Desert Island Sew

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Tal como no passado mês, juntei-me a outras bloggers para mais um tour divertido. Se no primeiro mês nos pediram para mostrarmos as nossas peças a serem usadas no dia a dia e algumas perguntas por responder, desta vez, apenas nos questionaram uma coisa:

Se fosse para uma ilha deserta e só pudesse levar um molde, que molde seria esse? Podíamos levar todo e qualquer material de costura, mas apenas um molde. E agora?

Just like last month, I joined a few bloggers for another fun tour. We were asked to share our sewn pieces in our daily life and we had a few questions to answer as well. This time though, we were only asked one thing:

If we were going to a desert island, and we could take only one pattern, what would it be? We could take as many sewing supplies as we'd wish, but were only allowed to take one pattern. What now? 

Azur Swimsuit 
by Petit a Petit and Family & Titchy Threads

Escolhi o molde do fato de banho Azur. Um molde resultante de uma colaboração entre as designers Celina Bailey e Laura Titchter, mas levei tanto tempo para me decidir. Existem tantos moldes maravilhosos. A minha ideia inicial era escolher um molde básico, que eu pudesse alterar e costurar imensas peças diferentes com ele: versatilidade era o meu foco, portanto. No entanto, cheguei a outra conclusão. Uma ilha deserta pede pouca roupa, não? E porque não levar um molde apropriado para o local? Ninguém disse que eu ia ficar perdida na ilha para sempre e precisar todo o tipo de roupa, pois não? Imagino essa ida para a ilha deserta como uma espécie de retiro costuril. Eu, a minha máquina, os meus tecidos e a parafernália toda que eu conseguisse levar para lá. 

I chose the Azur swimsuit. This is a pattern brought together by two designers, Celina Bailey and Laura Titcher. It took me quite a few time to decide though. There are so many wonderful patterns out there. My first thought was going for a versatile pattern I could hack as much as needed. However, my conclusion was otherwise. A desert island calls for little clothes, right? And whay not taking an approriate pattern then? Nobody said I would stay lost in the Island and need all sorts of clothes, right? I imagine going to that island for a sewing retreat. Me, my sewing machine, my fabric and all the supplies I could carry. 

Eu fiz parte do grupo de testers do molde, desde a primeira ronda. Quase um ano depois houve uma segunda e finalmente o molde ficou pronto e perfeito. Fiz 3 durante a fase de testes, e o primeiro que fiz foi o que apresento na foto acima. O fato de banho é reversível, e eu adoro a conjugação das cores que escolhi. Na altura foi um bocadinho medricas no que diz respeito a adicionar o elástico e como era opcional dispensei. Arrependi-me claro. Vê-se sempre um bocadinho do outro lado a espreitar, para além do facto de não assentar tão bem e parecer até um pouco largo. O tecido azul tinha-o comprado e usei as sobras que ficaram depois de costurar dois pares de leggings - tanto que para a peça da frente fiz mesmo um remendinho, por isso se vê uma costura na cintura, o tecido não era suficiente para cortar a peça inteira. Já a lycra preta do outro lado, veio de um vestido de mulher comprido ao qual também meti tesoura e transformei neste fato de banho. 

I was part of the testers for this one, since the first round. Almost a year later there was a second one and finally we had this perfect pattern ready. I made 3 of these through the tests, and the first one is the one I shared above. The swimsuit is reversible, and I love the fabric mix I used. Back then, I was a bit of a chicken to try to use the elastic and since it was optional I skipped it. Of course I regret it. The other side is always showing and it doesn't fit as good as it could. I bought the blue fabric and for this I used the scraps I was left after making two leggings - so much so that I had to sew two pieces together in order to be able to cut a front piece, that's way there's a sewing line in the waist of this one. The black lycra I used came from a women's long dress I refashioned into this. 

