Maratón Telaria | 1. retro |

The Maratón Telaria has started last week. We had until the 27th to join the sewalong flickr group with the first theme: RETRO. So, guess when I decided to sew my piece?! Exactly, the 27th. Which meant I had to sew my dress, take pictures, and edit them to enter. 

But, of course I did it. I spent all this time convinced I wanted to do a rockabilly look for G. but then, as I got lost online, I chose to get inspired on those lovely short 70's dresses. Mine wasn't so short though and I'll tell you why. 

front and back view of dress - it closes on the back with snaps. 

As I've been saying forever, G. has got way too many clothes that fit for now. When I say she doesn't need anymore, I mean, I don't know where to keep anymore clothes, there's no space for them, really. That's actually something that has been keeping me unmotivated lately. I mean, I have been sewing, behind the scenes, but I'm not really in the mood to get too creative. 

So, back to the reason why this isn't as short as I wanted. It is simple, I made it hoping this would be a great fit by spring, so next year. The sleeves are wide enough for her to comfortably grow into this, I hope this will last as a tunic when she's even older. 

The pattern I used was the one I drafted from an existing dress and used for the Sad Cat Dress, can you remember that? The only changes I did this time, was on the seam allowances, this made this dress narrower than the previous on the neck line. Even though it looks like it is shorter than the other one, it isn't, it just happens that kids grow a lot in just 7 months passed. 

Contrary to the Sad Cat dress, this isn't lined, instead I used homemade bias - actually I made it from left overs from the sheet I used as lining to the cat dress - on the neck line and bottom seam. To finish off the sleeves I used a vintage lace I had selvaged from an old shirt I was given a while ago. 

So, after all, what makes this look retro? In my opinion, and intention... as I said before, I was inspired in the 70's. The features I tried to bring back from that period were the line of the dress, the lace, the width and the plaid of course. I wanted to include a peter pan collar to it too, but I was attaching the bias already when I suddenly remembered "the collar! Oh gosh, I didn't cut the collar!" - well, too late my dear, I'm not doing that. But, even though the day was rather warm, she wore a white shirt underneath the dress, which -look so convinient - had a peter pan collar too. 

Just before we left the home, I managed to make her a matching hairclip. I tried to do her hair inspired in the 70's pictures too. I love it! This isn't much of my style, but I confess I'm satisfied with it. Plus, I needed this kind of quick and simple sewing. 

The only thing I seem to feel sorry about, is that the lace isn't as white as the bias. It works though. Once again, I only used fabric and supplies from my stash and it feels good. 

This week's theme is knits. I still have no idea what to sew! Any suggestions?

31 Days of Halloween guest post

It is my turn today.  Go over Get your crap together and check the tutorial for a refashioned Sock Monkey costume!

The Dreaming of Spring Blazer | day 3 of the Sew Along |and a big surprise for sew alongers|

First of all, I have to apologise for taking more than expected to come back with the next steps for the construction of our blazer.

I'm going to start with the big news for everyone who sews along. Don't forget to join the flickr group and share your blazer after it's done. You have until the 30th of November, after that myself and Marta from DoGuincho will pick up our favorite one and the winner will be getting a FREE copy of Marta's first pattern: The Bubble Shorts which I have also sewn and showed here. 

sew along
day 1 
day 2 

So let's continue...

Today we are going to repeat steps from last day using the lining this time. Sew all pieces together, close shoulders, close sleeves and attach them to body.

Then put your hands on the collar pieces. Make sure one of them is interfaced. Put both pieces right sides together and sew all around but the bottom. Clip corners, turn around and press. Fold in half and and slightly cut it or mark it any other way you want so you know where the center of the piece is. 

Time to attach it to the main fabric piece. Pin it all around the neck line and sew a stitch as close to the edge as possible. 

It's the perfect moment to attach the pockets to the blazer. When I started this pink one I had plans to use the pockets, but then my cats ruined my pocket pieces by throwing on it, so I just skipped them. But here's how to do it. 

