Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Blog Anniversary, a Retrospective and a Giveaway

Can it be 8 years since I started blogging? According to the blog archive on the side of the page I started in February of 2010.  I had discovered sewing blogs almost a year previously and after months of reading and following I decided to jump in. The funny thing about starting (and continuing) a blog is that I expected to be able to comment on other people's blogs, check out how patterns look on a variety of people and learn some new techniques. But I never expected that writing a sewing blog would lead to a whole world of fantastic new friends, both locally and all over the globe. I've said it many times but that is the very best part of writing a sewing blog - making connections with people who are as crazy about sewing as I am.

The other thing that I discovered after blogging for a while is that I really like writing. I've always been a big reader and had aspirations of writing something one day. My teenage self could not have imagined that my writing outlet would develop via an interactive platform that allows connections around the globe.

I have written a lot of blog series, or posts that continue through more than one entry (I want to call them chapters) so I thought today I would post and link to some of those. In the last year or two my readership has grown a lot. Like any writer it's nice to have your material read, and those old posts have likely never been seen by those of you who recently started reading.

Vintage Treasure
It's no secret that I like to find fabrics in unusual places - meaning garage sales, thrift stores, or other bargain-y spots. One rainy Saturday morning I was looking through the Craigslist listings and saw one for a garage sale with the enticing words "sewing stuff" in the description. So I gulped down my coffee and jumped in the car.

vintage treasure composite

One of my very best finds and perhaps my favorite blog post, which I titled "Vintage Treasure". Because I found this lovely cut out but never sewn up dress. Here are the links to the posts and what happened to that pretty dress. At the same garage sale I also bought the fabric which I made into this jacket so quite a good score that day.

Links:   Vintage Treasure Part 1     Vintage Treasure Part 2      Vintage Treasure Part 3

Coats and more Coats
If you have been reading for a while you know I love to make coats, and jackets. Despite living in balmy N. California where our climate means that you could get away with a minimal coat wardrobe. Although it was below freezing last night and supposedly all week so I'll be wearing a variety of these coats. Every time I make a coat I think "ooo this is my favorite" but I wear each one. Just based on frequency of wearing the green one in the first picture might be most used but the tri-color coat is the one that won the coat contest on Pattern Review which awarded a $ 100 Mood gift card which led to my trip to NY - so perhaps that's my favorite!

coats composite


Green Wool Peacoat Style Jacket Simplicity
Blue Burda Coat from BurdaStyle Sewing Book
Black wool Simplicity Coat  
Camel Cashmere Sleeveless Coat for my pal Alice
Heather Purple wool coat from BurdaStyle Magazine
Tri-Color wool coat from BurdaStyle Magazine

I also wrote a multi-post series on jacket sewing after some requests for that. Here's the start of that series.

Kimono Silk Wedding Dress
Sewing can be really meaningful. Clothes are so much more than something to keep us covered or warm. Back in 2011 someone found me via Etsy and asked if I would make here a dress for her wedding. She didn't want a wedding gown but something a bit different and I was intrigued. We met and I instantly said I would do it. Susan was an incredibly kind and charming person and while the project had some ups and downs the result and the journey were more than I could have hoped for.

Kimonon silk wedding composite SaveSave

Here are the links to the posts for that dress which have a lot of sewing details. The professional wedding photos which she kindly let me use are gorgeous. Note - these days I only do custom sewing for a couple of people - so this project and the writing of the blog posts were unique and special for me.
Kimono Silk Dress post 1,   post 2,  post 3,  post 4.

