Top 5 of 2017 |REFLECTIONS/GOALS|

Scoll down for english, please!

Antes de escrever este post fui ler o semelhante dos anos anteriores (de 2013 a 2015), e é engraçado como a maior parte das decisões que tomei, principalmente em 2015 se enquadram naquilo que pensava escrever este ano também. Aparentemente não foi em 2016 que a minha motivação entrou em queda, e sim a meio do ano anterior. Desde então que tenho tido uns altos e baixos, parece até que essa motivação se tornou bipolar. Enfim... Hoje reflito nisso tudo, e vou deixar por escrito o que espero para 2018 no que toca às minhas costuras e a este blog. 

Before I started writting this post, I went back and read the similar ones from previous years (from 2013 to 2015), and it's funny how most of the decisions I made back then are quite similar to what I was going to write this year as well. Apparently it was not in 2016 that my sewing mojo went on holidays, but in the middle of the previous year. Ever since, I had ups and downs, like my mojo has suddenly turned bipolar. Oh well... I reflict on all that today, and I'll write down what I hope for 2018 as for my sewing and blog is concerned. 

#1. Nada de compras!- Este é um dos meus maiores objetivos para o próximo ano. Em 2013 desafiei-me a não comprar mesmo nada a não ser que fosse mesmo, mesmo, mesmo necessário. Desde então tentei manter o hábito mas mais descontraidamente. Durante 2017, não posso dizer que me tenha portado mal, os tecidos acima foram os únicos que comprei (os que já usei têm um "X"), mais dois outros que usei num pufe que fiz para o meu sobrinho, e renda para o soutien, aos quais não tirei foto, ainda assim, dei por mim a comprar alguns tecidos sem necessidade nenhuma, apenas por impulso.  

#1. No buying / Sew from my stash - This is one of my main goals for the next year. Back in 2013 I challenged myself to stop buying unless I really really really needed to. Ever since I tried to keep the habit but in a more relaxed way. Through 2017, I can't say I didn't behave, the fabrics pictured above were the only ones I bough (the ones with the "X" are the ones I used already), plus two other I bought to make my nephew a puff, and the lace for the bra but failed to picture, still, I know I bought a few of these on an impulse, no real need. 

#2. Reciclar/Transformar mais! - Não tenho reciclado tanto este ano, foquei-me mais em baixar a pilha de tecidos que tenho em stock e as roupas que tenho para reaproveitar foram ficando encostadas. Entraram mais algumas para a pilha que me foram dadas, tirei algumas pelas quais já não sentia conexão nenhuma para doar, e agora mais recentemente ainda comprei mais umas peças que encontrei a 1€ cada. Estão na foto acima, e já usei duas delas. Ah! E com isto gostava de dizer que penso trazer o "Refashion Month" de volta. 

#2. More refashioning! - I haven't done it as much this year, I focused on down sizing my fabric stash so the refashioning pile got a bit to the back of my head. A few more pieces were added to my existing pile, I took a few away to donate because I didn't identify with them anymore, but I also more a few more recently, I found them for 1€ each. They are the ones on the above picture, I used two of them already. Oh! I am planning on bringing the "Refashion Month" back.  

Apenas algumas das coisas que fiz que nunca cheguei a partilhar aqui.
Just a few of the things I made and never got to share here. 

#3. Publicar o que faço! - Tenho deixado imensas coisas que fiz por publicar. Acho sempre que posso fazer no dia a seguir e depois no outro e nunca chegam ao blog. Tentei contá-las e posso dizer-vos que as peças que nunca chegaram a ser publicadas foram praticamente em mesmo número que aquelas que sim. 

#3. Post what I make! - I've been leaving so many things I made unblogged. I always think I can make it the next day, and then the next and they never make it to here. I tried to count them and I can tell you they are nearly asmany as the ones that did make it to the blog. 

Acabei o pufe a 24 de Dezembro, foi prenda de natal do meu sobrinho e não tinha um fundo de jeito para tirar foto. A gata não ajudou. Foi o possível e não vou stressar por isso.
I finished this puff on the 24th of December, it was a christmas gift and I couldn't find a decent background for it. The cat didn't help either. It was the possible thing to get and I am not stressing over it. 

#4. Ser mais realista! - Naquilo que quero e posso fazer. Naquilo que realmente sou eu e não me deixar levar por aqueles/as que acompanho. Isto tem muito a ver com o ponto anterior, por vezes não publico à espera da melhor luz para fotografar a peça, do melhor isto e aquilo, mas sejamos verdadeiros, não pretendo fazer dinheiro com o blog, se a luz está mais fraca num certo dia, acho que preciso de tirar a foto mesmo assim, senão nunca chego a publicar nada. 

