Buzzmills

Book Blog Tour: "More Sewing to Sell" ...

Hello there!

I know it's been a while...

I also know that I say that a lot!  Hopefully you know that if you aren't finding me here, you can find many days on my Instagram account or blogging for Imagine Gnats...

Hopefully, you also know that when you do find me here, it must be for something really good! 

Today, I'm here to share a new book with you!

"More Sewing to Sell" is the follow up book to Virginia Lindsay's (of Gingercake patterns) other book, "Sewing to sell".

When Virginia asked me if I'd be interested in taking a look at her new book and in joining the book/blog tour I had just finished up selling some of my handmade items at a local holiday bazaar.  It was the first time I had sold any of my items at an event in more than 5 years. 

The good news is that it went well!  Really well!  But, I truly had forgotten how much work went into sewing to sell!

Of course there is the actual sewing, but then there is also, what to sew, how much to sell it for and so many other questions!  In "More Sewing to Sell" so many of these questions are answered!  For me, post craft show, it was really great to sit down and dive into this book and take notes for the next time!  The book shares interviews with several other successful sewing entrepreneurs in which they share helpful tips and information on business set up, marketing, inventory, photography, and so much more!  Really all that you need to get craft show ready!

Not to mention the 16 copy right free projects that are simple and easy to make your own...

One of the things that I learned while I was preparing for my craft show and also while I was selling was that it is important to have a good variety, both in price points and of types of handmade goods.  A variety of items helps to sell items and to draw customers in to your table.

I'm excited about giving many of these projects a try because there really is a large variety both in price point and type in this book. 

I started with the headbands and patchwork bag projects from the book...

I wanted to give the headbands a try because they are a great scrapbuster, and when you can use up scraps for selling, it's always a win! 

Not to mention they are simple to make, super cute...

And, useful!  Everyone loves a headband, right?  And, if you sell them using sweet fabrics or in gift packs...they are sure to sell!

I was also intrigued by the patchwork bag because, again, it's a great scrapbuster!  After making loads and loads of bags for my craft show in December...

I had lots of really nice straight line scraps.  These were high quality scraps of fabric that I didn't want to throw away, so I saved them in a neat little pile...They turned out to be perfect to use in this patchwork bag!

I loved being able to use up those scraps and I'm super happy with the end result! 

My bag is smaller in size, because my scraps were already cut in smaller strips and I used leather straps instead of fabric because I had those on hand, but that is exactly what this books is intended for...simple projects to make your own!

I love the idea too of offering a simple bag along with a patchwork bag of similar fabrics. 

Again, offering a little bit of everything for different price points and aesthetics brings people in to your booth and hopefully gets them buying.

There really is so much useful information in this book.  It is a fantastic resource for seasoned sellers and also for new to the scene sellers.  And while these projects are perfect for your next craft show, they are also great for your own personal use too! 

Want a chance to win a copy of More Sewing to Sell?

5 people will win More Sewing to Sell this week!  Fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win!  You get extra entries for visiting each person on the blog tour on Instagram and for visiting the books on amazon and the last entry is for pinning the book to Pinterest. Easy, right? All USA residents will get the physical book and international entries will get the ebook.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don't forget to follow along with the blog tour all this week!  You won't want to miss seeing more inspiration from the rest of the talented ladies on the tour!

 

The Espadrilles Kit...

Hi there!  It's been a bit, hasn't it?  Well, if you follow me on Instagram you know it's been a busy, but fun, summer...and that I've been sewing a ton, just not blogging.  (And if you aren't following me, you ought to...)

But, let's get back to today's post shall we?

I mean, shoes!  Espadrilles!  That is a blog worthy topic!

When my friend Melissa, from A Happy Stitch, asked me if I wanted to be a part of her blog tour for her espadrilles kits I did not hesitate!  I had already been ogling hers and her kits so I was thrilled to join!  A warning though, trying to decide which fabric kit to choose is a challenge!  

In the end I chose the rifle paper co les fleurs canvas because I've always loved this fabric and I love the idea of a little fun pop of color on my feet!

The kit showed up beautifully packaged (inside and out!)

Melissa thought of everything! 

Included in the kit:  fabric (inside and outside), soles, pins, a variety of needles, thread, needle pullers, chopsticks and interfacing.  Literally the only things you need to provide are scissors and your threaded sewing machine!  Plus, it's all so pretty, while also being eco-friendly with a recycled box, organic lining fabric and fabric scraps used for decorative components.  The box is super sturdy and perfect for using to cart your supplies from here to there if needed as well.

Inside the kit is a little booklet with detailed instructions and illustrations on how to sew your espadrilles.  The booklet provides all of the necessary information with easy to follow step by step instructions.  

Each kit provides plenty of fabric so that you have room to move your pattern pieces around to fussy cut it just exactly the way you want it.  You might even have enough fabric to make a second pair!

Every bit about making these espadrilles felt exciting! 

Like, oh my goodness these look like shoes...

and oh my goodness I made shoes! 

They were really straight forward to make, fairly simply and super duper satisfying!

I have to say, too, that they feel a little bit addictive...

My kids were amazed by the whole thing!  And have already requested a pair for themselves...

My daughter was thrilled to hear that I might even have enough fabric to make her a floral pair to match!

I might have sewn the sole to one of the shoes a little looser than the other making one a tad bigger.  I'm debating on whether to pull the stitches out and redo them, or simply add some elastic in the heal (Melissa gives some fit tips at the back of the booklet).  For now, I'm keeping them as is to get a feel for them...

Have you made your own shoes?  Are you thinking about it?  I say go for it, you will not be disappointed!  Like I said it's unbelievably satisfying!

