The Pleated Jumpsuit - take 2

Still on the Romper Week spirit, I am bringing you the second girl romper today. Just like the first one (that actually made part of the official series), I made this using Elegance & Elephants free pattern, in the same size, but for my younger niece instead. She just turned two years old yesterday, and this was my birthday present for her. 

I wasn't sure her mom would like it, but the same day I finished this, we went to the beach together and sweet little M. was wearing a romper, in shape, very similar to this one. It was a grey plaid one, I think the fabric in mine is much cuter... hehehe... how modest, right?

For this romper, I have refashioned a linen maxi skirt. I don't have a full garment before picture of it, because it was given to me many years ago, and apparently I had imediate plans for it and cut through the skirt. I can't remember what I was going to make, and why I didn't, so, I only have two cut pieces of the before skirt to show you. I have also used a top, in a very light cotton fabric for the lining. It was too old and spoted already and not really good for refashioning, but the tone of blue would be perfect with the blue flowers from the linen fabric. I got it from my aunt last week. I cut it all apart and tried to save the better parts. I had just enough.

It was so much easier and quicker to make this second jumpsuit. I didn't even had to follow instructions or anything. In a blink it was put together and I was satisfied, that although it took me this long to make the first one, I had another finished. I think I even like this one better, I thought I would keep it for my daughter and just make another for the niece... hehehe... but, alas, the little one (actually both my nieces, even though they are not related) has these gorgeous blue eyes, and this will look so much better on her (my daughter has green eyes).

I will also link this romper to Challenge Create link party. It starts next month and the second week's theme is linen. Perfect, right? Working ahead!

Romper Week and rompers I've been sharing:

Girl's Romper #1

Baby Boy's Romper #1

|Romper Week|

I was thrilled when RaeAnna, from Sewing Mama RaeAnna invited me to be part of her Romper Week. I really liked to follow it (as a viewer) last year and it is great that I am one in line with these wonderful and talented ladies.

A few weeks ago I shared some inspiration I found on Pinterest. I had actually pinned both pictures long ago but you know, we pin so many stuff that it gets hard to go through them all. I liked that it was a romper (good inspiration to sew for this series), but the colours were also inspiring to me because I'd like to sew along with the new edition of Challenge Create. Although we don't celebrate 4th of July over here, this would be a great sew, I love the three colours (red, blue & white) together. I love to combine challenges and create one look with it... This time, it was the motivation RaeAnna gave me by inviting me for her series, it made me actually make something inspired on a pin from my boards and I used the first Theme for Challenge Create, all mixed up into my daughter's new look. 

Specifically for today, I have made a romper I've been wanting to try and sew for a while. It is the Pleated Jumpsuit pattern from Heidi, of Elegance & Elephants. It is a FREE pattern in case you haven't heard of it yet (which I doubt!), so if you want to make your own, click here and grab it. You will love it, you'll see. 

You might recognise the fabric from a previous dress I made her. I didn't have much left in the stash, but I had curtains I had made many years ago with the same fabric. I picked it out of a bag, saved for too long, I wasn't using them again for sure, and it would be the perfect fabric for the romper (remember I pledged to NOT buying any fabrics for the whole year, unless I REALLY need it). 

For the lining in the romper I used scraps, it was just the right amount, a bit less and I would have to go with another one, which I didn't want to, I really like this tone of blue. Plus, it is so close to the refashioned blue fabric from the cardigan/bolero she's wearing on the photo above, to complete the look. I actually made it from left overs from a dress I refashioned for myself a while ago, sleeves and bits mostly. I self dafted it, but I have to fix it on the back, it ended up too wide on the back. 

I went with the 2-3 size for the romper, always believing it'd be too big for my skinny lady. I was fine with that though, because if I make things bigger, they will last for longer. And we all know kids grow a lot through summer time (which is just starting)... I was so surprised it fits so good already, normally when I pick the pattern size by age (and not measuring) it ends up too big, too wide, too something... but it looks perfect and she seems to love it. 

But, if you came here looking for rompers inspiration, and were brave enough to read all through this, you might want to check the Bubblicious Romper I made and blogged about last month, mashing up two different patterns. And I have three more rompers to share this week here in my blog. All I can tell you right now, is that I made two of them for my little boy, and it's from a free pattern too, and I used Heidi's pattern again... with a different fabric and print. 

