Monday, October 15, 2012

Time for Another Giveaway!

According to Blogger, I've got more than 400 followers, plus it's been a while since my last giveaway, so it's about time to pick a couple people to get free fabric and patterns! I really do appreciate all of you who take the time to read and comment on my little blog, and Walnut especially appreciates all the lavish praise that he thinks is his due. So to thank you all, we're giving two people the chance to win a new outfit! Of course, you have to make it, but you know, we can't do everything for you. Walnut doesn't even have opposable thumbs.

Walnut examines his paws, but finds that his thumbs are not opposable. 


Set #1: Colette Patterns' Crepe Dress and giant blue flower fabric



I got this pattern a long time ago and never made it up. After reading other people's reviews and finally figuring out that Colette Patterns are designed for C-cups, well, let's just say that I still buy bras in the kids' section so the amount of muslining and redrafting required to make this pattern work for me are just more than I feel like dealing with. That said, I think this pattern would look lovely for someone curvier than I. The pattern is uncut, and the instruction booklet's details make this a good beginner sewing pattern.

The fabric is a mystery blend with some stretch, good weight and drape, and probably not a small amount of polyester -- you've been warned! There are 4 yards of 48" wide fabric, so enough for a dress, although maybe not quite enough for the Crepe if you don't use a contrasting fabric for the belt.

Set #2: McCall's 2032, a dress pattern from 1969 in size 14/bust 36, and a cotton poppy print fabric



This is one of the vintage patterns that I picked up in a bundle. I really like the V-neck bodice, but at two sizes up, it's more resizing than I want to do. The pattern is uncut and, as far as I can tell, hasn't even been unfolded. The instructions are all there, although they are a bit scanty, so this might not be the best beginner pattern.

The fabric is a fairly thin cotton, printed with poppies in coral and brown, with lighter patches of mint-green on the background (hard to see in the picture). It's got great body and would be perfect for something with a gathered skirt, but would definitely need to be underlined or lined since it's a bit sheer. There are 3 yards of 54" fabric, enough to make a dress as long as you're not too picky about print-matching.


And because I'm very kind (and also because I had space in my laundry basket), both lengths of fabric have been pre-washed! Mind you, they've also been living in the same house as a cat, so if that's a problem for your sinuses you may want to rewash them.

So there you have it. Two dresses, just waiting to be made up. Here are the rules for entering:
  1. Leave a comment, telling me which set you are in contention for. And because it's October, tell me if you're planning to dress up for Halloween, and if so, what costume? Unless it's a surprise. Or you can tell me what was the best costume you ever got to wear. Or you can tell me that dressing up for Halloween is for devil-worshipers, which, by the way, my parents totally cited as the reason why I couldn't go trick-or-treating when I was growing up. How ironic that I now play dress up with oh, my whole life, all year round, whenever I can. 
  2. This giveaway is open to all geographic locations. 
  3. Same as previous giveaways: it goes without saying, but you really should be a follower of my blog. I'll assume that you're a follower if you leave a comment. Also goes without saying, but I hope you really intend to use your winnings! Please don't win just so you can turn around and sell the prize on Etsy, shred it for hamster bedding, or use it to decoupage a Regretsy-esque wooden plaque. I'll close the giveaway at the end of the week, on Friday, October 19, 2012, at 11:59 PM PST, and announce the winners on Saturday morning. Again, thanks for reading Cation Designs!
Incidentally, I'm having a hard time thinking about Halloween this year. On one hand, I already have so many costumes/dress-up clothes that I'm having a hard time justifying making another one; the guest room closet is already bursting as it is. On the other hand, making costumes is my favorite kind of frosting, and hello if I made a new one it would be all new and shiny and exciting!!! There's also the fact that I'll be traveling on Halloween (it should never be allowed to fall in the middle of the week, when people have work and business trips and such), so that makes costumes difficult. "Hello, TSA, this steampunked Nerf gun is totally fake, so please don't take it away from me; I spent way too much time painting it and gluing things to it..."* I'm undecided, and yet I joined the MPB sewalong...dilemmas, dilemmas. 

Walnut is grumpy that he can't be an active participant in sewing. Darn you, thumbs!


*When I took my gun with me to Tucson for the Zombie Walk last year, I didn't even think about how it might look on the airport scanners. I shoved my suitcase through like I always do, then watched in horror as the plastic gun's outline showed up on the little screen. The TSA dude pulled my suitcase to the side and I watched in horror as he found the gun, pulled it out, gave me a hard stare, then waved over a couple of other security people. To my immense relief, they were just a couple of other young guys and he just wanted to show them how cool my gun looked. He wanted to know if I painted it myself and then told me I was awesome and sent me on my way. ::big sigh of relief:: Although I guess it didn't hurt that the gun was nestled among my goggles and pocketwatch and other steampunky paraphernalia!

113 comments:

  1. Wow, these are some really nice giveaway prizes! I've been a follower for quite a long time but I've been too shy to comment, not being a native english speaker.
    I'll be contending for the first one (the Colette pattern and white and blue fabric).
    Sadly I don't dress up for Halloween as often as I'd like too, because I don't really have any Halloween-esque parties to go to. However, last year, my lab-mates and I decided to go as the Addams family for the whole day at work, and it was lots of fun! I'm hoping we'll manage to do something like this again this year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. well, both prizes are really cool but put me in for the second set, I really like that fabric! As for the Halloween thing, I don't do much for Halloween anymore but my one outfit I used many times as a kid was a Granny. I would put rollers in my hair, put on a bathrobe and slippers and head out. It was quite comfy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love Hallowe'en, but right now, I'm living in the Netherlands and Hallowe'en really isn't a big thing here (sadly). I used to make myself elaborate and unnecessarily expensive costumes: I think the most ambitious one was a harem girl outfit made of silk and satin (both of which frayed horribly while I was sewing), with beads and trim and all sorts of fancy bits all over it. The outside looks wonderful, but now I look at the inside and cringe when I see the wrinkled fabric and crooked stitching.

