It seems just like a couple a days since I had the chance to read One Thimble 11, and here we are with Issue 12, three months later. I was again, one of the lucky ones to try out a couple patterns ahead and get my eyes through the e-zine before release. It did not dissapoint, of course.
Before anything else, I have to say I was touched, somehow, by the editor's welcome note, it goes about self belief. Sometimes we hear/read things just right when we need the most and I think that's one of those times for me. I am getting farther from believing in my dreams and goals, and I need someone/something to get me back on track. That welcome note, isn't long, but it's quite enough to get me thinking about it. Then the theme for this number was watercolour and as a fan of the technique I found myself daydreaming just by looking at the overall look of this issue's layout.
When the time came to pick the patterns for this post, I chose the Calla Lily Crop Top by Jennuine Designs and the Melbourne Romper by Jilly Atlanta, from the 10 patterns included in this issue. You can get girls, boys and even a women patterns. There is also a quilted kite and a purse pattern. I started by making the romper. I signed for this one even before I saw it! I was really feeling like sewing a romper. When I checked the size chart, I realised my daughter was out of the size range already, and well, as cute as I find this for girls, I just don't use this kind of rompers on my boy. I went with size two though, I know a lot of little girls right now and might fit into this pretty soon.
The polka dot fabric was refashioned from old women cullotes, it was just enough for the bottom of the romper. Then I searched in my scraps, and I found this gorgeous little piece of flowerly fabric. It was a gift from a reader, a very nice lady that sent me so many scraps and bigger pieces of fabric, in exchange of nothing. How nice was it from her?!
Anyway, this fabric was perfect to match the polka dots and I was so grateful that I had it. I used lining fabric for the inside, which was also in my stash for years (I wanted to keep it fresh and light, since both other fabrics are quite light and slippery!!!). My bib turned out a bit smaller than the actual pattern piece because of the slippery of the fabric, I had to cut about 1/2" to make it even as it didn't as I cut.
I tried it on my daughter! I know, she's 3 sizes bigger than this now and it looks pretty tight on her, but I just couldn't share just a plain flat picture of the romper, it would not make it justice! The poor girl complained it was pulling too much at her waist but still smiled and posed for this crazy momma.
After finishing the romper, I started the crop top, which was my very first choice. I have a thing for crop tops, and since I don't wear them unless I have a top underneath these days, I turn into them for my G. I liked the one I made using Thread Faction's so much, that my instant choice this time, was the Calla Lily crop top, a woven meant pattern to fill a gap in my collection. I made my daughter a size 5 and it fits like a glove.
The girl loved it. I made the plain bodice option, you can also do gatherer or pleated at the shoulders and I used another fabric from the many my nice reader sent me. It's so soft and light, Perfect for the pattern which is suppoused to be lined, but I skipped that part (Jen actually included tips for this if you need them, though the step by step instructions refer to the linning option). I made my own bias out of a piece of pink satin scrap and since it was much heavier than the main fabric it looks kinda weird, but not at all bad.
For the buttons on the back, I used some my friend Maria has sent me as a gift almost two years ago (the supplies she sent me seem to last forever!!!). I love to use the supplies I get from other people, that's my way to show some appreciation. Besides, those things look good, right? It'd be a shame for them to be left in the stash for too long.
Why do I recommend One Thimble? Well, since I read last issue I became an instant fan. Most hold in hands magazines I get to read, turn out a bit dissapointing as I find like one or two interesting articles, projects or patterns, but that does not happen with One Thimble. Most articles are quite interesting, the ones that particularly caught my attention this time were the ones about making fabric from scraps, tips for sewing with knits and tips for leather too. The handmade business articles are always pretty much helpful and inspiring. I haven't read all the magazine yet, it is so complete, has so many pages that it has been impossible for me to read through them all, but they are quite promissing and I can't wait to find the time to do so. I am also very excited to try some of the other patterns available, as Liz's pattern #111, you guys know I love her patterns, right? I don't need to mention that anymore! Also, the Cozumel Shirt by Winter Wear Designs is a serious candidate to my son's next piece. There's so much more to see so follow the One Thimble Issue 12 release tour with so many amazing bloggers and items to see! Enjoy and grab yours soon! Here's the list of bloggers and when they'll be posting.
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