#4. Keep it real! - What I want and what I can achieve. What I really am and not get carried away with others I follow do or say. This is largely related to the previous subject, sometimes I might skip posting while waiting for a better light to get photos taken, best thi and that, but let's keep it real, I'm not planning on getting any profit out of this blog, if the light is bad on a certain day, well lei it be and shoot that photo either way, other wise it might never get to the blog. 

#5. Voltar aos videos! - Talvez não em formato podcast como fiz no passado. A ideia já cá está há imenso tempo, cheguei mesmo a gravar um video (há cerca de um ano, sei-o porque nele ainda aparece a 1ª macaca da G. e está quase a fazer um ano que a perdeu), mas nunca cheguei a editar e como tal muito menos a publicar. A ideia tem andado a martelar com mais insistência ultimamente, por isso devo mentalizar-me e voltar a eles.

#5. Back to videos! - This might only matter to my portuguese readers as I only film in portuguese, but anyway, I am planning on getting back, not on a podcast format though. The idea has been bouncing in my head for about a year now, so I guess it's time to get something done\about it. 

My balance |Fabrics, Refashioning & Thrifting|

It wasn't on my top 5 goals for 2015, but really, I don't need to add that anymore. Sewing from my stash and my refashion clothes pile has just become part of who I am and how I sew. I realised over the last couple of years that sewing doesn't have to be expansive. In fact, I can save a lot while sewing. Last year I tried to keep track of how much I was paying for the supplies I bought, but I got lost somewhere in between and I couldn't keep up with it. This year, I am planning to get a bit more organized, I have a folder on my computer, where I add photos of supplies, fabric, thrift clothes I buy with the information of how much I spent for each item. 

Even though I commited to not buying new fabrics last year, I did get a few new ones. I didn't buy them all, I got a couple from my grandma's friend, as birthday gifts from hubby and also from online sewing friends. In the list of the ones I bought there are more knits than wovens, for the simple fact that those weren't much in my stash before, so I needed these more than the other. When I look at my fabric piles right now, these new in 2014 included, I realise I lack on boys appropriate fabric. I have a few that are gender neutral, but most of them are really for girls. Because of that, I will allow myself buying new fabrics anytime I need it, even though I will always try to go for refashioning. There's all sorts of fabric prints and types in that pile. Some of the fabrics on the photos are already leftovers from pieces I made last year, which is a good sign, I bought them, but I have used them too. I haven't used a lot of them for the simple fact that most of them were bought after S. was born, which was also when I decreased my sewing projects for lack of time or mood. 

I was donated so many clothes last year. Closer to the end of the year I chose through it again and have donated a few of them myself too, there's just too much in my stash already and every now and then I have to do this. It was all getting too messy. I have used some of the pieces from the first photo below as they were, they were given to me by my own who got a little extra weight, and gave it all to me. 

Go ahead. Have fun trying to figure the pieces I have used from these piles already. There are a few. Anyway, a few were donated, and the pile is slightly shorter. I still have too many pieces to go through, and still, it always seems like enough is never enough when you are an addict. Last week I went thrifting in my favourite charity shop. And it is my favourite because all adult clothes and shoes cost 1€ and all kids clothes and shoes cost 0,50€, which is the closest to nothing. I usually thrift for refashioning, but often I fall in love with a piece and buy it to use as is. This was the case this last time. I didn't fall in love, but I was looking for specific warm shirts for both my kids, knitted ones because I don't knit. I eneded up bringing that and more, much more, but all costed me 9,50€, so, why should I complain. 

The butterfly are pieces for G. Ladybug for me (even though the blue skirt was going into my stash until I tried it on and realised I loved it, i just have to fix the waist at 1" less probably), those shoes were NEW, never used before. Snail goes into refashion and the bee is for S. They had so little to his size for boys. 

Notes to Self #1 of 2014

So, again, I started a new year hoping to sew more from my personal fabric stash and refashioning piles. Four months have gone since the first day of the year, and I've been trying to figure out how good/bad I have been doing on my personal challenges. 

If I don't miss anything (and I try not to, by writting down all I have been sewing) I have accomplished 51 new pieces up to the day. 25 of them were refashions, 22 of them were made using fabric from my stash (2 of them used both refashioning and new fabric), 5 were made with new fabric bought this year already, which means that this fabric didn't last long in the stash pile, which is gorgeous, of course. 

