Sooo good to be back! Although, a it feels like I’ve moved into a new house and haven’t got used to where the cutlery drawer is yet. Fingers crossed I don’t accidentally delete the blog, fumbling around over the next few weeks, we’re good to go! Where I’ve been, for those just joined, is in the midst of a major blog overhaul (previously blogging as Cirque Du Bebe) which was not so much a blogcation, as much as a trip into a dark scary technical unknown. And it took forevvveerrr! Actually it took about the right amount of time, it was more that when I announced in March that it was all happening, I really did think I would be back in April. As if jumping blog platforms, switching names and re-jigging a whole new space are things you just do in your sleep.
Just a shorty today… I’ll be back tomorrow with a fresh new sew for Nani Iro Month!
At the start of 2014, I wrote a List Of Things. ‘Revamp blog’ was about 3/4 of the way down and added with an extra sprinkling of ‘manana, manana’. But here we are, it is March and I cannot wait any longer to overhaul this space. If you’ve been with me since the beginnings of this blogging journey, you’ll have noticed there’s not a whole of sewing for ‘bebe’s happening these days. Just know my boys are clothed. Also know, I’ve been wrestling with this long and hard, feeling like changing my content from kid sewing to lady sewing was somehow a big bloggy no no. I’ve come to realise that creativity is fluid and if you give yourself over to it and don’t get bogged down in the ‘should sews’, it makes sense that you’ll be constantly evolving too. Blog design can be tweaked. But a good a lesson in choosing a blog name that can grow with you!
For the month of march I’m going to be entering that dark place where the technically-able reside, fumbling my way from one blogging platform to another, hoping to emerge with the blog equivalent of a butterfly, or at least a Spanish Moon Moth.
See you in on the other side! In the mean time what I’d really like to know is….
Holding onto this news has been like needing to pee really bad for several weeks with no relief! And today I can finally reveal that the BIG something is I will be participating in a special event that’s literally been in the works for a couple of years, The Craft Sessions. Now, retreats of a crafty nature are a little thin on the ground around here. I watch wistfully, nose pressed up against the glass at the parade of blogging meet-ups, sewing retreats and amazing fabric shows overseas. And while I’ve been plotting the when’s and how’s of jumping on a plane to join the festivities, a small force of craftrapreneurial ladies have been dreaming up this exsquisite weekend of crafting and making in the Yarra Valley, outside Melbourne. Throw in some good food, wine, yoga and inspiring company…and you got yourself a retreat!
Here’s the craziest part of all, by participating I mean I’ll be…actually leading a workshop! Alongside this bunch of unimaginably talented ladies, some of whose blog’s I’ve been following since before I even had one: Leslie of Maze and Vale, Melissa of Tiny Happy, Georgie of Tikki Knits and Jules of Woollen flower. Between us we span sewing, embroidery, printing, knitting, patchwork and quilting and we’ve been given the reigns to design and create a weekend’s worth of unforgettable, bespoke workshops in each of our crafts. So, you probably know by now that I won’t be at the head of the knitting workshop but I will most definitely be sharing my love of garment sewing, both for adults and kids and more details of the workshops will be released shortly. Hold tight.
Thanks for entering the Bombshell pattern and fabric giveaway. I loved reading the comments and judging by the response, the Bombshell has filled a massive void for on-trend swimwear patterns. I’ve used a random number generator to come up with the winner, but can’t quite figure out how to import the actual thingo into the post. It’s late and I’m a techno-no-go tonight, so I’ll just get on with announcing…the winner of the giveaway is no.20, congratulations to… Nele84!
The Sewalong begins this Monday coming and I am really hanging out to see everyone’s versions post Sewalong…because you did realize that by entering the comp you were forever after committed to making a Bombshell?! Excellent, I knew you wouldn’t leave me to strip alone! The pattern is available here and a popular place to gather the other supplies is Sew Sassy. I only just ordered my swim cups and elastic from them after finding a huge black hole in the Australian swimwear notions market. But if you’re running out of time, there are other ways around, you can even rip swim cups out of old bathers from thrift stores like this tester did. And if it’s pretty swimwear fabric you’re still after, this shop ships internationally.
There I was, table cleared, stash at the ready, all set for the big winter sew. And then the Northern Hemisphere swoops in with THIS distraction! A swimsuit pattern. The hot-as, gift-to-women-everywhere, BOMBSHELL swimsuit, by one of my fav adult sewing bloggers Closet Case Files. Here’s the thing. I didn’t test this pattern. I’m not an affiliate. But when I saw this I just had to share! I love swimsuits. I’ve loved them long time. And if I actually did fit into the mould of Aussie surfie chick then that’d explain things. But I’m pasty and scared of sharks. So it’s anyone’s guess.
As for sewing swimsuits, I’ve been wanting to have a go but until now have found nothing remotely inspiring in the way of cute patterns. And to be honest the intimidation factor here is pretty high. I’m not afraid of stretch, I afraid of ruching and maths and weird elastic. And all are involved here, in small quantities, mind you. I’ve glanced over the pattern (one eye squinted shut) and there are a few small calculations involved and plenty of ruching. Which is why it looks damn gorgeous! And all the pattern testers have said that it is A-Ok and easy to follow so I’m sure it’s going to be F.I.N.E. Plus there is going to be an actual Bombshell Sewalong!
If you’ve witnessed the conga of breathtaking bombshells making their debut in the last few days you’d know what I mean by this swimsuit being universally flattering. There’s this stunner by Sallieoh, this gingham beauty by Lladybird and another lovely by Paunnet. Being a bit print happy I was always going to dive for a patterned fabric first but now I’m noticing how classic and beautiful the Bombshell makes up in solid colors. However, if it’s a printed swimwear lycra you covet, my two favorite sources are Tessuti Fabrics (online and ships internationally) and The Fabric Store (accessible by kangaroo only).
I am truly in awe of anyone who puts together something as mind blowing as a hand-made pattern so I wanted to get behind Heather and her Bombshell and celebrate its release with a giveaway…
Up for grabs is one copy of the Bombshell pattern + a piece of this exsquisite swimwear fabric, generously donated by Tessuti Fabrics. Of which there is more available + other beautiful prints, like this beach scene (it said buy me, I said yes). If you’d like to enter, leave a comment or tell me which version you’d make. A winner will be drawn at random, from anywhere in the world and announced on the 16th June. And then I’ll be sprinting to the post-office in the hope that it gets delivered before the Sewalong begins.
So what do you think about them apples? Are you in?
I'm Sophie. Seeker of Sewing Highs. Join me, as I whoop-whoop zipper flys and cry over shrunk fabric. Our destination: the ultimate hand-made wardrobe.
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