May Wrap Up

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Este mês dediquei-me muito menos às costuras e muito mais a outras coisas da minha vida. Assumi o compromisso de passar mais tempo de qualidade com os meus filhos, e embora ainda não esteja satisfeita, ao ver todas as pastas de fotos de momentos felizes do mês que termina, senti-me no bom caminho. Nas fotos: A G. adorou ser bailarina e fazer fichas de meninos crescidos (labirintos, diferenças, etc). Ela penteia o irmão. Nós no parque. 1º de Maio e caracóis. Já começou a época de praia! Puzzles, sempre. Ela querida pelos primos. Fiz outras manualidades. Testei a Timmy Top. Ele já come finger foods. Ela dá-lhe o leite pela manhã. Testei os Morocco Pants. Comprei uns sapatos novos para um casamento. As coisas têm estado muito paradas por aqui. Honestamente tenho-me sentido um bocadinho engolida por tudo isto (testes, tour, datas...) e precisei de me afastar um pouco. Depois disso, tenho lido cada vez mais bloggers a queixarem-se do mesmo. Parece até que a diversão já não é a mesma para algumas de nós. Acreto porém que é apenas uma fase para mim, não me consigo afastar mesmo do meu blog, e vou mais devagar, mas não vou embora. 

This month I have dedicated less time to sewing and much more to the other stuff in my life. I've assumed the compromise of spending more quality time with my children, and although I'm not quite yet satisfied enough, looking back at this month's happy moments photos, I felt like I am in the right path. In the photos: G. loved being a ballerina and doing big kids activities (labyrinths, differences, etc). She brushes his hair. Us in the park. 1st of May and snails. Beach season has began! Puzzles, always. She's loved by her cousins. I made other crafts. i tested the Timmy Top. He's eating finger foods already. Things have been really slow around here. To be honest I've been feeling overwhelmed by it all (tests, tours, deadlines...) and I needed to step back a little. After that, I've been reading more and more blogger complaining about the same. Seems like this is no longer fun enough for all of us. But I believe it's just a season for me, I truly can't get away from my blog, so I slowed down, but I am not going anywhere. She feeds him his milk in the morning. I tested the Morocco pants. I bought myself a pair of new shoes for a wedding. 

E quanto ao blog, fica aqui as publicações de Maio. Podem clicar nas imagens para lerem mais sobre cada projeto. 

And as for the blog, here's the posts from May. You can click on each picture for details on each project. 

    

     

Fiz parte do Women's Bundle Up Tour com os calções Clemece da Filles à Maman, e o Myconos Tankini Collection da Golden Riply. Partilhei algumas coisas que já tinham sido feitas há algum tempo, dois babetes, uma almofada de amamentação e um Sling. Participei no desafio Top Stitchers, e publiquei com muito orgulho, cinco novas peças. Depois disso, mostrei-vos o Summer Surprise da Sofilantjes num tour comemorativo do seu 1º aniversário, e para terminar, participei de mais um divertido desafio, o Mystery Challenge com um vestido inspirado na Queda do Muro de Berlin. 

I was part of the Women's Bundle Up Tour with the Clemence Shorts by Filles à Maman and the Myconos Tankini Collection by Golden Riply. I shared a couple of crafts with a few months done already, two baby bibs, a breastfeeding pillow and a baby Sling. I got to participate in the Top Stitchers Challenge and I proudly shared 5 new pieces in one post. After that, I shared the Summer Surprise pattern by Sofilantjes on her 1st anniversary tour, and to finish I got to be part of the fun Mystery Challenge with a dress inspired in the Fall of the Berlin Wall. 

May Mystery Challenge

Por esta altura, vocês já devem saber que dificilmente resisto a um bom desafio. E foi assim que acabei por me juntar também, a um incrivel grupo de bloggers e entrar nesta brincadeira. O Mystery Challenge consiste em trocarmos ideias entre nós, criar algo inspirado nessa ideia e depois publicarmos num tour. O melhor deste desafio, é estar livres de criar o que quer que nos apeteça, desde que seja feito por nós. Eu poderia ter aproveitado para me escapar um pouco das costuras, e apanhar outros ares, mas não. Optei por fazer o mesmo de sempre. 

