GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!! Simplicity 2404 Dress Pattern

And, the 2 lucky winners of the GIVEAWAY are No. 7 Beady Janet and No. 5 - Shelley.

Congratulations Ladies! I've sent you an email requesting your postal address so I can get your Simplicity 2404 pattern sent out to you ASAP :) 

  
Image Source (L + R): www.simplicitynewlook.com

ANYONE FOR TENNIS? A Simplicity Dress Pattern GIVEAWAY!!!

Unless you've been hidden away on a deserted island avoiding all contact with the outside world, you cannot fail to have noticed that there is great ^*sporting event currently taking place (^*nope! NOT The Football World Cup in Brasil LOL!)... yes, I'm talking about a spot of tennis at The Wimbledon Championships - which this year is running until Sunday 6th July.

Wimbledon is renowned because all of it's "Competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white." You can't think of a famous Wimbledon Champion without envisaging them all in white sportswear can you :)?

Many have sported the white-tennis attire look over the years, none more famously than the mysterious girl in that 1976 Athena Poster - baring her derrière to the world (whilst her face shies away from the camera). The identity of the cheeky Miss had been unknown for many years - yet her image in a cute, white tennis dress sold over 2 million posters worldwide.

Image Source: Fielding Auctioneers

Now, the identity of the white-dress wearer has finally been revealed after more than 3 decades. And, the original dress is now going up for auction. 

Image Source: The Daily Mail Newspaper

The dress was sewn by Carol Knots, using a Simplicity Pattern most likely using Pattern 8203 (View 4). Carol added lace trim to the front neckline and to the hemline. The dress was lent to her friend Fiona Butler who modelled it in the now world famous poster.

Simplicity Dress Pattern 8203 (1969)
Image Source: Vintage Patterns Wikia

Given the ongoing love affair of fashion for all things vintage, this retro silhouette is something that can still be carried off today with aplomb albeit using a more modern multi-size pattern + perhaps a longer hemline than the micro-mini favoured from yesteryear ;-)?

Enter the modern pattern contender! Simplicity 2404 it's a princess-line pattern (thus has similar style-lines to the vintage 8203 pattern), from their much loved Amazing Fit collection.

 
Image Source (L + R): www.simplicitynewlook.com

The dress comes with individual pattern pieces for slim, average and curvy fit. Plus it has & A,B,C,D cup sizes too. So, it's a flattering dress on a wide range of ladies 'n' shapes!

The pattern comes in 2-size options:
H5 (6-8-10-12-14), or U5 (16-18-20-22-24).

For sizing please see back of envelope, plus see Simplicity's Fit Help too.

Now, it occurred to me that anyone wishing to get a style close to the look of the Athena Tennis dress had but only to carry out a little pattern tweaking! And, here's what I plan to do when I get a hold a copy of Simplicity 2404.

My plans on how to tweak Simplicity 2404
to copy the "look" of the Athena Tennis Girl dress

Now, my lovely followers do you fancy getting your sewing-mitts on your own copy of this lovely dress pattern?

If you do, then you're in luck! As the lovely people at Simplicity have offered to GIVEAWAY a copy of pattern 2404 to 2 of my lucky UK readers (my apologies to my international readers - on this occasion the giveaway is for the UK only). The winners of the giveaway will be posted their patterns directly by the Simplicity folks :)

  Here's how to enter the GIVEAWAY... 

   ENTRIES WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY 5th JULY 2014 AT 5.00PM UK TIME. ENTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE FROM UK ENTRANTS ONLY. THE WINNER'S NAME WILL BE DRAWN AT RANDOM. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY 6th JULY 2014!

 

  1. Please leave a comment in this post below.

  2. Please, please ensure that I am able to contact you if you're a lucky winner! Make sure
     that your comment is associated to your blog/profile. If you want to leave an email address in
     your comments feel free to do so - but to reduce the chances of you receiving tonnes of spam to your inbox, please
    post it in the style: name[at]domain[dot]com.

  3. State in your comment which pattern size that you'd like to win.
    The pattern comes in 2-size options: H5 (6-8-10-12-14), or U5 (16-18-20-22-24) 
    For sizing please see back of envelope, plus see Simplicity's Fit Help too.

  4. [OPTIONAL] Oh, and do please share who your favourite tennis player is and why!

  5. Sorry the giveaway is open to UK residents only.

  6. One-entry per person only is permitted.

PLEASE NOTE: That if I cannot easily find your email address

then you shall NOT be eligible to enter the Giveaway (sorry!)

Good luck everybody! 