As for what I bought: 5,5 meters of fabric (total) which costed me 11,65€. And (and here's the salt in my wounds) I've got 31 "new" pieces at the charity shop (4 of them bought today actually), spending 27,45€. It makes a total of 39,10€ in four months, so not even 10€ per month. 

But I consider I saved a lot too. Because I made 51 new pieces, you see?! At a cost of less than 1€ each comparing with what I've spent, and it was more than 10 items per month (though, a great part of these were sewn in the last month alone). 

From my new (bought this year, I mean) thriftings, I was able to use 7 pieces as they were (no need for refashioning or anything, 5 for G., one for me and one for my mom). I was able to refashion 8 other pieces, so from the 31, I got 16 left to work with - added to the pile. Not too bad I guess, since I've also used pieces that were there coming from previous years too. 

There's only one question left to answer? Who have I been sewing for? Let's see, who got more... 

My daughter is in the top of my "sew for" list, I made her 20 items; 10 for myself; 8 for my baby boy; 4 for my niece L; 4 accessories (things that aren't clothes); 2 items for my niece M.; 1 for my nephew; 1 for a friend's daughter and, 1 for my mom.

Sewing from my Stash and Refashioning

NOTE: long post, I made this mostly for myself, so I can keep track of what I have, but it might inspire someone.

Just a little more than a year ago, I joined a challenge of sewing from my stash. Actually I had started doing it before,  but by the time I blogged it, I shared some photos from the stash I had. I am pretty sure I forgot to take photos to some things I already had, but not much. 

Yesterday I thought I would take some photos of the fabric I have right now, after I've spent an entire year buying as little fabric as I could. The first thing I can tell from one year to another is how much more organized I got, and how much better my fabric piles look right now. I've been organizing it bit by bit and some of the fabric is still out of place, but I will get there.

To start, I have moved my fabric from one place to another over and over for the last year. In the photo above you can see my smaller pieces of fabric shelves. They are three of them, I was using the first one for my Burda, Patrones and Manequim pattern magazines. The pile grew and I moved them somewhere else. The two shelves below held my scraps. I can spot a few from there that I no longer have, they have been used already.

Right now, in the next photo, is the same three shelves. They still hold smaller pieces of fabric, but I have fold them properly (or at least much better) and have been trying to organize them by colours. White and black on the top one (and a bit messy right now) and the two below holding the other colours. I think this is the pile that looks much smaller than the one from the previous year. I was able to use a lot of them for my duvet cover.

The next 2 photos below are 1. refashioning clothes and 2. boxes of small scraps, and all the large pieces of fabric I had last time I photographed them. 

When looking at the refashioning pile I can spot at least 9 pieces that were already turned into something else. But they weren't that organized either. There was much more underneath. 

As for the bigger pieces of fabric, I was able to return some to that business partner I had, and I know I used some of them... not as much as I'd like though. Since they are big pieces, they were used, but I still have some left. 

Anyway, if you've missed it, by the end of 2013 I've put up a post with pictures of everything I made using my faric stash and everything I made that was refashioned. Find it HERE. 

 

I'm now determined to keep my fabric organized and visible at all times. Bigger, medium and smaller pieces of fabric, all have to be quickly found when it comes to start a new project. I have been saving card boxes of different sizes so I can store the different sizes of fabric in them. So far, here's what I got:

1. Bigger pieces of fabric - the ones on the vertical are the ones that are already wrapped in the card, the ones on the horizontal are waiting for card for their own. I am trying to keep them by colours. 

2. This used to be a CD case, but when destashing my cds, I threw the covers away, saved them in folders and saved myself A LOT of space. I was going to either give away or try to sell the case, but then I looked at it with different eyes and since it has do many small shelves, I thought it'd be perfect to keeo those very small pieces of fabric that I find hard to part with. It isn't organized yet. I just started there, but it will be in time. Right now you can see medium pieces of fabric in that bigger shelf on the side, refashioning items I bought this year already and are waiting to be put in the right place and if you look to the bottom shelf of the photo, you can spot a yellow fabric, already folded, together with a few others of blue tones. That is what I plan to do all over here. 

3. A box of refashioning potencial items. Most of it, is a fur jacket older than I am that belonged to my mother. 

4. The biggest pile. Underneath (lower shelf), there are clothes for refashion... I got a lot (donated) by the end of the year, so I have even more than I had before. On the top shelf, I have - for now - the very small scraps in the boxes and then there are left overs from previous refashions. Yes, it's a huge pile, but I have a problem of getting to attached to fabric... I always believe I will need them in the future. Eventually I did use some in other projects but most just stay there. 

