Gracious Giveaway from Down Under

I don't enter many blog giveaways and have only held one of my own.  When BeaJay of On the Road to Sew Wear asked readers to guess which of seven statements was not true, I thought it would be fun to guess.  I didn't expect to win anything - especially since my guess was not exactly the correct answer!  BeaJay was kind enough to enter the names of those who selected the 'sort of not true' statement and mine was picked.  I was totally excited because, like I said, I hardly respond to blog giveaways and thus never win! When I came home from being out and about on Monday, I was happy to see a package from Australia in my mailbox.

I use thread snips ALL OF THE TIME!  I have one by my sewing machine, one by my serger (both machines sit on the same table) and one on my cutting table.  Despite having three snips within close proximity of each other, I can't find one when I need it.  Thank you!

Tweezers are necessary to thread my serger and coverstitch machine.  I just can't do it without them.  My tweezers have learned how to walk and regularly take short trips in and out of the sewing room.  How cute are these?

I've never seen pins like this before.  I am anxious to use them to see how they hold fabric when sewing and serging - especially when sewing knits.  I think this would be great in easing sleeve caps without the double row of ease-stitching.

There have been a couple of reviews of this pattern on PR.  I love how it looks and am happy that I have the chance to try it!  I can see this in a nice navy wool suiting. 

OMGosh!  What a tremendous help these fabric cards will be!  Now I don't have to guess how much fabric I need to make certain patterns - especially if they're out of print.  The cards give information about standard pattern sizes, body measurements, as well as how much extra fabric to purchase if your garment length/volume is mini, average, or maxi.   What a great idea!

I have fabric very close in color to both the peach and sky blue buttons in this package.  This could not have been more perfectly timed!

I don't think BeaJay knew this, but the bubble wrap is a gift in itself.  If bubble wrap ends up in my hands, it will certainly be rendered useless.  I don't buy bubble wrap just for the sake of popping it.  But if I get it in a package, I won't be reusing it.  Must.  Pop.  Bubbles.

Aww shucks BeaJay!  Thank you so much for this wonderful package of goodies.  I will put everything to good use.  Thank you!

L

Notions Store, Fabric Score, and a New Machine

My Go-to Notions Store:  Cleaner's Supply
I first learned about Cleaner's Supply from fellow PR member nancy2001.  The store primarily sells items for dry cleaning businesses, but they offer a nice selection of tailoring supplies:  zippers, buttons, chalk, machine and hand needles, seam rippers, Maxi-Lock and Gutermann thread, scissors, etc.  Pretty much any basic notion can be found at the store and at prices that simply can't be beat.  For example, a 9-inch invisible zipper at JoAnn's costs $2.49.  At Cleaner's Supply, a 9" YKK invisible zipper is $0.44 and $0.39 if you buy 10 or more.  Shipping is highly reasonable at a flat rate of $3.83 for orders under $100 and free for orders above $100.

The staff has always been courteous and willing to help.  On my last order, I needed to purchase some Hug Snug rayon seam binding to finish my brown floral silk charmeuse top.  When I called to inquire about shipping times, the young man took my order over the phone, had the order pulled and ready to ship upon receipt of my check.  How cool is that? Also, I've never had a problem with an incorrect order or missing items. 

I was not asked to write a review of the store nor am I getting any reward for doing so.  I am just very pleased with their products and service and wanted to share it with you.

Major Fabric Score
It's bad enough that sewing friends are enablers.  But non-sewing friends too?  This can't be good!  My friend alerted me to a huge fabric sale going on at a local non-profit organization.  The non-profit uses recycled materials from many industries to help make art projects for children and adults.  Donations are used to help run the program and sponsor other local activities.  The suggested donation for this event was nominal and totally worth it.  Here's what I got:

blue-cream wool houndstooth, 1.5 yds
multi-colour wool tweed, 1.5 yds

off-white wool tweed, 1.25 yds
purple with pink highlights wool boucle, 1 yd

cobalt blue wool flannel, 2.5 yds
purple wool herringbone, 3 yds

wool (and possibly silk) tweed, 2.875 yds

camel wool flannel, 1.75 yds

cotton blend boucle, 3.375 yds

I got AAAALLLL of this for under $20.  I really do not need any more fabric and certainly no more wool.  But, I couldn't pass it up.

New Machine:  Singer 99k

 

I do not have the desire to collect multiple sewing machines.  I have two machines, a serger, and a coverstitch machine and this small group of machines satisfies all of my sewing needs.  The acquisition of the Singer 99k was totally on impulse.

I was at a recycling center emptying my car of recyclables when I saw this little table conveniently resting right next to my car.  I knew it was a sewing machine before evening opening the lid.  The recycling center's manager said the machine had been there for over a month and that he hadn't the chance to take it to their affiliated resale store.  I suggested that he cut out the middle man and just sell it to me today.  =)  That way, he wouldn't have to deal with the fuss of moving the machine, researching a fair price, and marketing it for sale.  I offered him $50 and he agreed.  I thought it was fair based on my limited knowledge of vintage machines and its current condition.

I had the machine serviced at my local dealer and was happy to learn that it didn't need much work.  It sews a great straight stitch and came with several extra attachments (of which I have no idea how to use).  I think the machine will be quite useful when sewing lightweight fabric.  In my pattern review of the silk charmeuse top, I didn't mention the difficulty I experienced in sewing it.  Trust me, it was a royal PITA.  While handling the slippery fabric wasn't much of a problem, preventing the fabric from getting caught below the plate was difficult.  A straight-stitch plate and foot would have been immensely helpful.  For my next project of this sort, I will use the new Singer.  I'll have to figure out to thread it first, though. =)

That's it for now.  I've joined Faye's Carnival of Skirts sew along and hope to get three skirts completed during this time.  We shall see. =)

Thank you for your support on winning the contest.  I am still over the moon about it!  Until next time, be well!

L