    Because I'm one of those girls for whom the Colette patterns are designed, I'm entering for the first prize. I usually follow you on RSS, but I've started following via Blogger as well :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I want to dress up for Halloween, but I don't know if I can top last year's costume. I made a monster-fish foam head and covered it with sequin fish scales and big bulgy eyes. Then I dressed my husband up as an old sea captain. It was great. That's what happens when you pass your exams and discover you suddenly have free time to raid Hobby Lobby and go all arts-and-craftsy on a random idea. BTW I was totally inspired by your steam punk gear last year - I almost went that direction.

    (Please put me in the hat for option 2 - I've had that same dress pattern bookmarked for a while AND it's my size!)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so excited for Halloween this year. I love any excuse to dress up, but this year will be extra special because I have convinced my husband to dress up with me. We will be Han Solo and Princess Leia. I even made a little yoda hat for my 6 month old son. I really loved your little battle of Yavin shirt you made a while ago :) Anyway, the first set is my favorite. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh golly, I love love Halloween and Autumn is my favourite season ever, the crunching of the leaves watching the season change and of cause the rutting season! For this year’s Halloween, it’s just going to be our dogs dressing up as I'm on holiday for Halloween. Though I am designing a costume for next year as ill be away for my Sisters hen party in Las Vegas (sorry excited as I live on a little Island in the Irish Sea and haven’t gone any further than to England and LV is over 4000 miles away) were all hoping to go as Supermanx-girls (our version of super girl but without the superman sign and with the three legs of man sign instead), it’s going to be super ace. Anyhow now I'm rambling lol, I love the season/Halloween that I could talk forever about it. I love the blue fabric of giveaway 1, its very cute and I’d be excited to see how the pattern looks in a fully designed dress, now while I’m here I just want to say that I love your blog!!! Hugs Nessy x

    ReplyDelete
  7. AAAAAHHHH I love, Love, LOVE that blue flower print. We have been planning Halloween for a year now but unfortunately we won't be able to participate this year (bummer right?). BUT we do have the costumes mostly made and they'll get to be used at Comic con and Dragon con next year in addition to Halloween. My husband is going as a steampunk version of Link from Zelda and I'm going as a steampunk great horned owl (the owl from zelda). We're super excited! Say hello to handsome walnut from our service dog Nonni (who is going as a horse).

    ReplyDelete
  8. great giveaways - I love them both, but the Poppies and vintage pattern are the one I'm throwing my hat in for.
    Halloween this year is THE ZOO, hubs and I will be the zoo keepers, kidlets are: a monkey, a giraffe, and a lion.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations! I love the poppies and vintage pattern - I have a special affinity for poppies and are completely drawn to them. I'm thinking dirndl for halloween this year, but time will probably mean I'll go as a zombie. Again.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Those are some great giveaways! I really like the blue flower print fabric with the Colette pattern. It looks great. We don't celebrate Halloween here in NL (at least we don't), so no costume for me... The only costume I've probably ever had was made by mom waaaaaay back and was some kind of witch costume with gold netting as well as some lovely shiny blue- and gold coloured fabric:) It had a huge collar that stood up on itself.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Halloween is my favorite time of year-the one time I get to make something completely fantastical and not have to justify it! This year, I'm going as Katniss at the Reaping. I modified Simplicity 1880 in chambray to make a near-perfect replica of the dress. Now I'm just waiting for my Mockingjay to come in the mail...Oh, and please put me down for the Colette pattern and blue flowery fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  12. wow - great giveaway! ccongratulations on your 400 followers. i am one of them! i love the crepe - it's one i have always wanted to make and the blue fabric is gorgeous, so number 1 please! i don't really do halloween but my 4 year old does. she was asking for a squirrel costume which i was starting to bend my brain to, when she decided she'd actually like to be a witch. much easier!

    ReplyDelete
  13. My halloween costume.... drum roll please.... is... Cho Chang! Because I feel like we should all never forget the magic Harry Potter brought to our lives! Or I will be Katniss because it is COLD in Canada and her outfit is super warm (function over fun?)!

    I'm super down for Colette, and that blue fabric is just absolutely lovely!

    Thanks so much for doing this!! So fun to read about everyone's costumes!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks so much for the giveaway! I love all of your year-round costumes. I hope to dress as a pinata this year (just cut up a bunch of streamers and tape them onto myself). I should get going on that...

    I'd love to win option 1. I'm a C-cup girl, so Colette patterns fit me beautifully. I've been pining for the Crepe pattern, but haven't sacrificed money for it yet. I'd love a chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am wild for that blue floral, count me in please. And I agree with you, Halloween should be on Friday always!

    ReplyDelete
  16. i would adore the first package, love the fabric! not dressing up this year but going to hand out candy for sure. my best costume when i was a kid was french's mustard--my mom cut the end out of a "clean" garbage can and hand painted the whole thing! she is wonder woman! i follow you on my rss (google reader) feed.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm in for the first. Even though I'm not that keen on artificial fibers, I'm more of a blue-and-white girl and that fabric SO wants to be a reiteration of my LBD pattern; plus: Crepe!
    Halloween... imperialistic imported holiday! (Take "imperialistic" with more than a pinch of salt.) I dressed in my old, silly "medieval" dress for Halloween once, in my first year at university because first years at English Studies were supposed to come. This year, I want to wear a poppy instead. You know, November 11 being Poppy Day; except Czechoslovakia was founded on October 28th 1918, so I got this crazy idea of wearing a poppy two weeks through.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the blue floral fabric, it´s lovely! I have been thinking about giving a Colette pattern a try, but never got around it. They are all so beautiful! This might be the perfect opportunity.
    As for Halloween, we don´t celebrate in my country, but I always wanted to go trick-or-treating dressed up as a clown. For me, nothing is scarier!
    By the way, I follow you privately, so i´m not sure if you can see me!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love the Poppies so I'd love the McCalls 2032. My best costume that I remember was going as cookie monster back in the 80s when kids wore dangerous plastic masks. My Daughter told me that this is the last year I am allowed to go without a costume so next year it looks like I'll have to do something more interesting than a vampire.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I follow via Google Reader...does that count?
    I love both these fabrics but am just inching towards the blue. Simply because blue is a great colour on me and those bold splashy flowers are adorable.
    Halloween is my father in laws birthday so we don't dress up in costume, but I always cook a family dinner for us all to celebrate. And cake! Of course!
    That said I did once dress up as Miss Piggy for Halloween. That was fun.

