A Liebster Award...for me?

Firstly a BIG thanks to everyone who commented and emailed me after my last, rather melodramatic post, where I threatened to give up sewing and throw my overlocker off the balcony (and possibly myself with it). Sewing for me has been a tough road so far, paved mostly with failure but it seems that I'm not the only one who has times where they find sewing a right pain in the butt. Even the most experienced sewist has trouble! The sewing community really is full of lovely, supportive people...so thank you for your kind words of encouragement.

And also thanks to Nissa, from UK sewing blog Sew Short Nissa, for nominating me for a Liebster Award. I don't win any fabric or patterns...but instead I get to tell you a little bit about my-sewing-self. ...so it's a prize for you dear reader!

I think the intention of the award is to introduce us to some new blogs.  It's a bit like a chain letter where I get to nominate some fellow bloggers at the end of my Q&A to participate.

So let's get down to business...

1. Why did you start blogging? I already write a food blog (which I have had going for about 4 years now) so I’m obviously the sort of person who has a pathological need to over-share on the internet. Really though, I like the community around blogging and the potential to meet some really nice people and make new social connections and friendships. For me blogging is about friendship.

2. How do you get yourself out of a sewing funk? Whinge (no, really I do!)…on the blog, on twitter, on Instagram and to anyone who will listen. I have some serious "woe is me" moments. A problem shared is a problem halved right? I also try to find a super simple project (like my recent door snake project) that will guarantee a successful result. And I find taking myself off to a sewing class does wonders in getting my sewjo back.

3. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Do I have to choose just one place? It’s a toss up between Manhattan, Tokyo and perhaps Paris - all big cities with a lot going on and a lot to keep me entertained. I have a British passport so the last one is a remote possibility…logistically speaking. Wherever this dream lifestyle is it MUST have good food and good fabric shopping.

4. Sewing for other people: love it or loathe it? I have enough trouble sewing for myself and finding patterns to fit me…so I’m nowhere near venturing towards sewing for anyone else. My husband has hinted a few times that he's keen to sew himself a few things...so I think we're about to have "sharing the sewing machine" issue in my house.

5. What is your best feature? I’ve been told I have a nice smile…and a good sense of humour. I also have skinny ankles...I think they are pretty awesome!

6. What is your favourite fabric shop? I really like Tessuti here in Sydney. They have some lovely fabrics and I've bought myself a few pieces in the last year (one is in the process of becoming a Tokyo Jacket). A lot of fabrics on offer at Tessuti are a bit beyond my (current) skill level but the staff are always SO friendly to me when I go in for a fondle without actually purchasing anything (which is more often than I like to admit). Once I improve at sewing I'm going to waltz into Tessuti and buy something pretty to make myself...something pretty. I’ve attended quite a few of the sewing classes at Tessuti and also sewn a few of their patterns. I love that they “have it all”…fabric, classes and patterns.

7. What is your biggest sewing sin? I’m lazy, get easily stressed and have poor attention to detail (but I’m a nice person…honest)! I cannot be bothered to take the time to do things “properly” so you’ll often see threads not snipped off the garment properly. I rarely iron things when I’m told too…especially on knit fabrics. I’m also probably a bit haphazard when I’m cutting out fabrics too so things aren’t always…even. Not a problem yet as I’m not sewing fitted garments.

8. If you could make any sewing process disappear, what would it be? Having to cut out my fabric on our tiled floor (oh my knees and back) as well as having to make a toile/muslin of everything before I hack into the “nice fabric”. I just want the patterns to fit me straight out the packet (don’t we all, right)?

9. Which other crafts, if any, do you do? I write my food blog and take photos for that…but that is pretty much as crafty as I get. I used to be able to crochet and this is a skill I'd like to relearn...I have plans for an enormous granny-square blanket in my future.

10. Cats or dogs? I love all animals (though Indian Minor Birds really test my patience) but as far as a pet goes for me it would have to be a cat (we live in an apartment in a non-dog-friendly building). We foster kittens for Sydney’s Cat Protection Society and it’s a ton of fun. It's also a lot of hard work so it’s not as hard to give them back as you’d think. I’m also quite partial to a miniature Sausage Dog…too much cuteness!

I'm going to select some local bloggers, and fellow Sydney Spoolettes, for my "pass it on" Liebster Award nominations:

Susan from Measure Twice, Cut Once
Alex from When All You Need Is...
Catherine from Sewing the 60s
Kath from Bernie and I 
Emma from Ernest Flagg