I did manage to fill a fabric bag with lots of scraps and fabrics I didn't want anymore last year and donated too. And I've tried to put some away as I organized them this time, but not much was out. I am trying to work on this and see if it gets easier to part from those fabrics I don't need or won't use. 

Oh, and I realised as I organized my fabric stash, that most of my bigger pieces are of solid colours. Maybe that's something I should point when it is time to mention my signature style for Project Run and Play & Project Sewn sew alongs... right?!

Biela's second Robe

Did you enjoy all the fun happening over Suzanne's blog with her Operation Project 0$ series? Too bad it's over, so many great ideas were shared, and the greatest thing is that we all saved so much, because we were supposed to spent as close to 0$ as we could. Here's my entire post for you, just in case you missed it.

Hello Winter Wonderings Wanderings and Whatnot readers. My name is Magda E. from House of Estrela, where I blog about my sewing adventures, from Portugal. As I mentioned in my inspiration boards post, Suzanne's series might be just my favourite, because it has me, me, me written all over it. So, I loved the challenge, and am excited to be a guest today. 

I've been doing Operation Project 0$ basicaly since September 2012, when I made a commitment with myself of not buying anymore clothes for my daughter (or myself). I succeeded and in January I made the commitment of buying the least I could for my sewing too. For that, I decided I would only sew from my already (never ending) existing stash, or refashioning clothes that we already had or that have been given to us.

The idea of taking this line of thought and create a Fall/Winter wardrobe for my daughter was already dancing in my mind when I was invited by Suzanne to be part of this, so it was just the kick I needed to follow my idea. But, when I started to go through what she already had and what she could probably need, I realised this girl already had everything she could possible wear in one season.

One of my points of spending 0$ (or as close to it as possible) is not wasting time... who hasn't heard the saying Time is money!? Well I know I have and believe to be true. So, in order of putting all of it together, I chose to sew the one garment she really needed in her wardrobe, and that was, a robe.

All the way back to February 2012 I had a brilliant idea. I made her first robe out of a small (travelling) fleece blanket. It turned out so cute and warmth and it lasted! But, kids grow, and althought she looked adorable in the pink and purple one, it was time to get a new one. I went with red this time. Her first robe matches the decorations from her nursery, but I plan to re-decorate it one of these days and use reds, and that's the reason why I used a red blanked this time. 

I didn't have it in my stash. I bought it for 3,5€, but since I have behaved so well (only bought about 3 pieces of fabric this entire year and have used them right away) and refashioning as much as possible, I could go with the 3,5€ for a robe. 

I honestly like the first one better. For this one I used a pattern I recently won: The Little Lady Jacket by Seamingly Smitten.  - FREE pattern, see?! - Yes, it is a jacket pattern, but it was really close to what I had in mine. I didn't make the linning though, so I finished my seams with bias tape, and used 5 small front buttons instead of 3. The buttons and the polka dot fabric in the bias were already in my stash. 

I had tried to use the B buttons several times, but never got around to it. I thought this was the time though. My daughter's name is Gabriela, but I often call her just Biela... see?! Starts with a B. Perfect. But I only had 4 of this and needed at least one more. What to do? Well, use another button that was in my stash forever, a bear's head. I think it's a nice detail snapping in the middle of the B's.

I didn't like the collar though, it's slightly ruffled but I think it looks weird. I start to think I am picky with collars. really. I think I liked the first robe self drafted pattern better when it comes to collar and details, but I really wanted to do this sleeves this time. I only added polka dotted band in the left side of the robe's front piece, and simple finished the right one with a zigzag stitch.

I tried to get pictures taken to my little miss wearing her robe. It's been quite hot to wear anything fleece these days, but that wasn't really a problem for her. She wore it happily, actually she was so happy that these were the best photos I got from her:

Then I got silly and tried my 6 year old niece to try it on... ahahah... it was too small and tight for her, but at least she was a more cooperative model, so you can have an idea of how the collar looks on.

And that's it, I hope you all liked it. If you'd like to see some more of my refashions click here.

It's that time again!

This can always get me so excited! Project Run & Play is back with the weekly challenges to push me harder. The link party for the first week is now open, so it's time for me to show you what I've done too. This week's challenge is a pattern remix, and that is  Oliver + S's Popover Sundress Pattern. 

