Noni And Looli

I thought I could have it all...

2012-02-10T20:59:00.000-08:00

four kids, a husband, full time job an haour and a half away from home, and time for crafting too...
I guess I was wrong. This past month since I returned to work has been really busy.
At night, when all the kids are asleep, I took a few minutes each day to work on my 5 years old birthday cakes (yes, as always, 3 different cakes), so I had no time to sew at all!
I did manage a few items before all that...
one is 11-2008-125

Here's the way mine looks

It is part of my pattern stash sewing.. I'm trying realy hard to buy nothing new... (OK, a friend of mine baught some Jersey fabrics for me, but I really didn;t have enough of those).

The pattern review:
I made size 40, and it is wide... I think it runs big.
it is pretty simple to make. The instructions were simple.
I like it a cute simple summer top, but I don't know if I'll make it again, it's not special in any way...

I also made many cakes this month...

I need more pink edible color!!!

Last evening, once we had all the parties over, I placed my sewing machine back on the table..

My plans for the feture (note, I don't plan for the 'coming month' anymore... )
- A new winter top for myself
- summer dresses - four of them, two my 8 years old and her best friend, and two for my 5 years old and her best friend..
- two dolls...
- two quilt cushions
I wonder how long it'll take me...

Ok, now that I have a couple of minutes (little ones are playing near me, two big girls and husband all a sleep, no work today..) I;m going to see what change on blogland this past month I was not around..

Golf top from World Fashion Magazine

2012-01-06T21:19:00.000-08:00

Hi there!
I still have a couple of things that I didn't blog about, and that deserve a post.
They all all from the past month, but from before I returned to work...
I really have no time to do anything these days. I hurry to work early in the morning, hurry to get the kids back after work, hurry to do all the chores at home after all the kids are asleep... (OK, not ALL the chores, but some I just have too...). If I finish it all in time, I let my self 'play' around for a short while...

These two tops are from a 'golf top' pattern from the Israeli Magazine 'World Fashion' number 2. I liked the top since I saw it, and it looks really simple.
In the magazine it appears with short sleeves, I made it twice, once with short sleeve with some lycra that was difficult for my machine to handle, and once with long sleeves, that I copied from another pattern that I have (the sleeves are wide at the bottom, I like it that way).
Here is the picture from the magazine.
Here are my versions of it

The pattern review
what can I say??? so easy!
Only 3 pattern pieces, very good explnantions and drawings...
Tne result has anice fit. The only issue I have is with arranging the collar nicely, I have troubles with it, it doesn't 'sit' on me ar evenly as on the model. I may need to pin something there, same as the model. WHat do you think?

Anyway, both these tops are from my faric stash, so I am good there.

I have some more to show... later. Babies are crying here...

Encinitas - and a new decision...

2011-12-27T23:21:00.000-08:00

First... my decision...
Hard as it is, I've decicided to stop buying fabric and patterns until I make better use of what I have.
I think it is called 'sewing from stash'... right? Stash of fabric and patterns.
There will be exceptions, I suppose, (for example, I hardly have any nice stretch fabric at the moment...) but I'll try to limit it. The reason is both the ecomony and the limited space in my closet...
So, all of the projects I am currently doing are from my fabric stash, and when it is reduced I'll have the pleasure of buying again... I can't wait!

Now, The Encinitas... I wasn't sure about this pattern... still not sure. But my 8 years old loves it...

The patterns arrives only in German, but it's not difficult. It is basically a regular peasent top with a 'leaf' skirt. There are two layers to the skirt, the inside one is sewed as usual, the outer one has pockets (not visual in my pictures), but you could just as easily leave the pockets out and that would make it a really easy and quick little dress.
I finished the wo layers of the skirt with bias tape, which makes it a bit 'jumpy'. My dd loves the effect.
I'm not sure how I feel about this dress. It is special, sure, and twirly, and my 5 years old already asked for a dress 'just like this one' too... so for the girls it's a success. But something doesn't look right to me, not sure what. If I do it again I'll lengthen the top part, I think it is a bit too short, and I may leave the pockets out.

This dress is all from stash fabric... so I'm OK so far!

I'm returning to work tomorrow morning... I guess my limited crafting time will be far more limited then...

Till next time then.. :-)

new beginings...

2011-12-19T23:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I was away again... but this time I have the best excuse... I really had no computer.
I was informed about a month ago, that the company (a startup) I worked in for the past 5 years, was sold.. that's great news of course.. for the share holders. Not so much for me. It means looking for a new job...
So, I had to return my computer, hence my limited computer access, and worry about finding a new job.
I will start my new job in two weeks, in Tel Aviv. That's pretty far from my home, I hope I will be able to do that... I worry about seeing my babies for only 3 hours before they go to sleep... not being able to do anything with my girls...
well, work is a MUST at this stage of our lives... I'll just need to make it work, right???
On the good side, I think I'll be able 2-3 times a year to travel after work to Nahalt Binyamin, the fabric street of Israel.... Up until now it was ajust too far, took months of arrangements.. but when I work 20 minutes from there... :-)

But in the meantime, I made quiet a few things. Some deaseve a post of their own, as they are new patterns Ive tried, but some are just old stuff I made again.
For example - This bag is made according this Simplicity 2396, which I already made several times. see here for example. I made it again, this time a bigger version, as I will need a space for a book, now that I'll have to take the train to get to work... and I added a zipper to fully close the bag, so nothing can fall out.

I also made a new Jalie sweetheart top for myself... But I made a mistake, I didn't follow the instructions (I thought I remembered them so well...) so it looks a little different, but I like it! The sleeves turned out a little short, so I think I'll cut it to be a short sleeve top pretty soon..

I made some more stuff, but I think those deserve their own entry... So I'll finish with this adorable pictures... don't you think???

I hope that now, when I have a computer, I can blog more often, and more important - keep track of what haooens in the sewing world, in other blogs!!!!

Burda 11-08-139 - two new jumpers

2011-11-25T00:12:00.000-08:00

I have made it before, about two years ago.. before this blog existed, but you can look at the pattern review right here...
So I made it twice more last month, as it is so easy and great with a top under it for the winter...
made it out of baby cord.