By now, you all must know that I can hardly say no to a good challenge. And that's how I ended up joining an incredible group of bloggers and join the fun. Mystery Challenge consists in swapping ideas between us, and create something inspired by that ideas. After that we post our creations in a tour. The best about this challenge is that we are free to make whatever we want to. I could have escaped the sewing for a change, but I haven't. And just made the same as I always do. 

O tema para este tour foi Momentos e Pessoas na História, e após sortearmos os nossos pares via Elfster, eu atribui o tema Anne Frank à Maartjie, e em troca tive a minha querida Sara a atribuir-me o meu desafio. A Sara deu-me a escolher entre o Woodstock e a Queda do Muro de Berlin. E não foi dificil para mim escolher um deles... 

The theme for this tour was Moments and People in History, and after a random match through Elfster, I got to pick Anne Frank as a challenge forMaartjie, and n return, I had my dear Sara picking my own challenge. Sara gave me two choices: Woodstock and The Fall of Berlim's Wall. It wasn't hard for me to pick one of these two...

Eu era apenas uma criança, mas lembro-me de ouvir algo sobre isso na tv, os meus pais a comentarem. Parecia ser algo grande, mas claro que com 6 anos acabados de fazer, eu não entendia o seu significado. Quando escolhi este tema de entre as duas opções o que tive em conta foram 3 ideias:

1. O muro dividia duas partes
2. Era muito colorido.
3. Foi partido em vários pedaços. 

Pegando nas 3 ideias anteriores, sabia que queria usar um tecido cinzento (cor base para o muro) e depois, usar cores fortes a contrastar. Uma das minhas ideias iniciais era fazer um quilt, ou dois individuais, mas esse projeto exigia mais tempo de mim do que aquele que eu poderia despender nele. Na altura que soube qual era o meu tema, foi a mesma em que testei o molde Antalya Dress e acabei por usar esse molde e basear-me nele. Usei tecido cinzento para a maior parte do vestido, e para as duas partes laterais, separadas ao meio pelo cinza, usei um dos tecidos com cores mais fortes que tinha cá por casa. Talvez os tenham reconhecido, não é?!

I was just a child when it happened, but I can recall listening to something about it on tv, I remember my parents mentioning it. It sounded like a big thing, but of course at fresh 6 years of age, I couldn't quite understand the importance of it. When I picked this from my two given choices, I had 3 ideas in mind:

1. The Wall was dividing two parts. 
2. It was very colorful. 
3. It was broken into pieces. 

With those 3 ideas on, I knew I wanted to use a grey fabric (for the wall base color) and then vibrant color to contrast. My first idea was to make a quilt, of two placemats, but that was a project that needed more time from me than the one I could dedicate to it. About the same time that I knew what my theme was, I was testing the Antalya Dress (Willow and Co), so I went with it. I used grey fabric for the biggest part of the dress, and I used a very colorful fabric for the side panels, two parts divided by the grey. Maybe you did recognise both these fabrics?!

E foi assim que traduzi o desafio. Simples, mas divertido. Quanto ao vestido, já falei em pormenor sobre o molde aqui. Este foi o primeiro teste, o comprimento ficou um pouco curto, por isso, para o manter o mais longo possível, usei viés feito em casa para finalizar a bainha. 

And that's how I've translated the challenge. Simple, but fun. As for the dress, I have reviewed the pattern here already. This was the first test and the lenght was too short, so, to fix it I used a homemade bias tape to finish the hem and keep it as much long as possible. 

Visitem o resto do pessoal e as suas abordagens aos temas que lhes foram dados. 

Make sure you visit everyone else and their takes on the themes they were given. 

5/25│ The Berry Bunch - Frank Lloyd Wright │ Sew Not Perfect - Lucille Ball, I Love Lucy

5/26 │ Create 3.5 - George Sand

5/27│ Zoe and Ted - Suffragetes

5/28│ House of Estrela - Woodstock/Fall of the Berlin Wall  │ Pen Seb Rox - Piet Mondriaan

5/29│ Friends Stitched Together - Impressionist Movement │ Wining Wife - Judgement of Paris

5/30│ Super Stay at Home Mommy - Madame Tussaud │ Keep Calm and Carrion - Jackie Kennedy  │ Gloria June - Florence Nightingale

5/31│ Sofilantjes - Andy Warhol │ Busy Little Bee - Marie Antoinette │ Amanda Rose - March 9, 1959 Barbie