    ReplyDelete
  21. As much as I love Colette patterns, that floral fabric with the vintage pattern could (potentially) have my name written all over it. Congrats on the 400 followers! I can't reveal my costume yet (its going to be a blog giveaway) but I can tell you what I was last year..... the purple one himself, PRINCE. I won first prize. I don't mess around with the 'Ween one little bit.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations, and put me down for the first set! We don't really do halloween here in Finland, but my coolest costume has to have been the year my friend threw a "come as your favourite band" party, and I drew an anatomical jawbone with makeup on my lower face (I went as the band Jaw), and pulled off a steamy zombie look

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've never dressed up for Halloween (though was once accused of being a vampire by a drunk man in a pub - wasn't dressed up, am just very pale). I'd love to try the Crepe and the blue flower fabric is fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Nice! I haven't celebrated Halloween for a long time but love looking at the costumes. I really like the neckline and the pretty fabric on the 2nd one. Thanks for the generous giveaway!

    - Saro

    ReplyDelete
  25. My favourite costume is dressing up as the Tardis . . .being British Doctor Who is somewhat of an institution.
    I would LOVE the colette pattern and fabric, its so pretty and would be my first dress pattern, I'm a beginner and have so far only sewn skirts but i'm itching to have a go at a dress!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Put me down for the first set, but I would take the second one. They are both so nice. I dressed up as a black cat for Halloween one time. Your kitty is adorable!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Put me in for the first set please! (although I love the fabric more for the second set, so I'd be happy either way)

    I'm going to be dressing up as a Battlestar Galactica character!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh man, I'd love either set but the first one probably is more 'me'
    I've a dress made of ties in my UFO pile so I might finally finish it and go as a tie rack or closet for halloween. Maybe if I make an occasion to wear it, I'll finish it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'd love the first set!
    This year, sadly, I am not dressing up for Halloween. But it's for a happy reason! I'm going to see Madame Butterfly that night.
    My favorite costume was probably last year's with me dressing up as the TARDIS from Doctor Who. It involved lots of franken patterning, handpainting, and a huge crinoline! So much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oooh, I quite like #1. I love that blue print.

    And my Halloween costume is still in progress but maybe you can look and take your best guess? http://abrightcontainer.tumblr.com/

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ooh lovely giveaway, thanks. Set 2 please!

    My best costume ever was my little girl from The Ring film (Tamara?) costume.
    I used a granny nightie, a long black wig, face paint and made a cardboard tv! It was a big hit on my way to and at the party!

    Look if you dare
    http://t.co/8bjQ471H

    This year I want to be Wednesday Addams but have no party to go to :-(

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love the blue fabric in #1--and I've always wanted to try a Colette patten. My three-year-old son tells me that I am going to be a pirate for Halloween, and that my hat will have diamonds on it. So who am I to argue?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ooh Set #1! I really like Colette patterns too, just not brave enough to cut into my 'nice stash' to really make anything wearable yet (outside of home wear). I'm totally unoriginal and will only be fashioning a temporary jack-o-lantern costume with a blouse (darn those mid-work week celebrations), but my daughter will be sporting a handmade Special Agent Oso costume!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Goodness, very difficult to choose, both fabrics are beautiful. Please could you put me in the hat for No 2, I love the colours. We don't really do Halloween in the UK but I've made a few costumes for my children over the years as they were both involved in dance/theatre groups. I guess the wierdest one was probably a Christmas pudding! And the most inventive was when my son was a knight on a horse - yes, I even made the horse! I used the box that a headboard came in. Kind of shaped like an unused staple, added a head and tail (used an old mop), my son stood in the middle with little fake legs (stuffed old tights) and boots. I'm pretty sure his helmet started life as a cake tin - he absolutely loved it and his sister was happy to be a damsel in distress, much easier costume! :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. This is an amazing giveaway, Cindy! Seriously, waaaay better than some other sewing bloggers do.

    Anywhoozles, I like #1 just because #2 is too small for me. I've been itching to try some grading, but I'm not sure I want to give it a shot on a dress like #2, I'll propbably start with a top.

    I'm not thinking much about my costume at the moment, I'm currently finishing up my son's... I used a McCalls toddler dog costume to make him into one of his favorite Muppets, Apollo from the Pajanimals. If I had enough time, I might like to make myself a Dirndl.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I would love to win bundle #1. I am not really into Halloween unless there is a party to go to. The best costume I every made was Laura Croft. I was instantly recognizable and sexy in a covered up way-unlike those pirate hookers.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Congrats! I love set #1.
    For the first time, I have had millions of ideas for what I want to dress up as for Halloween, but all of them include vast amounts of sewing (i.e. 1880s vampire). The rough part is not only have I run out of time, I'm 1000 miles away from my sewing machine and at a college. (small sigh) There's always another year. This year I'm probably dressing up as something of a corpse bride...because my friend has the costume.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'd love set 1, the fabric is gorgeous!
    I work in a costume hire store so I'm a bit spoilt for choice for Halloween! I'm too overwhelmed with choice to make a decision at the moment actually but may be thinking about something steam punky?!

