Diary of a Chain Stitcher

I feel like I say this every month but err... where did January go?! We're one twelfth of the way through 2016 already and I feel like we can't possibly be more than a week in. I haven't had time to get on my sewing machine since before Christmas guys and I'm getting some serious withdrawal symptoms! I'm hoping to rectify that later today as I've woken up feeling exceedingly creative this morning. I'm fairly sure that looking back through all the gorgeous releases this month is going to leave me even more inspired! New Patterns Anneka Couture released the Manhattan Skirt which is available as a free PDF download. It's a simple to sew design for knits and has options for a scalloped hem and two lengths. I'm yet to try a Kommatia pattern but so many of the designs appeal to me, has anyone given them a whirl? They released a flurry of designs this month including skinny stretch jeans , a beautiful pair of draped trousers , a body con dress ...

I have just spent a wonderful couple of hours catching up on my blog reading and devouring the sewing community's' reflections 2015 and creative plans for the coming year. It's so interesting to see what garments were a huge success after they were finished, blogged and worn and which were not and to see what direction you all want to take your sewing in in 2015. Plus it's just fun to look back and be reminded of some of the jaw droppingly amazing things you've made and inspired me with this year! I'm a little late off the mark but I thought it was about time I wrote my own! I'm very loosely basing this post on Gillian from Crafting a Rainbow 's Sewing Top 5 series which she runs every year and I always enjoy. Picking your Top 5 Hits, Misses, Highlights, Reflections and Goals is a great way to summarise your year of sewing without it getting overwhelming and to help you decide on some goals for the year ahead. I'm not going to stick to the catego...

The first garment I have to share with you this year is actually one of the last things I made in 2015. I've been speeding through all the delicious fabric I picked up during my trip to California in September and I couldn't wait to sew up my gorgeous merino wool any longer! I arranged a meet up with Christine , Cathy and Pam while I was in LA and we visited Mood Fabrics and The Fabric Store , both on La Brea Avenue. I fell in love with The Fabric Store at first sight. It's a beautiful spacious, bright and clean space with a well curated collection of quality fabrics at very reasonable prices; there were so many unique and wearable prints my mind boggled. I wish there was somewhere like it in London. Thank you ladies for showing me around and introducing me to such a wonderful store, you're so lucky to have it on your doorstep. Some of you are lucky too as just this week they have launched an online store but they currently only ship to NZ, AUS and the USA. The ...