Sewing Retreat - An Entire Outfit

February 24, 2019

Sometime in 2017 I had a suggested group appear on Facebook.  I'm not normally one to pay that much attention to them but this one caught my eye.  It was titled "Toowoomba and District Sewing Group". This caught my attention and I immediately requested to join. I have never regretted that decision.

I attended the first sewing meet they held in the middle of 2017 and I honestly believe it was one of the best decisions on my life.  From that day I made some amazing friends and I am always thankful that I put any nervousness aside and went that day.  I mean you're always told not to meet strangers from the internet but I have no regrets.

The sewing days run every second month and are a great way to turn what is normally a solo hobby into something much more social.  So when someone suggested that we have a sewing retreat and spend three whole days sewing I couldn't say no.

I went to retreat prepared, more projects than I could possibly complete in three days, especially with chatting but better to be safe than sorry. I'm pleased to report that I actually got three projects completed at retreat.  Two fairly significant ones too.

The projects I completed at retreat were
- A Cotton Silk Ogden Cami by True Bias
- New Closet Case Ginger Jeans in Cone Mills Denim from Blackbird Fabrics
- A Papercut Patterns Bellatrix Blazer using Outback Wife Barkcloth.

I of course took another project which I never even looked at, and it's still not finished.  But thats life and I have plenty of time to finish it. Or so I think...

Anyway a bit more bout what I actually made.  I'm perpetually late and joining the bandwagon and am almost ashamed to admit I only made my first Ogden Cami at the end of last year.  This was my second and was made using a cotton/silk remnant from The Fabric Store (1.3mx1.1m for those wondering).  I'm totally in love with how it turned out. I wear it frequently and have a number of others planned.

Retreat Sewing

The next project I made was a pair of Ginger Jeans, this was my fifth pair so I'm pretty confident with the fit and process now.  I used a Cone Mills S-Gene Denim I got from Blackbird Fabrics a year ago.  I purchased 2.5m and managed to get 2 pairs out of it!  I'm still not sure how.  I lined the waistband (and pockets) with a different fabric but I'm maintaining two pairs out of that amount of fabric is impressive - especially considering the fabric requirements for my size are 1.8-2m! 

This photo also shows how cute the back of the Ogden is.  I love this pattern.

Retreat Sewing

The other project I made at retreat was a Papercut Patterns Bellatrix Blazer. I'd purchased some Outback Wife Barkcloth from East Coast Fabrics to make a jacket.  I'd originally thought about a jacket similar to the ones that Anna from Owns It by Anna sells, however the Brisbane Spoolettes encouraged me to try it with the Bellatrix Blazer and I'm so glad I did.

As normal I had bicep issues.  Not with mine, the pattern.  I really need to do a full bicep adjustment but it scares me so I did the same wedge trick that I did on my last Morris (Which I thought I'd blogged but apparently not!).  Not technically correct but it works.  A full bicep adjustment is on my list for the next one though.

Retreat Sewing

Retreat Sewing

Retreat Sewing

Anyway, I'm still having withdrawals from this fantastic weekend. We've planned next years already.  
I'm trying to get into the habit of blogging more frequently, aiming for once a month for 2019, 2/2 so far, but only just.

Also, total side note, The Fabric Store is my new local fabric shop and it is proving very very dangerous for my wallet and stash!  On the plus side my wardrobe is looking amazing! I've been to Spotlight three times since I moved, twice for interfacing and once for buttons.  I think my record for The Fabric Store is three visits in a week.

2 comments:

  1. Your outfit looks great. I have the Ogden in my to sew pile. I’ve never made it. Did you sew the straps per the pattern or widen them ? I notice your bra straps aren’t showing like some of the other pictures I’ve seen. Thanks.

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  2. Nice jacket 🧥. Very comfortable.

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