I like it... Not too much, so they can wear it anywhere, but not too casual.

I will back at work in a month... I feel pretty bad about it, but I need to get back to life...
I suppose I will have time for nothing then, so I have huge plans for the coming month, I plan on making my self two more winter tops, I plan on one more dress for each girl, and a big bag for myself.
I wonder if I'll manage it all...

That's it for now...

The search for the best winter dress...

2011-11-18T01:37:00.000-08:00

There is really no problem in the summer, right? There are so many great dress patterns other there... you just have to choose.
On the winter, however...
Both my big girls were born in the winter... and a girl must have a special dress for her birthday, right? So, I have been looking for long sleeve dress patterns... well, forever.
Three years ago I made by 8 years old (back then she was 5) a long sleeve dress from Ottobre.

Looking at this picture... I may make this dress again.
I then looked for more. Didn;t fund any that looked good to me.
Og course, jumpers are veru good for the winter, but it requires me to make sure thereis a close fitting, color-matching, top under it, which I don;t always have available...
But I have used Farbenmix Sasha made out of baby cord and Farbenix Feliz several times and winter dresses.
I even tried to make the sleeves of my Tini pattern longer

but none of these.. though I did like them all, became my favorite winter dress pattern... The problem is that they are all very fency, while a winter dress should be warmer, more comfortable.
Until last month I came across Henrika!!!
Don't know how come I missed it until now!
Ignore the faces of the girls... I was in a hurry to take pictures... though the girls were in a really bad mode..

As with most Farbenmix patterns.. there are so many examples over the net, hard not to get inspired.. and I have little to add, except that I followed an example I saw on the net and made the dress out of stretch fabric, making the dress so easy to sew and easy to wear!
I just need to get my hands on more patterned stretch fabric.
I like that it is a great casual winter dress. and yet, endless combinations...
I hope to have better pictures soon...

Tennis skirt and some cakes..

2011-11-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

My girl turned 8 today!!! what a young lady!
Lately she has displayed signs that maybe these dresses I love so are not always her first choice... I mean, she still loves them, but she sometimes prefers wearing more 'adult' clothes (can you believe it??? I don't remembr myself at that age caring so much about my outfit...). I do not always approve... I wouldn't let her walk around with clothes that are too revealing, but some clothes I do approve of.
So, when I so the tennis skirt (see here) in the new Israeli fashion magazine, I thought this is something we'll both like.
Now... I had a problem. The second issue of the magazine is great. really great. It has plenty of girls patterns that I will make. Not so great for me for women' patterns, as I am not pregnant and since the styles there just don't fit me.
But -as girls clothes go, the sizes are given by numbers, and not by height as I am used to. So I chose size 8 for my 8 years old girl.
After I cut the parts, I realized the belt is about 5cm too short for my girl... I should have chosen size 10 probably. But since I already cut it all, I decided to cut only the belt again... longer this time, and make it work.
SO I have a cute skirt... but sinze it is the wrong size, it is too short.
Here's the outcome..

I need to make it again, size 10 this time... because I think it's a great little pattern with a great potential! I'll report back on that!

Tomorrow is the party, and for the past week, every nap the babies had - I made some progress with the cakes..
Here are the birthday cakes...

My wonderful big girl - Happy birthday!!!!!

getting ready for winter... yellow fleece!

2011-10-25T22:43:00.000-07:00

I bought this great yellow fleece last month when I was fabric shopping with a friend. I could see my little one is in the bright yellow.. though this is one color I don't usually sew...

This is a mix up of different patterns.
The Poncho is from the new Israeli sewing magazine, 'World Pattern'. It is very simple and I liked it from the first moment.
The Gloves are from Mccall 5772. I love the gloves and they are very well explained, but sizing... well... that's a whole other story. More on that later.
The hat... well, I did try the same Mccall 5772 for the hat too, but it didn't work out for me, and I did not insist, as I had a cuter hat in mind. I originally saw it years ago in a free sewing guide on the net. right here.
I changed it a bit. I will post a detailed photo guide later.
Here's the result.

My little sunshine!

So, pattern reviews:

The Poncho
cute and simple poncho, one pattern piece. sizing goes up to 10, but these are 'weird' sizes. I made 6 for my 5 years old, and it's barely fit. The problem is that the sizes do not correspond with the American sizes of the three big companies and are not provided with height, as Burda and Ottobrre do, so I'm just not used to it. I guess it's just a matter of time, I need to keep in mind that the sizes run small!
But really, I love this pattern! cute little poncho, what's not too like?

The Gloves:
This is actually the review to Mccall 5772, I'll post it also in patternReview.
I tried view B. Traced size Medium for the gloves and hat, It came out HUGE!!! The gloves went to my 8 years old, the hat was too big even for me.
There is a possibility that I did something wrong with the hat, because I couldn't understand how the lining and the outer parts go together, I found the hat instructions to be very poor. My bad English might be at fault here, but I usually do understand patterns...
I retraced the gloves to get a smaller size, no problem there.
I didn't bother with the hat, like I said, the instructions weren't clear.
I will make the gloves again. and again... really really cute. But if you plan on making it, note that this pattern really runs big!

Now, the hat!
As I said, I used the Fleece hat tutorial here.
But I wanted it changed a bit, so I took photos of the steps, so I'll make it again! Made it twice already for my two big girls.
Here it is...
I used 3 strips of fabric. Main fabric band is 50X18cm (was perfect for 5 and 8 years old). The other two narrower bands are 50X9 cm.

I sewed one main fabric band with a narrower band.

I sewed the side seem to create a tube

I cut the fabric this way..

now the fabric band that was left on the side... sew the side seem to cerate a tube.

fold it lengthwise, right side on the outside.

place the folded band, open side down, on the hat as follows amd sew together

Now tie the top of the hat with a small strip of fleece

All done!

boleros... a lot of them!

2011-10-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

So, I made many many boleros lately, for the girls and for myself...
for the girls I used NewLook 6582 (already reviewed the pattern right here).

