May 2013 Sewing Weekend Away
I thought I would add my pics in from the most recent BSCP Sewing Weekend Away, held at Moondyne Country Convention Centre.
(Please excuse the quality of these shots, I am a lousy photographer at the best of times and am in desperate need of a new camera!)
First up a few pics of the lovely scenery we found ourselves in. What a joy to look at this in between bouts of sewing:
Paddocks in front of the centre
Peaceful and rustic with amazing valley views, Moondyne is truly a lovely place to spend a day or two.What a great place to have a sewing retreat with a group of like-minded sewists. Sadly until this weekend away I never knew such a gorgeous area existed right on our doorstep now I know I think that those of us living in Perth are very lucky indeed to have this close by.
The facilities at the centre were excellent, lovely homey dining room and kitchen area, great sleeping digs and -of most importance- a large meeting room that we could use for sewing. Once arrived the group were quick to set up machines and stake out a spot on the trestle tables for sewing:
Sewing machine configuration
Three ironing stations were set up around the room, at the back two tables were pushed together to create a large area for pinning and cutting, while another table to the side was set up for overlocking.
Leanne preparing to cut out jeans
Having at least a couple of Sewing Weekend Away veterans (who have been to all three that have been hosted to date) meant that equipment was able to be organised so that not everyone had to bring their own set of everything (ironing board, cutting mats etc), and if anyone forgot something it was more than likely someone else had some to spare.
By Saturday afternoon some serious sewing had been done and several items were well under way:
Sarah L at work on her “Crepe” (Collette patterns) dress
And come Sunday morning many were at or near completion:
Kat in her lovely floral blouse that she made (pattern from Burdastyle book of sewing, fabric from Lincraft )
Irene in her nearly completed winter dress in a lovely wooly fabric, still with sleeves to be added.
We even managed to get one of the centre’s owners – the lovely and helpful Christine- to join in with the sewing fun:
Christine (co-owner of Moondyne Convention Centre) adjusting a pattern
Come Sunday lunchtime and several people were modelling newly made garments:
Sarah L’s now finished Collette “Crepe” dress. Lovely fit and style and so well suited to the fabric she chose. A wrap dress with a difference in that it wraps at the back!
One of the two skirts made by Fleur, both featuring recycled handbag hardware as front pleat closures (Burdastyle magazine pattern, fabric from Spotlight).
All up this was a wonderful weekend We got to catch up with members old and new, exchange ideas plus learn new techniques off each other and -most importantly- partake in an indulgent two-day period of distraction free sewing!
Massive thanks to all who helped make this weekend possible: Christine and Peter for providing a wonderful environment (and lovely hospitality) in which to set it, Elle for her A-MAZING culinary skills which kept us all well fed and feeling like mini foodies all weekend long and Sarah M for her super organisational skills which helped get everything and everyone together, on time and in the same place! If I have forgotten anyone I’m sorry and THANK YOU!!!
Finally here’s a pic of Gypsy – frequent visitor to Moondyne Convention Centre and all round adorable pooch:
