Well I managed a save on the Sabertooth Swap fabric that the lovely Barbara Jane gave me as part of the Sabretooth Swap that Anne from Pretty Grievances hosted. You might remember my dismal neckline. As I mentioned in my last post I was able to purchase the last metre from Addicted to Fabric and then recut the front.
I love this fabric. The feel of it is fabulous.. So good that I asked ATF to send me some swatches of similar knits they had available - but alas - none of it was like this fabric.
.JPG)
Check out what Barbara Jane did with the Sabertooth swap fabric I gave her. Love it. I purchased some of the same fabric for myself and will maybe make a dress. Maybe - my clothing plans have changed recently as I will explain.
I entered the Artisan Square SWAP and also the Pattern Review Wardrobe contest. I had planned and was sewing my way through a new work wardrobe.
My self employed work has wound down quite significantly and I trained my last group on Tuesday 21st April. I have only had about 4 days work a month this year due to huge changes and cuts in Government funding.
So - I knew I had to look for a JOB.... Yes - actually working for someone else - gulp - and 5 days per week - gulp gulp. And hence I have been sewing my way through (and also purchasing some RTW) work gear. I had a navy wardrobe planned and commenced.....
I have also been motivated and inspired by the book "Looking Good Every Day" that the very generous Sarah Liz of Sarah Liz Sew Style gifted me. It is a wonderful book and I am really enjoying reading it.
It has a lot on wardrobe making and has really inspired me. The book features the gorgeous Cenetta in a feature on colour analysis. It also has some great styling advice. My fav part though is the wardrobe article.
Thanks Sarah Liz.
You can see my planned SWAP wardrobe here.
I had planned to sew the dresses from my SWAP at the weekend sewing retreat at Stanwell Tops organised by the phenomenal (you try organising a weekend for 30 demanding women) Sharon at Petite and Sewing. It has become an annual event (and here's hoping it continues to be) and is such a hoot.
Anyhow - like the best laid plans of mice and men - my plans went hugely awry.
I got a job.... yes my job search was fast and brief. Trained my last group on Tuesday 21st and received a phone call on Wednesday 22nd from a contact I have that owes a recruitment agency. After a brief discussion she put me forward for an interview and I was successful. And she rang me! Go figure - the universe surely works in a strange and wonderful way. After much toing and froing from the company as to where I will be based, I have landed in their campus in Merrylands.
BUT.... and it is a big but (pardon the pun)..... the job entails wearing a UNIFORM!!!!! And not a very pleasant one at that. I haven't worn a uniform since the not so very chic blue check of high school... So.... all of my newly sewn and purchased items may now be redundant. As are my wardrobe plans. I haven't started the job yet so don't have the low down on what exactly the uniform consists of eg.. blouse only or the whole shebang. If it is the blouse only then I can utilise my colour appropriate sewn / purchased pants and skirts but all of my lovely dresses will be gathering dust (I guess my bright orange or red StyleArc Barbs are out - as is any animal print sob sob). From what I saw during my interview and the subsequent presentation I had to give, the uniform is blue so the navy slacks and skirt from my SWAP will fit in if I can wear my own bottoms...
So this also made all of the sewing plans for my weekend away no longer valid so I had to do some quick thinking as to what I could cut and take with me to Stanwell Tops to sew. I ended up taking some projects that I wasn't completely happy with or familiar with so consequently I didn't finish one item. I still had a fabulously fun time.
_-_WGA4672.jpg)
There was a lot of productive sewing at other times.
My area - seated next to Kristy from Lower Your Pressure Foot who is busy cutting out (and made some great items including a stunning skirt).
Anyway - wish me luck with my new job.
I love this fabric. The feel of it is fabulous.. So good that I asked ATF to send me some swatches of similar knits they had available - but alas - none of it was like this fabric.
Check out what Barbara Jane did with the Sabertooth swap fabric I gave her. Love it. I purchased some of the same fabric for myself and will maybe make a dress. Maybe - my clothing plans have changed recently as I will explain.
