I can hardly believe it, but Thursday, November 11, 2021, marks the 10th anniversary of my sewing blog! I had no idea when I launched CSews.com, that my blog would still be going a decade later. To celebrate my blogversary milestone, I’ll be giving away some great sewing prizes from stores and pattern companies that have special meaning to me. Read on to see why I selected these businesses and companies, or skip to the end for a summary of the giveaways and how to enter for a chance to win. 😉
When I began my blog, I wanted to learn a content management system. The publication I was working for at the time did not have a very good one. So I decided to pick a topic that would be completely different from work and that I knew I liked and that’s how my blog got started! My first post was about getting a sewing machine in 2009 and sewing again. Then I blogged about what I made, some of which I’ve highlighted below.
Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics
I have the great good fortune to live in Berkeley, California, just a 15-minute walk from Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics. The store carries a wide array of indie patterns and so many, many lovely fabrics. I shop there often. In addition, as the organizer of the Bay Area Sewists meetup group, we’ve had meetups with the store staff during the pandemic. In celebration of my blogversary, the store is giving all my blog readers and Instagram followers 20 percent off all for the entire month of November! Just use the code BAYSEWS20 at checkout whether you are making your purchase online or in-store. If you are at the store, just tell the staff at checkout that you have a discount code and give them BAYSEWS20 to enter. Thank you Stonemountain!
This Berkeley institution holds a special place in my heart — not only because it’s within walking distance of where I live, but because it is an integral part of the Bay Area sewing community. For many years, Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics offered sewing classes. Then in 2016, they made the decision to stop offering classes and focus on fabric, indie patterns, and more. I interviewed Suzan Steinberg on my blog about this big decision back then.
When I became the organizer for the Bay Area Sewists meetup group in January 2014, I began organizing monthly meetups — everything from fabric and pattern swaps to sew-together meetups. I was always looking for free venues to meet. We held a Show & Tell meetup at Stonemountain in August 2014 when they still had part of their second floor devoted to classes. Since then, we’ve had some Stonemountain managers talk to the group about interfacing, fabric weight, and knit fabrics.
When the pandemic began, the store was closed to the public. However, their online store was open so you could still buy their merchandise, just not in person. Now I’m happy to say they the store is open to the public again so if you are in the Bay Area, you can enter Stonemountain and touch and feel all the fabric!
Stonemountain is offering a $50 gift card to my blog readers and IG followers! I contacted Suzan months ago when I realized this would be my anniversary year and asked if she’d like to help me celebrate. She immediately said, “Yes.” Thank you, Suzan and Stonemountain!
Needles Studio
I learned about Needles Studio from Bay Area Sewists members last year. This small business in the South Bay is the only independent fabric store in the area. Needles carries indie patterns and a carefully curated selection of fabrics, notions and tools, and more. They also offer sewing and art classes. I love to support local businesses — and especiallly fabric stores.
Last year, I invited the store’s owner Erika, to talk to Bay Area Sewists and give us a virtual tour of her store at our Zoom meetup in September 2020. We were going through the fall wave of Covid so I wasn’t shopping for fabric or patterns in person. It was nice to see her store. Earlier this year she moved to a new location, still in the South Bay but in a different area. So we had Erika give us a tour of her new space at our August virtual meetup. Then Bay Area Sewists members had a discussion of foreign sewing patterns. Needles Studio carries plenty of non-U.S. pattern lines such as The Assembly Line, Deer and Doe, Merchant & Mills, and Papercut so this was a good fit.
When I asked Erika if she’d like to help me celebrate my blogversary, she immediated offered a $50 gift card to her shop. Thank you, Erika!
Indie patterns
I only knew about the Big Four pattern companies – Butterick, McCall’s Simplicity, and Vogue – growing up. My mom usually sewed the first three, not Vogue, getting her patterns at Joann Fabrics, as it was called back then (no “crafts” in the title yet).
Christine Haynes
I think my entrée to indie patterns began in 2011 when I bought Christine Haynes first book Chic & Simple Sewing. Back then her sizes were limited to S, M, L — unlike today where her current pattern sizes go from XS to 4X (bust: 32″ to 57″/81 cm to 145 cm, hip: 33″ to 58″/84 cm to 147 cm).
I made The Trench three times (first one blogged here) and I interviewed Christine in 2012, when her first indie patterns launched after a Kickstarter campaign. You can read the inteview here.
