Monday 26 April 2010

Presents for Me!

I must admit, I’ve been a bit ‘spendy’ recently. I rarely buy new commercial patterns as I have a stock pile of eBay’ed vintage ones, Burda magazines and printed out Burdastyle PDF’s that would take two years solid sewing to get through. However, I tend to keep a close eye on the projects section of Burdastyle and a myriad of blogs and I’ve noticed some really nice creations using current commercial patterns. A couple of which are so close to some design ideas I’ve been forming in my head to help use up my fabric stash, that it seemed kind of silly not to just buy them. After blabbering about these patterns at home the other day, my boyfriend said I deserved to buy some after the success of Me-Made-March. I don’t need his authorisation of course, but it felt nice hearing someone say it. Although whether or not he would have still said it if he knew the full extent of my eBay pattern ‘winning’ addiction, is another matter! So I bought these:


A note to those who live in Europe: you won’t find this out until after extensive form filling out and frustration, but you can’t buy patterns on the US Simplicity website and get them shipped to Europe. There is a European site (and a UK site, Australian site and South African site), but I didn’t find any of the patterns I wanted there so after some enquiries, ended up emailing my order and details directly to some office to get the order processed manually. US Simplicity: FAIL. I know the US is pretty big but Europeans and other parts of the globe like sewing pretty current patterns too, it might be worth their while financially to make them available! Anyways......

I also bought some fabric. Hold on! Before you fly off the handle about how I’m meant to be Stash Bustin’, let’s check the stats. Sarah at Color Kitten has had the genius idea of tracking her ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of fabric yardage to check she is on the wagon with the Stash Bustin’. I wish I’d had the fore-thought to do that, but looking back through my blog since I started the Stash Bustin’ challenge at the end of January, I estimate I’ve used up approx. 24m to date (including the garments I presently have in progress but haven’t been unveiled on the tinternet yet). That's a lot of fabric! Me-Made-March was a motivator for some of the makery. I’m not sure I would have got round to attempting a cardigan, jumper dress or coat if the threat of a lingering winter hadn’t been present.

So, I feel justified in buying 1m80cms of blue cotton for a pair of high waisted trousers, 1m of red poly/cotton for a pair of Capri pants and 2m of awesome check cotton for a shirt for my boy. I promise that’s it until another significant chunk of fabric gets turned into wearable clothing. Promise.

16 comments:

Karin said...

Oh, nice buys :-). I especially like the materials, very 1950's + 2010 = hot.
Makes me wonder though, just HOW did you manage to but the simplicity patterns you wanted? In case I ever get the idea to try it out?

KID, MD said...

Love your pattern picks! I have two of those in my own pattern stash. Will make soon... Sorry Simplicity caused you pain and agony!

serendipity said...

hi there,
I've just bought mine from a company in the UK
http://www.sewessential.co.uk
they recently had discounts on all the big name patterns.
Have never had any probs with them and very client friendly

I luv the new look but as I'm on the large size I can't always find what I want

ciao joan in italy

Zoe said...

Thanks ladies. Karin, I emailed them an enquiry and a lady responded with how to place my order via email. I emailed my pattern choices' codes, address and credit card details (in two emails for safety) and they responded with postage options. It was quite efficient once I got someone on the case for me.

Miss Emmi said...

Ohh, can't wait to see the capri pants. If you plan to use a modern pattern for them, let us know (so I can go out and make my own, hoho).

Sunni said...

Oh Zoe, I'm so sorry to hear about how hard it is to buy current sewing patterns. What a drag? I completely agree! I'm surprised that Simplicity makes it so hard when they could only benefit from having their patterns available worldwide.

Love your fabric picks and can't wait to see the creations.

Cecili said...

I'm waiting for the New Look top you've received, I'm so eager to sew the bow version! I love your fabric choices and I hope we'll get to see your creations soon!

Stacy said...

I love the idea of keeping track of how much fabric comes in vs. how much gets used up. As long as the balance stays at zero or negative, the stash is not growing! Off to do some "in vs. out" calculations now... :)

Anonymous said...

I almost bought that New Look blouse pattern last night. Let me know how it goes! Maybe it will make me go back and buy it!

Uta said...

Love the blouse patterns! I am, unfortunately, too cheap to buy nice American patterns... So I'll live/sew vicariously through you!

Ellie said...

I bought that skirt pattern just a week or so ago! Can't wait to see what you make!

Angela said...

Awesome! You deserve some patterns and fabric!

Miss Lottie Lou said...

You totally deserve all of them!! Can't wait to see your makings :)
Lottie x

Sølvi said...

Great blog!
I live in Sweden and have no trouble ordering american patterns through www.sewingpatterns.com. Just a little tip for the next time you need a new pattern. :-)

sparkledonkey said...

I got the same blouse pattern (2601)for $1.99 last weekend.

I can't find a way to email you through your blog, but you can email me at jen.bixby[at]gmail[dot]com if you need American patterns in the future. If there's a pattern you're willing to wait for, I can pick it up when the craft stores have their inevitable sales.

Tasia said...

Love the red, blue & gingham fabric picks, summery yet classic! Sorry you had such a hard time getting patterns, I'm in Canada which can be slow & challenging when I order stuff, but not nearly as annoying as it must be for you!

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