Sewing Friends, online and in person

meetups composite

When I first started writing I noticed that in some places like New York or London groups of sewing bloggers would get together in person to indulge in the pleasure that is sewing chat. As it happened there was a Balenciaga exhibit at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco so I organized a meet up to see the exhibit. We did it again the following year for the Gaultier exhibit and now some of the people I met at these events and others have become fantastic friends whose latest creations I can see in person when we have a meet up or get together for coffee, lunch or fabric shopping. One day in 2012 I opened my email box to a request from Karen of Did You Make That  asking if I was available to do a week of sewing lessons as she had arrangements for a structured class here in SF which was unfortunately cancelled but her trip was all planned and ticketed. We hit it off and had a great time, plus she made a beautiful wool jacket and dress outfit. Here's a link to her post although the photos are not showing. In summary she says, if you have a chance to do something, take it! And that is the bottom line in all these meet ups and get togethers. Don't be shy, reach out and comment or connect with other people in your area. Even when traveling! That is to me the most fantastic thing about the sewing world - you can go anywhere and know you will have some friends waiting to show you around or get together to compare notes on your fabric stashes.  Friends you might not have met other than a few comments on their Instagram or blog. But I guarantee it will be great.
Because I had a gift card from Mood Fabrics burning the proverbial hole in my pocket I decided to take a trip to NY in 2016. Plus I wanted to meet a bunch of people who I only knew via blogging. And once again it was a blast. Carolyn of Diary of a Sewing Fanatic  arranged for a shopping meet up at Kashi's fabric store in the Garment district and while I scored some great fabrics, getting to meet and spend time with her was the real prize. I also had the chance to meet Delphine, of Sewing Tidbits which was lucky as she is back working in Haiti now. Getting to know Delphine is a perfect example of a sewing friendship - I started commenting on her blog (any blog that features palm trees will always get my attention), we correspond and now I can't wait to see what she comes up with in terms of her patterns and also now articles in Sew News magazine. Next up, I hope to make it back to Europe this year or the following one - amiche italiane, sono pronta per parlare di cucito!

Writing for Craftsy

craftsy writer composite
You never know where writing a blog will take you, and one day I had a request from Craftsy to write articles for their sewing blog. Which has turned out to be another outlet for my writing bug, and it's interesting to see which posts get the most clicks, Pins and shares. I think this is my most pinned post:   Easy Elegance: Tips to sewing perfect Princess Seams. I recently created another page here on my blog, with a list and links to every post I have done for Craftsy, organized by topics.

Teaching at Hello Stitch Studio in Berkeley


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Last spring I saw a new follower on Instagram which turned out to be Hello Stitch Studio in Berkeley. It's a beautiful light-filled sewing and quilting studio owned by Stacey, Kristen and Terri who are quilting artists and sewing machine wizards. The studio has classes, every kind of sewing machine, monthly and daily memberships and a great sense of community and camaraderie gathering around sewing of all kinds. Their big cutting tables are a dream for those of us who make do on the dining room table or the floor.
We have lots of new classes for spring, here is the class schedule page.
The "Pattern Basics: How to Read Sewing Patterns" class is my new favorite, and a lot more than the class title can express. I go over all the details, inside and out of sewing patterns - any and all brands and types.  What fabrics work best, how to choose your size, what to look out for and what to avoid, what all the marking mean and why they might matter. Plus a bit on how to lay out, pin, cut and mark your fabric. Everything to get started and give you confidence to tackle the unlimited array of sewing patterns that call our names :)  The next one is April 22.
We have a cute summer dress class in April (pattern included in the class), that's on March 17.
Another new class is "Adjust the Bust" on March 25 which will be a hands-on workshop. We'll go through adjusting the bust on a pattern, FBA, princess seams, and use generic pattern templates so you can get the hang of doing these paper pattern adjustments before you cut into that precious pattern. I'm really enjoying teaching the classes, sometimes I'm wiped out at the end of the day and other times I meet friends and spend some time socializing at a tapas bar that is quite near and outstanding. Any excuse for tapas.

Pauline Alice pattern mania

Pauline alice composite

Alameda Dress
Safer Jacket
Aldaia Dress in red and white
Hemisferic Coat in burgundy wool
Aldaia Dress in blue
Quart Coat in plaid wool
Mirambell skirt in black with lace edge

We all have our very own pattern obsessions. Some people are on a quest to find the ideal shirt pattern, or every year seeking the perfect party dress. What can I say - if you have a great coat pattern you will reel me in. A few years ago I mentioned her pattern company in a post about patterns and pricing and she contacted me to see if I would help out with testing a coat pattern. Once she sent a sketch I was hooked - and that test version became the Quart coat pattern. Which I think is one of the all-time most stylish coat patterns I've seen. Although I didn't sew it for myself! And then I have sewn a lot of her other patterns, they always have interesting details which set them apart from other patterns I have seen. Here are all the links to the Pauline Alice patterns I have sewn.

One-Hit Wonders

One hit wonders photo composite

Do you ever sew something and wear it just once? It happens to all of us and I was doing a closet clean-out and noticed I had things in there I had really labored over, sewing-wise, and yet worn them only once. Thus my one-hit wonders, with links to the backstory and what happened to these flowery wardrobe wallflowers. (spoiler alert- readers convinced me to wear a couple of them again).