This time I made it much better... I made it two sided!
Love the way it turned out!
A word of explanation - I made it twice (using two different fabrics), then I put them one on top of the other, right on right, and sewed it together, I then turned the right side out through the arm hole. Now I only had to finish the armholes...
Here's what I made for the girls..
This one is two-sided,but with the same fabric...

This one is made of two different fabrics..

But I don't have a good picture of the other side... This is all I have...

The dress on this picture will be fully 'exposed' soon...

for my own bolero I used Mccall 5006

I made view F using a light knit, though the pattern recommends either a stable knit for the view or light non-stretch fabrics. ButI made it using two layers (as I did with the newLook pattern), so it's not too light. I like the way it turned out!

The pattern review
what's not too like??? I live this view! I made size 8 and it is OK, but I think this pattern is very forgiving that way...
I didn't use the recommended fabric type, but rather a very light knit (but two layers of it), and I love it!
Using two layers and making it two-sided fixes the issue of seeing the wrong side of the fabric that I saw people commenting about in patternReview.com..
Will I make it again? I might, I just need to see that this one is being used!
I may also try other views, I think this pattern is very useful!

This is it for now, The holidays are finally over and within a week I'll have to change my focus and get started on my eldest's birthday plans.. I love birthdays!

Have a good week!

I'm back!!!!

2011-10-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Just a word of explanation - my computer had a nasty virus... I could not access blogger for about two months, and had to use the other computer for blogging. for the past month it was pretty much out of work too...
so I couldn't blog. I also couldn't comment on other blogs! (but I still read them closely!)
My husband fixed it last night...
I can blog again!
And I have a lot to show...
Just to start, here's a new Sasha I made for my little (OK, not so little anymore...) one.

Is there anyone who reads this blog and is unaware of how much I love Farbenmix patterns???? So, I baught last week three new patterns. Can't wait for them to arrive. As soon as they do, I'll start working on them.

If you want to see more Sasha examples that I've made look right here.. It is one of my favorite patterns. Always a success!!!!

But I was busy, I made more things!
I made Butterick 5525

I made it twice. The first timeI used some heavy rib fabric, pretty stable, so the neck was finished pretty nicely, but it kind of hangs on me. Still, it is warm, and comfortable, and I'll wear it.

The second time I used some light fabric, and hence the neck was not finished well. If I understand correctly, I should have stabilized it before folding and stitching. I'll try it.

And here's how the neck looks like..

The pattern review:
The instructions are great, I made view C and there's very little to understand.
As I mentiones, the pattern doesn'tinstruct you to stabilize the nack before folding, but if the fabric is not stable enough, I think it is needed.
I cannot comment on the size... I tried my usual 8 at first and it was too small. Then I tried 10, and I think it is OK, but that doesn't mean the pattern runs small. I'm just not used to my post-pregnancy body. I think I am a 10 now... :-(
Made it twice already, and I'll probably make it some time again because I like the shape of this pattern, It sews up fast and without a problem, and it's not just a regular T shirt. I think it's a great top for work!
I like the cute folds in the front part. Adds some interest to the top, I think.
I don;t like - that finishing the back as instructed results in a wavy way...
but really - easy, cute little top!

I have more to show, and now that I have access to my blog again, I hope to update real soon!

Simplicity 2615 - new top for me...

2011-09-22T02:17:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since I had a new, non-pregnancy, outfit! I've been waiting to sew for myself!
Unfortunately, I still have some leftovers from the pregnancy… many of my tops do not fit (yet, I hope), and so I had the greatest excuse to sew for myself. I really have nothing to wear!
On top of that, I have bought so many patterns over these past months… I have such a long to-do list!!!
I started with Simplicity 2615. I thought this pattern looks great for summer… It's made out of non-stretch fabric… I don't have many such tops… It looks really easy and comfortable.

Here's the result…

Pattern review:
I'm not all that sure. I made no changes to the original design (I made size 10, didn't need to widen it in the hip as I usually do). I followed the instructions to the letter, no problems there.
Does it looks like the envelop picture? I think so… but on the model it looks better, maybe because of the fabric I chose? I thought it was soft and flowing enough, but maybe it wasn't? I used some type of satin blend…Or maybe it looks better on the model because she's slimmer? Either way, I think the top is OK, but not great. I doubt I'll make it again,
Still, if I do… two things are bothering me.
1. The slit on the neck is way too deep (for me). If I bend a little everything shows..
2. I originally attempted the view with the gathered sleeves. It looked really terrible! (again, maybe the fabric just wasn't right for it). Anyhow, I took out the gathers (not completely, as you can see from the picture…) and if I do it again, I'll make the regular sleeves view…

So, I suggest that you check that, if you are interested in this pattern.

I actually made some additional items, but didn't have the time to take pictures yet. I am now working on a new top for myself. I hope it'll look better on me than this one.
Afterwards… I think maybe a new, bigger, diaper bag.
Then…. Well… I'll just have to see which of my to-so list gets to be the next item.
So much to do!!!

One more skort,,, Emily

2011-09-03T02:19:00.000-07:00

One of the items that were most used by my 4 years old over the past year was the skort. I made her two last year (see here... ). I find this pattern to be so practical... It looks like a skirt, thus satisfying my girl's need to wear a pretty outfit, but it has pants under... satisfying my need for avoiding sand and dirt where these do not belong.
The two skorts I made her look a bit used now, faded... so, about three months ago I cut fabric for a new skort. A month ago I started sewing it together, stitch by stitch... whenever the babies allowed it...
It came out great.

I don't have much more to write, I already reviewed the pattern last year.
I guess I should make some more of those... But then again, I have so many other items on my list...

My plans for the coming month (OK, it will take longer, I know):
1. Tops for myself... I still have a post-pregnancy belly... I need some new tops for the coming winter as many of my old ones just wouldn't fit!
2. birthday dress for my soon 8 years old girl :-)
3. Another (bigger!) diapers bag... It seems twins need so much more then one baby!!!
4. Boleros - many of those, another practical piece of cloth!

On another matter... My birthday was several days ago. I didn't do anything special, as I really don't have the time, but I plan, in about three weeks, to go fabric shopping with a friend in Nahalat Binyamin for the whole day (still don't know who will stay with the babies). So I am 'postponing' my birthday till then :-)

I hope to blog again soon...

