My time at the retreat

I was lucky enough to go to the And Sew We Craft Retreat at the beginning of June and I want to share with you a couple of the projects I managed to finish while I was there.

On Friday I arrived and got stuck in sewing up my Tova Dress/Tunic that I cut out a couple of weeks ago, ready to be sewn up at this retreat. (I just realised unless you follow me over on instagram you probably wouldn’t have seen this project yet) I’m really getting bad about sharing up-to-date information away from instagram. That is going to change! I bought the fabric a couple of months ago and was puzzling out what to make with it. Since making the Kenedy dress I knew I wanted to make another tunic style dress as they suit me and work sooo well for work, I really do love wearing a just above the knee length dress. The pattern is called the Wiksten Tova and can be found here.

So I learnt how to sew my first placket and it was a surprisingly easy experience. I did have a lovely lady there called VeryDebra who has done a lot of clothes sewing before to help me but this part was the easy part. But me being me I sewed the left side on top of the right but since I’m not adding buttons I know I’ll be alright. Isn’t it funny the discussions that can come from why does it have to be left or right! It’s all to do with who would dress who.

By the end of Friday night I had the dress sewn together but I ran into a snag with the sleeves. (and yes it was cold enough to wear my slippers)

I sewed up the ones with the pattern but found that they were too tight around the top of my arm and didn’t allow enough movement. SO cue me asking for help and we redrafted the top of the sleeve to include a pleat and off I went.

Saturday I cut and sewed the new sleeves, set them in and then I learnt how to put a collar on. This again was surprisingly easy once you worked out why it works like it does. Of course I went to the expert for help BUT I sewed it myself and next time (and there will be a next time) I will know what to do. I already have plans to make another of these dresses at least and try out more patterns as I go as well!

In the mean time I got to try out Amy’s Maddie clutch pattern and I am in love. I will have to make this again by myself and I know I can do it! Just don’t cut sew too much into the seam allowance around corners otherwise it might be a bit of a stretch to fit it in the frame.

And here it is with my dress… So in love with the effect!

All in all it was an absolutely amazing weekend and if you came thank you for your wonderful company and if you didn’t come well I hope to see you next time as there is already talk about making it an annual thing. If nothing else I think there is talk from us Brisbanites of at least visiting Stacey’s more often for the other craft retreats. I know how wonderful it is to finally meet the people you talk with online and find out they are just as cool in real life.

Did you come to the craft retreat? Did you join in with Amy and her retreat at home?

Have you managed to get a day or a weekend away just to craft recently? Doesn’t it make a difference to the way you feel?

Happy Stitching,

Caitlin

Caitlin (58 Posts)

My mother taught me to crochet when I was 9 and I was hooked. Since then I do any craft that tickles my fancy which at the moment includes cross stitch, knitting, crochet, quilting and sewing toys and clothes. I like to always have something to do.