Saturday, May 28, 2011

more Elodies...

This is just a little post to show I'm still here!
I'm on week 33 now, and it's getting much more difficult to move, to do anything...
But I had to make these two dresses... as the old Elodies I made for the girls last year has gotton too small for them!
(for last year's Elodie pictures see here, and the photo toturial look here)..
Look!






World Fashio Magazine
On another matter.. I think it is common knowlegde now among Israeli crafters, but just in case someone doesn't know (from Israel, I mean), there is a new fashion magazine, called "World Fashion", it's an Israeli magazine, and it is cute!
There is a void in Israel... and I think this magazine can really fill this void.
you can see pictures from the fisrt issue right here
A little review...
first - It doesn't look like a 'first' issue.. I looks very professional, pretty photos, nice and interesting designs in a good variety of sizes!
There are about 25 patterns there.. someof little girls' clothes, some for teens and some for women.
As in most magazines, I liked some of the patterns better then others...
The instructions are very detailed, much better then Burda's instructions, for example. Still, not as good or detailed as Simplicity, Butterick, etc.
I think it is great for Isreal crafters!
I also like that it is the first time to actually get a summer magazine.... well... in the Summer :-)
There are a few 'child sicknesses' the magazine should overcome... I think the girls' patterns should be in heights.. as most sewers are used to. The explnantions for the fabrics chosen for each design could be better..
Still, all in all, a very cute magazine!
I chose from it the 'Trapez Top'(I need to check if I cann add a picture here). I wish I could show you, but in week 33... no way the top can fit me now. I chose this pattern because it looks like a comfortable, wide top, that will fit me after I have the babies...
This will be a good time to show the pictures.
Anyhow, the pattern came out very quickly.. in one evening (well, it was a very eacy top to make). I think it'll fit great, the insturctions were good!
I think I'll post a good pattern review next week on the top, I just need to find a friend to try on this top for me!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Corny and Tacky... part 3 - SImplicity 2388

So.. making these two matching bags wasn't enough...
I also needed to make them cute outfits for getting out of the hospital. I don't think I'll be making more outfits for them right now... because I have so much! But a special new outfit for getting out of the hospital with... that's a must, right?

So I picked Simplicity 2388


I chose the romper. The XXS size.
I didn't iron it.. It will look much cuter when pressed :-)

Here's what I made..





As you can see, I left out the tie on the boy's romper... still looks kind of girly I think... But it'll have to do.
In the girl's version I closed the leg opening with little snaps. In the boy's version I closed it with volcro. I'm not sure which is better.
The doll size is 40 cm, so I actually think this might be good for newborn babies. I haven't seen many newborn patterns that are really for newborn. Have you?
I don't like the tie, and if I make it again, I'll leave it out again, because the baby will be unable to lie down on his tummy with this tie. I wish I thought of that before.
As for the pattern instructions - very easy and very good. The pattern calls for snaps tape to put on the legs, but I didn't have any. I may have to buy when I get to a store.
The size, as I said, seems good...

Still a lot to do!
I have planned two dresses for the girls, bathing suits (maybe), baby bed sheets, maybe some baby toys...
We also have a lot to do around the house to get ready...

Will be back soon!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Corny And Tacky... part 2.. sleeping bags

As promised... I am getting to this.
I baught from an Israeli online fabric shop (badim-dim) two pieces of cord fabric... that match!
And here's what I made out of it
Sleeping sacks
I don't even know if I'll use it! I never used a sleeping sack before for my girls, but this time I plan for the twins to share a bed for the first few months, so I don't like the idea of having two blankets in one bed...


The pattern if from Anna Maria Horner's baby patterns' book Handmade Beginnings
I baught the book for this pattern, since I wanted a non-zippered pattern, that allows the baby to sleep not only on his back.
I like the book, it has some great patterns in it. A lot of them I'll not make (having no more then two months left to carry this pregnancy, I do not intend to make the clothing items from the book). I may want to make the baby shoes. These are adorable..
The instructions were pretty long and complicated for me, but that's probbaly because my English isn't that great, but the illustrations were just fine.
As for the measurements, I think this sleeping bag is pretty good. I tried using it on a 40cm baby doll :-)

Granted, babies are bigger then 40cm, right? So I believe this pattern should fit babies from start till they are several months old.
I used fleece for the lining, not flannel, thinking it'll be warmer this way.
No other changes were made.
If it's a success I'll be making this bag again, as I think it'll be a great baby gift. don't you???
And it's corny, I know... these matching items. But I DON'T CARE!!!!

Friday, May 6, 2011

yes, it's corny and tacky... I don't care!

I am very tired these days. I have a lot going on, between work and the girls I hardly get any crafting time. Since it's getting warm outside, we spend most afternoons in the playground, which is great for the girls... but when I get home I'm usually too tired to do anything!
But I have been doing some things. Not much, and I'm getting a bit worried, that I'll not finish all that I planned before the babies arrive. I still have so much to do, and it should all be finished this month, I'm not sure in June I'll have any energy left, or time...
Anyway, I decided to sew for the babies only the very basic things that I need. I have many baby clothes from my girls, as well as from my sister's kids. So really, I don't plan on making them an clothes, What for? As a rule, all pretty babies clothes end up being poped on or puked on... right?
So I narrowed it down to a very few objects.
1. sleeping sacks
2. cute outfits for going out of the hospital
3. cloth diapers
4. bed sheets
The cloth diapers
As for the cloth diapers, I have baught the patter from YMCT, from right here.
I like the pattern, and it is explained well, but I cannot comment on the size, since I cannot try it on a real baby.
I have made two so far, one for the girl and one for the boy, and I plan to make at least one more for each, I want to see that it is really working, and easy, before making more.
I am not sure which is the perfect AIO diaper. my first try (the girl's diaper) is made as follows (from outside layer to inside)
1. cute cotton print
2. PUL fabric
3. two rectengle layers in absorbing fabric
4. fleece fabric (on the inside) the keep the baby nice and dry.


Inthis diaper I top stictched the leg openings. It looks good, but I'm afraid it will leak.

The second version I made:
1. cutecotton print
2. PUL fabric
3. two layers of flannel
4. fleece fabric with a pocket
In this pocket I can put as many absorbing layers as needed.




In this version I did not top stitch the leg opening. It doesn't look good.

Do any of you have any good comments about these diapers? I would love to hear what fabric combination will be best from your experience!

Anyhow, I didn't even get to the tacky part! This will come next, really soon!!!