patterns.

This lovely pattern has given me a dressmaking boost! I am happy with my new dress and keen to finish the version 1 that I have already have cut out!

Hows your sewing plans going? Have you taken part in the vintage pledge or any other sew along?

Phoebe sew along

There can be a better way to start the sewing year by coming together improving ones skills and making a lovely new stylish outfit. So here I am my first sew along for at least three years. Colette patterns are so lovely, my aim is to improve my fitting and sewing skills so that I had a real desire to wear my own makes, and build that hand made wardrobe.

Once my pattern was in my hands I couldn't help myself but think fabric! I must admit I felt rather torn between version 1 and 2. I planned for version 2 as the button front is just adorable. My fabric choice made me feel that I was making a dress that is suitable for the winter and early (often rather chilly spring)

This is a mini corduroy with a great match of lining. I am genuinely excited to get started. Although looking through my stash for inspiration I did come across a lovely vintage cotton that I thought would be a great version 2 and would be a perfect later spring to summer. 

As I have been tracing the pattern and cutting it out, planning toile for a good fit I thought 'what the heck' so I'm turning a little crazy and planning both versions 1 and 2!

All I can hope for is that I don't get to bogged down, and best scenario is that I end up with two beautiful dresses. This is rather an exciting start to the year, what are your plans ?

Oh So Short!

Having read the lovely article by Sarai on Coletterie on DIY anxiety and fully understood all the points, and more besides. I resolve to not be so critical about myself, I am going to only highlight one area of improvement, and one area that didn't go to plan. Other than that I am going to celebrate the fact I have got thus far and make to enjoy! 

So here we go with my new resolve! The Ruby dress:

1. To improve on : reading patterns more carefully, oh my this is short!! 

2.  Didn't go to plan : the hemming!

3. What I love about it : the bodice fit is perfectly.

4.  Would I make it again : yes.

In my mind I am a sewing bee contestant 

OK, I know I'm not really a sewing bee contestant but every time I watch it I feel like I am! So drawn into the excitement, the thrill has not diminished a fraction since the first series. In fact I think the sewing tasks each week are really challenging, and for this reason I know that sewing under pressure would never actually be my thing!

But and there is a big but, it doesn't mean I am not having the sewing bee experience in my mind every time I get out my sewing machine. To help me with the experience, yes I have bought all three books! And yes I love them, the third series book is great at 'pattern hacks' which has been inspiring as in real life I am not.

Although having three books have I ever sewn anything? Have you ever sewn anything from the sewing bee pattern range? I have just one lonely item, and she is not all that I wanted.

Enter, My one (so far ) seeing bee top.

Patrick and May would have been so proud of my slippery fabric choice and the time I took to match it all up. I was (in my head) going to be garment of the week winner with this one, beautiful french seams, perfect hemming. By far my best make yet...........................................................

Yes, something had to go wrong didn't it. Either I cut out the wrong pattern size, it comes out extremely small, I didn't measure myself  nut it was to small! Pissed off does not really cover it, so much so it has been left as a UFO for over a year.

With the excitement of the new series I dusted my efforts down, it is now a wearable number without the finesse I wanted, but hey ho it doesn't always go to plan.

Respect to all that have the courage to take part (and many tears that Ryan is not in it now)

First crafty plans of 2015 and a pile of free yoga.

we are all well into 2015, I personally have found it a slow start this year but I have finally made a few exciting plans. Without giving to much away I thought I would show you the most loveliest piece of fabric, isn't she lovely. My plans are simple so I know I will actually finish them. So watch this space.

Secondly I wanted to share a real find. As you may remember I do love my yoga, and getting a chance to practice at home and finding a class online that you like isn't always that easy, or cheap. But look at this, 30 days of yoga, free, suitable for all levels, fun, not too long. I recommend giving it a go, you may surprise yourself!