They're easy to do when you have the right tools, but it isn't impossible to do it if you don't. Use pattern paper to mark the place where eyelets will go (after interfacing the main fabric pocket pieces) (image 20) and with a puncher (image 21) get holes done. Now, if you don't have one, just pierce with the tip of your scissors. Add the eyelets in the holes (image 22) and press them with its pliers (image 23). Again, if you don't have one, it's not the end of the world. Maybe you can do button holes instead, or just get creative!

Cut your ribbon in 4 even parts. You can slightly burn every edge on a candle light to prevent it from fraying. Insert it in one eyelet and pin at the side (image 24), do the same for the other side. You might want to pin it all in the middle right now because you'll be adding lining soon and this will prevent you from sewing unwanted ribbon in your seams (image 25). Get your pocket lining piece and pin it to the main fabric one, right sides together and sew. Leave a small opening in the bottom so you can turn your piece (image 26).

Turn pockets to the right side. Press it and pin the little opening you've left on the last step (image 27). Pin the pocket to the front of your jacket. You'll notice that the top is wider than the drawing on pattern, that's ok, this will allow you to pucker your pocket when you'll tie your ribbon. View of pockets pinned to the jacket (image 29 - sorry it's a little blurry). Stitch as close to the edge of your pocket as possible. This will close your opening (on pocket) with no other needs (image 30). View of pockets added (image 31).

We're done for today!

The one that didn't make it to the competition

For the project that didn't make it to the competition, I used these:

both from the hubby

While competing in the Refashion Runway, I had a rough week with the peplum theme, as you can read here. Not only were we sick, I didn't like the theme - and still don't -, my camera wasn't working (hence this cell phone pictures inside the house) and I couldn't be less pleased with what I created. 

I overcame all these though, and started from 0 in order to feel satisfied about what I was doing. I then did the peplum shorts and felt so much better about it. I wasn't confident enough though and just like I thought, I didn't make it through that week. 

I still sewed for the leather refashion themed week, but it didn't even make it to the competition. That's ok though. I wanted to sew along the Halloween theme, but I've been going round and round with some witch costumes ideas for the little miss... the problem, I want something different, and can't decide on what to do. I'm glad I wasn't competing anymore, those ladies blew me away with their costumes!!! and gave me so great ideas too

So, today I just wanted to share the master fail, the one I didn't like, didn't want to use in the competition. 

Besides, hubby's shirts were all that big and this was far from modest for me, a mom of a two year old that often has to bend to pick her up... there's no way I am wearing it out any time soon (or ever!).

And how did I mke it? Well, that's the easy part...

I've started with the black t-shirt. I've cut it about half and used the top to create the bust from my new dress. To cut and shape it I used a corset I found on a thrift market a few months ago, and then I cut the back on-the-eye!

Then I cut the other shirt about half way too, and used the bottom part to make the skirt of the dress. For that eefect I just had to slightly round the top of the rectangle. I've sewn front and back from the top together, then front and back from the skirt together. With the remaining piece (bottom) from the black t-shirt, I created the peplum. I've folded it in half and cutting like on the first picture in the second raw. I wanted to create an assimetrical look for the peplum (one of the things I've regreted after). I then pinned the peplum to the skirt and stitch really close to the edge. Finally I pinned top and skirt together. With the pieces of the shirt I still had leaft, I created tops (using the original neckline) and attached to the bust and back. Sewed on shoulders and that it. I left the arm holes unfinished, it doesn't fray and I kinda like the look. 

And that's it! The one that didn't make it and why!

Refashion Runway Week 4: Leather

It looks like I didn't get to this week's competition. I was voted out with the peplum challenge. I still don't regret that I made it for my daughter, and I am happy for the challenges I faced until here. I have really enjoyed my time competing, I am so glad it allowed me to "meet" new refashionists I didn't before and see how great and inspiring their work has been. I will try to sew along the two remaining themes which are Halloween and Winter White.

By now, I will leave you with what I had made to enter the leather challenge if I had passed last's weeks. Enjoy! And, by the way, please go there and vote for your favorite...

