Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Sew Grateful Week - giveaway

I've just learned about Sew Grateful Week. I feel I've benefitted such a lot from fellow sewers on Pattern Review.com initially and in the wider blogosphere since. I've found an amazing generosity with advice and support and a lack of frustration with what must seem silly questions at times.

I've gained enormously from blogs giving advice, tips and tutorials - including how to set up my own blog.

I've therefore decided to have a giveaway. I know I'm a day late in posting but better late than never, I reckon!

The giveaway:

I have 4 patterns (all new and uncut) to giveaway, to anyone, anywhere. These are in larger sizes so won't suit everyone. I bought these when I was larger but am now going for a smaller size, except for the Kay Unger pattern which I had bought , then received another copy with a Craftsy class.

Vogue 1329 - Kay Unger - size 16 - 24

Butterick B5461 lined dress in sizes 18W - 24W

Simplicity Khaliah Ali coordinates se in sizes 18W - 24W

Simplicity 1914 Amazing Fit dress in sizes 20W - 28W


There will be 2 winners - please leave a post with either your biggest dressmaking disaster - or your best tip for a new sewer such as myself. Each of the winners can have 2 patterns - the first to be drawn has the choice - and that will be the disaster. I will choose from the most cringeworthy disaster or the most useful sounding tip. Closing Date 28th February and I will post re winner the following weekend.

I'm Sew Grateful!
Anne

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25 comments:

  1. Mary25 February 2014 at 17:32

    Dressmaking disaster... well, I've had a few :) The first: sew a muslin for a pattern that required wovens, in a horrible knit. Second: spend hours on a Simplcity dress (never blogged), to then realize the fake wrap-up front was actually large and kept moving, so I had to use a safety pin when I wore it; also, the length was wrong - too long, too "lady-like" for me. Third: sew a dress in a wrong size, and had to alter it just a few hours before the party (read details here: http://maryall.wordpress.com/category/n-54-82013/.... and I can continue, a blouse with holes in the fabric, that I didn't notice until it was almost done, etc, etc I guess it's all part of the learning curve - I'm a beginner, too

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    1. Anne25 February 2014 at 22:14

      Some of these I can empathise with. I made a ghillie shirt for my husband, then managed to cut into the fabric while trimming some threads - I decided to use pinking shears .... The thing is, I didn't notice until it was finished.

      Delete
  2. Megan25 February 2014 at 17:49

    Ugh - I had the most fantastic damask print cotton fabric and decided to make a sundress. I was a little worried I might be a bit big for the pattern, so I added an inch to each side seam. The entire dress is lined and by the time I realized that I'm not as large as I thought I was, I not only had to unpick everything, but I also had to cut an entirely new bodice piece. So depressing.
    I'd love the Kay Unger and the Amazing Fit patterns :)

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    1. Anne25 February 2014 at 22:16

      I wish I wasn't as large as I thought I was! I'm having a lot of fit problems. I've lost some weight and that really led to problems as I was trying to do a pant sloper and every time I tried it on, it fitted differently!

      Delete
  3. Anonymous25 February 2014 at 20:20

    Hey Anne, lovely patterns, but please don't enter me into the draw as they are all too big for me. My biggest disaster was with one of the first dresses, a Vogue pattern, that I was attempting to sew. I had such trouble with the directions, I kept sewing seams wrong, when I would stitch rip, I would make holes in the seams, and have to interface to patch them up, then, I cut myself and ended up bleeding on the (pale blue) fabric. Then, when ironing, I ended up setting it on fire!!! Seriously!! Cursed? I think so. :) My giveaway is up, please feel free to drop by and enter! http://gjeometry.com/2014/02/24/sew-grateful-giveaway-how-about-some-red-and-some-threads/

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    1. MaciNic25 February 2014 at 21:42

      Oh, Catja, I am having visions of your dress on fire! I took quite a while to believe that patterns were made with ease and added 2 inches to the CF seam on a shift dress in a furnishing fabric - needless to say it's scarred me for shift dresses until now! More fabric/pattern pairing fails - I made the YSR Eva dress in a thin knit - gorgeous draped top (I still wear it as a top), but the less said about the clingy waist/skirt, the better!
      And as they're too big for me, I wish their recipients much joy with their new patterns - I'm Sew Grateful for everyone in this wonderful community ;)

      Delete
    2. Anne25 February 2014 at 22:19

      Oh dear! Thank you - I've already entered your giveaway - it's how I found out about the week. I think I got to you via Coletterie, not sure, as I was reading quite a few today as I haven't been feeling well and that seemed better than sewing or, worse, housework.

      Delete
    3. Anne25 February 2014 at 22:19

      MaciNic - I'm trying to imagine ...