Original Dress from Pattern

Mmmmm... I wasn't so excited about it when I saw it, I even thought about not joining this week's sewalong, I am trying to do a sustainable kind of sewing, more and more as days go by, and since my little miss doesn't need extra unwanted clothing, I thought I'd rather pass this challenge. BUT then I had a little cousin's birthday coming and a light was turn on in my head. I could sew something out of the Remix Pattern, but what?! Definately not a dress, I thought. I am sick & tired of dresses (honestly! and I don't even sew THAT many). 

Here's what I came up with after all:

Yes! A romper. I can't get enough of rompers. To make this I printed the original pattern and slightly adjusted it to what I needed, like cutting it lenght wise to make it a top instead of a dress, and adding about 1" on (new) bottom to make it a little wider. Even though you might get all dizzy from my cows' towel, I guess you can see these changes in my picture below. 

To get the romper bottom, I used Feather's Flights Harem Shorts pattern. I had used the pattern here and here before and am sure I will use it some more in the future. I wanted the top to get a bubble look and I think I made it just like I had imagined. I've added an elastic on the waist and pretty much this was all my changes. 

I was pretty satisfied with the results. Even though it's all pink! cough-cough For someone who keeps screaming out how much she doesn't like pink, I've been sewing pretty much with that color. But, you know... I have to sew from my stash, and that's a lot of pink in it (exactly: because I always refuse myself to use it!). 

Anyway, I'm going off subject (as usual - ooppppsssss!!!), so, the fabric used was polka dotted left overs from the trolley make-over I made for G. when she was born, for bias ties, shorts and yokes. For the top and cuffs I used knit from a huge pillowcase (so big that it is enough to make myself a whole dress - now that I mention that, maybe if a dye it?)... 

Since my little miss is nearly a year younger than our cousin and they are basically the same size I tried it on her and tried to take some nice shoots, but she's been so hard to photograph lately. She just won't stay still for a single second, or if she does it has to be when and where she decides to. Those were the best ones I could get from her. And honestly I didn't even try harder, I'd to almost anything to avoid unwanted tantrums. 

I love the final look of my new harem romper, and it was much approved by my 6 year old niece who has requested one just like this one for her own self. She does like pink, she's not like me or my daughter, who's following mom's steps and it's not a big fan of the color. My niece has also requested a dress with the pink hearts fabric I used for my first Bumblebee dress. 

now, go check the other remixes out there! I know I've been loving it!

Sewing Challenges (& Sort of Wrap up)

New exciting things are on the way...

Operation Project $0 is on. Check it out HERE. I guest posted for the series too... YEY! Missed it? Go here!

Season 8 of Project Run & Play kicks off tomorrow! So excited to see what everyone come up with. The themes for the 4 weeks of challenge are: Pattern Remix - Candy - Plaid - and - Signature look. I have already done my Pattern Remix outfit, and will be blogging about it in just a few days. I'm still not sure about the second week, but I will join the other two for sure. 

Maratón Telaria - this is sort of a spanish version of PR&P, and I am in to sew along with. There are also 4 weeks, and the themes for this are: Retro - Knits - Bed Time- and - our choice. Starts next month, so I'm excited for this too. 

I might or might not join this one if I can get to sew it mixed up with another of the challenges. This is a challenge hosted by the Spanish blog La Pantigana. And we're supposed to use a really horrible fabric that we might have in our stash, and make something good out of it. Sounds fun and it's a great insentive to use that fabric that we always put back because it isn't just good enough. 

Click on picture!

Another fun series to follow - did you realise I'll be guest posting for this series too?!

Besides, I have a lot to do. My list is big, but I love it! I love to feel challenged, I love that I feel like I belong somewhere... In a near future I am: 

- Testing a pattern

- Reviewing another pattern

- Being part of a Pattern tour

- Doing a guest post for a bloggy friend

- Realising my first FREE pattern

And guess what? I am even considering a winter edition for a Refashion Month series. Is anyone in for this? 

Mmmm... It's been a while since I last blogged about my challenges. I am excited about the next couple of months. It's going to be pretty crazy around here, well, it has actually started already, but it's going to get extra busy since I can't turn down a good challenge. 

It's been a sewing challenging year. It did calm down for Summer though, but I needed to feel motivated and came up with the self Pinterest challenge. AH! I made that post and then never talked about it. The truth is that I didn't keep up with the weekly pin done. Buhhhh!!! But in my defense I have to say that I crossed most of those pins out of my to do list. 

Ever since, I did make the piñata cake, by the end of July for my niece's 6th birthday party. She loved it and everyone thought it was a great birthday cake. I didn't follow any tutorial, I made a cake (two actually) with a recipe I had from a magazine and then decorated as wished. And here's how it turned out.

