Pattern Give-away Winner

Well, I am bit late. In my defence, I've been sick and spending way too much time at medical facilities rather than the sewing room.  But I digress... 

I promised to pick a new winner if I had not heard from Nurse Bennett by Friday evening (yesterday) and I haven't so... 

I will be contacting Nova as the pattern winner.  

Happy Sewing!  

Hello Pattern Give-away Winner

Hello Nurse Bennett?

Are you reading this? I would like to send off this pattern but I have no way to reach you. Could you please contact me at grrracar (at) gmail (dot) com

You forgot to leave a way that I could reach you.  

• Promise to give it a good home where it will not be sold.  
• Use it, make something fabulous, share the detail.  Share the pattern.
• Leave a message in  the comment section that includes a way that I can contact you, if you win.
• And do tell, do you think Easter outfits are oh-so Steel Magnolia era costume dressing or is there a place for Easter outfits in 2016? 

So here is the deal. If I do not hear from Nurse Bennett by Friday evening, I will draw another entry from the original list of entries, and only a name drawn that has contact information will win the pattern.  I hope that is fair to everyone. Including a way that I can contact you if you win was one of the conditions to the give-away.  

Until then, Happy Sewing!  

Countdown to Easter Pattern Give-away Winner

Congratulations Nurse Bennett!

Young Nurse Bennett shared this little gem, 

Well, I still prefer to have a new dress, blouse, jacket, SOMETHING, new to wear on Easter. Our little one (he is six) will be sporting new clothes to church, as our tradition. I think here in our area of the South it's a tradition many still hold on to and most ladies won't bring out their sandals and certainly won't wear white ones until Easter.

Yea, for new Easter outfits. I remember getting something new for Easter too. Well, I should send off an email to Nurse Bennett to let her know her pattern will be on its way as soon as I know where in the south to send it too.  

Until next time (more to come), happy sewing!

Countdown to Easter: Pattern Give-away

So, it doesn't seem like anyone is making any Easter outfits.  

Steel Magnolia {Source}

Could it be that it has become so nineteen eighty something to dress in an easter bonnet and frilly dress? Or are you making something but keeping it under wraps for a couple more weeks?  

Today's offering is an OOP jacket pattern, Vogue 8931.  

Misses' Jacket:  Loose-fitting, lined jacket has collar variations, peplum, and two-piece sleeves.  A, B:  Flaps and concealed fly button closing.  Combination size E5: (14, 16, 18, 20, 22).  

I could see this with denim on the upper portion and then a sateen print on the peplum to match a pencil skirt.  

Fabricland Colour Trends {Source}

Or perhaps in a dark denim on top and a yellow and steel gray on the bottom portion?  

Fabricland Colour Trends {Source}

But I digress... this isn't about my Easter outfit. What would you do with this jacket pattern if you win, would you colour-block or make in one colour?  

So here is the deal, I will ship this new, factory-folded pattern internationally.  I just ask something in exchange.  

• Promise to give it a good home where it will not be sold.  
• Use it, make something fabulous, share the detail.  Share the pattern.
• Leave a message in  the comment section that includes a way that I can contact you, if you win.
• And do tell, do you think Easter outfits are oh-so Steel Magnolia era costume dressing or is there a place for Easter outfits in 2016?  

I will draw for this pattern on Tuesday, March 15th.  

Until then, good luck and happy sewing!  

Countdown to Easter Pattern Give-away Winner!

The winner of Butterick 5891 is...

Congratulations MAD14kt!  I'll send you an email and as soon as I hear back from you I'll pop it into the mail.

Stay tuned, another pattern coming up tomorrow.

Happy Sewing!

Countdown to Easter Pattern Give-away!

Welcome to the Countdown to Easter Pattern Give-away, first up is one of my all time favourite patterns, Butterick 5891.  

It is a kAtheRine Tilton design, in combination sizes 8, 10, 12, 14, 16

Loose-fitting top has collar variations, side pockets (left side A, B), and shaped hemline.  A, B:  Raised neckline, mock neck/lower bands, front pleated peplum and narrow hem.  C, D:  Folded, single layer collar, and stitched hems.  Wrong side shows on hemlines and collar C, D.  

I still consider the top I made with this pattern one of my favourite pieces. So here is the deal, I will ship this new, factory folded pattern internationally but I have something to ask.