6/1│ Pienkel - Bianca Jagger │ Huisje Boompje Boefjes - Anne Frank

6/2│ Taking it Up a Notch - Queen Victoria │ Amazing Adventures with Bubba and Bug - 1964 New York World Fair │  Kelly's Sewing Creations - Steampunk Mary Queen of Scots

6/3│ Mae & K - Tesla │ Pretty Little Blog - Moon Landing │ Knot Sew Normal - Lutie Eugenia Sterns

6/4│ Sew Starly - Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II │ Hibbadoray - Amelia Earhart │ Sew Far North - Countess Markievicz (1868-1927)

6/5│ Made By Sara - John Dillinger/Roaring 20's │ Friends Stitched Together - Prohibition/Roaring 20's

6/6│ Country Bella - 1900's World's Fair/Art Nouveau │ Lulu and Celeste - Rosie the Riveter

6/7│Sew Domesticated - 1960's/Civil Rights Movement │ Rebel and Malice - French Revolution/Joan of Arch │ The Fabric Hoarder - Gypsies

5/25│ The Berry Bunch - Frank Lloyd Wright │ Sew Not Perfect - Lucille Ball, I Love Lucy

5/26 │ Create 3.5 - George Sand

5/27│ Zoe and Ted - Suffragetes

5/28│ House of Estrela - Woodstock/Fall of the Berlin Wall  │ Pen Seb Rox - Piet Mondriaan

5/29│ Friends Stitched Together - Impressionist Movement │ Wining Wife - Judgement of Paris

5/30│ Super Stay at Home Mommy - Madame Tussaud │ Keep Calm and Carrion - Jackie Kennedy  │ Gloria June - Florence Nightingale

5/31│ Sofilantjes - Andy Warhol │ Busy Little Bee - Marie Antoinette │ Amanda Rose - March 9, 1959 Barbie

6/1│ Pienkel - Bianca Jagger │ Huisje Boompje Boefjes - Anne Frank

6/2│ Taking it Up a Notch - Queen Victoria │ Amazing Adventures with Bubba and Bug - 1964 New York World Fair │  Kelly's Sewing Creations - Steampunk Mary Queen of Scots

6/3│ Mae & K - Tesla │ Pretty Little Blog - Moon Landing │ Knot Sew Normal - Lutie Eugenia Sterns

6/4│ Sew Starly - Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II │ Hibbadoray - Amelia Earhart │ Sew Far North - Countess Markievicz (1868-1927)

6/5│ Made By Sara - John Dillinger/Roaring 20's │ Friends Stitched Together - Prohibition/Roaring 20's

6/6│ Country Bella - 1900's World's Fair/Art Nouveau │ Lulu and Celeste - Rosie the Riveter

6/7│Sew Domesticated - 1960's/Civil Rights Movement │ Rebel and Malice - French Revolution/Joan of Arch │ The Fabric Hoarder - Gypsies

Summer Surprise Anniversary Tour

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Bem vindas à tour e sorteio do aniversário da Sofilantjes. Estou muito feliz por poder participar dela porque estive prestes a não me inscrever para a mesma, mas ainda bem que o fiz, já que deu-me a oportunidade de fazer um vestido super giro e fácil para a minha filha. Esta tour celebra o primeiro aniversário da loja Sofilantjes de moldes da Annemieke, da Holanda. Se calhar ainda se lembram do molde magnifico de uma camisola, unisex, em tamanho para toda a família, que fiz há uns meses?! Pois, o molde também era dela. Para festejar o primeiro ano, 24 bloggers juntaram-se para este tour, com o primeiro molde da Anne, o Summer Surprise vestido, túnica e top. E há mais, um sorteio diferente a cada dia durante todos os dias do tour. Leiam no fim deste post. 

Welcome to Sofilantjes anniversary tour and giveaway. I am so happy to be part of this, I was about not to sign for this but then I did, and now I am glad I did because I got to make the cutest dress so easily. This tour celebrates the first year of Sofilantjes, owned by Annemieke from the Netherlands. Maybe you can still remember the awesome, gender neutral, all family sizes included shirt that I had the pleasure to review a few months ago?! Yep, that's from her as well. To celebrate this first year, 24 bloggers came together for this pattern tour with Anne's first pattern, the Summer Surprise dress, tunic and top. And, there's also a new giveaway each day during the tour days. Read more about it at the end of this post. 

