Thursday, February 7, 2013

Sew Grateful Week + Giveaway


Many thanks to Debi for hosting Sew Grateful week every year to remind us how much there is to be grateful for in the sewing blogiverse! I feel like I've written pretty extensively fairly recently about how glad I am to have discovered sewing, and what sewing and the online community have done for me, so I won't rehash that here. I still wanted to reiterate, though, that I am still so incredibly thankful to Mr. Cation and my friends for their support, Walnut for being cute, and all of you out there who are encouraging and informative through your own blogs and your comments on mine. This community is a pretty special place, isn't it?

Walnut gives his best coy look. Dawwww...

There are some pretty amazing giveaways going on, and while I can't compete with say, a book on  tailoring or a new Colette pattern, I can throw in an assortment of goodies for multiple winners!

#1: The Sophia Trench Coat pattern by Serendipity Studio, uncut, sizes XXS-XXL. It's a raglan-sleeve coat, so it should be easier than one with set-in sleeves. I originally bought it as part of a coat-making class at my local sewing shop, but I ended up not being able to make the class dates. I still have the pattern, though, so this would be a good beginner coat project for you if you're looking for one! Here's an example of a less loud version of it.


#2: McCall's 7385, a raglan-sleeve knit dress pattern in petite. It's from the eighties, which was not the best era for fashion, but I liked the stripe/chevron version they picture. And again, since it's a raglan-sleeve, it should be an easy first dress. Don't forget the personalized instructions by Palmer & Pletsch!



#3: McCall's 9071, a 1967 sheath dress pattern with some cool seaming, in size 16 (bust 38). I originally got this as part of a whole packet of patterns, but the bust is much too big for me.



#4: Butterick 4790, a reprint of the 1952 walkaway dress, uncut, sizes 8-14. I'll be honest, it requires so much fabric I'm unlikely to ever make it up, but it's definitely a cute retro dress!



#5: A 1965 Simplicity sewing book. I came across it in one of my thrifting adventures, and while it's not in pristine condition, the information in it is still good. There are sections covering pattern and fabric choice, alterations for fit, step-by-step illustrated instructions for how to put together common items like dresses, skirts, blouses, and men's shirts. There are also sections covering useful things like types of fastenings, embroidery stitches, seam finishes, basic tailoring, etc.










To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment saying which set you would like. I'll even go so far as to say you can enter for multiple items if they all strike your fancy! And just out of curiosity, tell me what's your least favorite fashion era -- mine is, in fact, the 80s, which might explain why I'm giving away the second pattern! I'll close the giveaway on Sunday night at 11:59 pm PST and announce the winners on Monday.   This giveaway is now closed! Thanks for entering!

One more gratuitous cat picture. Sometimes I look at Walnut and think it's just unreal that he's so fluffy.

70 comments:

  1. Love #1. Not that I NEED any more coats, but that one looks beautiful!
    I think the style of the twenties was so beautiful and elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I discovered yor blog quite a while ago and have read every entry, as I learned as you learned, and you shared the knowledge. You inventivness, increased skill but most of all, whimsy, are stellar and I return to be delighted and informed by the next project. Squidney alone earns you devotion and probably an achievement crown, too. This is delivered with the utmost sincerity, from one dorky sewing devotee to another. If a pattern is to be mine, I would select the trench. Would it be rude to say the I have several of the others in my stash!! Best regards.



    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my! Please may I enter for 1, 3, 4, and 5? Not that I'm against the 80s, but because I'm NOT petite. I am however overstocked with coat fabric and a desire to make coats, not far off a 38 bust, mad for vintage vogue patterns, and fascinated by old sewing books.

    I love the fashions of the 50s and 40s. I actually don't dislike the 80s and am actually fond of some elements of it. Maybe because I enjoyed it so much at the time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love pattern number two - not because it's from the 80's, but because I think it would be fun to make it look like it was from this era! My least favourite fashion era was the 90's. Too many weird shaped pieces of clothing were around then!(Not to mention too many retarded shaped glasses!)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Me again....favorite fashion era??? The sleek simplicity if the thirties. But, I don't have the body to wear the styles as I do not favor any lean/slender physicality needed. I adore that you like the eighties as most people identify it as loathesome. Quite a cool era..........with a little carnival added, just for flavor. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  6. In this one, I'm going to say that I LOVE pattern number four, and rather than tell you about another era of a fashion I don't like, I'm going to tell you about how much I love your blog. I love your blog quite a lot, and I can't believe you manage to do so much sewing and then also do so much blogging! It's inspiring for a new blogger like me :) Also, your honesty gave me the courage to start up my own blog, which I appreciate just as much as your weekly posts!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, it's got to be #4! If I had that pattern, I think it would finally tip me over the edge. Instead of lurking on sewing blogs and fantasizing about learning, I would have to dive into simple projects and learn how to be good enough to make that dress, because I adore it!

