Tuesday 1 April 2014

Brisbane meetup report and what I did on the way home

 I can't believe how much fun it was! The official report is here with links to the blogs of the attendees.
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I am so glad I went. I might have to join Facebook so that I can look at the photographs ;(. 

Everyone else wore gorgeous dresses.Mine was a rather mature Simplicity 3447, selected by the teenage fashion panel as the best candidate for a lunch time meeting of strangers and previously virtual acquaintances, because I was too lazy to make myself a new frock last week. As due punishment for this lack of application it did not strike me until entering the hotel that I had failed to consider that a room full of sewing experts can spot a not-very-good invisible zip insertion from half a block away. Fortunately they are also too polite to mention this.

 I talked so much I could only fit in a couple of treats and had absolutely no time to eat any sandwiches (at least that is my excuse for going straight to dessert).  I have not been able to talk about sewing for 3+ hours very often before without causing severe boredom in the victim. It was a very stimulating conversation.

Thank you to Busy Lizzie In Brizzy  and the other ladies who organized the delicious and extra long high tea followed by a pattern and fabric swap.

I felt so stashbusting on my way there - I took a mere 10 metres of fabric and about a dozen patterns, thinking I didn't want to look as if I have excessive sewing supplies at home , but some people had suitcases full to put on the table, so clearly acquiring sufficient goods, not all of which make the cut, is a crucial part of this hobby . My lips are sealed about how much was in the same suitcases after the acquisition phase.

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I had intended to come home without any treasures, but guess what?

Just under 4 metres, so not too bad for the fabric and pattern diet. I have been wanting that Jasmine pattern for such a long time......I could only resist it when it wasn't in front of me.
I promise to make them up straight away (fingers crossed).

Having taken a day off work so that I didn't have to drive home after lolling about on a Sunday afternoon in Brisbane drinking champagne.(I have such a hard life), naturally I had to visit Packer tannery at Narangba on the way home on Monday, as it is not open on the weekends.
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 Leather definitely does not count as fabric for fabric dieting purposes.

Honestly, that will be a HotPatterns Nomad Hobo bag by the weekend. I am not delusional at all.


10 comments:

Summer Flies said...

Karen it was just SO fun. I felt like a child meeting their rock star when we met. You are so beautiful in person it was a pleasure to meet you. Can't wait for more meet ups. Thanks for the heads up about the leather place - I have never heard of it and I really want to make a wallet in the style that I want to use.
See you soon!

katherine h said...

I didn't know about that leather place either. Can you give us the address? Can't wait to hear about your experiences sewing a bag out of leather, as I have not had much luck in that department.

velosews said...

The photos show how much fun the day really was:)

Nursebennett said...

What fun that must have been! I'm so envious, as I have zero real life, in the flesh sewing friends. :( That leather is beautiful!

Marie said...

That leather looks amazing. Sounds like the meet-up was lots of fun.

Anonymous said...

It was so lovely to finally meet you! I have updated your link now so hopefully it should be working :)
I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Mary said...

Such fun, and that leather is gorgeous!

Marjorie said...

It was so lovely to meet you too and I have to say I loved your dress and thought you had sewn it beautifully. I think we all just loved talking sewing and were not judging sewing abilities at all. 3.5 hours of sewing talk was heaven!!Thank-you for the name of the leather shop. I am studying millinery at MT Gravatt TAFE and we need leather for hat trims etc and I will now head out there and stock up. All the other students will be happy with this information thank-you. Look forward to seeing you at the next meet up.

Sharon said...

Wow it looks like you all had the most wonderful time and that leather, a bag, no a jacket!

poppykettle said...

Blogger meetups really are the best fun :) Thank you for mentioning that leather place - I'm going to have to visit the next time I'm in Brisbane visiting the parentals!