bebebunting

Monday, March 2, 2009

My first sewing convention & look what I scored!!

A couple of weeks ago I went to the Fete d'aguille, which literally means needle party. It was basically a sewers delight. It was great to see so many women of different nationalities and there was so much energy, passion and anticipation as we queued to get in. The northern europeans politely stood in line whilst the latins grouped round and all tried to get in at once! It was fab just people watching! I've never seen so many packed lunches in one place talk about GIRL POWER. It was like being part of a special club!

There were loads of stands from which to purchase everything and anything to do with sewing. There was an amazing video about how a channel couture dress/collection is made from start to finish (it even included fly on the wall shots of Karl Largerfield who turns out to be rather an odd man). Its the first time I've been to something like this and I loved every minute of it. What was dissapointing though was the relative lack of fabrics available from new and vibrant fabric designers. A lot of deep reds, browns and more tradditional patchwork styles were in abundance, mixed in with the odd lower key tones from the likes of Sandi Henderson and Amy Butler. But in general the french stands especially were very much 'old style' patchwork.
The highlight of the show was finding these amazing Echino fabrics at bargain prices!! I love Echino and I'd been eyeing these on various stores for ages. I couldn't believe it when I saw them all at a fraction of the prices on-line. The ladies on the stand didn't take credit cards so I just emptied my wallet in their hands and bought what I could!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Pink velvet ribbon

One of the reasons for starting this blog was to plot my progress as I learn to sew. This was my first attempt at a zip about a year ago! I was inspired by Amy Karol's Bend the Rules, and used what is possibly my fave Heather Bailey freshcut print. In fact, that reminds me, I should get some more! I wish that pesky pound would rally against the dollar so I can go back to buying shed loads of stuff from the states!

I finished it with a pink velvet ribbon bow (a bit wonky I know!). I have an unhealthy obsession with pink velvet ribbon. I try and add it to all my sewing projects . I even used it to make Violet's Angel doll hair. I liked the effect it gives, a kinda Scartlett O'Hara 'up do'.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Le Wkend - Task 4 A new IT technique

I'm new to blogging. Its a whole new IT technique world and sometimes I feel as though I don't have the time to 'fiddle' and learn like I did before I had little miss P. So, I used some of the wkend (and following wk actually) to get a link/pics of my etsy shop onto the blog ... check it out on the right. Not much in it but having it on show is like a virtual kick up the backside. I need to spend more time working on it instead of just doing what I fancy.

I also, finally set up my flickr account, again its on to the right and you can see the beginings of bringing order to our vast, and still growing and so so outta control photograph collection. I dream of the day when we have neat folders and labels on our pics!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Le Wkend - Task 3 A project for little miss P

Some of the Le Wkend was cruelly cut short by the small matter of a leak. no water and no heating. I had to wait for the plumber to arrive (for the 3 time). The house was so cold, I couldn't wash or cook so..... what do I do on this my first free wkend in my house in 3 years.... GO FABRIC SHOPPING!!! Oooo and what a haul to add my newly sorted shelves.

One of the best finds was brushed cotton. The guy at the shop, Marche St Pierre the fabric capital of Paris... if not the world ;) said it had only just come in I was lucky, and it wasn't gonna last. They had been waiting 3 months for it and boy was it worth waiting for!

Little Miss P is obsessed with 'jammas' as she calls them. She has 1 velour nightie which I literally have to prise her out of. She wants to wear it EVERY day. She has a melt down if I say it needs washing and will only calm down after she has taken it and placed it in the washing machine herself. Its falling apart so I thought I would make her a new one with this gorgeous Miffy and flower brished cotton. I adapted the pattern I used for the first dress I made for her.

I had to extend the sleeves and guess the length so they turned out a little long.

I hung it up so it would be the first thing she saw when came back from her wkend..... its not completely finished, the sleeves are too long, the elastic casing needs to be stitched shut...

but she loves it and she won't take it off!