    ReplyDelete
  39. That's so generous. I would love try the crepe pattern..

    ReplyDelete
  40. I won't be dressing up because we don't have halloween tridition in Turkey. But I'd love to dress up as Carl Foutley from As Told by Ginger if I had the chance. I was always fond of him. set #2 please. Zeynep

    ReplyDelete
  41. This is an awesome giveaway. I love reading everyone's comments, too. I'd like to win set #1, since I love patterns that don't need to be graded. :)

    The best costume I ever wore was one my mom made when I was around 5 and my sister was around 3. I was a big green dinosaur, and she was a little spotted dinosaur egg, complete with green head, legs, and arms poking out of the egg. We were so cute that we made it into the local newspaper. I had my 15 minutes of fame early in life!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I would love to win the 1st set! I would make up that colette dress in the blue print in a heartbeat!

    I remember when i was in elementary school they didn't let us dress up for "Halloween", but they decided to call it "Book Character Day". ha ha ha. so we all dressed up anyway, but it had to be a book character. well i wanted to be a devil. i had a red leotard and red tights and a headband with little horns and a belt with a little tail, and a plastic pitchfork. so i went to the bookstore and looked around until i found a book that had a devil in it. the book was "The Devil and Mother Crump". so i got to be a devil anyway because it was my book character. ha ha ha.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I would love to try the Crepe pattern. Halloween is not a big deal in Australia, but I love costumes. The favourite one I have ever made is a dragon costume for my son, which he wore as pyjamas all winter long (I like to get full value from my sewing)
    http://kbenco.blogspot.com.au/2008/04/dragon-costume-pyjamas.html

    ReplyDelete
  44. Without question, the cobalt blue fabric and pattern combo are outstanding! A nice pattern choice for the fabric, I must say. I started following your blog as a result of the "My Happy Sewing Place" blog. Looking back at your past creations, it's unbelievable you have been sewing a relatively short time - your skill and knack for choosing great fabrics are completely belie this!

    Not dressing in costume for Halloween - will be working about 12 hours and hopefully putting my feet up around 9 pm for a deserved rest.

    Thanks for the opportunity to participate in the giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love the Collette Pattern, I happen to be a C cup so that works out perfectly! Trying not to think about Halloween, it's not big over here, but eldest wants to dress up for it (he won't be trick or treating, no matter what he thinks).

    ReplyDelete
  46. Great giveaway!! Please enter me for the first set. I love the blue flower fabric. So pretty! I love Halloween, and I decorate my house more for Halloween than any other holiday. I don't dress up for Halloween, though. I'm more about dressing up my house than myself. Thanks for the chance to win!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. The fabric you have for the Colette dress is just gorgeous! I love your blog and love commenting :D

    I won't be entering the give-away as I also shop in the kiddies bra department :P

    Congrats on reaching 400 followers, not surprised though as you are a great sewing inspiration.

    XOX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh! For Halloween, I will be making a Dorothy Wizard of Oz dress. I have a Halloween party on the 27th, main reason I am attending is so I can sew up a costume... :D I'll be using one of my TNT patterns and gingham fabric. You will definitely see pics on my blog when it's done... gotta get sewing this weekend :)

      Delete
  48. I'm glad to say I'm one of your most recent followers (only having been subscribed to your RSS for about three days)... Glad because I found your blog, not glad because I've only been following it for a few days, just to clarify!

    I LOVE that poppy print fabric, I think its gorgeous. If I won I think I'd just roll it around myself and call it a modern art dress installation... It's almost so pretty I'd be scared to sew with it!

    I don't think the pattern would come close to fitting me as it is, but I'm becoming a bit of a dab hand at upsizing patterns (since no vintage pattern EVER comes in the right proportions for me... And also I'm too much of a poor student to buy new patterns- they're all from op-shops... SO all of them end up being resized anyway).

    So long story short, thanks for having such a cool blog. Yay for us nerds who sew!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hello!
    I would like to participate for the first set, the blue floral and the crepe pattern. The skirt of the dress looks lovely. About the tradition for Halloween, I never really used to get dress for Halloween, as a Mexican I was taught to believe in the day of the Death on Nov 2nd. We believe that our dead loved ones come to visit us that day and spend the day with us. We usually make a shrine with their picture, prepare the food they used to like and spend an evening with the family sharing good memories. That is our tradition. :)
    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  50. I'd be delighted to win either; for Halloween, I'll be giving out candy in the gold Belle ball gown that I made for my recent Disney Cruise. I'm the one who e-mailed you for advice about the blue Belle day dress, which I also made. Thanks for the advice!
    -Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  51. Congrats on all the followers! I really love that blue/white fabric, but I've got to officially throw my hat in the ring for Set #2 - too cute!

    I don't plan on dressing up this year for Halloween, but I have to say my favorite costume was when I dressed up as a (vaguely retro) waitress in college. It was comfortable, cute (not trashy), and the apron was quite handy and kept me from needing to lug a purse around - a win-win, I thought.

    I've always wanted to go ALL-out for a Halloween costume sometime, but can never seem to get my butt in gear in time to make it come together.

    ReplyDelete
  52. i love the Colette pattern and white and blue fabric! so pretty! i had plans to make a steampunk outfit for halloween this year, but it never happened. i guess i'll wear the renaissance costume i use to go to the local ren fair every couple of years. i do love wearing the corset!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Oh, what awesome giveaways! I'd love either prize, they're both pretty amazing. :-)

    Halloween isn't really a huge thing here (New Zealand), so I've never really dressed up for it. Went to a party a friend had a couple of years ago that had a steampunk vs. zombies theme, but that's about it. Which makes me a little bit sad when I see all these awesome costumes and things people do for it, but not sad enough to get around to hosting my own party. Oh well!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I'd love to win set #1. I am not dressing up for halloween this year, I haven't for some years now. My favorite costume ever however was a belly dancing costume - my Mom actually did belly dancing performances for years, so it was an amazing outfit.

