tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80952259479334002732024-03-14T00:15:36.616-07:00As it Seamsstitches and storiesVictoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-56365613989528622102019-06-17T15:13:00.002-07:002019-06-17T15:19:46.281-07:00Ariana, a dress for Sri Lanka<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh look I’m back on the blog!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I may not have been blogging, but I have been sewing, and I want
to try and start sharing again. Properly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not only sewing though. I’m feeling a little spark of
creativity and I’d like to start writing again. Properly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, As it Seams is risen! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might take a slightly different form. There
will be sewing, of course. But there could be some more thoughtful writing. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tY1zCKmlRgU/XQgO2CkPZZI/AAAAAAAAWMg/NuFAN7MI38QO94Jr1A7QObiCLuq5aZsVgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20190410_175641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1088" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tY1zCKmlRgU/XQgO2CkPZZI/AAAAAAAAWMg/NuFAN7MI38QO94Jr1A7QObiCLuq5aZsVgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20190410_175641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Expect a few more tales from the frontline of my slightly
insane life, lived in the eye of the storm of being 40-something, working in
the insanity of British politics, living in a too-small-house with a teenager
who won’t get off the sofa, a ‘characterful’ nine-year-old girl and Mr Midlife
Crisis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I’ll put that whole shebang to the side for just now.
And write about something which makes me happy in a pure simple way.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like this dress, this fabric, and wearing it on a beach in
Sri Lanka.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>There’s a whole back-story to Sri Lanka. It’s on my writing ‘to
do’ list. (If you really, really want to know, The Sri Lankan government has
kindly <a href="https://www.mfa.gov.lk/ten-years-on-stroud-lifes-victoria-temple-remembers-the-tsunami/">published</a>
my account of what happened to us 14 years ago following the tsunami. Or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJgB0uDEweE">this</a>, filmed by Mr
Midlife Crisis).</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Suffice to say, that we took our children on a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>three week holiday to Sri Lanka in April. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holidays, for me, mean sewing. Frantically sewing beautiful
dresses when I should be packing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s an excuse to get sewing the patterns I’ve hankered
after. Like the <a href="https://www.stylearc.com/shop/pdf-sewing-patterns/ariana-woven-dress-multi-size-pdf/" target="_blank">Arianadress by Stylearc.</a> It’s a classic sundress. Sheared back! Patch pockets! Breezy
skirt…perfect.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And fabric. Like this block printed cotton from Merchant and
Mills. Sadly no longer available. But <a href="https://merchantandmills.com/store/cloth/brown-soft-shell/">this</a> is
similar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was sew grateful to Mie from Sewing Like Mad and her thorough
<a href="https://www.sewinglikemad.com/2018/05/ariana-woven-dress-style-arc-patterns.html">post</a>
full of tips on sewing this dress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I paid heed to her tips! I added an inch and a half in
length to the bodice (I’m also long waisted), interfaced all the bodice lining
pieces and made the straps half an inch wider. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I made sure my waist seam allowance was pressed upwards, and
I followed every tip to keep all those seams stitched inside the lining out of
sight! Thank you Mie!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mie, please note my pattern matching across that bodice!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The result is my near-perfect holiday dress. (If I made it
again, I’d make the straps another half inch wider still – in the blazing heat
of Sri Lanka, with sweat and salt and sand I found they rubbed a little).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYzdd1aqat4/XQgOym8NJQI/AAAAAAAAWMg/u6SHTl0siLciElqXkQTkAuxLvs5fFg_0gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20190410_174810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="612" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYzdd1aqat4/XQgOym8NJQI/AAAAAAAAWMg/u6SHTl0siLciElqXkQTkAuxLvs5fFg_0gCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20190410_174810.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4BFt54-qFs/XQgO0LASZtI/AAAAAAAAWMc/4PTVifQ7QFsZgpy-H_6emqDCtFQ1OG6wQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20190410_175558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="612" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4BFt54-qFs/XQgO0LASZtI/AAAAAAAAWMc/4PTVifQ7QFsZgpy-H_6emqDCtFQ1OG6wQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20190410_175558.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This Merchant and Mills cotton is the perfect weight for a
sundress, and made for a tropical climate. It was only *just* sturdy enough for
the full-length button placket though, and I did tear one button hole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But this dress did also have to withstand some gruelling
conditions. (Think six hour bus journeys squeezed on a sweaty plastic seat next
to a pile of crates and with a sleeping child on my lap, or cycling through ruined
Buddhist temples in the jungle, dusty jeep looking at elephants, that kind of thing). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrI7rFaBpSM/XQgPDt6zSZI/AAAAAAAAWMk/pixus1vZEBYHYjKbkIE2Sjue1sW-2PvYgCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC07954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrI7rFaBpSM/XQgPDt6zSZI/AAAAAAAAWMk/pixus1vZEBYHYjKbkIE2Sjue1sW-2PvYgCEwYBhgL/s640/DSC07954.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It also enjoyed a trip to heaven… this beach on the south
coast of Sri Lanka, where the sea was azure, the sand pink and gold, the
hammock was always free in the tiny beach bar, and it only cost £20 a night in
our guesthouse. Ask me nicely and I may tell you where it was….<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh it's good to be back! On the blog I mean. I can hardly remember how to do this, so do please bear with me as I try to figure out my new-look blog. But I will be doing more of this. I have a lot to say (and sew)!</span></div>
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<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-47192406089389657172017-10-18T04:04:00.000-07:002017-10-18T04:04:53.611-07:00Inespiration: How my friends (and a little Nani Iro) inspire me<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What inspires you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All kinds of things inspire me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Firstly fabulous fabric. And then Fabulous Friends.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8F5MZCEIFU/WeaLWHVOQWI/AAAAAAAAMBw/5xpteKgtU8kmudGkh726adP6nR_vW1DSwCEwYBhgL/s1600/edit7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nani Iro en garden double guaze Ki - blouse" border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8F5MZCEIFU/WeaLWHVOQWI/AAAAAAAAMBw/5xpteKgtU8kmudGkh726adP6nR_vW1DSwCEwYBhgL/s640/edit7.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My sewing friendships have been incredible. There are the online sewing buddies in Japan, the US, across Europe, who I know feel are old mates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've watched their children grow up in their hand-mades, and their sewing, their lives and their blogs, evolve. We 'chat' like old friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I've had the delight of meeting up with my sewing buddies in Paris, Amsterdam, London (and even enjoying a beachy holiday in Portugal thanks to the wonderful generosity of one of my sewing buddies, but that is another story!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k8W9fUDw0gs/WeaLW3wY0cI/AAAAAAAAMB8/YJ5hHrpi4WwdAwpv8lpQOGk83iZ_cGqTwCEwYBhgL/s1600/22450170_10214747427508755_8715661674030936026_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k8W9fUDw0gs/WeaLW3wY0cI/AAAAAAAAMB8/YJ5hHrpi4WwdAwpv8lpQOGk83iZ_cGqTwCEwYBhgL/s320/22450170_10214747427508755_8715661674030936026_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So when Ines of La Folie Sewing Booth joined us for a freezing weekend in London, her smile and sense of fun drove away the chills. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I'm thrilled to be part of the Inespired series. Inspired title huh!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sewing for this was easy - because Ines' style and taste are so likeable. She sews knits a lot - and I am still a novice knit sewist. But a year or so a go she made this incredible <a href="https://lafoliesewingbooth.wordpress.com/2016/03/08/tamarack-jacket-in-nani-iro/" target="_blank">Tamarack jacket in Nani Iro</a>, and I was filled with envy. Simple lines, and lovely fabric. That seems to be Ines' style. So I started sewing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t54koRtvgU/WeaLWb2ZlqI/AAAAAAAAMB4/UmK_fqdJUPgpBMlQ6yLIwUsL-xSNoeMagCEwYBhgL/s1600/edit5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nani Iro en garden double guaze Ki - blouse" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3t54koRtvgU/WeaLWb2ZlqI/AAAAAAAAMB4/UmK_fqdJUPgpBMlQ6yLIwUsL-xSNoeMagCEwYBhgL/s640/edit5.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And actually I have another blouse in mind - but I ran out of time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This one is my 'wearable muslin.'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, I know, it's sewn in incredibly precious Nani Iro double gauze that I totally love - but I have another Nani Iro which I love even more, and so I thought I'd experiment with this first.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WiQD6d07HXw/WeaMbbn0X8I/AAAAAAAAMCM/3RiRHPwyoqYxT0hZ24u-rYlQ7aYqilxRwCLcBGAs/s1600/beachnani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="445" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WiQD6d07HXw/WeaMbbn0X8I/AAAAAAAAMCM/3RiRHPwyoqYxT0hZ24u-rYlQ7aYqilxRwCLcBGAs/s320/beachnani.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it's actually a remnant I had left over from <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/summer-encapsulated-in-dress-by-nani-iro.html" target="_blank">this dress</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I had two pieces left over, one 50cm, the other perhaps 80cm but randomly shaped. But I was determined to eek a blouse out of it. The pattern is the simplest, and lovely pattern the <a href="https://mellysews.com/2013/02/high-low-shirt-tutorial-pattern.html" target="_blank">High Low Shirt </a>from Melly Sews, which I've used as a basis several times now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I didn't have enough for fabric so the back is cut from two pieces - and not in the same direction. Do you think anyone will notice?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZxUs0vfGT4/WeaM3dKRDrI/AAAAAAAAMCc/496hD0X8eDkKNSmFRehGy42EDZK0n3V9QCLcBGAs/s1600/edit4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nani Iro en garden double guaze Ki - blouse" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZxUs0vfGT4/WeaM3dKRDrI/AAAAAAAAMCc/496hD0X8eDkKNSmFRehGy42EDZK0n3V9QCLcBGAs/s640/edit4.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because it's in two pieces it meant I could borrow an 'inspiration' from another of my dear blogger friends Gioia from Dotta Sews, who has joined the gang in London, Paris and Amsterdam. When we met up in Amsterdam, she looked stunning in another blouse in a wonderful Nani Iro print, with the cutest keyhole detail on the back and neck ties. (Guess which fabric I'm sewing next, Gioia?)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I didn't have enough fabric for Gioia's blouse pattern, but did have enough for this hybrid Melly Sews High Low Shirt.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xE-6jdc644o/WeaMyJ5tZsI/AAAAAAAAMCU/RPMYKQydLeonKx2RRpWdk1qAGRIwLVRFwCLcBGAs/s1600/edit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nani Iro en garden double guaze Ki - blouse" border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xE-6jdc644o/WeaMyJ5tZsI/AAAAAAAAMCU/RPMYKQydLeonKx2RRpWdk1qAGRIwLVRFwCLcBGAs/s640/edit1.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are the photos, unedited, taken by my son when he came home from school, in the fading light. I begged him to take them before he ran round to his friend's house. (unironed - because I'd been wearing it all day. I couldn't resist)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Mummy, what's it worth?" he asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Anything! Name your price!" I thought</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because I didn't want to miss <b>'Ines' surprise party' </b>for anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love your style, sewing, and your smile Ines!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's a few of us doing the Inespiration thing today!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sewinglikemad.com/2017/10/inespiration.html" target="_blank">Sewing Like Mad</a> | <a href="http://wp.me/p4hTnA-1FQ" target="_blank">Made by Toya</a> | <a href="https://needleandted.wordpress.com/%E2%80%A6/appreciation-and-inesp%E2%80%A6" target="_blank">Needle and Ted</a> | <a href="https://justaddfabric.blogspot.com/2017/10/inespiration.html" target="_blank">Just Add Fabric</a> | </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.coffeeandthread.com/2017/10/ines-inspired.htm" target="_blank">Coffee + Thread</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/trine.schroeder/" target="_blank">Groovy Baby and Mama</a> | <a href="https://blessbytone.blogspot.com/2017/10/inespiration.html" target="_blank">Bless, by Tone</a> | <a href="https://sisforsewing.wordpress.com/2017/10/18/inespiration/" target="_blank">S is for Sewing</a> | </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://wp.me/p5ywiV-4j5" target="_blank">StraightGrain</a> | <a href="https://doguincho.blogspot.com/2017/10/ines-inspired.html" target="_blank">do guincho</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/andsalgueiro/" target="_blank">In a Manner of Sewing</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mycozyco/" target="_blank">My Cozy Co</a> | </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chalkandnotch/" target="_blank">Chalk and Notch</a> | <a href="http://www.petitapetitandfamily.com/blog/inespiration" target="_blank">Petit à Petit and Family</a> | <a href="http://www.huisjeboompjeboefjes.com/.../10/inespiration.html" target="_blank">Huisje Boompje Boefjes</a> | </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://pequenomundoa3.blogspot.pt/%E2%80%A6/inespiration-ines-es-u%E2%80%A6" target="_blank">Pequeno Mundo a 3</a> | <a href="https://www.craftstorming.com/2017/10/inespiration" target="_blank">Craftstorming</a> | <a href="https://fairiesbubblesco.wordpress.com/.../17/inespiration" target="_blank">Fairies, Bubbles & Co.</a> | </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://as-it-seams.blogspot.pt/%E2%80%A6/inespiration-how-my-frien%E2%80%A6" target="_blank">As It Seams</a> | <a href="https://made-by-sara.blogspot.com/%E2%80%A6/today-is-all-about-ines%E2%80%A6" target="_blank">Made by Sara</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pienkel">Pienkel</a> </span></div>
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Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-39983732208788020382017-09-25T14:57:00.002-07:002017-09-25T14:57:17.592-07:00Sunshine and Sheep - Back blogging with Bohemian Baby Doll Dress<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look! I'm back on the blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just because I haven't been blogging, doesn't mean I haven't been sewing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've sewn quite a lot - catch glimpses over on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/as.it.seams/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41fSXBrhAjs/WclxDckkn8I/AAAAAAAAL9o/abX2IdY3QgcHHGU74XWbn48umJ7U83wQACEwYBhgL/s1600/yellow5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41fSXBrhAjs/WclxDckkn8I/AAAAAAAAL9o/abX2IdY3QgcHHGU74XWbn48umJ7U83wQACEwYBhgL/s640/yellow5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I have so much to catch up on - not just sewing, but life stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September always feels a little like a 'new year' and this year especially so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My boy has started secondary school, my Missy is growing up fast too.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YbZt_Go5VRw/Wclwwh97HeI/AAAAAAAAL9o/RHgHhsToclwwC9b943hFnpa0u5_Xs9__ACEwYBhgL/s1600/yellow10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YbZt_Go5VRw/Wclwwh97HeI/AAAAAAAAL9o/RHgHhsToclwwC9b943hFnpa0u5_Xs9__ACEwYBhgL/s640/yellow10.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hard to imagine that just a few weeks ago we were running around in the Adriatic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Croatia. Zadar to be precise and in the week that the heat wave which became known as Lucifer sat like a blanket over southern Europe. The heat pushed over 40 degrees, (104F I think), never dipping below 30 degrees (86F) even at night.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpuBaRBOM5w/WclxEBtWJ1I/AAAAAAAAL9c/82wjDBj6P4MdQT-ato_y_AvhEc1ECzsVwCEwYBhgL/s1600/yellow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpuBaRBOM5w/WclxEBtWJ1I/AAAAAAAAL9c/82wjDBj6P4MdQT-ato_y_AvhEc1ECzsVwCEwYBhgL/s640/yellow4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For us northerners it was both a delight and a shock. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved slowing down, spending most of our days around and in water. Mr As it Seams and my Boy slept every night outside under the stars on our terrace.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULrtzWd9Wok/Wclw7IExDSI/AAAAAAAAL9o/VoRDDWfCUtMQvilOEmuVTDoSQzOFAhUcACEwYBhgL/s1600/yellow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULrtzWd9Wok/Wclw7IExDSI/AAAAAAAAL9o/VoRDDWfCUtMQvilOEmuVTDoSQzOFAhUcACEwYBhgL/s640/yellow3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Missy found a new rhythm, sleeping somewhere on the floor on our lovely apartment with just sheet.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gihc9eze8TM/WclxKdqOnGI/AAAAAAAAL9c/k3bHidhwYegcep8y8NPbXLyOgKkOQGhzACEwYBhgL/s1600/yellow6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gihc9eze8TM/WclxKdqOnGI/AAAAAAAAL9c/k3bHidhwYegcep8y8NPbXLyOgKkOQGhzACEwYBhgL/s640/yellow6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She spent every minute she could in the water - as did I.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was heavenly.<br />And this dress was just about perfect for the climate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like so many dresses - this has been in my head for so long</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_T2sz3Uzymg/Wclw6t5ulvI/AAAAAAAAL9o/TqU7YgAc0Z06Vf7Bt2XJqNOFAOhwMpQtgCEwYBhgL/s1600/yellow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_T2sz3Uzymg/Wclw6t5ulvI/AAAAAAAAL9o/TqU7YgAc0Z06Vf7Bt2XJqNOFAOhwMpQtgCEwYBhgL/s640/yellow2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the <a href="http://www.eleganceandelephants.com/2014/04/bohemian-babydoll-dress-and-top-pattern_21.html" target="_blank">Bohemian Babydoll pattern</a> by Elegance and Elephants. No closures, just pull this over your head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lovely dipped hem and yoke panel, and faced hems.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fabric is airy double gauze bought years ago from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MissMatatabi?ref=pr_shop_more" target="_blank">Miss Matatabi</a>. It's Cotorienne's whimisical design 'Sheeeep' which makes me smile. Those sheep! That collie sheepdog! It's so English for a Japanese fabric - so non-sensical. So summery and fun.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-efCXmPz_LDw/WclxRlyX_RI/AAAAAAAAL9o/G-bL20BU5AIrXlWuBxfKhBXnWOjLUWtmQCEwYBhgL/s1600/yellowedit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-efCXmPz_LDw/WclxRlyX_RI/AAAAAAAAL9o/G-bL20BU5AIrXlWuBxfKhBXnWOjLUWtmQCEwYBhgL/s640/yellowedit1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It glinted in the golden sun, easy to wear, a perfect dress for impossible summer evenings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She wore on the promenade at Zadar, where the waves blow through the sea piano, producing unearthly harmonies and the light is perfect. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I so loved strolling there, sharing this place with my Missy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HllQFrf7VSw/WclwwvS-gmI/AAAAAAAAL9k/Hjm-jkKoz-ECVm3eKm2dfNPnVk02bdtWwCEwYBhgL/s1600/yellow12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HllQFrf7VSw/WclwwvS-gmI/AAAAAAAAL9k/Hjm-jkKoz-ECVm3eKm2dfNPnVk02bdtWwCEwYBhgL/s640/yellow12.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is the best travelling companion - fun, and curious. And this year I have had the joy of exploring with her. If I get it together, I'll be catching up on blogging/sewing/travelling. Watch this space for more Croatia, a bit of Portugal, some Amsterdam and a little England thrown in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WC176LflFRU/Wclw_vXqSUI/AAAAAAAAL9c/kXn10zp1zR4f1UOjyFvKgUA-0T0zWTwqgCEwYBhgL/s1600/yellow14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WC176LflFRU/Wclw_vXqSUI/AAAAAAAAL9c/kXn10zp1zR4f1UOjyFvKgUA-0T0zWTwqgCEwYBhgL/s640/yellow14.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Right - now to get my act together...Next blog post will be on this red dress..sneak peak !(picture taken by random passing tourist.... sigh, it will have to do)</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNpdWjFKx2M/WclxOGHPxFI/AAAAAAAAL9k/E1p1hTfl9XIZAh4ov7YjC4XiF6z4MNBIgCEwYBhgL/s1600/yellow8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNpdWjFKx2M/WclxOGHPxFI/AAAAAAAAL9k/E1p1hTfl9XIZAh4ov7YjC4XiF6z4MNBIgCEwYBhgL/s640/yellow8.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS - Travel details!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We stayed <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/6555150?location=Vinjerac%2C%20Croatia&guests=1&adults=1" target="_blank">here</a>. It was just perfect. A minute from the beach. Spacious. Cheap. My top tip...</span><br />
