The Invasion of Cuba Quarter (or When 7 Sewing Bloggers Meet)

First of all, I just want to say a huge thank you to Wendy & Katie for helping me (pdf and photo instruction links no less!) with the RNHS Rugby Jersey button placket. My post was up less than 30 minutes! Isn’t the internet great?

I’ll tell you what else is great about the internetz, meeting other sewing bloggers from your city!

It began with an idea that quickly became a blog post or two, there was a whisper on Twitter and emails were shared. Not even the threat of rain could deter the 7 gorgeous sewing bloggers from (greater) Wellington (plus one cute baby) the chance to meet IRL.

The promise of tea and cakes probably helped too 😉

We began at the super girly tea room of Martha’s Pantry in upper Cuba, (they have a boys version across the street called Arthur’s…Arthur & Martha, cute no?)  for afternoon tea.

Martha’s Pantry tea and cake (and milkshakes)

It was a difficult choice, the selections on offer all looked so tasty. In the end I shared a pot of tea with Juliet and my cake selection was pink and sparkly!

Introductions began, tea was drunk, along with milkshakes, lunch was consumed and there was much chatter and laughter.

Kat’s Creaming Soda Milkshake in all its shaved chocolate and hundreds & thousands glory – it almost needs a halo of light surrounding it! 

Myself, Juliet & Joy (photo by Nikki)

After we were all fuelled up we left with the intention of heading down Cuba Street to Minerva where they specialise in craft, fashion, textile and quilter’s books.

On the way however we got a little distracted by the cute display outside of Unearthed so in we went. One box of vintage patterns was spotted, followed by another, and then another and we played musical pattern box swapsies around the table.

Pattern digging at Unearthed (see what I did there?)

No one’s eftpos card was spared, here is what I came away with:

My Unearthed pattern finds

Yes these are mostly little girls patterns, don’t judge me, and don’t get any ideas, they were just too cute. I like the Home Journal pattern too, check out that gathered collar detail, but I am also a little creeped out that she doesn’t have a mouth.

Now I can’t un-see it and neither can you 😉

Global Fabrics Invasion

Global Fabrics was next  on our radar (Australian readers will know this as The Fabric Store) but despite their huge selection and much stroking of fabric we all left empty-handed.

The faux fur was so soft! (photo by Nikki)

And then finally we made it to Made on Marion and were reunited with Maryanne who owns this wonderful shop.

If anyone else is freaked out by the For Sale sign on the building, I know I was, don’t stress, Maryanne has assured us they are not going anywhere, yay 🙂

 

Stash Swap!

There was much on offer at the swap table and quite a lot of it found a new home.

 

More stash!

However despite all our best efforts to coerce donate our stash to each other we still had quite a bit left over at the end of the day so keep your eyes open for an exciting announcement this Saturday…

My Stash Swap selections

A future meet is already in the planning and there is discussion that we must wear an outfit using a pattern or made from some fabric that we acquired during this meet. I am thinking about what fabrics could make the Simplicity “walk-away” style dress pattern look fabulous!Or I can see the cotton as a pencil skirt…

There is always one who has to dash away early and misses out on the group photos, errm, that would be me! I was considering a Photoshop job but I don’t want anyone to think I was weird or anything 😉

Joy, Maryanne, Jo, Nikki, Juliet, Kat and Drake (photo by Nikki)

Rollcall!

Joy – A Charm of Magpies

Maryanne – Sent from my iRon and also of Made on Marion

Jo – Making It Well

Nikki – Nikki’s Stitches

Juliet – The Crazy Gypsy Chronicles

Kat – Modern Vintage Cupcakes

So many talented ladies all lucky to live in the same amazing creative city!

I had a fantastic afternoon and after a recovery nap I was feeling super inspired and finished off all my piping for the Birthday dress. My enthusiasm lasted all weekend and on Sunday I sewed all day long. My dress is still far from finished and I’ll share some progress photos with you soon but I am really happy with it so far.

Thank you so much ladies for an amazing afternoon, I can’t wait for our next catch up! xx