Sew love a FIESTA, First Thursdays on K'Road

Here's some pics from thursday night in St Kevins arcade.

It was such a fun night meeting lovely new smiling eager-to-craft faces, 

and some returning from previous classes to come and make with me again. 

Sew grand!

Planning a festive flower crown for the summer? Say no to plastic flowers from the $2 store... 

I'ts pretty easy, fun & pretty to recycle fabric scraps into your own flowers :-)

xx Sarah xx

Picnic Crafting by the seaside

 A leisurely Sunday was had sprawled on cushions, making pom poms and xmas cards. The sun was shining, I could SEE the sea. I could smell the sea, and the breeze was beaut. Just up the coast from Thames is a small grassy reserve by the Arts Centre. Today was their special market day. It was a pretty cruisy day and I lay back a couple of times into the cloud of orange and purple woolly snuggly pillows and took a few minutes rest. Its coming into the busy season, but coming out of a busy year. It was time to stare at the many metres of colourful bunting flap flapping in the wind above my head. Here's to the start of many picnic-y crafting adventures for the summer ahead!

feeling GOOD dressed in GOOD

For a recent special wedding event I wanted to craft a complete GOOD outfit. It was the first time going to something like this on my own, and I wanted to be truly me & true to me from tip to toe. Here it is folks, loads of different ways that you can do good, and wear good. I always believe we can vote with our wallets! Every time we purchase something, everytime we think about what we are going to wear (or eat, or drink too) We can have our say for what is fair, keep kiwi's in jobs, keep $ flowing locally, invest in a cause worth supporting, think about where this product has come from & WHO's hands it has gone through. Consumers have the power & hopefully we all have a little heart to add to this. 

 In Summary:  Shop vintage & 2nd hand! Shop local, small businesses! Shop organic cottons & ethically manufactured! Shop NZ made! Make it yourself! Upcycle! Borrow or schwop from a friend!

The outfit breakdown:

Headpiece: Black fabric flowers. Handmade at home from fabric scraps (offcuts from Kate Sylvester)

Dress: NZ eco fashion company Kowtow. Ethically manufactured using Fairtrade approved organic cotton & screen printed GOTS approved inks.

Belt: Monkey Fist Belt by The Knot Clothing. Locally made & sold in my home town.

Handbag: Vintage cassette case I use as a clutch. Purchased 2nd hand.

Sunnies: Vintage, purchased from NZ business Bread & Butter Letter who support local crafters.

Shoes: Kabuki Klompen by soulful NZ yoga clothing company We-ar. 'vegan shoe' handmade in Bali through ethical conditions using sustainable sourced wood & canvas.

Underwear: None other than thee most comfortable Thunderpants organic cotton & made in rural NZ

Bra: Black crop top borrowed from a friend.

 A few sneaky snaps from the wedding, it was at the beautiful Tapu water gardens. Cant wait for their pics. It was the most perfectly stunning day with full sunshine, full smiles & gorgeousness of the bridal party, complete with old school bus, ducklings and a 3 course meal. xx

First Thursdays FIESTA

HOLA AMIGOS! BUENOS NOCHES! 

(prepare yo'self for some spanglish...) 

Aahh Im a little grande' bit excited about First Thursdays event coming up Thursday 5th Dec. Esta mi favourita events of Auckland. & this time round its a FIESTA !!! At First Thursdays the K'Road area is usually cranking with creatives, bikes, galleries full of googly eyes & quirky interactive installations, markets & of course late night shopping in the bestest small businesses around.
What a fan I am!?! Si, mi gusta mucho!

I usually head to the market to sell my lofty cards (which will be happening in Cross St Arcade so go check it out peeps!) but this time I am so so sew so stoked to be popping up some needle n thread & colourful fabricy scrappytastic antics in the love and name of nos amiga Frida. St Kevins is going to be crazy colourful with mucho antics about: musica, make up, y flores para ti :-) Come along, say HOLA, and make yourself a fabric flower crown (or hair pin, brooch, hairband) with me! 

....Potentially there may be a compulsory dance afterwards though.. baile baile!
xx mucho besos amigas, Sarita xx

Baby Shower Communal Crafting

 In the weekend I did my first baby shower crafting session. Each guest got to decorate a square using templates of images and a gorgeous pastel colour palette. All fabrics were 2nd hand cottons, mostly pillowcases a bit worse for wear around some areas but clear enough to cut out these squares. Fantastic! I just popped up a table with all the fabrics & equipment and Boris III and Barry were there sitting pretty for people to get friendly with. Others were hand sewing whilst champagne-ing on the deck, and cup caking on the couches. The food was incredible thanks to the hostess with the mostess Leigh & Janine. Mucho fun was had by all and we are so excited to be whipping up this quilt for the cute lil baby to be. If this sounds like you or something good for a pregnant friend, please get in touch. I would love to do this again & share the crafting with love.

Waitakere Festival Crafting Pop Up

 Thanks to everyone who came by our crafting table at the Waitakere Festival on Sunday. It was really fun seeing the colourful creations that are now sent from the west. Great to meet new faces and see familiar ones again :-) Looking forward to doing some more westy pop ups again soon. xx

Summer Essentials Series at The Bread & Butter Letter

Photo Creds: Bag, Shorts, Flower Crown, Blouse

A sewing class series to get you in your prime for the summer sunshine!

& we are heading back to sew underground, under The Bread & Butter Letter on K'Road.

Over 2 weekends you can make your own wardrobe for this summer! I've split the projects to one slightly more challenging, one slightly more easier to make so we can maximise our making time each day.and begin with something a little more simple first.

Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th 11-3pm $100pp

Crop tops & Oversized beach bags

Saturday 17th & 18th 11-3pm $100pp

Summer shorts & Flower crowns

All equipment, and SOME materials provided, vintage,retro & all 2nd hand.

Start your op shopping now to seek out your fav summer florals or polka dots to use. Plenty of fabric and linens to look out for - check out floral sheets, tablecloths, napkins etc. Or sort out your old t-shirts ready for a good cropping.

CHECK OUT THIS PINTEREST BOARD I'VE STARTED FOR THIS SERIES

Some confidence on a machine required, but beginner sewers are welcome - you know our machines are super friendly! xx

Boutique class sizes so you can get lots of attention & assistance with your sewing. Secure your spot ASAP here