RaeAnna, has prepared a lot of great prizes, so you have the change to get them. Here's how...

There are 6 ways to win!  The first three will be through a link party and voting!  First place will be given to the romper creation with the most votes, then 2nd place and 3rd place!

And there are also three prizes to be given away through a Rafflecopter entry!

1 winner will receive a yard of Ann Kelle fabric

1 winner will receive a PDF pattern by Mouse House Creations

1 winner will receive a PDF pattern by Sewing Mama RaeAnna

You have until June 28th to upload your romper creation photo!  Voting will begin on June 21st

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember to also check and follow her Pinterest Board, for some inspiration and if you have your own rompers to share, link them to her Link Party.

LINK PARTY

Welcome to the 2014 Romper Week!
You are welcome to link up any romper you have made in 2014 - baby rompers, boys, girls, women, they are all welcome!

We will begin voting on June 21st and the top three entries to the link party will walk away with an awesome prize!!(Voting will be 1 vote per IP address....recruit your friends to send votes your way! We will keep voting open until June 28th)

First place - the most votes - will receive:$30 credit to Girl Charlee
Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Romper
Blank Slate Pattern Retro Romper

Second place:Riley Blake Fat Quarter Bundle
Shaffer Sisters Betty Skirt Pattern
Winner's Choice Sewing Mama RaeAnna Pattern

Third place:Fat Quarter Shop Fat Quarter Bundle
Winner's Choice Muse of the Morning Pattern

An InLinkz Link-up

Challenge Create |Adult Edition|

This is the last week. Today the votes are open and they will be running through the weekend. If you haven't yet and want to support your favourite's (me or any of the other ladies), don't forget to go HERE and vote. This is the last week to do it!

Challenge Create: Adult Edition |week 4|

This is it, the fourth and last week of Challenge Create. It has been great but I have struggled this last week.

The theme was “Destash”, and well, that is exactly what I’ve been doing for the last couple of years, so this should have been an easy week. But I’ll be honest! It wasn’t! So many things went wrong. My pregnant body is getting bigger and bigger and all the sewing I’ve been doing lately, all the hours up late (not only because of Challenge Create but all of the other challenges I decided to step up to), it all has started to weight and I felt so tired (Braxton Hicks all the time too), so for a couple of days I didn’t do anything. I just couldn’t. Then on Wednesday I had visits for lunch, and some family came over for Easter and my sewing time was so limited. But I made it!

 I really thought I wouldn’t be able to have an outfit done for this week’s entry. I even considered giving up on the pieces I was making and start all over with something quite simple. But, even though I finished it so close to the deadline, even though I had just a little time to shoot the photos, |the weather went crazy and rained like crazy, we had to shoot inside again|, even though my thread was almost finished before I sewn every seam, even though I had to deal with a tantrum kid in one day and a sick one the next (same kid, yeah!) taking all my sewing time away, even though I went to bed at 1 a.m. I am glad I’ve gone with the first project.

Well, it wasn't really my first idea. I dreamed about making a matching outfit for the hubby and myself (and maybe the girl in our lives), but of course, at some point I realised that wouldn't be possible. So, before picking any patterns, I went looking at my fabric stash. Not long ago I've been organizing it, it made my life easier to have everything lined up. I picked this very light grey cotton. It's not in the stash for a long time, contrary to most of my stuff (because I've been trying to use what I have instead of buying any new ones). I bought it already in 2014, and I am sure if it wasn't for this challenge it would just sit there for a much longer time. 

I decided to make a pair of trousers with it. What?! Yeah! I just went a little crazy here. It was the only piece of clothing I said I wouldn't be making because I already had two maternity pants and didn't need a third pair. But this would allow me to use a lot of the fabric, and it fits a more classic look, and who knows when I'll need it? I know I don't have that much time to use it, but this is a very fresh fabric and I'll surely appreciate it when the weather finally warms up for good. I used a regular women's trousers pattern from Burda, it has two pleats on the front and two on the back and side pockets. It original had a high waist but of course I had to adjust that to maternity wear. I've cut it on the front and attached a knit band that goes all over my belly. To make this, I used an old shirt, and an elastic on the top of the band so it will fit until the end of the pregnancy. 

When I figured one of the pieces, I had to start to think of something else to go with it. Again, before going into the patterns, I first went looking into the fabric stash. I had this mustard piece of fabric that I had been saving (for years) to make something special. It was the best colour to go with the grey pants, so I picked it. Then I chose the pattern to the tunic, it was from a maternity clothes Brazilian magazine. I loved the pattern, but the picture of the tunic they had kept me septic about it until I finally started doing my own.