I made Christine’s popular Emery Dress (left photo) in 2013. It was my first small bust adjustment. I was trying to make an everyday dress but it ended up being a bit precious because I added piping and a little embroidery detail to the collar, inspired by the fabric. I was a size (or two) smaller then. You can read (and see more photos) about my Emery Dress.
Of course I had to ask Christine if she’d like to help celebrate my blogversary with one of her patterns and she said, “Yes”! Christine is offering PDF pattern of the winner’s choice. Thank you, Christine!
Sew House Seven
The first Sew House Seven pattern I purchased was the Toaster Sweater (available as a PDF or a paper pattern). I got it in 2016 or 2017 but didn’t sew it until 2017. At the time, I saw more of version 2 than version 1 on Instagram. I made a mockup of version 1 in fleece and then made a reversible version 1 in a double-sided knit. That was a bit of a challenge.
Then I went on to make three more Toaster Sweaters but they were all version 2. I had leftover ponte fabric of this giant print and made a tunic-length one.
I also made version 2 in black french terry (so soft!) and a color-blocked one. Those two Toasters are blogged here.
Obviously, the Toaster is a favorite pattern of mine. I want to make a striped one next.
I contacted Peggy, the designer behind Sew House Seven, about celebrating my blogversary. She’s offering a Sew House Seven PDF pattern of the winner’s choice. Thank you, Peggy!
Friday Pattern Company
When Friday Pattern Company burst on the sewing scene a couple of years ago, their designs captured my attention. I especially liked the diversity of models and sizes. Plus I loved that they give back 5 percent of their proceeds to charity.
So far I’ve made the Joan Trousers in yellow ponte (no longer offered), Adrienne Blouse in a floral jersey, and Sagebrush Top in a fun print. I’ve also made a mockup of the Square Neck Top (PDF version) and I’m still deciding if I want to use the fabric I got for it or not. As you can tell, I like Friday Pattern Company designs and
I also interviewed Chelsea Gurnoe, the designer of Friday Pattern Company, on my blog earlier this year. We discussed her interest in fashion, design, sewing, and how her company got started. Naturally, I had ask Chelsea if she’d like to help me celebrate my blogversary, too. So, you guessed it, Chelsea is offering a PDF pattern, too — winner’s choice. Thank you, Chelsea and Friday Pattern Company!
Blogversary giveaways!
A huge thank you to Stonemountain and Daughter Fabrics and Needles Studio for their generosity and to designers Christine Haynes, Sew House Seven, and Friday Pattern Company. Here are the wonderful giveaways:
- $50 gift card from Stonemountian & Daughter Fabrics
- $50 gift card from Needles Studio (U.S. and Canada only)
- Christine Haynes PDF pattern of your choice
- Sew House Seven PDF pattern of your choice
- Friday Pattern Company PDF pattern of your choice
To enter, comment on this blog post. For extra entries, follow me on my Instagram account (@csews) and follow the instructions on that IG post. It will have the same photo as the one at the top of this post. This giveaway is open to folks worldwide, except for the Needles Studio gift card. If you live outside the United States, please say so in the comments so you will not be entered for that giveaway. (Needles only ships to the U.S. and Canada customers.)
This giveaway closes at 11:59 pm on November 11. Winners will be notifed on November 12 by email or dm on Instagram.
Hi Chuleenan! Thank you so much for having an anniversary! I just read your Nov 7 blog and got so excited about creating beautiful clothes again!
I gave up sewing after Frocktails of Feb 2020 and the subsequent lockdown. I gave away my fabric and machine and kept 2 spools of thread and some needles. And I moved out of CA. Your blog makes me want to sew again!
Too bad I missed all the giveaways. haha
You have such beautiful taste – thank you!
Liz Podolinsky
Hi Liz! I’m so glad uo are excited about sewing again. I know what you mean about not feeling like sewing. I hardly made anything in 2020. Enjoy sewing again!
Well done – hope I manage to keep blogging for 10 years
Thank you! I’m sure you can keep going for as long as you want. 🙂
Congratulations on a decade of your blog!
Thank you, Glynda! It’s still hard for me to believe that a decade has gone by! 🙂
Congratulations on 10 years! Such perseverance, and a lot of great outfits. I’ve enjoyed following the journey.
Thank you, Carol! It’s certainly been a fun 10 years full of outfits!
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your talent. You are inspirational.
