Spring Sewing Swap

I recently participated in Kestrel Makes' Spring Sewing Swap. My first sewing swap. What fun! I was paired with Stephanie of 10 Sewing Machines and a Serger who lives in the US.

It was very exciting to get to know someone through their blog and choose things to send to them.

Once I had sent off my parcel to my Stephanie, I was stalking the post box waiting for my parcel to arrive, like a child at Christmas!!

I got the following:
Knit fabric
A Silhouttes pattern (Dana's top)
Buttons
Ribbons
Beads
A marking pen

I had never heard of this pattern company and am very keen to use the fabric Stephanie sent me to make up the V neck version of this top.

Love the sewing themed card!

 I unfortuantely did not take a pic of what I sent Stephanie, so I have shamelessly "borrowed" a pic from Stephanie's blog to show what I sent her!

Butterick 5882

When I saw this pattern announced on Gerties New Blog For Better Sewing, I knew I had to try it.

The "shelf bust", the boning in the bodice, this had to be the party dress I was looking for!

Of course, being me, I leave it until 2 weeks before the party and I was going to spend a week in Montreal on business! No problem, the first thing I packed was the washed fabric, pattern, pins, scissors etc. I made the muslin and fitted it before I left so that I knew there were no modifications I had to make. I then spent two nights on my hands and knees on a hotel room floor. The floor is never the best place to do cutting out and especially not a hotel room floor.

I cut out, marked and pinned all while hunched over. But it was worth it because when I got home, all I had to do was sew everything together and insert the zip and the boning.

I chose to do an exposed zipper as I like this particular design feature and was looking for an opportunity to try it. (see pic below)

I am pleased with my choice of red for the "shelf bust" and strap. All in all a great pattern and it was a great party dress!!

A Birthday Cake for a Sewing Enthusiast

I recently had a Birthday, big enough to warrant a party and a friend of mine made the most amazing cake. It was a sewing themed cake. It was a surprise and I had no idea until she arrived on the night.

All the decorations were handmade in fondant. Cotton reels, a dress dummy, lace, scissors, buttons, tape measure, a pin cushion with pins, to name a few. It was fantastic.

My friend is a Scientist by day and has been taking a cake decorating course in her spare time.

The cake is long gone, but I can't bear to throw the decorations away. They are in my kitchen drying out, not sure how long they will last, or what I even plan on doing with them, but anyway!!

My dress (I'm on the left) is Gerties Pattern for Butterick (5882) and still needs to be blogged about.

MMM Days 26 - 31

The final stretch!

Day 26 (Sunday). I wore my blue  Sewaholic Renfrew tee shirt with black RTW yoga pants. I had spent the day doing a long run and then playing golf, but as mentioned before, a gap in my Me Made Wardrobe is sport gear.

Day 27 (Monday) I wore Simplicity 2848, a jumper dress. Shown with my Tim Horton's coffee clutched in my hand!

Day 28 (Tuesday) I wore my Sewaholic Crescent skirt. Every time I wear this I tell myself I really must make another one.

Day 29 (Wednesday). I wore a very simple A-line skirt, which was my first attempt at pattern drafting about three years ago.

Day 30 (Thursday). I wore my Sewaholic Cambie dress, worn with a grey RTW cardigan from Target.

Day 31(Friday). I finished off the week with the Colette Patterns Violet blouse with RTW jeans.

So that is MMM 2013 over. As always I really enjoyed the challenge and it has shown me some gaps in my wardrobe:

• Sport gear (yoga, running and golf). I have some patterns and have even tried some but no great success. I need to try again.

• I need more casual pants and jeans. I have been meaning to make Sewaholic Thurlow pants and another pair of Jalie jeans will be useful.

• I need more casual skirts. I used to have a white denim skirt and a blue denim jeans style skirt. Both Me Made and worn often, but put out with my last donation of clothing for various reasons. Time for some re-makes!!

Thanks again to Zoe for organizing!