The tunic turned to be my favourite piece from this week, and one of the top ones from the four weeks. I just love the details. I tried to follow the pattern instructions, but they were so basic that I was quite confused when I got to the button placket. I just couldn't put it together and I had to work it out on my own. It has some decorative zebra printed ribbon on the chest. It closes in the front with three wood buttons, from my stash, just like the ribbon. Another feature of the tunic, is the pleats on the front. And I can wear it while nursing too! Extra points. 

So, even though it was finished on the last minute, the photoshoot was quick and conditioned by the weather, I am pleased with my last outfit for Challenge Create. And this makes a great outfit to leave the hospital in great style, don't you think? 

the back isn't stained! It was wet from my hair!

As in the 3 previous weeks, everyday from the week there will be a contestant showing their creations. On Friday, the votes begin, so don't forget to go there and click on your favourite. If it happens to be mine, thank you very much. Our scores from all the previous weeks will be combined and the one with the highest score will be the winner of the competition. Check them all over Skirt Fixation.

Sneak Peak

Tomorrow I will be sharing my last look for the Challenge Create Competition. 

Phew!

Curious to know what I made? 

Here's a little peak at my belly and creation, but you'll have to come back tomorrow for the whole look. 

Challenge Create: Adult Edition |week 3|

What a week! What a theme!

When I first knew the themes, I was very excited with them all. Then I started to feel depressed about this third week. Vintage... a hint of it... so many possibilities, so many great things I could do... if I wasn't pregnant. No matter what time from the past I'd pick to get inspired by, there were always garments I was sure I couldn't turn into maternity wear. This would be the week I'd go back to the era of the corsets. Did I ever mention how much I love them? I am pretty sure I did. But, there's no way I can fit into a corset right now. I went for a 50's inspired look after all... Just a bit... 

I tried my best to fit the look with the make up and hair, ahahaha... I have a lot of hair, and it's pretty wild, I rarely can make anything out of it on my own, so I am pretty happy with how it turned out after all. I've always, always loved the pin up look, but never believed I'd look good on it, because I'm so skinny. Being pregnant though, I'm having just a few extra weight and that makes a huge difference. I felt so good with the entire look, and I guess is shows in the photos. I had to sit for this photo, it was a request from my daughter. 

My main (vintage) focus was the skirt. I didn’t want to make a very complicated one. I wanted something with some twirl, suitable during pregnancy and after. And I was sure I wanted to use the red plaid fabric I had in my stash for years. To get this look all I did, was to sew a fabric tube, hem it, shirr the top of it and attach to a rib knit band. Skirt done!

To complete my vintage look I needed something for the top. And at 26-27 weeks long, I started thinking not so much of only flowy clothes to wear during pregnancy, but also something, I could possibly wear after, suitable for nursing too. Yes, I believe nursing is important, and having clothes that allows an easier nursing period even better. Especially, when you’re not a huge fan of button up shirts, which is where I fit. I’ve had this idea in mind for quite a while and was sure I wanted to use it during the challenge. It’s not my own idea though, I’ve seen it a couple times online. SO, what was it? Making a top, with access to nursing, by adding two openings on each side.

I drafted the top pattern out of one of my store bought shirts. The original had some puckering on the front, a circle collar and was about my waist long. For my own, I wanted the collar to be slightly squared shaped so the openings would look better. I did the openings with this technique here, and used snaps to close it. And I made it much longer, as a tunic. I like it so much I've been wearing it for two days already. 

Although this was the most fearful challenge for me so far, we got the best photoshoot after all. All the photos had something we loved and it was hard to select which ones to use. I guess having my little miss literaly telling me which poses I should be making, made it a fun family event (daddy was taking the photos). 

Quite a simple outfit this time, that works just great for me and my figure at the moment. For this photoshoot I’ve used a belt, but I can also wear it without it, works well both ways. And I totally can wear the tunic in a less formal way, with a pair of leggings. You ca see the three ways I’ve been wearing them below.

After having enough photos of my own, we finally let her join in the fun (she played the photographer as daddy was taking these photos, but she was wanting to join me too), and we got all this sweet mom and daughter shoots. How great is that?! 