• Promise to give it a good home where it will not be sold.  
• Use it, make something fabulous, share the details. Share the pattern.  
• Leave a message in the comment section that includes a way that I can contact you, if you win.  
• Oh and do tell, are you making an Easter outfit for yourself or someone else?  

I will draw for this pattern on Friday, March 11, 2016.  

Good luck and happy sewing!  

Pattern Give-away Winner

No one threw their name into the hat for McCall's 6875 this week.  

So, I guess there is no pattern give-away winner. Okay, moving onto the next sewing project... 

Happy Sewing!  

Pattern Give-away Winner

Good Morning!

Butterick 6253 will be finding a home with...

Congratulation Dk's Wife!  If you could drop me an e-mail, grrracar (at) gmail (dot) com, and let me know where to mail it, I'll pop it in the mail for you.

Happy Sewing!

Sorry for the Delay...

So Sew sorry for the delay in announcing the pattern give-away winner.

I'm going to use the random number generator and will use this order:

1.  MaryEllen
2.  Dk's Wife
3.  Paula
4.  twotoast
5.  Janet
6.  andib

And the pattern give-away winner is:

Janet, Congratulations!  I'll be sending you an email shortly.

Happy Sewing!

WooHoo! (And Pattern Give-away)

I have reached a blog milestone; 1 000 published posts! Actually, this one makes 1 001. First off, thank you to all of you who visit the blog and leave comments. It is really absolutely inspiring and motiving to be part of this online sewing community. I would like to thank you in words and with a pattern give-away.  

As you know, Marcy Tilton is one of my favourite designers over at Vogue patterns and I have Vogue 9035 in size combination E5 (includes sizes 14 to 22).  

Here's the drill:  

✄  Leave a message in the comment section telling how you follow this blog.

✄  Promise not to sell it.

✄ Provide a good home for this pattern where it will be cherished, used, shared and made into fabulous garments.  

✄  Leave a method that I can reach you if you win (email contact info)

✄  I promise to draw for the pattern on Friday, June 5th.   

Happy Sewing!  

Pattern Give-away Winner...

First off, apologies that I'm a day late announcing the pattern give-away winner. I'm fighting a cold and the winter blues. When will it end? But I digress... 

The winner of McCall's 6993, The Archive Collection skirt pattern is 

Congratulations Jackie!  I'll send you an email shortly.  

Happy Sewing!  

National Random Acts of Kindness Day!

Perfect day for a pattern give-away, don't you think? So in hono[u]r of National Random Acts of Kindness day, I thought I would give-away McCall's 6993 from their Archive Collection. This pattern is from circa 1933.

It is an unopened and uncut multi-sized pattern. It includes sizes 14 to 22. Here's the deal: promise not to sell it rather use it, share it and make fabulously retro skirts with it. That's it. 

Oh wait! There is more. Just do something nice for someone else today. You know, a random act of kindness. I will ship internationally, if you agree to the requests above, leave a message below. I will draw for the pattern on Saturday, February 21st. 

Happy Sewing!

Pattern Give-away Winner!

Well, this was the easiest pattern give-away I ever hosted. Only one entry, easy peasy.

Congratulations to Sue who won the Butterick 6064 pattern. I love the pockets on this pattern, I just wish I was taller to pull off this look. Mind you, I'm still wearing it.

Sue blogs over at Sue's Sew by Me. This is a new-to-me blog and she has some gorgeous knit fabric that she made a dress and skirt out of--I'm going to read more. Talk to you later...

Happy Sewing!  

In Sewing News Today...

My sewing mojo is back but my knees are swollen and killing me and that is keeping me from the sewing machine.

It was the Terry Fox Run at work and the temperature hit plus thirty celsius (thirty-three with the humidity). And we have a dress code at work which almost killed me as I was walking with the kids in my wool and cashmere pants and a tee-shirt with three-quarter length sleeves. Did I mention that I packed away my summer clothes? Despite that we're not allowed to wear shorts. I didn't wear my knee brace because it was so hot and now I'm paying for it. Where the heck is autumn? 

It is supposed to cool down to normal autumn temperatures by Sunday. I can't wait!

Also can't wait for October first. Marcy Tilton wrote on her blog that she will have three new patterns coming out next week with Vogue Patterns.  Even though I have a lot on my plate right now, new patterns are always a pleasant distraction.

And talking about distractions, this came in the mail today. I'm so excited about this one.

