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Plans and Market days

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I’m already bored with Sewing With A Plan…temporarily, I hope.  So I diverted myself by sorting some of my lovely stash fabrics and patterns ready for the next monster cutting out session.  I’ve even pre-washed some of the fabric!  [That’s REAL procrastination for me]

Here are the plans so far, split into ‘muggle’ clothes, and historical/steampunk stuff.  I’m surprising myself with the rather mundane/drab colours I’ve chosen, but we all need SOME plain stuff I suppose!

If that Edwardian ‘shirtwaist’ turns out well, I have plans for a bold black and white stripe one, and also a simpler white-on-white stripe. I’m trying to be good though, as my wages will be dropping this month in line with my reduced hours, and I must NOT overstrain our budget for a while.

On that note, I have just arranged TWO Birmingham rag market meet-ups during half term, one on Tuesday 21st Feb, [my favourite day of the week to go] and one on Saturday 25th Feb [when I will have been paid, hold me back].  Saturday is more crowded, but easier for the workers to get to!

Fancy joining us?

Arrangements are the same on both days:

Meet at 1030-11 in St Martin-in-the-Bullring church tea room

Then we go round the Rag Market, choosing bargains and wonderful habby

steampunkery

Lunch at one of the many local restaurants/cafes, then over the road to the Fancy Silk Store, three storeys of joy [no, it’s not all silks, by any stretch of the imagination]

Toilet stop, then a short walk round the block to Barry’s warehouse, where we tend to pounce on the bargain racks, as well as indulging ourselves in the more luxurious options.

After that, we’re usually worn out, weighed down, and bankrupt, so we head to the pub for some well-earned refreshment.

Some days we have a large group, some days it’s just me and one visitor, but I’ve made some great friends on the way.  Let me know if you’re interested, I’ve got a useful handout of directions!

20 thoughts on “Plans and Market days”

    1. I wish you could join us too, that would be very cool! Maybe another time?… I’m having difficulty with this SWAP mainly because it’s [whispers] a bit boring? I think I may have to bribe myself by making stuff for me alongside. Several art teacher dresses are calling

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  2. I like the muggle patterns. I would make any or all of these. They should look great. I admire the steampunk ones, knowing I’d never have the nerve to wear them. You look great in all of them however. Wish I could come on the market spree, but it’s too far for me. (And I really shouldn’t buy any more – got to get making!)

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  3. Hopefully I’ll be there on the Tuesday. Don’t need much as I’m still not sewing a great deal but that’s never stopped me before!!!

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  5. Hi, my mum mentioned this meet up to me as I’m a student in Brum who just started to get to grips with sewing and I would love to be shown all the best places to get fabric! Would I be able to join you for the afternoon? Thanks 🙂

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  6. Those Style Arc patterns are very chic. I do love all the stuff that they design but have never bought anything from them yet. I keep meaning to but my sewing is practically nonexistent at the moment due to work and commuting. I would love to come down to one of these days out although it is bit of a hike. They look like such fun, plus you always bag the best fabrics. I never see anything as exciting as that up here. Hope that you have a lovely time. Xx

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    1. I hope you can join us one day too- the fabrics are fun, but the real draw for me is all the buttons and trim and bargain habby. The bargain tables at Barry’s can have hidden treasure too- the chambray skirt of this Vogue dress was £1/m as I recall!

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  7. My husband says my motto is actually ‘F*** The Plan’. 🙂
    He’s one of those list making people, and I… am not. But he’s tolerated it for over 20 years, so I’m going to assume it’s a charming quirk at this point.

    If you’re looking for an art teacher dress that whips up quickly and looks great (even on those of us who have both an ample bosom AND a mature, convex waistline, I’d like to suggest the Groove Dress by Madeit Patterns. In a drapey knit with 4 way stretch, I didn’t even have to do my usual FBA – and it skims all the right places without being overly ‘trapeezey’. It might be a nice palate cleanser between SWAP items?

    Apologies if I’ve waxed on about the Groove dress before – I’ve been feeling a bit ouchy this evening, so I popped a bit of Percocet to take the edge off. 🙂

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    1. Sounds interesting- I’ll take a peek later. I’ve already been up nearly 4 hours as I couldn’t sleep [infuriating when you go to bed exhausted and still wake up in the small hours]. I also finished my ruddy book, so went and did some sewing. The V1312 will be finished later today, and I’m very pleased with it, bar some minor tweaks that were needed. Posting later!

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  8. I love V1312. It’s my favourite dress pattern – I’ve made 6 of them! I make the neckline a bit smaller as otherwise it’s too big and drafty for me and I don’t bother with the zip – I just pull it over my head. After the first couple of versions I started putting in-seam pockets in too. I’m are yours will be fab- itching to see pics!

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  9. Arggh, I can’t make it on Saturday. I’m double booked with family visit in Leeds. On the plus side, I’m hoping to get a chance to explore the fabric stalls in Kirkgate market 🙂

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