From No-Shows to Non-Stop Sewing!

From No-Shows to Non-Stop Sewing!

Bianca Silva

 

A Sew & Bond Full House… Almost

Over the weekend, I hosted an extra Sew & Bond session because my regular monthly dates filled up fast. The sign-up list was completely booked, but on the day five people didn’t show.

That said, the smaller group meant I finally had some time for me!

I brought along two projects, the Ellie & Mac Hipster Dress and the Tilly and the Buttons Tabitha T-Shirt Dress, and two ribbed jerseys: a brown from Leon's and a mustard-and-white stripe I bought on Facebook five years ago (and have never dared to use because, honestly, I don’t wear yellow!). The group voted for mustard, so back into the stash the brown went.

I only managed to cut out the sleeves, remembered mid-cutting that the pattern size I traced ages ago is too big now, so my plan is to baste, fit, and adjust rather than retrace everything.

I’m thinking three-quarter sleeves, just-below-knee length, and maybe an elastic channel at the waist…we’ll see.

 

Helping Hands & Bias Binding

Because I paused my own dress, I jumped in to help Lena with her Sewing Therapy Hanbok Vest.

Four metres of bias binding later (using the continuous bias trick!), she was well on her way.

She’s since finished it, and the crisp all-white look is gorgeous...so versatile!

It’s inspired me to cut into my own fabrics for a reversible vest: a wool mix from Leon on one side, a ditsy print salvaged from an old skirt on the other, with thin wadding in between for a quilted, cozy finish. Black binding should pull it all together.

 

New Tote Designs & Workshop Ideas

Earlier this week, I drafted a new tote bag - my original sketch used squares and rectangles, but after testing it, I’m still itching to design more.

It’ll still make the cut for my next workshop (someone will love it!), and along with a triangular-panel option, that gives attendees two choices. I might add a third, but I’m not pressuring myself just yet.

I’m also brainstorming a Christmas-themed workshop. Think advent calendars, stockings, bunting, or festive table mats. What would you most love to make for the holidays? Let me know in the comments so I can plan something truly useful (and fun!).

 

Outfit Planning for Janome’s Big Day

The Janome November Sewing Celebration is fully booked, and now I’m fretting over my outfit.

My corset-style Rose Café Bustier dress idea felt too impractical, and the Somerset dress might be too “special occasion” for everyday wear.

Right now, I’m leaning toward a two-piece red set: a poofy Swiss-dot organza skirt layered over a simple underskirt, paired with a fitted Day to Night top.

I’m debating whether to attach the layers as one or keep them separate for versatility...future me may change my mind again!

 

Final Thoughts

Between three workdays at Leon's, finishing the Tabitha dress, and starting the Hanbok vest, this week will be ambitious. But that’s sewing life: a little problem-solving, a lot of fabric, and endless ideas spinning in my head.

 

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx

Back to blog