1 Pattern, 7 Bloggers - The Reveal!

This has been such a fun challenge to be a part of again! Here is my take on the Macaron pattern. I decided to make a dress that was a little bit alternative; long, flowing, something a farm girl would wear (think The Princess Bride). I decided against the contrasting top, and decided to fit the bodice to a full length gathered skirt. If I was to make this pattern again I think I would make some adjustments to the neckline, as it gapped a little on me. I decided to omit the sleeves, though I am not 100% sure I like this. Also, the hem line gets damp easily when walking on wet grass.

I am really pleased with how my dress turned out. I can imagine wearing this dress around the yard, to the farmers market or when milking my cow (not that I have one). Maverick was pretty impressed with the dress too, though he was a little photo shy.

And in case you hadn't seen yet,here are the winners of the giveaway thanks to our fabulous sponsors (winners will be contacted via email).

Lil - 1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Colette Patterns 

Josephine - 1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Guthrie & Ghanie 

MaciNic - 1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Stitch 56

Elizabeth - 1 x Pattern of your choice thanks to Sew Squirrel

Kathleen S - 1 x Colette Pattern of your choice thanks to Indie Stitches 

Joanne - 1 x Colette Pattern of your choice thanks to The Haby Goddess

Amy - 1 x $20 gift voucher thanks to Fabric Worm 

Sew Charleston - 1 x $30 gift voucher thanks to A Fashionable Stitch

Sam xox

1 Pattern, 7 Bloggers Inspiration Post

First and foremost I must apologise for the tardiness of this blog post. A week ago Jamie and I moved into our new house (!) and this was soooooo much more work than I had anticipated. I am not exaggerating when I say that we have worked non-stop every day since, from the moment we wake up to the moment we fall back into bed exhausted. We bought a house on almost 10,000 square meters of land, and whilst this is an absolute dream come true, it also demanded all of my attention this past week. Here finally is my 'inspiration post' for this challenge, and tomorrow I will post my big reveal. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

The Macaron pattern has been in my pattern collection for a while now, but I never got around to sewing it up. This was because I wasn't so sure about how to contrast look would suite me. So I left it aside. 

That's the great thing about challenges like these, they push you to put your own spin on a pattern that you might be unsure about.

As we are now entering Spring here in the Hunter Valley, I want a dress that I can wear during this time of year when the days temperatures can be a bit hit and miss. I also love cotton so this is a must. Without giving away too much more, here are some images that have inspired me...

Image from here.

Image from here.

Image from here.

Image from here.

Don't forget to visit the other girls who are part of this challenge:

• Marie from A Stitching Odyssey
• Reana Louise from Reana Louise 
• Kat from Petticoats and Peplums
• Jen from Jennifer Lauren Vintage
• Amy from Sewing Through the Motions 
• Rachel from My Messings

Sam xox

1 Pattern, 7 Bloggers take two!

Just over two years ago, 6 fantastic sewing bloggers and I collaborated for the One Pattern Seven Bloggers challenge. The idea was that we would each sew the same Burda pattern - but put our own twist on it! It was so much fun and something that we all enjoyed! Rachel was kind enough to give our little group a nudge recently with the idea of doing it all again, and the ball quickly began rolling for round two. 

This time we are taking things to another level. We are sewing up Colette Patterns Macaron dress, and hosting an amazing giveaway!

The lovely sewers I am teaming up with are...

• Marie from A Stitching Odyssey
• Reana Louise from Reana Louise 
• Kat from Petticoats and Peplums
• Jen from Jennifer Lauren Vintage
• Amy from Sewing Through the Motions 
• Rachel from My Messings

And onto the giveaway!!!
 

  

 The Prizes
1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Colette Patterns 
1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Guthrie & Ghani 
1 x Macaron Pattern thanks to Stitch 56 
1 x Pattern of your choice thanks to Sew Squirrel 
1 x Colette Pattern of your choice thanks to Indie Stitches 
1 x Colette Pattern of your choice thanks to The Haby Goddess 
1 x $20 gift voucher thanks to Fabric Worm 
1 x $30 gift voucher thanks to A Fashionable Stitch 

To enter, all you need to do is comment on this post before Saturday 31st August with your email address!
Make sure you head on over to all of the other participants blogs for up to 7 chances to win!

