The blog list.

I'm sorry my post was so short yesterday, we had a working bee in our front garden and I had little time to post as were we doing some serious gardening, and paving etc. I am so sore today, surprisingly only on the left side, very weird. Even though I'm tired, I have to say it was a fantastic weekend and meeting you all was very rewarding.

I took a few minutes to look around at the meeting when we were at Time Out, and what struck me the most was all the smiling, the laughing, chatting and the wine in some people's cases. You know who you are. :)

I'm so glad that Rachel took the opportunity to organise the meet up. I had a fabulous time and I hope you did to! I'm also glad that Kirsty, Christy and Rachel came all the way to the meet up, what dedication! I'm toying with the idea of going to Sydney, but we'll see what happens...

One more thing ladies, regarding the bill well done! We almost had exact change, it goes to show, sewers are honest people, except for telling our partners how much the fabric costs.

Here is the list for the people who want it, feel free to share and blog. I've included hyperlinks on the blog name but just in case it doesn't work, I've listed the address too.
Kat (me) All the whimsical things http://sewingwithpatience.blogspot.com.au/
Robyn: Sew love red  http://sewredrobyn.blogspot.com.au/
Rachel: Boo dog and me http://boodogg.blogspot.com.au/
Rachel: My messings http://mymessings.blogspot.com.au/
Kirsty: Rocket Sews http://rocketsews.otheredge.com.au/
Leith: Sew Brunswick http://sewbrunswick.blogspot.com.au/
Lara: Thornberry thornberry.wordpress.com/
Melanie: PoppyKettle http://poppykettle.blogspot.com.au/
Helen: Funkbunnys kitchen garden http://funkbunnysgarden.blogspot.com.au/
Christy Little Betty http://littlebettydesigns.blogspot.com.au/
Rachel: The two windmills http://thetwowindmills.wordpress.com/
Sarah: Sewsquirrell http://www.sewsquirrel.com.au/
Kirsty: Rocketsews http://rocketsews.otheredge.com.au/
Tj: The perfect nose http://theperfectnose.wordpress.com/
Belle: Bella's Collectanea of Sewing http://www.bellacollectanea.com

Fabulous ladies who are blog-less.
Anna
Catherine
Heather
Sue A

Please let me know if I've left anyone out.

Also if anyone wants to meet up sooner rather than later, I'm happy to meet in any areas of Melbourne, feel free to drop me a line at Allegravintage@gmail.com

Thanks for reading.

Kat

Melbourne sewist catch up!

What a friendly bunch of people you all are!

I had a delightful time, I got to the city at about 12, wandered down to Clegs picked up some need supplies, then went straight to the Nicholson building, and then on to Tessuti's. It was surreal to see Rachel by the remnant table talking to the bloggers I knew! I knew some bloggers by the clothes they were wearing and others were new to me. Here are some of the photos I snapped at various times through the day. I hope you like them.



Kirsty, Tj and Melanie

Sue, Robyn and Lara

Melaine, Kirsty and Tj again!

Lara, Sue A and Robyn

Christy, Rachel, Leith and Catherine

Sarah, you crack me up lady.

Sarah, Rachel and Belle

Me, Heather and Sue.

Belle and I

My engagement ring and Belle's engagement ring.

I can't wait till the next catch up, I can just imagine it will be bigger and better.

If you would like a copy of the photos, a list of all the blogs, a chat or anything else, please email me at allegravintage@gmail.com
Please remember to link back to my blog if you plan on using the photos on yours.

(Hearts on fire) Ava top

This little pretty is my new Ava top.

This time around I decided to make the top version with the cute little cap sleeves.

I made a few minor changes, I increased the FBA, and use bias binding for hem to give it a bit of a flounce, the biggest change I made to this version was to put a zip in the center back above the peplum, and for the upper back section I folded each side over twice and stitched the sides down (I forget the technical term for it), I made a little loop and added a button to the other side for easy access to get my head through.

It came together quite quickly, although again I had trouble with the sweetheart V, it took a few tries to get it right. In this photo, the sweethearts neckline it looks like it has folds, and looks rumply which isn't the case IRL.

Train sewing, a great way to pass the time.

