Where have we been?

It's been a rather long time since we've been able to update this space - apologies for our absence!

We're still here, we're still working away! We got our pattern back from the graders back in August and sadly it had to go straight back to be re-graded as there were a couple of issues. Since then we've been busy testing to ensure everything is perfect and all our measurements are ok. We've also been hard at work adding all the detail to the pattern and transforming it into something beautiful. We spent a very enjoyable evening brain storming names (all will be revealed soon!) and have been drawing diagrams and re-working our instructions to be as clear as possible.

Sadly, Gather HQ was burgled a few weeks back and amongst various things taken was the laptop which contained all our precious hard work. Heart breaking. We had backed it up a few months back so all is not lost entirely but certainly the most recent version of the instructions has gone and will have to be rewritten. Luckily we still have the file with the finished pattern otherwise I think we may have both suffered a nervous breakdown! As you can imagine this has been a frustrating time and we are now waiting on the insurance company to decide to pay out so we can purchase a new mac and get back on it!

But we're excited still and raring to go with this pattern - now we're approaching the crazy Christmas season we're not planning on doing any pattern testing until the new year. Keep an eye out if you're interested in doing this, you can check back here or follow us on twitter: @gatherkits

Hoping to be back soon with a couple of Christmas crafty posts. That's all for now!

Slowly but surely...

It's been a while since we updated our progress in this space - not because we haven't been hard at work, simply that we've fallen behind our original time plan and things have taken a lot longer than we originally thought.

When we began this venture, we sat down, planned everything out with a clear time frame and gave ourselves deadlines. This promptly went out of the window as soon as we started!

We had wildly underestimated the time involved in the designing, drafting and testing of our pattern - a process frustrating at times but ultimately one worth taking the time to get right. This, coupled with the fact that neither of us are able to spend as much time as we'd like on our project, meant we found ourselves a little behind where we had wanted to be at this time. A brilliant (and rather steep) learning curve though. I suspect that there are very few small businesses that are started up on time and exactly as planned, I feel it's almost part of the process!

So, where are we now? Well, the very exciting news is that our first pattern is currently at the graders, being magically transformed from a one size set of paper pattern pieces into a digital nest of 6 sizes. We're expecting to receive them at the end of this week and, assuming all is well and correct (a rather large assumption I know!) will be putting the call out for pattern testers next week.

Wimbledon

Well summer 2012 is definitely a sporty one, particularly if you are, like us, residents of London. I'm gaily ignoring the Euros, much to my husband's disgust, but one event us gather girls get excited over is Wimbledon! This year, one of us (but sadly not me...) is off to SW19 to eat strawberries, drink pimms and perve over Nadal watch the tennis and cheer Murray on.

The rules of Wimbledon's dress code for the players is notoriously strict - players must wear all white (or mostly white is now acceptable). This lot seem to have the right idea:

We Heart Vintage

Feeling inspired? Why not try out one of these vintage lovelies and make your own! Perfect in both a crisp white eyelet or silky soft jersey. Tennis anyone?

Sewing habits

I've noticed recently that I do something a bit odd when sewing.

No, I don't sew naked. Nor can I only sew whilst listening to thrash metal. Or whale song. And it's not that I keep my sewing tools lined up in alphabetical order.

I've realised that when I start sewing a seam, the first pin I remove ALWAYS goes in my mouth, between my teeth. The rest of them go back in the pincushion as they're removed. Only when I've removed whatever I'm sewing from the machine and snipped the threads do I remove the pin!

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I've got absolutely no idea why or when I started doing this but it seems to have stuck! What about you? Got any eccentric sewing habits or superstitions you want to share? Go on, we won't judge. I promise.

Crochet and TV. The perfect combination?

Coincidentally both Sandra and I, in our 'spare time', have been doing a spot of crochet. I've eventually finished off a granny square blanket for a friends new baby and Sandra is working on a blanket for herself!

For me, I find it to be a very relaxing pastime when I need to take a break from the sewing machine. Plus (and this is a very big plus!) you can do it in front of the TV. I'm currently trying to finish Mad Men so I can start on my new box set of Breaking Bad. I adored the original Killing series but found the subtitles frustrating - you need to pay attention and look at the screen the entire time so crafting is a no go! Same with The Wire, I had to pay total attention or I got a bit lost...

What's the ultimate series to craft in front of?! My vote goes for Mad Men, you can indulge in a bit of fantasy dressing up at the same time and lets face it, we all heart Don Draper right?

Variations on a pattern - Colette Macaron

There is a great post over on Tilly's blog right now about Stitcher's Indecision (an ailment I suffer from mildly but that's another blog post entirely...). She talks about "the ability to design bespoke garments exactly how you want them. You choose the colour, the style, the fit, the neckline, the sleeve, the buttons..."

This is one of the reasons why I love dressmaking so much. We've been making design changes to our pattern recently but I keep having to remind myself that the beauty of home sewing patterns is you have the freedom to make those changes yourself! I love to see how different people interpret patterns and I also love how the same pattern can look completely different simply by changing up fabrics and embellishments.

One of my current favourites is the Macaron by Colette. Here are just a few versions which prove how versatile it can be.

The classic LBD by Sibeli- simple but so chic, I like the sheer fabric next to the Ikat print. The skirt looks more fitted and not using a contrasting fabric for the waistband gives it a really nice, clean look.

The vintage fabric day dress by Kathie - colourful, summery and cute. This version uses vintage fabrics and I particularly love those stripes. She's added piping to the bodice and also a small fabric detail at the bust but otherwise has remained true to the original pattern.

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The a-line, rose print slip dress by Natasha - this one is the most altered but possibly my favourite! She's kept the sweetheart neckline and sleeves but completely changed the shape of the dress. I like how there's no contrasting fabric but by using lining you can still clearly see the shaping at the yolk.

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Got a favourite? Check out some of the OWOP posts for some more variations on a theme!

Progress and Packaging

Things are still ticking along nicely at gather HQ. Our pattern is SO nearly there, but we've decided to make a few last minute design changes which has slowed us down a little. We've tweaked a sleeve, lowered a neckline - all little details that you don't realise make a massive difference until you have a few finished dresses in front of you! 


Our slow-down has given us chance to start thinking about our packaging though. Here's some of what we've been looking at for inspiration.

From top left clockwise:
Wax Seal by Follow Studio
Striped String by Folly & Glee
Printed Paper Bag by Peach Blossom
Striped Ribbon by Jane Means
Canvas Bag by Under the Sycamore
Mast Brothers Chocolate

What do you think? Have you got any examples of amazing packaging that you've seen - sewing related or not? We'd love to see!