Now go and vote for your favourite look HERE!

Challenge Create: Adult Edition |week 2|

If you haven't yet, go HERE and vote for your favourite refashion!|

This has to be one of my favourite themes from the challenge. After all, most of the things I make are refashioned on a daily basis, and I host a Refashion Series (now twice a month), so me, me, me all over it. 

 However, when I went looking in my pile, I couldn’t find anything I’d really turn into maternity clothes, the only appealing thing to me was this long orange dress, original from the 70’s that, if I am honest with you, loved just as it was. But it was outdated, and I believe I’d be called “crazy” if I went outside wearing it.

I picked it for my project. I knew exactly what I wanted to make out of it, and also that I needed something else to go with it. I had a very clear idea of what I wanted/needed so it turned out pretty easy for me.

I didn’t have anything in the stash that would go with the orange so I went thirft shopping in my usual charity shop, and found a child’s size dress for 0,50€ (amazing, right?!). I wasn’t sure if it’d fit me at all or not, but I brought it home with me.

The brown “things” in the before photo? Two pieces, leg leftovers from a toddler’s trousers. I used those for the handbag/clutch.

So… in order to get the new look out of these two pieces, I did more unpicking and hand sewing that anything else. I started by taking off the flower on the front, the sleeves and the neckline ruffles from the dress, and hemming it to my height. I had to do a lot of unpicking, and then sewing again, so the dress would look even.

For the Cardigan, which was previously the dress, I did a bit more. I started by turning it around, front-back wise. I’ve removed the sleeves cuff – which was too tight for me, I’ve added an elastic to the hem instead and used some of the original lace from the dress sleeves. To close my cardigan, I used vintage lace, and tight in the front. Both dress and cardigan, have an invisible stitch on their hems, which I did by hand too. 

On the back of the cardigan I added some lace too, to make it a bit wider as I walk. I also changed the front to make it sort of triangular, and follow the dress shape instead how having a straight line.

To finish off the look, I made myself a new clutch. For this I used the trousers legs leftovers, the flower I took off from the dress and also scraps from the cardigan. I hemming it shorter, and those pieces were the ones I used for the clutch.

Challenge Create: Adult Edition |week 1|

So, this is the first week of Challenge Create, and if you missed it before, I am one of the 4 (5) contestants participating. I feel happy to get the chance to dedicate some time to sewing to myself, especially now, in this wonderful moment of my life, with a new baby on the way. 

The first theme is Inspired by Nature, and I assumed this challenge in two ways, and they are divided into the two pieces I created. When I first thought about Nature... Spring... I thought about poppies. They really take me back to my childhood and I remember I loved seeing them popping in when Spring arrived. Unfortunately, I almost can't find them anymore. I searched for various fields and I only found a few on some road sides. Sad! But I still used it as my inspiration and chose my fabric for the shirt/tunic with them in mind. It is a dark blue chiffon, with some sort of polka dots that are not red nor orange. 

Of course, I am sewing maternity clothes during this challenge. And I started with a tunic that I can use now, and after I give birth. It will also be okay, when the time comes, to nursing. It's long and wide enough to grow a bit more with the belly, and to give it a better shape there's some hand sewn puckering on the front top, and across the back. To finish it off and fit it to my figure, I've sewn a belt. It keeps the front close enough for decency and if I take it out it will open just enough for nursing. 

My photographer (aka husband), forgot to take close ups with the macro when we did the photoshoot, I guess the cold weather took the best of both of us. So, I had to photograph these details after I got home. 

And now that I have told you about the tunic and first inspiration road, let me tell you about the second way I looked at "nature inspired" and the shorts. 

Nature = Mother Nature = Maternity... of course! Nature is right now working its way on me and I couldn't let it pass on unmentioned. And I used this inspiration in my shorts. I first thought about making maternity pants, but I already had a pair and what I really missed in my wardrobe, now that warmer days are around the corner, are shorts. I drafted the pattern out of my existing maternity jeans, but instead of using a large belly band, I switched it in my piece for a smaller band with a wide elastic. The construction of the shorts was pretty much the same as you sew jeans,I can't precise what fabric is this that I used because it was donated to me and it's been in my stash for a while. It's not denim or chambray, but feels quite similar to it. 

