WHEW! Exhausting but fun day (lots of sewing patterns)

Well we did go down the hill to the Stitches and Craft Show, and I must say Sue and I were both quite restrained in our spending! It was wonderful to go with another sewing type, really changed the focus. We watched most of the fashion parades and found them really worthwhile - proving again that the illustrations on some patterns do NOT do them justice.

For example this jacket - a bit *meh* on the pattern, but STUNNING made up - a really versatile little jacket. Stephanie (Perpetual Patterns & Can Do Books) had sold out at the show, so I might have to mail order it.

There was one model in the show that was a size 14, D cup - and admittedly she was nearly 6 foot tall, but she was NOT a lightweight skinny minny - so wonderful to see a REAL size model looking great in the clothes on parade.

There were no photos allowed in the show (pity, since some of the clothes made up from commercial patterns really were scrummy) and the art garments by Ruth Osborne, Kirry Toose and Trudy Billingsley were full of interesting ideas for lesser mortals to borrow. Sue Neall (of Stitches, the Australian Sewing Guild and now Sew Inspirational) did a great job hosting and explaining the parades, and also managed a quick change for each parade - the woman never stops!

Another pattern that was definitely a “flick past” in the pattern book but absolutely stunning made up - this little crossover top , Vogue 8120. We saw this made up in knits and in several colours - it looked smashing.

As did the tunic and flat front (but elastic waisted - very nice, not your granny’s elastic waist!)pants in  Vogue 8335. Again - not a stunning illustration, but wow, terrific sewn up.

I mentioned that I was reading Pattern Review before heading down - I only ended up buying one pattern - the Sewing Workshop Mimosa Top and Pant.

(I know, a bit summery - but I’m planning on wearing long sleeves under it. And the pant looks very flattering.)

Kerryn (of the astonishing makeovers in Stitches magazine) was at the Australian Sewing Guild stand at the show, and I showed her the pattern for the top - she suggested that on my figure, extending the bottom edge to a diagonal would be more flattering that having a strong horizontal line just above my hips. I’m definitely making a muslin first one this one.

And this is the fabric I bought (from here - they don’t have fabrics on their website, but will very soon) to make the top. Now that I look at it draped on me I’m wondering if the print is a bit blocky… what do you think? It’s more rust/brown/tan than the orange-y flash photo shows, really - but I think it’s ok with my colouring?

Wait ’til you see the fabulously wearable fabric Sue bought - oh my, just swoooony!

I would have loved to go to some of the workshops that the Australian Sewing Guild was running - but there just wasn’t time.  Maybe next year…