Shameless…

I admit it up front: I’m using this post as an entry to (try and) win two metres of the glorious Cranford Liberty Fabric from Leah at Sewbox. I have in mind a wonderful project for it… If I win, all will be revealed!

If you haven’t already checked out Sewbox, I advise you to immediately. I once compared the service I got there as like having a dealer, but legal. And for fabric. I have purchased gorgeous fabrics from there, some lovely pattern packs, buttons and other bits and bobs. I can’t rate it highly enough!

Right, I’m off to bed! I may be back later this week with a quick blog post about some sewing projects. Or I may not…I’ll see how I feel!

Mermaids and Tattoos, but not together.

I have been coveting this Sailor Jerry-esque, tattoo-print  fabric from Alexander Henry for a long time now. Whilst I was on holiday a month or so back I saw a stunning shirt dress made from the black version which I was desperate to have. Unfortunately, the shirt dress was over Aus$200 and was only in a size 8. So, what’s a girl to do but make her own? Finally, yesterday, I decided that enough was enough and I bought about 5  metres of it. My plan is to make a shirt dress and then possibly a skirt with whatever is left over.  Now, the problem is that the only shirt dress pattern is the Colette Ceylon Pattern which I don’t think will suit the pattern or colour of the Tattoo fabric.Perhaps something in this style? Or something a little simpler? I’m going to have to sit down and really look at it, I think!

As I had to purchase 8m of fabric (well, I didn’t, but postage was going to be the same either way, so why not?) I also ordered 3m of this:

Luca Aubergine Fabric from Alexander Henry

TicTacSew has made a lovely halter neck dress out of a pattern with a small floral print (something I’d never really thought of using before) so I thought I might try my hand at something in a small print to try it out. It’s nice and summery anyway, so It will be good for work and can hopefully be teamed with a cardigan and dark tights for winter.

I went a bit mad yesterday when buying fabric and also saw this really unusual and stunning Underwater Sisters fabric (from TheFabricLoft.co.uk. I’ve been planning a Macaroon dress with this, possibly with a white contrast, but I shall have to wait and see what it’s like when it arrives. I fell in love instantly, and I  really couldn’t help myself buying it.  I do often cringe at how much fabrics cost, then I think to myself: “Would I be able to buy this garment for the same price?”. The answer is invariably no, and I love the fact that I can sit down at my machine and make something that I truly love, that fits me perfectly and that I have created with my own hands. As a consequence, I often find I’m more careful with my home-made clothes and I wear them that little bit more confidently.

At the minute, I have a lot more time than I normally would to sit down and make things but I can see that going out the window very shortly, so I’d better make the most of it!