<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-39612475664707560352017-04-10T15:36:00.000-07:002017-04-11T02:23:27.839-07:00Coffee and Thread Tour 2017: When everything works out perfectly<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes everything comes together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not often. But sometimes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually when I have a vision, it fails to become reality.... <span style="text-align: center;">But this little project delivered the vision.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAWfzWIUfcs/WOvrxdXOVGI/AAAAAAAAGX4/CJXlbD1UyrsLjFULjvNSqH8TljYaniAUQCLcB/s1600/Ania1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAWfzWIUfcs/WOvrxdXOVGI/AAAAAAAAGX4/CJXlbD1UyrsLjFULjvNSqH8TljYaniAUQCLcB/s640/Ania1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KG7SlLgkVFA/WOvsN9UiobI/AAAAAAAAGYU/UtmV8CzmpzURPrfT78mtPkyEu73zbR8mQCLcB/s1600/ania7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KG7SlLgkVFA/WOvsN9UiobI/AAAAAAAAGYU/UtmV8CzmpzURPrfT78mtPkyEu73zbR8mQCLcB/s640/ania7.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A girl in a floral dress, in the spring sunshine - on a Sunday afternoon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But let's go back to the beginning. This is the <a href="http://coffeeandthread.bigcartel.com/product/the-ania-tunic" target="_blank">Ania</a> tunic, sewn dress length, for the <a href="http://www.coffeeandthread.com/" target="_blank">Coffee and Thread</a> pattern tour 2017. I don't blog very often - and when I do I need a good reason. I like being part of something special, like the Coffee and Thread Tour. Olga, who designs Coffee and Thread patterns, is the most beautiful sewist, and photographer, and I love to join in anything she's involved with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the 'thinking' that takes me the longest with any sewing project. Trying to choose fabric, takes me days....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago I visited my parents in Scotland. And my mother, very sheepishly, showed me her fabric stash, hidden in a drawer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know all families have secrets! But my mother's are particularly awesome. She has a drawer full of unsewn Liberty, and a few other vintage lawns. (That didn't stop us potentially shopping for more together! Here she is eyeing up some more Liberty, at discount pricesat Edinburgh's Remnant Kings).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we resisted buying more! We vowed: "Unsewn fabric Must Be Sewn First!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, in the interest of thrift, I persuaded her to let me 'borrow' this blue floral lawn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not Liberty, but has the silky feel of high quality lawn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember my mum buying metres of this, an end of roll bargain, from the same shop, nearly 30 years ago. I sewed a blouse from this when I was about 16. So I have a kind of nostalgic fondness for it - and I knew it would make a lovely Ania.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And didn't it?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOkkuL50vyE/WOv_f0E3hcI/AAAAAAAAGaE/NlLmo-3oORwQW9XJExsUV_T7hnBJ2auHgCEw/s1600/ania10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOkkuL50vyE/WOv_f0E3hcI/AAAAAAAAGaE/NlLmo-3oORwQW9XJExsUV_T7hnBJ2auHgCEw/s640/ania10.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's an easy pattern, with simple nostalgic lines. My only modifications were to add piping to the yoke, and I hemmed the sleeves and the skirt with pink bias binding. You can just see it peeking out of the hem</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UzrhIheE6Z4/WOwAENwaB7I/AAAAAAAAGaE/fQGloUJVKhQzsSo4bzza9F2Hoi7teepEACEw/s1600/aniacollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UzrhIheE6Z4/WOwAENwaB7I/AAAAAAAAGaE/fQGloUJVKhQzsSo4bzza9F2Hoi7teepEACEw/s640/aniacollage.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Missy wore it for a Sunday afternoon stroll. This is the common, miles of open grass land, just five minutes walk from our house. I felt so blessed that afternoon. Missy was happy, loved her dress, picked flowers, played with my friend's beautiful baby - the simple things!</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xthUqn5K57w/WOwAEqKYWFI/AAAAAAAAGaE/KNYGXif7r0UI8Ra-BDhoCLbykra-VSWJACEw/s1600/aniapicnic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xthUqn5K57w/WOwAEqKYWFI/AAAAAAAAGaE/KNYGXif7r0UI8Ra-BDhoCLbykra-VSWJACEw/s640/aniapicnic.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Ania tunic is just one of Coffee and Thread's lovely patterns, and Olga is offering a 20% discount this week with the code </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">Coffeeandthreadtour</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's also a big Blog Showcase of all her patterns - click around the links below!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/enjoyful_makes/" target="_blank">Enjoyful Makes</a> || <a href="https://idlesunshine.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Idle Sunshine</a> ||<a href="http://zowiezohandmade.blogspot.be/" target="_blank"> ZowieZo Handmade |</a>| <a href="http://www.angieburgett.com/" target="_blank">Angie Burgett</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 6</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.skirtfixation.com/" target="_blank">Skirt Fixation</a> || <a href="http://www.sewinglikemad.com/" target="_blank">Sewing Like Mad</a> || <a href="http://helloholli.com/" target="_blank">Hello Holli</a> || <a href="http://buzzmills.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Buzzmills</a> ||</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 7</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.littlecumquat.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Little Cumquat</a> || <a href="https://threadbeargarments.com/" target="_blank">Thread Bear Garments</a> || <a href="http://pearberrylane.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Pearl Berry Lane</a> || <a href="http://plus2is5.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Plus 2 is 5 </a>|| <a href="https://sewchibidesigns.com/" target="_blank">Sew Chibi </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 10</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.stahlarbeit.ch/" target="_blank">Stahlarbeit</a> || <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kneesocksandgoldilocks/" target="_blank">Knee Socks and Goldilocks</a> || <a href="https://bonnieandlottie.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Bonnie and Lottie</a> || <a href="https://sewsophielynn.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sew Sophielynn </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 11</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 12</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gaafmachine.nl/" target="_blank">Gaafmachine</a> || <a href="http://beletoile.blogspot.be/" target="_blank">Beletoile </a>|| <a href="http://www.lbg-studio.com/" target="_blank">LBG Studio</a> || <a href="https://mycozyco.com/" target="_blank">My Cozy Co </a> || <a href="https://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">As It Seams</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April 14</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And there's a giveaway! Olga has got tons of fantastic prizes! Too much to list, but let's just say it involves fabric, more fabric, and patterns. Full details are <a href="http://www.coffeeandthread.com/2017/03/coffee-thread-patterns-tour.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
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Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-83964692905503716952017-02-08T05:15:00.000-08:002017-02-11T04:07:36.430-08:00Make it Mine Waterfall Raglan Tour.... real life, real clothes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Consider this post a triumph of reality over fantasy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm thrilled to be part of the 'Make it Mine' Waterfall Raglan</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tour showcasing Chalk and Notch's amazingly versatile pattern. But I do feel a bit like Cinderella...
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HL68EN4WHk/WJj_0RhnAJI/AAAAAAAAF8g/GR4-q1ZqCkA7cd4ZDURmerCSUCLaFEm7QCLcB/s1600/waterfall7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HL68EN4WHk/WJj_0RhnAJI/AAAAAAAAF8g/GR4-q1ZqCkA7cd4ZDURmerCSUCLaFEm7QCLcB/s640/waterfall7.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had visions for this top, all kinds of ideas. In fact I signed up for the tour, for two reasons. Firstly because I spotted the most beautiful red marle sweatshirting in my local shop and a Waterfall Raglan in my mind was born... And secondly I want to try to kick start this blog a bit, and focus on clothes that I know I will wear, such as the Waterfall Raglan. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wucsDqyUkEA/WJj9sQaavxI/AAAAAAAAF8U/u8b0RAtVvrk9iufJ1QDTqq2aJPQV8NGBgCEw/s1600/waterfall3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wucsDqyUkEA/WJj9sQaavxI/AAAAAAAAF8U/u8b0RAtVvrk9iufJ1QDTqq2aJPQV8NGBgCEw/s640/waterfall3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But <i>'Life' </i>conspired against my vision. The gorgeous red marle was gone when I went back to the shop. And my job got stressful, with lots of meetings in our head office in the big town near our home. I had no time. Only just enough to run out on my 'lunch break' in the big town to the one other fabric store and buy this pink jersey. In two seconds... no choice. no messing... This is my life.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7kiFeOE6Oo/WJj9kEDERGI/AAAAAAAAF8U/z3CVptTyWmA2mtQorOYjw150yGn0MTgzgCEw/s1600/waterfall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7kiFeOE6Oo/WJj9kEDERGI/AAAAAAAAF8U/z3CVptTyWmA2mtQorOYjw150yGn0MTgzgCEw/s640/waterfall2.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wanted to sew a waterfall raglan dress for my daughter. It's a cute wearable dress, but also she livens up a blogpost. And I feel less self-conscious posing as a two-some. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a quick sew - but even so I only finished her dress on the Sunday morning before this, our one 'daylight' window for pix together. (Don't look closely - it's not hemmed.. shhh) .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PE2urugNL6U/WJj9tGUes6I/AAAAAAAAF8U/g42dgZvMmAMrxds0s3N861UOWVGvArHMgCEw/s1600/waterfall4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PE2urugNL6U/WJj9tGUes6I/AAAAAAAAF8U/g42dgZvMmAMrxds0s3N861UOWVGvArHMgCEw/s640/waterfall4.jpg" width="462" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We took a Sunday afternoon stroll up the valley near us to the beautiful valley immortalised by English writer Laurie Lee, in Cider with Rosie. It's a gorgeous spot, with a cosy pub.... Too cosy in fact, because I had to drag Mr As it Seams out of it into the cold and fading light and beg him to take some pix. Missy of course refused to take her cardigan off. Pick your battles right? But I do kind of like the cardigan over raglan look. It's a bit bo-ho right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So this is us, in our natural environment. Sunday afternoon. Muddy boots. Trying to squeeze too much into our days, and lives..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And these are the kind of everyday clothes we do it in. Comfortable, easy to sew, and wear. But with a sense of style. Those raglan sleeves, that frill, it all feels so feminine, pretty and easy to throw on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm a novice when it comes to sewing knits. But I'm slowly getting there. And I think this is one pattern I'm going to return to. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpdn0m29Nbg/WJj9zS3wJQI/AAAAAAAAF8U/d-DReoYnpJYxVqHRxwmD-FHAi6zb1NitQCEw/s1600/waterfall6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpdn0m29Nbg/WJj9zS3wJQI/AAAAAAAAF8U/d-DReoYnpJYxVqHRxwmD-FHAi6zb1NitQCEw/s640/waterfall6.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check out all of these wonderful creations today - real women in real clothes, real life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are more tomorrow, with 'Date Night' looks and then some great 'hacks' on Friday</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And Gabriela has put together a great prize with two Giveaways happening during the tour.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.handmade-frenzy.com/%E2%80%A6/make-it-mine-waterfall-tou%E2%80%A6">Heidi- Handmade Frenzy</a> | <a href="http://zowiezohandmade.blogspot.my/%E2%80%A6/women-waterfall-dress-%E2%80%A6">Zoe - ZowieZo Handmade</a> | <a href="https://kaleidothought.wordpress.com/%E2%80%A6/make-it-mine-waterfa%E2%80%A6">Indu- Kaleidothought</a> | <a href="http://creativeneedleandthreads.blogspot.com/%E2%80%A6/the-womens-w%E2%80%A6">Maria - Creative Needle and Threads</a> | <a href="http://boevenbende.blogspot.nl/2017/02/make-it-mine-waterfall-raglan-blogtour.html" target="_blank">Verinne - boeven bende</a> | <a href="http://www.sewinglikemad.com/%E2%80%A6/waterfall-raglan-make-it-min%E2%80%A6">Mie - Sewing Like Mad</a> | <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.com/%E2%80%A6/make-it-mine-waterfall-ra%E2%80%A6">Victoria - As it Seams</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can enter to WIN this great prize, including these 5 pdf patterns valued at over $55. A huge thank you to Adrianna, Sarah, Lauren, Delia, & Papercut Patterns!</span><br />
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Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-56105464796051507532017-01-09T03:32:00.000-08:002017-01-09T03:32:03.867-08:00Clothes that create smiles: the Groove Dress.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clothes make me happy. Sewing makes me more happy. And I love it when that happiness is spread around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">When my Missy skips down the street, I see her make strangers smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think it's her joy at being six years old, which is unbearably precious, and quite rare, which is quite simply infectious.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Certainly she makes me smile all the time (and drives me a bit crazy too).</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nk9pN_44cI/WG9i6UywpoI/AAAAAAAAF4c/yD7nIRTFMMAoqERWE1MsH6hFsBKRinRkACLcB/s1600/panda3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nk9pN_44cI/WG9i6UywpoI/AAAAAAAAF4c/yD7nIRTFMMAoqERWE1MsH6hFsBKRinRkACLcB/s640/panda3.jpg" width="414" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I like to think that it's the clothes that spread smiles too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I mean, who could not help but smile at this overdose of pandas? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Especially when these pandas are swinging around on an A-line dress with a super-duper amount of swing to it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FVxISGYc3vE/WG9jBZjwuoI/AAAAAAAAF4g/hw9MaXLAxHobChVojYKj5AzTterkw6LnQCLcB/s1600/panda4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FVxISGYc3vE/WG9jBZjwuoI/AAAAAAAAF4g/hw9MaXLAxHobChVojYKj5AzTterkw6LnQCLcB/s640/panda4.jpg" width="448" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These gorgeous pandas were a gift by fabric company <a href="http://bypoppy.eu/" target="_blank">Poppy</a> to all the participants in the London Sew Social, back in the spring. (Yes, I know, I take forever to sew and blog). The delay was partly because I was a teeny bit scared. I'm a novice with knit fabrics. I don't have an overlocker/serger (yet) and fumble around with my very simple machine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But because I joined the 'groovement' and sewed an ever-so-simple <a href="http://www.madeit-patterns.com/product/groove-dress-kids/" target="_blank">Groove</a> dress, by Made it Patterns, even a knit-wit-novice like me could create something super cute and wearable.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1YOwlDrsTk/WG9izE3p7AI/AAAAAAAAF4U/SHKqIcGkwN8q5EkPPj8FpYz66ZTuXloZgCLcB/s1600/panda2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1YOwlDrsTk/WG9izE3p7AI/AAAAAAAAF4U/SHKqIcGkwN8q5EkPPj8FpYz66ZTuXloZgCLcB/s640/panda2.jpg" width="456" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't look too carefully, you'll see that hem rippling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptm1lfkIHyQ/WG9izqgQLdI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/-YEgrQQ7fGM_ySjaOIYGIIloohJZWUoNgCLcB/s1600/panda%2Bedit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptm1lfkIHyQ/WG9izqgQLdI/AAAAAAAAF4Y/-YEgrQQ7fGM_ySjaOIYGIIloohJZWUoNgCLcB/s640/panda%2Bedit1.jpg" width="460" /></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The groove dress is an A line swing dress, but I didn't have quite enough fabric to get a full groove on. I had to tone down the angles of the dress, so this has less fullness than a proper Groove Dress. It's a panda 'groovette'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think, though, because this fabric has a substantial weight to it, the loss of fullness doesn't impact too much. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVHDO-bxsrA/WG9jJHxBSFI/AAAAAAAAF4s/CklafbLRgUwW5kj-g6G7_7f-ikZjXicbACLcB/s1600/panda7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVHDO-bxsrA/WG9jJHxBSFI/AAAAAAAAF4s/CklafbLRgUwW5kj-g6G7_7f-ikZjXicbACLcB/s640/panda7.jpg" width="430" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Isn't this hat also adorable? It was a gift from a friend and is an original vintage velvet beret, I'm guessing from the 1950s. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's just gorgeous, and red and mustard! I would never have thought it, but when Missy ran off after barely two seconds posing for photos, we headed into town for Saturday shopping. She skipped along the pavement in her red beret, mustard pandas and I swear I could see random strangers smiling... </span></div>