Girls' world...

2011-08-21T02:33:00.000-07:00

It's been too long... It's been difficult to get to the computer. If I have any time.. I spend it sitting near my sewing machine.
But, very little time... very little proress...

A week before I had the babies, I got a package in the mail... I got the new book by Jeniffer Paganelli.. Girl's world!

My 8 years old picked out the dress and the fabric... . I would have picked a more live color, but still, she's happy with it, aand so am I.
I made size M, it's a little too wide on her, which is good, because the summer is nearly over and I want the dress to be used next summer.

Here it is...

I think that next year the fit will be great, and she'll enjoy the dress.

About the book
Such a pretty, colorful book! The colors are so bright, and the projects vary. I like most of the sewing projects, but I think I'll oly make the dresses, as I don't see my girls wering tunics or aprons.
The piloows - very pretty. I plan to make the big round one, and I plan to let my girl make the puppy pillow.

On the other hand, I don't like that the patterns are not presented well.. It's hard to get from the pictures the details of the pattern, and there is no back view.

The pattern - Josie Dress
I really like this pattern. It has a unique look, gathered front and a pretty sash. It's a bit big, but that's good. The instructions are good. The pattern pieces are drawn well, it's very easy to trace.
My 4 years old asked for the same dress, so I'll be making it again, But I'm not sure I'll make two of these dresses to each girl, as I mentioned, it is pretty unique.

Before I finish, just one more picture.. that I have to share!

Till next time :-)

Old debts - black and white Zucka

2011-07-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

Things are pretty hectic around here… sleepless nights in addition to the Summer vacation, I'm so tired!
So, I don’t have a lot to show here.
I have some, because during the past month I've cut a couple of items, all ready to sew together, so when I have a couple of minutes I can have some progress, but it's very very slow. Most of my 'spare time' (when I don't feed/change anyone or spend time with the girls) I am doing laundry.. 
Anyhow, I have a couple of items I made and didn’t show yet. The first one is a black-and-white Zacka.

I made it before… in red, and loved it! (see right here). However, this time I forgot that the pattern does not include seam allowance, and it turned out a bit too snug on my girl. I don’t think she'll ever wear it. I'm considering giving this skirt as a present to my girl's friend, or leave it until my little one (ok, she used to be my little one… my middle one now  ) grows a little. What do you say?

Anyway, I love this pattern!!!

So blessed!!!!

2011-07-16T06:46:00.000-07:00

Well, ten days ago, on a regular checkup at the hospital... The doctor said I was already in labor. Seven hours later, my little boy was out!

As soon as he was out, his twiמ sister decided to change her position... legs first.. so she had to be delivered in a C-Section. Lucky me, cut on both sides :-)

They are both fine... good weight for twins (2.600 KG the boy, 2.750 KG the girl). So tiny!!!!
I look at them... and I feel so blessed!
I have four amazing kids!

The nights are difficult... very difficult. I don't get enough sleep, and I still don't feel as myself. I still look pregnant :-( very pregnant! And I have waited for so long to put my old clothes on!!!

But I know after the coming few months, we'll get a new rutine, and it will all be just fine.

I have so much to blog about, two items I made before having the babies... two new books I baught, and I have prepared about fours items, all cut, just to be sewn together, piece by piece, when I have the time...
But it'll all have to wait until I have the time!

see you soon!

hardly any sewing going on here...

2011-06-26T11:07:00.001-07:00

Well, I am starting week 37 now. I am very heavy, tired, huge and moody. I hope this pregnancy ends really soon, with two healthy babies...
So this month... I really did almost nothing, despite of all my plans.
But some things I needed to do!
First of all, in 4 days my daughter finishes the first grade. I remember her first day of school, how excited and scared we all were... She had a great year!
To celebrate the end of the year her class had a 'Torah party',each child got a Torah book, and they had a nice ceremony, really nice.
I was asked to bring the party cake, here it is..

as always, the inspiration to the cake is from the really great magazine by Taltalim right here...

Then I decided on a very simple dress for my 4 years old... I decided on 'Hanna Suterday's dress' from the new Israeli pattern Magazine, World Fashion.
Here's the catch... I wasn't sure which size to choose... I finally chose size 4, but decided to add to each side of the front and back top parts one cm. I'm glad I did... it would have been too small otherwise. I chose a simple fabric that I bought long ago as a leftover. It has some stretch to it, and this was not a good choice...
I made some changes to the original design -
1. I added to the lower (skirt part) another pattern piece, to make the dress a bit longer and to be able to play with fabric combination.
2. I only traced the skirt front piece, the skirt back piece looks really similar except it isn't placed on the fold. These days I trace as little as I can, since even this is a bit diffcult for me :-)
3. I added a riboon beteen the top and the skirt.
So, why do I say I chose the wrong fabric???? because when I finished the neck opening (with bias tape) it got stretched and lost its shape. If I make this pattern again I'll have to try it on before finishing the neck opening and make sure it fits.
This is the photos of the dress.. please ignore the neck opening... I fixed it later..

The day after I fixed the neck - I add two darts in the back and now it looks much better. I don't have a good photo pf that just yet, though...
Just this picture...

I'm not sure... Can you see from this picture that the neck is much more fit? It really is...
Basically, it's a cute and simple dress. not much work involved.
I found the directions pretty good, but then again, I didn't really need them.
My daugther likes the dress. And I just need to remember, for times to follow, to check the neck opening before I finish it with bias tape, just to make sure the problem is the fabric, not the pattern.

I have more to share, but it'll have to wait.. too tired now,
Good week all!

