About Me

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm Debi, a quirky and fun expatriate who lives with the love of her life (David) and the diva kitty (Echo) in bonnie Scotland.  I started sewing at the same time that I started this blog (back in November 2009).  I am in LOVE with vintage patterns from all eras but especially the 30s, 40s and 50s. I am inspired by fashions from the past and hope to create some timely pieces for myself.

In 2012, I embarked on my biggest project to date, co-founding a fabric social enterprise called Weaving Destination.  The social enterprise bit is that all of the fabric is ethically made and all profits go to support an indigenous women's weaving collective in Assam, BTC, India.  This collective is important because it provides financial independence, support services and sustainable employment for women that have been victims of trafficking, that are living with HIV/AIDS or that are female migrant returnees.  Weaving Destination is really the culmination of my two passions: working to address the root causes of violence against women and children and being creative through sewing!  We were very lucky to have received the Melting Pot's Social Innovation Incubator Award for 2012-2013.

In 2013, I also started one of my biggest sewing challenges to date, The 1940 McCall Project.  My goal is to collect and sew all the patterns produced by McCall in the year 1940!  I just love these patterns and am having a great time using my research skills (I'm a researcher by day) to delve into the history of this year and this amazing pattern company!

YAY! So many exciting projects!  Thanks for coming along and sharing my journey.  I love hearing from readers, feel free to email me at: myhappysewingplace@googlemail.com

xoxoxo
Debi


7 comments:

  1. I just discovered your blog and as a beginning sewer it has been exciting for me to peruse through and see all the things that I may one day be able to accomplish! I too love fashions from the past and look forward to seeing your creations!

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  2. What a fab idea. I have a collection of vintage patterns and am just taking a tentative back into dressmaking. I used to design and make a lot of my own clothes and I especially love 30's - 50's. I will be dropping in to see how you are progressing and wish you luck. I'm starting a vintage apron just to get me started again :)

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  3. Debi, I enjoy your blog sooooo much. I have several blogs I follow but I must say I look forward to yours the most. The way you talk, your enthusiasm, all your lovely pictures are just such a joy to read. I haven't made a garment in years (every since my then 4 year old daughter absolutely, point blank, refused to wear a Barney the Dinosaur jumpsuit I slaved over. She turned 22 yesterday so I have a nursed this sore point for years.) and even though I will likely never sew a vintage garment (can an 18 year old Dinosaur jumpsuit be considered "vintage"?) I just love your blog. Thanks.

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  4. Dear Debi,
    since I found your blog accidentally while I was looking for pictures about Edinburgh, I've been reading it almost regularly and enjoying it because I share your love for vintage sewing in general - and Downton Abbey in particular. Sorry for my English is not as good as I wish it to be; just wanted to express that I love your blog and think about subsribing to it.
    Have a nice week,
    Ulrike

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  5. I love your blog and admire your determination to sew all those wonderful wonderful garments. Are you sewing those just for fun or do they belong to your everyday wardrobe?

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  6. Hello, Debi!

    I’ve nominated you for a Reader Appreciation Award, and hope you will accept.

    Your blog has been so interesting and inspiration, literally & figuratively helping me in sew many ways! Absolutely adore your creations, and the references you did lately will stay with me for a long time (the alphabetical list).

    Rules, etc., are posted here.
    http://curlsnskirls.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/last-october/

    From a very grateful reader,
    D’ellis at CurlsnSkirls
    http://curlsnskirls.wordpress.com

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I read each and every comment--thank you so much!

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