Giveaway Winners

Thank you all once again for reading, commenting and enriching my life thus far.

The random draw for the the Birthday Blog Giveaway is as follows:










Number 1 - The Skirt Kit - Janice: May you have fun making this and even better times wearing it.

Number 2 - The fabric - Jacquianne. Remember to post whatever you make for us all to see.

Number 3 - The patterns - Go to Sewingelle. Sew like the wind

Thank you all for joining in and I only wish I had presents to give to you all. I'll contact the names above and the items will be in the post at the beginning of the week.

Thanks again for reading this blog and helping me on my way through sewing tribulations and life in general.

Ruth

Birthday Giveaway

Well, it's been one whole year.

Thank you all for contributing so much - encouragement, compliments, a few laughs too. Lots of new friends, interesting things to read and watch and so much inspiration from you all. To mark your support and friendship in blogging tradition there shall be a GIVEAWAY to celebrate.

1. Party Skirt Kit

All cut out (waist 30", hips 40"), marked and ready to sew. Alterations to a smaller size would be possible as it is a mock wrap with long waist ties. I reckon this would also fit a UK size 16 with smaller seam allowances. All you need to add to complete the project is the zip and thread.

The fabric is a woven wool with silver lurex threads and I'm sure a bit of poly for extra stength. The ties are silver poly satin. they attach to the wraps at the front and tie at the back.


There is a hidden zipper in the fold and this is also sewn up into an enclosed seam - hence the mock wrap.

 The pattern is from Centre of Pattern Design and is based on a Chanel design. Instructions are rather scant but if you'd like this and get it, I'll try to write them out in a sensible and coherent way.

I bought the fabric online but I don't suit the colouring, hence I'm handing it over to someone who will sew it and wear it with love. This is NOT a UFO, it's a kit (thanks Ejvc).  Match this skirt with black, red purple - anything really, for a super Christmas/New Year party outfit.

2. Wool and silver fabric. If you don't fancy the skirt kit, then how about making one to your own specifications? Fabric is 60" wide and you have 2.5m to play with

 I'll also throw in an odd shaped piece of the silver poly satin. There's a good meter here but not square. Clever seamstresses will be able to knock up a celebratory draped sleeveless top in no time at all - use a COOL iron.

3. The patterns. It wouldn't be a giveaway without the patterns!

Donna Karan top & skirt. I've made the top, so it's cut to size 14. The skirt is uncut. Two-way stretch fabrics only

 Marcy Tilton trousers (pants) and skirt. Both patterns cut to 14. Easy make

Sandra Bettzini floaty top. Cut to 14. Can be made with stretch, silk or chiffon.

Koos coat, uncut. Size 14-20 - Good luck with this one!!!!

Hopefully there's something here for all hemispheres, winter and summer. Of course you can always put them away until the season is right.

Just take a moment to comment indicating which you would like to have to add to your stash, 1, 2 or 3. You can select one or all - your choice. Today is the 16th November 2012 9.00pm - the giveaway will remain open until next Friday, 23rd November 2012 9.00pm. Will post anywhere and make sure I can contact you via email if you win. Open to anons too. Names in a hat technique will be used to draw the winners. - Good Luck!


And just to show the difference 12 months can make - here's the very first pic I posted - Dreadful!

Winners' Meeting

The order of tonight's meeting is as set in the agenda laid out in accordance with regulation 12 sub-paragraph 2a of the Sewing Manual of Bloggers and Followers 2011 (revised 2012) which gives permission for the use of images and icons to be included in the minutes and agenda.

In attendance
Chairperson - SewRuth
Members - anyone who reads this
Apologies - anyone who does not read this

Call to order for the meeting to begin.............


Item 1

By random selection (independent observer - in other words - teenage son) the following are the winners in the recent pattern GIVEAWAY. Entries opened on 29th February 2012 and closed officially on 7th March (tea-time - GMT). Competition was open to everyone and the chairperson was impressed with the number of interested parties which may encourage the committee to consider further such enterprises.

  

The Chairperson would like to note that she is somewhat grateful

that teenage son's  finger nails are almost clean for above photo shoot!

Well done to the above names selected and thanks to everyone who left a comment. It is intended that the relevant pattern collections will be collated and parcelled before the weekend and in the post Saturday morning. Please forward all necessary and essential e-mail correspondence before then. Go to 'view my complete profile' in ABOUT ME box and there is a link - e-mail - in there. Click on this and send the information. Thanks.