I entered the Artisan Square SWAP and also the Pattern Review Wardrobe contest. I had planned and was sewing my way through a new work wardrobe.
My self employed work has wound down quite significantly and I trained my last group on Tuesday 21st April. I have only had about 4 days work a month this year due to huge changes and cuts in Government funding.
So - I knew I had to look for a JOB.... Yes - actually working for someone else - gulp - and 5 days per week - gulp gulp. And hence I have been sewing my way through (and also purchasing some RTW) work gear. I had a navy wardrobe planned and commenced.....
I have also been motivated and inspired by the book "Looking Good Every Day" that the very generous Sarah Liz of Sarah Liz Sew Style gifted me. It is a wonderful book and I am really enjoying reading it.
It has a lot on wardrobe making and has really inspired me. The book features the gorgeous Cenetta in a feature on colour analysis. It also has some great styling advice. My fav part though is the wardrobe article.
You can see my planned SWAP wardrobe here.
I had planned to sew the dresses from my SWAP at the weekend sewing retreat at Stanwell Tops organised by the phenomenal (you try organising a weekend for 30 demanding women) Sharon at Petite and Sewing. It has become an annual event (and here's hoping it continues to be) and is such a hoot.
Anyhow - like the best laid plans of mice and men - my plans went hugely awry.
I got a job.... yes my job search was fast and brief. Trained my last group on Tuesday 21st and received a phone call on Wednesday 22nd from a contact I have that owes a recruitment agency. After a brief discussion she put me forward for an interview and I was successful. And she rang me! Go figure - the universe surely works in a strange and wonderful way. After much toing and froing from the company as to where I will be based, I have landed in their campus in Merrylands.
BUT.... and it is a big but (pardon the pun)..... the job entails wearing a UNIFORM!!!!! And not a very pleasant one at that. I haven't worn a uniform since the not so very chic blue check of high school... So.... all of my newly sewn and purchased items may now be redundant. As are my wardrobe plans. I haven't started the job yet so don't have the low down on what exactly the uniform consists of eg.. blouse only or the whole shebang. If it is the blouse only then I can utilise my colour appropriate sewn / purchased pants and skirts but all of my lovely dresses will be gathering dust (I guess my bright orange or red StyleArc Barbs are out - as is any animal print sob sob). From what I saw during my interview and the subsequent presentation I had to give, the uniform is blue so the navy slacks and skirt from my SWAP will fit in if I can wear my own bottoms...
So this also made all of the sewing plans for my weekend away no longer valid so I had to do some quick thinking as to what I could cut and take with me to Stanwell Tops to sew. I ended up taking some projects that I wasn't completely happy with or familiar with so consequently I didn't finish one item. I still had a fabulously fun time.
1720's sewing circle
1952 sewing circle
2015 sewing circle
The morning after the sewing circle - where is everyone??? Must have been all that .... sewing ...... that exhausted all.
There was a lot of productive sewing at other times.
My area - seated next to Kristy from Lower Your Pressure Foot who is busy cutting out (and made some great items including a stunning skirt).
The naughty corner.
Anyway - wish me luck with my new job.
Oh, BeaJay, what a dilemma. Joy at getting a job so quickly and sorrow at having to ditch your wardrobe plan. I loved your plan, too. I'm dying to see that orange jacket made someday. Your sewing weekend looked fun. I like the naughty corner.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and Good Luck for your new job.
Congrats on finding your new job so quickly.. and best wishes with the uniforms.. [ I am retired Respiratory Therepist, and had to wear a uniform for my entire career.. Gets very old, ha.. However, I never had to think about what to wear to work,ha]
ReplyDeleteThe sewing meet looks like you all had lots of fun..
Happy sewing.
Beverly, love love your sabretooth top. So glad you persisted. It looks great.
ReplyDeleteNice historical sewing circle pics, and the 2015 one, looks like fun. Congrats and good luck with the new job too.
I hope your new job goes well. I am sure you can work out a way to use your current pieces even if they are not at work, maybe they can be styled more casually to use on the week-end?
