Oooopsa lacy!

Since the 5th May I’ve been on a fabric ban but this Friday past I broke it and I broke it hard!

You see when you see something RTW and the stock is low in your size but you have the sewing skills (this does not include boning or lace!!) you go what the heck and go all in, pretty much head first.

So this is the RTW dress I’ve fallen IN LOVE with and just wanna swosh about in.

The RTW dress is a beautiful Monsoon one but as said a second ago, the size I was looking for had gone out of stock. I would definitely pay £139 for it but that’s if they had it. But I’m not going to buy that dress, I’m going to make it eeek!

Fabric:

After ordering several different swatches and doing a ridiculous amount of searches for “mint guipure lace” online I wasn’t anywhere forward. Locally I was starting to loose my confidence in getting what I really wanted. It was on the final straw that I took the tip from a previous co-worker to visit Fabric Focus. It should’ve been first choice – doh!Above the linings, there lay the beautiful lace guipure in exactly the colours and shade I was looking for and too even make my July better the lining was there to make it pop! It’s a-lot more minty than the photo suggests. The lining is a skin tone. But I may have to double it up with a cotton because of the boning!

The Pattern:The pattern was a lot easier to find and in the end the McCalls 7720 was a very close fit.

I’ll get the boning, hook & eye, threads and zip organised at a later date. I might make a toile and see how that goes before I start back at my evening classes in August if I get other projects finished! I can’t thank Kevin at Fabric Focus and his lovely Mum (who actually served me) enough for stocking this lace. You made a very happy lady. This is just a perfect example why we should support local shops like this!

Disclaimer: all opinions are my own!

Sew Shop Local: Kitschy Coo

“A shop full of Jersey?” I said back to the lady who told me all about it.  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and I knew I had to go and check it out.  So I did.  And here’s what I found out!

Kitschy Coo do their main business on the internet but it does have a cute little shop that you can pop into (I dropped Amanda an email, just to check her opening hours to be on the safe side) and see the stunning collection of jersey for yourself.  The shop is based on 10 South Trinity Rd and it’s got a good bus link if you prefer to take public transport as car spaces are few and far between even though they are pay & go spaces.

I took the bus from outside the old St James shopping mall entrance.  A no.8 if I’m correct. It took no more than 10 mins and didn’t have the stress nor cost of parking.

It’s a cute little shop front, you can see the jersey headbands and hats in the window along with some pretty cool fabric combos.  I know I’m in for a treat!


Greeted by a barking Casey (the dog)  I waited a minute whilst Amanda moved Casey through to the back room.  I don’t mind dogs as I’ve had my own.  Casey didn’t batter an eye lid, once she was in the back room and I could wander around the shop freely.

Right, the moment you’ve all been waiting for – JERSEY TALK!  Kitschy Coo: It is a delightful treat. Looking and feeling these magnificent fabrics just brings happy feelings.  So many ideas have sprung into my head regarding the Toaster sweater, Linden and Moneta to name a few.  I thought stepping into the #sewmystyle with the Toaster sweater was a bit ambitious for me as I’ve never used a knit fabric and not set up my overlocker.  I think once I’ve finished Cleo I’ll attempt the Moneta.   Ok, I’m wandering off on project thought talk … I’m guessing you’ve had a look at the shop online by now and you’ll get a gist of what an awesome collection Amanda has.


I bought a delightful cacti fabric, but not enough to make a whole Moneta – perhaps the bodice or now a sweatshirt … oooh, the conundrums.

Amanda was super helpful too as she gave me a link for that elastic to get to stop Jersey from slipping and a charcoal fabric that may match up with the cacti if I decide to go with the Moneta – or should I go all out Moneta Cacti?

Kitschy Coo has a Facebook, Instagram, twitter and Pinterest if you need more Jersey porn!

Check out the fabulous combinations! Eeeek! 


 

Emma

Disclaimer: All opinions are of my own and so are the photos!  Please ask before you use them!

 

Sewing Adventures: Susie D Designs, Penicuik

With being quite close to me and pretty easy to get to by car, I’m wondering why it actually took me until now to visit this cute little shop in Penicuik.

Not where I’d imagined the shop to be!

The ideal opportunity to pop by was one of the monthly “open days” but I was suspicious with my sat nav when it started to direct me further into more of a residential area than the high street. I stayed with the sat nav, which I’m glad I did as I arrived outside the shop with parking spaces to spare. 

The open days look quite popular as there were a few ladies in buying fabric. It’s great to see offers too (20% off non sale fabric and selected tools) – before you ask I was straight in at the sale fabric but didn’t really spot anything for a dress making project. Instead, I went for an Art Gallery Fabric with a geometric print. I totally see a dress in this. 

Love, love, love geometric patterns!

As well as art galley fabrics, Susie D also stocks Cloud 9, Dashwood Studio, Tilda, Micheal Miller and lots more! 

Ooooooh nice fabrics!

There is also a small selection of wool with knitting and crocheting tools. With some haberdashery staples like buttons and machine needles there is a good choice of D-rings, wadding and much more. 

Good selection of wools!

Susie D runs classes as well. I’m intrigued as would love to make a bag. I spotted these patterns, but then thought I would (should) go to a class rather than purchase one and have it stored doing nothing as I’ve got lots of patterns doing exactly that!  Don’t get me wrong – I probably will end up getting a couple as they look good, but I will do a class and see how things go! 

Plenty of table space for classes!
I’m really liking the look of those patterns but I’m proud of myself for refraining myself!

I’ll definitely be going back as I’ve had a few itches to make a bag – especially a weekender. Also there a good range of fabric, even tho it’s normally used for patchwork or quilting it’s still cotton! 

Susie D Designs has a Facebook page and a WordPress blog too! Do check them out! 

Disclaimer: All images are my own. I got permission to take them. All opinions are my own.