HAM-TASTIC GIVEAWAY - WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!!

...and the 2 lucky winners of the GIVEAWAY are UK commentor No. 21 Alexandra who blogs over at Alexandra and the Cuckoo Clock and International commentor No. 29 - Candace who blogs over at Sad Sewista.

Congratualtions Ladies! I've sent you an email requesting your postal address so I can send your fab new goodies to you :) And I'll be emailing you photos of your fabrics available to make your individual-selections from - so that I can make you the custom-made, specially commissioned Tailors Pressing Ham of your heart's desire!

And if you sadly missed out on this opportunity to win a Tailor's Pressing Ham and Pressing Ham Holder... then please do keep a keen eye out for new posts on my blog in early February 2014 for some exciting news about how you might be able to get your hands on your own special set of pressing tools to add to your arsenal of sewing notions 'n' tools ;)!!!

MY HAM-TASTIC GIVEAWAY!!!

Comments are now closed guys - the winners of the Giveaway will be announced tomorrow evening (Sunday 19th January 2014). My thanks to everyone who entered!

As promised a couple of days ago I'm holding a Giveaway to celebrate my 3rd Blog-i-versary. So, if you fancy winning a some fab sewing stuff then please enter here! 

There are 2-sets of sewing-items to Giveaway :)
1 for a UK Winner, and 1 for an International Winner.

  
  And here's the list of goodies in my special sewing-bundle of fun :)

  1. A really useful mini 'Repositionable Tripod' great for your sewing and craft photos.
       (The Camera is NOT included LOL!)

  2. A pair of lovely sharp Thread Snips - just perfect to keep right next to your sewing machine.

  3. A packet of Milward Between Hand Sewing Needles.   
  4. A Tailor's Pressing Ham - approximately 24cm long x 14cm wide x 12.7cm tall (9½ x 5½ x 5 inches).
  5. And, finally Tailor's Pressing Ham Holder - to hold your lovely new Ham!

     BTW - The items 4. + 5. are hand-made by yours truly!
 

  Here's how to enter the GIVEAWAY... 

   ENTRIES WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY 18th JANUARY 2014 AT 5.00PM UK TIME. ENTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE FROM BOTH UK AND INTERNATIONAL READERS. THE WINNER'S NAME WILL
  BE DRAWN AT RANDOM. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY 19th JANUARY 2014!

 

  1. Please leave a comment in this post below + state if you are in the UK or Internationally based :).

  2. Please, please ensure that I am able to contact you if you're a lucky winner! Make sure
     that your comment is associated to your blog/profile. If you want to leave an email address in
     your comments feel free to do so - but to reduce the chances of you receiving tonnes of spam to your inbox, please
    post it in the style: name[at]domain[dot]com.

  3. [OPTIONAL] Oh, and do please share what you're planning to sew for your first project of 2014!

PLEASE NOTE: That if I cannot easily find your email address

then you shall NOT be eligible to enter the Giveaway (sorry!)

And, the cool thing is... I'll custom-make your Pressing Ham in fabrics of your choice :) I'll email photos of swatches and colours to the winners. (The Hams in the photos are just a couple of examples of Hams I've already made.)

Good luck everybody! 

My Third Blog-i-versary, and a GIVEAWAY!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! My how time flys!

I've now established myself a little tradition of organising an ANNUAL GIVEAWAY on the anniversary of my blog :)

I do hope that you'll bear with me - as I'm a little behind on putting-together (and making too!) the items that I wish to share with 2-lucky sewing fans.

So, do please keep an eye out on my blog as I shall be launching the giveaway on Sunday 5th January 2014.

EDIT 05/01/2014: Here's the link to the Giveaway :)

GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!

...and the winner of the GIVEAWAY is commentor No. 143 Alli who blogs over at B.Yazoo - Alli congratualtions! I've sent you an email requesting your postal address so I can send your fab new goodies to you :)

GIVEAWAY DAY - May 6th 2013!!!

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER WAS SELECTED FROM THE COMMENTS LEFT BEFORE THE CUT-OFF TIME OF 01:00AM UK TIME ON SATURDAY 11TH MAY - AND THEIR NAME HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED HERE. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR TAKING PART :)!

Well hello there! It's Monday, it's the 6th May, and it's GIVEAWAY DAY at Sew, Mama, Sew! and I'm participating!!

It's Sew, Mama, Sew! Bi-annual Giveaway Day folks

So, if you fancy winning a some fab sewing stuff then please enter here! 