    It was actually the last costume I ever wore, wore it once when I was 18, and then again when I was 32... She took it with her when she retired to Mexico a couple years ago, much to my chagrin!

    ReplyDelete
  55. I would loooove set #1. I've been dying to try some Colette patterns, and that fabric looks like my jam - blue is my favourite, and big prints, too!

    Not planning on dressing up for halloween - it's not really a thing here in Australia. But this has been the year of 'dressing up' more, day to day. Part of that is getting more into sewing, so that I can make and wear things that express my style. Part of it is finding a bunch of sewing blogs like yours where people make and wear what they want, and look so fabulous doing it! I must say my nerdy heart dung when I found your sheet-dresses, and I've been hooked on your sewing shenanigans ever since! It really helps give me the confidence to leave the house in more 'costumey' clothes, and I love it! More cake, sure, but more frosting too!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Ohhh this is very kind! I'm like the Crepe option (Colette patterns treat me well!) I must say that we don't really do Halloween over here in Australia though i once got to go to a costume party as a princess in year two. Mainly because I wanted to ninja chop people in a fancy dress. Don't ask. I was always an odd child...

    ReplyDelete
  57. Poor Walnut with his kitty thumbs, time to evolve ;)

    I'd love the chance to win the Crepe dress, I've been meaning to get that one but postage to NZ is so expensive :(

    Halloween isn't really celebrated here but if I get do a party invite I'll probably make my own costume, something nerdy ;)

    ReplyDelete
  58. I would make the crap out of the Crepe dress! I love Halloween. This year, my roommate and I are going as the Red Queen and the White Queen from Though the Looking Glass.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Naaw, I hope you're going to dress Walnut up? He looed great as a presidential candidate!
    I would love to win the Poppy fabric and 60's pattern, I have a real thing for the 60's style! And these would overtake priority on anything currently in my sewing room.
    As for Halloween, we don't really dress up in NZ, but I want to dress up lie Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony. So much pink and chances for frills! All I need now is a party to attend....

    ReplyDelete
  60. Hi, I really enjoy your blog. I can't believe how fast you finish projects, there's always something new to read about.

    About the giveaway, I'd like to get #1 (LOVE Colette patterns + the fabric is supercute). I also wish that I could tell you that I'll be dressing up in some snazzy costume for Halloween, but I won't... Here in Sweden, where Halloween is celebrated on the Saturday closest to Oct 31, not ON Oct 31, the costumes are all about being scary, witches, vampires, zombies, Scream-masks etc... And that's something I don't want to be a part of, so I skip the costume part. But I like talking about Halloween with my English-students.

    Happy Halloween!

    ReplyDelete
  61. I am not a B cup either but I have already made some Colette patterns and they are so sweet I don't mind the extra work. And blue is my colour.
    400 followers! Congratulation, that's amazing!
    As for Halloween, as I live in Spain, this is not a special holiday. There are some parties, but mostly for students. It's too bad as I love to make costumes. Would a Mad Men costume be too easy? I guess so...

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hi Cindy,
    I have been reading your blog for a while now, ever since I found you through Oona's blog (your shopping expedition) funny I never followed till now, but I drop by often. Nothing like a giveaway to finally get me to follow properly.
    I would love the Colette pattern, my first! crossing my fingers. I don't celebrate Halloween so I will be watching you guys have fun from this side of the computer.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I don't know whether I 'follow' you, you are on my RSS feed? Is that the same thing? This blogging malarky is all rather new to me, but I love reading your posts and oohing-and-aahing over your pretty things.
    I have always knitted, but only recently gotten into sewing, and am using blogs like yours to inspire and teach me! I have the Colette handbook by my bed so I can read it each night and dream of sewing :). I would love to be entered in the draw for #1 the Colette crepe pattern, as I've been drooling over this pattern and reckon I'll be ready to tackle it soon.
    My favourite ever Halloween costume? (Although where I live, we call it hop-tu-naa) I loved dressing up as a zombie ballerina a few years ago. I even made my own tutu, and have it sat in my wardrove even though I'll never be skinny enough again to fit into it. I won't be dressing up this year as I'll be too busy at work to go to parties :(

    ReplyDelete
  64. I'd love to win set#2!
    This halloween I'm dressing up as an "old Shanghai pin up girl!" I was lucky enough to find and snag a Cheongsam that fit me perfectly within my budget - I definitely am not skilled enough to make one of my own like you. Hopefully I'll be able to use the dress as a base to make my own in the future... here's hoping!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Congratulations on your blog success! I don't know if I've ever left a comment, but I love reading your funny, nerdy posts full of sewing savvy! I'd love either one of these packages. I don't usually dress up for Halloween. Although I LOVE to sew, somehow the idea of making costumes just leaves me cold (even for my own kids - how's that for being a terrible sewing mom?!). I can't figure out the root of that (no devils), because I do love to dress up.