I did make a pair of Harem shorts for my daughter and most recently I made a pair for my little niece M. Before those two, I made another pair but that was considered a failure and although I've been planning to still blog about it, I haven't done it yet. 

I didn't do the lollipops, I wanted to make them as party favours on my daughter's birthday (late June), but I didn't, so I don't think I will do that anymore. I did print the pattern for the potty training pants, but when I realised my baby was potty trained and those weren't needed anymore. It only took me a month for the whole process. 

And I didn't do the mat exactly, like the one on the pin I showed you, but I did the little pillows and we've used them on tree trunks. It looked so cute. Those were also for my daughter's 2nd birthday. The theme was ladybugs, I have mentioned that when I showed you her outfit for the party. 

That's it for now, but I might be up for something else!!! ;)

The Coffee Date Dress Sew Along

Humpffff! It is all I can say right now!

I just finished my Coffee Date Dress, the pattern that us ladies are sewing along at Project Sewn this time. I was all in and out, about sewing along, i started printing the pattern soon enough, but apparently there were other things that kept me busy until that moment when I was having a hard time falling asleep last night, I needed to make it, I wanted to link my version to the party too. 

Yeah, right! That sounds wonderful, but I was left with just a few hours to finish it... Although technically it is already saturday around here, the link party is still open. Yes, it is nearly 2 am, I just finished a dress, took a few quick snaps, still am wearing it and now I am blogging about it. JUST because I love this sewing community and want to join. Crazy, hum?

Well, I did a few changes to my dress, I didn't use the ruffles, just like my niece I'm not a ruffles girl. I used self made bias tape to finish arm holes and neck, and get surprised now!!! I even used a visible zipper. Did I ever tell you I'm not a huge fan of them?! Well, happens that when you're sewing from your stash, you'll avoid buying whatever you need, so at the lack of an invisible zipper, I thought, why not? Maybe I'll like it... and it's on my back, I won't have to look at it. 

Using an existing zipper was hell... it some how came out (that little annoying thing to pull it up and down) and I lost nearly 1h just trying to fix it. But I did it and even learnt a new easy technique to do it. The dress isn't even on the top of the back, but I will fix that tomorrow... I just thought I better sleep today. And then I will take better and closer pictures to it, because my zipper isn't red, I just used a cute decorated bias tape I had (in my stash!). 

I used white satin underneath and a polyester fabric on top. Of course, they both were on my stash forever. 

Now, don't forget to come back soon because I will have much better pictures an details from this dress to share. 

The Bumblebee Tunic

In my previous post, I shared a few pictures of the tunic I made using the Bumblebee dress pattern. I was thinking about doing the "view A" version of the pattern at first, I even cut the fabric for the sleeves, but then I got thinking. This was my niece I was going to make a dress for. mmmm... a dress with ruffles on it. Ok, wait! I couldn't make a dress with ruffles for that 6 year old tom boy... I swear to you, she's worth than boys playing football, she's got a bulky voice, much too bulky for her small body, she doesn't play with dolls... so... you get the point. Don't get me wrong though, when she wants to, she likes to dress really girly... but no ruffles! So, I changed my mind about the desing half way the cutting. 

Since the days are still burning hot over here, and she likes tunics, I decided to make her one. This pink fabric was perfect for her. She likes pink unlike myself. This fabric was in my stash for a while now, mother-in-law gave it to me... but do I have to say it again? I don't like pink (you wouldn't tell according to my latest posts right?!). 

Anyway, I don't exactly know what material this fabric is made of, but it is a light, a little creasy, and fresh. When I chose to go for the tunic, I hesitated for a few seconds, if I'd use the lining or not. It was late and all I wanted was to get it done so I could take it with me the next day and have her modeling it. 

We had a quick photoshoot just before I had to leave... she didn't even change the shorts she was wearing while playing out, and she wasn't wearing shoes... But you get an idea of how it looks on my just turned 6 year old. She wore it out with leggings the evening before. 

Changes I made... I've left the sleeves off, used buttons on the front and used a single piece as back, I skipped the folded seam and I sewed a narrow short zig-zag to finish. And, I also used 3 buttons to close the bodice. And, of course, I added seam pockets (see tutorial here) on the sides. They turned out a little bit too small for her hands, but are cute anyway. hehehe I don't know if you can tell by the picture, but those buttons are pinapples I happened to have in my buttons stash for a few months too. 

Got to test a pattern!

I've been wanting to test patterns for a while. And now that I have, I realised I love testing more than I had imagined. It's such a fun way to learn, and the rush of having it done by the deadline is what I really need to keep me busy. Like my V. says, I always work better under pressure... or almost always. 

