Virtual Meet - Here's Charlotte T!

Next up is Charlotte, who like me is located in the depths of East Anglia, UK!  She blogs over at http://heartscottage.blogspot.co.uk/ and was in Sew Weekly right at the very start (in fact she egged me on for most of the time ...).

What do you like to eat/drink?

I would like a cheeky glass of chilled rosé at the meet, and a few nibbles would be nice too, tapas or maybe some very classy canapés 

What would you have worn to the meet up?

My new Colette Anise jacket, of course. It's mustard corduroy so I can't decide if it is gorgeous or just too geography teacher for words. It's my first jacket so of course I am very proud. It's lined and has vintage buttons from my stash. I did all my usual adjustments to the patter: FBA, lengthen a bit, wider here, smaller there.... I'm pleased with it though. I would like to have worn my new Colette Laurel but of course it isn't finished, whoops. I have put a big Sewing Bee inspired piped and gathered kangaroo pocket on the front. Hope I finish it soon!

Great jacket Charlotte!

What have you bought recently?

The Colette Laurel dress pattern, of course! I really will have to try to get over my Colette addiction soon. Honestly. After the next pattern. Maybe. I have some lovely yellow piping to go on the grey version I am making.

Talking of addictions, I have also been buying vintage Stitchcraft magazines on ebay. I love them.

What's your next project?

After I finish this Laurel I have some trousers cut out but really I need to make some square cushions for my new garden seat. And my brother is getting married in August so I really should get on with a new dress..... thinking of a Colette Crepe as I have one that I made a couple of years ago that has been worn almost to death.

Would you like to swap some fabric or a pattern?

I have three patterns to bring to the virtual meet. So I am putting them onto the table and will happily send them to anyone who wants them, will ship worldwide.... there is a rather nice sixties style suit (36 inch bust), a fifties full skirted dress (36 inch bust) and an early 50s dress and bolero to die for but sadly in a teeny weeny 32 inch bust. That one is Butterick and an unprinted pattern. Just comment on this post if you want one of them!

Hope to see you all at the next meet... especially the lovely Diane who I have been lucky enough to meet up with twice "in the flesh" as well, thanks for hosting this meet Diane xx

Diane:  Well thanks Charlotte - hope I make the next meet too - that's if First Capital Connect don't let me down!

Anyone reading, don't forget to spread the news about Charlotte's blog!

Virtual Meet - Hello to Magpie Mimi!

First up in the virtual meet is Magpie Mimi at http://magpiemimi.blogspot.co.uk/  She lives in Wales, UK.

Mimi was one of the original members of the Sew Weekly community a couple of years ago.  Here's what she has to say:

I had tapas today and think that's a good warm day type of food, I love tea and cake though. I would have probably worn my new dress I bought from lindy bop as its a new dress using a vintage pattern that I put a picture of on the blog the other day. I haven't been sewing much lately, I just can't get my head in the right space so am trying to learn to knit instead and am making good progress so far. I'll post some pictures of the bolero I started today for the wedding soon. 

Mimi in her polka dot tea dress!

Magpie Mimi is getting married in 9 weeks and is crafting all her own wedding, right down to all the flowers.  She's making her bouquet from family vintage brooches.

To everyone reading, feel free to showcase Mimi on your blog and spread the word!

I'm still waiting for some of the responses for the meet and will happily post them during the next couple of weeks.  Don't forget, if you have something to swap, let me know.  Still figuring out how to manage that aspect but I'm sure I'll find a way!

International 'Virtual' Meet anyone?

Would anyone else like to take part in this 'virtual' meet?

I ran it past a few people who I know (like me!) live in far flung areas and find it difficult sometimes to reach meet up venues (unavailable trains, families, etc etc....)  I'm currently getting together responses.  A lot of people who came to the sewing blog community (like I did) through Sew Weekly are 'floating around' now and hitching up to various Sewalongs.  I thought it would be fun it we could have a reunion here (on the blog - not here where I live, just to clear up any misunderstanding) and welcome anyone else who might like to join in.  Just answer a few questions!

What do you like to eat and drink?
What fabric/pattern have you just bought?
What are you currently making/going to make next?
Have you anything you'd like to swap?
Anything else you'd like to say?
Send me a photo of you wearing a creation and enjoying a meal/drink!


I'll be happy for you to 'lift' the photos/info off my blog so you can stick them on your own and get to know a few more sewers out there.

Look forward to hearing from you!

A Rare Appearance ...

There are some fritillary bulbs planted in the garden but they don't always make an appearance and rarely more than 1 or 2.  This magnificent bloom has shown itself suddenly and it looks like there are more to come.  I LOVE the checkerboard pattern on them - just doesn't look real!

