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

25 comments:

  1. 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. 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.

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  2. 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. 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!

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  3. 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. 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 ;)

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    2. 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.

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    3. MaciNic - I'm trying to imagine ...

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

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    2. 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!

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

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  6. 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. 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.

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  7. 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. 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!+

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  8. 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. 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.

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  9. 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. 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.

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    2. 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

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  10. The Kay Unger is divine!

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

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  13. 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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