Red Zucka - another great pattern

2011-06-07T12:04:00.002-07:00

I haven't been doing much lately... and I have so much to do... between my full time job, handling the girls and trying to get things ready for the babies... I've become lazy...
Take today for example, I was home today (it's a holiday here, Shavout!) and I did nothing (well, other then taking care of the girls, making lunch, etc.)
There's still a lot to do around here before the babies come. We don't have a room yet, or car seats, or beds... And I just can't handle it right now. Maybe this weekend..
Anyway, I managed one little skirt this week... and it's a big hit!
I got Farbenmix Zucka several months ago, looking for a skirt for my girl that will be good when she grows up a bit too... a less childish skirt. I've noticed she likes these types of cloths now, and that's the way her friends dress too... But it still should be really cute!
I've never made a skirt with so many parts in it!!!! 17 pattern pieces... can you believe it?
But I left out the back pockets.. I just wanted to see that the skirt fits first, next time
(yes, there will be a next time) I'll add pockets,
Anyway, here are the pictures

When I baught the pattern, I baught in German. I think (thougn I'm not sure) the English translation did not exist yes. But I found it in the net. This is the English Instructions document, and here is a very detailed photo guide...

So, the pattern review:
The English instructions and photo guides are great!
I did everything (except the back pockets) as instructed and it turned out great.
But - when I make it again I'll do one step different - in the photo guide the instructions call for completing the skirt and then adding the ruffles, I think it might be better (and more percise) if I attach each ruffle to a skirt piece first and then attach them all.. I'll try it.
I made size 134-140 for my 135 cm tall girl. The fit is great, but maybe just a bit too long. I may make it a bit shorter next time. I also wanted the underskirt piece to be more notable... I'll make it a bit longer next time.
What I like about this pattern...
A lot!!!!
Endless options for fabric combinations!
the pattern pieces (though there are so many...) are very small, making it a great pattern for using leftover fabrics
And the result - my girl LOVES twirly skirts... but this one is shaped differently, a 'big girl' type of skirt... she loves it! she wants another one, in purple... I need to find the fabric...

I'm not sure I'll be able to complete any more projects before I have the babies... But I'll try :-)
Happy Shavout!!!!

more Elodies...

2011-05-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

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!

Corny and Tacky... part 3 - SImplicity 2388

2011-05-14T05:52:00.000-07:00

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!

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

2011-05-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

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!!!!

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

2011-05-06T23:36:00.001-07:00

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!!!

Ottobre 03-2008-35

2011-04-27T11:06:00.001-07:00

I have an old debt… the dress I made for my niece (as it turned out, just in time for Passover).
I used Ottobre 03-2008-35, it was her choice.
I made it first in some old fabric I had around. I made size146, as that's my niece's exact height. It was HUGE!!! I had to narrow every part of it.
I also had to shorten it a lot, but that's because this is the way my sister wanted it.
When we finally had the pattern fixed, I asked my niece to select fabric. This is what she choose.. dark pant's fabric.
I am so glad my girls still prefer colorful dresses… (and longer dresses )
Anyway, this is the final outcome!

As for the instructions…
This issue is what my parents bought for me from Germany… meaning I have it written in I don't know what language… but it's not English. Still, t is a very easy pattern, and if my niece asks for another dress, it should be easy enough.
I am now preparing a matching bolero for her… Will show pictures when ready!

Simplicity 2924 - Diaper bag

2011-04-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant with my big girl, I baught this functional diaper bag, that was blue (in case I'll have a son a baby boy the next time). I didn't like this bag, but it served its purpose.
It's now pretty dirty and I was happy to replace it with a new bag.
This is the pattern I chose...

This is a pattern for a cute diaper bag, with a flap (that closes using volecro), two side pockets for bottles, one inside pocket divided to two and one back pocket on the outside.

But I made some changes...
For one thing, I want my bag to have a place for 4 bottles, not just the two on the sides, so I made similar side pockets on the inside of the bag..
I also added a zippered pocket on the front for my cell phone.
And two additional inside pockets, other then the two already in the pattern.
I think this bag will be good, I hope it has enough pockets...
For some of the pockets I used the lining fabric (denim) on the outside, to have some contrast. I like the result.
Here are the pictures...
The front..

The side pocket on the outside

The inside pockets(there are many :-))

And the zippered front pocket

I used cotton for the front, and denim for the lining, and I interfaced all parts...

The directions are very good. I recommand this pattern!!

Passover is nearly over... too bad...

Burda 08-2006-125 - Maternity top

2011-04-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

I thought... or hoped... that I could get through this pregnancy without buying/making anyspecial clothes. I got from a friend a couple of pants, and I hoped that would be enough.
For when I'm at home that's no big deal. My husband is a big man. I can wear his shirts. But when I go to work, or anywhere else...
I am not really 'presentable' never mind what I wear. still, I'd like to wear clothes that do not reveal my belly botton :-)
I am just starting my 7th month... and already I have NOTHING to wear. So I spent a couple of hours this weekend and this morning maiking myself two maternity tops.
This is the pattern I chose, Burda 08-2006-125, This is what it looks like on the model...

Well... It doesn't look this way on me! For one thing, I'm so much bigger then the model!
I made some changes in the pattern to fit my needs better, and I like the result. Really... still, I wish I could find a maternity pattern that makes me look THIN!
never mind...
The changes I made:
1. I changed the neck line to V shape, I like it better. And I finished it with binding.
2. I cut the back and front a bit longer.. I still need growing room.
3. A note for the long sleeve- not long enough! If I needed the long sleeves version, I'd make the sleeves a couple of inches longer.
4. The back - I narrowed it just a bit in the center back near the neck, and the back in the neck area kind of gaped...
I made it twice... in very stretchy fabric. The fit is good (I made size 40). I onlytook pictures of the first one,
Don't lough. I know I look like a whale...

I hope that with these two tops I can manage the next two months.... I really don't like spedning any more time and effort on maternity clothes when I have so much cuter things on my mind...

crochet blanket...

2011-04-13T02:33:00.000-07:00

I've had many opportunities lately to wait for a doctor's appointment... (Have you noticed? you never get to hold the appointment in time! Doctors always run late!).
Also, it happens pretty often lately that when the girls are finally in bed for the night, all I can do is lie down and rest.
I have tried to use this time to crochet...
I first saw the blanket in this blog, and then I saw Hebrew directions in here... (Thanks so much for these!!!)
I actually understood the directions!
So I started.
I have a lot to improve, I didn't really make the squares well... nut well enough!
After 25 squares - I put them together and this is what I had.

I realized this is too small... so I asked in the Knitting Israeli Forum how to expand it. I made some mistakes again, and it didn't come out exactly as I planned it (somehow it expanded a bit..)
But I like what I have!