Contrary to last week, I was excited for the leather challenge. Working with this material wasn't new to me. I have actually done a few things in the past, with leather and vinyl... My only problem was not having any leather piece to refashion! I asked my friends in facebook if anyone could donate anything to me, nobody answered. 

My sister, actually found a faux leather brown jacket she didn't want. I was cutting into it but in the last minute, a costumer from hubby's told him she had seen my fb message and told him she had something she was willing to give me. I was  s o  h a p p y  when I saw it. But I was also kinda sorry to cut into it. 

Anyway... I knew exactly what I wanted to do from the start. I am mad about corsets. I wanted a new one for such a long time. So I did one.

this one needed a pose, right?!

I drafted a pattern. This video helped me to draw the corset pieces. I didn't make mine exactly like the one from the tutorial, but it was very helpful with the measurements, and I was able to adjust them to the design I had in my mind. Since the jacket was big, I had plenty of fabric to work with, I used basicly from the bottom and am hoping to use the rest for something in the future. 

I didn't take much pictures from the process this time. I have a serious problem with process pictures. I usually sew at night, after baby is sleeping, and then, when I'm really absorted in what I am making, I tend to forget the pictures details. Been trying to work on that, but it's hard... 

The ones I got for you, were taken the next morning, when all 10 pieces from the corset were sewn together. Instead of adding a zipper to the back I wanted it to look as a waist cincher, so I actually folded the center back pieces in half and kept in place with tape (which I removed once it was all done). I then marked my eyelets holes with the right punch and inserted them. I didn't even waste too many of them. My punch and eyelets weren't exactly the same size which is a problem, but a I said I didn't waste too many of them. 

Of course I was very pleased with what I did. I thought about lining and bonning the corset, but then I just dropped the idea. It was so much easier to add some bias to finish the piece. Besides, the purple looks so great and adds a final special touch to it. it wasn't really bias tape you know, it was a scrap left over from a shirt. I cut two striped from it (on the before picture above), sewn them together and attach it to corset as being bias tape. It worked. I am happy. We're done. 

This week we had a small family trip to the "sand city". It's an exhibition, that takes place for like 6 months every year, of sand sculptures. The theme for 2013 has been music. I had only been there once, even though I don't live that far, and the theme back then was mythology. I loved it! Every year since then I would say I'd go back... well, I finally did this year. 

I enjoyed it so much!!! I was even happier than the kids. I love music... I kept jumping and pointing out... 

look, The Rolling Stones... 

look, Jimmy Morrison... 

Pink Floyd, Pink Floyd... look it's Pink Floyd... 

look, minnie & mickey mouse... 

OMG Chanel... 

ahahah, is that Beyoncé? Jesusss!!

Is that Freddie Mercury? Cuz I'm not sure, doesn't look like him... 

OH gosh, Bono looks so much like Bono!

I gotta take a picture next to J. Galliano! Really! (I got two actually)

And that's it! My leather challenge. 

The Dreaming of Spring Blazer | day 2 of the Sew along

Welcome to day two of the blazer sew along. Yesterday, we have assembled our pattern, cut and tape what needed to be taped. Check day 1 here.

When we're done today, we will have the outter piece of our blazer almost done.

We will work with the main fabric and interfacing today. So start by fusing them together. You won't  have to interface two of the front center pieces. Put them aside, we'll work on them tomorrow. 

Pin and sew center and side front pieces, right sides together. Clip round seams. I didn't in the previous blazers I made, but my interfacing is too thick this time so I needed to. Press seams to the side, turn to right side and top stitch if you like to (optional and was never used in the previous blazers). Press it again if needed. 

Pin and sew center back pieces, right sides together. Turn around and press seams open.
Start pinning back sides to the center pieces, first a pin on the bottom and a pin on top. Pin along the seam, sew it and press towards the side.

Turn it to the right side. Top stitch if desired, again it's optional.
Pin front and back sides, right sides together.
Press your seams towards the back.

Pin shoulders, sew and press seams open.