    My least favorite is probably the 80s, too! I feel like it's got the worst of the 70s and the 90s, hah.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would love a chance to win #3. My least favorite fashion era is also the 80s, followed closely by the early 90s.

    ReplyDelete
  9. he truly is out-of-this-world fluffy :)
    i would choose that butterick 4790 pattern, i lovelovelove it
    and my least favorite fashion era is the 90's.. 90's is my least favorite era for everything i guess (i'm from the balkans, 90's means wars, bombs and all other crap, horrible fashion included)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love to win the trench coat or the sheath dress. My least favorite era is the 90s-grunge and cargo pants are not for me!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would love the trench coat pattern! I am totally in love with the coat Penelope wears in the movie "Penelope," and would love to make one someday. But, it looks a little intimidating. A trench coat doesn't seem as scary (and I'd love to make it with some fun fabrics... tan is pretty boring!).

    As for my least favorite fashion era, I'd have to say the 70's (mostly because my childhood pics, complete with polyester outfits and white boots, make me cringe). In terms of hairstyles, however, 80's hair is just atrocious!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've seen #4 sneaking around the Internet and I've been wishing for it ever since! I'd love to be able to sew my own version.
    My least favorite fashion era...for the most part I think it's the 80s, because of the weird big shoulders, weird big hair, and weird patterns. Ig. Not enthused.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would choose McCall's 7385, and I don't really have a least favorite fashion era, every single one had its charm :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. The only era worse than the 80's was the 90's. ewwwwww! And that raglan coat makes my life. MAKES MY LIFE I SAY!

    ReplyDelete
  15. #3 please! I'm not sure the 80s/90s flattered much of anyone. :) though there were some rocking prints!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think #1 and # 3 are great. I don't know if I even have a coat pattern.

    I can't say I have been impressed with any fashions since the '70s. The '80s, '90s and our current millenium seem to lack pizazz. Maybe it's just me.

    I'm enjoying your blog and thank you for the opportunity to play.

    ReplyDelete
  17. The 80s fashions are definitely my least favorite. I remember thinking that clothes were ugly when I was a kid DURING that decade! It wasn't until I started studying costume history in college that I realized I even liked clothes!

    Since I probably have THOUSANDS of patterns (I haven't counted but I wouldn't be surprised if it's in the 4 digits) & tons of sewing books, I will say I will pass on the giveaway this time, but thanks! (I probably need to think about giving some of my own away at some point!) I have a copy of #4, but I'm not sure I will ever make it because it has some fit issues from what I've seen. #3 is great too but I've got some vintage 60s that are similar. (You may wish you had kept it once I finish my pattern sizing experiment...)

    ~ Brooke

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, #4 is gorgeous! The sort of dress that calls for fabric on sale for $2 a metre... But oh so worth it.

    My least favourite is probably the '20s. I love the '30s-'60s and don't mind '70s and '80s. But 20s, ew. I love tight waists and poofy skirts, rather than the sleek, boyish silhouette. But heck, each to their own. That's the best bit about sewing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would love to be entered for pattern #3 McCall's 9071; it would even be a perfect fit for me so no grading would be necessary! The 80's are definitely the worst for me since I have smaller than normal shoulders. I also think that the hairstyles from the 80's detract from the clothing styles making it really hard for me to judge the clothing styles objectively.

    ReplyDelete
  20. i'm not commenting to enter the giveaway, just to tell you how much i enjoy your posts and your progress with sewing and life. especially love cat pix. thank you for sharing, dear Ms. Cation...

    ReplyDelete
  21. I might have to say my least favourite era is the early 90's. Ah, so dull! Even the horrid over-accentuated shoulder lines, tacky sequin and embroidery motifs and huge perms of the 80's beat the sheer dullness of the early 90's :D At least they had some usable retro clothing in the 80's :)

    I would love to win price 4 or 5.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oooh, fun stuff! I love the coat in #1 as well as the dress in #4. Walnut is SUCH a fuzzy button. I have a Kitty too and he helps me out with most of my blogging posts and giveaway draws, and even my sewing, at home. He's a legend in his own mind, for sure. But lacks the fuzz capacity of your kitty. Kitty and I are hosting a giveaway on my blog as well, if you are interested.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh, I also just read Walnut et al's page and I almost fainted from a cute overload!!!! Had to take a moment to recover. I'm a huge cat lover, and a huge lover of sewing. AND, also coincidentally, I saw your page on Science Teacher and I also teach science workshops (forces/physics)! I had to follow your blog, the twilight zone music currently playing in the background made me do it....you hear it too, right? :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. #3 or #4 for me please, if Walnut picks me out, I'll be especially pleased, he's such a handsome kitty! I nearly bought that Butterick pattern this evening!! :-)

    I don't think I could make a coat up and I'm certainly not petite!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi, I'm your newest follower, and found you through sew grateful week :) I'd love to be entered fo the Butterick pattern, I love it! But I wouldn't mind winning the book either :)
    Thank you for this opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'd love the trench coat pattern! My least favourite is probably the 20s, because I have lots of curves and the look just doesn't work for me at all.