I have another blanket started, boy's colors this time.

On sewing related issues...
I sent my niece her new 'muslin' dress. She's supposed to try it on and send me a picture. I hope she does that soon.
I have a lot planned for April - May, but at the same time I need to get some order and work on my hours, we need to build a new room, which means clearing up the 'mess room' that we have.. a lot of work, I hope I can make it...

Happy Passover all of you!

Passover dress for my little one...

2011-04-07T02:01:00.000-07:00

I made it...
One more dress.
Still a lot do before Passover!
I'm almost done with the muslin dress (that I hope will be wearable too!) for my niece. She just needs to come over so I can out the buttons in the correct place. Then, once I have her approval, I need to make it one more time in another fabric. And a bolero too...
I also started sewing for the babies too... very few things, hope to have something to show soon.
Back to the dress...
I have so many dress patterns, but I saw this one in YCMT. I do not usually buy pdf paterns for clothes (because I hate having to tape papers togther), but I made an exception this time. To be honest, I think I could have drafted this pattern myself, since I have another pattern that looks very similar, but then I would have felt uncomfortable... taking someone else's idea without paying for it.
So I baught the pattern.
I changed it though... The long back option of the original pattern is made with shirring, which I hate...
So I made it with elastics.
I took the main pattern piece (the bodice) and made all other parts for myself, considering the fabrics that I had. I did't have enough for the sash... so I gave it up.
I think the result is cute... not the best, but cute enough. And my little girl is HAPPY!
The dress deserves better pictures then the ones I took (very rainy in here lately) and I'll do that as soon as it warms up outside...
to the pictures

There was really no need for the instructions... very simple dress.But I looked at them anyway, so I can report they are very well written, very clear, it is a great pattern for any beginner sewer!

white dress... another Tini!

2011-03-29T06:39:00.000-07:00

Ok,
I don't like making white dresses. They never remain white, not in my house, and I hate it when I need to worry, when the girls are in the middle of some fun activity, that they mess their dresses...
But my big girl asked for one... and she really has no white dress. She might need one for passover anyway...
But I didn't want to spend too much time and effort on a dress that will not be in use too often.
So I went with 'Tini'.
I've made Tini so many times before, it is always great! I made it bigger this time, hoping to make it last throughout the summer...
The pictures are not that great because my 7 years old, when a camera is directed at her, starts posing... and not very well... for some reason she believes she looks best when she stands in some very strange angles and turns her head to various positions...
never mind.
The dress fits, and it's white!

I had to change my plans for April... I thought of completing another dress for each girl, but instead I have some other urgent issues... I promised my niece a new dress. It's more complicated, because I usually try a muslin on me/my girls before actually sewing, and this time I'm pretty much guessing... but I have to make progress with that. I also promised her a jacket,
When I am done with that... I better start preparing some of the things for my little ones... I am planning sleeping bags and prefold diapers.. and cute outfits to get out of the hospital with.
As always, so much to do!

Finally... Purim

2011-03-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

I love Purim. My girls have a big costumes case, where we store shiny fabrics and costumes from previous years, and they play with those all year. But Purim is a great reason for buying/making new ones.
This year I was afraid I wouldn't make it.. so I baught them costumes...
And at the same time I started planning what to sew too... Hoping I was going to make it. And I did!
I baught the shiny fabrics in a new online Israeli fabric shop... badimdim... The prices were reasonable,and shipment was very quick.. and I can't go fabric shopping right now, probably wouldn't be able to in the coming months either.
I used this wonderful mermaid toturial by 'living the creative life' blog. What a wonderful toturial!
I used another shiny fabric that I had lying around for the tank tops. This is the same pattern I used for my girls tops from last post.
Purim this year is practically the begining of Spring... but most times we have some rain in Purim. So I decided to add boleros.. I used a big favorite of mine, New look 6582. I made it several times before. This time I made itvery simple, one layer, no finishes at all on the outside.
Here is comes:
My two little mermaids!

They love their costumes, and they chose to wear these costumes to to their purim parties!
Tomorrow they will probably be princesses again!
They already started discussing next years' costumes with me!
Happy Purim you all!

Summer sewing...

2011-03-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

I thought this year I better start my summer sewing as soon as possible... I don't have too much though... I looked at the girls clothes the other day, and lets face it, they still have many dresses and skirts to wear...
My 7 years old wears school uniform to school... what a shame... so she has very few options to dress nice.
My 4 years old on the other hand, wants to wear only skirts and dresses now... lucky me. But she has so many!!
So I made a list of items the girls needs for the coming summer...
1. two dresses (each)
2. two tank tops each (I found out this item is very much in use... with a proper skirt of course :-))
3. two skorts/skirts each
4. Swiming suit - one per each
Everything beyond this short list will be great...
So I started..
I made my 4 years old a skirt...
It's not made out of a pattern, but rather from a great tutorial right here. I've actually made this skirt at least 10 times, It's the first item of clothing that I've made three years ago, when I had no idea how to read a pattern!
it's always pretty and cute.
Here it is this time...

And I've made two tank tops from a great Ottobrre pattern... But I can't remember which issue... I'll have to check...
we had a great weather two weeks ago, a glimpse of Spring, and it was the perfect time
for the girls to wear their new tops..

I need to post a pattern review on this pattern, a great one!
I also made crochet headbands for the girls... I am not sure they are very practical, but they are cute...

And I've made them costumes!!! On that, on the next post...

I haven't posted in so long...

2011-03-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

Sorry about that!
But I do have good excuses.., I am so tired! I am back to working from work, not from home, which is good, but it also means I get even more tired than I was before, and having two kids to handle after work hours... well, it barely gives me any time to do anything!
I complained to my mom the other day... all she had to tell me was that for the next few years I should not count on having much 'creativity time'... that raising my kids and working full times should be enough..
I guess she has a point...
But still, as long as I can.. I actually make some stuff..
I have been crocheting more...
The net crochet hat is from a great you-tube right here...
and I lost the grenny square youtube.. sorry!

