Replacing RTW - Simplicity 6672 - Black&Grey Maxi

Reflecting on everyone's goals for the year, it seems that some of the main trends for 2014 sewing bloggers who make resolutions, is to stash bust, continue RTW (ready to wear) fasts and develop some TNT (tried & true) patterns with variations.

I spent the later part of 2013 building an enviable stash (of both patterns and fabric) and am sure I'll find some pretty pieces to add to it in 2014 ;)

It's a gorgeous photo (on film no less)
Surely you don't want dress details as well?!

Sew Grateful Week 2014 - Giveaway and reflection

I am Sew very Grateful to all of you, the enablers (new pattern anyone?), the supporters and the inspirationalists - I love what you're doing!!

Miss Bossy Patterns - Selecting a project for March

Over at the Monthly Stitch they realise that some of us may have patterns in our stash that we've never used, despite our very best intentions.
Some of us may also have fabric associated with these patterns…
The March Challenge is to select three of those patterns and to ask you to vote for one which will be sewn for March.
Now, my pattern stash is trying to keep up with Heather B of "all the patterns" and there are some gems that need some TLC before they are worthy.
There may also be some fabric that's waiting on the aforementioned pattern tweaking….
Getting to this glorious stage isn't going to happen in the next month ;)

Voting for all!!

So, I've chosen a luscious knit from the Clegs sale that I pat every time I pass and paired it with the first pattern I saw from Drape Drape - top #1 that I've never even traced….. I even have a draped red knit top shaped hole in my wardrobe (the RTW version is simply, worn out!)

Call me Anna, Social Anna

Why Hello Mac, welcome to your photoshoot

Call me Anna, By Hand London, Anna

Anna really is a social lass isn't she. She's been spotted all around the world, varying her look each time and always looking fabulous. She's really, really good looking and quite generous too - not bad for a lass who only entered the scene in 2013.

Happy New Year - Love, the Dachshund xxx

Happy Lunar New Year everyone!
Surely that means I can post my December and January Monthly Stitch challenges on time??
no?? These are all gratuitous dachshund shots….. good enough reason? excellent! let's just ignore the timestamps and cover them here….
December's Challenge was "tis the season to Party" and I wore my project top to three Christmas functions, including family lunch on Christmas Day. Did I get a single photo of it - well, of course not ;)

Needless to say this is an 'action' shot as he spied something worth considering leaping into action for

It is Leisl+Co's Weekend Getaway Blouse and I admit, I was completely influenced by Lara Thornberry's two and SewBusyLizzy's versions.

It's a jungle out there - in the water

Jungle January in Australia finds us merging into our native environments of the beach, the freshwater lake and the local suburban pool… or with 5 days over 40C (110F), into anywhere with functioning air-conditioning…

Knowing that all of the above environments were likely in January, I needed some camouflage, stat. Something rated to SPF50+, in marine colourations, able to merge with the background water wherever it may be found and also to survive the hike in and lifeguard duty while there.

Enter Cake's Cabarita in spongy wetsuit material. It's in the snow peacock 'pant-tone' colourway, but do I spy some little kittys peeking out from that big cat print?

Victory Nicole

Victory Patterns' Nicola has always been there, just hovering under my radar - woven wrap dress, cute petal sleeves, convertible to top and skirt combo, named after me (no, not me, it is a beautiful story though)
 - how could it not be on my sewing wishlist!