Apesar de ter carta branca para alterar o molde, ajustar e tal, optei por seguir com o molde original, tal como é, assim pareceu-me já bastante bem, uma vez que ia usar este tecido com folhos miúdos que já lhe davam um toque especial. O molde tem a opção de top, túnica e vestido, e foi recentemente revisto para este tour. Temos a versão normal e a versão skinny, o que eu adorei, claro, já que também tenho uma trinca espinhas cá em casa. Eu fiz-lhe o tamanho 3, skinny, e versão vestido, e não podiamos ter ficado todos mais felizes com o mesmo. Quando lhe mostrei o vestido, disse-me "Eu gosto mais das costas! Mamã, tem um laço!".

So, I was free to make any alterations, adjusts, whatever... but I went with the original, just as is, it seemed quite enough for me, since I was using this ruffles fabric which was already busy enough. The pattern comes with a top, tunic and dress lenght, and has been recently reviewed in time for this tour. You have regular and skinny sizes, which I loved because, you know, I have a skinny lady of my own. I made her a skinny, size 3, dress lenght option, and we all couldn't be happier about it. When I showed her the dress, she said "I love the back the best! mom, there's a bow in there!".

Esta foi a primeira vez que usei este tecido, e posso-o ter amaldiçoado uma ou duas vezes enquanto o fazia. Mas deixo-vos algumas dicas caso também queiram trabalhar com ele. Verifiquem se os folhos caem para o lado certo - cortei uma peça para descobrir logo a seguir que estava ao contrário. Ao cortar, não se esqueçam de ver se estão todos direitinhos também, para não cortar mais do que deveriam - ooppssss, quem fez isso?! Ao coser duas partes juntas, coloquem alfinetes, em cada folho se necessário para que depois bata tudo certinho pelo direito. A melhor parte é que podemos saltar a parte da baínha, o tecido não desfia e o folho já vem com acabamento. Não é muito, mas é o que aprendi com a minha primeira experiência. 

It was my first time using this fabric and I might have cursed it once or twice while doing it. But here's a few tips for you, if you plan to work with it sometimes soon. Make sure the ruffles fall into the right side - I cut into a piece just to realise they were upside down. When you have to cut, make sure the ruffles lay flat so you don't cut more than you need by accident - ooppssss, who did that?! When sewing two parts together, try pinning the edges of the ruffles (yes one by one if needed) to make sure they will match once you sew them together. You don't need to hem, it doesn't fray and the ruffles are already finished for you. That's not a lot, but I have only used it once, that's just what I learnt with my first experience. 

Visitem as outras bloggers no tour e deixem-se inspirar pelas alteração que elas (algumas) fizeram ao molde.

Visit all the bloggers in the tour and get inspired by the flips they (most) have made to this pattern. 

Inspinration - The Craftiness in Me - Van Je Veel - Boutique Birdie - Tory Frail Designs - Wining Wife - Keep Calm and Carrion - Moon Star - Circle Meets Line - Amazing Adventures with Buba and Bug - Manning the Machine - Sugarplum Cuties - House of Estrela - Create 3.5 - Handcrafted by RED - Lulu & Celeste - Rebel & Malice - Two Novembers - From a Box - Sprouting JubeJube - Maryall Made - Phat Quarters - Knot Sew Normal - Sew Happily Ever After - All Things Katy

E para o sorteio de hoje... participem aqui:

And for today's giveaway, please join here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

-Stitchwerx Designs, winner's choice 

-Gracious Threads, winner's choice 

-Stiped Swallow Designs, winner's choice

-FABulous Home Sewn, winner's choice 

-MCM Studio Designs, winner's choice 

-A Sparkly Baby, winner's choice 

-GYCT, winner's choice

-Sofilantje, winner's choice

Para entrar nos sorteios dos próximos dias, visitem o blog Sprouting JubeJub, o anfitrião deste tour. Lá encontraram também, pequenas mostras de fotos e links para todas as bloggers participantes. Podem também comprar o molde com 25% de desconto, se introduzirem o código "ANNIVERSARY" no check out. 

To enter the next days giveaways, make sure you visit Sprouting JubeJub, the blog hosting this tour. There you will find teaser photos and links for all the bloggers daily too. You can also get your copy of the pattern (Summer Surprise) using the code "ANNIVERSARY" at check out for 25% off your pattern.

