And I won again!

What a lovely surprise this week to discover that Katy has nominated me for Liebster Award! I was grinning from ear to ear all day long - and it even led me to tell more people about my blog. For some reason, IRL I've kind of kept my blog a bit of a secret. TBH, until this week the only people that knew about it were P, my brother (a sometime food blogger) and a friend (a fashion blogger). Is that weird? I think this is due to a level of embarrassment and shyness, but also because I never actually believed I would stick with the blog. I didn't expect to enjoy writing it so much and never, in a million years, thought I'd be nominated for an award!

And what a lovely introduction from the gorgeous Katy! When I first came across Katy's blog I almost didn't follow her, purely out of jealousy! I would look at the items she has made and think - how on earth is she managing to produce such lovely, creative, quality garments when she's been doing this for such a short time! The answer is the girl is a natural - she is creative, clearly passionate (bordering on obsessive, but aren't we all?) and has boundless energy. And she doesn't have a nearly 3 year-old, so therefore has the most precious of resources; TIME! 

According to Katy, the award has a few rules. I am to nominate a further deserving 10 bloggers, all of whom have less than 200 followers. I also need to answer 10 questions as set by Katy. So, questions first:

1. How did you get into sewing in the first place?

I have talked a bit about this here, but here's the short version: my mum always sewed when I was little and I liked to join in and to help. Throughout adulthood, I always fancied it, and always had a sewing machine, but never really got into it until I decided to attend a night class over 3 years ago. After the Small Boy arrived, I got more and more into sewing, and once I discovered Indie pattern makers and the online community last year I fell, hook, line and sinker!

2. What is your favourite part of sewing?

This is really difficult to answer, because there are so many parts. I love getting inspiration, or looking at a RTW garment (usually being worn by someone) and being able to visualise how it is put together. I love the process - the fact that it's so utterly absorbing that I zone out. And I love the sense of achievement when it starts to look like a garment. Oh, and the compliments are nice too! :)

3. Have you tried designing your own clothes, is this something you'd like to try in future?

No and yes. I have played around with existing patterns to take them in different directions (see here and here), but that's as far as I've got. I love the idea of being able to make something from scratch, and look to Katy for inspiration on this.

4. What has been your favourite moment since starting your blog?

This! An award! Recognition and support, and all the lovely comments that my regular followers leave. I am thrilled that people think my blog is worth reading and that what I'm sewing is half decent. It's more than I ever expected.

And the fact that SoZo has commented on my blog a couple of times. A "real", "proper" blogger. One of the cool girls!

5. Is there anything challenging that you haven't made yet but would like to?

Yes. Trousers. Also a coat and a tailored blazer. And a shirt.

6. What make are you most proud of?

I am especially proud of the bag and needle case I made recently for House of Pinheiro's craft swap, as I took such care over them.

I am also proud of my Kelly skirt, which is almost as nice on the inside as it is on the outside, with really excellent top stitching to boot!

7. What make are you most embarrassed by?

There are a couple of things I've made that I don't like, but there is nothing I'm embarrassed by. What I am embarrassed by is my shoddy finishing off on a few things - the garments look fine from the outside, but inside, a terrible secret is hidden...

8. What is the nicest compliment you've received for something you've made?

People are always impressed that I've made things, but generally it's being told "I'd buy that" that really feels like a nice compliment. Somewhat ironic since I'm trying to make something that doesn't look like it was bought...

9. Do you have any aspirations for taking your sewing further, such as starting up a pattern label, opening a shop?

I love the idea of making money from something I love, but I very much doubt I will ever do it, mostly from a fear that I might end up hating/resenting sewing if I HAD to do it. But the idea of doing something similar to Tilly, i.e. releasing the occassional pattern, really appeals. I have a LOT to learn first though.

But if I ever win the lottery, I will open the haberdashery shop of my dreams!

10. Are you a perfectionist or a "get it done" sewist?

Absolutely a "get it done" type. I need to learn to be more of perfectionist so I can be happier about my makes.

And now my nominations. I have struggled with this a bit because it appears that most of the blogs I follow have more than 200 followers, so I've failed to get 10. I've also included a few non-sewing blogs in the mix too.

One Small Stitch - Danielle is a fantastically talented costume maker who has fairly recently got into sewing for herself. She is also incredibly supportive of both my writing and my sewing.You should check out her Sewing For Victory dress to see how good she is!

The Polished Button - I came across Ruth via SoZo (I think), who recommended her vintage button shop on Etsy. Ruth was amazingly helpful in finding me some buttons for my 60's coat (still to come to fruition, sadly), as I had something quite specific in mind. I only recently realised she also has a blog, which is a bit of sewing and making and a bit of her life.

Adventures and tea parties - a crafting, rather than a sewing blog. I have written here about the lovely brooch that I won, that Jo made and designed. If you like this, check out her blog and Etsy  and Not On The High Street shops.

Best Dressed Babe - Another Jo, this one my friend. So yes there is an element of nepotism here, but this is also genuinely nominated. Jo is a budding fashion blogger, her blog is informative and fun to read (and without the preachy "you must wear this" of some fashion blogs) and fairly Edinburgh-centric, which also makes a nice change!

Bobbins and Whimsy - I find it hard to believe that Jenny has less than 200 followers, but according to Bloglovin, that is the case. No idea how I came across Jenny's blog, but I love her writing and what she makes. She put tons and tons of work into her SFV dress, which was stunning.

Vintage Follies - Again, I doubt very much that Cherise really does have less than 200 followers, but again this is true according to Bloglovin. Cherise's vintage style is to die for and for me she is up there with Rochelle and Casey for style inspiration. Check our her SFV and her Mad Men dresses.

Finally, I am reserving one nomination for my brother's blog, on the condition he starts it up again! He started it last year to record the food he ate on a 3 month work trip to Mexico. Since returning, he's given it up, but I'm hoping he restarts it. He's a real experimental foodie (crickets, anyone?)!

UPDATE - I have to admit I was very tired and it was quite late when I wrote this post last night, and as soon as I went to bed, it occurred to me that I had somehow missed a couple of key blogs that I follow, and that I would like to nominate! So, sorry guys!

Nessa's Place - Nessa is a dressmaker and craft-maker, who has made some truly lovely things. Check out her nautical craft swap item!

Heavenly Handmade - Alison is a local (to me) craft and sewing blogger that I discovered via the Sewintist map, who makes some really lovely things!

Both Nessa and Alison have been hugely supportive on my blog and I can't believe that I didn't include them when I wrote this post! A huge SORRY to both of you!

There are a few other bloggers that I would love to nominate, but Katy beat me to it, including The Amazing Taracat, Honig design and The Little Tailoress.

And now my questions for my sewing and craft blog nominees:

1. Why did you start sewing/making?
2. What's your favourite part of sewing/making?
3. And least favourite?
4. Who is your muse/style idol/style inspiration/style crush? Can be real or fictional. Famous or civilian.
5. What is your make?
6. And least proud?
7. What's your sewing/making bete noire? Your biggest challenge, or the thing you've been putting off?
8. Where do you find inspiration?
9. Do you have any other hobbies, other than sewing/making?
10. What is your sewing set up? Do you have a dedicated sewing spac? Are you relegated to a corner of the living room?

For my fashion and foodie blog nominees, feel free to answer what is relevant from above, adapting the questions as necessary (e.g. who is your inspiration on your blog subject?).

Looking forward to seeing your answers!

H x