One-hit wonder # 1 - Butterick 4978
One-hit wonder # 2 - Simplicity 2588
One-hit wonder # 3 - refashioned and wearable
One-hit wonder - the grand finale

Now time for a giveaway which is a small expression of my huge appreciation of everyone who reads my writing here, including my sometimes cranky Random Threads posts (up to # 30 now and due for another one). I'm so happy to be able to share my sewing thoughts will all of you.

For readers outside the USA: It's a select your patterns giveaway. The photo is just an example.

Vogue patterns exmple
I'll send any two currently available patterns from Vogue or McCalls. I know these patterns are costly outside the US and they don't go on sale as they do here. I learned to sew mostly from using Vogue patterns and I still think they are among the best. So leave a comment and let me know what country you are in, and then I will draw 2 names from the overseas commenters. You don't need to tell me which patterns, wait until I email the winners. And then I will post which ones they chose, because it's interesting for the rest of us to see. These patterns are going on sale on this weekend,  I will announce the winners Saturday 9 am California time and hopefully you can let me know by Sunday so I can get them.on Monday.  Otherwise you will have to wait a few weeks for the next sale :)

For readers in the USA: the giveaway is a European pattern which can be costly for us to buy. Suddenly trouser style pants have come back in fashion and I have this Pauline Alice pattern to send to one US reader. Leave a comment and let me know you're in the US.

Sorell trousers pattern



I hope I have expressed how much I appreciate everyone who reads and comments, the exchange of ideas and the things I have learned via sewing blogs has made my sewing more fun every year that goes by.

Up next - I have plenty to catch up on, lots of sewing that I want to blog and a Pattern Whisperer post that will apply to spring. (whether it is happening or just a dream where you are). And now I have to go and watch the Olympic figure skating plus mentally critique their costumes  - like I know anything about skating costumes, ha.

Happy Sewing, Beth

Here's today's garden photo, a dahlia, chosen from my file of flower pics. When I first started including a garden photo I thought maybe it looked kind of silly, but instead I get lots of comments from people who really enjoy them. I think it's like looking at a beautiful photo calendar on your desk or something like that, a nice picture of nature is just relaxing and inspiring.

dahlia


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62 comments:

  1. Hello Beth,

    I read your blog since a longer time and you gave me many inspirations in the past.
    Your Idea to send giveaways to readers in other countries is really nice.
    You are right the patterns are very expesive here.

    I live in Germany NRW.

    Best wishes
    Sybille

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  2. Very generous of you, Beth, and so exciting for us here in Australia where Vogue patterns are released up to 12 months after I read about them in US reviews. I would love the chance to get my hands on them!

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  3. Congratulations on your 8 years, Beth!

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  4. Congratulations on 8 years of blogging, I think I have read your blog for most of that time and I have tried a number of patterns after seeing a garment you have made. As a keen gardener as well as sewer I enjoy your garden photos as well. I'm in New Zealand and you are right, vogue patterns are expensive here and hardly ever come on special. I'm a little envious of all the wonderful fabrics on offer in your part of the world, we are much more limited here and freight from America makes overseas purchases prohibitive. I check your blog on a daily basis to see if there is a new post :-)

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  5. Happy blog anniversary from France and thank you for the opportunity. I enjoyed your retrospective and as always, your signature flower pic !

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  6. Congratulations on 8 years and I hope that’s just the beginning! I love your blog and the detail you provide. While many have stopped blogging and moved to Instagram, I’m espec grateful you take the time and effort yo share. I’ve never tried. Pauline Alice pattern, but knowing they’re your favorites, I’d sure like to try! I’m alway across the country in Alabama!

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  7. Congratulations Beth for 8 years of blogging. I've been reading your blog for a long time myself. I rememeber it was when you made your black coat. I love sewing coats too and your post are always a treat for me. I live in France and would love to win Vogue patterns so please count me in for the giveaway.

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  8. Happy anniversary, Beth and congratulations on 8 years of blogging! I allways enjoy reading your posts and learned a lot from your Craftsy articles. I looooove your coats!

