Julia Bobbin Header Image and Menu Past Projects Tutorials Celebrity Copy Cat Awards About Me

Sunday 24 June 2012

Only in New York

Julia Bobbin, Gertie

They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery.
I say 'pooh-pooh' to those people.
The highest form of flattery is ... stalking. Indeed.

Ladies and Gentleman of the sewing world, I am tucked safely away in Melbourne, Australia after a fabulous two weeks in the beautiful crazy city that is New York.

I filled my time rubbing fabric up against my face (in the creepiest possible way) in any number of fabric stores. Thanks to all your marvellous suggestions on where to buy fabric in New York, I made my self a map, put on some comfortable runners (you know sh$% is serious when I swap nice shoes for runners) and spent my life savings on fabric.

I'm not even joking when I say that it got emotional in those stores. Standing inside Mood and thinking, 'Holy H, I'm really here' was all a bit much for me and my jet-lagged, over-dramatic self.

Here's a few pieces of fabric goodness that I purchased.

Julia Bobbin


My husband Robin and I went to see the Schiaparelli and Prada exhibition over at the MET which was absolutely stunning and oodles inspiring.


I did a lot of 'window' shopping down 5th avenue, and spent a not so small amount in SOHO and the fashion district.

Robin and I went a little bit nuts and saw lots of Broadway productions. Five in fact. We saw the Lion King, Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and ... Spider Man the Musical - I kid you not.

Julia Bobbin, New York

A staple part of our diet in New York was pizza and holy heck was it huge. Deliciously huge. My ass started expanding just looking at it. The M&M's didn't help much either ...

Julia Bobbin, New York

We went to our first ever Baseball game, Go Yankees! and Robin purchased his Yankee hat for the occasion. We made a lot of random friends thanks to Robin wearing that hat!

The highlight of my trip had to be meeting the fabulous Gretchen from Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing hence my stalking comment at the start of this blog.
I was lucky enough to have a two hour private lesson with his sewing Goddess and I tried so hard not to have a 'watermelon moment'. You know in the movie Dirty Dancing, where baby is carrying a watermelon to the cool kids cool party and she meets the totally hot Patrick Swayze and he's all like 'What's she doing here?' and baby, overwhelmed by his hotness says 'I carried a watermelon.' Awkward.



Gretchen was however super nice and friendly and the two hours went by like it was two minutes. I was also more than a little bit pleased to discover that we both turned up wearing yellow dresses that we made! Oh we are going to be best friends for EVER! (she doesn't know this yet).

Julia Bobbin, New York, Gertie

Now I'm back in Melbourne and trying to psyche myself up for my first day back at work tomorrow morning. That's why God invented coffee.
I am also super keen to get back into my sewing adventures after being ridiculously inspired in New York.

Thanks a million to Tessuti Fabrics for this fabulous opportunity, I still can't believe that it happened to me! You can check out the dress I made for last years Tessuti Awards here

Julia Bobbin, New York, Tessuti Awards 2011


Speaking of Tessuti Awards, have you seen the competition for this year! The theme is Spots and Stripes and this year the competition is open to entrants world wide! The prize is a $5000 travel voucher to a destination of your choice! Any one thinking of entering?

38 comments:

  1. Spiderman the musical?! That's almost as cool as meeting Gertie! What an incredible opportunity - and so deserved - your dress is a vision. I'm definitely going to check out the Tessuti Awards right now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Elisalex! It was an amazing opportunity, both meeting Gertie and seeing Spiderman the Musical. The best part was when the set exploded mid show. Whoops.

      Delete
  2. You lucky thing you! Sounds like two weeks in sewist HEAVEN. I'm super jealous. Can't wait to see what creations come out of the splurges! Not to mention the entry I'm assuming you'll put in for the Tessuti Comp :) yay!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh you sound like you had the best time! Well done, and well deserved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Naomi! I had an awesome time, and I can't believe I'm already back at work. Time flys when you're having fun apparently.

      Delete
  4. Well deserved you are an inspiration yourself, really glad you had a great time. Wasn't the Tessuti Awards open worldwide before? Not that I know anything about it lol, but with you coming from Australia I assumed it was. Welcome back, looking forward to seeing your creations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually the Tessuti Awards are based in Australia and so last year it was open only to Australians! It's going to be amazing to see all the different entrants this year :)

      Delete
  5. How wonderful! I'm from Melbourne too and died just about every day visiting New York fabric stores. Can't wait to go back for more!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, it looks like you had a tremendous time. I'd love to go to New York.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am looking into entering the awards to give my doodling some direction!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do it do it! The awards is a fantastic platform to push your skills and set yourself a challenge. It's rewarding no matter what the outcome.

      Delete
  8. Ohhh, I can't see what you make with these goodies! And I so had the same reaction in Mood. That place was rad. Quite the change from Spotlight in Canberra :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah I know! Spotlight is quite the different experience :)

      Delete
  9. What a great trip!
    I think I would turn in a huge stalker myself with Gertie and some other bloggers I love, probably with you as well :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stop it Anna, you know I'm already in love with you :)

      Delete
  10. Your blog post was wonderful to read! What a great time u guys had!!! Love it!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So glad you made it to Mood! Go Yankees! What a great idea of Tessuti to sponsor this contest. We're dying to see what you make from Mood fabrics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh you'll see some projects with Mood fabrics alright! Just you wait, I can't wait to sew them up! x

      Delete
  12. Ooh yay, I'm so glad you had a good time in New York! I'm always happy when visitors have a blast here! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was awesome! You're a lucky lady to be living there :)

      Delete
  13. Wow what a weekend!! I can't wait to see what sew up with all your treasures! And I seriously "lol'd" at the watermelon comment. You are too much! ...that's not a bad thing ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Thanks Rochelle! It was an awesome time there and I have so many dress ideas to sew up that I don't know how I'm going to find the time to make them all! But where there's a will there's a way ...

      Delete
  14. How fabulous - I am officialy jealous. Although I am jealous enough of you being in Melbourne, you have so many better options than we have in Brisbane. I am coming down in August to do some serious damage to my credit card!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yay! Have fun in August! There are so many fabulous stores here, let me know if you need some fabric store suggestions!

      Delete
  15. Wow! This sounds like heaven. I'd love to make fabric turism. I'm thinking about participating in the contest, but I haven't decided yet, but I can't wait to see what you make for it, because you're in, aren't you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have to do it! It's a fantastic challenge and it's great for pushing your skills and imagination! I hope you enter :)

      Delete
    2. Hi Julia! Thank for the support! I have nominated you for the Versatile blogger award, feel free to go over my blog and read what you have to do with it. Congratulations!

      Delete
  16. Did you enjoy any of the crazy NY thunderstorms? I'm from the Pacific Northwest and am used to drizzle, but the raindrops here are gargantuan!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Welcome home! We're so thrilled to know you had such an inspiring, fun and fabric-filled trip. x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow, envious on so any levels! I grew up in Melbourne and worshipped at the feet of Cleggs - is it still going. But what I really want to know is what you covered in your session with Gertie?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sounds like an amazing trip! Am currently drooling over your gorgeous new fabrics...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow it looks like you had an amazing time in New York you lucky thing! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  21. A trip to new york and a sewing lesson with Gertie?! Wow what could be better? You must be feeling inspired. Can't wait to see your next gorgeous creation :D

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sigh. You got to meet Gertie. Green, just green. And it's not even my colour....

    ReplyDelete