  
  And here's the list of goodies in my special sewing-bundle of fun :)

  1. A brand new copy of 'The Best of Threads Fitting' Magazine.

  2. A pair of lovely sharp Thread Snips - just perfect to keep right next to your sewing machine.

  3. A useful Scissors Holder - to keep your dressmaking-shears and sewing scissors safe.
   Scissors NOT included ( ;) LOL!)
  4. A useful Magnetic Telescopic Rod - to great for retrieving errant pins!
  5. And, finally what I consider "le pièce de résistance" a Tailor's Pressing Ham -
     approximately 24cm long x 14cm wide x 12.7cm tall (9½ x 5½ x 5 inches).

     BTW - The items 3. + 5. are hand-made by yours truly!
 

  Here's how to enter the GIVEAWAY... 

   ENTRIES WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY 11th MAY 2013 AT 1.00AM UK TIME (which is the same as FRIDAY 10th MAY
   at 5.00PM PDT). ENTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE FROM BOTH UK AND INTERNATIONAL READERS. THE WINNER'S NAME WILL
  BE DRAWN AT RANDOM. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY 12th MAY 2013!

 

  1. Please leave a comment in this post below.

  2. Please, please ensure that I am able to contact you if you're a lucky winner! Make sure
     that your comment is associated to your blog/profile. If you want to leave an email address in
     your comments feel free to do so - but to reduce the chances of you receiving tonnes of spam to your inbox, please
    post it in the style: name[at]domain[dot]com.

  3. [OPTIONAL] Oh, and do please share what you're planning to sew for Summer 2013!

And, hey! I'm not the only-one there are loads, and loads of Giveaways happening today - check them out HERE!
 

 

 

Good luck everybody! 

THE GIVEAWAY RESULTS - Congratulations to the 2 Winners!

My thanks to the 45 sewing-fans who entered my Giveaway!

Of the comments, numbers 7 and 11 were drawn at random - so congratulations to Miffy (@sewsarahsews) and Kat (Macksa of Modern Vintage Cupcakes) on winning your sewing goodies!

Ladies - I've emailed you both today to ask you for your postal address - I hope to send your bundles of joy out by the end of this week.

Please email me your address(es) by end of Wednesday 23rd January - if I don't hear from you by then I'll pull another name out of the proverbial hat to receive the goodies :) (Email me at: sew[dot]incidentally[at]yahoo[dot]com )

Well done and please do let me know what you make using your new toys :)

Spookily enough Kat (in New Zealand) was the lady who sent me my Secret Santa Gift (Kat the choc was yummy BTW ;)!).. so clearly she received good Sewing-Karma from her Christmas-time giving; as the Sewing Gods have seen fit to steer the hand of fate and bestow one of my bundles to her all the way in the Southern Hemisphere :)!

 

GIVEAWAY... Don't forget to enter, only 1 day to go!

These lovely goodies are all waiting to go to a new home... could it be yours?

Enter my GIVEAWAY before 12pm this Saturday 19th January (UK time) to find out!

And... remember there will be 2x lucky giveway bundles up for grabs :)
(EDIT: Please go to the GIVEAWAY post to enter folks - it has all the entry details /stuff about my needing your email addresses to contact you etc. etc. in it over in that post :). Comments on this post so far will still count, but I've turned off any new comments on this reminder post.)

In the meantime I'm off to work on my 2nd me-made-garment of 2013 (progress-posts to come soon) LOL!

My Second Blog-i-versary, and a GIVEAWAY!!!

The Giveaway is now closed - please see the results here :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! 2012 went by in a flash, and here I am about to embark on my 3rd year of blogging :)

As per my first anniversary post last year, I'd like to celebrate the passing of the old year, and the coming of the new one by giving back to the sewing community and by holding what shall now be my ANNUAL GIVEAWAY (yay!)

  
  And here's the list of goodies in my special sewing-bundle of fun :)

  1. A brand new copy of Burda Style Magazine.

     The January 2013 issue (natch ;) !).

  2. A handy-dandy little Measuring Gauge - 14 different measurements from ¹/₈" up to 2" 
     (I have a few of these things scattered strategically around my sewing room!)

  3. A pair of lovely sharp Thread Snips - just perfect to keep right next to your sewing machine.
  4. A useful Magnet - to help you quickly grab any spilled pins in a hurry - without pricking your fingers.
  5. A cute elasticated Wrist Pincushion - have your pins (and needles too) with you wherever you may
     wander.

  6. And, finally what I consider "le pièce de résistance" a Tailor's Pressing Ham -
     approximately 24cm long x 14cm wide x 12.7cm tall (9½ x 5½ x 5 inches).

