Taking Stock #4

Here we are again, albeit after an interlude. Plenty of sewing goodness from around the interwebs to share with you today, certainly not all of it but some of my favourites. I’ve certainly been doing a lot of swooning.

Swoon

• Despite trying to only sew fabric and patterns in my stash, I’ve just given in and bought the Closet Case Files Ginger Jeans pattern, from Sewn Bristol in actual fact (with very speedy dispatch and delivery). I shall certainly start with the fully blown jeans but will definitely be pinning What Katie Sews’ and Crafting A Rainbow’s posts about elasticated, fly-less jeans for a later date. Also, how great are Marie’s Jamie Jeans looking. Can you tell ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT IS MAKING JEANS NOW?!
• Cashmerette’s gold sandals. Also Miushka’s leopard print handmade slippers. I’m in awe.
• LOVE Ada Spragg’s tropical culottes, and the Hong Kong seam finish is exquisite.
• NGL, I’m still very intimidated by refashions. How great is Miushka’s jacket transformed from a blanket?! Awesome.
• Allie J’s handmade vintage wedding dress is amazeballs! GO, go now and look!

Blog Talk

• A little out of date now but I really loved Heather Lou’s sew-jo boosting post.
• Another indie pattern update from Fiona of Diary of a Chain Stitcher: see what’s new in the January edition.

Learn

• Want to know how to press like a pro? Check out Tilly’s brilliant tutorial.
• BHL’s super handy post all about trimming and grading seams.
• Some great posts on sewing organisation: using Trello from Attack of the Seam Ripper, and using Evernote from Red W Sews.

Fabric

• Buying fabric online is something I want to do more of (I’ve felt the pinch of being busy at work and the chilly winter weather putting me off traipsing to the fabric shop after work or at the weekends) but certainly want to be more selective. I’ve been looking for some lovely fabric for the Sewaholic Fraser sweatshirt and am loving many of these Special Liberty Art fabrics from Guthrie and Ghani, especially the Poppys Patchwork but according to the website, it’s £24.50 per metre?! #sadface

Some other fabric I’m crushing on: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Community & News

• Marie of Stokes Croft Stitching has launched a new UK (Bristol based) online pattern store: Sewn with a selection of vintage and independent patterns.
• Stitching Odyssey and Kestrel Makes are once again running Vintage Pattern Pledge 2016; something else that I love the idea of but am still a little too intimidated to join in with.
• There is a Sew Essential £25 voucher giveaway on A Stitching Odyssey. Closing date: midnight GMT on Sunday 14 February 2016.
• Colette also have 20% off the Moneta and Wren dresses during February.

Read

• Like sewing and reading? Why not get involved in the Colette Book Club.
• I really enjoyed reading Alex of Sewrendipity’s post about what she’s learnt in January.
• In time for Valentine’s Day is the most recent issue of Colette’s Seamwork: The Intimate issue. How sweet is the Almada robe?
• I’m still majorly crushing on Kristiann Boos’ Boundless Style mix-and-match pattern book. Has anyone else succumbed? What have you made?

Watch

• Abbey of Sew Charleston has announced new sewing YouTube channel: Inside The Hem, run by her and two sewing friends. Head over and watch their first video in which we get to know them.