It is the latest Sybil Connolly of Dublin vintage Vogue pattern to be added to my pattern stash. I'm becoming quite the fan of her designs. The scallop edge detail on the dress front and hemline is quite striking. I think I might have to lengthen the hemline though.

Onto other pattern news... I noticed something odd (for a Canadian) about Butterick patterns. Odd in a good way. I don't know when exactly it appeared. But have you noticed that Butterick patterns now have the exact same price for U.S. and Canadian customers listed on their pattern envelopes? This is not the case for most products sold across the border. I have to say that I'm happy to see this change in product pricing. I wonder if Vogue and McCall's will follow?

Now, if they could do something about their ridiculous shipping costs that would be great. I recently order patterns from MBV and was charged $8.00 shipping but the envelope arrived with a $1.60 postage sticker. That was not cool.

What is cool would be a pattern give-away, don't you think? This pattern is up for grabs and I will be drawing for it tomorrow. In case anyone is interested.

Well, that is all in sewing news today. Hope you're enjoying beautiful weather where ever you are.  

Happy Sewing!

Pattern Give-away: Butterick 6064

Good morning! 

My sewing mojo is still on vacation while I have been busy tidying up around my sewing space. I'm starting to think that I need to de-stash some of my patterns as well as my fabric. I'm going to start with a pattern.   

I have decided that my copy of Butterick 6064 needs to find a good home. It is a kAtheRine Tilton pattern for a vest which has a draped neckline button shoulder closing and front pockets.  

It is a used pattern cut in size medium (12-14) but the other sizes have not been compromised. So if you need the size XS (4-6) or S (8-10) these are still accessible.  

Here's the deal:  

• Promise not to sell it.  
• Give it a good home where it will be used, shared and made into something fabulous.  
• The pattern give-away is open to all and I am willing to ship internationally.  
• Please leave a comment and a way that I can reach you if you win. (include an email address or if your username links to a profile with contact information that would also work.)
• I will draw for the winner on Saturday, September 27th.  

Good luck and happy sewing!  

Pattern Give-away Winner: The Mad [Wo]men Package

Good morning, 

It is very early and I have a few moments before I head off to work so I won't take too much time...

the winner of The Mad [Wo]men Pattern Package is... 

Mary Maryall!  Congratulations! Thank you for leaving your email address, I'll send off a message right away.

Thank you to everyone who entered the pattern give-aways this summer. I hope you have fun sewing them all up!

Have a great day and Happy Sewing!

Pattern Give-away: Channel Your Inner Mad [wo]Men

This Sunday's pattern give-away is a nod to the Mad Men television series that will soon be coming to an end. So, this give-away is to help get ready for those Mad Men themed parties.  

Simplicity 3541 channels Peggy (season 4).  

Teen and Junior one-piece dress, reversible top and sash:  (Size 12, Bust 32)  "Simple to make"  Dress has roll collar, kimono sleeves and zipper and kick pleat in back.  Faced sash has purchased buckle and fringe.  Top has wide neckline and back buttons to front.  

Style 2509 will help you channel your inner Megan (season 7).  

Misses' Blouse, Skirt, Trousers and Sleeveless Jacket: (Size 14, Bust 36)  The blouse with collar and front-button fastening has long set-in sleeves gathered into the armholes and into the buttoned cuffs.  The A-line skirt is 5: above average length with waist-band and side zip fastening.  The flared trousers have front zip fastening.  The sleeveless, panelled jacket, lined to the edge, has cut-in armholes, "V" neckline and edge-to-edge front.  

Simplicity 5741 is all about Dr. Faye's cool style (season 4).  

Juniors' and Misses' One-piece dress or Jumper:  (Size 11, Bust 31 1/2)  The A-line dress or jumper has lowered round neckline, back zipper closing, and interesting front seam detail.  View 1 has self-fabric tie bow; long set-in sleeves and zipper closing at wrists.  Sleeveless jumper View 2 has welt pockets.  View 3 features sleeveless dress.  

These three patterns are a Mad [wo]Men package and here is the deal if you are interested in this pattern give-away.  

• Promise not to sell the patterns.  
• Promise to give them a good home where they will be cherished, shared and made into fabulous fun party clothes. Hosting a Mad [wo]Men themed party is optional. Cocktails are a must.  
• Leave a message below (please include a method that I can reach you if you win), I will draw on Wednesday, September 3rd (after my work day) using Random Number Generator.  
• I will ship internationally.  