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Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-75679136136428907512016-12-31T09:03:00.004-08:002016-12-31T09:03:52.099-08:002017: Into the Light...(or; how sewing saves me..)<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leaving the path of 2016, I'm hoping that it's going to be a path into the light.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8woUDxg0k0/WGffE-BzxoI/AAAAAAAAF3E/4ngXic7ThxQcv3fSDVmrcGGdVM4crwtvQCEw/s1600/caveedit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8woUDxg0k0/WGffE-BzxoI/AAAAAAAAF3E/4ngXic7ThxQcv3fSDVmrcGGdVM4crwtvQCEw/s640/caveedit1.jpg" width="520" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2016 has been a year of turbulence. The delicate ship of our little family was rocked by waves and we've struggled to find our even keel for most of this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the spring Mr As it Seams lost his job, having worked in the same place for 20 years. It had a profound affect on his sense of identity, our security, our vision of the future. The ripples of stress and anxiety have affected me, the children, everything really. I've had to work more, and reassess everything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've had to build something new. And as well as our little family drama, there have been so many other ripples of trauma. My wider family has also coped with personal trauma. And we've had Brexit, Donald Trump, a global future that seems unrecognisable, and daunting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the midst of this all, I've wanted to sew more than ever. A few weeks ago I read Marie Fleurine's post <a href="http://sewmariefleur.com/how-sewing-saves-me/" target="_blank">How sewing Saves me</a>. Her openness about why she sews, in the face of her own difficult year and hard path ahead, really resonated with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marie Fleurine's blog is so beautiful, her creations always gorgeous, and I love the glimpses of beautiful Norway in her photography. Yet her post was a reminder that beneath the beautiful photography, fabric and clothes, we're all carrying our own story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've learnt that so much this year. That people who smile in the street, who say hello in a shop, may all be living with their own personal struggle, and anxiety. We keep going, we look for human connections and reach out and that's what helps us to get through the day and the next day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've tried to be kind this year, to allow everyone I meet a little bit of gentleness. Because this world is cruel and hard enough, so let's try to soften the edges.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in the midst of this sewing, has been a little lifeline. When I sew, my mind is absorbed completely. I create something that began as a vision in my head. I see my little girl wearing a new dress, knowing that no factory in India was involved. My online sewing friends share my sense of achievement, encourage me a long, and share the joy of beautiful fabric. And that is how sewing saves me...</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2UJAAZ1HECE/WGffxJdi0GI/AAAAAAAAF3E/oVezZ-RxZbYetj8A-MBfo1_yMyP-GJzJgCEw/s1600/DSC06254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2UJAAZ1HECE/WGffxJdi0GI/AAAAAAAAF3E/oVezZ-RxZbYetj8A-MBfo1_yMyP-GJzJgCEw/s640/DSC06254.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now a word about these pictures. This is our much needed holiday in the south of France, visiting the river gorge at Minerve on a baking hot day. The river has carved out a tunnel beneath the village, with welcome cool air. The children, like every visitor there, paused in the tunnel to build rock towers and create their own sculpture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Missy wore an Experimental Summer Sewing Dress... A beautiful piece of voile that I hacked into a dress in less than a hour, on the night before we left for our holiday. It's a simple rectangle, shirred at the top, with an attempt at flutter sleeves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perfect for exploring caves, mediaeval paths and more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a beautiful day. A bit of building, and a tunnel into the light. And that's where we're aiming for in 2017.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year to all As it Seams readers... looking forward to sharing, sewing, creating in the year ahead </span><br />
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<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-5726061169546790342016-10-12T06:00:00.000-07:002016-10-12T06:00:47.060-07:00Sewing for Sara's Baby... a little gift for a new baby<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There aren't many people for whom I will cut up the last remnant of my precious Nani Iro fabric.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But Sara, of <a href="http://made-by-sara.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Made by Sara </a>is one of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or rather, for Sara's beautiful baby boy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gfIYAj1h7J8/V_4SP-N61tI/AAAAAAAAE8M/lQHFEh91idosiIKmUOeY_K_ThidxV61JgCEw/s1600/sara3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robert Kaufman Shetland Flannel, ocean, vest" border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gfIYAj1h7J8/V_4SP-N61tI/AAAAAAAAE8M/lQHFEh91idosiIKmUOeY_K_ThidxV61JgCEw/s640/sara3.jpg" title="Robert Kaufman Shetland Flannel, ocean, vest" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">He's baby number four in Sara's lovely little family in Portugal. Isn't that so special? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My little family is just a dinky twosome of children - so four children seems so amazing, and so much fun.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fKngo-wTJY/V_4STf90HmI/AAAAAAAAE8M/P0uz7_fK0DQZv_amV_znCNIDtTmIYIgLwCEw/s1600/sara4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fKngo-wTJY/V_4STf90HmI/AAAAAAAAE8M/P0uz7_fK0DQZv_amV_znCNIDtTmIYIgLwCEw/s400/sara4.jpg" width="266" /></a><img alt="Robert Kaufman Shetland Flannel, ocean, vest" border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JibuMIl1luc/V_4SjId0_EI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/UHNYwmDzuNI5zRzQodzNbojTbGlhbCKbQCEw/s400/sara6.jpg" title="Robert Kaufman Shetland Flannel, ocean, vest" width="266" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sara is just the sweetest person, as well as a lovely seamstress. And she's always brimming with good ideas, like the Alice in Wonderland and Japanese Sewing Series which she organised and hosted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So it was hardly surprising that a gang of us all took to our sewing machines to sew for Sara and her new little boy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcZ0HvcrLwM/V_4SZrQDQfI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/qzYJo0HpoUc7K07te6URdwht-1ChfLRJACEw/s1600/sara5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BcZ0HvcrLwM/V_4SZrQDQfI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/qzYJo0HpoUc7K07te6URdwht-1ChfLRJACEw/s640/sara5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I've forgotten a lot of what it's like to have a new baby. How small are they? What do you need? It's all a blur...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Which might be why I've sewn something that Sara will have to put away for a little while.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This pattern is the vest from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/290719691/woollen-vest-6m-6years-boy-or-girl-by?ref=shop_home_active_26" target="_blank">Little Kiwis Closet</a>, sewn in size 12 months, the smallest available.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2-wqFrXDg4/V_4qVyewtRI/AAAAAAAAE84/zNYu2eOjngc1-ytBjBfk22pr4DvNG0U7ACLcB/s1600/sara9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2-wqFrXDg4/V_4qVyewtRI/AAAAAAAAE84/zNYu2eOjngc1-ytBjBfk22pr4DvNG0U7ACLcB/s640/sara9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My scraps of special fabric are precious, but I know they'll go to a good home with Sara in Portugal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This vest is sewn from Robert Kaufman's Shetland Flannel, the softest loveliest fabric, and a remnant of Nani Iro double gauze. Both are the kind of fabric that make me want to stroke them lovingly like the fluffy hair of a newborn baby.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FC1U4UF3gvc/V_4qN1AxltI/AAAAAAAAE8s/E6aZUYWF01ofomKSIRvLmHu_meNA9BJSACLcB/s1600/sara7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FC1U4UF3gvc/V_4qN1AxltI/AAAAAAAAE8s/E6aZUYWF01ofomKSIRvLmHu_meNA9BJSACLcB/s640/sara7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The vest is completely reversible. Yes, I know the Nani Iro is a little girly/pretty, but Sara's boy can carry that off I'm sure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I added piping, well because piping is always good, but this did mean I needed to think about the construction carefully, because I had to sew the side seams first so that I could keep that continuous piping line around the whole edge. In the end I had to handstitch the armholes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">There's something very special about sending something in real life to a blogging friend. I love to think that Sara's little boy, and Sara will be holding this in their hands very soon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElGI2I_BdB0/V_4qUv4larI/AAAAAAAAE80/sErS4Qap39UGpLIcJD0OrmJqXUdoy7e_wCLcB/s1600/sara8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElGI2I_BdB0/V_4qUv4larI/AAAAAAAAE80/sErS4Qap39UGpLIcJD0OrmJqXUdoy7e_wCLcB/s640/sara8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I always get soooo excited about new babies. Perhaps it's because I know that I'm not going to have any more. Every day with my children is still filled with the joy of discovery and I think as your children get older you know even more, just how much they bring to our lives, how big and long and exciting the journey is. I look at teeny babies now and think, "wow, there is sooooo much to come....How completely thrilling."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Now there's going to be a lot of lovely baby Sewing for Sara. Be warned, taking a look around this lovely group of bloggers will make you broody!</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.com/2016/10/sewing-for-saras-baby-little-gift-for.html" target="_blank">As it Seams</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://byevamaria.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/a-secret-one-to-hug.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">By Eva Maria</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.craftstorming.com/2016/10/made-for-sara-a-rain-dance-romper" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Craftstorming</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://doguincho.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/saras-baby-shower-sewing-with-ottobre.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do Guincho</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://fairiesbubblesco.wordpress.com/2016/10/11/saras-baby-shower" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fairies, Bubbles & Co</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://groovybabyandmama.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/for-saras-baby-boy-or-how-to-scare-shit.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Groovy Baby and Mama</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.huisjeboompjeboefjes.com/2016/10/a-tiny-hoodie-for-tiny-person-saras.html" target="_blank">Huisjeboompjeboefjes</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://inamannerofsewing.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/saras-secret-sewists-welcome-baby.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a Manner of Sewing</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://justaddfabric.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/baby-shower-for-Sara.html" target="_blank">Just add fabric</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://lafoliesewingbooth.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">La Folie Sewing Booth</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://madebytoya.wordpress.com/2016/10/12/baby-gifts-and-ziggy-pattern-giveaway" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Made by Toya</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://misscastelinhos.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Miss Castelinhos</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://naeh-connection.com/?p=20938&lang=en" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Naeh Connection</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://needleandted.wordpress.com/2016/10/09/baby-number-4" target="_blank">Needle and Ted</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pienkel.com/?p=2522" target="_blank">Pienkel</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.sewponyblog.com/2016/10/made-for-sara.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sewpony</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://sisforsewing.wordpress.com/2016/10/12/saras-baby-shower/" target="_blank">S is for Sewing</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.straight-grain.com/?p=13158" target="_blank">Straight Grain</a></span></span></div>
Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-40077006414280155602016-09-07T02:54:00.000-07:002016-09-07T03:59:22.601-07:00Japanese pattern tour - the London Sew Social team showcase Tuttle <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ah, Japanese sewing books - </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">they've been a recent, and happy, discovery on my sewing journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I was thrilled when Tuttle, who publish translations of some of the loveliest Japanese pattern books, agreed to sponsor the London Sew Social gathering this year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We all generously received a pattern book, and this week, the London Sew Socialists are sharing creations from Tuttle's books, showcasing some of our favourite Tuttle patterns. Today I'm joined by the lovely Marta of <a href="http://doguincho.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Do Guincho</a>, who's been sharing some wonderful creations from Stylish Party Dresses, with a <a href="http://doguincho.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/stylish-party-dresses-take-2.html" target="_blank">stunning blouse</a> on her blog today. And there are more posts across our European group. See below....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This little dress pattern is rapidly climbing up my 'top pattern' list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's the square necked dress from the essential Tuttle children's book, Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before our holiday to France I embarked on a sewing frenzy and this was one of those creations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a dress I created in an evening, from heavenly seersucker from Miss Matatabi, which was a gift from the lovely Sara of Made by Sara.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This fabric is so simple, yet so perfect. It's crisp and cool and almost silky-fine cotton weave. I kept everything simple - dressing it up only with two teal blue buttons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love stripes - playing with stripes, and this cool seersucker and fresh orange stripes is just perfect for river paddling, or exploring French Mediaeval lanes. Wouldn't you say?</span><br />
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It was a very easy sew, the only little twist I added was I made the button loops out of elastic, so that Missy can pull this over her head herself. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5K3kdfZ3EU/V886vF0Rv8I/AAAAAAAAE5k/l47--HvFU3cC_Habu0N0gImL0KwVGo6xACEw/s1600/tuttle9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5K3kdfZ3EU/V886vF0Rv8I/AAAAAAAAE5k/l47--HvFU3cC_Habu0N0gImL0KwVGo6xACEw/s640/tuttle9.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is an easy pattern but also versatile - I'm half way through my next square necked dress, cutting out cotton flannel for a winter weight school dress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Watch this space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you Tuttle!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now my fellow London Sew Socialists are also show-casing Tuttle all this week - take a little tour around, there's some incredible creativity out there. Here's a few links.....</span><br />
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<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://lafoliesewingbooth.wordpress.com/2016/09/06/she-wears-the-pants-pom-pom-blouse/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">La Folie Sewing Booth</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://doguincho.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/she-wears-pants-my-favorite-japanese.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Do Guincho</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://made-by-sara.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/i-heart-japanese-patterns.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Made by Sara</a></li>
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<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-9715142148212792752016-09-01T15:51:00.000-07:002016-09-01T15:56:01.299-07:00Experimental Summer Sewing #1 - When a tablecloth becomes a blouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been a rough old year, so our holiday in the south of France was really, really needed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course the landscape is wonderful, the sunshine endless. But what was really special was having those little moments of time together. Like watching my son teaching my daughter card tricks. Or seeing them both explore mediaeval streets of tiny villages by lantern light.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mdaBRj1RIXg/V8ipmT2cFVI/AAAAAAAAE4o/gnUkfL1y7Woyp3FMdZ7DfQRzbsWHOlY8gCEw/s1600/blous10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mdaBRj1RIXg/V8ipmT2cFVI/AAAAAAAAE4o/gnUkfL1y7Woyp3FMdZ7DfQRzbsWHOlY8gCEw/s640/blous10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And our holiday inspired me to sew. And experiment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was one of my summer <i>Experimental Sewing </i>projects...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last summer, when I took part in the<i> Alice in Wonderland</i> sewing series hosted by Made by Sara, I acquired a pile of vintage table cloths. (honestly - buying bundles of the most exquisite hand-embroidered linens at our local market is cheaper than buying new fabric.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So this particular pretty tablecloth, bought for just a pound or two was destined for my cutting table (aka my kitchen table - I have no sewing room sadly).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I drew a rough pattern, by drawing round an existing top. Very simple pattern, just bust darts, with simple straps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sewing with a tablecloth meant some modifications. The side seams are squared off - to make use of the existing hems, and I pieced the back together out of two over-lapping pieces, leaving a mid-back split.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's not a perfect top - I'm not convinced it's totally flattering at the neckline or shoulders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And these photographs aren't the best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were taken on a visit to Minerve, which sits in the middle of a stunning gorge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was the hot afternoon sun, and we were a little tired, when I begged Mr As it Seams to take a few photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are lots of things that Mr As it Seams does brilliantly, but photography isn't one of them. I think he still thinks of camera as something with precious 'film' in it that mustn't be wasted. He takes one or two pictures and then says "Right? done." Without bothering about focus, or whether everyone was looking at the camera, or the little details I fuss over (typically I might take 100 pictures before editing for a blog post).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So these three or four will have to do...Because I won't be wearing this little blouse anywhere so hot or beautiful again soon...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm ignoring my sweaty face and wrinkles and remembering a lovely day, and the sense of time and space with people I love, before we launch into the whole September crazy routine.</span></div>