Item 2
The chairperson is also a winner this week of the Versatile Blogger Award. She would like to extend her appreciation to Pauline of ptrifty  for the nomination and passing on of this prestigious honour.

Item 3
To retain above said award, the chairperson must complete a series of tasks to ensure that specified rules are not broken or avoided. Breaking of these rules would be in contravention of the international G87 summit meeting of global sewing fanatics, hosted at Clougher, 2010.

Item 4
Rule 1 - Add the award badge to the winning blog page - duly done.

Rule 2 - Thank the blogger who gave it - profusely thanked already.

Rule 3 - List the rules - project completed by end of this evening's meeting.

Rule 4 - List 7 random things about the chairperson that the public may wish to know but that will not endanger or cause them psychological damage, nor will risk the liberty of the chairperson.

1. Love my job but wish I didn't have to work.
2. Love my family but also like it sometimes when they're not around
3. Have a cat but is not a mad-cat-lady (like the woman round the corner who has 17)
4. Often is too honest but is gradually learning to keep my mouth shut
5. Aspires to owning a haute couture Chanel suit
6. Doesn't purchase lottery tickets - so No. 5 remains aspiration
7. Appreciates the support and camaraderie of fellow internet sewers - and is actually indebted to many of them for the finished objects hanging in her wardrobe.
8. Whew!

Rule 5 - The ritualistic passing on of the award to 15 deserving and conscientious bloggers who in the opinion of the chairperson are entitled to be nominated for their diligence, demonstrated skill and achievements in the world of blogging and specifically in the sewing related category.

Hence, this is intended as a small token of encouragement to continue, improve and excel at all endeavours. The Chairperson would like it to be made known in the minutes of this evening's meeting that this list is not by any means complete and comprehensive but a mere sample of the innovative and inspiring individuals who decide to share and support one another.

1. Tina of Down the Retro Rabbit Hole
2. Suzy of Suzy Bee Sews
3. Frau Tipmatic of blog by the same name
4. SewBarbie, also of same name blog.
5. Adri of adriprints.
6. Carly of craftedbycarly
7. Merla of mes sages folies
8. Travelling-soo who writes The Travelling Seamtress
9. Another Suzy, this time from closer to home , of Su- Sews so so
10.JBB of foliedemode
11. Jeyco of I'm Liking It
12. Freya of Hand Made by Freya
13. Lynda's Sewing and SWAPs 
14.Mema von mema
15. Anne-Marie from imanidoro

Rule 6 - The above nominees will be informed directly of their award by the chairperson depositing a suitable comment on the respective blogs. The recipients can then link to the Chairperson's blog SewRuth, collect their award in person (copy and paste) and suitably display the award as a gadget on their own page.

Item 5
Any other business:
Date of next meeting  - to be decided and will be posted to all followers in due course.
All contributions are welcomed by the Chairperson on behalf of the committee conducted in the comments section below.

Please leave your notation on the sign-in sheet as you leave the building and last one out switch out the lights.

Thank you. Ruth








http://adriprints.blogspot.com/

LEAP AWAY - Free Stuff!

There has been a battle raging between head and heart the past few days.

Head: You haven't made it it ages
Heart: But it brings back so many happy memories, I remember the day I wore it to...
Head: Stop! The pattern's cut in a 12 - you were that size waaay before yesterday - you have the memories, that's enough.
Heart: But look at this one, I just might
Head: No you won't. If you haven't done it by now, you never will.
Heart: This one then - it's really gorgeous.
Head: Forget it with your hips
Heart: This one's designer, I should keep it.
Head: (Last word) It's just not your style. Let someone else have it who'd look good in it.

And so the head won! It wasn't easy, but here are the GIVEAWAY patterns. There are 5 options:

COLLECTION 1: Uncut, unused, never even taken out of the envelopes. All Vogue. Clockwise from top left -

Collection 1

V7854, sizes 14,16,18, tunic with princess seams and side slits

V8499, sizes 14-20, Marcy Tilton loose fitting skirt and pants

V8307, sizes 14-20, Asymmetrical collar jacket and coat

V8676, sizes 14-20, Marcy Tilton unlined jacket


















COLLECTION 2: Vogue Designer patterns, used, cut to a 14.

