Buttons and Bobs

Session 1: For a long time  I have admired the photos of the Vintage Flower Bag on the kits and patterns displayed in craft shops. On Thursday I bought the kit that included the fabric for £24.95 at a craft show at the NEC. . Session 2: I decided to use the pattern to make a practice bag before I cut into the material in the kit. Well I've had fun finding materials and scraps from my stash . It took some time but I have realised that I definitely buy an excess of blue. The fun ended when I tried to make sense of the pattern. The instructions are not clear and there are not enough pictures/diagrams. There seems to be some instructions missing, for instance  regarding the side pockets. I turned to a sewing group on Facebook for advice. Someone kindly answered and agreed that the instructions are poor but she has managed to create a semblance of the bag. She says if she makes it again she will make the strap longer and she will create a way of fastening the top so that her belo

The Facebook group "Sewing in the UK" is one of several groups used by people who love sewing to share their ideas, advice and sewing experiences. It is a great example of the positive use of social media. In a recent thread several people shared what they use to trace patterns so that the originals can be kept safe. I use baking paper. Do you trace your patterns? 

I have made view C of McCall's M6983 before. I had forgotten that I'd had problems with the sleeve frills last time. It may be that fully lining the dress causes me problems around the armholes or just clumsiness on my part. Thank goodness everything else came together easily.