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Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-63663841763808646762016-08-09T15:29:00.000-07:002016-08-09T15:32:22.058-07:00Next steps... Running away to the circus?<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh this summer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been a bit of a rollercoaster. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We're off on holiday tomorrow (yes tomorrow .- so why am I writing a blog post when I should be sleeping/packing?!... ummm)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We're heading for a little adventure in the south of France, and that's the perfect reason to start sewing, n'est pas? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I whipped up a few summer dresses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTPE0QIcYgU/V6pVpWPULsI/AAAAAAAAE28/5iMMBr6WXhMGnkWBDTlZppNOxXrp2PZ5ACEw/s1600/circus2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PTPE0QIcYgU/V6pVpWPULsI/AAAAAAAAE28/5iMMBr6WXhMGnkWBDTlZppNOxXrp2PZ5ACEw/s640/circus2.jpg" width="440" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is one - and it was perfect for our outing to the circus last week</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a Tinny dress by Straightgrain... a pattern I've sewn a zillion times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the fabric is <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">Yoko Okamoto's "Love Osaka" for Yuwa, in teal from Miss Matatabi, now sold out in this colour, but available in a lovely green and red still.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's such a fun print, I've been a bit lazy not taking close-ups. Sorry, like I said, I go on holiday tomorrow. I should not be blogging....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A visit to the circus requires a fun dress, doesn't it?! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And oh my Missy is so much fun to be around. She's a comedian and a performer, and something about her open-heartedness makes people smile. Here's her stand-off with the incredible bare-back horse rider...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last time I posted, I wrote about the turmoil after Mr As it Seams lost his job after 20 years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now it's the summer break, and we're taking little steps forward. It's not been easy, and there's still along way to go, but one of </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">those steps is that Mr As it Seams has found some new work. He's been offered another job, again teaching music, in another school. And although it's only for a couple of days a week, it's encouraging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time for the As it Seams show to get back on the road....</span><br />
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<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-54115722640665050022016-07-07T02:36:00.000-07:002016-07-07T02:36:10.899-07:00"What's it like being an adult?"... answer #1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So mostly this blog is about sewing, but it's headed 'stitches and stories' so occasionally I stray off into other territory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it was a little question, that crystalised so many thoughts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was driving home in the gorgeous June evening with my beautiful boy. It's the best time for chatting with him, for letting go and connecting.</span><br />
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</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>"I've been wondering Mummy, what's it like being an adult?"</b> he asked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a question that made me pause and think...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, my beautiful boy. This was the answer I might have given...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Right now, my love, it's a bit tough being this particular adult.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I know that for you, my lovely boy, your dad and I are your anchor. But just now I'm not feeling too solid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Everything has gone a bit crazy. And that's because daddy is losing his job, the work that he has done for 20 years. He's been sharing his creativity and teaching the young people from very different backgrounds, who need him most. He's been helping them to play and create music for so long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"And now all that is ending. And we're just not sure what the future holds. It's all been so solid for so long, and now it's all a little fluid and shaky. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Sweetheart, you know that I've been working more and more hours just to have a little bit more money, and that means I'm just so tired, and more grumpy. And I never get enough time for you, or Missy, or to sew.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"And you know, it's funny because I'm all mixed up inside. Sad, fearful and also a tiny little bit excited underneath the tiredness. Sometimes it all feels like a mountain to climb...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"So you know, maybe....being an adult is not so different from being a little boy."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course that's not what I said....I was lost in thought trying to answer....and driving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been the hardest few months. I feel like I am 'holding' so much, my children, Mr As it Seams, my work, my unsewn sewing ideas, my teeny shabby house which never, ever has all the laundry put away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it's also a time to focus on the joy of my little family, to connect and support.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And we escaped to the seaside for a few days staying with dear friends who live near our favourite English secret beach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Missy spent every minute that she could in the sea, splashing in her wetsuit. I don't think there is any purer joy than her delight at playing in the waves beneath the cliffs, where this rocky corner of England crashes into the Atlantic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A sunset drive with my son, or a sea swim with my daughter are my anchors for my soul right now, as we all try to navigate new waters....</span><br />
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Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-27832161548027259872016-06-29T14:20:00.001-07:002016-06-30T01:52:50.558-07:00The Amazing £50 fabric giveaway - and a lot lot more....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you could ride a horse with wings, where would you fly away to?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I think I sew beautiful dresses for my little girl because I'm still a little girl myself and not quite ready for reality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Which is understandable surely? Our country is in turmoil, and my own family in emotional upheaval).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So when I spotted this fabric, from the Fibs and Fables collection by Anna Maria Horner, it was inevitable that it would end up in my stash. It's a magical, but not too obvious and the colours are grown up. And it's light drapey viscose, perfect for dress-making.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WI4MNFNNACU/V3Ku1LKjk-I/AAAAAAAAEzk/7V_cKEedGVwjPLhXhuWzpl-7MpPnVl3LQCLcB/s1600/dressedit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WI4MNFNNACU/V3Ku1LKjk-I/AAAAAAAAEzk/7V_cKEedGVwjPLhXhuWzpl-7MpPnVl3LQCLcB/s640/dressedit2.jpg" width="444" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It winged its way to my door from one of my favourite online shops <a href="https://www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Village Haberdashery</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Village Haberdashery also has a London shop, and is one of the many sponsors who backed our <b>London Sew Social</b> weekend when a dozen of my loveliest blogging friends gathered to talk sewing and shop for fabric and walk...and walk... and walk...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Village Haberdashery has given an incredible £50 voucher to be won! (Just one of many goodies that are up for grabs in the Big London Sew Social giveaway)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A £50 voucher....! That's would have me scrolling through the website for days in a fit of fabric indecision....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back to the dress. This is Vanessa Pouzet's </span><a href="http://eshop.vanessapouzet.com/en/patterns/178-la-petite-robe.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">La Petite Robe</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> dress pattern, which I have now made four times.</span></div>
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<a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/sewing-for-paris-1-la-petite-robe.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62qantAQKZ8/V3TbynK7_II/AAAAAAAAE0U/3Ni5uakn5vkqcSRQemA6i_m0iybEdNx1ACLcB/s320/roughcropVicky_7987.jpg" width="282" /></a><a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/is-this-perfect-dress-sewing-for-paris.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk8BdY9SBaY/V3Tbub-zAqI/AAAAAAAAE0M/XRqVC2YXQ78sYgNRbjW-2fQGRIKpKVatACLcB/s320/IMG_1062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Blogged <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/sewing-for-paris-1-la-petite-robe.html" target="_blank">here</a>.. and <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/is-this-perfect-dress-sewing-for-paris.html" target="_blank">here</a>.. and one winter dress which has been worn so much, yet will prob fall apart by the time I blog it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look! My winged horses almost match across the zip... (intentional - not)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I almost totally love this dress. There are a couple of things not quite right. I think it's a little long, which makes it a bit 'sack like' , so at some point I'm going to re-do the hem, and possibly a bit wide altogether down the side seams. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HPkasJeoG0/V3Ku-MaU-XI/AAAAAAAAEz8/IfLMP1_HYB40KMmrspKksozqf_L3QY1fQCLcB/s1600/dressedit6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HPkasJeoG0/V3Ku-MaU-XI/AAAAAAAAEz8/IfLMP1_HYB40KMmrspKksozqf_L3QY1fQCLcB/s640/dressedit6.jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But mostly I love it - quirky, but smart enough for work and just a little different.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sadly I think the Fibs and Fables Viscose has sold out from Village Haberdashery, but Annie at the store seems to have a knack of getting unusual goodies in her store. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is just the first of several sewing projects in the pipeline following our London Sew Social 2016 gathering. I've been sewing more than ever, and hope to showcase some more very soon, created thanks to the generosity of our sponsors,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, we're sharing out the goodies with a mega giveaway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just look at this lot! </span></div>
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There will be 4 very lucky winners</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #33cccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Here's what the goodie packs include:</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pack 1</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pretty Panda fabric from <a href="http://bypoppy.eu/" target="_blank">Poppy</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bypoppy.eu/e/28/Magazine" target="_blank">B inspired</a> sewing pattern magazine by Poppy</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2m of your choice of fabric from <a href="http://www.girlcharlee.co.uk/" target="_blank">Girl Charlee</a></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 spools of thread from <a href="http://www.aurifil.com/" target="_blank">Aurfil</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">25%off voucher for <a href="http://joyfits.nl/home/" target="_blank">Joyfits</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Hand London <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/products/holly-jumpsuit" target="_blank">Holly Jumpsuit</a> paper pattern</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/bestse.../stylish-dress-book" target="_blank">Stylish Dress Book</a> from Tuttle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sewbox </a>goodies includes: <a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/sewing-patterns/hot-patterns.html" target="_blank">Hot Patterns</a> babydoll nightgown, robe and panties. A small piece of <a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/.../libert.../liberty-tana-lawn.html" target="_blank">Liberty lawn</a> and a few haberdashery items.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="prize 2" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7388" height="872" src="https://needleandted.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/prize-2.jpg" width="600" />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pack 2</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pretty Panda fabric from <a href="http://bypoppy.eu/" target="_blank">Poppy</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bypoppy.eu/e/28/Magazine" target="_blank">B inspired</a> sewing pattern magazine by Poppy</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2m of your choice of fabric from <a href="http://www.girlcharlee.co.uk/" target="_blank">Girl Charlee</a></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 spools of thread from <a href="http://www.aurifil.com/" target="_blank">Aurfil</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">25%off voucher for <a href="http://joyfits.nl/home/" target="_blank">Joyfits</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/.../she-wears-the-pants..." target="_blank">She Wears the Pants</a> from Tuttle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sewbox </a>goodies includes: Hot Patterns <a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/.../hot-patterns-1146-deco-vibe..." target="_blank">Deco Vibe Shadow Woven T-shirt & Tunic</a>, Hot Patterns <a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/sewing-patterns/hot-patterns.html..." target="_blank">Mini Me essential dress & top</a> for kids, 2 small pieces of <a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/.../libert.../liberty-tana-lawn.html" target="_blank">Liberty lawn</a> and some haberdashery items.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thesweetmercerie.com/tissu-crepe-imprime..." target="_blank">Crepe Swallow Printed Fabric</a><span id="texte_marques_fiche_produit"> and <a href="http://www.thesweetmercerie.com/tissu-jersey-coton..." target="_blank"><span id="grand_titre_nom_produit_fiche_produit">Printed Anchor</span></a><span id="texte_marques_fiche_produit"><a href="http://www.thesweetmercerie.com/tissu-jersey-coton..." target="_blank"> jersey</a> from </span>The Sweet Mercerie</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="prize 3" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7389" height="816" src="https://needleandted.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/prize-3.jpg" width="600" />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pack 3</span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pretty Panda fabric from <a href="http://bypoppy.eu/" target="_blank">Poppy</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bypoppy.eu/e/28/Magazine" target="_blank">B inspired</a> sewing pattern magazine by Poppy</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2m of your choice of fabric from <a href="http://www.girlcharlee.co.uk/" target="_blank">Girl Charlee</a></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 spools of thread from <a href="http://www.aurifil.com/" target="_blank">Aurfil</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">25%off voucher for <a href="http://joyfits.nl/home/" target="_blank">Joyfits</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By Hand London <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/products/victoria-blazer" target="_blank">Victoria Blazer</a> paper pattern</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/.../she-wears-the-pants..." target="_blank">She Wears the Pants</a> from Tuttle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sewbox </a>goodies includes: Hot Patterns 1152 - <a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/.../hot-patterns-1152-fast..." target="_blank">Fast & Fabulous Origami Knit Top</a>,
a small piece of <a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/.../libert.../liberty-tana-lawn.html" target="_blank">Liberty lawn</a> and a few haberdashery items.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="pack 4" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7426" height="900" src="https://needleandted.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/pack-4.jpg" width="600" /></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>£50</strong> voucher to spend at <a href="https://www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Village Haberdashery</a></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2m of your choice of fabric from <a href="http://www.girlcharlee.co.uk/" target="_blank">Girl Charlee</a></span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alfa goodies including: 2x Do it Yourself pattern kits and 1x Do it Yourself Patchwork Sewing Accessories box</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A very big <strong>THANK YOU</strong> to all our sponsors.</span></div>
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Winners will be notified by the end of July.</span></h6>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And it goes on.... </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">UpCraftClub are offering a 20% discount for all our readers, using code 20SEWSOCIAL .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To enter the big giveaway for one of the four packs simply click through the Rafflecopter thingy!</span><br />
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Now go check out what my fellow London Sew Social buddies are making this week:</div>
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<a href="http://www.huisjeboompjeboefjes.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Huisje Boompje Boefjes</a></div>
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<a href="http://dottasews.blogspot.nl/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Dotta Sews</a></div>
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<a href="http://groovybabyandmama.blogspot.nl/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Groovy Baby and Mama</a></div>
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<a href="http://doguincho.blogspot.nl/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Do Guincho</a></div>
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<a href="https://inamannerofsewing.blogspot.nl/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">In a Manner of Sewing</a></div>
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<a href="https://lafoliesewingbooth.wordpress.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">La Folie Sewing Booth</a></div>
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<a href="https://madebytoya.wordpress.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Made by Toya</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.titchythreads.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Titchy Threads</a></div>
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<a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.nl/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">As it Seams</a></div>