V1112, Lynn Mizono, sizes 8-14, shirt and pants, only shirt cut


V1134, Anna Sui, sizes 8-14, ankle length dress with gathered neckline. cut







V1142, Issey Miyake, sizes 14-20, loose fitting pleated top and pants with front overlay, only top cut


V1689, Lauren Sara, sizes 14,16,18, evening maternity dress, sleeved version cut

Collection 2

COLLECTION 3: Vintage, late 1980s - early 1990s, mixture of pattern companies, all used and cut to 12. But I know some of you out there crave this era and with your skills and imagination can turn these into wonderful garments.


 Style 4860, size 12, three skirts variations with side pockets, straight skirt only cut,

Style 4904, size 12, double-breasted shirt dress with pleats and BIG shoulder pads. Cut.








Vogue 1944, sizes 14-18, five skirt variations, straight version only cut.


Style 1526, size 12-16, bias cut sun-dress, fitted bodice, either halter neck or straps and full skirt. Strap dress cut.

Vogue 9932, sizes 8-12, tunic with straight skirt or gored and flared skirt, cut.

Collection 3

COLLECTION 4: Mixed dress patterns, mixed companies, styles, condition and eras.

Collection 4

New Look 6862, sizes 10-22, sleeveless dress with short or long jacket. Uncut.

Vogue 9782, sizes 14-18, Flapper style dress with pullover tunic. Tunic only cut to 14

Vogue 7917, sizes 12-16, very easy close fitting dress, long version has fish-tail back. Long version cut to 14.

Butterick 5030, sizes 8-14, six variations of flared wrap dress, can use cotton or linen. Cut to 14.

Collection 5

COLLECTION 5: Accessories Patterns.

Vogue 8466, four shoulder bags. Bottom right only cut.

Vogue 8405,  six hats, uncut, no sizing.








So in celebration of the extra day this Leap Year, I'm handing over these precious and well loved patterns to a better home where they will be equally cherished and possibly even made.

Choose one (or more) of the collections by number. Leave a comment with the collection number(s) you'd like to have to call your own. Names will be randomly selected on 7th March, one week from today, and posted here. Via e-mail we can sort out the posting between us.

Anonymous entrants are also very welcome to make a selection, but you'll have to send me an e-mail address in case you're a winner.

No matter where you live (as long as it's on earth) please enter you name - I'll post to anywhere.

Good luck

Thanks for reading. Ruth

Anticipation

Got a few things lined up for the coming weeks.

Hotpatterns e-mailed yesterday to say my Boyfriend jeans pattern was shipped - hooray!

I also ordered a pinstripe denim that I hope will arrive soon bought on ebay. I've already got the zip and rivets, thread and scraps for pockets so I'll be ready to go on this one. Just not too sure if the boyfriend fit is my thing - I usually like fitted and tight - but we'll see.

Have you ever made a garment because it was in fashion only to discover it just doesn't suit you? 

Vogue were having a clearance pattern sale a few weeks ago and I couldn't resist. What I did find a little off putting was that many of the patterns I already own were in the clearance pile - oh dear. Anyway when I bought my first stash in January it came with a few free cottons (because I bought so much) I just love America!. One of the fabrics was a checked turquoise that really isn't my thing but it was free - so what the heck? I picked up this reprint of a 1953 dress, just to see. 

This one is still in the will I, won't I category. Partly because I'm not sure there is enough fabric, but I figure I could narrow that full skirt down a bit to make it fit, and again my hips in a full skirt - yuk!

I love the bodice though.

If there's not enough of the cotton what do you think of home decorating fabrics? They're wide, patterned and relatively cheap. 

Have you ever made a dress or skirt from curtain fabric? I'd love to know how it wears. I get the impression it'll wrinkle like mad.

In the meantime I've bought an extremely expensive navy wool crepe for this little beauty (also in the clearance bin sale). Do I like things that nobody else does? There's only one review on Pattern Review too for this, so obviously not a favourite of the sewing public.

Dress is cut and sewn and inserted the zip this evening. The pattern calls for an invisible zip but my local shop did not have any 22" navy invisible zips! Oh the hassle of living in a small place. I purchased a normal one and made a lapped zipper. Interesting exercise. I'm aiming for another Mad Men look, so lapped zippers are in keeping with the era. I lengthened the dress by 9". Yes that's 9", for  a 2" hem. 

Pics soon of the progress on this. And don't forget the pattern GIVEAWAY this week - stay tuned.

Thanks for reading. Ruth