Welcome to my blog & a year of new sewing friends & meet ups.

Hi Folks and welcome to my first blog post!

I’ve actually had this site sat languishing somewhere in the virtual world for a while but today felt like the perfect day to write my first actual post. I know, it’s a bit of a cliché and all that with it being New Years Eve but I’ve had such an amazing year and this time last year I would never have believed I would have met so many fantastic people and attended so many amazing sewing events.

For my first post I thought I would reflect on all the amazing things I have been so lucky to have done this year and the wonderful people I have met (oh and a quick introduction!).

So my name is Vicky, I’m a 40 “something” year old living in the East Midlands with the hubby and a recently acquired pup (Yes you will be seeing a lot of him – the dog that is, not the hubby!!!).

I’ve alway loved anything crafty and have dabbled in all sorts of things from knitting, photography, crochet and the usual bits of sewing like curtains and bunting. Many moons ago I did a Textiles Print Design degree at Uni and had made the odd item over the years including my Graduation dress, a very dodgy lycra one shouldered top (It was the 90’s!!) and a few fancy dress costumes.  I briefly had another go at dressmaking around 6 years ago and made a shirt dress (It had a proper collar and collar stand, button placket and all sorts – what was I thinking!!!!!) I dug it out recently and was actually pleasantly surprised although sadly I don’t wear it as it’s made in quite a thick quilting cotton and it’s a bit too big.

But it was about 4 years ago I really started to explore the world of dressing making and I’ve been totally hooked ever since.

However this time last year my dressmaking experience was a very solitary one spending hours squirreled away on my own in my tiny craft room sewing away, not knowing anyone else who shared my hobby.

I had of course discovered the amazing online sewing community particularly, the rabbit hole that is Instagram, and had started to share my makes and chat to fellow sewers on-line.  But back in October 2017 I took a massive leap into the unknown and went on my first actual sewing meet up and attended Sew Brum. I was TERRIFIED and very nearly didn’t go but thanks to the encouragement of the lovely Christine (@Mrs.F_72) who very kindly offered to meet me off I trotted.  It was a fantastic day and I haven’t looked back since.

But 2018 has really been the year where I have met the most fantastic people and have been so lucky to attend some amazing sewing events.  All starting back in April when I attended a local meet up in Nottingham called @sewnotts (organised by Chantelle @I_Seam_Sew_Happy_xx).

It was a great day of chatting and of course fabric shopping and I actually found that a few of the girls were pretty local to where I live.  So now, on the 31st of December, I feel so lucky to have these ladies in my life.  We have drank a lot of tea (and Gin!), travelled up and down the country to any meet up we could make and bought a LOT of fabric (OK that may just me be!!!).

So here’s just a few photos from 2018 and for anyone reading who has thought about attending a sewing meet up or event, all I can say is DO IT!

Sewing Meet Ups

Coffee & cake, @sewnotts breakfast at Bills, Fabric shopping at #SewupNorth, #SewBrum and #SewLeicester

Sewing Weekends

I was super lucky to have attended two sewing weekends with the first being ‘The Stitch Room Sewcial’ held at Loughborough University back in June, organised by Anne and Lucy from New Vintage Sewing and Sew Essential.

And….. The Sewing Weekender in August held at Cambridge University and organised by The Fold Line.

Both weekends were so good having a whole weekend actually sewing with other people!

A trip to the Hand Made Fair

I had a fantastic day out with the gorgous Becky from @notes_from_the_sewing_room at Kirsty Allsopp’s Handmade Fair at Hampton Court . We made willow bird feeders and as fun as it was I don’t think my willow weaving skills are up to scratch so I think I’ll stick to sewing! We also got to meet the lovely ladies from Sewalicious.

And a weekend away in London

And to top off the year a weekend in London at the New Craft House Christmas party (oh and of course fabric shopping!!!!!) with these amazing ladies!

Laura (@material_girl_laura), Lisa, Claire (@_Claires_Creations_), me and Adelle (@button_and_pip)

We don’t scrub up too bad do we 🙂

We managed to squeeze in Goldhawk Road, Liberty’s, Sew Over It and Raysticth!!!!!

WOW! What a year and of course I have made a few things too, more of which I will be sharing with you next year!!!!

Thanks for reading and best wishes for 2019

Vicky xxxxx