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<a href="https://mycozyco.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">My Cozy Co</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.straight-grain.com/?page_id=1914" style="border: 0px; color: #21759b; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Straight Grain</a></div>
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<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-51688116184955965042016-05-16T09:01:00.002-07:002016-05-16T09:01:45.708-07:00From My Mother to Me #4 - and Last Call for Miss Matatabi Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's my turn on the From My Mother to Me tour of nostalgia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now please forgive me, but I'm a little late with this post. (The sun shone and I went camping with my family instead of writing/sewing this weekend).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And to be honest, I was a little stumped about what to write...</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xlMoIYCz8EU/VzngSTvCgdI/AAAAAAAAEwE/liN_T5HR_RYMQD0nGZlCblPAmoGInnFBACLcB/s1600/collagemum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xlMoIYCz8EU/VzngSTvCgdI/AAAAAAAAEwE/liN_T5HR_RYMQD0nGZlCblPAmoGInnFBACLcB/s640/collagemum.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two years ago for this series I wrote a lengthy post which took hours of picture research, describing how my mother really was an accomplished, perfectionist seamstress, making her own fabulous Vogue coat aged 16.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what could I write that was 'Fresh' this time round?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now this is a bit of a niche - but sewing during my childhood was synonamous with one brand; Clothkits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clothkits was a 'Big Name' among certain families in the 70s and early 80s. They produced pre-printed kits to be sewn into clothes for kids and women.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They produced a mail order catalogue, and I remember the little thrill of it arriving and choosing dresses with my mum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The clothes were a bit 'folksy' and very designy -</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> just perfect for my art teacher mum and architect dad, who in their own way liked to break away from conventional design.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This picture above, shows me (on the left) and my twin sister in our matching red Clothkits dresses.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nW7ACPTR_cQ/VznVx5nhrZI/AAAAAAAAEvw/g-YfQcDLEyUoSI7JsrXPfihftgVolXTowCKgB/s1600/B0006987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nW7ACPTR_cQ/VznVx5nhrZI/AAAAAAAAEvw/g-YfQcDLEyUoSI7JsrXPfihftgVolXTowCKgB/s640/B0006987.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And this one, me on the left again in blue. I think this is my sister and I on our first birthday. Again in our Clothkits folky dresses (on a basket chair and sheepskin rug - How 70s is this?!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lq0xkeehdVo/VznlP0wRhbI/AAAAAAAAEwU/_m734DUUw3AWhi8zRxrHZ1sUyDXkPEEEQCLcB/s1600/B0018520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lq0xkeehdVo/VznlP0wRhbI/AAAAAAAAEwU/_m734DUUw3AWhi8zRxrHZ1sUyDXkPEEEQCLcB/s640/B0018520.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm on the right in this one, in the orange dress. It's another Clothkits dress, and I remember loving it so much! The printed yoke and the orange colour! My sister (in the middle here in a green Clothkits skirt) had a matching white dress which was very pretty. Clothkits printed kits would usually come with matching dolls clothes too. Somewhere I might even be able to dig them out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And here's the home made 70s family. My mum is wearing a Clothkits vest, my sister and I are in hand embroidered cheesecloth blouses, made by mum, and pink floral skirts made by my grandmother, who is cuddling my baby brother in this picture.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0W5B6Sm6cIs/VznVySGnmYI/AAAAAAAAEvw/sVHTJjl137MacQmLkj9V3ceWRtT5F-VPACKgB/s1600/familygroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0W5B6Sm6cIs/VznVySGnmYI/AAAAAAAAEvw/sVHTJjl137MacQmLkj9V3ceWRtT5F-VPACKgB/s640/familygroup.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My grandmother used to make us clothes occasionally too, two of everything and she'd use the scraps to make dolls clothes. I still have tiny doll's skirt in this pink floral print somewhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Not everything handmade was Clothkits, these floral dresses weren't. But aren't we cute! </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMj6LR9PQOk/VznVx0YV1eI/AAAAAAAAEvw/ktLNJSwmaWwRe9c6nRWbRDOHCNARxmBBQCKgB/s1600/B0007110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMj6LR9PQOk/VznVx0YV1eI/AAAAAAAAEvw/ktLNJSwmaWwRe9c6nRWbRDOHCNARxmBBQCKgB/s640/B0007110.jpg" width="586" /></a></div>
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And this picture I think must be one of my favourites from my childhood..... This very image inspired my mother to take a creative journey.... But I'll need to share that for another day.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCjzusUX9bc/VznVxyYEsYI/AAAAAAAAEvw/0hXx-ruX2dMcpWRDJOJpys-_DVpxS8AYACKgB/s1600/B0007101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCjzusUX9bc/VznVxyYEsYI/AAAAAAAAEvw/0hXx-ruX2dMcpWRDJOJpys-_DVpxS8AYACKgB/s640/B0007101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I still love Clothkits, and the company was revived and rebranded in the 2000s and still sells printed kits for clothes. But there's something about those original 70s designs that was so ground-breaking, and so quirky that I really, really loved.</div>
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And I love that my mum was bold and brave in her taste.Thank you!</div>
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Now, if you're very quick the Miss Matatabi giveaway is still open! Last call... clickety click!</div>
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Thank you also to all my wonderful contributors. I do so love your stories and taking time to share. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dzh0Bc9WNM0/VznuzKcbRSI/AAAAAAAAEwo/UFeyvfiRbVEi51M6ZhTnl4nVR4aOFgwLACLcB/s1600/mothermegiveaway%252450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dzh0Bc9WNM0/VznuzKcbRSI/AAAAAAAAEwo/UFeyvfiRbVEi51M6ZhTnl4nVR4aOFgwLACLcB/s320/mothermegiveaway%252450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-67947682086870018592016-05-11T04:34:00.002-07:002016-05-11T12:36:15.139-07:00From My Mother to Me#3: Just Add Fabric, and La Folie Sewing Booth (and $50 Miss Matatabi Giveaway)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh isn't this series lovely?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From My Mother to Me carries on today with more tales of motherhood from another two of my dear sewing friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would so love to meet Emi of <a href="http://justaddfabric.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/from-my-mother-to-me.html">Just Add Fabric</a> - which sadly would involve a flight to Japan - but I know it would be such a pleasure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Her sewing is beautiful. I love her fabric choices, always so pretty, and the little glimpses of Japan in her blog photos. And isn't this picture sweet! I love her mother's matching suit, and pretty floral pring (which is something you see often in Emi's sewing!) I'm so intrigued to learn more of her family history. Follow me over<a href="http://justaddfabric.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/from-my-mother-to-me.html"> </a><a href="http://justaddfabric.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/from-my-mother-to-me.html" target="_blank">here to find out more....</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://justaddfabric.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/from-my-mother-to-me.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mhDrhSEi-tg/VzMVXvpQzzI/AAAAAAAAD-E/ddjTsh1kTb0PNO3jxJB6I7DQ6SePTin6wCLcB/s400/emicollage.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next up is Ines of <a href="https://lafoliesewingbooth.wordpress.com/2016/05/11/from-my-mother-to-me/" target="_blank">La Folie Sewing Booth</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I have had the pleasure of meeting Ines in real life in London recently (keep your eyes peeled for more about that adventure) and she was so much fun to be with. I love her little story, share over<a href="https://lafoliesewingbooth.wordpress.com/2016/05/11/from-my-mother-to-me/" target="_blank"> here</a>, particularly her hand embroidered baby muslin squares, and that she's planning to collaborate with her mother on a new craft project!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aut7UhdLlD8/VzMUhbe8pqI/AAAAAAAAD94/0-QGB6_08gUJcU_ePSevMm5Az60otSpaACKgB/s1600/FROMMYMOTHERTOME_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aut7UhdLlD8/VzMUhbe8pqI/AAAAAAAAD94/0-QGB6_08gUJcU_ePSevMm5Az60otSpaACKgB/s640/FROMMYMOTHERTOME_002.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the giveaway to win $50 of wonderful Miss Matatabi fabric is still open... There have been so many lovely comments on the blog posts (you can comment on any blog post in the series to enter, just so long as you've clicked your entry on the rafflecopter).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's really moving to read through them, this one from Sissy, is just an example:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6b6b6b; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6px; text-align: justify;">"As I age I realize that I am more of a clone than an offspring of her. I am aging exactly as she did in looks and in everything. There are few days that go by that I don't remember something that Momma said or taught me. During those middle years when I thought we were worlds apart, I was just a fool. I just cut up a chicken the way that she taught me. With a wishbone. Thanks for everything Mom. I miss you."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="f836ddf07" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f836ddf07/" id="rcwidget_aq93xb8r" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-19600758886748883562016-05-09T15:47:00.000-07:002016-05-10T01:22:29.043-07:00My Mother to Me #2: Do Guincho, Made by Sara, and Gaafmachine (and that $50 Miss Matatabi giveaway)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The celebration of Motherhood continues, with gorgeous contributions from some great European bloggers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First up is Marta who blogs at <a href="http://doguincho.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Do Guincho</a>.
Marta has been a blogging friend since the early days of As it Seams. And having met in Paris last year, (and London last week!) She's a real life friend too.
Marta is an architect and her sewing creations have a clear sense of design and style. I'm very much looking forward to finding out where her 'designer's eye' comes from? Her mother perhaps ;-). Find out <a href="http://doguincho.blogspot.com/2016/05/from-my-grandmother-to-me.html" target="_blank">here</a>....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Secondly today we also have another Portuguese blogger, Sara at <a href="http://made-by-sara.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Made By Sara</a>.
Sara has three children (soon to be four) and yet still is a busy blogger sewing at a phenomenal rate. She's full of creative ideas, hosting a wonderful Alice in Wonderland series and Japanese Sewing series last year. I'm guessing there must be some serious creative genes somewhere in her family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Her tribute to her mother is over here. And isn't this photo wonderful? This is her mother in her grandfather's sewing machine shop! I can't wait to read the full story. It's over<a href="http://made-by-sara.blogspot.com/2016/05/from-my-mother-to-me.html" target="_blank"> here</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thirdly is a newer blogging friend Nelleke from The Netherlands. She's only just launched her blog <a href="http://gaafmachine.nl/" target="_blank">GaafMachine</a> but I'm delighted to have her here. I love discovering new blogs and friends, and I sense a kindred spirit here. She's a sewing addict, but also trying to juggle camping trips in the spring sunshine, as well as write blog posts (this is my life too!) Discover more about Nelleke, and her mother, <a href="ttp://gaafmachine.nl/2016/05/02/from-my-mother-to-me/" target="_blank"> here!</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And the Miss Matatabi giveaway is still open! You can enter from any of the posts in this series. Comment on any, or all of them, as part of the giveaway which runs until Tuesday.
There were some wonderful comments yesterday:
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm glad my mother passed down to me the importance of trying to fix things and relying on my own hands. I can sew, cook, garden, and take care of myself because she taught me that. In a word of consumerism , it has helped me tremendously." Kaitlin Statz</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"my mother taught me all about hoarding :) but also sharing, lol, but I do love to hoard fabrics :) Keeping a pretty unicorn print from Miss Matatabi to hand down to my daughter as a dress." Mara</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"My mum is my best friend. I have just found out I am pregnant with my first baby and hope that I have as close a relationship which my child x" Claire Sutherland</span></blockquote>
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-83140567378007745322016-05-09T07:11:00.000-07:002016-05-09T08:29:24.655-07:00From My Mother to Me, A Jennuine Life... and a Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a two year break, My Mother to Me is back!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was Mother's Day yesterday for American mothers and I do hope you all enjoyed your day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This series began, because I realised that sewing is a way of connecting across the generations and sharing our skills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And those gifts also tell stories about our heritage, culture, and family legacies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I'm extra thrilled that some of my blogging friends have also agreed to share their stories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that all this week we're running an amazing giveaway, thanks to Miss Matatabi. Scroll to the bottom to win $50 to spend in her gorgeous shop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First up is Jenn from <a href="http://www.ajennuinelife.com/2016/05/from-my-mother-to-me.html" target="_blank">A Jennuine Life</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWCIHqSV37I/VzBn8D3jhSI/AAAAAAAAD8E/4rbpBc65jjg60wU_uQPTX0bhetuWmRupQCLcB/s1600/jennmother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWCIHqSV37I/VzBn8D3jhSI/AAAAAAAAD8E/4rbpBc65jjg60wU_uQPTX0bhetuWmRupQCLcB/s640/jennmother.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't you just love these old photos? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jenn blogs at A Jennuine Life where she's a real multi-tasker. She sews some of the cutest outfits but is also a skilled pattern designer with her lovely label Jennuine Design. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Her Naples dress is one of my favourites. So sweet for summer! And I love the beautiful line drawings with all her patterns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pop over here for Jenn's <a href="http://www.ajennuinelife.com/2016/05/from-my-mother-to-me.html" target="_blank">lovely story</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_p9h12_lmA/VzCZ0hu3TOI/AAAAAAAAD8U/W_rwkM8I9Fcm7FNlUn52E685mopvWLZkgCLcB/s1600/Naples-Dress-Tutorial-Final-500x647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_p9h12_lmA/VzCZ0hu3TOI/AAAAAAAAD8U/W_rwkM8I9Fcm7FNlUn52E685mopvWLZkgCLcB/s400/Naples-Dress-Tutorial-Final-500x647.jpg" width="308" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And Frances at Miss Matatabi is spreading the motherly love with this incredible giveaway. Open til May 17 there's a chance to win $50 to spend in her incredible shop. Enter via the rafflecopter below!</span></div>
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-2403448372002375832016-05-06T13:39:00.002-07:002016-05-07T02:31:09.304-07:00'From my Mother to Me' is back! With a Miss Matatabi giveaway..<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's Mother's Day in the US this weekend and the perfect time to relaunch the series <i>From My Mother to Me!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a two year gap, From My Mother to Me is back with an amazing sponsor, a new line-up of bloggers and an incredible giveaway...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just look at this dreamy selection of fabrics? Can you guess who our wonderful sponsor is? With an amazing giveaway running all next week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in 2014 I invited some of my blogging friends to pay tribute to the 'gifts' that their mothers had passed on to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My mother passed her sewing skills to me, almost without realising it, and I am so grateful. Sewing and creating connects us with previous generations and cultures, and I wanted to hear other bloggers' stories.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had some amazing stories, and I loved hearing about history, heritage and amazing mothers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check out Celina, from Petit a Petit's gorgeous mother! Is it any wonder that Celina is the queen of style? Full post <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/from-my-mother-to-me-3-petit-petit-and.html" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPlKIgvesds/VyupH4dKFbI/AAAAAAAAD54/40xxv1YSBPM5sOTR4t52MSO7SSvNUpPEwCLcB/s1600/Scan%2B141020001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPlKIgvesds/VyupH4dKFbI/AAAAAAAAD54/40xxv1YSBPM5sOTR4t52MSO7SSvNUpPEwCLcB/s640/Scan%2B141020001.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's my mother, aged 16 wearing the coat she made from a Vogue pattern, assisted by the lady next to her, Miss Taylor (!) who taught her to sew.... <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/from-my-mother-to-me.html" target="_blank">details here</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nRyJSwzysI/VyunHQT4wMI/AAAAAAAAD5k/xhKQiFUQrGAwx5jZdK_1CJ44yOV_pZRtwCLcB/s1600/Image4-1_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nRyJSwzysI/VyunHQT4wMI/AAAAAAAAD5k/xhKQiFUQrGAwx5jZdK_1CJ44yOV_pZRtwCLcB/s640/Image4-1_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And there were some other wonderful stories and pictures. Here's Suz from Sewpony's mother on her wedding day. She sewed her own wedding dress and all three bridesmaid dresses. Aren't they beautiful? Her post is <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/from-my-mother-to-me-6-sewpony.html" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/from-my-mother-to-me-6-sewpony.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjrBNWV0dVc/Vyun5GUWRCI/AAAAAAAAD5s/f7qUa5iblrMm9-mecRzTZGeqm_POVPIbQCLcB/s640/002.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And An at StraightGrain went back a generation and wrote about her grandmother and her seamstress skills, it was so lovely to see these two generations together</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVtUufGaHtU/VyuqLW16_uI/AAAAAAAAD6A/70E-NUt7ZRUB3h_U3UpN2s7ELzs7m-K6QCLcB/s1600/_IMG_3618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="630" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVtUufGaHtU/VyuqLW16_uI/AAAAAAAAD6A/70E-NUt7ZRUB3h_U3UpN2s7ELzs7m-K6QCLcB/s640/_IMG_3618.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, From My Mother To Me returns, just in time for Mother's Day weekend</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All next week, there will be a new team of bloggers sharing their stories of their mothers..