Over the winter months the weather here in Cartagena has not been as good as it was last winter.  We have had many many more cold days (in comparison to the norm here), more rain although still not as much as the area needs and certainly more wind and swell.

If you’ve read my earlier blog posts then you will know that I have been crafting in some way almost since I first moved on board.  Last year I really took to sewing.  I upgraded my tiny Janome machine, which was fine if basic, for a Brother Innovis-15 machine which is an entry level computerised machine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started making zippy make up style bags, padded glass cases and similar small items.  However, I am a visual learner and need plenty of repetition so YouTube has been invaluable.  I picked up quite a few patterns from vloggers on YouTube and in October decided to make a lot of presents for Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found an on-line fabric store in the UK, Sew Crafty Online, that had a mega sale (still does) on craft cottons many of which were novelty prints.  One of the first fabrics I picked was a Marvel comic print that I used to make a tote bag for my friend Maria.  Needless to say a few more fabric orders followed that first one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made a number of drawstring backpacks for Christmas and Neil made me templates out of plywood as I was making so many and it made the cutting out so much easier.  I then used the same size rectangle for the tote which meant I had a template ready to go.  The fabulous Octopus fabric was from Sew Me Sunshine in the UK.  A new on-line store with fantastic customer support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve got really sucked into the sewing bug and have spent hours and I do mean hours, looking at fabrics on-line and following sewists on YouTube. Some of my favourites for following crafting videos are Whitney Sews (reversible apron, double pocket crossbody bag, lined zip pouches), Debbie Shore (zip pocket in totes), Sew Sweetness (Baker Bag), Shabby Fabrics (drawstring backpack). 

The sewing vloggers that I love although they talk mainly about garment sewing are Lizzie Thimble Vintage, The Stitch Sisters, Fabric Magpie, Sew Over It, Beautiful Things and loads more. 

I’ve still not made my first garment although I do have a pattern and a possible fabric ready to go.  In fact the more I’ve watched the more nervous I’ve become about getting the pattern out of the packet.

Garment sewing will probably have to wait until the winter as I can’t see me doing much sewing while on anchor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back over the winter, I’m not sure how I would have felt/managed without my sewing hobby. With the cooler weather and Neil busy writing A Foolish Odyssey I had lots of time and have not felt at all motivated to go outside much.  This winter we have both commented on how little we have been into town, for walks or attended events.  Last year, even through winter, the weather was mild and walking and being outside was pleasant most of the time.  This year, in the cold and wind I’ve not wanted to go.  Without my new obsession (I’ve moved on from hobby) I think I would of felt really quite down and blue.  There was a YouTube movement with the vloggers earlier in the year, #SMYLY2018 – Sewing Makes You Love Yourself (Smiley) where the vloggers made a garment they loved and they felt comfortable in and shared their stories on how their sewing has helped with mental health issues and or body image issues.  It was a really interesting and some of their stories really powerful.

I’ve interspersed this blog with photos of my makes.  I’ve a couple of bags to sew up that I’ve been asked for and that will probably be it until later in the year.

We have also taken Gleda out of the water and had her bottom scrubbed and new anti-foul paint applied below the waterline.  This only took a couple of days and then we were back in the water and back to our berth in Yacht Port Cartagena.  I created a short YouTube video showing her trip.  You can view that here.

We are now still waiting for nicer weather to do some painting jobs topside and below.  We have visitors for a long weekend mid April, my Mum and Aunt, and then we plan to go sailing in May.  Weather dependent of course.

Oh and a decision made, we have booked to come back to Yacht Port Cartagena for the winter.  After chatting about what we both want both short term and long term, this is where we decided we want to be.

Fair winds.