Sunday, September 22, 2013

New Dress, Three Year Blogaversary and Giveaways

I'm happy as can be with the result of all that pattern adjusting to this Vogue 8828 dress pattern.
Vogue 8828
I have a black cardigan and a turquoise one that looked OK with this print but I'm enjoying the shock of this chartreuse yellow.  Not exactly autumn seasonal sewing but I plan to pack this one for our Florida rental in March so I'll be wearing it in sunshine eventually.
It would be fine for a summer wedding, too:
Very hot weather version    

I like the lowered neckline and think that a variety of shapes could make this very versatile dress pattern in my repertoire.  I'll share more about the stretch silk charmeuse lining in a future post.  
Now let's celebrate something and give gifts.  How about my three year blogaversary?  Hooray!  Yes, it's true, I will use any excuse for a party.  Sorry, I can't serve most of you drinks and cake but I can offer you some giveaways, one for every year of my blog life.  
Giveaway Number 1
Giveaway number 1 is the hardcover first edition of Fit for Real People (FFRP) one of the most referenced fitting books among sewists around the world.  I'm also including a lovely Taunton Press book on fitting upscale lingerie and loungewear.
Giveaway Number 2
I buy Clare Schaeffer's Vogue patterns mostly for the sheer joy of reading the couture version of their instructions.  Maybe you don't have these in your collection yet.
Giveaway Number 3
Here are five more Vogue patterns with wonderful details...generally sizes 12-14-16 is what I buy in a multi-size pattern.
Drop me a comment about which giveaway you would like and your email address so I can contact the winners.  I'll pay postage in the US or internationally.

I didn't celebrate year number two of blogging last year.  I was way too preoccupied and anxious about some unkind, petty people in my life who took up way too much mental time.  Hooray, they are no longer around and I feel like me again.  My celebration, therefore, isn't really about three years of blogging....I do that erratically and merely adequately.  But I am celebrating hope and perseverance and love and friendship and nature and support.  So here's to all the things that keep us moving forward through pain and angst.  You, my lovely readers and fellow creative artists are part of why I am celebrating today.  Here's a toast to knowing that we are wonderful people and today feeling wonderful as well.  Now hurray and enter....I'll pick the winners on October 1.

26 comments:

  1. The new dress looks great! Well worth the time in the fitting! I love the chartreuse sweater with it too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your dress is beautiful, especially with that sweater! Congrats on your anniversary and being in a happy place! I'd love to have that coat pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats on your anniversary. I'd love a chance at the Claire Schaeffer patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your dress looks terrific! Congrats on your anniversary. I'd love to be in the draw for the books. Thanks for doing the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the chartreuse with your dress, too. I would love to be entered into the book giveaway -- I have not yet taken a look at that Fit for Real People. Happy blogaversary!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love reading your blog and seeing all the lovely things you are making. Congratulations on your anniversary.
    I'd love to be in the draw for the Claire Schaeffer patterns, No. 2

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Jane, I love your dress, the fit is perfect. I enjoy reading your blog, congratulations on 3 years! I would love to own those fitting reference books!

    ReplyDelete
  8. A great dress and you look great (and happy) in it! Congrats on your 3rd blogiversary and all that it represents.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations on your blogversary and feeling good again. I'd love to be in the draw for the Vogue patterns (no 3).

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations on your blogiversary! I've only been blogging for three weeks now, and what an awful lot I have learned from the online sewing community. Can you believe I have been sewing for 35 years without having heard of a FBA? With my cup size? Imagine how much good fabric I wasted over the years. Please put me in the draw for the Palmer/Pletsch book!

    ReplyDelete
  11. And a toast right back at you, in celebration of your 3 years, and also for the positive last year. Love the dress - you look very happy to be wearing it .. J

    ReplyDelete
  12. Loving the new dress, such happy colours! Happy Third Blogiversary too! So glad you are able to celebrate this one in a nice positive space. I'd love to win the books please, I've had them on a wishlist for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Jane - Congratulations on your anniversary. Your new dress 'fits a treat" and the colors are great on you. I would love to be in the draw for the Claire Schaeffer 7539!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes it is still very warm here in FL but it is starting to feel like fall! I would like to be in the draw for the Vogue patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations on 3 years of blogging! I'm looking forward to hearing about stretch silk charmeuse lining. I've seen it online but have no idea if it's as wonderful as it sounds.

    Fabulous giveaway...I'd love #2 the Claire Shaeffer patterns. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello Jane, Your dress looks terrific, with or without the cardigan! Congratulations on celebrating 3 years of blogging. Since my mantra is "It's the fit, silly!" please add me to the draw for the books. Thank you for sharing your gifts, including your expertise. Blog on, sister!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations! And You made a very pretty dress!
    Thank You for the giveaway - I like all of them. Try my luck in #2 or #1.
    B.r.,

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kudos on the dress. It is lovely and I adore your shoes I would like to be in on drawing #2 for a crack at the coat pattern. Also, thank you for blogging and sharing your world with all of us. It is nice to feel connected to other like minded people. Sueann301@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Congratulations!!! Cupcakes, balloons and confetti are the order of day! It's liberating when we release what is no longer purposeful in our lives and embrace that which gives us the most joy, no matter how insignificant, eh? I keep a bottle of bubbles on my desk, because I tend to need a "joy" hit every so often. Please toss my name into the hat for #3.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulations! Your dress is really prett.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love the dress, especially with the colorful cardi - you styles it so nicely. Congratulations on your blogversary and how nice to offer the giveaways. I am hoping for No. 3, look at all the lovely details to work with in those patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello and wishing you many more years of happy blogging! I would love to be entered into the comp for the books. Fit issues I have plenty :)

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

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your dress is so flattering and cute! Good going sticking with all those pesky alterations I made, but the results show how worth it your time and attention to detail were. And the best part . . .you now have a wonderful sheath dress pattern that can be used in such a variety of ways!

    ReplyDelete

Love your comments, opinions, advice and questions. I just ask that we all "play nice."