Fold sleeves lenght wise, pin and sew them on the side. 
Insert sleeve (right side) into the arm hole of the blazer (wrong side towards you).
Match seams, pin all around and sew. You'll have to gather it slightly.

Clip around your sleeve seams, careful don't cut the stitches. Turn the blazer to the front side. You're done for today. 

The Dreaming of Spring Blazer |FREE PDF Pattern| day 1 of the Sew along

EDITED: You have until the 30th of November to link your blazer to the flickr group to have a chance to win a free pattern for the Bubble Shorts pattern by DoGuincho. Read more about it here.

If you are new to my blog, you might not know that I have promised to share a pattern for the blazer I made my daughter when I competed in the Sew Off. If you were following already back then, well, I am sorry I kept you waiting for so long. If you haven't yet, you might want to check out the blazers my friend testers made. You'll love them, I'm so sure!

It was about time to give something back, since I've been getting so much from this wonderful sewing community, and keep up with my word. After all, I've always heard it's better late than never, right? And it's FREE so: please don't complain.

This pattern will fit a 18 months to 2 year old, but I believe it has space to grow - especially on the sleeves department. I guess it really depends on your child. Mine was about 21 months when I made it for her, she's now 27 months and still fits!

Today I'm finally releasing the PDF pattern (size 2T) for the blazer. And the first steps to its construction. If you want to make one for a little girl you know, then make sure to sew along with us. By the time you finish, share your creation in the flickr group. We all would love to see it.

So, do you want to make one?! 
Here's what you'll need:
1 yard main fabric
1 yard lining fabric
1/2 yard interfacing
30" of ribbon
eyelets and punch (optional)
1 big button (optional)
PDF pattern, which you can get HERE

Today we will prepare the pattern. What should you know about it before you print?
- make sure you select "Print at 100%" or "No scaling"
- the pattern can be printed out on A4 sized paper
- there's a 1" square to test if you've printed the right size on page 4
- 3/8" (1 cm) seam allowances included in the pattern (except for the button placket, it has no seam allowances included)
- some of the pieces didn't fit entirely on each sheet, so they were cut out, you will have to tape them back together.

Example: for the centre front piece, you will have to tape "centre front piece A" to "centre piece B"

When you're done printing and taping your patterns, you will have 8 pieces to work with.

Start by cutting your main fabric. For this blazer I chose pink with polka dots. 

Then, cut your interfacing pieces.

And to finish for today, cut your lining pieces. 

I know, it doesn't seem like a lot when you read it here, but these are a lot of pieces to cut, so you'll be done by the time you get them all cut. Just like I did. 

SEW ALONG
day 1: assemble pattern & cut fabric pieces
day 2: finish outter blazer
day 3: finish lining, add collar and pockets
day 4: sew main fabric and lining together, add button placket & finish

|Refashion Runway| Week 3: Peplum

So, this is the third week of Refashion Runway and I can say it has been my personal little hell week. I've been thinking what would I make with the peplum theme since I knew I was a contestant. I knew this wouldn't be an easy one for me, but I wasn't counting with a sick kid, and being sick myself too, while trying to come up with a design that would please me. The hardest part? I'm not very fond of peplums. 

source

I tried. I grabbed a t-shirt and a sweat shirt from hubby I was saving for so long... and just let me tell you... now I feel sorry I used them. I had in mind a comment from someone else, who said she didn't care for the children refashions because she had no children and it wasn't inspiring for her. I don't know why, but that got to me, I kept thinking about it, so I tried and did a dress for myself. The only problem is that I hated it. I finished the thing and took a few photos, though I didn't like a single one of them. I had given up already, I was using that as it was. 

But then, suddenly, on wednesday morning I woke up better. I knew I wasn't ready to just give up. I knew that dress wasn't the best I could get and I wasn't going to just be ok with it. I had something else in mind. And it would be for my daughter. I mean, it may not be inspiring for some, but I'm sure that there will be a few moms appreciating. And besides, I had to stay true to my heart. And oh, am I so happy with the results?! The argument that refashioning grown up's clothes to kids clothes is just resizing them doesn't seem right to me, because that's the same thing you do when turning men's clothes to women's clothes, right?!

