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.

|day 23| Refashion Month Guess: Melissa from Melly Sews

Melissa's blog, Melly Sews, must be one of those blogs I follow for years and can't get enough. Not only does she refashion, but she shares a lot of sewing tips, tutorials, blog tips... And, do I need to mention she's the owner of Blank Slate Pattern Shop? I'm pretty sure you've heard or used her patterns before, right?!

 

Hello House of Estrela readers! I'm Melissa, from Melly Sews, and I love to refashion. I didn't realize how much until I started looking through old blog posts to find refashioning posts I've done. So I'm so excited to be here during Refashion Month.

So, click on any picture to go to the post and see some of my favorite refashions.

   

|the| Ladybug Birthday Outfit

The first week of the Refashion Month series is done. I am so glad about the great feedback I've been getting AND there's more to come! So much more, and I am pretty sure you'll want to stay around to check them all. 

But, today I am giving you a break from refashioned items, for this:

It was my daughter's second birthday on June 29, and I made her a ladybug inspired outfit, to match the birthday party theme (wanna see some pictures from all the rest? Click here). Back here, I shared a little from this project but kept you waiting for the final reveal for a little longer than I thought I would. It was a time consuming project but don't you just love how it turned out to be? Didn't she look the cutest of 'em all in it?

Let's talk about it though. I shall start with the peplum top/tunic. I've been wanting to sew a peplum for far too long, but never did until now. I used  Jess' Spring Fever Dress Pattern with some changes: the sleeves, I have enlarged the original and used two sleeve pieces at each side and gave it a heart shape hole in the back.  I mostly used the pattern for sizing. I used the 2T again but it turned out to be a little too large on the front. All the rest was just fine. I've chosen a medium light woven polka dot fabric for it, and lined with a light red one (left overs from the drawstring disney bags).  

I had those black ladybug buttons on my stash that were just perfect for the project. I did have some a bit more realistic ladybug buttons but they wouldn't contrast at all with the red fabric, so I am glad I had these too. As I said they turned out to be the perfect ones for this. 

Then, the other piece of the outfit was the shorts. My latest piece of art! *insert modesty here, please!* 

I used my own pattern for these. The shorts pattern I drafted for the Have a Nice Day outfit and also used in the Blue Romper I've made (and I realised I used the same patterns -top & shorts- together for the second time and did create two completely different looks!). For fabric, I used left overs of the black fabric that had been bought for an order I had last month).

In the sneek peek post I told you that I used Marta's tutorial for the pleats. Well, I did it on each side of my shorts, the second one was way faster; once you get in the rythm it becomes easier. I used the red thread to match the top piece and also because it gives a nice contrast even if she wears it separatedly from the top. Then I only had to add cuffs to the pants to shape it differently and give it a kind of bubble look, and to finish off, I've add an elastic waistband. 

The heart on the back was something I wanted to try for a while too and I finally did. I followed no pattern or tutorial for this, so I am pretty satisfied. Oh and just look at those cute sandals her cousin gave her as her birthday gift? Don't they just look so cute? I love it! And they go with everything!

I just love it that I was able to create a look that looks sofisticated and at the same time is very comfortable. She can play around and still look the cutest thing on earth! ok, enough mamma!!!