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  9. Oh, I've been intrigued by Pauline Alice patterns, and I'm in the USA. :) And, what a wonderful post! Love your blog :)

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  10. Wow, congrats on 8 years! I'm reading in South Africa, and also love the garden pics. I aspire to such a lovely garden. We're in the middle of a terrible drought and watering the garden has been prohibited since Jan 2016.
    The opportunity to win Vogue patterns is such a treat! And I'm going to go back and read some of the posts you've linked to. Fun :)

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  11. Congratulations on 8 years of blogging, Beth! I'm a new follower... I found you after looking for sewists who blog about Burdastyle patterns and making coats. I enjoy reading your blog and reading back in your archives. I'm in the Netherlands and a relatively new sewer (3 years now), even though I grew up watching my aunt sew. I don't see myself stopping any time soon!

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  12. Congratulations on your bloganniversary! 8 years ago I wasn't sewing at all, I started in 2012 and found your blog about 1,5 years ago. So it's great that you remind us of old useful posts.
    If you travel to southern Europe (Barcelona) anytime soon don't forget to tell me!
    I would love to get Vogue patterns as they really are very pricey outside the US.

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  13. Congratulations Beth! And thank you for all your posts. We are the lucky ones. No need to include me in the giveaway. I have more than enough :)

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  14. Congratulations on 8 years of blogging! Yours has been one of my favorites - your writing skills definitely show!! I just read your trio of posts on the vintage dress. How cool! I frequently go to estate sales, and I feel the same way as you - one time there was a poem on the wall, written by the Mr. about the day he met the Mrs. in the 1930s - and I almost cried on the spot! How sad that no one in the family wanted that!!! I have purchased boxes of vintage patterns in order to keep them out of the garbage, but I don't know what to do with them all! I also scored a 1970s dressmaking course - it was a correspondence course where you mailed in your assignments - in vintage 3-ring binders. One day maybe I will try to work through the lessons! It cost a whopping $8, so worth it just as sewing-room decorations! :-) Keep blogging!!

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  15. Your blog has been insiring for me, as a relatively new sewer (5 years). Everything you make is so well constructed, it motivates me to do things the right way! Thank for the giveaway, I live in Greece.

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  16. Congratulations on your 8 years of blogging. I came across your blog about 8 months ago and it has been in my favourites list since, I hope you continue for many years to come ! Thank you also for the giveaway, i’m In Australia :)

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  17. Congratulations on 8 years of blogging, Beth. Your blog is one of my favourites. I found it about a year ago, and I went back to the beginning, reading all of the archives. I'll be retiring soon, and I just bought a new sewing machine and my first serger! Can't wait to do some quilting and garment sewing. I live in Canada.

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  19. I've been reading since you and Karen at Did You Sew That sewed together for a few days. Not sure how long that is. I love your clear instructions and your excellent photos of works in progress. And random thoughts. And your garden photos. Though I never win anything, I'd like to have my name in the hat. I'm in the U.S.

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  20. I really enjoy your blog and Craftsy contributions and save them all fur future reference. I have picked up so many useful tips over the years, so thank you. Your style is light very informative. I live in the UK and yes the patterns are expensive, so two pressies would be great.

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  21. I enjoy your blog immensely and I appreciate the photo of a flower from your garden at the end. Both sewing and gardening are my key interests, your blog satisfies both.

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  22. It's no secret that you are one of my favorite bloggers and I congratulate you on finding your voice for 8 packed years of posts! You have an easy-to-read style of writing which contains sewing details that readers are craving. I've no need for patterns offered but wanted to express my thanks for your wonderful blog. Karen

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  23. Happy Anniversary! 8 yrs & going strong. I've been an avid reader of your blog and enjoy every aspect of it from your tips to your rants & all the projects in between as well as the beautiful garden photos.
    I've learned a lot from your posts, most things before I've made a mess of something
    ,although I've had a few "oops" moments when I thought I knew more than I do.
    I've been sewing since I got my first machine at age 10 & I'll be hitting 60 this summer, there's always mistakes made & something new to learn or a refresh of some trick forgotten.
    Thank you for your time,talent & willingness to share with the rest of us especially those of us who don't blog but do enjoy meeting up & reading & learning
    from those that do.
    Blessings on your blogs anniversary
    Baa

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  24. Congratulations on 8 years!
    This is a great "Best of" type of round up!
    I'm excited to catch up on the things I've missed

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  25. I have really enjoyed your review of your blog over the past 8 years. Especially the early years when I wasn’t there( so to speak). I have been following you from Massachusettts for a few years now.
    Congratulations! Your blog is both fun ( random threads) and inspirational. Thank you.