So, I got to test Mama RaeAnna's latest pattern... The Bumblebee Dress, which you'll have to admit is a.w.e.s.o.m.e. and will be available to purchase soon. I tested "view b" (there is "view a" as well) size 2T and no doubt this was the better fitting sizing-age appropriate pattern I have tried for my little girl. 

On to the dress... since it was a test dress, and I wasn't really sure how I'd work with a test pattern (first time remember?!), I didn't want to use one of my most loved fabrics. Instead I went for pink. I don't usually like pink, actually I usually avoid pink unless I am asked to. I don't even know where on earth my mind was when I bought the heart themed fabric - actually I know, I was a new mommie, my hormones were crazy and the hearts pattern was cute... not to mention I bought a good quantity very cheap. I've been thinking I could dye the rest... Anyway, the problem with this fabric is that it is heavy, and to make it even harder for meI decided to pair it with a fuscia pink that I had left from a knock off dress I was ordered last year, which is very light.

All this plus, little rest and August weather tiredness, made me take a lot longer than expected to do the dress. I kept making mistakes. Believe me, this pattern isn't complicated to follow, the instructions were clear (and they got even better after I had mine), but still I kept making really stupid beginner's mistakes. Of course, I would get so mad at myself to have to unpick and redo a lot of the steps. There are days like this.

On the other hand, this was the perfect excuse for me to sew... I have been much uninspired lately. I did sew a pair of Harem pants for my little niece but pictures must be takin still. 

I didn't change a thing about the pattern as I thought since it is a test, I should follow isntructions as it is. Turns out I can do so much out of this pattern, there are so many variables possible. You can even make it reversible - use front as back and back as front. I'm just pretty sure everyone will love this pattern! I am sure I will make a few more out of this, and will surely try to top stitch the neck ruffle down on my next one. 

Extra: f you want to do a Bumblebee dress with pockets, make sure to visit me later this week... I will have a tutorial for you. 

And by the way, G. loved the feeling of wearing a long dress, she kept dancing all the time. And just because I love it... here's a less thoughtful picture we took of her in it. 

One Project Fits Two (or three!)

Yep! When I made a commitment with myself about following as much sewing challenges as I could, I knew at some point, I could use turning one only project into two (or more who knows?!) challenges done. 

So, first challenge

Over at Project Run & Play, there's a new Pattern Remix Party going on until the 8th of March. As soon as I took the first glance at the Jess' Spring Fever Pattern  I knew exactly what I wanted to make for my daughter. Of course, I changed my original design as I started and went trhough with it. I spent all my little free moments from yesterday sewing this new outfit. 

To make it I used a blue cotton sheet, and a fat quarter polka doted cotton fabric, that I already had in my stash. As well as the buttons on the placket and the elastic on the waistband. I didn't lined it, I wanted to keep it pretty fresh(y) for Summer. I thought it would be a little too big right now, but I guess she has developed physically lately. I used the Sping Fever Dress pattern for the bodice, and I used the shorts pattern I drafted myself for the Sew in Tune outfit. 

I had some pockets planned for the shorts (front pockets on the sides) but can you believe I actually forgot to make and add them before I attached the waist band?! 

Anyway... I am kinda mad about a few things in this oufit that didn't go that well. I could have fixed them, I know I could have, but most of it my made last evening, it was about 1a.m. when I actually finished this and I was not in the mood to unpick seams and re-do it all over again, and still I did do that a few times, I kept messing up with such an easy thing as putting my shorts together. dahhhh!

Besides the pockets that I forgot about, I am unhappy with the picks on the back of the romper. On that rounded area, can you see them in the pictures? It makes a very badly finished look, but again, I wasn't really in the mood to unpick seams and guess what? It is wearable! 

The next thing that got me upset about it was the front placket, and that leads me to the...

Second challenge

Here, when I announced the 6 projects I have pinned and would try to do, there was listed as number 3, a very cute placket, right?! 

Well, that's actually the first thing I got done out of the six of them. The tutorial for my pin came from The Crafty Cupboard, but honestly, I only had a look at the images and guess-timated how to make it. Of course I messed up with measurements and it didn't turn out as pretty as it was supposed to. But, I tried it though, it was only the very first placket I made, I'm sure, I'll try it again later and hopefully they'll be better. 

