Diary of a Chain Stitcher

I've been back from New York almost three weeks now, time has flown by and it already seems like forever ago! Of course my case returned a lot fuller than when I left...and mainly full of fabric! For sewing addicts like us what trip to the Big Apple is complete without an afternoon in the garment district? Thanks to my sister for the excellent action shots in Mood! I was travelling with my sister and Dad, neither of whom sew so rather than bore them to death following indecisive me from store to store I peeled off one afternoon to focus on the task at hand. There are so many stores in the district that it's kind of impossible to do it properly in an afternoon. The main stretch is around about 37th-39th streets between 7th and 8th avenues and that's where I concentrated my time. I knew I was going to need a fair bit of time to spend my MSN allowance in Mood Fabrics but didn't want that to end up taking the whole afternoon so headed there last with a good hour and...

Today I've got a project to share with you which I started over a year ago (!) and it's a make which I've got mixed feelings about. I snapped up the Silvia Dress Pattern from Salme Patterns right back when I first got really into sewing. It was exactly what I wanted in a chic summer dress and is a shape I find generally suits me. It was a little advanced for me at the time (featuring some very clever construction it's rated as intermediate) but towards the start of last summer I just couldn't wait to wear it and dove straight in. Work then went crazy for the next six weeks or so and before I knew it the heat and sunshine had departed and the dress was only half finished. The lure of sewing garments I could wear straight away called; queue me only picking it up again this August. I wish I'd found the time to get to grips with this and more of Eliza's patterns as especially for summer I'm a big fan of her classic and wearable styles; looking at the...

Top of the Rock So I am unfortunately back from NYC. I had the most amazing week and it was so difficult to tear myself away from the city to go to the airport Saturday afternoon. But what did make it slightly easier was taking some beautiful fabrics back home with me! I did of course shop the garment district, and I did of course do that on more than one occasion! In fact the first time I went I only made it to Mood and I was so overwhelmed with the vast and beautiful selection I left empty handed, resolved to return with a better plan of what I was ideally looking for. Because they have EVERYTHING. You NYC and LA seamstresses are so lucky. I can't think of a single UK fabric store, in reality or even online, that comes close to comparing to the size and variety of choice. Garment District Information Booth BUT a little Mood birdie told me that soon us London ladies may be feeling pretty lucky too. This is mega exciting news (which could possibly be news that everyone...

Yes that's right, just in case the title didn't explain it clearly enough I've just booked a trip to New York! I'm going with my little sister during the school Easter holidays as she's a primary school teacher. We're staying in an apartment booked through airbnb after recommendations from a few people that this is a money friendly option and also a great way to experience the city. It's right bang in the middle of Manhattan a few blocks away from the Empire State Building. We're going for a week and I'm taking good shoes for walking, there's ALOT of shopping and exploring planned! My sister and I on our last trip to the Big Apple! We've both been before when we were younger but have had this trip in mind for years and YEARS as we wanted to go just the two of us when we can both finance the trip (and a fair bit of spending while we're there too - let's be honest!) ourselves and of course when we were both old enough to en...