Top Stitchers Today: Me vs. Call Ajaire

EDITED Feb. 5th 2018: I just went to Becca's blog and brought my entry from there to this post I had over here. For the simple fact that I wanted to add the photos I didn't add in my personal blog back then. And why did I think of that right now? Because auditioning for the next season of PR&P is on and I am going to try it out... why not? I like a little presure when I sew after all, so that challenge should be a good one.
Anyway... I tried to see from my fave entries and I had to pick up this one because it is all I love about sewing: comfortable clothes for my kids, that cool style, adding some details, and above all: refashioned items!!! Oh! I was so happy with this look. So, if you're reading this: wish me luck!

When I signed up for Top Stitchers and then saw the list, I knew exactly what my specialty was: Upcycling of course! Then we got our prompts, and it took me so long to picture what my daughter would grow up to. I pictured a lot of things in my mind, but the answer came from her. She's always singing and dancing, like a true rock star. So, I thought, would I like her to become a rock star? I wouldn't! As long as she was down to earth, a strong woman, a sensitive person, true to herself. All I really want is for her to become whatever she will want/wish to. And I went with the rock star look.

I used 8 existing pieces of clothing to create this look. I first pictured a complete outfit, from head to toe including 8 new pieces. Unfortunately that was over my head and not possible to make. I ended up with 5 item and one unfinished that didn't make into the challenge. The 5 items I finished include a pair of briefs, socks, shorts, t-shirt and one jacket. I used 1 men's leather jacket, 3 women's shirts, 2 women's button shirts, one girl's skirt and a women's jeans. 

I started by making G. a new pair of big girl's briefs, using Serger Pepper's pattern, I did the smaller size, of course (3), and I did them using bits of the striped shirt and the solid red t-shirt. They fit perfectly, and I swear she was wearing them in the photoshot, but I just won't post any pictures of my girl in underwear. You'll just have to take my word as I tell you they fit her perfectly. You can see photos of the briefs (and more) in my blog today. 

Then I did the t-shirt. I adapted an Ottobre's 1/2015 pattern #25. and turned it into a wide neckline top (as was but) sleeveless. I finished the neckline with bias tape and the arms holes with slim bands. It looks pretty as a one off shoulder top. I used the white t-shirt to resize it to her size and patched a lovely girly skull into it. I google for an image like so and then I free hand drew it to paper and cut into fabric. it was the kind of thing I used to do a lot a while ago, and now I don't do that often. That was something this challenge made me realise, and that's why I loved taking part even more. I was able to stretch my imagination, my creativity and make things I really, really wanted, as the jacket, something I did as I was going... but more on that in a second. Because I still had a lot from the striped shirt and I love such prints, I decided that adding a pair of socks to the look would be fun. I used The Sewing Rabbit's tutorial to do so. I tried to make my stripes match, but I couldn't because I was re-using the existing hem and there was no way to make them match. 

The next thing I finished from my list was my favourite one (although I really loved the shorts too). I made my little lady a leather jacket. From all my endless pattern stash, I didn't have a single jacket pattern that I would like for this project. At least not a single one that fit her size range. I didn't worry though and embraced the challenge. I din't do this for so long, start with nothing, no pattern and then make exactly what I had in mind. I actually used Titchy Thread's Rowan tee pattern as a skretch for my jacket. I did all the changes and adjustments, such as shortening the lenght, and making it a two assimetrical front pieces. I changed the collar too. I finished the jacket's sleeves and waistband with ribbon knit bands saved from a refashion from the past. To close the jacket on the front, I used a zipper on the left side of the piece, and underneath, on the center front, I attached 4 kam snaps to make it easier for G. On the shoulder bands I stitched a few lines forming squares in a contrasting thread, red in this case. I finished the inside of the front flap with bias tape. 

The last thing were the shorts, of course. I had just tested Petit a Petit new pattern, the Morocco Pants and Shorts and I just knew I had to use it. The pattern is just about to be launched and I asked Celina permission to use it for the challenge and post even before it's out. But don't worry, it's not long until you can get it, and you will want to. I love all the details, and the professional finishing touches. So, I used jeans to make this pair. In the front pockets and the back welt pockets, I have used the light denim button up shirt, and the other button up shirt as lining. I had plans to make a sleeveless button up shirt for the look too, for layering, but there was no time and it was left unfinished. Back to the shorts, they have a zipper, a snap in the front, and an adjustable elastic waist. I used a lace band from the white skirt to add it to the shorts hems. 

