Month: May 2018

Sewing: McCalls 7381

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So with little over a week I decided to start the dress that I planned to not only have finished but moved on to the the project.

As you know life doesn’t always allow you plans to go swimmingly well and time can just drown with you realising how little you have left!

I bought the Lady McElroy Cotton lawn “Brushstrokes” from StitchyBee a while back.

When I saw the McCalls 7381 pattern that I received free with Love Sewing Magazine a while back, I knew it would be a simple quick make providing I followed the instructions correctly.

Building the whole thing went brilliantly well until it came to me wearing it. It was huge, it was a tent on me. Where did I go wrong?

I had one resort, take it to class! So I did! Thankfully Abi saved the day but it meant me taking in at the waist (a lot!!). But I did it, It only took a few hours and a few swear words.

So where did I go wrong? I only went by the measurements on the back of the pattern envelope and not the ones on the tissue. I can definitely go down one size on the bodice (woop woop) next time. Also for next time I’m considering sleeves and the next version in viscose. So no I’m not put off – yeah! It’s so comfortable to wear as well, especially when it comes to eating a lovely German buffet and cheesecake because of the ease and the elastic!

A big thumbs up to M7381!

Sew Shop Local: The Sewing Studio, Dunfermline And The Fife Sewists Meet Up!

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A week on after the #SewScottish Afternoon Tea another group of lovely ladies held a smaller but equally nice meet up in Dunfermline.

We all met at the Heaven Scent Cafe, which is set in the new building beside the abbey. The cafe has a lovely selection of cakes and hot drinks on offer but as the weather was so warm I opted for a cool fizzy elderflower juice.

We sat round a couple of tables for about an hour exchanging information about patterns, materials, fabric shops, discount codes and a little bit about our wonderful selves. It was a lovely chilled out affair and “suited me down to a t” as I had been up at 3:30am that morning for a 4:45am start at work!

After some much needed refreshments we headed up to the newly opened Sewing Studio. The Sewing Studio is a fantastic extension of Sew Yarn Crafty after locals were giving feedback back to owner, that there was a massive dressmaking following and they wanted more fabric choice and classes. It all came together pretty simply as there was a property available to extend into and that’s how it all happened.

It’s been a little over a year since I’ve been up to Dunfermline and checked out Sew Yarn Crafty. The last time I’d took a trip up was with my mum and my aunt. Mum was not that great at that point but wanted to get out the house and always supported me in my hobbies. That woman was always pushing herself, where she got the strength from was unbelievable.

Anyway before I go to a dark place … (everything connects!!)

Aileen, the owner of Sew Yarn Crafty and The Sewing Studio and myself!

The sewing Studio has a great range of fabrics and independent patterns (TATB’s, papercut, cashmerette, Sew over it and a couple of others.

I actually saw quite a few fabrics that I really wanted but I had to refrain as I’m only a week in from making that (damn) pact with @Sew_Sleep_Deprived so I wouldn’t buy anymore fabric – urghhhh!

I was stroking them and crying 😭. It was tough. I did refrain from fabrics but I bought two cashmerette patterns and a book about drafting dress and skirts.

The weather was on it’s truly best behaviour as it was gorgeous. I really need to come up and check out the Abbey.

So all in all, it was a lovely afternoon out and I’m looking forward to catching up with the girls again. Hopefully I’ll have made a few me makes by then and I can show them off!

Sew Scottish

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It’s so nice to be part of a group of friends that get you when you talk sewing, isn’t it?  I mean they really get you and your geekiness when you starting going on about Pdfs or seam allowance and what’s the pattern craze of late.

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Credit to Kate Gray

I’m super proud to co-host the Afternoon Tea and Frocktails Events alongside Lesley over at @sew_sleep_deprieved, to which she has written an awesome blog post on her view of the recent event.  It’s amazing to see the group grow and bloom the way it has,  we’ve got such a diverse range of lovely talented ladies.

The afternoon tea was overwhelmingly a success at Casa Angelina, no cakes were left.  I’m still dreaming of slathering cherry & rosemary jam on these fluffy scones with a thick layer of clotted cream!

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Would I host the tea again? Oh heck, YES!! In a instant, but for now REST!

Again, I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of people.  The pattern and fabric swap was phenomenal, by that I mean everyone walked away very happy with some things they loved!  Whilst we had a lot of excess left over and it’s currently sitting in my car ready for a beloved charity shop, so everyone is a winner.

I snapped up a lovely piece of classic denim, a pattern, a couple of notions and 3 books.  I was quite brutal with myself fabric wise as I has loads.  I’m still sticking to my “NO MORE BUYING FABRIC” pact that I made with Lesley on the bus homebound, mind you it’s only day three!

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I’d just want to say (and so I will!) Thank you to all for your support and generosity over this year.  It’s been a tough one, but I’m thankful I have so many lovely and caring people in my life – BACI (kisses in Italian)!

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Here’s to Frocktails (there are details coming!) but for now it’s holiday time!

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Love, Emma

P.S If would you like to host (go on – if we can, you can) an event for Sew Scottish, please get in touch and we’ll set you up with the contacts and the logo to get you started xx