And the winner is....

Oh my goodness, I have been wracked with guilt - crap broadband issues technical difficulties have ment no posting.  However I am delighted to announce the winner of the fitting book is....

House of Pinherio

Yay, congrats!!  drop me a note with your postal address at rutheveleigh at btinternet dot com and your book will be on it's way to you.

My sewing mojo's back after disappearing for, what feels like, months.....  I've made a skirt and top for work, and am currently working on a shirt, following my visit to Gill Arnold last Saturday.

More on those later.  In the meantime, have a lovely weekend all.

PS Fabricland came up trumps.  They replaced the lengths of double knit, and didn't want the flawed lengths back, so I'm sure I will be able to squeeze something out of them - I feel a simple cardi coming on....

Foundations of Fit - roll on Saturday and a Giveaway

Why is it I can fit my customers but really, really struggle to fit myself?  Is it because I can't see, hold, pin and measure myself? is it because I just don't know why or where it doesn't fit? is it pulling across the back because the armholes are too tight, too low, or not high enought?  No wonder it's a complete struggle!

On Friday I hope to de mystify some of these niggles as I am attending another Gill Arnold class "Foundations to Fit" on Saturday.  It's a day class aimed at blouses / jackets and covers the basic principals of fit.  I get how to alter for a FBA or SBA, I get how to alter sleeves for my buxom larger upper arms - I just need a hand getting it right for me.  It's one of the reasons I've been reluctant to put the Speed Tailoring class into practice because I'm always dissatisfied with the final fit.

To celebrate I'm giving away a copy of by favorite books "Fast Fit" by Sandra Betzina - or aunty Sandy in my house, because I always turn to her!  During my sort out I noticed that I had two copies.  So if you'd like my spare copy, drop me a line before midnight on Saturday 12th November; tell me about your fit issues and how you overcame them - I might learn something!  The Giveaway is open to all.

Also on a happy note, I bought this book at a sale a couple of weeks ago and was inspired to do some sewing yesterday - can't tell you what because they are Christmas presents.  It's a really great book, nothing particularly new or exciting, cushions, door stops, wash bags and pinnies etc but it's beautifully written and photographed and of course, full of wonderful Liberty prints.  I'd say buy this book!

Enjoy the remainder of your evening and look forward to hearing from you with your fit tips!

PS still no resolution to the fabric delivery issues, fingers crossed it will be sorted out tomorrow....

The Sunday Giveaway

I'm having a HUGE sort out of my sewing room, supplies, patterns and stash over the next few weeks.  To be honest I think it will take me until the end of the year, there is just SO much one collects/hoards over a 25 year period!

Because I'm going back to employed work I need to re-orgainse the sewing room properly.  It's been a tough decision but I will no longer sew for customers.  Rachel's wedding dress due at the end of this month, will be my last.  It's been a great experience but I'm putting the last 10 years behind me to concentrate on me, Ian and Jack.  I will keep the sewing classes going though as I really enjoy that side of my business!

Anyhoo, the reason for this post is to let you all know that I will be having lots of items to giveaway.  Books, notations, patterns and fabrics will be high on the list.  I will post most things anywhere in the world but some may have to be the UK due to weight. 

First up is the following book as I have two:  I can thoroughly recommend it to both novice and experienced tailors.  I have referred to it a lot since I took the Gill Arnold class at the end of June.  It covers traditional, speed and a mixture of the two type of tailoring with excellent photographic reference as we have come to love with the Singer Library.

This giveaway is open to anyone in blogland.  As long as you are a follower, and leave a comment before end of day Wednesday 17th August I'll include you in the draw. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  We're going our for our Sunday Lunch today, so no boubt we will be snoozing by 4pm (why does a Sunday lunch make me so sleepy?)