     BTW - The last 2 items are hand-made by yours truly! (Tutorial posts to follow imminently.)
 

And... just 'cos it's to celebrate the 2nd year of my blog... I'm giving away 2-SETS of everything. So, yup - there will be 2x lucky giveway bundles up for grabs :)

Yup - you're not seeing "double" LOL! I'm giving away 2-sets of 1 of everything you see above :)

P.S. Sorry for the late at night time post... I have just finished stuffing and stitching together the pressing hams so I could take their photo for the pic above (hehe!).

  Here's how to enter the GIVEAWAY... 

   [ENTRIES WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY 19th JANUARY 2013 AT 12.00PM UK TIME. ENTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE FROM
   BOTH UK AND INTERNATIONAL READERS. WINNERS NAMES WILL BE DRAWN AT RANDOM. THE 2-WINNERS WILL
   BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY 20th JANUARY 2013!]

 

  1. You must be a follower of my blog please.

   (Please see 'Google Friend Connect' or 'Bloglovin' in the side bar on the right of this page).

  2. Please leave a comment in this post below.

  3. Please, please ensure that I am able to contact you if you're a lucky winner! Make sure
     that your comment is associated to your blog/profile. If you want to leave an email address in
     your comments feel free to do so - but to reduce the chances of you receiving tonnes of spam to your inbox, please
    post it in the style: name[at]domain[dot]com.

  4. [OPTIONAL] Oh, and do please share you're favourite sewing-moment of 2012, I'd love
     to know what special creation, fabric or new skill brightened up your year! Perhaps you're
     looking forward to sewing something special in 2013 - come on spill the beans!

Good luck! And may 2013 bring you much health and happiness!

THE GIVEAWAY RESULTS - Congratulations to the 2 Winners!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my first ever Giveaway!

Of the 38 comments, numbers 9 and 16 were drawn at random - so congratulations to Louise and Amber Elayne on winning your sewing goodies!

Both ladies preferred the January 2012 issue of the BurdaStyle magazine - and as I'm feeling super generous (and rather than *make someone take the December '11 magazine) I'm going to see if they still have another copy of that issue in my local branch of WHSmith's. 

I've emailed you both today to ask you for your postal address - I hope to send your bundles of joy out this Monday. Your cards will be posted seperately by Gwen from GwynHug.com.

Well done ladies - do let me know what you make from the mags, and what fabric you buy using your new 'The Original "How much Fabric?" cards'  won't you? :)

*Perhaps, I'll save the December 2011 magazine for another giveaway on another day eh ;)?

GIVEAWAY... Don't forget to enter, only 2 days to go!

.

.

 

These lovely goodies are all waiting to go to a new home... could it be yours?

Enter my GIVEAWAY before 12pm this Saturday to find out!

My First Blog-i-versary, and My First GIVEAWAY!!!

Comments are now closed guys - the winners of the Giveaway will be announced tomorrow at 12pm UK time. My thanks to everyone who entered!

Image Source: MP900399585 + MP900443793  http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/images/

Wow... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! 2011 you came and went so fast, it seems only yesterday that I pressed a nervous finger on the 'PUBLISH POST' button to my first ever blog offering.

To celebrate the passing of the old year, and the coming of the new one I'd like to give back to the sewing community and to the lovely people who drop-by to read my 'ickle blog and all my inherent musings, and mind-wanderings that that entails ;)!

The wonderful Gwen of gwynhug.com is generously donating 1x set of her fabulous 'The Original "How much Fabric?" cards' to 2 of my readers (P.S. Gwen also blogs at: After The Dress do have a peek!).

If you're a sewist and you've not heard of these nifty little credit-sized cards... then where have you been hiding ;)? They are the perfect handy tool to pop into your handbag (or purse) - great for those moments when you're out and about in the shops and are unexpectedly in the presence of your perfect fabric! We've all been there - you see the fabric of your dreams that is so, so perfect for "that project"... but do you have the pattern envelope or details on you? Nope, so now with these super little cards by your side, you'll always have immediately to hand how much fabric you need for your next garment pattern.

Gwen and her friends created the cards by compiling data from over 3,000 patterns to build the tables, including patterns from Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick, Vogue, Burda, Neue Mode, Kwik Sew, Hot Patterns, & New Look.

The reference cards help you estimate the amount of fabric you need as accurately as possible, by providing tables that summarise actual fabric requirements from real patterns, broken down by outfit size and fabric width.