I didn't get all the 8 pieces done, but I am pretty happy that I got these done because they were big hits in our house. And I had fun, really lots of fun for participating in this challenge. I felt free! So thanks Becca, Ajaire, readers and all the rest involved in this. 

Today I get to participate in the Top Stitchers 2 challenge, organised by Becca, over Free Notions. Myself and Ajaire from Call Ajaire are competing for the upcycling theme. Click here to see our posts and vote please. You can vote for both of us, giving more points to one or the other according to what you believe to be fair. I was already pretty wordy in my entry at Free Notions, so here's a few extra photos for you.

I hope you've enjoyed them all because I sure did enjoy making them. 

Miguel

Scroll down for english please. 

O Miguel é o filho de uma amiga. Nasceu no fim do ano passado e a mamã dele pediu-me uma almofada de amamentação e um sling. E eu, ainda fiz mais dois babetes para lhes oferecer. 

Miguel is a friend's son. He was born late last year and his mom asked me to make them a breast feeding pillow and ababy sling. And, i also made them two bibs as a gift. 

***

Os babetes são ambos reversíveis. Usei retalhos pequenos que me sobraram de outros projetos. Num deles apliquei fitas com mochos e acabei com fita de viés feita em casa. Para fechar o babete, usei uma mola metálica cosida num deles, e velcro amarelo no outro. 

The bibs are both reversible. I used small scraps from previous projects. In one of them I used owl ribbons and finished it with homemade bias tape. To close the bib, I used a metallic sewn snap in one of them and a yellow velcro in the other one. 

A almofada foi toda feita em azul, bastante simples, apenas com a aplicação do nome do bebé. A aplicação foi feita à mão pois a minha máquina é muito básica e não faz cá estas coisas. Mas eu gosto de fazer à mão. É uma costura diferente, que me permite estatelar-me no sofá, com os meus piolhos ao meu lado, é mais relaxante fisicamente já que quando costuro algo só à máquina, passo imensas horas de pé. Eu nunca me sento, nem quando vou para a máquina. 

The pillow was made in a solid blue, quite simple, I have only appliqued the baby's name. it was made by hand because my machine is so basic, it doesn't make those things. I do enjoy making it by hand though. It's a different kind of sewing, which allows me to plop on my couch, with the kids beside me. It is physically more relaxing for me then it is when I use my machine because when I do, I spend too much time on my feet. I never get to sit, not even when I go and use my machine. 

E para terminar o sling. Os meus slings costumam ser sempre em tons sólidos, a não ser que as mamãs peçam algo muito especifico, uso cores sólidas, em tecidos só e apenas naturais e normalmente são reversíveis. Neste caso, segui as regras anteriores, mas acaba de ser usado mais de um lado, já que foi adicionado um bolso também ao qual apliquei, mais uma vez, a inicial do nome do bebé. 

And last, there's the sling. My slings are usually made in solid colors, unless the moms ask for something really specific, I use solid colors in only natural fabrics, and they are usually reversible. In this case, I followed the previous rules, but it ends up being used more in one side than the other because I've added a pocket in which there's the baby's name initial appliqued to it too. 

Women's Bundle Up

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Hoje faço parte da Women's Bundle Up tour. Para quem não sabe o que é, vale a pena clicar no link e ir espreitar. Foi-me dada a oportunidade de experimentar dois dos moldes desta coleção, e a escolha foi muito difícil, mas acabei por me decidir pelos calções Clemence da Filles à Maman, e o tankini Myconos da Golden Rippy. Muito depois é que me dei conta que ia fazer um fato de banho. E que teria de partilhar fotos dele. Estive para não publicar nenhuma de corpo inteiro, mas meditei sobre o assunto e decidi assumir-me sem medos e receios. Afinal, muitas mais pessoas me virão assim na praia... digo eu! Não sei quando comecei a ter tanto pudor, sinceramente, porque não costumava tê-lo. 

