Blogoversary – and a Special Treat for My Readers!

Doesn’t time fly?  I can’t believe that I’ve reached my second blogoversary.  I’m not really sure why I first started blogging – part of it was to rejuvenate my interest in photography, show off my latest knitting project, and share some recipes – the whole spectrum, lol!  Can you believe my first post is three shy lines about a knitted gingerbread man finger puppet I made for my son?!

He now graces the Christmas tree every year!

Shortly after discovering Ravelry and knitting blogs, I discovered sewing blogs – and my blogging niche was found! I’m glad to be part of the online sewing community – the international inspiration, sharing, feedback, and camaraderie is something I look forward to every morning and every evening.  (OK, lunchtime and frequently during the day too, if I’m honest…..!)

Unfortunately after all my years working in the clothing industry, sewing had become work for me.  But the enthusiasm of other sewing bloggers quickly rejuvenated my pleasure in it as a hobby – so I owe you all a big thank you!

I also thank blogging for making me pay more attention to getting a good result – if something is getting photographed for the blog, it has to fit properly without any wrinkles as the camera never lies!  Too often in the past I’d get lazy and settle for second best when “it’s only for me”, but now I frequently catch myself muttering “I can’t post it like this” as I reach for my quick-unpic. Better quality can only be a good thing!

I thought it was interesting to note that there are no photographs of myself early on – all my life I have preferred to be behind the camera:

As evidenced by this shy entry in a ‘self-portrait’ competition on Flickr 3 years ago!

Garments look so much better on, so I began to reluctantly photograph myself wearing them. And as I became braver I started to show my face, because the headless shots look so, err, faceless, and I noticed on other blogs that it added personality and I felt more connected with that person.  Now I am a lot more relaxed on the other side of the camera, even if I do tend to use the same pose all the time!

Look – no more photo-phobia!
***

Now, for all the lovely readers who have followed and supported and commented on my blog over the last two years, I have A Special Treat for you!

You might notice I’ve been relatively absent of late – well I’ve been busy making a PDF pattern of my Ruby Slip so you can download it and make your own version.  I’ve made four Ruby Slips now and they are really lovely to wear to bed, or even just lounging around the house in.  One would make a great gift for a lucky sister or friend also – there is still time to whip one up for Christmas!

Plus, I thought we could do a Ruby Slip Sew-Along – even though this is a simple garment to make there are lots of tips and tricks to share about sewing with lace, bias cutting, and also some variations to the pattern to explore – so let’s do it!  I hope to have the pattern uploaded very soon with all the details, and in the meantime you have permission to start fabric hunting!
Are you keen?
Cheers, Sherry

Posted by

Designer, Patternmaker, Blogger Of All Things Sewing. Follow as I share projects, patterns, and my favourite tricks of the trade.

69 thoughts on “Blogoversary – and a Special Treat for My Readers!

  1. I'm definitely interested, although my sewing schedule may not allow me to sew along. I have a winter travel wardrobe to get with, but am also in need of something nice to wear to bed in summer.

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  2. Oh yes! My “slip project” is on hold whilst I move house, but I would love to try out your pattern, so count me in. So glad that you joined the sewing / blogging community and congrats on your two years.

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  3. I too love the evolution of your blog from knitted goodness to kick ass industrial strength tutorials! I'd love to join in a sew along. this looks too cute for words. I've been a neglectful blogger of late. but i'm still around watching and learning from you and others.
    lore
    x

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  4. Happy blogoversary! I remember when I discovered your blog, approximately a year and a half ago, it was such a revelation. I've learned a lot from you!
    I've been having the same issue with taking photos of myself. I think I still need to improve them, but at least I'm more relaxed in front of the camera now. Your stuff always look impeccable, very neatly and professionally done, one can tell by a first glance it took a lot of effort to make it. And I admire you for that!
    Looking forward to follow the sewalong (though I still need to finish my RTW Jacket…)!
    Keep up with the great work!

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  5. Congrats on making two years! I'm normally a bit of a lurker here, but everything you make is always so beautiful. That Ruby slip is absolutely gorgeous. 🙂

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  6. Happy Blogiversary!!! We must have started blogging around the same time!! I just love your blog and am so happy you are drafting your own patterns. I can't wait to get my hands on the ruby slip 🙂

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  7. Wow! Happy Blogoversary! I for one am very glad I found you in the sewing blogosphere. I wanted so badly to finish your ready-to-wear sew along (I still have that project queued and your tuts bookmarked).

    I won't officially try to sew along but if you could give a few tips for those of us that are in the DDD or larger range on making something like this work, that would be so awesome of you!