The cap sleeves are super cute and as you can see from the photos, the upper bust section is dotted Swiss as well as the cap sleeves,I bought it from the Clegs remnant sale, one metre for $4, which is a bargain. The on the edge of the sleeves the dotted balls hang down slightly which makes for an interesting feature. The main fabric is satin back crepe I believe, purchased from Alannah Hill outlet.


I love this top and the style, but I have really struggled to find the appropriate bottom to go with the top, which my hold me back from wearing this more often, and from making about 10 more. If you have any suggestions, I greatly welcome them.

I'll post more photos when I get the chance as the last two was taken in my work's bathroom. I washed my hands, promise. Ewww. :)

I have plans to make the short dress version with liberty lawn and ecru lace but still trying to find the lace......then I think I'm done with this pattern, maybe I'll try one the new Victory patterns.

Where will you be this Saturday?

Christmas cross stitch.

I know where I'll be.........at Rachel's Melbourne Sewist meet up!

Just in case you didn't know about the meet up already, the lovely Rachel from Boo Dog and Me blog is organising a sewist meet up for all those people who love to sew and craft in the Melbourne Area.

We'll be meeting at Tessuti's at 1.30pm this Saturday the 18th and then going for coffees and cake at Time Out Cafe at 3pm. (Click on the Tessuti's link for the store address if you need it.)

I have plans to go to the Nicholas building before the meet up to see what new stock l'uccello and Button Mania have available, then walk my way up Little Collins to Tessuti's, I hoping to get there around noon, so if your early, come for a wander.

Just in case you don't know what I look like, I'll be the girl in the bright yellow dress!

Hope to see you there!!!

Thanks for reading,

Kat

A complaint

I love sale time, I admit I'd much rather buy something on sale than part with more money than I have too, reasoning I can spend the same amount yet get twice as much. Any one who sews will understand about being in love with $34+ per meter fabrics but not being able to justify 4 metres of it to be added to the stash. I'm on many fabric stores mailing list, which is bad for my bank balance and my stash.

On the 16th of June, I received an email from the Melbourne fabric store, advising of the start of their sale, the mailing list (VIP) members received 40% off store wide if you went in before Friday the 20th. After that the sale would be 30% off store wide.

Understandably, I wasn't interested in going as at that stage as couldn't get into the store with working full time.

I forgot about the sale until I received another email on Saturday morning 21/7 advising most wool was now 50% off, great I thought, thinking of the McCall's Coat pattern I recently
purchased. I was hoping for a red, pink or plum wool suitable for the coat.
I went in that day when we were in the area looking for furniture, darling Ben waited very patiently almost until the end. :)

It was quiet in there store, the ladies there were friendly, offering their assistance and taking bolts of fabric to the counter for me. I had a pleasant hour wandering around and then purchasing my fabric, I didn't get any wool as they didn't have the colours I wanted.

To the complaint part; today I received an email from the fabric store advising of that all* fabrics were now 50% off for the last 5 days till August the 12th!

I thought of the $100+ I spent (I'm not telling exactly how much :)), and I started to get annoyed, this seemed to happen to me on a regular basis with their sales.

I question the marketing strategy of the fabric store, they want customers to come in early and buy up, yet they will reward the customers that come in last with a bigger discount!

I don't flatter myself that I'm the only one that this is happened to, but this is the third time I have gone to one of the Melbourne Fabric stores sales and days later the sale is a percentage lower, so I thought I'd voice my opinion and frustrations.

I understand what running a business is like, in all businesses, even the big ones you have to watch the P&L, the margins, inventory etc, but at the same time you have to keep your customers happy, as without them you'll be won't be in business.

I'm not saying that I'll be won't be shopping there again, but I won't be going out of my way either which what I have done in the past, and since I live in an hour and 20 minutes away, I don't see how often I'll go there now.

Saying all that I have to say: I have receive good service at the Brunswick st. store, the ladies are friendly without being pushing, and they will help during sale time.

I got some lovely fabric from store (in the photo its the Karen Walker cotton stripe, Blue cotton silk animal print, raspberry silk seersucker, and pink and blue Milly fabric) I don't regret the purchasing the fabric as they are just lovely, but as I could of save over $50 it kinda hurts.

If you haven't been yet I would advise going before the sale ends. Get a bargain, cause I didn't.

Thanks for reading.

Kat