Mais tarde e com o aperfeiçoamento ao molde, foi-nos pedido que fosse costurado mais uma versão, e eu queria muito fazê-la mas tinha um problema... estava difícil encontrar lycra capaz por aqui. Por isso, comprei um retalhinho branco e preto que adorei a nível de padrão, mas era tão fino que me dava impressão. Juntei restos do vestido usado para o anterior também. Para o outro lado do fato de banho vi-me aflita, não tinha tempo de encomendar online e por aqui não havia nada. Felizmente, num monte de roupa para reciclar que me deram, vinha um fato de banho de mulher, suficientemente grande para eu conseguir fazer a versão em color block do molde. A esse lado juntei retalhos de um tecido jersey fino e até um pouco brilhante que tinha por casa. 

Later and with the perfecting of the pattern we were asked to sew another one and I really wanted to make it but struggled with something... It was quite hard to find the perfect fabric around here. I ended up buying a black and white scrap I adored in print, but was way too thin. I used scraps from the black dress here too. For the other side, I almost fell into despair, I had no time to order it online and I just couldn't find anything at all. Happily for me, I was given a pile of clothes to refashion, I found a women's swimsuit large enough for me to use some of it and do the color block in the swimsuit. To that same side, I used scraps from a thin and slightly shinny jersey from my stash. 

E passado um ano veio o último, o meu preferido. Depois de dois fatos de banho lá perdi o medo do elástico e apliquei neste último. O que vos posso dizer sobre isso? Nunca mais faço fatos de banho sem eles. Fazem toda a diferença no cair da peça. Os tecidos comprei-os em Espanha, e agora depois de algum uso, percebi que o das fotos de baixo não vale nada e desbotou ao fim de duas idas à praia ou coisa assim. Tanto que o uso como forro para todos os fatos de banho que vou fazendo. O tecido das bolas brancas é uma lycra pesada, que dura e dura. Foi uma excelente compra. Eu mesma fiz um outro bikini para mim o ano passado usando os mesmos tecidos. O tecido rosa, veio de uma t-shirt de mulher e apesar de não ser lycra tem-se aguentado perfeitamente à água salgada da praia e ao cloro das piscinas. 

And then, one year later, there was the last one, my fave. After two swuimsuits I finally lost my fear of elastics and applied it to this last one. What can I tell you about it? I will never make another swimsuit without it. They make a huge difference in the fit. The fabrics I used were both bought in Spain and after going twice to the beach, I realized that the one from the lower photos is really crappy, and lost the bright colours right away. I've been using it as a lining for all the other swimwear I made after this. The white polka dots fabric is a heavy lycra, that lasts and lasts. It was an excellente purchase. I made a bikini for myself in those same fabrics too. The pink fabric, was reused from a woman's t-shirt and although it's not lycra, it has been lasting and resisting the salty water from the beach and the chlorine from swimming pools. 

E pronto, é isto, eu levava o Azur comigo e fazia uma dúzia deles, para a minha filha, mas também experimentaria fazer um para mim, já que desde que fiz o último, que digo que gostava de experimentar fazê-lo para mim mesma, já que as minhas medidas, excepto nas ancas, cabem no número maior (12 anos). E vocês? Que molde escolhiam para levar para uma ilha deserta? Vejam as escolhas das bloggers que se seguem... 

And that's it, I would take the Azur with me ans would make a bunch of them for my daughter, but also for myself, as since I made the last I've been wanting to. My measurements, except for the hips, totally fit the biggest number (12 years). What about you? What pattern would you choose for a desert island? See the choices from the next bloggers... 

7/18 Sew 20 Tour Launch | Very Blissful | Lulu & Celeste | The Wholesome Mama 7/19 House of Estrela |FABulous Home Sewn | create3.5 7/20 Beri Bee Designs | mahlicadesigns 7/21 Rebel & Malice | Sew Starly| The Berry Bunch | Sewing By Ti 7/22 Candice Ayala | PenSeb&Rox | Mae & K | Sew 20 Social Media Round-up 7/25 Sew 20 Tour Wrap-up

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. 

***

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. 

***

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. 

***

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

|day 24| Refashion Month Guest: Mikelina from Mikelina Makes

Mikelina from Mikelina Makes, is our guest today. Another lady I met through Refashion Co-op not long ago. The reason why I wanted her to guest post in this series is simple: I love her retro style and her quite simple refashions that make all the little difference. I knew she would add something different and special, unique like herself. And look at what she brought us; don't you just feel like getting all retro too?  Wow,

You know I'm still kind of reeling from being a part of this list of so many talented, incredible ladies! I feel like rookie of the year.