As if wasn't things enough, today, when I tried to put it on her for the photoshoot, I realised I didn't leave space anywhere to actually put it on her. Luckily enough for me, the wide of the colloar plus the placket fully opened were enough to slide her little body in and squeezing arms I made it - luckily for me, she was very helpfull and didn't complain at all. It was way easier to take off though. 

So, because of that, I might still have to undo one of the side seams under arms and insert a zipper, just to make it more confortable to baby G. to put in on. 

One project:

Project Run & Play - checked

Pinterest Challenge - checked

Sew Your Stash Thin - checked

Thrift Shopping

picture origin

On the last Sunday of every month, there is a second hand market on a small village nearby. I use to go there because I love to find some little treasures. Sometimes I go there searching for a specific item, but most of the time I just go and look at all the beautiful things I (unexpectedly) find there. 

Last month I went searching for cheap knits to make baby G. her Carnival outfit - ooppppsss I still haven't bloged about that - and we were there again today. The two of us. 

Most of all I went searching for thrift clothing. I didn't care much of the sizes because I was mainly interested in getting some knits and some colours I needed. Those colours were emerald and mustard. I did find the green, and there was a shirt in yellow but not quite refashionable for me, so I passed. Sadly is not an easy colour to find there, maybe next month. 

 

What did I buy there?! Let's see... 

1 - An amazing short brown dress |2€| and it's an S... how lucky I was?! Still I think I might have to take a few inches on the sides to perfectly fit my slim figure

2 - This caught my eye because it was red... with polka dots! Yay, it made my day even before I discovered it was actually a corset! I l o v e corsets. It's an M, and I might have to re-do very boring seams but it is worth is. It looks almost new and it says me me me all over it! |2€|

3 - If there is something I love after polka dots, it has to be stripes. Me buying this shirt came after I seen the number 8 girl's shirt. I thought they were just a perfect match for me to create a mom and daughter look. I don't do that for far too long. |1€|

4 - I just loved this top and got it. |#4+#7+#8 = 1€|

5 - As I've already mentioned above, this shirt had the green I found. I first wanted it for a refashion, I loved the lace around the collar, and it's elastic, but it looks so beautiful as it is, that I might keep it like that or if maybe, just do a little upcycling on it. |1€|

6 - Dark blue shirt. It's an M but fits me well. Will keep it as it is. I found out I'm trying to find my own style (STILL!!! shame on me!) and I need a few basics to compose my dreamed looks (I swear I am trying!). |1€|

7 - A 8 year old sized skirt, absolutely to refashion into something for G.  |#4+#7+#8 = 1€|

8 - As said on number 3.  |#4+#7+#8 = 1€|

Total cost of my finds was 8€! 

Not bad, right?! 

Now let's hope I won't take too long to fix/refashion whatever I have to from this list, because I am not suposed to get any new stash into my thin, remember? I think I've been working quite well into it so far! Wish me luck! hehehe

Sew Your Stash Thin 2013

One of my resolutions for 2013 is to stop buying fabric I don't really need, and get my hands on the one I already have, since I have been buying and stashing for a few years already. I've moved a few times and it's always been pretty nasty to carry boxes and boxes of un-ending fabric. 

Anyway, this resolution, comes from 2012 too. I did work trough my stash, I did try not to buy anything else, but in the end, I did buy a few. I bought things I really needed and used right away, but I also bought things that are still waiting for the right project. 

When I saw THIS challenge, I knew I had to be in, and work harder on my resolution this time around.

Most of my stash comes from previous years, when I sewed a lot of clothes for gothic fashion shows, so I have a few velvet, satins, leather in my collection. 

Some other fabrics, came from a project I made part a while ago; the deal was: I'd sew, the other part would buy the materials. Well, it only lasted for a while and though I tried countless times to return what wasn't mine, the person acted like she didn't care that much. So, after about two years, I said enough, I will start using this fabric, so it won't take the place of other things in my house. 

Then I have all the other fabric... too much fabric, I'd say. I should measure all those pieces to follow the rules, but I confess I am too lazy to go through all that. I just share the pictures from the before, and hopefully but the end of the year I'll have a very short pile of fabric to take only single picture to (yeah, dream on, it's free!). 

These are smaller pieces and scraps. It's the most messy spots. It's three shelves from a cabinet: the first one holds lots of Burda's and other pattern magazines); the next two are over loaded with fabrics. I really need to organize them again. 

These are much bigger piles of fabric, and most organized too. 

And of course, another pile that must go. All the clothes I've been saving to refashion into something else. 

How good will it be? Only time to see!

But wish me luck, I'll try to do my very best. 

and don't forget to keep checking my projects for the Project Run & Play sew along.