      Delete
  4. Marianne26 February 2014 at 12:49

    My biggest disaster happened during the first sewing lesson my mother in law gave me: we cut two left sleeves for a dress and had no fabric left to correct it. She smiled and said : 'A blessing in disguise. I'll bet this will never happen to you again!' Words of wisdom. My most valuable lessons were learnt by analyzing my sewing mistakes :)

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    1. Marianne27 February 2014 at 07:47

      Forgot to ask: did you ever make a pattern from the Amazing Fit series? Sounds like an interesting concept with those different cup sizes!

      Delete
    2. Anne27 February 2014 at 18:10

      I haven't made a top or dress from this series. I have a blouse pattern, which I'm going to try next month. I did make a skirt, which didn't work out well, more because I think I pressed the fabric so badly that it went out of shape and stretched (I reviewed on PR). I did like the look of the pattern I'm giving away but won't probably buy it again - really, dresses are no longer part of my daily wardrobe. I wear trousers a lot these days and have a couple of patterns that I hope to try ... one day!

      Delete
  5. Anne26 February 2014 at 14:42

    How true - we learn more from our mistakes than our successes - fortunately!

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  6. Anonymous26 February 2014 at 15:22

    My sewing disaster happened when I spent two days sewing, leaving my sewing room only for a meal. When I put almost finished dress on, I realized that I will never wear it. The style and the fabric were so pretty but so obviously wrong for my frame that I couldn't imagine being seen in it. I am sew grateful for all the support of the sewing community and blogs like Coletterie who inspire us and help us define our style, whatever our ages and shapes and sizes.
    I love the first two patterns! And I think I fall right into that category that they both can work for me. Thank you for the opportunity, Anne!

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    1. Anne27 February 2014 at 17:52

      I've so far only sewn things that don't actually work for me so I know exactly what you mean! Part of my task is to define what I want/need to wear and then make it rather than make things that simply appeal to me.

      Delete
  7. Sarah Liz27 February 2014 at 01:48

    Hello Anne - I am sure I have had many sewing disasters, but I tend to have a very poor long term memory :).

    You have certainly jumped into blogging with great enthusiasm - I hope you enjoy your new phase in life.

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    1. Anne27 February 2014 at 17:54

      It's better not to dwell on mistakes, isn't it, as long as we learn from them, of course.
      The Sew Grateful week just rang a chord - I'm very unlikely to keep as active!+

      Delete
  8. Sewingfunthings27 February 2014 at 17:20

    My November Challenge coat with the shark tooth buttons was a big failure. The fabric was a terrible choice and it didn't matter about the beautiful lining or the buttons, it just was a disaster and was given away.

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    1. Anne27 February 2014 at 17:56

      It's sad when we spend time on things and they don't work out and have to be given away or end up as wadders. I haven't seen your coat as I wasn't on MAGAM back in November, but I'll have a look.

      Delete
  9. Lyn28 February 2014 at 23:44

    Hi Anne, here's a tip that might be useful for your new project - try using a 3 stitch zig zag for understitching, it can give a nice flat finish and helps to prevent stretching.

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    1. Anne1 March 2014 at 17:57

      I'll have a go at that, Lyn, thank you. Just washing my fabric to start on Monday. Oh, and just realised I'll have to prepare the interfacing as well - I keep forgetting about the interfacing. I have to make an artist's trading card this weekend for my sew buddy in Ohio. Keeping it simple, needless to say, as I have run out of time - and inspiration. So garment sewing on hold until that's completed.

      Delete
    2. Anne1 March 2014 at 19:17

      Hi Lyn
      You have won the two Simplicity patterns.
      Mary Maryall posted the winning disaster and chose the Vogue and the Butterick patterns as she got first choice.
      Best wishes
      Anne

      Delete
  10. Anonymous1 March 2014 at 07:10

    The Kay Unger is divine!

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  11. Mary1 March 2014 at 18:32

    Hi, Anne! Thanks for contacting me! My email is maryallhandmade@gmail.com (I couldn't find yours anywhere), I choose the Vogue and the Butterick :)

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  12. Anne1 March 2014 at 19:12

    I will contact you by email to get your postal address. Well done! Best wishes
    Anne

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  13. Anne1 March 2014 at 19:29

    Thank you to everyone who posted a comment.

    Mary Maryall won her choice of patterns, the Vogue and the Butterick, for her disaster story and Lyn won the two Simplicity patterns for her tip - which I intend to try out.

    Happy Sewing!
    Anne

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Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. Please leave a comment. I welcome each and every one. I value criticism (constructive of course! ), love hints and tips and would appreciate suggestions for future direction.

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