    ReplyDelete
  66. The Colette pattern is great! I've always lusted after those patterns! I plan on being Viola Swamp for Halloween...she is the mean substitute in the Miss Nelson is Missing books!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Good morning! I've been following you for a month or so, but I don't believe I have left a comment yet. Congratulations on 400 followers! I love your writing style and sometimes wonder if I must have an Asian doppelganger on the west coast, because it seems that we often think alike! :) I would be thrilled to win either set, but definitely prefer the fabric for #1. Walnut hair is fine! My kitties will go nuts when they investigate, which makes it even more fun for me. At 6 months old, they are ever so helpful... Sadly, I'm not sure if I will be able to dress up for Halloween this year, as I am leaving for vacation this Friday and will not be back until the 29th. I know I should have planned ahead, but my brain doesn't really work that way all the time. I do have reserve costumes, but would much prefer something new! I am working on trying to figure out how to integrate steam punk with Lord of the Rings for GenCon next year. A group of my friends and I are all trying to coordinate, a.k.a. I will be making most of the costume pieces. If you have any brilliant ideas on how exactly to make that happen, I would be most appreciative!

    ReplyDelete
  68. I'd love to win the poppy fabric and pattern. Poppies are among my very favorite flowers; I love to see them along the roadside all summer. No Halloween celebrations for me, though.

    I'm a fairly recent follower of your blog, but I enjoy it immensely. Your posts always brighten my day.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I LOVE the Colette pattern and that gorgeous fabric! As for Halloween, I'm not sure what I'm doing. Unfortunately (or fortnately, depending on how you look at it), Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year and that means I'll be at work. Administering neuropsych assessments and Halloween costumes don't always go hand in hand. My daughter, on the other hand, has decided that she would like to be spiderman. Why? I haven't a clue. My mom used to make all of our costumes when we were kids. My favorite was the year that she made me an awesome Batman costume and my little brother was Robin. The two headed monster, though, may have been one of her best costumes. HAHA I'm fairly new to sewing so I haven't gotten to making any of my daughter's costumes yet. Maybe next year :)

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'm putting my hat in the ring for option 2!

    As for Halloween, I haven't got my act together yet (and I have an actual party to go to this year... eep!), but I will tell you for my very first Halloween I was the cutest bumblebee you've ever seen.

    ReplyDelete
  71. love the colette pattern and fabric! love your blog, especially fond of your spiderman dress! :)
    i'm dressing up for halloween for the first time in YEARS, as Katniss in her district 12 hunting attire, since most of the things she wears are already in my closet, and i scored an ugly men's leather jacket for $5 at the thrift this week!

    ReplyDelete
  72. I would love to tackle to colette pattern! I have 2 kiddos, so all my energy goes into dressing them for halloween. My costumes end up being pretty lame.

    ReplyDelete
  73. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  74. I love your blog and the clothes you make. i plan to dress up as myself this halloween!
    please please pick me!!!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Wow, congrats on such an admirable following!! :D I love that you're doing giveaways for both the pattern AND the fabric! I'm between jobs at the moment so it would be lovely to win one of these lovely packages ^__^ I love both combos, so either is fine with me, but I think I prefer combo 1! ^___^

    As for Halloween, I absolutely LOVE it, it's my favourite holiday! I always mean to make a costume but I always leave it too late and then decide not to dress up, as I don't like doing things half-assed LOL. So I probably won't dress up but me and my man are planning on going to an event called Fright Night here in Vancouver, which is a collection of haunted house type amusements. Should be super fun!! ^__^

    ReplyDelete
  76. What a following you have! that is amazing!
    You are so kind to be hosting a give away! :D
    I probably will not dress up this yera as I spent my costume making skills on making a Mr Fantastic costume for my boyfriend and squirrel girl costume (the keotard broke on the day) costume for a cosplay dress up beginning of the year!

    the best costume was though a super scary zombie in cutsey PJs. I even won first prize at a vampires vs zombie night! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh and I got so excited about costumes, I would like to enter for the crepe, because 1. it is on my wishlist, 2. i love that blue print and 3. although i love the vintage pattern it is also near enoguh 2 sizes too big :(

      Delete
  77. I love them both! Especially #2 as I already own the collette patterns dress (it is my favorite me-made item by the by).
    I am dressing up as Ms. Frizzle from the magic school bus, marine biology style for halloween. I have these amazing tropical fish sheets that I will use for the fabric. Can't wait to see what costume you will dream up!

    ReplyDelete
  78. I would love to win set #2! I love the poppy fabric and pattern design. Also I love following your blog and pictures of Walnut. You inspire me to keep improving my sewing and trying new fabrics (ie. chiffon and sheets). This year for Halloween I am going as a dryad. I found a basic jersey knot tank dress at the thrift store on which I am sewing silk leaves. My favorite Halloween costume to date was last year when I dressed as Wednesday Addams. Not only is it a very simple dress to make, but I got a ton of compliments on it. It was nice to talk to so many people who loved that TV show when they were kids too! Thanks for the giveaway chance!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Set no 1 is just to tempting. love that color blue but I suspect the size of the print might be too big for my 5' frame. But I still want it!!!

    Thank you for the giveaway and thank you for posting Walnut so often. He is just so dreamy...

    Oh, and wouldn't you guess it: the city shut down the street for repairs (causing MAJOR traffic jams) so I couldn't go back to get the sheet...

    ReplyDelete
  80. Wow - 400 followers congratulations. I love your blog because it inspires me to be more adventurous in my sewing and because I love seeing what Walnut is up to.

    My best Halloween costume was a "flasher" strictly G rated though (no flashing). It consisted of a trench coat, men's shoes, and a fedora. No sewing involved though. I made several of my daughter's costumes though and she loved them all.

    I really love the #1 giveaway with the Colette pattern and blue poppy fabric.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Wow! Those giveaways are amazeballs! It's hard to decide which is the preferred set, but I'd have to go with #2. I just love the fabric!

    As far as Hallowe'en goes, I'm keeping this years costume a secret, but a previous fave costume of mine is the year I dressed up as Elvis. The costume took me forever to make but was totally worth it! Photo proof: https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/136_22167755130_3303_n.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  82. That blue print is gorgeous. And between Crepe being on my pattern wish list and the fabric I must be in contention for prize #1. Halloween - I love dressing up and I love sweets but man oh man do I hate all the creepy spooky that comes with Halloween. I'm probably not dressing up this year, but my best costume was Underpants Gnomes (or just gnomes for those who missed the bags with underwear and the South Park reference).

