My Treats Bring All the Sewists to the Yard

I’ve been relatively quiet about my new Etsy shop but Dibs sniffed me out. She was my first customer and I was beyond ecstatic. Still am. So what’s my new venture about? Pincushions of course! I’ve been collecting cute little treasures for months now, making them into little pincushions. They are quite sweet and would dress up a space nicely.

The Clay Mouse Planter Pincushion

Churchill English China Pincushion

Red on White Pincushion

Pink Polka Dot Pincushion

Buttercup Bone China Pincushion

Dibs has kindly offered to give one away to a lucky reader. How exciting!

So enough about that. Now back to sewing…

So…yeah…

I really wanted to title this post, “What the hell is going on here? I need help, stat!” But decided on my second, blander choice. I’ve been having quite the fitting issues with my Darling dress. I was trying well hard to figure it out on my own. A week later and I’m still not too sure what to do next. Also, not sure why I refused to ask for help earlier. Stupid pride? Fear to admit failure? Admitting to doing something stupid again? Yes, to all of them.

I thought I figured out the first fit issue: the pattern needed to be graded up more. So I did that. I tried on the dress several times as I put it together and it seemed to be going fine. I was a few steps away from finishing and decide to admire my work. And I was offended by this…

Look at those shoulder seams, standing up, taunting me, all devil-horn-like.

Ai-yai-yai. What is a girl to do? Am I suppose to undo the shoulder seams and take away the excess (assuming that’s why the seams are standing away from the shoulders) fabric*? Also, I have a strong feeling that I need to add more ease all around. What do you think? And if I add more ease, maybe the shoulder problem will go away?

So, yeah. I’ll be standing in a corner, waiting for your replies (thanks in advance!).

Luckily I've since fixed that wonky dart.

*no fabulous pricey fabric was hurt in the making of this flop. It was some nice cheap and cheerful fabric from the Birmingham meet up. Although some lovely Parisian bias binding may be in jeopardy.

Midnight came and went…

…So now we have a winner! Congrats go out to Gail! Definitely check out her recent Pattern Runway blouse. So cute!

Gail, I’ll drop you an email today.

Thank you all so much for the most amazing corny jokes ever! Last week my husband was away on business and I was having quite the pity party. The jokes really really perked me up. They still make me smile. Gotta love the corn! With that said I should share my favorite corny joke…What did the Mama Rope tell the Baby Rope?

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“Don’t be knotty.”

Feeling Sew Grateful

Sewing truly has changed my life, and not in a huge dramatic way. But with a subtle shift, towards that better me. I wish I had this touching amazing story as to why or how I learned to sew but I really don’t have one. I love reading the stories about people learning to sew from their grandmother. I would love to have memories like that. But alas my grandmother didn’t teach me. She was too busy working at an illegal gambling ring and running two steps ahead from the cops (Oh my!). Oy…the stories I have about that chica.

Sewing came to me when I needed it most and I’m glad that I jumped in feet first. I didn’t expect to be so easily accepted and encouraged by such a wonderful off and online community. The women I’ve met have been sweet and so gosh darn talented. They keep me on my toes and make me want to get better and better and better. I wouldn’t think twice about inviting any of you over for some tea (coffee for me) and cake. And that’s saying a lot from this ever-vigilant former New Yorker.

I have never hosted a giveaway but took the nudge from Debi and her fabulous idea to host a one to show thanks to the community that is forever giving: touching comments, notes of encouragement, and often a nice good laugh (looking at you Dibs, Karen and Winnie).

There’s only one rule for my giveaway. I ask that you leave a comment (maybe with your favorite joke? I’m a huge sucker for corny stuff.) by midnight (GMT) on February 15. Let’s keep it easy peasy. It’s open to everyone everywhere.

So what are the goods? Well, I’ll tell ya. Yesterday I left my flat with little direction. I just needed to get the heck out. I was stir-crazy from not having left since it snowed over the weekend. I took the bus to Angel and walked and walked and walked. I finally made it to one of my favorite places to browse.

But this time, instead of browsing I bought a little something.

That buckle would compliment a dress quite nicely.

Another little thing I’d like to add to the pot (one winner gets both!) is a lovely German tea pot I turned into a sweet pincushion treat. It’s upcycled so it’s not in perfect condition but the few wee faults don’t take away from its cuteness.

Sorry I am so overdue with sharing this giveaway. Hope I’m not too late!

When a historic tour turns into a shopping trip

Rachel, smiling in spite of the cold.

The lovely Rachel was super kind to guide me around the gorgeous historical city of Rochester. We started at the high street before making our way to the cathedral and castle, with some tasty breaks in between.

Mostly independent shops make up Rochester’s high street. We had a great time browsing (ahem, shopping) at all of them and escaping the cold (y’all, it was cold). There were so many charity shops and niche boutiques that I’d love to go back and explore again. After much walking and wandering about we took the necessary breaks to replenish ourselves. The heated indoors and warm food were extremely welcomed. We had a bit of this…

Coffee and cake break at the Deaf Cat coffee shop.