You can find all of Melissa's kits here in her shop and more details on the kits on her blog.

Happy Sewing!

*I was given the espadrille kit in exchange for for participating in this blog tour. All opinions are my own.

The Joni Jumpsuit...

I've been on the fence for a long time now on jumpsuits...

I mean I've seen so many cute options and variations, but it never quite seemed like something for me...

Finally though I decided it was time to just try it!

The pattern is the Joni Jumpsuit from Friday pattern company sewn in dreamy dana cotton modal from Imagine Gnats...

I am in love!

Almost instantly after making this jumpsuit I wanted to make another, maybe shorts, version...

The fabric is so soft and cozy and comfortable! 

The jumpsuit feels amazing on, it's like wearing pajamas...

But also makes you feel amazing and sexy at the same time!

The tie back of this jumpsuit was one of the reasons I chose the pattern.  I love the tie because it allows for a custom fit...

Though sometimes it can make it take a little longer to go to the bathroom...and careful those ties don't fall in!

Despite LOVING this!  I still find myself having to talk myself into wearing it...

But that's only because it's a new to me style...not because I don't like wearing it, because I really do!
 

Blue Buffalo Check...

You might've seen my fourth of July postings on Instagram filled with blue buffalo check...

but maybe you didn't...

As we walked back to the car post parade a woman spotted the three of us walking down the street, smiled and said, "must have been a deal on that fabric!"...

The fabric is blue buffalo check shirting from Imagine Gnats.  I originally had plans for something different which is why I had so much yardage of this fabric, but plans change...and this fabric seemed perfect for fourth of July (ish) ensembles...

Henry is wearing a new Mulberry tunic I love this pattern for Henry, and so does he!  It suits him so well and is super comfy!  He still wears his orange one from last Spring all the time...

and Violet is wearing a new Jeune twinset.  We loved the other set so much that we wanted to make another.  This one is reversible with chambray on the other side and is the version with the v's at the top and bottom back which makes it cool for the summer!

well, she is wearing the top of the twinset...

She was generous enough to let me wear the skirt...because I didn't quite get to finish the dress I had planned for myself. 

And, well as you can see in that top photo, she and I are pretty much the same size nowadays! 

I do love that these ensembles where perfectly festive, but not so festive that they would feel out of place on any other day...and, let me tell you, the skirt of the Jeune twin set is so lovely!

And, since I probably ought to let Violet have her skirt back, and since I had already started my own dress...I finished it a few days post Independence day!

It's the gathered sundress from Pattern Runway.  This is my second version of this dress, I recently wore my first version and was reminded of how much I love it, particularly because of the pockets!

I had to change the skirt slightly and made it gathered all the way around instead of just at the front, because the checks looked a little odd with the small tighter gathering at the front...

I'm happy with this dress, though it's not quite up to handmade quality...I mean it's RTW quality...but not so much handmade.  

 

I cut out all of my pattern pieces for the Mulberry and Jeune twin sets first and then cobbled together the leftover parts of the fabric for this dress...

And because of that...the checks, etc. aren't perfectly lined up...

But, you know what...sometimes it's not perfect, sometimes it's just ok...

and just ok is a-okay to wear and can still make you happy!

Right!

I think so anyway...

Happy summer sewing!

Me Made May Makes, and a Roundup...

I had every intention of getting this post together sooner, at least before June was over...but alas...I didn't! 

Anywho...

So, Me Made May happened...as it does, way back in May.  This was only my second time participating and really my first time with plenty of clothes to choose from!  As it turns out, I've got quite an extensive me made wardrobe!  Though, there are surely plenty of holes, mostly basics and bottoms and where I found myself falling short.  So, this time around I aimed to sew a few of items during May to fill those voids...

First, a new pair of City Gym shorts in chambray (in hibiscus and in indigo ) leftover from this dress...

Always a winner! 

Next a Durango tank in citrus knit from Art Gallery Fabrics...

While not a basic per se...I wear tanks tops almost constantly in the summer and I love, love, love this print!

And, more shorts...I gave the Emerson shorts a go in Micro stripe shirting from Imagine Gnats and paired them here with this View Ridge top.

I hacked the Klein dress into a tank and tossed together a quick gathered skirt using fabrics in my stash...

Another Anegada boatneck...because it's a fantastic basic and in dana cotton/modal jersey it's oh so comfy!

A brand new Jade in double brushed poly I got on sale from Imagine Gnats pairs oh so nicely with my new linen gypsum skirt!

And lastly another Durango tank with fabric from my stash and a pair of hudson jogger shorts in speckled knit ...

It turned out to be quite a productive month of makes for me!  And now I feel pretty well suited for summertime as well...

And because it's kind of nice to see all of the me made may makes all in one spot ...or at least I think so...here they are...

Groove dress, anegada and emersons, hudsons and linden, Sway dress, Bess top, metamorphic dress, kelly anorak and avery leggings (not blogged)

avery leggings, linden (not blogged) sweater hudsons, striped skirt, skippy dress, gathered sundress, Farrah

Toaster, groove, hudsons, avery and fox tank, stasia, lodo, staple dress and Julia cardigan

union street tee, anegada (not blogged),  swirl skirt, cine tanks, hudson shorts, purl gym shorts

Klein dress, plantian tee (not blogged), swirl skirt, birkins, durango tee...

It's always fun to see it all piled together into one big post of pictures!  I had more fun with Me made May this year, partly I imagine, because I had more clothes to wear. It's also always fun to get creative and figuring out what to wear...I wear me mades most days but putting the extra thought into it is always fun!