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm thrilled with this line up of new friends and old friend bloggers from across the globe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday May 9</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ajennuinelife.com/" target="_blank">A Jennuine Life</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Little Cumquat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday May 10</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://gaafmachine.nl/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gaafmachine</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://doguincho.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do Guincho</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://made-by-sara.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Made by Sara</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday May 11</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://lafoliesewingbooth.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">La Folie Sewing Booth</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://justaddfabric.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just add Fabric</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday May 12</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As it Seams</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And throughout the week we're hosting a wonderful giveaway, thanks to the lovely Frances and her wonderful shop Miss Matatabi....Keep your eyes peeled for the giveaway which launches on Monday....</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-89_jxUe5VQA/Vyu3maZGO3I/AAAAAAAAD6s/8PMM66hkLAwirSrB3l4W0O1R8s4eRR7kwCLcB/s1600/matatabi50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-89_jxUe5VQA/Vyu3maZGO3I/AAAAAAAAD6s/8PMM66hkLAwirSrB3l4W0O1R8s4eRR7kwCLcB/s640/matatabi50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-31544096958694535352016-04-08T02:00:00.002-07:002016-04-14T14:23:59.845-07:00What I learnt from Mie: The Ultimate Coat<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes a sewing project fills every moment so much that I go to sleep thinking about it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This coat was that project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">It's been an all-consuming journey; a step up for my sewing ability and shift in my sewing confidence.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANpd4ov-2sY/VwdhgknCT2I/AAAAAAAAD4U/Qw28ZeTdNvs_p6WmIgNv-sEVc9E87wo0A/s1600/coatedit5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Burda style girls double breasted coat pattern 145 plaid coat" border="0" height="576" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANpd4ov-2sY/VwdhgknCT2I/AAAAAAAAD4U/Qw28ZeTdNvs_p6WmIgNv-sEVc9E87wo0A/s640/coatedit5.jpg" title="Burda style girls double breasted coat pattern 145 plaid coat" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And part of that confidence has come from learning alongside my sewing blogging buddies, such as the lovely Mie of <a href="http://www.sewinglikemad.com/" target="_blank">Sewing like Mad</a>, the master seamstress. Today, is 'Mie day' with a group of sewists, including me, celebrating what we've learnt from her skill and advice. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, that has been that <i>attention to detail</i> really, really makes all the difference. This coat is testament to that.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I've made a complete effort to sew every step perfectly, no short cuts, no quick half measures.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7LjbFavmlUU/VwdhOmNB_6I/AAAAAAAAD4U/pO3tzygmtdkjuk7f-BNmnCu66hpDXOG0w/s1600/coatedit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Burda style girls double breasted coat pattern 145 plaid coat" border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7LjbFavmlUU/VwdhOmNB_6I/AAAAAAAAD4U/pO3tzygmtdkjuk7f-BNmnCu66hpDXOG0w/s640/coatedit1.jpg" title="Burda style girls double breasted coat pattern 145 plaid coat" width="430" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Missy chose the fabric - and if I'd thought for a minute longer, I would have said <i>Noooo, don't choose the plaid</i>, or tartan as I have always called it, as I'm a Scot . It might be a lovely Italian wool bought in a Boxing Day sale from the <a href="https://www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Village Haberdashery</a> but doesn't it look so perfectly British? Just perfect for strolling in our lovely valleys.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/girls-double-breasted-coat-122015" target="_blank">Burda coat pattern 145</a>. Look princess seams front AND back too for added cutting 'fun'! Extra skirt panels that are pleated! And on the back too! Faux pocket flaps! The perfect pattern for cutting in plaid ? I was mad. Sewing like Mad perhaps, Mie?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiR3vW6n24E/VwduB0SLUfI/AAAAAAAAD4s/8QJcnWavM60tNi0G2dw4k0d3VdHN-Pi7A/s1600/coatcollage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Burda style girls double breasted coat pattern 145 plaid coat" border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiR3vW6n24E/VwduB0SLUfI/AAAAAAAAD4s/8QJcnWavM60tNi0G2dw4k0d3VdHN-Pi7A/s640/coatcollage1.jpg" title="Burda style girls double breasted coat pattern 145 plaid coat" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I did it! It would take me a whole evening to cut out just two pattern pieces. I would pin the plaid together at every 'crosspoint' of the check in order to get a perfect match on both sides. Then stare at red and blue lines for hours before taking the scissors to this.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9k9Hzo51b0/Vwdu7mumLzI/AAAAAAAAD4w/Hdbuqcw9XSIDpjXM8UsElPWV7IFHvd_Rg/s1600/coatside1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Burda style girls double breasted coat pattern 145 plaid coat" border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9k9Hzo51b0/Vwdu7mumLzI/AAAAAAAAD4w/Hdbuqcw9XSIDpjXM8UsElPWV7IFHvd_Rg/s640/coatside1.jpg" title="Burda style girls double breasted coat pattern 145 plaid coat" width="430" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSHZpQkrqo0/VwdubkmJS6I/AAAAAAAAD40/ycg9Am6tG8oPvrE09yX-4rdxSZxv-cgXg/s1600/coatedit6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Burda style girls double breasted coat pattern 145 plaid coat" border="0" height="510" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSHZpQkrqo0/VwdubkmJS6I/AAAAAAAAD40/ycg9Am6tG8oPvrE09yX-4rdxSZxv-cgXg/s640/coatedit6.jpg" title="Burda style girls double breasted coat pattern 145 plaid coat" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And look - the checks match! Not just across the princess seams, but continuing around both pieces of the sleeve and across the back. I am <i>soooo</i> proud, I've been pointing this out to random non-sewing friends; "<i>look! follow that red line round Missy's chest and back!</i>" and they look at me like I'm mad.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But Mie, she would '<i>get it</i>'. She would know that it's getting that plaid to flow, that 'makes or breaks' this coat as a project.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you Mie, I will never, ever sew over a pin again! Xx</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now something very special has happened today - bloggers across the globe are showcasing their sewing skills, as inspired by Mie.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And you can see us all come to life, including a glimpse of Missy's new coat, with this incredible video created by Celina of Petit a Petit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And keep going to the end of this post for an extra little film of Missy, with her own special sewing tip, never, ever forget the Notches!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/161844969?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/161844969">What I learnt From Mie</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/petitapetitblog">Celina Bailey</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And there are blog posts popping up all over the place today from my sewing buddies, take a look at some of the creations by my sewing buddies:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Celina . <a href="http://www.petitapetitandfamily.com/blog/whatilearntfrommie" target="_blank">Petit à Petit and Family</a>, Abby . <a href="http://www.sewmuchado.com/" target="_blank">Sew Much Ado</a>, Rita . <a href="http://www.conversasdehermanas.com/" target="_blank">Conversas de Hermanas</a>, Heidi . <a href="http://www.handmadefrenzy.blogspot.pt/" target="_blank">Handmade Frenzy</a>, Olu . <a href="https://needleandted.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/who-is-mie" target="_blank">Needle and Ted</a>, An . <a href="http://www.straight-grain.com/?p=11104" target="_blank">StraightGrain</a>, Jenya . <a href="http://whileshesleeping.blogspot.pt/%E2%80%A6/what-i-learnt-from-mi%E2%80%A6" target="_blank">While she was Sleeping</a>, Trine . <a href="http://www.groovybabyandmama.blogspot.pt/" target="_blank">Groovy Baby and Mama</a>, Andreia . <a href="http://inamannerofsewing.blogspot.pt/" target="_blank">In a Manner of Sewing</a>, Jess . <a href="http://www.mesewcrazy.com/" target="_blank">Sewing Rabbit</a>, Hayley . <a href="http://www.welcometothemousehouse.com/" target="_blank">Welcome to the Mouse House</a>, Marta . <a href="http://www.doguincho.blogspot.pt/" target="_blank">Do Guincho</a>, Maria . <a href="http://mycozyco.com/2016/04/08/what-i-learnt-from-mie" target="_blank">My Cozy Co</a>, Natalie . <a href="http://www.natandgang.com/" target="_blank">La Gang à Nat</a>, Holli . <a href="http://helloholli.com/" target="_blank">Hello Holli</a>, Erin . <a href="http://erinalways.com/?p=2288" target="_blank">Erin Always</a>, Olga . <a href="http://www.coffeeandthread.com/" target="_blank">Coffee and Thread</a>, Delia . <a href="http://www.deliacreates.com/" target="_blank">Delia Creates</a>, Alida . <a href="http://alidamakes.com/" target="_blank">Alida Makes</a>, Gabriela . <a href="http://chalkandnotch.com/" target="_blank">Chalk and Notch</a>, Victoria . <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.pt/%E2%80%A6/what-i-learnt-from-mie-ult%E2%80%A6" target="_blank">As it Seams</a>, Rachel . <a href="http://www.stitched-together.com/" target="_blank">Stitched Together</a>, Chelise . <a href="http://www.chelisepatterson.com/" target="_blank">Chelise Patternson</a>, Emi . <a href="http://justaddfabric.blogspot.pt/%E2%80%A6/what-i-learned-from-mie.%E2%80%A6" target="_blank">Just Add Fabric</a>, Inês . <a href="http://wp.me/p4x5RB-uK" target="_blank">La Folie</a></span></div>
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Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-11109973955286465792016-03-02T15:45:00.001-08:002016-03-03T04:42:47.499-08:00World Book Day Blog Tour - My Top Five illustrators<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Rebecca at Dobbins Bobbins invited me to join her </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">World Book Day tour, my sewing imagination hurtled through a zillion ideas.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then life got in the way, and we </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> had a big family trauma this week and t</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">here was </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">no way</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> my One Big Sewing Project would be ready in time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I <i>so</i> wanted to take part. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then another idea hit me... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Children's book illustrations are <i>already everywhere </i>on As it Seams. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I grew up with a world of books. I never, ever stopped reading. Anne of Green Gables, Fantastic Mr Fox, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Pippi Longstocking, were alive in my head, pages and pictures that danced through my childhood alongside me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I 'read' pictures as much as pages. I <i>know</i> these pictures like old friends. Looking through my blog it became obvious just how much Missy's wardrobe has been shaped by great illustrators.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So apologies, I haven't (yet) been able to create something new, but here's five of my favourite illustrators - alongside a few of Missy's creations </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">1. Mabel Lucie Attwell</span></h2>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VvWku83344/VtYe4vcJv5I/AAAAAAAAD0Q/ymwAkwxv4jo/s1600/mabellucie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VvWku83344/VtYe4vcJv5I/AAAAAAAAD0Q/ymwAkwxv4jo/s640/mabellucie2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who could not love Mabel Lucie Attwell's chubby babies and fairies? Her Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan are my favourite representations of these characters. Her watercolours are beautiful, but not sugary, and Alice aand Peter Pan become real, solid characters not whimsical 'princess type figures'. Her colors are strong and her clothes have the beautiful drapey silouhettes of the 1920s</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zneEfZykya0/VtYeWIqVx1I/AAAAAAAAD0M/2vUcErRCdzA/s1600/mabel%2Blucie%2Battwell1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zneEfZykya0/VtYeWIqVx1I/AAAAAAAAD0M/2vUcErRCdzA/s640/mabel%2Blucie%2Battwell1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">2. Cicely Mary Barker</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm staying in the 1920s, with Cicely Mary Barker, creator of the Flower Fairy series. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QsV22m0J8-Q/VtYim0HWuoI/AAAAAAAAD0k/YmGHr-tR49s/s1600/flowerfairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QsV22m0J8-Q/VtYim0HWuoI/AAAAAAAAD0k/YmGHr-tR49s/s640/flowerfairy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cicely's illustrations may be whimsical, but look at the clothes! Aren't those fairy dresses just an endless source of inspiration?</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gukbqs7bcGk/VtYjvX023gI/AAAAAAAAD0w/MXUt343qdaE/s1600/flowerfairy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gukbqs7bcGk/VtYjvX023gI/AAAAAAAAD0w/MXUt343qdaE/s640/flowerfairy2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">3. Kate Greenaway</span></h2>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9fvpkkGQRE/VtYnK55XiXI/AAAAAAAAD1M/4QZi3qtpUZg/s1600/kategreenaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9fvpkkGQRE/VtYnK55XiXI/AAAAAAAAD1M/4QZi3qtpUZg/s640/kategreenaway.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What can I say? She was the first, the great, and her illustrations are a record of Victorian style. I loved these pictures as a child, the soft colour palate, the dreaminess</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhrIzN4mKYY/VtYt8cht6cI/AAAAAAAAD1k/kD5TOF_m1Kg/s1600/kategreenaway1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhrIzN4mKYY/VtYt8cht6cI/AAAAAAAAD1k/kD5TOF_m1Kg/s640/kategreenaway1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">4. Jan Pienkowski</span></h2>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBgPncXuFsM/VtYuP3xx3CI/AAAAAAAAD1o/2dq4tX9B0xI/s1600/necklaceofraindrops1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBgPncXuFsM/VtYuP3xx3CI/AAAAAAAAD1o/2dq4tX9B0xI/s640/necklaceofraindrops1280.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh look! I'm almost up to date. Next up is Jan Pienkowski, best known as creator of Meg and Mog. But it's his fairytale silhouettes I loved most as a child. These are pictures that in themselves told a story, with echos of Russia, Eastern Europe and age-old myths. And I know that I like to create clothes for Missy that create stories too...</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0f19tW2s9yA/VtYuREQhFwI/AAAAAAAAD1s/ha7jNyWkmak/s1600/pienkowski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0f19tW2s9yA/VtYuREQhFwI/AAAAAAAAD1s/ha7jNyWkmak/s640/pienkowski.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">5. Mairi Hedderwick</span></h2>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1mSjpvZBTk/VtdqTtur0bI/AAAAAAAAD2I/dyAxnABvMPI/s1600/katiemorag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1mSjpvZBTk/VtdqTtur0bI/AAAAAAAAD2I/dyAxnABvMPI/s640/katiemorag1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mairi Hedderwick is the creator of young heroine Katie Morag who lives on a Scottish island where she roams freely on the wild beaches. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mairi's pictures sing to my soul. Her paintings capture the light and drama of the Scottish landscape. They're full of the quirks and details of a childhood of the late 70s and 80s. She has depicted the memories from my own childhood. I spent every summer playing in the near midnight sun on these remote beaches, creating stories in my head and clambouring over rocks and seaweed. This is my sister and me in 1980 I guess, flying our kite as the sun set at around 11pm...</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsudIAU58VY/VtdqTxeyGZI/AAAAAAAAD2I/ZjlBkSnIHwo/s1600/arisaig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7td69nEKIMg/Vtd6wcVb8MI/AAAAAAAAD2o/E02PCiOCcFM/s1600/arisaig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7td69nEKIMg/Vtd6wcVb8MI/AAAAAAAAD2o/E02PCiOCcFM/s640/arisaig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Little Katie Morag and her Scottish adventures were part of the inspiration behind my as yet unfinished World Book Day sewing project. Here's a sneak peak, to be revealed in its full glory very soon...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-XT0C-t9jI/VtdrOT9D3CI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/QVeWyv5yIow/s1600/detailcoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-XT0C-t9jI/VtdrOT9D3CI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/QVeWyv5yIow/s400/detailcoat.jpg" width="277" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I put this long post together, I realised just how much stories are part of my life. Of course, I am a 'professional story collector', a journalist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week has been a very raw one for the As it Seams family, facing a big change. The next chapter for our little family has plenty of blank pages...Daunting and exciting...x</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rebecca at Dobbins Bobbins has some FOUR fabulous prize packages to giveaway with the World Book Tour . And there's a great list of participants. Do click around and see the actual creations this week</span></div>
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<span http:="" sewnintheattic.blogspot.com="" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;" target="_blank">Sewn In The Attic</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://whileshesleeping.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">While she was sleeping</a>,
<a href="http://justaddfabric.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Just Add Fabric</a>,
<a href="https://fairiesbubblesco.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Fairies, Bubbles & Co</a> , <a href="http://englishgirlathome.com/" target="_blank">English Girl At Home</a>,
<a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">As It Seams</a>
<a href="http://made-by-sara.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Made by Sara</a>
<a href="https://sewingwithkate.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sewing With Kate</a>
<a href="http://myminniemie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">MinnieMie</a>
<a href="http://www.callajaire.com/" target="_blank">Call Ajaire</a>
<a href="http://www.sewcountrychick.com/" target="_blank">Sew Country Chick</a>
<a href="http://www.paisleyroots.com/" target="_blank">Paisley Roots</a>
<a href="http://beletoile.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bel'Etoile</a></span><br />
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No. 1:
