The Sewing Directory Exeter Meet Ups always come when I need a lift and sure enough Saturday 1st March was a day of sewing, sharing, chatting with sunlight streaming in.
This is the third, a year from the first one so now there are familiar faces and new people too. Established attendees bring new friends or people dare to come solo- it doesn't matter, the event is so relaxed that it seems to work for everyone. Each time Fiona has a little rethink so that the format evolves. People brought their own projects, many brought machines, and there were 'experts' available to ask for help, trouble shooting, whatever was needed. There were many firsts- a first skirt, a skirt made from an improvised rub off (where you take the pattern form an existing garment), an economy block and mini quilt from a first time quilter. Other things left mid construction- a flirty apron, dresdens, an altered ready-to-wear blouse. And there was ongoing sewing: crazy patchwork, lots of english paper piecing, cord buttons, quilt blocks assembled-Trash's colour phase economy blocks looked ablaze in the sunny hall.
We had around 27 people I guess. Its a good number, although I struggle to speak to everyone even though we were there 10-4.30. We had really generous quality raffle prizes and extra goodies for everyone from Rebecca at Timber Press (part of Storey publishing, home of many crafty books, Will from Abakhan Fabrics(who returned to keep building on his sewing skills), Exeter Sewing Machine Company- Jenna gave machine advice too and more. More meet ups are planned, the aim is for a quarterly meet up so if you are anywhere near the Southwest or prepared to travel, keep an eye out for more news.
