Could I win another giveaway for my birthday?

I think I'm pushing my luck here but Tilly of Tilly and the buttons is hosting a mega giveaway where the prizes include a whole host of goodies including:

* Three digital sewing patterns from Victory Patterns *

* 2m of fabric from Eternal Maker *

* Lace peter pan collar kit PLUS £15 of fabric from the Fabric Godmother *

* £30 voucher to spend on fabric/patterns/haberdashery from Sewbox *

  

And that's just half of the prizes on offer!

Now that I'm fresh off the back of winning a book from Roobedoo, do you think it's too much to ask that I win all of this as another birthday present...?

Head over to Tilly's brilliant blog for more details and a chance to enter. But if you win, could you donate a prize to me too? Thanks ; ) xx

Oh, and it's my birthday today. I've already has a few presents - I'm hoping to photograph them and put them on here later. It'll be a a mad rush this evening to finish sewing my Robe Sureau in time to wear for my birthday trip tomorrow. You'll never guess where I'm going - to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London! Woo-hoo, I'm so looking forward to it! Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and Butterbeer for me then!

Ha ha, didn't realise the title was in French!

An early birthday present

I was one of the lucky winners of Roobedoo's birthday giveaway last week - and in a funny twist of fate, it's my birthday in a few days' time. I got home yesterday evening to find lovely package waiting for me.

And when I opened it up, not only was the book I'd won inside but also a lovely postcard.

It's called Stylish Dress Book. I've had a quick flick through - which is mainly in Japanese by the way! - and it's different to anything I've seen before. Most of the garments are very loose fitting smocks which I think might drown me a bit. There's also some slightly odd creations like this house-coat dress and something that looks suspiciously like a nightie...

But there are also some cute dresses, the following two being my favourites:

However, I think I may have to take everything in a teeny, tiny little bit! But first, I'll have to brush up on my visual learning skills as all the patterns and instructions are in Japanese...

Thanks Roo for a very different and unusual birthday gift! I look forward to the challenge...

Sorbetto top

Yes, I realise I've jumped on the Sorbetto bandwagon about two years after everyone else but better late than never, right?

I made it about two weeks ago but despite wearing it  a couple of times already, I just haven't had the chance to get it photographed. It was a dream to sew up: really easy to follow, no size adjustments needed and really quick (well, it took me between 4 and 5 hours one afternoon, which for me as a beginner is brilliant). It's the most "finished" garment I've made to date - I took my time and made sure I finished every seam and worked as neatly as I possibly could. The exposed bias binding was really easy to put on too. I'm so, so pleased with myself!

This weekend, I've been working on my Robe Sureau. I've almost completed it but it still needs a bit of work so only work in progress photos for now I'm afraid.

Cutting out - note the use of my really high tech pattern weights

Constructing the bodice

There will be more photos (and horror stories) once the dress is finished. Hope you all had as lovely a weekend as me. A bientot...

Keeping up with the Santa theme...

My friend's little girl will be 2 years old in a few days and I went to visit her yesterday. I wanted to make her something so thought I'd combine a birthday and Christmas present by making a stocking and filling it with a few sweets.

I drew a stocking shape on paper and cut two out of red felt. I also cut two more from lining fabric (but forgot to take photos...)

I then embroidered an "e" (for Edie) onto one of the felt shapes - not the neatest, eh?!

I used a deep green felt for the cuff. For the construction I followed a tutorial by Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew. I completely missed the step where you are supposed to put the tab for hanging the stocking up between the lining and outer so instead I used a piece of ribbon and a button on the outside. I actually think this looks great and really finishes it off perfectly!

Et voila! (I don't have a very nice looking mantel piece so resorted to hanging it off a bonsai for the photo!)

Sewist's Secret Santa

Kat at KraftyKat has put together a Secret Santa - how cool is that?

Basically, the idea is that whoever wants to take part (international participants welcome) will be put into a huge Santa hat and names pulled out will be linked up in pairs. Each person gets to spend about £5 on sewing/crafting goodies to send to their buddy as a little Xmas pressie. Fun!

If you want to take part or for more info, head over to KraftyKat - but hurry, the deadline (23 November) is fast approaching...you don't want to miss out!