#SpringSewingSwap '14

Lucky me, I was paired up with Sally of TheQuirkyPeach for Kerry's annual Spring Sewing Swap. This girl knows me well! She hooked me up with a delightful bundle of vintage sewing goodies.

Thank you, Sally! I can't wait to try out these awesome fabrics and patterns. Oh, and the mini sticky notes are adorable, too. :)

I also lucked out when Kathy of TheNerdySeamstress posted the BHL Charlotte skirt pattern for sale on her Instagram. I managed to snap it up, and she even sent along this pretty fabric, too! It was such a nice surprise and even looks great with the bright pink pattern packaging.

Thanks for the happy mail days, Sally and Kathy! Now I need to start planning out some projects to make use of my new sewing goodies.

Finished Project: Floral Anna

Remember last June, when I participated in Kerry's Spring Sewing Swap? Lucinda of SewWrong sent me the best sewing goodies, one of which was this amazing blue floral rayon fabric. I've finally found the perfect project for it, the Anna dress from By Hand London (have you seen their Kickstarter? They're SO close!).

I'm loving the elegant 1940s feel of this dress in flowy rayon, with the cute kimono sleeves and pleated bodice. It was a breeze to sew (BHL calls it a beginner pattern), though not necessarily the quickest of projects due to all of the seams in the paneled skirt. I used French seams for everything and, after stitching up the entire dress, decided the bodice needed taking in by about half an inch on each side. 

Other than that little tweak, I didn't change anything. I even went ahead and used the facings prescribed by the pattern instead of making my own (beloved) bias tape to face the neckline.  The fit on this baby is pretty great (thank you, indie patterns) and I definitely recommend this pattern (just keep in mind that a drapey fabric is pretty essential for the skirt to look right). I might try pairing the bodice in a stiffer fabric with a gathered full or shorter straight skirt -- there are almost endless possibilities with this one!

Thanks Lucinda for the beautiful fabric, and BHL for making this awesome pattern! Have any of you sewn it up yet, or am I truly the last sewing blogger on the internet to give it a try? 

Spring Sewing Swap

Wow, this has been a crazy week. I was home sick for 2 days with a horrible cold and Tom is traveling on business (with his camera containing my photos of me in my latest dress project). Last week, in the midst of the wedding prep. & frenzy going on for Tom's brother's big day, I got a lovely package in the mail. It was my sewing swap loot and as soon as I opened it, I was SO excited.

I was paired up with the lovely and chic Lucinda of Sew Wrong. She literally included every single thing I'd told her I love when we'd discussed via email while setting up the swap. This girl is amazing! Check out what I got:

A nice looking pile of sewing goodies, wouldn't you say? Here's a closer look.

An adorable little card and the cutest, polka-dotted floral bias tape you've ever seen.

Two dress patterns!! I'm loving the jacket in the vogue pattern and the sleeveless view of the simplicity 1960s pattern - can't wait to try that one with a contrasting skirt and bodice.

Pretty, pretty floral fabrics! 2 1/2 yards of each! The blue fabric is a nice drapey rayon and the blue & red/pink one is a lightweight cotton. Both perfect for summer sewing!  Here's a closeup of each:

floral cotton

floral rayon

I know it's hard, you guys, but try not to be too jealous! If you didn't play this year, you'll just have to participate in Kerry's sewing swap next time around! It's so fun to be paired up with and meet different sewing bloggers out there, I'm already looking forward to the next swap. If you want to see what I sent Lucinda, check out her post (and much nicer photos!) over on Sew Wrong. Enjoy!