Wallet Inspiration

I meant to say that my sewing wallet was inspired by Amy Morinaka at Chick Chick Sewing. I've been looking at her blog for some time now - she also has a book, Zakka Handmades, available 1 June 2013.  Wikipedia describes Zakka so: Zakka (from the Japanese 'zak-ka'（雑貨）or 'many things') is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and appearance. 

Amy makes some wonderful things.

Sewing Wallet - How it's put together

This is what I made for the International Craft Swap.  I had an idea of what I wanted to do and I made it up as I went along.  It's best shown in photos rather than words though ...  I put pencils in because I wasn't allowed to include anything much more than £3, which covered the notebook, so I just put in some extras I already had and thought its recipient could put sewing things, such as scissors for example, in the sewn channels. 

The pincushion is the swap I received from last year, all the way from Australia

Is it a ghost? What do you think ....

A relative of mine thinks he might have accidentally photographed a ghost at Oxburgh - see the far left of the photo?  What do you think?  Is it movement, a reflection?  It's certainly strange ...

Relaxing at Oxburgh

This weekend saw open house at National Trust properties all over the UK and I enjoyed a relaxing stroll around Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk with family.  The house is moated and has a formal knot garden, which will be in bloom soon.  Inside the house are tapestries made by Mary Queen of Scots during her imprisonment - I do have some photos of those too which I'll share soon.

Swaps Received and Burda Sewalong

Kat from Modern Vintage Cupcakes organised a fabric swap recently and I've been meaning to show what I managed to get - from Kat herself no less - for ages.  My camera and the fabric never seemed to be in the same room though!  The last photo is some embroidered lineny stuff from Becky, but I don't know her blog address.  Kat is also organising a Burda sewalong for the month of May.  The idea is to get out all those Burda magazines we all have and actually make something from them!  I'm game ... it ties in neatly with my bomber jacket plans.  Anyway, here's the fabric  I have:

This random smocked bronze coloured knit is fab.  It has a lovely sheen to it, which I've tried to show in the photo.  I think it's going to be a skirt ...  

This stretchy lacy knit is going to be a top, well two tops, one completely lacy and the other with a lacy panel at the top

Spring is here ...

It's taken a while, but the sun is out and spring is on the air ...

My Beautiful Presents

These beautiful things arrived for me today from Beata of Red Point Tailor, all the way from The Netherlands - she was my swap partner for the International Craft Swap.  Aren't they gorgeous?  I'm delighted, especially as I usually have trouble with the fitting of hats (I must have an odd shaped head!).  This one fits perfectly.  She sent some lovely jewellery too.  Sorry about the poor photo - I was trying to get the light shining through the glass necklace but its been so windy today and I couldn't keep it still enough!   I have some matching earrings too - I feel so spoiled.  Last, but not least, a set of inspirational magnets - they say exactly what I feel a lot of the time, so thanks so much Beata.  It's great to know you!

This is a better image!  From Beata's website - I'm sure she won't mind me showing you.  

My 1970's mugs

Aren't these cute?  Found them at the weekend for £1.50.

My next sewing project ....

I'm back in sewing mood now and although I already have my 'coat' to cut out and complete, it is actually going to be a winter one and I feel as if I want an interim project to do ... so, I'm one of the many admirers of Mary Berry's bomber jacket that she wore on BBC's The Great British Bake Off and I think I may have found a Burda pattern to make it with.  All I have to do now is hunt down some fabric .. which will be a fun thing to do on the wet spring days we're having at the moment.  I had hoped to do this on Goldhawk Road next week, but engineering works on the railway line mean that I can't go to the blogger meet-up (sob!).  I hope everyone has a great time there!  I'll console myself by searching for some fabric in my usual haunts and keep my mind occupied with figuring out how to make the jacket ...



Both images copyright BBC and re-published for the purposes of criticism and review only.



Essential Top - Finished!

Done at last!  There's been a lot of hand sewing involved, as this fabric frays so easily and needs to be false French seamed on the insides.  I also finished the hems by hand.  I love it though and I think this will be a favourite!  All in all, it's only cost £3.00 to make.  I found the fabric for £2.50 in a charity shop, as well as the thread for 50p.  I already had the pattern and some interfacing.  I've just sent these pictures to Faye at http://fayessewingadventure.blogspot.co.uk/ so  she can add them into her Essential Top lineup.  She's extended the deadline to Wednesday, to allow for people taking time out for Easter.  I'd recommend hopping over there for a look, as she has some fantastic photos in there.

Essential Top - Nearly there!

OK, I've sewn the back and top together, it fits fine and I've also got the ruffle on.  I just need to anchor down the top layer with a few stitches from behind.  It's a lovely easy pattern and no zip involved, just a button and loop - that's all I need to do now and also get the sleeves in.  Should all be done ready for tomorrow's deadline though!  I'm having to balance this project with the International Craft Swap, for which I just have a few stitches left to do ... can't picture it here yet though or it would spoil the surprise!