And later a bit of that…

Lunch break!

The purpose behind my trip was to visit with Rachel and geek out over all the beautiful architecture and history. And I did. Loved it all! But I also managed to squeeze in a few really good sewing related buys. Of course I would! Not sure why I am so surprised with myself. I got some cards that will one day decorate my future sewing room, some pretty vintage buttons, fun craft buttons, and a handy bendable ruler.

I just can't walk away from good, inexpensive finds.

At a charity shop I found a sweet knitting bag. I was so glad because I wasn’t looking forward to making one myself.

Knitting bag bought at a charity shop.

I also snapped up these useful books. Can I just say I love making macarons. Love it! But I’ve been in a chocolate/strawberry flavored rut. I want to make new ones and the recipe book I found should help. And the knitting book has some very sweet jumpers in it; that one day I will tackle.

Yummy books. Yummy for different reasons.

Now, on to sewing news…

I planned to finish my Darling Ranges Dress last month. And I so could have. I had the muslin cut out and sitting on the table, not being put together for about a week. I just wasn’t feeling very sew-y. And when I finally did put it together it was to find that I hadn’t graded the pattern correctly. Correctly as in, not at all! Well, to be fair I did add inches to the waistline but that’s it. Why I hadn’t thought to add to the bust is beyond me. I mean, I had written the measurements on the pattern book! Oy.

Not looking so darling. Whomp whomp.

Skirt sits too high, armhole is tight and I have a pointy boob dart. Yikes!

I hate when I make such obvious dumb mistakes. Makes me wonder if I should sew at all. But it’s a growing pain so I will know better next time (measure, measure, measure!). As of yesterday I finished cutting the newly graded pattern pieces. By the end of the week I should have another workable muslin.

Whoa Nelly! What a difference!

Today I traced and cut all the pieces for my Colette Pastille dress. My waist measures 1/2 in (1.27 cm) bigger than the biggest pattern pieces. It seems like such a small measurement to fuss over. Or am I being silly in thinking that? Maybe adjusting the pattern isn’t a bad idea?

Hope all in well in your sewing and non-sewing worlds.

Meet up in Ed-in-burr-ə!

Crafters’ Ceilidh

All the lovely crafters. Photo credit: Debi Fry

What an amazing meet up! Thank you Debi, Kristen and Kestrel for such a wonderfully organized get-together! I am so tired but all that shopping and browsing was so worth it. I met new bloggers and got to re-connect with old ones. And some people I didn’t get to chat with at all! I am so so sorry. I promise I wasn’t being rude. I always find it hard to exchange words with everyone in a big group. I get a bit overwhelmed.

Anyhow, here are some of my photos from the day. I posted some more scenic ones at my expat blog if you’re curious.

Kristen talking Itinerary

Scruffy Badger and Did You Make That discussing shopping strategies, perhaps?

Vintage pattern search

Marching on, two by two!

Debi needs "that" pattern.

The Voodoo Rooms: a great end to a great day

The Haul

I am glad I went shopping with a list (interfacing, buttons,tartan fabric, fabric for another Jasmine and one for Lisette 2246). The only fabric I didn’t intend on buying was the brown and black check ones. The brown one was on offer so it had to go home with me. The black check would look great as a long-sleeved Negroni for the G man and he’s due for another gift. He’s that rad.

The haul. I *will* learn to match checks!

This will go in my future sewing room. Eventually.

Looking forward to the next meet up! And maybe Dibs and baby Noah can join us? Hope so!

Turquoise Love

I am a little ahead of the Sew Colette schedule but I have a lot time on my hands these days. So I sew. Choosing fabric for my final version of the Colette Meringue took me a bit. I really wanted a solid bold color, like emerald green. But I didn’t have anything like that in my stash. I almost settled for some cotton navy floral but decided it was way too busy.

I had some lovely turquoise corduroy saved for a Beignet and when cord was mentioned as a suggested fabric in a Sew Colette post, I went with it. The color is vibrant and a great addition to spruce up the dreary winter wardrobe. I wouldn’t have thought to use corduroy. And I am so glad I did. I got to use a type of fabric for the first time and the result was fab.

I wasn’t a fan of the waist facings so I used Sarai’s tutorial on drafting a Meringue waistband. It was easy peasy.

I apologize for the wrinkles. I tried ironing them away using some scrap cord, to prevent crushing the pile, and I think I was too delicate. Any suggestions on how to get those wrinkles out? Maybe I’ll try again and be a little forceful.

I am pleasantly surprised at how much I learned making the Meringue: how to sew curves, how to add at the waistline using the pivot method, how to properly iron/press corduroy, and how not to deviate too far from the pattern’s fabric suggestions.

Really looking forward to seeing what more I learn while making the rest of the patterns in the Colette Sewing Handbook.

Special thanks to Adrienne from All Style and All Substance for her lovely giveaway prize. I received it yesterday and am looking forward to making it. Isn’t that bow adorable?