    ReplyDelete
  83. What a wonderful giveaway! I've only been following you for a short while and this seems like the right time to say hello! I really enjoy reading you! I don't have any Halloween plans but I looove Halloween!! I used to start planning my costume in August when I was a kid. I was a taxi once and I collected candy in the hood. Another time I was a raspberry, covered I red balloons. Ha.
    I would love the crepe with that pretty flowery fabric. I mean, I'd be really happy with the other fabric/pattern combo but if you make me choose...

    ReplyDelete
  84. What a brilliant giveaway - put me in the hat for set number one please!
    My favourite halloween costume was when I was about 13. I was a vampire, and the mainstay of my outfit was a floor length black velvet cape of my mum's from the 70's. I had coveted it for a few years but hadn't managed to find a reason to wear it in public until then. I spent the whole evening swishing :)

    ReplyDelete
  85. Cool giveaway, I think number two looks good!
    I'm not sure if i'll fully dress up this halloween as i'm going away but I have some yoda ears made....
    My best costume was when I was a cat at age 9, my mom gave me eye liner whiskers and an old hanger as a wire my tail. The best bit was that my friend who was shorter then me was my witch counter-part.
    I'm not an official folower, but that's mainly because I'm very lazy at checking my email, but the link is on my favourites bar!

    ReplyDelete
  86. That blue fabric might be full of mystery content, but I sure want to get my hands on it. And, you know I read your blog and look forward to seeing Walnut as often as I can. As for Halloween, I'm likely going as a vampire. I think I've been a vampire every year since I was 10. But, for some reason it doesn't get old. Well, now that they have shiny skin and all such nonsense, it might be a little old, but oh well...

    ReplyDelete
  87. Great giveaway - will put myself in the running for #2 please. Love all things vintage and collecting vinty fabric and patterns. I find the patterns much easier to follow than modern ones too!
    Loving your blog - have got some great tips and love seeing your new creations.
    As for Halloween - I live in Australia so as a child it was never celebrated. It is gradually catching on here and my kids have been trick or treating a couple of times. This year we're going to a Halloween party - so far the plan is to go as a devil. cheated a bit and bought a plain red dress but will snazzy it up a bit I think.
    Love your work :)

    ReplyDelete
  88. How fabulous! Congratulations on so many followers! I love the blue fabric so that would be my choice should my name come out of the hat :) And if it does, I already have the crepe pattern so if you could pull another name for that or I solemnly swear to pay it forward on my blog.
    We don't really do Halloween in my family, but I've got kind of a soft spot for it as my first date with my now Hubby was at a Halloween party. We both went as Vampires (not planned) - him as a traditional Bram Stoker style with cape and cummerbund and me more of a Buffy style vamp with punk-y hair, sheer black top (over another strappy top I hasten to add), velvet trousers and sky high heels! I was 17 and he was 27 (there's a 9 year difference between us, 10 on paper between the beginning of October and then end of November) I can still remember him moaning the next day when we went to help clear up at the venue that his head hurt - from the hangover and from the wisdom (?!) of using a nail brush to scrub the black face paint out of his blonde hair before going to bed the night before. Oh, and my dad picking us both up with a sign saying 'Taxi' stuck to his forehead...
    Not sure I'll share that memory with Boy until he's MUCH older though!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Congrats on the 400+ followers!! I'd love to win the first set. That fabric is really pretty.
    I don't celebrate halloween. So no dressing up.
    Thanks for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  90. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  91. I would love the Colette pattern. I'm pretty new to sewing and I'm hesitant to spend the money on a independent pattern and mess it up, so this would give me a way to test them out and feel more confident to spend my money on one (I'm cheap to a fault!) down the road because I would LOVE to support independent pattern companies!!

    OH! And I'm dressing up as Frida Kahlo for Halloween, sewing up a peasant skirt and drawing on my uni-brow! DONE!

    ReplyDelete
  92. Congrats on your followers! I enjoy your blog as I move from beginner sewing to intermediate-ish. :-) I'd love the Colette pattern. I'm not planning to dress up for Halloween this year. The best (or worst) halloween was in college one year when we had a party the day after. Needless to say, I was the only one to show up dressed up. I used an old bridesmaid dress and went as your typically dead prom queen. Now, many years later, I'm more careful about the costumes and dates that I choose to dress up!

    ReplyDelete
  93. Set #1 looks absolutely fantastic!

    For halloween this year, I'm reusing something I sewed last spring for a particular event. It's a short, flirty cocktail dress, but entirely out of cow print satin! I'm going to add a cowbell, and hopefully ears, and I'm a cow.
    --Kayla
    abashfulbird (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  94. I love the blue flowers. It's beautiful. So set 1 would be great. I've only just realised I might need to do a costume so I need to have a look and start now yikes

    ReplyDelete
  95. Definitely the crepe pattern with the blue flower, it seems to go so well together. And for Halloween, I do nothing, I am swiss and it is not a tradition here. We suit our-self in my part of Switzerland at the beginning in Winter for a really regional celebration day: L'Escalade. I think my favorite costume was the one of a salad, not really difficult a top and a leggings in bright green, make up green on the face and a real lettuce as a hat. So much good memories with this costume.

    ReplyDelete
  96. I'm loving Set #1... I won't be dressing up this year because of work obligations, but I can tell you my hands down favorite costume was as an adult. My friends and I dressed as The Knights Who Say "Neeh". Best...Costume ...Ever!! Only one problem, the headdress with the branches sticking out was a menace to ceiling fans!

    Thanks for offering these great packages!