Terms & Conditions 

• Prizes will be randomly allocated to each of the 8 winners across all seven blogs. 
• One entry per blog. You can comment on each of the 7 blogs for 7 chances to win (!). 
• The winners will be drawn and contacted by email on the 2nd September 2013.

So, keep an eye out on the blogs of the other ladies over the next day to see their announcement posts, and remember that you can comment once on each blog for up to 7 chances to win one of the giveaway prizes.

Also remember to come back on the 26th of August for Inspiration posts and then on the 2nd of September for the big reveal!

Sam xox

One pattern seven bloggers - the big reveal.

It feels like only yesterday, when I sent an email out to a few fellow bloggers and proposed to them that we join together and do a sewing project - One Pattern, Seven Bloggers... and now seven finished dresses!

Today is the big reveal! I apologies for the bad quality photos (and in my kitchen of all places!) but you see, we are having some terrible weather here in Sydney.

So, without further ado, here is my version of the dress...

This was a very interesting sewing experience for me. Firstly, the pattern only includes the pieces for the bodice, which allows the sewer to make the skirt how they wish. I liked this idea, but felt a bit uneasy about doing anything too tricky due to my pear shaped body and lack of pattern-drafting skills. I decided as the fabric was light I would make a simple gathered skirt.

The most interesting thing for me however, was that I actually got the dress finished! No, not because I might have procrastinated slightly, but because almost to the very last stitch I just did not like it. If this had been a project I was making on my own, there is a very good chance it would never have been completed. About 1 hour into the sewing I decided I hated the fabric pattern. About 1 hour and 30 minutes into the sewing I decided I hated the pattern. What I had in front of me looked like a pinky-red, funny shaped pile of yuck.

But I persevered and when I put it on I thought "that actually doesn't look too bad". Granted it is not a dress I would wear out to dinner, but in the warmer weather later this year it might get a few trips to the beach or park. I am yet to decide if I want to make a belt for this dress, if I do decide to I will post a tutorial.

Pluses:

* Did not use a lot of paper to print on the home printer.

* The bodice was very easy to construct.

* I like that the skirt is not included.

* The bodice is simple and I didn't need instructions.

Minuses:

* The neckline is low - so would not suit everyone.

* I changed my zipper to a centre back one.

* * * * * * *

I cannot tell you how great it has been to be part of this project. It has been fun getting to know the other girls and seeing their emails pop up in my inbox as we all share our trials and successes as we made our dresses.

And don't forget to visit their blogs to see the dresses they have made:

Marie from A Sewing Odyssey

Reana Louise from Curves, Patterns and Pins

Kat from Petticoats & Peplums

Rachel from My Messings

Jen from Pretty Little Pictures

Amy from Sewing Through the Motions

Sam xox

Melbourne in May.

So... life has thrown Jamie and I a couple of curve balls this week!

As a result I will have to postpone my One Pattern Seven Bloggers self-fabric belt tutorial post until Saturday. In the meantime I wanted to share with you some photos of my recent trip to Melbourne. Michelle and I were very lucky with the weather, as it only rained on the last day of our trip. We had a wonderful time, and it was a much needed break for me. We walked a lot and ate much too much yummy food (more photos of this to come!). Time went far too quickly, and I already have a list as long as my arm of the things I want to do if I was to visit Melbourne again.

Melbourne truly is a beautiful city.

Don't forget to check out the other girls posts this week!

Marie from A Sewing Odyssey

Reana Louise from Curves, Patterns and Pins

Kat from Petticoats & Peplums

Rachel from My Messings

Jen from Pretty Little Pictures

Amy from Sewing Through the Motions

Sam xox

One pattern seven bloggers #3

I am only 1 hour and 24 minutes (on Honolulu time) behind posting my next Wednesday update on the sew along. I apologize for not having photos of my muslin. It is dark here and the photos I did take of it were terrible!