Today I am part of the Women's Bundle Up tour. I was given the chance to review two patterns from the bundle, and although picking just two was so hard, I finally went with the Clemence shorts from Filles à Maman, and the Myconos tankini Collection from Golden Rippy. A while after I realised that I was going to make myself a swim wear. And that I would have to share photos of it. I was about to not publish one with the full body on it, but I slept over it and decided to embrace myself without an fears. After all, a whole lot more people will see me wearing it at the beach... or so I say! I don't know when I started to feel so akcward about it, really, I wasn't like that before. 

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Vamos começar pelos calções. Fiz a versão mais curta de duas, por dois motivos: 1º: calções para mim, têm de ser curtos porque de outra forma, mesmo que goste deles sei que não os visto; 2º: usei um tecido bem fino, com intenções de costurar uns calções de verão, e bem frescos para suportar as temperaturas altas que daqui a nada chegam. Gostei de fazer este molde, particularmente de me ter ensinado pelo menos duas técnicas novas de construção que nunca tinha usado antes. Não fiz alterações, apenas saltei o pesponto na cintura e já me arrependi, pois como o tecido é fino, ao usar tem tendência a subir e a vista de dentro teima em querer saltar para fora. A parte de trás, vendo as fotos não me pareceu ter ficado tão bem. Acho que devia ter mexido nas pinças, mas quando o acabei e me vi ao espelho, parecia-me bem. Acho que também se pode dever ao tecido mais uma vez, para além de fino, tem uma quantidade mínimo de elasticidade mas é o suficiente para alargar com o uso. O molde trás explicações em como ajustar a cintura ao nosso tamanho, mas a diferença de números entre cintura e anca (rabo!) em mim ainda é notória. Nada que não se possa arranjar ainda. Das três opções de acabamentos na frente (aplicações) eu usei a terceira. 

Let's start with the shorts. I made the short version out of two for two reasons. 1st: shorts have to be short for me, other wise I know I won't be wearing them even if I like them. 2nd: I used a pretty light fabric with intentions to sew myself summer shorts, really fresh so I can face the high temperatures that are coming anytime soon. I enjoyed making this pattern, especially because it taught me at least two techniques that I had never used befor. I didn't make any alterations to the pattern, the only thing I did was skipping the topstitching on the waist, which I have regreted already, since my fabric is too thin, after wearing the facings tend to come up and want to show on the outside. The back seemed alright when I finished and tried it on, but seeing the photos it doesn't look so good to me. Again, I think i'm going to blame it on the fabric. Besides being thin, it has also a tiny little bit of stretch, not many at all, but I guess enough to stretch as I use it.the pattern includes great instructions on how to adjust to your waist/shape, but the difference between waist and hips (bottom!) on me is notorious. nothing that can't be fixed, really. From the three front finished looks I went with the third. 

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O segundo molde, apesar de ser um tankini, eu fiz como biquini. A ideia quando o escolhi, era mesmo de fazer o tankini, mas quando comecei a cortar as peças apercebi-me que o tecido não ia chegar, e igual nem tão cedo conseguia ir comprar. Fiquei triste, dei voltas e mais voltas aos tecidos mas nenhum dava para o top inteiro. A minha ideia era fazer o top tipo império (o molde tem 3 versões diferentes) e os boxers. Não tendo tecido que bastasse, optei por fazer o biquini. Pela primeira vez na vida, fiz um sutiã, com copas e tudo e fiquei muito orgulhosa do meu feito. Tirei uns 2,50cm de altura na peça de baixo porque os queria um pouco mais curtos do que o são pelo molde. E também fiz a cintura um pouco mais baixa, faz-me impressão coisas a baterem-me no umbigo. Mas tive pena de não ter feito o tankini, para o poder tapar, a única coisa que me incomoda verdadeiramente, das sequelas das gravidezes. Também não usei elástico nas pernas e acho que ficou muito bem assim. É bastante confortável e tenho a certeza que não me fico só por este. No dia que o vesti, pediram-me logo dois!!!

The second pattern, although being a tankini, I made it as a bikini. The idea, back when I picked this pattern, was indeed to make the tankini, when I started cutting though, I realised I didn't have enough fabric and wouldn't be able to get it so soon. I was sad, searched into all my swimwear fabrics but none was enough for the entire top. My idea was to make the empire styled top (the pattern has 3 different options) and the boy shorts bottoms. Not having enough fabric I opted for making the bikini. I made a bra for the first time in my life, with insert cups and everything, and I was so proud of myself. I took about 1" of my boy shorts length on the legs and just a tiny bit on the waist too, because I can't stand anything on my belly. I was sad I couldn't make the tankini to be able to cover it, it's the only things that really bothers me from my pregnancies. I haven't use elastic on the hems of the shorts and I like it pretty much like that. It is pretty comfortable and i know there will be more. The day I wore it I was asked to make 2 of them. 