Thank you, Michele! You’re very welcome – and thanks so much for the compliment! 🙂
Congratulations Chuleenan! I miss being on the west coast and attending the meetups in person. They are so fun and full of great info. And the Frocktails!!! ❤️
Hi Kathy! It’s always great to meet in person. I hope we will be able to do that soon. But meanwhile, we are holding virtual meetups. 🙂
Congratulations on 10 years! Such a wealth of information, I can’t believe I didn’t know about your blog before. I will certainly be spending some time poring over it this weekend!
Thank you, Jennifer! Happy you discovered my blog. 🙂
Congratulations on 10yr what accomplishment! I am new to your blog and recently joined Bay Area Sewists and hope to join in a meetup soon.
Hi Marianne – thank you! And hope to see you at a meetup, soon!
Congratulations
Thank you, Kr. 🙂
Congratulations for the amazing achievement!! I always enjoy when you blog posts come up in my blog reader (I’m in the UK )
Thank you, Astrid! So glad you enjoy the blog – and all the way from the UK. 🙂
I’m quite new to your to your blog but have been enjoying it. Congrats on 10 years! I’m looking forward to another 10.
Hi, Launi – I’m happy you discovered my blog! I’ll keep blogging as long as it’s still enjoyable. 🙂
hooray! So happy you’ve been blogging for this long and I appreciate all you do for the bay area sewists!!
Thank you, Sarah! I’ll keep blogging as long as I still enjoy doing it. Glad you enjoy Bay Area Sewists, too. 🙂
Congrats! Ten years is a long time! So cool.
Thank you, Lea! Ten years went by rather quickly!
Congrats on your Bolgeversary!! I love your blog and your commitment to sewing is so inspiring!
Thank you, Angie! And thank you for the lovely compliments! 🙂
Happy birthday! I love reading about your makes and problem solving.
Thank you, Eve! I’m glad you love reading about my various sewing projects – and problems. 😉
Congratulations Chuleenan on your blogversary! I have greatly appreciated your Bay Area Sewist meetup organizing and your chart on sewing patterns height.
Thank you, Robin! So glad you enjoy the meetups and the height chart. 🙂
Congratulations on a decade of blogging! I am not on instagram and really love reading blogs, so truly appreciate folks like you who take the time to write posts. 🙂 thank you also for running Bay Area Sewists, including keeping things going during the pandemic. Much appreciated!
Thank you, Michele! I appreciate that you read blogs! I’m glad you also enjoy the meetups and that I’ve been able to keep it going – despite the pandemic.
Hi Chuleenan and Congrats on 10 yrs of blogging! Thank you for the great blog and for running Bay Area Sewists.
Thank you, Liz! So happy you enjoy the blog and Bay Area Sewists. 🙂
I love your blog, your sewing is so beautiful and I always learn a lot. Happy Blogversary! Thanks for the size charts – I have a small group of sewing friends here in Israel and I passed the link on to them as well- so helpful.
Thank you, Jill! I’m so glad you find my blog useful – in particular the size charts. Thanks for passing along the link to your sewing friends!
Ten years is great commitment to a blog, hearty congratulations!
Thank you so much! Ten years crept up rather unexpectedly. Last year was a blur and not much blogging happened. So it’s been fun to get back into it this year.
Happy Birthday. I’m new to your blog. Like that you try different patterns and show pictures of the results. You are very adventurous. I am living vicariously thru you. BuT I’m going this month to try a new independent pattern. I live walking distance from Needles. So glad they opened in Los Altos
Thank you! I do like to try a variety of things – rather than stick to one particular style or fashion. lol
You’re lucky to live neer Needles! Erika is great and very helpful. You’ll find that indie pattern companies may design for different heights or particular body types so be sure to find out as much as you can before you make your purchase. Check out my sewing pattern height chart, which may help you. https://csews.com/sewing-2/sewing-pattern-height
Congratulations Chuleenan! The sewing community especially Bay Area Sewists have benefitted so much from your knowledge and generosity!
Thank you, Charlotte! It’s been great to meet so many people who love to sew. And thank you, for being Bay Area Sewists gracious Zoom host. 🙂
Congratulations, Chuleenan. We met years ago at a Legion of Honor Hat exhibit. I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog posts and seeing your lovely creations. Have you done much hat-making? I’m working up the courage to create some!
Hi Gale! That was a while ago! And yes I have done some hat making – on my sewing machine and I’ve taken a couple of millinery classes at Lacis in Berkeley. If you click on the “hats” tab on the home page, you can see a couple of hats I’ve made. You can certainly create some hats!
Thank you Chuleenan for all you do to promote sewing. Love your blog. Congratulation on 10 years!