So my muslin turned out pretty well. I have only sewn up the bodice pieces, as I am still undecided on how I will make up the skirt. If I will gather or pleat? I decided on moving the zipper from the side to the back, as that is where I prefer my dress zippers to be. I will need to buy an invisible zip during the coming week.

As I am a 32" bust I cut out the smallest size, but left the neckline on the largest size. I then cut out one muslin with the largest size neckline, then cut another muslin with the smaller size neckline. I am undecided as to which I prefer, but both did turn out ok.

The darts were ok, but I am not 100% happy with the shoulders. I am considering sewing a small cap sleeve of some sort, what do you all think?

I am planning on making a self fabric belt for the dress, and possibly the neck piping that Casey posted about, and a few of my fellow sewers have mentioned (perfect timing from Casey I'd say!).

Speaking of my fellow sewing ladies, remember to visit their blogs and see what they're up to:

Marie from A Sewing Odyssey

Reana Louise from Curves, Patterns and Pins

Kat from Petticoats & Peplums

Rachel from My Messings

Jen from Pretty Little Pictures

Amy from Sewing Through the Motions

And just because I lacked any photos of interest in this post, here is a shot of some beautiful roses Michelle gave me last week.... 'just because'. She is a sweet friend!

I will be a whirlwind of packing over the next 24 hours, as come Saturday 7am Michelle and I are flying to Melbourne for a 3 day mini-break filled of lots of girly activities; shopping, dinning, and a few cocktails!

Bliss.

Sam xox

One pattern seven bloggers #2

In this weeks post I will be introducing my fabric choice to you all. Drum roll please...

I found this 'autumny' cotton during a fabric shopping trip last weekend when Jamie and I spent a night in Canberra. The shop was called Addicted to Fabric, and supplied the typical amount of quilting and dressmaking fabric to local sewers. Most of the fabric I had seen in the chain stores in the city, but their book collection was pretty good. I was able to flip through a number of sewing books I had not seen before (although they were full price so I didn't buy any).

Like I said, most of the fabric was the standard fabrics available in most fabric stores in Australia. It does make me wonder if Australia just doesn't import enough variety into the country, if the demand just isn't there, or if the importers themselves don't have much of a variety of taste?

Anyhow, I was lucky to find a fabric that was a bit different to the rest, 100% cotton, and on sale!

Don't forget to check in with the other girls and see how they are doing,

Sam xox

Oh, and remember the fabric I purchased for the dress and skirt pattern on Saturday... I have already sewn up both patterns! Can't wait to show you all - the dress is fab!

One pattern seven bloggers #1

Something has been brewing for the past few weeks! I contacted a group of sewing bloggers who I find very inspiring and invited them to join me in a sewing project. The idea is simple. One pattern, seven bloggers, infinite possibilities.

And so the "One Pattern Seven Bloggers" project was formed.

~ A big thank you to Rachel who designed this cool badge for our project! ~

Everyone said yes to the project, and we have since been emailing with questions and ideas!

So, who's on board?

Marie from A Sewing Odyssey

Reana Louise from Curves, Patterns and Pins

Kat from Petticoats & Peplums

Rachel from My Messings

Jen from Pretty Little Pictures

Amy from Sewing Through the Motions

and Me!

Here is the pattern we decided on...

~ Click here for pattern ~

Today marks 'day one' of the project, and our first blog post. Every Wednesday we will be posting about our progress until the big reveal on the 1st of June!

For the dress... I have been giving some thought to modifying the skirt to create a more '50's look by gathering the skirt significantly, and perhaps making a petticoat to add extra volume under the skirt. Our landscape here is quickly changing to autumn hues of burnt oranges and reds, so I am going to use autumn colours as my inspiration for the fabric.

Image from here.

I love the bodice of this dress so I cannot see myself changing it much. I am also thinking of making a fabric belt to match the dress. I will probably stick to a cotton fabric for this dress, as I like sewing with natural fibers.

Now, off to find some fabric...!

Good luck ladies!

Sam xox