And I did the shorts peplum! And it looks so very cute on my little miss. Not to mention how much she loved it! So much she didn't want to take it off after the photoshoot. That made me a winner. I don't care if my refashion will be the least voted, I made something that my kid loves and that is payless.

Oh, I also refashioned a top to go with the shorts. Wanna see how I made them? Here we go. Let's start by the shorts:

I've cut the long bottom stripe into two. One for each side of the shorts. 

And the top was pretty easy, I didn't focus in doing something too elaborated. First, because I was short on time, and then because I just wanted to match my shorts. 

And I just couldn't finish this, without showing you how much fun my crazy 2 year old had later, jumping and rolling and dancing in her new peplum. I'm sure I wouldn't be able to enjoy my peplum as much as she enjoyed hers. Now please, click HERE and vote for your favorite. 

Dreaming of Spring Blazer Pattern Preview

Oh gosh! My little miss was in a posing mood that day! That never happens!!!

I am really proud of this. The first pattern I've drafted for others to use. I've been drafting my own patterns for a while, but this was the first time I had other talented seamstresses trying one of my patterns. They were all quite helpful, and you're getting a better pattern and instructions thanks to them. I can never thank them enough. 

There were 5 ladies testing it and helping me out. What to say? I adore every blazer they made, and I was so happy that they all loved it. I was nervous, and excited all at once when I first contacted them to test it for me. 

So, today I am going to share those beauties they made out of this pattern. In the same order I got to see their creations. SO, first on the line is Suzanne Winter from Winter Wonderings (...), with her flower blazer, made out of old curtains... how clever is that?! Suzanne skipped the pockets, and it still looks adorable. I love the colors and how that button stands out.

Check it on her blog HERE. 

The second blazer that got to me was RaeAnna's, from Sewing Mama RaeAnna. I was so sad it didn't fit her child anymore, because she was one of the first asking and encouraging me to share this pattern. Apparently her daughter grew much more than mine in the last few months, it still fits mine and will fit for a while, but it's too small for hers. So, that's the reason why there isn't a front placket in her blazer. But it still looks adorable. Again, I love the green from the ribbon standing out of the flower print. 

Check it on her blog HERE. 

I was so happy when I first saw Ari's version. Who doesn't know this creative lady blogging over Max California? As I said before, I loved every single one of them, but this one had one thing that just melted me and brought me that aowww feeling. Just look at those bow pockets? How can one resist to that? I think it's a great alternative to the eyelets and ribbon. And what about that lining contrasting the solid yellow from the main fabric?

Check it on her blog HERE. 

Al from the Shaffer Sisters, was also a tester for the blazer, and she was also the one who did the biggest changes to the pattern forced by the little fabric she had. Just like Suzanne, Al has recycled; a skirt in this case. You gotta love this 3/4 length sleeves version. She has also used a floral print for the lining... Isn't it curious that most of you all did? Did you all felt invluenced by my own floral lining, or was it just a coincidence? hehe

Check it on her blog HERE. 

My last, but not least tester was Shannon from Googgiemomma. Just like Al, she created a matching outfit, blazer and skirt for their daughter and, used the linning for the lapels too. Other changes Shannon did was finishing sleeves with bias, adding two buttons placket, and she finished her pockets with box pleats and piping. Again, here you have it, another alternative to the eyelets.

Check it on her blog HERE. 

Thank you all ladies, for helping me out, and for including little changes to the pattern. this will certainly inspire other to add their own touches. 

Curious to know how this pattern was born? Read all about it, since the first time I made and used it, to when I officially announced I'd have a free pattern to share.

Now the big question is Who's ready for a sew along? I first thought of sharing it all in one post (the how to for the construction of the blazer), but then I guessed it'd be fun to host a sew along, and share the different steps in different days.

The Sew along will start October 7th, when I'll finally release the FREE pattern, so get ready, take your time to choose your fabric, and come back next monday to join the fun. There will be a flickr group for everyone to share their blazers. Remember it is a size 2 pattern.