For those of you (most of you) who have no idea who I am my name is Mikelina and I like to make things but if you read the title of this post you probably guessed that. See, my creativity is already shining through.

Since my son was born I have been looking everywhere for a cute bathing suit, or tankini that will discretely hide the new-mommy belly I still have and support the new-mommy boobs that don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

There are tons of retro suits that match this description...however none of them met my new-mommy budget. Since I'm generally not inclined to theft I did what I almost always do in these situation. I turned to my beautiful, very old, but still running.... I just realized my sewing machine doesn't have a name. I am not usually prone to oversights like that. Shall we make a commitment? By the end of this guest post my sewing machine will have a name!

Ready?

Steady?

Go!

I made a swimsuit top. A retro swimsuit top with a big bow. And, not only did I make a swimsuit top I made a swimsuit top out of an old maternity dress and an old, ill-fitting bra! Are you still with me? Okay!
Linda?

Step One:

Gather your materials.

Grace?

I started out with a bra that fit nicely before my son was born, and a dress that was a purchase of convenience on an incredibly hot and pregnant summer day last year.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the dress, it's just not me. If you've ever visited my blog you may be aware that "me" leans in the general direction of flourescent animal prints and graphic Ts and away from conservative blue stripes. So, what's a girl to do?

Luckily I have a (as of yet unnamed) sewing machine!

Anastasia?

Note: Make sure the material of your to-refashion garment is not cotton jersey, as it is easily waterlogged and can become heavy and shapeless. Ideally bathing suits would be made out of lycra but this polyeter/viscose combination has worked well for me.


Step Two:

Cut the bottom of the swimsuit off so that it measures from your hips (as high or low as you want it) to just below your bust. I also took it in so it fight tighter. Loose fabric in water is not so good unless your filming an overly-romantic scene in movie. In which case maybe just wrap a flowy white sheet around yourself?

Step Three:

Using the top of the dress you'll want to cut out four pieces for the bust. Since I had stripes to work with I cut them on the bias and got a cool chevron look. You'll also need a waist band to creat a more finished look and to support the girls.

Step Four:
Bra destruction! I cut the straps and waist band from my old bra so that it was ready for it's big transformation!

Step Five:

I sewed the two halves of the cups down the middle with zig zag stitch then pinned them around the ouside of the bra cup and folded the hem in so that it looked clean from both sides. I ended up sewing this piece by hand. The thought of trying to manipulate a bra in that tiny space under the presser foot was daunting. Plus I can hand sew an invisible stitch pretty well, little pat on my back (my hand sewing used to be atrocious).

Analiese?

Luanne?

Step Six:

Next I sewed the waist band from the outside of one cup to the outside of the other so that it had it's own support seperate from the body of the bathingsuit.

Step Seven:

Sew the former-bra-now-bathingsuit-bust to the body of the suit with zig zag stitch.

And for that final touch I sewed a tightly stretched piece of elastic up on side and sewed two long ties just underneath so that it looked like it was gathered but without the danger of unpleasant ungathering.

Oh, and we'll need some straps.

Ta da! Done right? Oh, wait...wait a minute what is that?

Ah! Proof that my refashion is a refashion. The bane of my refashioning existence. You can tell that this bathingsuit top used to be a bra because of that tiny little rose. Damn you little fabric rose. I will defeat you! With uh...

Scraps apparently. Not particularly menacing? Fortunately I have some wonder friends here to help me out!


Allow me to introduce Benny the Pincushion Beaver and The Fabric Shears of Doom!

Sewing powers unite! Form off...

Wait for it...

(Name? Name? Name?)

Step Eight:

Big retro girly bow! And now for a much more appropriate...

TA DA!!!

I want to thank Magda once again for inviting me to be a part of this group of extremely talented women. I'm pretty sure I'm stilll blushing.

-Mikelina

Mercedes! Her name is Mercedes. And Perhaps my serger will be Edmond. How romantic!