For instance in the 'Women's Clothes' set: there are tables showing the minimum, average and maximum fabric requirements for Skirts, Pants (Trousers), Tops, Dresses, and Jackets. But not say for example just 1 type of dress - but for different styles,  short, mid-length, maxi etc. - there are even little drawings to help you figure out where your chosen style of 'dress' pattern lies in the tables - e.g. should you be looking at the minimum, average and maximum column in the table?

 

Gwen will kindly ship directly to each of the 2 lucky readers 1x set of their choice.

(Both UK and International readers are eligible to enter - yay!)

Set 1: Women’s Clothes (6-22/Eur 32-48)

Set 2: Plus Sizes (18-32/Eur 44-58)

Set 3: Men’s Clothes (34-50/Eur 44-60)

Set 4: Babies and Toddlers (Newborn - 6)

Set 5: Children's Clothes (7-16) 

Each set is available in 2 versions:

American - Fabric measured in inches (width) and yards (length) 

Metric - Fabric measured in cms (width) and meters (length)

Can you tell I love these cards? Yup, it's true! I already own a set myself - it's my own set of cards in the photos (LOL, you can tell their mine 'cos they're lovingly worn out a bit on the corners through much use ;) !). And, I'm not the only one who loves them too - read the testimonials here.

And just 'cos I love to share the sewin' love around, I will also myself be personally sending each of the 2 lucky giveaway winners this bundle of goodies each :)

1. A brand new copy of BurdaStyle Magazine.

   (1 person will get December 2011, the other will receive the January 2012 issue).

2. A cute sewing kit tin (I just love the design!) - needles, pins, tape measure, buttons, needle threader, safety pins, thimble, seam ripper, scissors and thread spools -  great for holidays away or to stash away more of your sewing notions perhaps?

3. A set of 4 Fine Line Coloured Pens - only 0.4mm thick lines, so perfect for tracing and marking your BurdaStyle patterns from the magazine in blue, read, purple and green.

4. 2 metres of Pattern Drafting Paper - 36"/91cm wide in dot and cross pattern. The paper will be posted folded to fit inside the packaging.

Here's how to enter the GIVEAWAY... 

[ENTRIES WILL CLOSE ON SATURDAY 14th JANUARY 2011 AT 12.00PM UK TIME. ENTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE FROM BOTH UK AND INTERNATIONAL READERS. WINNERS NAMES WILL BE DRAWN AT RANDOM. THE 2-WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY 15th JANUARY 2011!]

 

1. You must be a follower of my blog please.

   (Please see 'Google Friend Connect' or 'Bloglovin' in the side bar on the right of this page).

2. Please leave a comment in this post below - please state:

    a) Which set of cards you'd like (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)

    b) If you'd like the cards to be in American (inches/yards), or Metric (cms/meters)

    c) Which issue of *BurdaStyle magazine you'd like: Dec 2011, or Jan 2012.

3. Please, please ensure that I am able to contact you if you're a lucky winner! Make sure that your comment is associated to your blog/profile. If you want to leave an email address in your comments feel free to do so - but to reduce the chances of you receiving tonnes of spam to your inbox, please post it in the style: name[at]domain[dot]com.

4. [OPTIONAL] Oh, and do please share you're favourite sewing-moment of 2011, I'd love to know what special creation, fabric or new skill brightened up your year! Perhaps you're looking forward to sewing something special in 2012 - come on spill the beans!

*NB: In the event that both winners ask for the same issue of BurdaStyle then the first name drawn out of the proverbial hat will receive their preferred choice of the magazine.

Good luck! And may 2012 bring you much health and happiness!

And, if you can't wait to get your hands on a set of these cards - visit www.gwynhug.com to buy a set for yourself now !

Merry Christmas to One and All!

Image Source: ... me! I drew this, ain't it cute ?

Well, it never fails to surprise me how the Christmas festivities just creep up on you - it's so weird, because even though it happens every year it just always seems inside of my head that the last Christmas was more than 12 months ago (I know maybe I'm crazy, but it just feels like longer).

Anyway, whether you personally celebrate Christmas or not - I think we should all embrace the spirit of goodwill to all mankind - so here's to good health and good fortune to one and all of you out there!

YouTube Video: Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone

P.S. Keep you eyes peeled for a special post from me on New Year's Day... as my little blog turns 1 year old, so I shall be celebrating this special anniversary with a GIVEAWAY (or two yay!). The giveaway details to follow... and it will be open to both UK and overseas entries :)

I'll be enjoying festive cheer with my family and in-laws when this post goes out, so wherever you area I hope you have a lovely time - remember it's not about gifts, it's about giving love and understanding :)