ReplyDeleteUniform- ugh! We see cuz we are not all uniform! I feel your pain. When I wear scrubs at work- my color is a rich turf let brown- it's not even a print!! Aargh!
ReplyDeleteI like your top- you knew I would!
How great getting a new job so fast! Shame about the wardrobe plans, but you may only have to wear a uniform in colour rather than full-on. Hope you settle in quickly.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your job! I hope you will really like it. I like the wardrobe you had planned. I think a lot of it could be used in a more casual setting. I've been trying to figure out how to plan a wardrobe. I read things on line about how to do it, but still feel confused! Yours looks great, as does the top you made.
ReplyDeleteWow! So many changes going on. But I have confidence you will come through them all with colors flying! You are very positive and flexible (at least I think so through your writings). Best of luck to you BeaJay and keep us posted! I'm also very jealous of that sewing retreat.
ReplyDeleteWell, that is great news about your new job, but a uniform? Ugh. On top of not fitting well in RTW, I am a horrible sweat-er (TMI?), so a uniform is my worst nightmare! I hope you get some use from your me made skirts and pants. And congrats on the job! Yay! That really speaks well to how you have established yourself in your industry, to be able to find a job that quickly. Very impressive.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and good luck with your new job! The uniform thing is a bummer. Hopefully, it's the type where you just have to wear a certain color blouse and skirt or trousers, rather than an actually issued "official" uniform.
ReplyDeleteOhh, I'm late to the comment party! Firstly, fantastic news about your new job - the uniform situation will probably not be too dire. Anyway, nice navy basics will come in handy, come what may...
ReplyDeleteThe sewing weekend looks wonderful fun. And I'm glad you could recut some fabric to (re)make your top. Looks great :)
Hi BeaJay. So good to hear from you. You asked, and the Universe (or whatever you chose to call it) has responded. To get a job so quickly after deciding it was necessary is really a great thing. Your top if great, and looks so good on you! Maybe even though you have to wear some sort of uniform, they will give you free range to add your own touches. If it's blue, you could wear some of your SWAP items with it. And I'm picturing you making a whole lot of new friends and going to upscale restaurants in your busy social life where you could wear all your garments from SWAP. That'd make it all worthwhile! Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteGreat to read a post from you. Congratulations on the job search success. I hope it turns out well for you. Too bad you have to wear a uniform. I think that would make me say no, no matter what the job! But now you have some good clothes for special times, right?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new job. I hope that it will be great for you. I still love that top. The colours are superb and you look great in it, especially with those matching trousers. One good thing about have to wear a uniform is that it will save all your other clothes. Really impressed with the wardrobe lab. That book looks like a fantastic resource. Xx
ReplyDeleteWow! Congrats on the job. That was quick...obviously meant to be. That retreat looks fun...I'm considering going to the Sewing Guild conference as it is in Brisbane this year and sounds like fun too.
ReplyDeleteA few of us from the sewing weekend are attending the ASG convention in Brisbane, would be great to catch up then.
DeleteWe do have a good time don't we! Fantastic news on the job and let's keep our fingers crossed the uniform is only colour based so you can adapt to suit you. Great save on your top, the colours look great on you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats about the job, from me too!
ReplyDeleteMost excellent save on that stunning top and fabric. That sewing room looks epic, and fun. Just a bit envious!
Your top turned out great BeaJay. Congrats on the new job and I hope the uniform thing works out. That sewing retreat looks like it was a lot of fun too. Thanks for sharing all your news.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting a job Beverly. That's the best news I've heard so far this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you've been snapped up so quickly.
At least you had a good weekend sewing.
Thanks for sharing...Congratulations!! on your job! I hope you will really like it.One good thing about have to wear a uniform is that it will save all your other clothes. Really impressed with the wardrobe lab. That book looks like a fantastic resource..
ReplyDeletecorporate wear and uniforms
Wow, that’s so great. Your sewing skills really shine in this pattern making idea
ReplyDeleteYour work is awesome. I have a question can you make leather aprons for cooking, If you can so kindly tell me how can I order for an apron.
ReplyDelete