Blog Hop and a Giveaway!

I've got a slightly different post lined up for you today. I've been a bit slow about it but I'm finally catching up with the writing process blog hop that's been doing the rounds! The ever so cool Nicole Needles nominated me for it a few weeks back, sorry that it's taken me so long Nicole! I've got to answer four questions to give you guys an insight into why and how I write my blog so here it goes:

What am I working on?

Despite taking a couple of 'sew-cation' days last week and blitzing through a few UFOs and projects that were cut out and waiting for me as always I've got more sewing ideas buzzing around my head than I've got time to sew! I'm part way through a pair of Sew Over It Ultimate Trousers which I'm having a few fitting issues with as they are my very first pair of trousers! I've made some alterations already which has made a vast improvement but I think I might be posting some pictures for advice soon as I've still got some weird wrinkles under the bum and behind the knees...Anyway once I've cracked them I've got a muslin of the Jamie Jeans cut out and ready to go. Plus I'm working on a shirt for my stepdad which I'm absolutely determined to finish soon as it was his birthday present from April and he chose the fabric in May! Other than that I think top of my own list are some Laurel blouses and dresses as I love how my first blouse fits me and think my wardrobe could benefit from more simple shifts.

How does my work differ from others in it's genre?

This is such a tough question! I think my blog is very similar to a lot of others the genre as I generally blog about things I have sewn and the process of making them. It's very much focused on sewing! I don't think my blog or sewing fits clearly into any particular aesthetic as I draw influences from all kinds of places. I like to think I make quite classic garments with an element of fun and frivolousness here or there. These projects often happen just because I enjoy/want the experience of making them! I think the way I write my blog is influenced by what I enjoy reading on other blogs so I try to include some technical construction information and close up pictures of insides and details. I'm always pushing myself to try new things in each project, whether it be a new technique or new fabric and I'd like to think that is reflected in my blog and that a sense of progress comes across.

Why do I write/create what I do?

I started this blog mainly as a way for me to document my sewing progress; a place that I could refer back to my thoughts on a technique I had tried before, what alterations I needed to make to a pattern and what needle and stitch length I used for that tricky fabric. It still functions as that for me today but I hope that what I write about my discoveries, failures and successes benefits other people in their own sewing adventures! Before sewing with a new pattern I usually Google the pattern name or number and find blog posts and reviews from other people who have made it to get an idea of how accurate the sizing is, what fabrics and techniques have worked well for it and which common adjustments people with a similar figure to mine have made. I try to include as much information as possible in my finished garment posts so that my blog can be useful to others in the same way.

As I have connected with more members of the sewing community my blog has become so much more than a personal record. I spend so much of my time sewing and so few of the friends I had before blogging also enjoy it that it's great to have a blog as a way to talk to other people who share the passion for stitching! I sew for the challenge, because I enjoy the process, I enjoy creating and I enjoy trying new things. I'm always trying to challenge myself as I say, so my blog is a great way to ask for advice and feedback from people who have experienced the same thing. I absolutely welcome constructive criticism from more experienced sewers as there is so much to sewing that I don't even know about yet. If you can spot something that I could do better by doing it differently I want to know so I can make something that bit closer to perfect next time!

I'm starting to enjoy the photographing of garments a little more now I'm not just using my iPhone!

How does my writing/creative process work?

I don't write to a schedule or plan but post when I've got a finished garment to sew or something else to share. The content of my blog is very much dictated by what I want to sew next. My actual writing process is that pretty much whatever comes into my head ends up on the page! I've often got so much to say about a garment that I have to quickly type out some bullet points that don't make much sense before going back to elaborate or make sense of it. Otherwise my fingers can't keep up with my head and I end up forgetting half of it! I keep a notepad by me when I sew so I can jot down the size I've cut, alterations I've made and any notes about the construction or things I'd like to change next time. It's a great quick reference guide to look back at but also really helps when it comes to writing my blog posts as often when I finish a garment I don't get around to photographing or writing about it for a couple of weeks. I also like to have the garment by me as I write a blog post as another prompt. I usually photograph a project before writing about it, but sometimes don't get around to it until after and tend to not write around the photographs but add them in after. Taking the photos is definitely my least favourite thing about sewing and blogging!

The final part of the blog hop is to nominate three other bloggers to answer the questions. To be honest I've read so many of these posts I've lost track of who has or hasn't done it already so I'm taking the easy route and opening this hop up to anyone who hasn't answered yet and would like to!

As you've made it through those long answers I've got a treat for you!

As a thank you to all my readers for the support, advice and encouragement you give me through the blog I've got a giveaway for you today! A bit of a happy accident (brought on by the fact that my wonderful family and friends know me so well!) means I've ended up with two copies of the book 'Hollywood Costume' by Deborah Nadoolman Landis which was released to accompany the incredible Hollywood Costume exhibition at the V&A a couple of years ago. It was possibly the best exhibition I have ever been to; as well as exhibiting some of the most infamous costumes in history it gave such an amazing insight into the design and production process and explained brilliantly how important an element costume is in telling a story. The book is, in it's own way just as fantastic. 

I am of course, holding on to one of the copies but the second copy is still shrink wrapped and ready to be sent out to one of you lucky readers! Unfortunately, due to the cost of posting this hefty tome, this giveaway is only open to UK residents. To enter simply leave a comment below. For extra entries follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and let me know in the comments that you have done so. If you already do then let me know too! The giveaway is open until midnight on Wednesday 12th November and I will select the winner by random number generator and announce the lucky recipient the following weekend. Good Luck!

And just to finish up I've got a little bit of news for any London based sewing/fabric addicts! Biddle Sawyer Silks, whose shop is based on Berwick Street in central London, are holding a two day Factory sale next week! Most fabrics will be 30% off which is a pretty great deal considering that their usual rates are quite reasonable for quality fabrics on that street. I often shop there for work so know their stock and standard well. As well as the wide range of coloured silks they specialise in they stock cotton prints, leather, wool, lace, and I even picked up some great swimwear fabric in there over the summer! The sale is on all day in store on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th November and I'll definitely be popping along at some point. Who else fancies it?!