Good luck and happy sewing!  

Pattern Give-away Winners

Good morning!  

It is the perfect day for a coat pattern give-away. I woke up to a temperature of +8 (Celsius) a indication that autumn is on its way. And yesterday, my vintage Vogue 1521 coat pattern came in the mail. I'm quite excited about making a coat. I hope you are too.  

So there are two patterns here. First up let's draw for size combination AA. But first I'm going to sort out who entered for this size.  

1. Annie Case Hanks
2. Hillary
3. Kathleen

Congratulations Annie!  Oh dear, Annie did not leave a way that I can reach her. Annie, could you email me at grrracar (at) gmail (dot) com with mailing details and I can pop this in the mail.  

Now for size EE:    

1. Jecrois EnDieu
2. cathynd95
3. MAD14kt
4. twotoast

Congratulations twotoast! Twotoast blogs over at Spotty Dog Social Club. You'll have to head over and check out her blog.  

Thank you for everyone who entered and offered to give these patterns a good home. One more give-away scheduled for next Sunday.  

Happy Sewing!  

In Sewing News Today...

Remember the knit dress that I made last month? The one that is not even a month old.  

I made it from a light-weight eyelet embroidered knit fabric that I found in the bargain knit section of Fabricland. It was marked down to 70% off the regular price. I thought I scored such a great deal.  

Turns out, it wasn't such a great deal after all. 

I found these holes when I put it on the other day. It is right in the front of the dress. I can't believe it. They were not there when I cut and finished sewing the dress. And I even took care when I laundered it washing it in the delicate cycle with other knits. 

Now, my knit dress is in the mending pile to try to be selvaged.  I doubt that I can fix these holes without it being noticeable, so once mended the dress will become a night-shirt. You can't have too many night-shirts.  

Bummer on the fabric. Oh well, lesson learned, sometimes a bargain is not a bargain.  

I am finally tackling trying to tackle my mending and alteration pile which I typically avoid like the plague. I hurt  re-injured my ribs on the weekend when I bending down to the bottom of the freezer. Someone really needs to design a chest freezer for short people.

I have Vogue 1385 on the sewing table waiting to transfer all those markings but it hurts to bend down right now. Maybe it was the sewing gods telling me to get busy on the out-of-control mending pile before I head back to work. It is not working out too well because the T-2's are making me drowsy. Or maybe it is that mending and alterations bore me?  In other sewing news...

Would you believe me if I told you I walked into Mitchell Fabrics on Saturday and walked out with only a metre and a half of fair trade cotton knit? Yup, despite all the beautiful fall wools and printed silk charmeuse that I was dreaming about as they draped around my fingers I just walked out with the cotton knit. The plan is to do some practical sewing and make a few more pairs of knickers.

While at Mitchell Fabrics I saw and gasped at the most beautiful fabric I laid my fingers on. It was a 100% cashmere coat weight priced at $250 a metre.  Oh my goodness, it was gorgeous and oh-so-very expensive for this gal's budget. But I did appreciate every second we spent together.

Anyway, that is all in sewing news today... 

See you tomorrow with the announcement of the pattern give-away winners. Did you enter?

Happy Sewing!

Pattern Give-away: Vintage Vogue Coat Pattern

I've been thinking about sewing a winter coat (again). I found a new pattern which is on its way so I thought that these pattern need to find a good home. 

This Sunday's pattern give-away is for a gorgeous original 1953 design, Vogue 1083, my original choice for a winter coat. Both patterns are unopened and uncut. One is for size AA which includes sizes 6, 8, 10, 12 and the other is for EE which includes sizes 14, 16, 18, 20.    

I will draw two winners for each size combination. Here's the drill, 

• Promise not to sell them.  
• Provide a good home where they will be cherished, shared and made into fabulous garments.  
• Please leave a message below stating which combination size you would like and with a way that I can reach you if you win. 
• I will draw for these patterns on Wednesday, August 27th.  
• This pattern give-away is open to everyone, I will ship internationally.  

Pattern details, 

Misses' Coat:  Lined and interlined, flared, loose-fitting coat , below mid-calf length has shaped collar, dropped shoulders, side seam pockets and back yoke.  Wide bracelet length sleeves may be worn turned up to form deep cuffs.  A:  no closures.  B:  Button and bound buttonholes.  A, B:  wide topstitching.  

Good luck and happy sewing!