Sewing!

A couple of weeks ago a member of my knitting group mentioned something about a sewing thing appearing on television. My ears pricked up! Sewing was the first crafty type thing I learned to do - very much self taught - and still remains close to my heart (even if not actually in my wardrobe!) I did make a dress a year ago but I used an old pattern and was most perturbed when - after hours of invisible hemming and enthusiastic humming - it didn't fit. How on earth could that have happened? To date it is still hanging on the back of my bedroom door waiting for me to drop a few pounds (don't worry - it's made itself quite comfortable).

Just hangin' around

Once my fancy had been tickled I had to pursue the matter further. After some frantic excitement on Google I found out more. For those of you outside the UK 'The Great British Bake Off' has become a National institution, in which two old treasures host a baking competition in a tastefully (if twee) decorated marquee in the picturesque British countryside. What's not to like (unless you have an aversion to duck egg blue and bunting)? The producers, doubtless very pleased with their success, have decided to replicate the winning formula and apply it to sewing. The result - 'The Great British Sewing Bee'.

Oooooh. Ooooooooh. And, what's more, there's an accompanying book! Now I don't usually treat myself to a book willy nilly - I usually have to justify it with a reason like eg: my birthday, nearly Christmas, it's Tuesday kind of thing. But with this I had pressed 'place order' and before Jack had time to be nimble it had plonked through my letterbox.

Gaze at these for a moment...

...then these

Of course I'm going to be very busy running up some of these

Although I think Little Sis might object to me interfering with this occasion

And Mr K is going to be thrilled with a new line in these

Oh yes it's going to be a busy time indeed.

The book also contains some historical references to the Queen Mother's Sewing Bees, as well as Mr Beeton and Beau Brummell. There are clear instructions on the basics - many of which were new to me - and a full size pattern for a tunic (sadly though the other patterns all need enlarging to 500% which could be a bit of a faff).

I love it. 

Did you gather that already?

Anyhow just to prove I am not turning my back on any woolly goodness I was delighted to find that the Ceilidh we attended on Saturday evening was being hosted by this band

Look at the bunting!

I'm off to don my tea dress and collect apple blossom in my hand made trug ;)

Jane x