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  26. Hi Beth Congratulations on 8 years of blogging. I go to your blog every morning to see if there is another inspiring on for me to read. Plus also check out all the other blogs that you read. There doesn't seem to be very much inspiration here in Christchurch New Zealand for sewing catchups etc. I cant believe how cheap patterns are over in the US compared to what we pay here. Most Vogue are around the $33.00 dollar mark, if you are lucky sometimes you get them 1/2 price. I have bought a few through the Vogue Web Site, which is quite a saving. Keep up the wonderful blogs you are an inspiration to us all.

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  27. Hi, Beth! I'm a longtime reader of yours although I couldn't say when I found you (maybe it was through Carolyn of DoaSF). I *love* that you do coats quite frequently. They're a passion of mine but not something I really need much in my southern Arizona desert clime. It was through you that I decided to try Pauline Alice patterns. I do hope that you continue with your blog for many more years!

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  28. Congratulations for Your eight years of blogging! I would like to try out 2 Vogue patterns and living currently in the Netherlands.

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  29. Congratulations - I always look forward to reading your posts, especially the random threads ones. I love sewing vogue patterns and always wait for a sale (they are half price right now here in the uk). Your Craftsy tutorials, particularly for collars, have been really helpful too! Thank you for keeping your blog going, looking forward to many more posts

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  30. Congratulations Beth on your anniversay! And thanks for the lovely post! I have wonderful memories of my private class with you and how generous you were with your knowledge and taking me out fabric shopping to a couple places. I still think of you when i see my work table covered in ironing board fabric, which i couldnt find here in Holland. Ive become a lurker these past couple of years, no blogging and no comments, but know that i still do follow your posts and thoroughly enjoy them and all your makes. Here's to the next 10 years!!

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  31. Happy blog anniversary! I read your blog regularly and always look forward to the next post. I really enjoy the posts on techniques and the Random threads series. Also your italian is excellent! If you ever come over to Italy I'd be happy to meet up... ti aspetto!

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  32. Congratulations. It takes a lot of effort to keep going with fresh new content. I’m always excited to see your posts. I’m in the UK.

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  33. I was at Kashi's in 2016 and had to leave right before you arrived. This was when I had just started to read your blog. I had asked Carolyn if "that sewist from CA was going to be in - you know, the one with the lovely garden flowers at the end of each post?" Anyway, I'm happy to congratulate you, and say that I follow your blog and have since looked back at many of your posts - I'm always willing to learn something new, and I love your jackets! This is Arlette from NY, currently in MA, USA.

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  34. Happy 8th blogiversary! I always enjoy your posts for their insight, inspiration, and forthrightness! I absolutely agree with your point about making friends through sewing - it just boggles my mine how many good friends I have that I've never met face to face! And it's fun to meet them all when possible, slowly but surely.

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  35. Hi Beth. I'm with you, blogging about sewing has opened up a whole new world of friends and an obsession. I really enjoy seeing what you've been up to and feel a little guilty that my blog isn't quite as frequent as yours, or my sewing quite as good. I hope to attend more blogger meet ups this year. I did my first last year it was great. All the best, Claire, U.K.

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  36. Just commenting to say thank you! I've stopped posting on my own blog so much, but still love reading others'. I have oogled those Pauline Alice trousers several times--I love her style! And, I need to keep shoving myself back into pants-making. Each time I get closer, but I haven't yet made the perfect pair...
    Also, Missouri is stupid cold right now, and nothing is blooming, so it's nice to see a little glimpse of spring elsewhere!

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  37. Congratulations on all of your success in blogging Beth! You don't have to enter me in the giveaway, as I already have too many patterns, but the patterns do look wonderful!!

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  38. It's great to see all the variety in your blog posts over the years which are always so well written, inspiring and educational. Long may your blog continue!
    Your giveaway is extremely generous, I am in Hong Kong and would love to enter, thank you! Hopefully a meet up will happen someday too!

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  39. I have loved reading your blog posts over the years. I didn't know you had contributed to Craftsy and will check that out. The articles sound good. I learn a ton from what you write about your sewing adventures. I have several of the same fit issues. I am in the US and would love to be entered. Thanks and blessings to you on many more years sewing, teaching and blogging.