To personalize my shorts, I wanted to somehow add a maternity symbol so I searched google for one. I came across an image that I absolutely adored and tried to recreate to one of my pockets, with a free hand drawing using red and black fabric markers. It's a mother, holding her baby. In the other pocket, I have stitched _ _ _ MATERNITY=love _ You can barely see it, but I know it's there and love the details. The shorts are fully topstitched, and have front pockets that we failed to detail photograph too. And since I still have a bit over 3 months to get fat, I made them a little roomy for now. 

I just love how the belt looks and how it shapes the belly. It is very comfortable and (because I have tried it right after this session) it looks great under a cardigan or a sweater. I love that I can use the pieces separatedly if I wish to, and that both pieces are still wearable after pregnancy. That is absolutely a bonus. 

The weather got so cold right when we had some time for the photos. I was freezing as we took them, so as soon as I thought we had enough, I would go running to my cardigan and getting myself into the car... And he was still photographing... ahahaha... Hence the boots (I had planned using this lovely slightly high heels in dark blue), tights and t-shirt underneath the tunic.  I couldn't risk to get a cold or something. 

I hope you like my look. And if you haven't yet, go check my fellow contestants and don't forget to vote for your favourite, if it happens to be me, I'll be happy but if I am not, don't worry, it's fine! =D Check out the works from the sew along ladies and vote too. 

Challenge Create Week One Kicking Off Today!

The competition I am taking part in as one of the contestants has officially started today. The Sew Along link party is now open and I can't wait to see what my fellow contestants (and sew alongers) have to show for all the themes. Each of us will be featured in a different day of the week from Tuesday to Friday. If you want to see what I did, my post will be up on wednesday. Tomorrow you get to see the first creation... exciting, right? 

On friday, you get to vote for your favourite contestant/look and also for your favourite entry in the sew along group. I'm sure there will be a lot of talent and hard decisions to make. Enjoy!!!

Challenge Create: Adult Edition

A few days ago, I told you about my backstage work, and how sometimes we have to wait to share what we create. Although, this isn't all I've been keeping from you, today I finally get to spread the word on one thing. ..

What I didn't tell you, was that I had just known I was one of the 4 lucky contestants to compete in Challenge Create. I was happy, excited and then just terrified when I looked at my fellow competitors. 

All the ladies are super talented and more, they are all excellent photographers (auch!). 

Visit Skirt Fixation (click button above) to read more about this competition. You can sew along and support us all. It will officially last from March 31st to May 2nd. 

I was planning to sew along even before I knew I had been selected. It has motivated me to finally sew myself a few maternity clothes, so that's what you'll get from me. When I knew I'd be competing, I thought being huge right now would be a disadvantage for me, but on a second thought, I was just glad I get to have this experience. Share the lights with such talented ladies, and just get to sew for myself in this special moment of my life, when i was getting ready to welcome my second child. 

So, I hope you'll all stay around, sew along, vote for your faves and enjoy the competition. I surely will.  

Good luck to us all and let's get sewing... 

Oh, and don't forget that if you're interested in guest posting for my series, you can go HERE to read about it all and sign up too. Thanks!

Backstage working...

It is extremely hard for me to finish projects ahead and then have to wait so long to share them. I am the kind of seamstress that enjoys sharing whatever I create right away. But sometimes we compromise to other people, and sharing what's been made has to wait.

So, that said, let me tell you I've been like a busy bee, not only sewing, but sorting patterns, searching for inspiration... There are a few great things coming... have you heard?! Here are a few I can share for now... 

The 9th season of Project Run and Play is now starting with the introduction of the designers. The first link party will be open March 24th. Challenge Create starts March 31st, an adult sewing edition, organized by the ladies from Skirt Fixation. 

Themes for Project Run & Play (click link to read more on blog):

- Take me to the Zoo

- Spring Break 

- Design your own fabric

- Signature style

Themes for Challenge Create (click link to read more on blog):

- Inspired by Nature

- Refashion

- (a hint of) Vintage

- Destashing

Also, Kids Clothes Week is coming back (April 7th - 13th) with something new. It is a themed edition... Mini Me... And this time I am planning to do things right. I have signed in the site already, I am trying to pick my patterns already, and decide what I want to get done through that week. I hope I'll be able to share my creations on time too. I am planning to exclusively sew for the baby during KCW, and am trying to keep the list short, though it's hard. I get all excited and want to do it all, but I know that if I put high expectations into it, I might end up dissapointed, so let's do the best not to.

What about you? Will you be sewing along any of these too?