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<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-50059967193001711832016-02-22T01:50:00.003-08:002016-02-22T02:25:22.146-08:00The Eleena Dress - perfection in denim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Giveaway alert! See the end of this post!</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">When Olga of <a href="http://www.coffeeandthread.com/" target="_blank">Coffee and Thread</a> put out a call for her newest pattern the <a href="http://coffeeandthread.bigcartel.com/product/the-eleena-dress-pdf-pattern" target="_blank">Eleena Dress</a>,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> I admit that I paused for a moment, before signing up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It's such a lovely, nostalgic dress pattern, so my style. But Missy really doesn't need many pretty dresses. She wears school uniform or t-shirts and jeans most of the time. But still...the Eleena was proving hard to resist...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The solution to the 'no more dresses' dilemma lay in that old favourite - denim.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vJlhkzWBjsU/VsjyVwfqtlI/AAAAAAAADzA/j0X7vQ6LCMw/s1600/eleena14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vJlhkzWBjsU/VsjyVwfqtlI/AAAAAAAADzA/j0X7vQ6LCMw/s640/eleena14.jpg" width="446" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because a denim dress isn't actually a dressy-dress, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A denim dress is one for posing around with a sword and being a warrior Queen...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIVWIghoKec/VsjyZOh3I2I/AAAAAAAADzA/WAyNKr9l9OE/s1600/eleena15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIVWIghoKec/VsjyZOh3I2I/AAAAAAAADzA/WAyNKr9l9OE/s640/eleena15.jpg" width="452" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A demin dress is one to giggle in, and run away from the camera, or be a serious kind of girl who can tackle anything.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_48kNbN7E8/VsmhLhgzrJI/AAAAAAAADzQ/hxTnKT-R_RQ/s1600/Eleena6%2B-%2B%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_48kNbN7E8/VsmhLhgzrJI/AAAAAAAADzQ/hxTnKT-R_RQ/s640/Eleena6%2B-%2B%2521.jpg" width="420" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5RFkn-FZKQ/Vsjynw965zI/AAAAAAAADzA/ciPyN3tCgYI/s1600/Eleena10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5RFkn-FZKQ/Vsjynw965zI/AAAAAAAADzA/ciPyN3tCgYI/s640/Eleena10.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Eleena has lots of options, and I love seeing how one pattern can create so much variety. I wanted to keep things simple. because my life is complex enough. I picked the flutter sleeve no collar option, because I knew Missy would get most wear from this 'all weather' kind of dress. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But regular followers will know I rarely 'keep things simple'. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">I accentuated the Eleena's distinctive box pleat with red piping, and lined the flutter sleeves too, to keep those lovely clean lines</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The only other change I made was an afterthought. This is size five on my tall nearly-six-year-old. The chest measurements are fine, but I suddenly panicked and wished I'd cut the denim longer. So I added a panel to the hem just to lengthen it. Denim is so forgiving - it lets you get away with this kind of thing...</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XmmvzqJ671Y/VsjyKkbNlyI/AAAAAAAADys/DS3cuU9GOho/s1600/eleena%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XmmvzqJ671Y/VsjyKkbNlyI/AAAAAAAADys/DS3cuU9GOho/s640/eleena%2Bcollage.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I lined and piped the flutter sleeves too, lining them with a remnant of Cotton and Steel's Cookie Book print.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wt-1fwHTCt8/VsjyzZVcC7I/AAAAAAAADzE/HefNigK5Tns/s1600/Eleena8%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wt-1fwHTCt8/VsjyzZVcC7I/AAAAAAAADzE/HefNigK5Tns/s640/Eleena8%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sP54xVq-E0/VsoweYzMWMI/AAAAAAAADzk/ValcmBhiwWY/s1600/eleenacollage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--sP54xVq-E0/VsoweYzMWMI/AAAAAAAADzk/ValcmBhiwWY/s640/eleenacollage1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The piping was an easy addition, but it has added a little bulk to the neckline, which means the lining peeks up. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1lko23EokU/VsoweejhIXI/AAAAAAAADzg/y3otaVj8O60/s1600/eleenacollage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1lko23EokU/VsoweejhIXI/AAAAAAAADzg/y3otaVj8O60/s640/eleenacollage2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Missy and I both love this dress, it's simple and playful. And easy to sew.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0qHg3LXYd1A/Vsjy7v4R-vI/AAAAAAAADzE/IqiK7w4R92A/s1600/eleena1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0qHg3LXYd1A/Vsjy7v4R-vI/AAAAAAAADzE/IqiK7w4R92A/s640/eleena1.jpg" width="422" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j0Ve9bFOuwo/Vsjy45X1NnI/AAAAAAAADzE/KscLsjEGtYI/s1600/Eleena9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j0Ve9bFOuwo/Vsjy45X1NnI/AAAAAAAADzE/KscLsjEGtYI/s640/Eleena9.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's a pattern tour running this week, showcasing the Eleena and all it's varieties. Do take a moment to see the other creations - honestly they are all so different!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And Olga at Coffee and Thread is offering the pattern at a discounted price of $7 (usual price $9) until March 7. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And there's also a fun little giveaway to win two Coffee and Thread patterns of choice and one yard of Sara Jane fabric.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">February, 22 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://bonnieandlottie.wordpress.com/">Bonnie & Lottie</a>, <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.com/">As it Seams</a>, <a href="http://sewhappysew.blogspot.com/">Sew Happy</a>, <a href="http://www.callajaire.com/">Call Ajaire</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">February, 24</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://inamannerofsewing.blogspot.com/">In a Manner of Sewing</a>,<a href="http://www.skirtfixation.com/"> Skirt Fixation,</a> <a href="http://www.stitched-together.com/">Stitched Together</a>, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://made-by-sara.blogspot.com/">Made by Sara</a>, <a href="http://thelifeofacompulsivecrafter.blogspot.com/">The Life of Compulsive Crafter</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">February, 26</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ajennuinelife.com/">A Jennuine Life,</a> <a href="https://fairiesbubblesco.wordpress.com/">Fairies, Bubble & Co</a>, <a href="http://www.hungiegungie.com/">Hungie Gungie</a>, <a href="http://www.doguincho.blogspot.com/">Doguincho</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">February, 29</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://rebelandmalice.blogspot.com/">Rebel & Malice,</a> <a href="https://sewshellysew.wordpress.com/">Sew Shelly Sew</a>, <a href="http://creativeneedleandthreads.blogspot.com/">Creative Needle and Threads</a>, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">March, 2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">March, 4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">March, 7</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://lesreloux.canalblog.com/">Les Reloux</a>, <a href="http://justaddfabric.blogspot.com/">Just Add Fabric</a>, <a href="http://lokakid.blogspot.be/">Lokakid</a>, <a href="http://whileshesleeping.blogspot.com.au/">While she was sleeping</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks for visiting! Do stop by again... follow me here...</span><br />
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<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-59123096669184436072016-01-18T13:19:00.000-08:002016-05-09T08:18:16.249-07:00A Rabbit's Waistcoat - Alice in Wonderland, Chapter Three<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So let's start 2016 with a little time travel? And a white rabbit...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm the world's slowest blogger, and just as it is snowing, I'm sharing pictures of summer flowers. But this is my little webspace, so I can do what I like, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And time travel is entirely appropriate - because this is Alice in Wonderland Sewing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last s</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ummer Sara, of Made by Sara, had the genius idea of celebrating the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland with a sewing series. And it captured my imagination. I had <i>Way Too Many Ideas...</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ybg8k5Fi5e4/Vp1IB2oljJI/AAAAAAAADu8/cnbTos0CsY4/s1600/Alicewaistcoat13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ybg8k5Fi5e4/Vp1IB2oljJI/AAAAAAAADu8/cnbTos0CsY4/s640/Alicewaistcoat13.jpg" width="470" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chapter one, was a pair of <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/alice-in-wonderland-150th-birthday.html" target="_blank">table-cloth dresses</a>, , Chapter Two, was this <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/japanese-sewing-week-alice-in.html" target="_blank">little blouse</a>, and this is, ta da..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Chapter Three, The White Rabbit's Waistcoat.</i></span></h3>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9drV7ky_rbE/Vp1IT3bXSZI/AAAAAAAADwQ/Vgs34M6tMKc/s1600/alicewcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9drV7ky_rbE/Vp1IT3bXSZI/AAAAAAAADwQ/Vgs34M6tMKc/s640/alicewcollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's inspired by other elements from Alice; a white rabbit and playing cards, and perhaps ideas of 'transformation'....</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpzuirn-uXg/Vp1Uj4Nc3kI/AAAAAAAADws/FF3xwIlFCjk/s1600/alicerabbitcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpzuirn-uXg/Vp1Uj4Nc3kI/AAAAAAAADws/FF3xwIlFCjk/s400/alicerabbitcollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This white velvet, is just a so 'rabbity'. I bought several metres ages ago for a bargain price (I still have a metre, I'm thinking it's time for a waistcoat for me too?).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I teamed it with a remnant of brown corduroy, and this stunning print from Cotton and Steel's Cookie Book collection, which looks just like the back of a pack of cards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pattern is a free pattern from <a href="http://littlekiwis.co.nz/product/woollen-vest-6m-6years" target="_blank">Little Kiwis Closet</a>, and was a real 'find'. I made it completely reversible, with two sets of the little Cookie Book covered buttons.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLylrtlJ3qs/Vp1ICI0v-ZI/AAAAAAAADvA/T8s67GGwyl8/s1600/Alicewaistcoat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLylrtlJ3qs/Vp1ICI0v-ZI/AAAAAAAADvA/T8s67GGwyl8/s640/Alicewaistcoat2.jpg" width="486" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Missy loved this, She liked the hood, the cuddliness, and the different looks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's pretty, white velvet on one side...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Om5dbvdiew/Vp1IECbaILI/AAAAAAAADvI/E-YHP_mXM8s/s1600/Alicewaistcoat3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Om5dbvdiew/Vp1IECbaILI/AAAAAAAADvI/E-YHP_mXM8s/s640/Alicewaistcoat3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6mEvW4iW8o/Vp1IQg_x-lI/AAAAAAAADwA/ZF7b0StUjzk/s1600/alicewaistcoat4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6mEvW4iW8o/Vp1IQg_x-lI/AAAAAAAADwA/ZF7b0StUjzk/s640/alicewaistcoat4.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
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Then turn it over. and it transforms</div>
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Into cosy, practical needlecord..</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2IH9qZGQBI/Vp1IHvK2PUI/AAAAAAAADvU/0QMu8rUuuiI/s1600/Alicewaistcoat5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2IH9qZGQBI/Vp1IHvK2PUI/AAAAAAAADvU/0QMu8rUuuiI/s640/Alicewaistcoat5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, any White Rabbit's waistcoat has to have a watch pocket. This little pocket is trimmed in The Cookie Book print.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6c-zgzPrnv4/Vp1IJ8C_vbI/AAAAAAAADvg/tWxbfB8Gwdk/s1600/Alicewaistcoat7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6c-zgzPrnv4/Vp1IJ8C_vbI/AAAAAAAADvg/tWxbfB8Gwdk/s640/Alicewaistcoat7.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7_xeSxOAjs/Vp1IINMgoCI/AAAAAAAADvY/nwjKeQO3Ubg/s1600/Alicewaistcoat6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7_xeSxOAjs/Vp1IINMgoCI/AAAAAAAADvY/nwjKeQO3Ubg/s640/Alicewaistcoat6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcuyQ-9GFaI/Vp1IT6UoJDI/AAAAAAAADwM/MDcnW0opcnw/s1600/alicewaistcoat9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcuyQ-9GFaI/Vp1IT6UoJDI/AAAAAAAADwM/MDcnW0opcnw/s640/alicewaistcoat9.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course these photos are six months old and are from the summer - but it's been worn a lot since then, right into our autumn and winter too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a waistcoat for running away in, for dreaming and becoming whoever you want to be. And aren't five year olds experts at all of that?</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0KhEc2tQLk/Vp1ILb4QMVI/AAAAAAAADvo/WFpTX2RG1CA/s1600/Alicewaistcoat8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0KhEc2tQLk/Vp1ILb4QMVI/AAAAAAAADvo/WFpTX2RG1CA/s640/Alicewaistcoat8.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My other Alice in Wonderland sewing was unashamedly whimsical, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but this waistcoat has been simple, and practical. And yet Missy still looks like she's emerged from a dream. Love this theatrical little girl so much...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-904hycWldgE/Vp1IPkA8nmI/AAAAAAAADv0/cxt3aWInA6k/s1600/alicewaistcoat11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-904hycWldgE/Vp1IPkA8nmI/AAAAAAAADv0/cxt3aWInA6k/s640/alicewaistcoat11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/alice-in-wonderland-150th-birthday.html" target="_blank">Alice in Wonderland - Chapter One</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/alice-in-wonderland-150th-birthday.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UWRfoQ8HlY/Vp1U25rcAZI/AAAAAAAADw0/FdcaIPQakAc/s320/teapartycollage.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/japanese-sewing-week-alice-in.html" target="_blank">Alice in Wonderland Chapter Two </a></span></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LoW5Emw4Dwo/Vp1WMDAoJ1I/AAAAAAAADw8/JPLtiMqujQs/s320/alice6.jpg" width="213" /></div>
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<script></script>Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-28257266940460474032015-12-27T04:41:00.000-08:002016-05-07T02:18:26.753-07:00Sticks, knives, sewing and our souls: Looking forward to 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This post is about sticks, knives and our souls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But have no fear, a little sewing does creep in...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so does my beautiful boy - who is making a rare appearance on As it Seams.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auIZIJD4mKQ/ViGAE73If6I/AAAAAAAADaI/bEIo8cPhQ44/s1600/torin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-auIZIJD4mKQ/ViGAE73If6I/AAAAAAAADaI/bEIo8cPhQ44/s640/torin1.jpg" width="408" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We've just enjoyed a calm and lovely Christmas, with time together as a family. And at last a few calm moments to write this post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wanted to share some thoughts, something I've been thinking about a lot. And it was about a month ago, as I sat down for two whole afternoons in an autumnal farmyard next to my boy, that those thoughts came together.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Umb91sDW1Q8/ViGBVpmoUOI/AAAAAAAADaY/boWWKYAOMkE/s1600/torin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Umb91sDW1Q8/ViGBVpmoUOI/AAAAAAAADaY/boWWKYAOMkE/s640/torin2.jpg" width="472" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is my boy, with his stick, and a sharp knife. It was a moment of complete simplicity. For hours he was absorbed by the movement of the blade against the soft green wood. I joined in, sitting next to him, attempting to carve a wooden spoon and a butter knife.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QOxxSbLKj8M/ViGBaV5p5MI/AAAAAAAADak/6O6C9TuY1SU/s1600/20151011_160843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QOxxSbLKj8M/ViGBaV5p5MI/AAAAAAAADak/6O6C9TuY1SU/s640/20151011_160843.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were guided and supervised by this man, Dom, who exuded a calm confidence which he passed to this small group of children. I watched this little girl, aged about 10, using this axe with skill, boldness and a sense of achievement. It was a powerful thing that Dom was passing to his young pupils. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm sure this is really important for our children, helping them to feel bold, empowered and forge real connections between their hands, their imagination and the materials, whether it's wood or fabric. Don't you find that if you give children confidence and freedom their creations are limitless?</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEvIkwOgQ-s/ViGE3IDuyLI/AAAAAAAADa4/EG-Rs4D34TE/s1600/axegirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEvIkwOgQ-s/ViGE3IDuyLI/AAAAAAAADa4/EG-Rs4D34TE/s640/axegirl.jpg" width="396" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we sat together in the farmyard with the calm of our knives and wood, we talked and listened to each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I pondered. 'What is it about making stuff that is so good for us?'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why do I want to make a wooden spoon when I could buy one for pennies in the local supermarket? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But a supermaket spoon would have no real value? I wouldn't respect it, understand it, or remember an autumn afternoon in a farmyard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It would be just another 'thing' taking up space in my cluttered kitchen, made by a machine in a far-away country, by people who are paid too little, using the earth's resources.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I whittled, and thought, and pondered. and made this little butterknife.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BRCoJO9ZYGw/ViGBxydtPOI/AAAAAAAADas/l8i3SpERvBg/s1600/knife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BRCoJO9ZYGw/ViGBxydtPOI/AAAAAAAADas/l8i3SpERvBg/s640/knife.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think it's the same with sewing. When we 'create' we gain much more than the thing that we make. We gain space in our heads, skill in our hands, connection with the people who create alongside us.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2a5bGpbBv4s/ViGGKEl-hQI/AAAAAAAADbE/WaQdrjxufFI/s1600/knife2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2a5bGpbBv4s/ViGGKEl-hQI/AAAAAAAADbE/WaQdrjxufFI/s640/knife2.jpg" width="430" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And we gain connection with what the world, right next to us, has to offer. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yf4w2Fb4UUg/ViGGVjjWPYI/AAAAAAAADbM/lFYKbw1lGi4/s1600/chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yf4w2Fb4UUg/ViGGVjjWPYI/AAAAAAAADbM/lFYKbw1lGi4/s640/chicken.jpg" width="430" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My boy spent hours whittling and creating. He made a sword and a butter knife to add to his whittled arsenal. I'm not too keen on weapons in our house, but feel a bit differently about hand-made swords, bow and arrows. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzJ7naIOGns/VoJjEGlBefI/AAAAAAAADok/fMUglx8ah40/s1600/20151018_174129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzJ7naIOGns/VoJjEGlBefI/AAAAAAAADok/fMUglx8ah40/s400/20151018_174129.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One day I'd like to be able to create something as beautiful as Dom's pile of handmade spoons. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQ3GJ6gZsbI/ViGGdUq-WHI/AAAAAAAADbU/bjp1EruIrOs/s1600/spoons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yQ3GJ6gZsbI/ViGGdUq-WHI/AAAAAAAADbU/bjp1EruIrOs/s640/spoons.jpg" width="418" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is my kitchen spatula, it's a bit rough, but I'm still rather fond of it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCtcNEN0914/ViGHLLmc_pI/AAAAAAAADbc/KO1GBFgOh2M/s1600/paddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCtcNEN0914/ViGHLLmc_pI/AAAAAAAADbc/KO1GBFgOh2M/s640/paddle.jpg" width="536" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christmas has just seen us celebrate by bringing a load of new toys into our house. We had a lot of fun, My boy loves his new Lego, Missy her new dolls' house. But these are not things that we really 'value'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2016, I'm going to hang on to the lessons of those afternoons whittling. That it's real connections and creativity that are the truly valuable things...xxx</span></div>