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  40. Congratulations on 8 years of blogging! I so thoroughly look forward to your posts - the details, the projects,the little bits of knowledge, and the flowers. I thank you very much for sharing so much with us and am anticipating many more posts to come.

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  41. Wow. Eight years and you have done so much. I always enjoy reading your projects but I also like seeing a flower from your garden. Keep on blogging and providing us with inspiration.

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  42. Happy Blog-iversary! I've been reading for about a year and always enjoy your posts :) Thanks so much for the giveaway. I'm in the US and I'm always intrigued by Pauline Alice patterns, but like you say they are costly to ship here, so I would love to be entered.

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  43. Wow, 8 years is fantastic! I really enjoy reading your blog posts as I always learn something new. Keep up the good work! I’m in the US and would love to be entered into the Pauline Alice pattern giveaway. Thanks!

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  44. Happy blogging anniversary! Wish you many years of sewing and blogging! Begum from Turkey :)

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  45. 8 years! That’s awesome. I’ve been enjoying your blog almost that long. I’m in Australia and two Vogue patterns would be just lovely!

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  46. Beth, I really love your blog, it's so open and cheery. I also love how you share your knowledge and your Random Threads are always entertaining. Congrats on 8 years... here's to many more.

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  47. Congratulations on 8 years of blogging! Your jackets and coats have often inspired me as have many of your other sewing projects. And please keep the flower pics coming, it's nice to look at your garden which is always a few weeks ahead of mine. I'm in The Netherlands and would love to be entered into the Vogue giveaway. Fabulous patterns, but so hard to find here.

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  48. Congratulations on this milestone! I really enjoy your blog and hope to have your voice for at least 8 more years! I am in the USA - thanks for the giveaway!

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  49. Ti aspetto presto così organizziamo un bell’evento per te! I don’t need any more patterns for now, so don’t include me. Thanks for the nice thought. I totally agree on sewing as a great way to meet cool people

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  50. Congratulations on 8 years of blogging! I'm so glad you are continuing to blog (many have moved away from blogging) and look forward to reading you for many more years and continuing to be inspired. I've enjoyed your Craftsy contributions too. I'm much more recent than 8 years both to sewing and to reading your blog and appreciated the links to older posts. I agree that blogging has led to many worldwide connections for me too. I've enjoyed meet-ups and hope to attend more this year. I'm in the UK.

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  51. Congratulations! Katie in the UK

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  52. Congratulations on eight years of great blogging. I have enjoyed following your sewing journey. Your craftsmanship is outstanding, you and a great source of inspiration and well as a great source for learning or exploring sewing techniques. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.

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  53. Congratulations on your 8 years of blogging. You are an inspiration and valued resource - I'm so happy to have found you! Best wishes for more wonderful years to come from Anne in the US.

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  54. I'm an extremely new sewist and I'm finding blogs such as yours to be an incredible inspiration. Thank you for your wonderful posts. Christin in the US.

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  55. Thank you for sharing these pics! I didn't notice the Pauline Alice's patterns but I really love your pattern choice. I will add to their pattern to my wish list. Congratulations on 8 years of blogging!

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  56. Happy bloggiversary! What a thoughtful giveaway. You're right - Vogue patterns are pretty pricey in Europe so I would love to be in with a chance to win one of their patterns. I'm in the UK.

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  57. Happy blogging aniversary! And what a generous giveaway! I've just realized that you've been on my reader for over 5 years and I have learned so much from you... Thank you for sharing your time and experience with us. And your garden! The garden is <3
    And I am in Spain, where Vogue patterns are just... A very expensive dream.

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  58. Congratulations on 8yrs of your wonderful blog. You provide so much useful information to us newbies. I have two 2yr old little girls and cannot sew as much as I wish so I won't enter the giveaway for the patterns, but I wish all the other sewists the best of luck. And I wish you many more years of happy blogging. X

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  59. Dear Beth,

    Congratulations on 8 years of blogging, the way you write about sewing and your encouragements have been a great inspiration for me. I'm still blushing about your kind words and I'm so grateful that we got to meet in person! Looking forward to read you for the next 8 years!!!

    Delphine

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  60. It's a pleasure following your blog Beth and I learn so much from you. I live in th UK

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  61. Congratulations on eight years of blogging! I love reading your posts as they are so full of inspiration and information! Kati from the UK.

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  62. Congratulations on 8 years of blogging, Beth! Your blog is so helpful, informative and inspiring 😉

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