    ReplyDelete
  27. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  28. walnut is a star... ahhh cute face...

    Im dying to sew a trench coat so maybe that could be a great pattern to start. Thanks for the giveaway !

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi I will be happy to have McCall's 9071

    ReplyDelete
  30. Want to try my luck for butterick 4790 or would be happiest person if I get simplicity sewing book,... Hee hee

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Cindy...
    Forgot to mention one of my favorite McCall's 7385 as I started sew knit material after some help from you through emails. Thanks for all your help and also have to mention that walnut is the celebrity here..

    ReplyDelete
  32. My least favourite fashion era are the 80s as well. The huge rectangle shapes, the shoulder pads, mullets... but I do like the grunge stuff from that period. #5, the Simplicity sewing book would be a great book, so I'd like to enter for that :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. You're very generous!! I'm intrigued by pattern number 4, it looks great - and as a techniques lover, my first choice would be number 5 of course!
    Just as you the 80s are really the decade I would like to forget :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. 80s, definitely 80s. And since I was in Jr High/High School during that decade, I have some cring-y memories of outfits I wore. (I'm cringing and wincing right now. Oh, the pain!) Thank you for the lovely giveaway! I'd love the Butterick 4790 if you draw my name. I like the bodice and might try putting it on a peplum or more narrow skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  35. The 20's look pretty horrid on me!
    Pattern 1 or 2 for me please.
    Thank you this is very generous of you.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'd love the chance to win number 5, the 1965 Simplicity sewing book! :) My least favorite fashion eras would be the 80s and 90s. Gross. :) I'm a 90s child and even though I still love watching most of my favorite TV shows from childhood (Full House, Boy Meets World, etc.), the clothes are usually awful.

    ~Kristin

    ReplyDelete
  37. i love no 3 - the mccalls dress. i also hate the 80s - ski pants, padded jumpers, shoulder pads, ice wash denim - all too close to me for nostalgia!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I would like no 3, I wish I could say no 2 because that 80s dress does look cute, but I'm just not petite...
    I'm not very fond of the 80s fashion, but I think I actually like the 90's even less, everything was so BIG. Big flannel shirts, big waistcoats, big jeans.... Yuck!

    Thanks for the giveaway though :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Just wanted to say that Butterick 4790 is an amazing dress. I've made it 3 times now, and it is pretty awesome results for how fast and easy it is. It certainly is a lot of fabric, though!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I just wanted to comment because I adore that last pic of Walnut. If I'm "sew grateful" for anything, he's most definitely one of those things ^__^ I often used to think the same thing about my Starsky; that it was kind of unreal how fluffy he was LOL. These are some great giveaways, but please don't count me in - I like the Sew Serendipity coat (I have the book! LOL) but it would be better going to someone who could use it right away ^__^

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'd love to be entered for #5 the sewing book. I don't have any books on general sewing techniques so I think it would be very useful to have. My least favorite fashion era is probably the early 90's. The 80's were at least in your face and crazy but the early 90's were just weird and awkward.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Oo can I enter for No. 4, Butterick 4790 has been on my 'to buy' list for quite some time. I have to agree with you about the 1980's - there's not much that floats my boat there! Thanks for hosting such a generous giveaway! x

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi there, just wanted you to know, I got your message about the award. KITTY AND I ARE SO THRILLED!! (check our response to it here: http://gjeometry.com/2013/02/01/its-pay-it-forward-time/).

    Also, feel free to sign up for the Pattern Pyramid and Sew Grateful Giveaway on my blog. Kitty and I are still reeling from the excitement of the award.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh, Yes please for the Sophia Trench Coat Pattern! I don't like much from the 80's but there is so much diversity in every era I can find a few there I would make-up too :-) Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I hate the 80's too, but that pattern has good bones—so that's my pick! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I'd love to be in with a chance at the Serendipity coat pattern, thanks so much for doing a give away! I agree, the 80s were pretty awful!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Oooh, lovely giveaway! I'd like to go in the draw for number 5 please, the Singer magazine. :-)

    My least favourite era is also the 1980's. Although to be more specific, mid-80's to early-mid 90's is probably my very least favourite. There were still some cute designs in the early 80's before the boxy shapes and oversized tops really took off.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I would love the McCall's 9071 late 60's pattern; a simple dress, but I love the seam detailing.