    ReplyDelete
  97. I also love Set #1 and have been wanting to try and Colette pattern for ages! This year I am dressing up as Kath from Kath and Kim (the Aussie version) and have found an awesome jumpsuit to wear

    ReplyDelete
  98. Congratulations on 400 followers! I love your blog - its one of my top go-to's for inspiration and tips!! I would love set #2.

    My favorite costume is a pumpkin outfit that I made 2 years ago from 2 different orange shaded t-shirts that I sewed in sections. I added black felt strip between each section, made the carved face out a felt and added an elastic neck and hem. I wear black leggings and stuff the custume with 2 pillows. Its super cute and goofy, so when I wear it I feel like its my ticket to act silly for the day!

    Thanks for the give away!!

    ReplyDelete
  99. Congratulations on all those followers! I really enjoy your blog - one of my favorites to read :) I would really like the 1st set - it is a pattern my daughter would like me to make for her. As for Halloween, we really don't celebrate much. It is my mom's birthday, so we celebrate her instead. Still loads of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  100. Congrats on being one popular (and awesome) geek! Haha, geek revenge at last!
    My dilemma is that I love the fabric in option 1 and the pattern in option 2... can you throw me in whichever giveaway has less people in it? ;) If that's too much work, enter me in #1 and I'll just get my intense SBA on (I've also avoided Colette dresses because of the giant bust problem).
    I'm not a big costume wearer, but my husband's garage band is playing at a Halloween party this year, so I have to go/dress up. I've chosen the easiest, most non-costume costume ever: Liz Lemon from 30 Rock. I am making a plaid button-down shirt for it though! Gotta sew for Halloween, right?

    ReplyDelete
  101. I am throwing my hat in the ring for the crepe dress and blue floral set.

    My favorite/best halloween costume ever was one my mom made: Bride of Frakenstein. The dress was fairly simple, a floor-length white A-line with long muslin sleeves. The sleeves had elastic in casings every few inches so the sleeve bubbled up. But the kicker is that my mom exercised all of her '80s big hair skills and teased my hair until it all stood straight back/up from my head as if I had been electrified. Undoing the hair afterwards was .... memorable, and painful.

    BTW I really like the steampunk safety goggles mod. I need to mod some goggles for lab classes now.

    ReplyDelete
  102. I love the colette pattern and especially the blue floral fabric. I have avoided Colette patterns because I'm small busted.

    As for Halloween, I won't be dressing up.

    Love your blog.

    Tia

    ReplyDelete
  103. Ooo! Number 2! I already have the first pattern, and it looked so terrible when I made it up that I didn't even bother trying to alter it and just took it apart. I have to do a sba on all their stuff, and it usually works great! But it didn't work out on that one. I do LOVE the fabric you picked for it though!
    As for Halloween, at work (at the library), we're dressing up as literary characters, so I'll be Sherlock Holmes. For not work, my fiance is David the Gnome, and I'll be his Gnome wife, Lisa. So fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh I love your David the Gnome related plans! Great idea!

      Delete
  104. Ooo, me, too! (just under the wire!) I'll throw in for the Crepe because I've wanted that one for AGES (even though it will probably take me just as much adjusting as it would you... >_<) And I like the blue flower print best.

    We're going as a Steampunk family this year. Yeah, I know, super original. Oh, well, we don't exactly live in the forefront of cool. ;) I am making plenty of stuff for the kids, though, so I think I am going to repurpose other elements for most of my costume. Not sure about husband's costume... well, you heard about that.

    ReplyDelete
  105. Wow! You are just amazingly popular! I lurve that blue fabric with the crepe patten, but already have the crepe pattern!! Perhaps I should just congratulate you now on having 400 followers and bow out gracefully! :-) Walnut as always is the star of the show!

    ReplyDelete
  106. I love that vintage pattern, but it's way to small for me (and I haven't quite worked up the nerve to grade up yet), so I would love to be entered in for the Crepe dress! Halloween is my fav holiday! Before this year, that was all that I sewed - Halloween costumes. This year, I actually knitted the main part of my costume. My dog and I are going as Finn and Jake from Adventure Time! Hopefully the Florida weather cooperates and I don't regret my knitted-hat-wearing-decision :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, and since you're a fellow costume-lover I'll tell you my favorites from the last few years :) While the first Pirates of the Caribbean movies was still in theaters (so before they sold crappy plastic costume parts in stores), I went as Jack Sparrow and it was totally handmade with the stick and coins in the hair and everything. I also have been a tornado - I painted a piece of cotton badding with shades of brown like dirt and hung little toy cars, animals, trees, etc on yarn around me and when asked what I was I would spin around and my debris would stick out around me. Then I was a paper doll with a cardboard dress. I've also been Madame Mim and Wanda from the Fairly Odd Parents with my husband as my counterpart on those. Sorry for the long comment, but I love Halloween costumes :)

      Delete
  107. Poor Walnut. Having claws can't help with preserving fabric either.
    Having grown up in the UK I'm not used to being quite so wildly excited about Halloween, but when I got to university people took any excuse for fancy dress. I went for a fairly standard cat costume in my first year - I dressed all in black, made a tail from old tights (pantyhose), drew whiskers & nose on with eyeliner, and attached the padding from my bikini to my head with kirby grips for ears.

    ReplyDelete
  108. I love set #1 - the fabric is gorgeous and I'd love to try the pattern. I love sewing for Halloween - October is my most productive month. Usually I just sew for my three kids, but I do have a medievally/princessy dress I've worn the last few years to either hand out candy or wander the streets with my kids while they trick or treat. I'd say most parents dress up to walk around with their kids where I live, and the house decorating becomes more elaborate every year. This year I'm trying to ease into steampunk and I'm working on the jacket from Simplicity 2172.

    Krista

    ReplyDelete