You’re very welcome, Suzanne! So nice ot hear that you love my blog. 🙂 Thank you!
Congratulations on your anniversary! Such a wonderful milestone!
Thank you, Krystal! I’m happy I reached 10 years, much to my own surprise. lol
Congratulations! It is no small feat to do ANYTHING for 10 years! Thanks for all the great content.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoy the blog. It’s always good to know someone’s reading it!
Happy Blogversary! Ten years–that’s spectacular! I sure do envy you being so close to Stone Mountain Fabrics. Thank you very much for the fabric discount code to that store and many contest opportunities.
Thank you, Marsha! Enjoy the discount!
Congratulations! You are the one who introduced me to THE ASSEMBLY LINE patterns now one of my favorite pattern companies. Will be using my 20% discount to add my collection.
Thank you! I’m thrilled to have been the one to introduce you to The Assembly Line patterns. I am a big fan of theirs, too. 🙂
Thank you for sharing the love on your blogversary! I enjoy seeing what you make and the street styles you capture.
You’re welcome, Ernestine! Glad you like my street style photos in my newsletter. 🙂
Huge congrats and thanks. I’ve learned so much from you (and now have way more Pilvi coats than i probably need).
Thank you, Wendie! We’ve both made a lot of Pilvi coats! lol
Congratulations on your Blogversary. I have recently found your blog and your IG. Enjoying them both.
Thank you! Glad you are enjoying both, Anne!
It’s really heart warming to see you in Stone Mountain among the gorgeous fabrics 🙂 I had to look back to see when I met you, it was around the time of your Cardon Maxi in that gorgeous wax print… I still love that skirt so very much.
Congratulations on the 10 years, amazing. And I love the elegant website redesign!
Thanks, Marilyn! I had fun with those Stonemountain photos. So we met around my Chardon maxi skirt? So that would be in 2015, according to this post https://csews.com/skirts/maxi-chardon-skirt
Time flies!
Congratulations on your anniversary! I enjoy reading the content and seeing the pictures. And I am envious that you are so close to Stone Mountain and Daughters.
Thank you to all of the companies providing prizes.
Thank you! Yes, I am very fortunate. Though sometimes, I have to force myself to stay away so I can sew the fabric I have from them. lol
Hi Chuleenan, Congratulations on your 10th blogversary!! Your blog is so interesting and informative! I also love when you talk about your hats.
Thank you, Ellen! I’m so glad you enjoy my blog. There will be more hat posts. I have many hat patterns I have not made yet. 🙂
Hello from Canada! Thanks for continuing to blog. I know many people have moved on to Instagram, but I appreciate the time and details that go into a blog post, and really enjoy reading them.
Hi Brenda! You are right that many have move to IG. I’m happy you are still a blog reader!
Happy Blogiversary! I enjoy reading about your adventures and seeing your makes – they are beautiful!
Thank you, Lorraine! I’m so glad you enjoy my blog. 🙂
10 years! Amazing, congratulations!
Thank you! I’m still amazed myself that it’s still around. 🙂
Happy Anniversary! Here’s to many more… and wishes for continuing success to all your giveaway sponsors!
Thank you, Chris! I appreciate your good wishes!
Congratulations! A decade is an accomplishment!! I am only in year 8 for my sewing blog but have been writing a book blog for 15 years, so like you I guess I am just addicted to blogging
Thank you, Melanie! I had no idea I would still be blogging ten years later. You’ve got TWO blogs – and one that’s been going for 15 years? That’s amazing.
Thanks, Chuleenan, for all of your efforts that benefit the sewing community.
You’re welcome, Lisa. My motto lately is “sewing is for everyone.” 🙂
I am so envious of your local options . I now live further south on the Central Coast, with hardly any local fabric. But I lived in Berkeley when Stonemountains opened, and I have very fond memories of my times there. So glad they have lasted
It’s sad that so many stores have closed and in many areas there are few options. Stonemountain does have an online store and their staff are very helpful if you have any questions. Just email theem https://stonemountainfabric.com/contact/
Thank you so much maintaining the sewing pattern height chart. I have the opposite problem of being 6ft tall and finding patterns that are not long enough for me – so knowing where and how much length to add is important to me…
So glad you find the chart useful!
Ohhh, first, really? in any case – HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :). you make beautiful garments 🙂
Yes you were the first to comment! I think people comment on IG, not blogs these days. So thanks for commenting and for your compliment! 🙂