Monday 23 January 2012

16

Crafter's Ceilidh: The Debrief

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I took my anxiety disorder on a field trip on Saturday to meet twenty five other sewing / knitting / crafting enthusiasts for the Crafter's Ceilidh in the city centre. Now, meeting new people and meeting new people on masse is right at the top of my Likely-To-Cause-Hives list, but I'm happy to report that everyone was very nice and friendly and I only blushed to my roots and / or wanted to bite my hand a couple of times. Which is less than in the school playground for pick-up so I'm filing this under 'result'. Can you spy me in this group shot?

Crafters' Ceilidh Group Photo, From L to R: Kerry, Karen, Winnie, Rachel L., Kari, Roo, Carolyn, Amanda, So-Ha, Kiran, Rachel, Debi B., Kristen, Franca, Alana, me, Hannah, Katie and Melizza. Not pictured: Clare, Anneleen, Tom and Cat.
Photo and blog links courtesy of Debi.

I am the teacup human in the red coat. PhD anthropology students, submit your dissertation proposals now: Are crafters taller than your average bear? This sample set suggests so.

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After group shots, we trouped over to the treasure-trove that is Armstrongs, a vintage emporium in the Grassmarket. I took a selection of terrible photos, including this petticoat hanging from the ceiling. And then the fabric shopping commenced, hitting Edinburgh Fabrics, Mandors, and The Cloth Shop. Although I am sure many of you (correctly) doubted my restraint after the weekend's stash shot, I only bought £12 worth of fabric:

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Do not adjust your monitors, they really are that lurid. There wasn't fabric composition noted on the bolt, but my guess is 100% lycra. Speaking of fabric content, there were a couple of fabrics at The Cloth Shop that were labelled 100% various! Trust me, non-sewers, that's hilarious. I'm not sure what to do with these slinky, stretchy prints but could not resist them as they were reduced from £7.99/m to £2/m. Maybe a wrap dress? As always, feel free to tell me what to do.

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Fabric-lust sated, we then headed over to a soon-to-be-open sewing cafe on Leith Walk to swap patterns and fabrics. At the bottom of the above picture, you will see the herringbone wool and polkadot velvet that I lugged around all day in a black plastic Gap bag. Did you know that if you eschew the treacherous cord handles of a Gap bag and instead bunch the plastic in your hand while you carry it around, your hand will turn black? It is scientifically proven. By me.

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In exchange for the two fabrics I contributed, I scored this piece of pure silk. Again, I have no idea what I am going to do with it but if nothing else it was much easier to carry around.

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Picture courtesy of So-Ha

Do not be fooled by that look of extreme concentration on my face while looking at patterns, I knew it in my heart of hearts that I was probably one of the least likely people to sew for myself from a pattern and so abstained. Although I was sorely tempted just to take one for the LOL-factor. Such as:

Picture courtesy of scruffybadgertime

Version two, please, with the fake fur sleeves.

Photo courtesy of Debi.

And then, finally, to the Voodoo Rooms for a dinner of delicious but bijou chicken. It was funny doing so many things as a large group; being a hen party destination I don't think Edinburgh was used to such a well-behaved and impeccably (and sensibly) dressed group of women out on a Saturday night.

16 comments:

  1. Looks like a great trip, I really think you should make that outfit, the one on the left could be useful for space themed fancy dress parties. Should you find yourself going to one. As an aside, I'm glad it's not just me who would find a social gathering of this scale as terrifying as the social minefield that is the school pickup.

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    1. Totally not alone, Kate! Maybe the outfit on the left would make me more confident at pick-up?

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    2. Hmmm, it would make you look 80's-space-mental on the school pick up, I'm not sure if this would make it easier or harder. Do try it out and let me know how you get on...

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  2. Glad you had a good time! I'm usually pretty freaked out by large gatherings of new people but by being an organiser it helped, as I had that to focus on.
    I was wondering who ended up with the printed silk - look forward to seeing what you make with it!

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    1. I will probably make nothing out of it, I have bad form that way :)

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  3. Looks like fun :) I think I have the same velvet polka dot as you, I'm planning to make Colette Patterns Peony dress with it when I am back to normal shape. Should I be offended that you swapped it? ;)

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    1. It totally can't be the same velvet, it was an ebay one-off and I think they used to be curtains!

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  4. I was having panic attacks the day before, wondering if I could "do it" or not. But the common language of stitch is such a wonderful ice-breaker and everyone was so friendly and kind - including you! ;)

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    1. You're right, it was much easier having a common denominator :)

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  5. Well hello Amanda! What a lovely write up, & fantastic photos. It was lovely to meet you & talk fabric/ sewing & more & also to be introduced to your blog. I shall look on with keen interest - especially to see what you make with this orange & blue lycra :-)

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    1. It was great to meet you too and your write-up made me laugh.

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  7. Hi Amanda, was so great to meet you and thank you for your fabric contribution.. went to a good home and I hope you like what i will make with it. xx

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    1. I was glad to see that fabric go to someone who could do it justice, look forward to seeing what you do with it!

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  9. It was SUPER FABULOUS to meet you! I hope we can meet up again soon (seeing as we're not that far away from each other!!) I've got the velvet polka dot fabric you brought to the swap.....hmmmm...what to make?? :)

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