I've also been sewing...
I do my best to get by with the clothes I have... Spring is just around the corner... It will be shame to go to all the trouble of making myself winter tops for a month or so.
But I made myself one lightweight knot top that will be good for the coming month, and by spring I'll just shorten the sleeves. I'll post about that soon because I still got no pictures.
I also started summer sewing for the girls... knowing that this summer I may not have the time to handle that. So I prepares a short list of 'must haves' for the summer for both girls. There isn't much there.. they both have so many clothes, but I think one new dress I have to make... each. And a couple of skorts... so useful!
So I already made some tank tops and a skirt. I will post about that soon too... when I get the pictures taken.
I might start baby sewing soon...

First attempts of crochet... and my crochet bag!

2011-02-14T21:55:00.000-08:00

First...
I learned yesterday that I'm carrying a boy and a girl!!!I'm on week 18, and they both look healthy and well.
I placed an order fo some blue/purple yarn today... never needed those before :-)
As for my first attempts of crochet..I came across these wonderful you-tube movies of a lady called Teresa right here. I think these movies are just great!
I used this movie here to make these two cute hats...

It took me too long to make these... but I know I'll imrpove!

Now as I started with yarn, I really needed a place to store it and carry it around. I came across this great Bento Bag of the Pink Pinguin... (It's all over in Israelli blogland... some great bags made from this wonderful tutorial!). And I thought it will be great for storing my current yarn projects.

I am all excited now... now that I know what I have... I have so much to do... blankets, hats. booties... so much work ahead!

many issues...

2011-02-04T22:31:00.000-08:00

Its been a big week here...
My little one turned 4 and we celebrated her birthday. I have to show some pictures of her in her new Feliz dress...

Here is the birthday cake... two more are planned for the coming week for the kindergarten...

Here is another type of cake I made for my sister in law... she's due any day now.

In the disper cake I hid the romper and jacket I made right here...

and the blankie I made here...

And the last pictures for today is a muslin I made of a pregnancy top for myself... I'll get to the final version soon I hope and post about it...

This is it for now :-)
Happy week to you all!

Learning Crochet..

2011-01-27T04:32:00.000-08:00

Well... I am trying to!
My mother knows how to knit, and she tried to teach me several times. I never learned! But now I have a good... great reason to try harder!
Here it comes... the explanation as to how come the blog was so slow lately...
I am pregnant... week 16 now!
It was not planned... The idea of a third child was a nice idea that my husband and I thought of... every so often, but could not make up our minds...
But it happened...
And I was happy at the idea. Very happy!
Imagine my surprise when the doctor accounced I am carrying TWINS!

It's been pretty difficult so far,I had several incidents that led me to believe I'm losing the pregnancy, and I was requested to rest as much as possible over these past two months... I have been working from home, good thing my boss allows me! I've been practically counting my steps to make sure I don't over do it... And having two girls at home... resting is NOT easy!
And I've been depressed, thinking I'm losing this pregnancy so often these past two months.

But I'm now starting week 16, and I hope so much that everything is OK! I still have many tests to do..
But... allowing myself to be optimistic, I hope to make it to the third trimester with two healthy babies... I've heard that in many twins pregnancies the mother is asked to remain in bed during the last trimester, so I thought this will be a great time learning to crochet...

I have tried it last night... not very successfully though. But I'll continue today. I'll get it eventually.. right?????

Now, just so you see I've been doing something (though very little), here is the pregnancy pants I made for myself. They are too big for me!!! But that's OK, as I plan and hope to fill them better real soon...
The pictures are lame, but the pants are OK, and once the doctor allows me to move a bit more, I plan on making more, they are very comfortable...
The pattern is Simplicity, and I promise... if and when I fill these pants better, I'll also write a proper review on these pants...

next time I hope to have some crochet (and many cakes... as my 4 years old girl's birthday is next week!) to show!

Chef's set

2011-01-14T22:19:00.000-08:00

My 4 years old asked ro be a chef... so I made her. She loves to pretend she is a chef, making tea parties or birthday cakes for her dolls...
I had to make two sets, also one for my 7 years old... though I know it's not likely that she'll play in it...
here it is...

I used this great guide to make the chef's hat...
For the aprons, I used the measurements from the Burda 01-2011.. But I think I may have took the sizes wrong because the aprons are very small...
Anyway, I didn't bother with the instructions... I just looked at the pictures and made the easiest thing possible. It Still looks cute, right?

I also made one cake, first of many due the coming month...
It's Henzel and Gretel. The instructions are from this great, amazing book by Taltalim (Tal Zafrir). I love this book, and use of often.

For next week I hope to manage two items - on the sewing part - pants for myself... I really need some pants!
On the cakes part - a princess cake...
Then I'll start preparing for my 4 years old birthday party...
SO much to do!!!

First project of 2011... Feliz

2011-01-09T05:56:00.000-08:00

My baby will be 4 years old next month. I needed to make a special occasion dress for her. She picked the fabrics.
In the coming weeks I have several cakes to make, including, but not only, her birthday cakes..so I needed to get started!
As always - Feliz is an amazing dress! (I traced if from Sewing Clothes Kids Love...)
All I did was make the dress a bit longer, as Feliz tends to run short... and I left no seam alloance, as my little girl is pretty tiny.
A tip - if anyone wishes to get started on Feliz, but is intimidated... (I know I was..) use this excelent guide by Trillium, right here!!!

I will put on some photos of my girl modeling the dress pretty soon...

What's next...
The first item is a chef's hat and apron set for both my girls. They both asked for it, and it is part of the birthday gift for my little one.
When this will be done, and after 5-6 decorated cakes I need to make, I'll be back with sewing-for-my-self mode...
wait for me :-)

Baby blanket and some end-of-the-year thoughts...

2010-12-29T20:48:00.000-08:00

I finished the simplest baby blanket for the coming baby of my sister in law...
One side is made of Fleece, the other is Cotton. I added an applique and finished it in the easiest way possible. I saw this method in Parparim's blog... it is easy and cute...
The applique is from Izzy & Ivy Designs... free!!!
So here it comes...