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-13677768635444200822015-11-18T02:29:00.000-08:002015-11-18T13:55:18.446-08:00Japanese Sewing Week - an 'Alice in Wonderland' blouse<div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Giveaway, giveaway alert! Scroll to bottom if you're in a rush!</i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's the first ever Japanese Sewing Week! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_xoCuf4jZA/VkpZb4wAxqI/AAAAAAAADlA/4JnUyimXBPU/s1600/alice14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_xoCuf4jZA/VkpZb4wAxqI/AAAAAAAADlA/4JnUyimXBPU/s1600/alice14.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My contribution to JSW, organised by Sara at Made by Sara combines two 'inspirations'; a Japanese pattern and <i>Alice in Wonderland</i>.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I know, that's a bit strange, the link will become clear.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OR8hCw5lWtI/VkpYEyKAgLI/AAAAAAAADjE/tlNAOPK3qCQ/s1600/alice12web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OR8hCw5lWtI/VkpYEyKAgLI/AAAAAAAADjE/tlNAOPK3qCQ/s640/alice12web.jpg" width="630" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Pattern</b> - Pintucked blouse, Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids by Tuttle publishing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Fabric</b> - Vintage embroidered table cloth</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oi379bO8BHU/VktCzXZW0wI/AAAAAAAADn8/1wNKmh_BWSg/s1600/tuttlecollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oi379bO8BHU/VktCzXZW0wI/AAAAAAAADn8/1wNKmh_BWSg/s640/tuttlecollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Firstly an apology. If you are also heading into the gloom of November, s</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">haring beach pictures seems almost cruel. And now it's </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">blatantly obvious just how long it takes me to get round to blogging!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But my new mantra is #slowblogging.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm trying to do things which minimise stress, and while I had a zillion ideas for Japanese Sewing Week, in the end time defeated me, and I'm showcasing this as-yet-unblogged beachy blouse instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Be assured though - there is more Japanese sewing in the pipeline!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmAo3AAk1DA/VkpZdPmSEkI/AAAAAAAADkM/35fkEGrBans/s1600/alice3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmAo3AAk1DA/VkpZdPmSEkI/AAAAAAAADkM/35fkEGrBans/s1600/alice3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It doesn't feel that long ago that Mi</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">ssy was playing on this beach, in this little blouse. I tried to take photos of her as she was playing, rather than get her to pose. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">And she was just so completely, perfectly happy on this day on a beach in Wales. 'No posing' is also part of my no stress #slowblogging approach at the moment.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> I hope you can spot the 'sewing details' though!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QyDa7sSPazI/VkpZeU6DIhI/AAAAAAAADk0/sNWuB6ETuOs/s1600/alice5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QyDa7sSPazI/VkpZeU6DIhI/AAAAAAAADk0/sNWuB6ETuOs/s1600/alice5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Japanese Sewing Week is hosted by the sweet Made by Sara, who seems to have a knack of coming up with great ideas. Back in the summer she also invited me to sew for her 150th Anniversary tour of Alice in Wonderland. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that really fired my imagination - I set about a little sewing mission, inspired by Alice in Wonderland's eccentric tea party, and made two dresses from vintage table cloths. And I wrote '<a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.nl/2015/07/alice-in-wonderland-150th-birthday.html" target="_blank">chapter one' of my Alice in Wonderland sewing...</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.nl/2015/07/alice-in-wonderland-150th-birthday.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3AsYE3obyU/VktDfkVpyKI/AAAAAAAADoE/OmOEMPNFNQU/s320/teapartycollage.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I picked up a huge bundle from my local vintage market and among my haul was the sweetest hand embroidered table cloth. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfzAcOYO0rM/VkpZmMCBY8I/AAAAAAAADlM/EFYt2C5P7jU/s1600/tablecloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfzAcOYO0rM/VkpZmMCBY8I/AAAAAAAADlM/EFYt2C5P7jU/s320/tablecloth.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was destined for my 'snip, snip' <i>Alice in Wonderland</i> scissors and I transformed it into the pintucked blouse from Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nb-WmpOo9E/VkpZfOXwoGI/AAAAAAAADkw/Ept6bnwPD9k/s1600/alice8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nb-WmpOo9E/VkpZfOXwoGI/AAAAAAAADkw/Ept6bnwPD9k/s640/alice8.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I've made this blouse before, as part of my Paris SewSocial sewing, and loved the simplicity of this pattern, the elegant touch of those little pleats, and the bias trim neckline, elasticated only at the back. It's a simple, perfect beach cover up.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9i8YhT7vydU/VkpZb2I_ZCI/AAAAAAAADjw/bHqa8uDh_sk/s1600/alice13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9i8YhT7vydU/VkpZb2I_ZCI/AAAAAAAADjw/bHqa8uDh_sk/s1600/alice13.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But making it out of this table cloth created a few headaches.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I wanted to keep the lovely hand-threaded edge of the table cloth, which saved me hemming. That meant I had to make the side seams dead-straight, rather than flared, which has slightly changed the shape. And I had to <i>really, really</i> think about how to cut this. I wanted to make the most of every corner, every flower, and there would be no second chance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aren't those flowers beautiful? I hope whoever spent hours embroidering this doesn't mind that I cut this up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And of course - I did stuff it up. I mistook a sleeve for the back, and cutting a long story short (almost literally) I ended up slightly weepy, and then had to piece the back together.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POEcN7jhXnA/VkpZehCJymI/AAAAAAAADks/0dhMRmlBED4/s1600/alice6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POEcN7jhXnA/VkpZehCJymI/AAAAAAAADks/0dhMRmlBED4/s1600/alice6.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The side seams needed a slightly different construction, to keep that embroidered edge. They are almost flat-felled. Let's just say I improvised... You can also see the tucks (just) in this picture.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWh1JsQIfns/VkpZekoIwdI/AAAAAAAADko/7XnUa_hSNxo/s1600/alice7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWh1JsQIfns/VkpZekoIwdI/AAAAAAAADko/7XnUa_hSNxo/s1600/alice7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, I love Japanese sewing, the fabrics, the patterns, the simple aesthetic. I love the way many pieces are gender neutral, and there's no fussy, girliness. Forgive me for many, many photos, but this little blouse was perfect for a day of sand, swimming and sunshine. I'm enjoying my memories of a little girl, and those special days of being five years old..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I've made quite a few Japanese pieces, mainly from Akiko Mano's <i>Linen, Wool, Cotton Kids</i>, and also <i>Sew Chic Kids</i> by Tuttle publishing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's my little collage. There's a 'Japanese pattern' label over on my side bar to track these down on my blog.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bdaR5CaCP4/VkpZzGPKT_I/AAAAAAAADlU/TtY4SURd8aE/s1600/jsw%2Bcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="564" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bdaR5CaCP4/VkpZzGPKT_I/AAAAAAAADlU/TtY4SURd8aE/s640/jsw%2Bcollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are some gorgeous posts to discover in this series, here's the full line-up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do take a minute to click around!</span></div>
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<a href="http://inamannerofsewing.blogspot.pt/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">In a Manner of Sewing</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> | </span><a href="http://www.conversasdehermanas.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Conversas de Hermanas</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> | </span><a href="http://pequenoseverdes.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Pequenos e Verdes</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> | </span><a href="http://www.climbingthewillow.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Climbing the Willow</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bartacksandsingletrack.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bartracks and Singletrack</a> | <a href="http://www.sisforsewing.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">S is for Sewing</a> | <a href="http://sewhappysew.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sew Happy</a> | <a href="http://www.mamacosesola.com/" target="_blank">Mamacosesola</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://fairiesbubblesco.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Fairies, Bubbles & Co.</a> | <a href="http://www.sewinglikemad.com/" target="_blank">Sewing Like Mad</a> | <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">As it Seams</a> | <a href="https://sewingforminime.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Sewing For Mini Me</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://lafoliesewingbooth.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">La Folie Sewing Booth</a> | <a href="http://justaddfabric.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Just Add Fabric</a> | <a href="https://bloglessanna.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Blogless Anna</a> | <a href="http://www.sweeterthancupcakes.com/" target="_blank">Sweeter Than Cupcakes</a> | <a href="https://needleandted.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Needle and Ted</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://misscastelinhos.com/" target="_blank">Miss Castelinhos</a> | <a href="http://madebytoya.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Made by Toya</a> | <a href="http://www.lilluxecollection.com/" target="_blank">Lil Luxe Collection</a> | <a href="http://www.houseofestrela.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">House of Estrela</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.orejak.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Patty Made It</a> | <a href="http://www.paisleyroots.com/" target="_blank">Paisley Roots</a> | <a href="https://ritapirolita.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Rita Pirolita</a> | <a href="http://www.callajaire.com/" target="_blank">Call Ajaire</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://socalsewingmom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">So-cal Sewing Mom</a> | <a href="http://kiwicraftychemist.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Kiwi Crafty Chemist</a> | <a href="https://sewshellysew.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sew Shelly Sew</a> | <a href="https://made-by-sara.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Made by Sara</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And this series is also being sponsored by Tuttle publishing with an incredible giveaway with three prizes to be one, in the raffle copter below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- One pack of 2 two Japanese Sewing books from <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/" target="_blank">Tuttle Publishing</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- One pack of 2 two Japanese Sewing books from <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/" target="_blank">Tuttle Publishing</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- A $40 fabric voucher from <a href="https://urban-sew.com/" target="_blank">Urban Sew</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To enter, click through the rafflecopter below, open until November 25.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And we'd love to see your Japanese pattern creations. Sara, over at Made by Sara<a href="http://made-by-sara.blogspot.pt/2015/11/1st-japanese-sewing-week-get-ready.html" target="_blank">Made by Sara</a> is hosting a link party as a showcase. All the details of JSW and the giveaway are over <a href="http://made-by-sara.blogspot.pt/2015/11/1st-japanese-sewing-week-get-ready.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="758038a74" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/758038a74/" id="rcwidget_1i0z9cfz" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095225947933400273.post-28003275736489466942015-11-01T15:12:00.000-08:002015-11-16T12:26:37.998-08:00Tutorial: Adding BiasTrim. A Hand-illustrated Guide<div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Want a bit more colour on a collar? Or a pocket? Or a cuff?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bias trim is the new piping!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMtupvebLgw/VjaVU6At5II/AAAAAAAADfQ/Ixjd69YOf9I/s1600/collarcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMtupvebLgw/VjaVU6At5II/AAAAAAAADfQ/Ixjd69YOf9I/s400/collarcollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I like the flatness of the finish, and the almost 'military' stripes it can add to a dress, like this newly finished <a href="http://as-it-seams.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/new-dress-and-old-friend-tinny2.html" target="_blank">Tinny dress, blogged here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F6hJ891pzc/VjaXsGrs3BI/AAAAAAAADfc/QUFLZOc7IEU/s1600/tinny3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F6hJ891pzc/VjaXsGrs3BI/AAAAAAAADfc/QUFLZOc7IEU/s320/tinny3.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I go straight in to the Step-by-Step, here's a few thoughts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I'm not a computer whizz... new stuff takes me ages. I have <i>no idea </i>how to draw computer diagrams, and I forgot to take photos of each step (I sew at night, anyway, so the light is awful)....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I can draw... And I can draw a collar much quicker than I can figure out the computer. So this is my first hand-illustrated tutorial. I'm hoping this will start a trend for 'slowblogging', after the Slow Food Movement... I'm taking a rebellious stance against the relentless high pace of the tech-world. My emphasis is on quality and process and the things we forget about, like pen and paper....But I digress, here we go...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adding Bias Trim - A Step by Step Guide...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. This tutorial is to add bias trim to the collar of the Tinny dress, by Straightgrain. It would work with any pattern, however I will be using Straightgrain's pattern instructions (eg seam allowance) as a point of reference. If using another pattern, with a different seam allowance, adjust instructions accordingly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. How wide do you want your bias trim to be? The width of your bias needs to be four times the width you would like visible. Eg, a 0.5cm (1/4 inch) trim requires a 2cm ( 1nch) wide bias binding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These instructions are for adding 0.5cm visible wide trim. Your bias binding should be pre-folded with 0.5 cm tucked under on each side</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Fold the bias binding in half lengthwise and iron, to create a centre crease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Cut out the collar pieces, and pin <i>wrong</i> sides together</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. The Tinny dress collar has a 7mm (1/4 inch) seam allowance. We need to stitch the collar pieces together just slightly more than that. Stitch with a 1cm (3/4inch) seam allowance</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2gJ3hOBMzSw/VjYAdwz-CrI/AAAAAAAADeE/uxWVinsykFM/s1600/collar5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2gJ3hOBMzSw/VjYAdwz-CrI/AAAAAAAADeE/uxWVinsykFM/s640/collar5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Trim away the 7mm (1/4 inch) seam allowance</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8lDfLznYQ4/VjX_gHzkJyI/AAAAAAAADds/25E8Dtg4cK4/s1600/collar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8lDfLznYQ4/VjX_gHzkJyI/AAAAAAAADds/25E8Dtg4cK4/s640/collar2.jpg" width="630" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Open up the bias binding and pin it with lots of pins - many more than in this picture - all the way around the collar edge, matching the edge of the bias to the edge of the collar. Stitch at 0.5cm, in the fold of the bias binding.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZr2oAVZu7w/VjYAIdYMhhI/AAAAAAAADd8/rUsM2EzMMw8/s1600/collar4%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZr2oAVZu7w/VjYAIdYMhhI/AAAAAAAADd8/rUsM2EzMMw8/s640/collar4%2B001.jpg" width="568" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Now, fold the bias around the edge of the collar with the central crease of the bias matching the collar edge. Iron really well, pushing out the curved seam, and ensuring it lies flat</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxQe8Ibm5uI/VjX_1mdR8zI/AAAAAAAADd0/cEaRIi9XKX0/s1600/collar3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DxQe8Ibm5uI/VjX_1mdR8zI/AAAAAAAADd0/cEaRIi9XKX0/s640/collar3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Now, turn the collar piece over and pin the loose side of the bias trim to the collar underside, again with lots and lots of pins. Hand stitch the bias in place, using an invisible slip stitch. Alternatively if you don't mind visible stitching, the bias can be stitched in place carefully using a sewing machine</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Wk_fQkwww/VjX_KpDteTI/AAAAAAAADdk/Y9BeqPUnSHw/s1600/collar6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Wk_fQkwww/VjX_KpDteTI/AAAAAAAADdk/Y9BeqPUnSHw/s640/collar6.jpg" width="622" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Repeat for the other collar piece, and then follow the pattern instructions as normal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01aAIz24meI/VjYDAWHBYYI/AAAAAAAADeY/J2-zR7u5pvQ/s1600/tinny3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tinny dress" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01aAIz24meI/VjYDAWHBYYI/AAAAAAAADeY/J2-zR7u5pvQ/s640/tinny3.jpg" title="Tinny dress" width="424" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used the same technique on this modified collar for the Sunday picnic dress by Sewpony. I loved the Liberty bias trim so much I just had to show it off!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq96dgMiKUg/VjaOTx7HytI/AAAAAAAADfA/SrX99bmc5Lo/s1600/DSC02002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq96dgMiKUg/VjaOTx7HytI/AAAAAAAADfA/SrX99bmc5Lo/s640/DSC02002.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd love to see your bias trim creations! Do share them with me and let me know of any new places to add extra bias!</span></div>
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<br />Victoria As-it-Seamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097483997534222972noreply@blogger.com12