The best meetup ever!

Yesterday, I went to my first ever sewing bloggers' meetup. As it was local (Brum) I went into town on the bus, something I haven't done in ages.

I was gobsmacked at the number of girls that turned up - there was about 25 to 30 of us altogether! I was a bit nervous about it to be honest, I'd never done anything like this before where I met up with random strangers to go on a shopping spree. It didn't help that my hubby said to me as I walked out the door, "you're really brave to do this"....

But I needn't have worried! Everyone was so lovely. It was so weird knowing some of the girls from following their blogs but not really knowing them, you know what I mean?

We started off at Barry's - I was fairly restrained, spending a total of under £20:

Clockwise from top left: dark teal ponte knit (copying Jo), mystery chiffon-y print for a top, maroon heavyweight polyester (I think) for a work dress and grey suiting for my next sewing class project. The reason it was all so cheap was that that the print was £2 for 1m and the maroon fabric was £2 for 2m!

Then, after a thorough soaking, we made it to Cafe Soya for a delicious lunch, followed by an awesome mega swap!

I could only get half of the group in!

Here are my spoils from the swap:

I couldn't decide between the two green fabrics on the left so in the end I took both (sorry, Hannah!). I think there might be just enough to make (short) summer dresses (if the UK weather plays that is)...

After scoffing our faces, we roamed around the Rag Market (I only bought zips and knicker elastic here) and then everyone headed off home. But there was a little treat on departure - Claire had baked some amazing biscuits and brownies for the journey home, how thoughtful is that?

By the time I got home I was knackered so I just crashed on the sofa. I did, however, spend a little bit more money - Amy wore her lovely green aeroplane dress and had brought along a remnant for the swap. I didn't take it but did have a little feel and it was oh-so-soft. I couldn't resist looking it up online, seeing that it also came in a dark orange and, well, click click.... oops!

So thank you thank you thank you to Kat, Marie and Claire for organising. I had the most amazing day, it was fantastic to meet so many people who share a passion for sewing and fabrics. Oh and can I just say, the handmade outfits were fabulous!

Odds and ends, including a Birmingham Meetup!

No finished garments to show I'm afraid. The dress I've been beavering away on is finally completed but can't be blogged about just yet as it's a pattern test for a brand new company so I have to keep my lips sealed....

However, lots more in the pipeline. First of all, I'm doing:

I, Sabs of tybalt-king-of-cats.blogspot.co.uk, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear at least one handmade/self-stitched garment at least 3 times a week (sometimes under a boilersuit...) for the duration of May 2013

Ok, I need to explain the boliersuit part, don't I? Well, for two weeks in May, we were supposed to be having demolition/construction work done in our kitchen. Mr Sabs and I were going to do the said work ourselves with the help of my in-laws. Wearing pretty dresses while knocking down walls didn't really seem like a good idea so initially I wasn't going to sign up for MMM13. But I couldn't bear not to, as I'd been looking forward to it for months so instead of making the full "I'll wear me-made every day of the month" I knocked it back to three times a week and thought that at least some of my tops could be worn under a boilersuit while I was working. It now turns out that our plans will be probably be put on hold which means that I can commit to more!

Are any of you taking part? It's so popular, there're loads of pledges all over the blogosphere already! More details can be found at So Zo...

I've been really lucky to win one of Krafty Kat's blogiversary giveaway lots, the jersey fabric. Need lots of practice with jersey so really happy! Thanks Kat!

And then there's this:

Birmingham Meetup

Saturday 15 June 2013

Oh I can't wait! The lovely Kat (Krafty Kat), Marie (A Stitching Odyssey) and Claire (Sew Incidentally) are organising this - thanks gals! I was gutted I missed the last one in November so I'm really excited. There's going to be sew much fun hanging out at the Rag Market and Barry's and, of course, lots of buying and swapping of fabric. Full details on any of the three blogs (click on links above). Who else is up for this? See you there!

And lastly, here's a sneak peek of the fabric for my next project, the Washi Dress, which I've been a bit obsessed with for a while. Look, the colour matches the bottom of the pattern packaging!

*Edited to add: I didn't win the Pattern Review Fitted Blouse Contest but thank you to everyone who voted for me. I had fun making it and just being in a competition was cool!*