So it turns out that I may have gotten a bit too excited about writing a monthly blog just before returning to part-time work and new projects, so let's give a seasonal review a try (excuse me if I'm a bit rusty!)

Spring had some exciting sewing achievements and events - so let's jump in!

Olivia Top & Pants Release

Last year I took the plunge into the world of creating small batch clothing in partnership with Jen Whitehouse of Zoe Clare in Leura, to create clothes that inspire confidence and empower women in their everyday lives.

It was a new venture for me heading into the world of clothing creation. Being true to size and also being made in Australia is important to me. So using my Honey & Rose basic pattern block, I wanted to design clothing that works as part of a capsule wardrobe so you can wear them together or with your other wardrobe favourites.

Designed, cut and made in the Blue Mountains by yours truly, the Olivia Top is a relaxed top featuring delicate puff sleeves and elasticated wrist and waistbands.

The Olivia Pants are a relaxed pant featuring subtle balloon style, elasticated ankle and waistbands and contrast pocket (would it be a Honey & Rose design without contrast pockets?).

Over the course of the two drops so far of the Olivia Top and Pants, the journey of learning more sustainable and efficient processes for sewing along the way has been some of the most rewarding sewing I have done. From initially cutting and making each garment one at a time, to cutting multiple garments and creating batching sewing processes was satisfying to my sewing soul!

Sourced from the same Oeko-Tex certified factory as our cotton-linen blend fabric, the Olivia Top & Pants were made in small batches and made to order, consciously created from 68% Rayon, 27% Nylon, 5% Spandex - so luscious!

I'll be expanding my range in the coming months and can't wait to see what this year brings!

Sydney Frocktails

Last year I attended my first ever frocktails event in Sydney run by the amazing Caz of UsefulBox Sewing Lessons in November.

Of course I needed something to wear, so I opted to draft a dress I have been wanting to test out for a while - a Muriel Top and Marie Skirt combo hack. Giving myself only a week to sew it before the event...*ahem*...I sadly didn't take any photos of the progress, but I was so thrilled with how the combined pattern came together (future blog post coming soon!)

The main considerations were to line up the side seams and darts of the top and the panels skirt. I printed off a new pattern of each and used the skirt pattern as my main guide to line these up at the waistline. I only had 1.5m of the Field Day Treasured Finds Sea Cotton Linen from Nerida Hansen, so had to sacrifice the sleeves and some of the length and create a makeshift piece of binding from 5-6 pieces of leftover fabric (so lucky!). And without enough for the pockets, I used leftover deLinum Rusty Red Linen Blend from the Marie Skirt for the latest photoshoot to create contrast pockets - gotta love finding a use for those leftover scraps!

It was my first time out in the city in over 2.5 years, and it was such a great night! The amazing feeling of connection and belonging and meeting people as part of the sewing community shines so brightly at an event like this. I'm looking forward to this year's Sydney event already...now what to wear?

Blue Mountains Frocktails

Before I had even bought a ticket to Sydney Frocktails, Julie of Camp Stitch Sydney, Kylie and Clare of Minerva's Bower and I had started talks of running a frocktails event in our home town back in June 22.

Excitingly we got to work figuring out ideas for venues, ticket numbers and sponsors. We booked the beautiful Ballroom at The Carrington in Katoomba for the 25 February 2023 and released tickets in early December.

It's so exciting to be able to bring this event to the Blue Mountains and give local sewists a chance to connect and those from far to visit our beautiful home town.

We're finalising sponsors for prizes and goodie bags at the moment and gearing up for the night, not to mentioned getting our outfits ready! I'm thinking Marie Skirt & Muriel Top combo again in a beautiful rayon I picked up from Britex Fabrics - at least the pattern is already drafted!

There are still some limited tickets available in-store at Minerva's Bower in Katoomba and also online at bit.ly/BMFrocktails - it would be amazing to see you there!

Thank you for reading and wishing you a fabulous year of sewing, fun and trying new things.

Happy sewing ~ Rose