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  8. I'm so glad that you decided to start blogging. Your posts are always informative and inspiring. Don't know that I will be sewing along, but I will definitely be “trying out” your pattern. I do need a few slips like yours.

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  9. I'd love to join the sew along. I've not made very many (say…zero) bias cut garments and would like to learn whilst sewing with others. Thanks for offering and happy blogiversary.

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  10. Congratulations on two years! I think you're right that photographing your creations on yourself and with your head in the photo makes it more personal and real. Your pattern look amazing, I can't wait for the sew-along!

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  11. Happy blogoversary! Funny enough, a couple days ago I was browsing through your past posts and saw that slip and thought, I'd love one of those! I've been on a lingerie and sleepwear sewing kick lately. I'd never pass up an opportunity to sew-along with you. I will definitely have to wait till after Christmas.

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  12. I love your blog and am so happy when I see a new post from you in my reader. Connecting with sewers all over the world is so much fun and definitely gave my sewing a boost. I agree with you, the self-portraits are not my favorite thing to do, but I the positive support from blog world are so encouraging. I would very much like a slip – they are impossible to buy nowadays. oh, and you talk about tailoring – my preferred “sub-topic” of sewing, yeah!

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  13. OH, YAY! Happy dance! I am totally in for this, although probably not until after Christmas. My best friend is getting married in the spring and I've been thinking I'd like to make her a lingerie/slip type thing—this is PERFECT. And I need new nighties, too…

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  14. Congrats on two years of blogging. Your slip is very pretty. My sewing and work life conflict a lot of late so will not participate in sew along. I love these though and when I can do participate. Again happy bloggerversary.

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  15. Oh, fun. So luxurious. My husband just got back from a work trip to China and he brought me back a silk robe. I'd love to make a slip to wear with it.
    Congrats on two years! Your blog is one I always refer to for really great sewing tips and tricks.

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  16. Happy blogoversary! i don't normally comment but always follow you, and love your useful, helpful tutorials. i have been looking for a slip pattern for ages, so am really happy to hear you are making your Ruby slip available. will try to get organised with fabric and time to be involved in the sewalong

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  17. Happy blogoversary! I love your blog and your clear explanations and tutorials. I would love to make the ruby slip. I need a good slip pattern and this one is beautiful.

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  18. Happy Blogoversary! Love the slip. Would love to participate in the sew along also. It would be something very new for me, and you have such great attention to detail, so I would learn a lot!

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  19. Happy anniversary to you and your blog! It's wonderful to hear that blogging has not only helped to bring back your love of sewing, but now it has also brought you to making up your own pattern. I'm all in for a slip Sew-Along. Hooray!

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  20. Congratulations on two years. I am so glad I found your blog, I have learnt many things and I love the jacket sew along. The slip sew along sounds like something I would like to do, can't wait.

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  21. Sherry, happy blog anniversary, yes and thank you! I'll be making the slip and joining the sew-along, although I may be a late starter as I probably won't have time till February. Its such a lovely pattern and, like Sew-4-Fun, something I've been looking for too 🙂

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  22. congratulations on getting to 2 years – to finding some love in sewing again when the deadlines of work and the pressure to sew for others made it more work than fun – for feeling more confident in showing off yourself in your beautiful creations. thank you for the generosity you have shown in your blog – the time you have taken to share your immense knowledge and now even a free pattern. it is me who needs to thank you.

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  23. Oh wow! Happy 2-year. 🙂 I have learned so much from you, thank you for doing what you do here.

    I LIKE that self-portrait shot. I'm generally a reserved person in real life, especially when I started blogging but I think there's something to be said about putting yourself “out there..”

    Hmmm… I was just thinking I could use a few lacy lounging slips… Thanks for the pattern! (how did you do it? Mine keep turning out funny. Blast.)

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  24. Thankyou for being such an inspiration to us followers out here who have learnt so much from you. My dream is to be able to design clothes and then make a multi size pattern as you have done. Your knowledge and generous time is helping me and others to achieve their sewing dreams. Thanks again and I will definately be making the slip.

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  25. Congratulations on two years of blogging and thank you for sharing so much with us.

    I'd love to be in on a slip sewalong. Just what I need for the sheer summer dresses I plan to make..

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  26. Congratulations. Yours is one of the few kiwi sewing blogs that I have found and I check daily. The slip looks awesome – very pretty and versatile

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  27. Congratulations on getting to your 2 year anniversary of blogging Sherry, and I'm so glad to have “met” you so thanking you for starting your blog. I'm glad you have rediscovered a love for sewing for yourself too.

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