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Já falta pouco tempo para esta oportunidade chegar ao fim... visitem as outras bloggers na tour para se inspirarem...

There's not long to get to bundle... check the other ladies on the for inspiration... 

Mimi's Mom - Baby Fish Designs - The Wholesome Mama - Gloria June - Sew Happily Ever After - Manning the Machine - Sew Like My Mom - Sprouting Jube Jube - Keep Calm and Carrion - Friends Stitched Together - Thread Riding Hood - Gingerbear Hibbadorary - Pensebrox - Sew Starly - If Only They Would Nap - Handmade Boy - All Things Katy - Bunch-o-Berries - Bee Quilted Beauties - Sew Thrifty - Made by Sara - Feathers Flights - Mabey She Made It - Mae and K - Sugar Plum Cuties - Rebel and Malice - House of Estrela - Phat Quarter Blog - Sofilantjes

April Wrap up

Scroll down for english, please. 

Queria ter feito este post no passado fim de semana, mas ando tão sem vontade de me sentar e escrever, ou editar fotos. Por isso vai tarde, mas vai. 

I've been wanting to make this post last weekend, but I've not been in the mood to just sit and write, or edit photos. So, it's gonna be late, but here it goes. 

Abril foi um mês cheio de coisas boas. Primeiro uma prima veio passar com um fim de semana e fomos levá-la a um jogo de futebol (é uma estrela está minha sobrinha). Depois a outra prima veio visitar e houve muita brincadeira e loucura também. Tivemos um bebé a desenvolver imenso, sonecas boas no meio dos brinquedos, roupinha nova para ele, puzzle mania de volta para ela. Passeámos muito como sempre. Ela também gosta da bola. Comecei a destralhar a casa e tenho continuado. Re-organizei os acessórios para o cabelo dela, forrei uma caixa com tecido para decorar o quarto dela, arranjei uma nova "mesa de trabalho". E pensei muito... 

April was a month full of good things. First of all, One cousin stayed over for a weekend, and we took her to her football match (m niece is a star). Then we had the other cousin visiting and there was a lot of play and craziness too. We had a growig baby, sleeping between toys, new little clothes for him, puzzle mania for her again. We walk around a lot as always. She likes a ball too. I started destashing my house and been going on. I've reorganized her hair acessories, covered a cardbox in fabric for her room's deco, I got a new "working table". And, I thought a lot... 

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Não tenho costurado tanto como habitualmente. E as coisas que vou fazendo, muitas delas, não podem ser ainda partilhadas. Mas tentei não ter o blog completamente ao abandono e mostrei-vos coisas feitas anteriormente. Basta carregarem na imagem para lerem o post completo, caso o tenham perdido. 

I haven't been sewing as much as usually. And the things I have been making, most of them, can't be posted yet. I tried not to keep the blog abandoned though, and have showed you things I made in the past. You just have to click in the images to take you to the full post, in case you've missed it. 

    

Embora o blog seja mais direcionado paras as roupas, por vezes gosto de fazer outras coisas. Comecei o mês com um coelho da Páscoa (com o PAP), e depois uma estrela cujo molde testei. Para finalizar, o sling que fiz para a minha filha levar os seus bebés como eu levo o mano. 

Although this is mainly a clothes sewing blog, sometimes I like to make other things. I started the month making an Easter bunny (with a tutorial), and then a star for a pattern test. Then, there was the sling I made for my daughter to carry her baby dolls as I do with her brother. 

  

Quanto às roupas, partilhei dois vestido para dança, que me foram encomendados o ano passado, e também o meu segundo teste ao vestido Antalya. 

When it comes to the clothes, I shared two dance dresses I was ordered last year, and also m second test to the Antalya dress pattern. 

E apenas para gozo pessoal, fiz uma colagem dos meus miúdos a usares as suas peças feitas à mão, o que acontece com frequência. 

Just for a little personal fun, I made a collage of my kids wearing their handmades, which happens a lot of times.