    My least favorite decade? The 1970's. All of that brown polyester with huge trouser legs and lapels that look like they could fly.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'm very grateful for the sewing community too - it's such an unusually lovely and pleasant corner of the internet. Were I to win, I'd love the Singer Book, it looks like it would be really useful xx

    ReplyDelete
  50. I think the online sewing community is awesome :)

    I love that 50s dress (no.4), it's wonderful. I also think the trench coat is wicked!

    Thanks for the giveaway x

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hi! I think my least favourite fashion era is the 90's - most probably because I look back at awful photos of myself at the time. The 80's have a lot to explain, but there are some cool looks from that time, and with that in mind, I would love the McCall's 7385 pattern (particularly for that stripe version). I'd also love the book!

    Thanks for the opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Love the Simplicity pattern and the sewing book, thanks for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  53. Love that Simplicity Sewing Book! And would love to be entered to win it, so thanks for the giveaway! My least favourite era is probably the 70's...too floaty and boho for me! :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. I'd like that retro Butterick pattern or the the beautiful trench. Thanks for having the give away!

    ReplyDelete
  55. butterick 4790 is my favorite, although i'd be happy with any of these prizes! The 80s is categorically the worst decade for fashion EVER.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Not unreal just Genetics. Don't enter me for any of those, I have all the patterns I need, cheers. Least interesting decade would have to be the eighties although even that hideous time had some nice oversized/drape coat type stuff going on. Gotta take what you like and (mentally) burn the rest. XD

    ReplyDelete
  57. I'd love to try out nr. 4! Never made up a vintage pattern before. Least favourite area must be the 90's. And for the record, I think there was actually some interestng stuff going on in the 80's!

    ReplyDelete
  58. 1, 3 or 4 for me :D
    Least favorite is the 90's area. Not my fashion era.
    Thanks for the chance to win :D

    ReplyDelete
  59. What a great giveaway! I love the 1st pattern (and I love the more loud version of it!)
    And I also hate 80s! (there is a lot I don't like about 80s, not only fashion - I think the whole decade was a mistake..)
    Thanks for doing this giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. Cindy, thank you for offering such fun giveaways! Also, thank-you for sharing Walnut pictures with us. As a cat lover who cannot have a cat (hubby's allergies) I have to get my cat-fix vicariously whenever I can.
    I think the first pattern is my favorite- I am wanting to make a jacket/ coat and haven't tried to yet. I am rather a novice, so it would be a good adventure. I don't know for sure which era I don't like - you have a strong point about the 80's- they were over-the-top ridiculous (but I confess to love 80s music). I frankly can't think of anything remarkable about the 90's fashions either.

    ReplyDelete
  61. I must agree that the 80's were somewhat of a fashion wasteland. I don't remember the 90's being a whole lot better. (Oops, just read Kim's post above and see she says the same thing.) But I do love the 50's and 60's and would be happy to be in the running for pattern #4. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Would love no. 5, the sewing book. And gotta second you on the 80s, it was not a great time for fashion in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Oh, may I please throw my hat in the ring for #4? The 80s are far too boxy for me and the 20s I love aspects but the up and down nature of pieces doesn't suit my build. Though art deco makes me swoon...

    ReplyDelete
  64. I love the coat pattern! Definitely a lot of potential!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I'd love to add a late entry into your giveaway (hopefully I'm not too late). I'd happily give a home to any of the lovely items you are offering. Oh and my least favourite time for fashion would have to be now- at the moment a lot of contemporary fashion feels poorly executed to me in quality and styling. Any other era would have surely beaten today for taste and longevity.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Ooh, I just made it! Had seen the giveaway earlier this week and forgot to enter. I am going to enter for #3 with this entry since I am digging that style dress, and agree it can be totally modernized with the right knit fabric.

    I would say my least favorite era for clothing is the 20s, but only because those delightful straight cut dresses are tragic on my pear shape. LOL. I still admire the dresses from afar, though.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I also want to enter for #5, since old books are the bomb. This one looks especially awesome.

    I think my favorite era for clothing is the early 60s, since it still had some of the over-the-top ladylike cuts of the 50s, but with a cool, mid-century modern look. :)

    ReplyDelete
  68. Wonderful givaway I would love number 4. My favourite era is 1940's though this changes from time to time!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Hello! I discovered your blog a couple weeks ago, and I have really enjoyed learning from your projects. I'm not sure what my favorite fashion era would be (I'm bad at picking favorites), maybe the 50's? May I enter for #4 & #5? Thanks!
    Kayla

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'd love either of the McCall patterns! I'm a huge fan of late 50's mod fashion.

    ReplyDelete