Now for the end-of-the-year thoughts...
I have learned a lot this year! I baught many patterns and so much fabric... and sewed many items,
My zippers got better. I made pants for myself, and a couple of skirts...
I've made many many clothes to my girls and quiet a lot of gifts...
Lessons for me, for the coming year:
1. I have so many patterns! Think before you buy!!!!!
2. Try to resist the urge to sew the girls everyday clothes... They have enough! They have more then enough! Special occasion clothes are enough!
3. sew more for me! I do NOT have many clothes... I can always make use in some more.
4. Do not sew skirts... you rarely wear those, even though they fit and you like them...

Plans for the coming few months:
well, January and the begining of February are difficult months. I have many cakes to make. Two for a good friend's daughter and three for my soon 4 years old girl!
so for January - I need to make the birthday girl a dress... and pants for my self.
On February I'll probably start with the Purim costumes...
and after that... we'll see :-)
Bye for now!

I've been away...

2010-12-26T22:43:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in very long...
Much worse, I didn't even keep track of all these amazing blogs that I have been monitoring closely for the past year or so...
I'm having some difficulties these days, I get tired easily and need a lot of sleep, I have very little energy for anything but what MUST be done; handling the girls, working, sleeping...
I hope to get on track real soon.
I still managed to finish a gift for a friend of mine. She asked for a Yoga Bag. We found together this free pattern by Amy Butler right here...
It took me too long, because everything does these days, but really is it a very easy pattern. I did not use interfacing because I used red drill fabric for the outer fabric and I figured it is good enough.
I had nobody to model the nag for me, so the picture isn't really great, but it really is OK, looks like the original bag.
I hope my frind likes it!

I also almost finished a baby blanket for my sister in law... I hope topost about it really soon, and I hope to get back my lost energy real soon, as I have so many plans...

happy holidays all of you who celebrate Cristmas and new year!

new baby set...

2010-12-12T22:04:00.000-08:00

Well, I made already quiet a few attempts for a baby gift for my sister in law who is due in two month. Nothing was really it...
but this is!

The romper is from an old Ottobre issue, I have already made it several times. for example right here. It is made fo baby cord. The jacket I also reviewed in the past. But I made it with fleece on the inside to make sure it is warm.
I like it...

I still want to prepare a blanket and maybe some other stuff.

On another note, I am having some difficulties these days being creative. There's a lot on my mind and for the first time in many years I find myself prefering to do nothing at the evenings... I'm still doing things, but I guess a lot less then usual. I hope I return to being my old self really soon!

more carolines...

2010-12-03T22:26:00.001-08:00

As promised...

Pattern Review:
There is really not much to it... you attach the layers of the skirt, you construct the pants, then you attach them together at the top and treat them as one for the sake of putting in elastics...
I've made no changes from the pattern. Only two points to keep in mind
1. Stretchfabric ONLY!
2. The pants are long... from the images in the Farbenmix site I thought the leggings are not the full length of the leg, so I first made it longer, to make sure it'll be good for the winter. As it turned out, that was not needed at all! The pattern as it is drawn is for long leggings,
I like this pattern, I'm sure I'll make it every year, because it is cute, simple and very suitable for school and kindergarten!

On another issue... for the past two days Israel has faced terrible fires! The origin of the first fire is still unknown... but the additional fires are caused by people... unbelievable! Many people died, thousands of people lost their homes, 3 million trees were burnt, many many wild life animals were lost... and it is not over yet...
The fire is not too far from our home, we were asked to close all windows. We really hope it will end soon!

Caroline, simple and practical!

2010-12-02T04:22:00.000-08:00

Caroline by Farbenmix... need I say more? I was not aware of this pattern until I saw this blog entry of WillowAndMoo... I did not win that giveaway, but I wasn't going to let it stop me!
I did think long and hard before buying this pattern. It looks simple, I think if I tried hard enough, I could have come up with the correct measurements for a cute knit skirt over SCKL Riviera pattern...
But then I realized - I want it to fun! I want results... yes, I think money used to buy good patterns that will serve me for years to come, is money well spent! don't you agree???
Anyway, I got the pattern, and I already made three pairs. The forth one is in the works. and I love it!
It is easy, and simple, and so practical, if the winter ever starts here, my girls will still feel pretty going to school, but they will also be well dressed!

The other two Carolines will be posted really soon!

My 4 years old insisted that I take a picture of her in her favorite dress.... the Dora dress.

Let me tell you, no dress I made for her comes even close to make her happy the way this Dora dress, which I baught for her several months ago, makes her happy and it cost me practically nothing... makes you wonder... should I be offended? :-)

Ruthie's Romper

2010-11-25T10:41:00.000-08:00

I saw this pattern not long ago... And I had to have it!

I thought it would be a great outfit for Hanucca...
I know, rompers are not practical...but for a party, when I am near her all the time, I thought it's just cute enough to justify being not practical. I mean... we have to sacrifice to be pretty.. right?
Anyhow, I couldn't get the shirring right in my new Brother machine, so I returned to my old Sovina for that.
First, the pictures

Now... the fabric... gorgeous, right? I am not sure what it is... it's 100% if I remember correctly, but it's not quilting cotton, it's draping, not wrinkly.. I love it. I got it about two years ago in dotsnstripes, my favorite English store. I really need to have a family member go to the UK again...

The patter,.. My girl is 98 cm... So I chose size 4 for her and it is HUGE! It's good, because I plan on the romper for next year too... But it was very long... The pants length without the ruffles (that are pretty big) were longer then her legs... So I had to shorten it quite a bit before I could attach the ruffles.
I like the explanations, I like the pattern. I am not sure I'll make it again, my 7 years old is too big for that, and I don't the need in having two rompers for my 4 years old... again, this is not something I can send her to preschool with.

If I do make it again... here's what I would do different - I attached the ties as instructed... but I think it should have been more to the center, because the ties seem to be too wide for my daughter's shoulders...
and I'd cut it much shorted to begin with.

On another matter - I won a giveaway!! and not just any giveaway... I won the Rosetta Ruffle bag by Sisboom! Let me tell you, it was so hard to choose just one pattern from all the patterns right here... But then I saw this two amazing example of the Rosetta bag made by Jenny from sewprettydresses and Tas from LittleBozzle... I knew what I had to choose... Thanks so much, Madeline, for letting me know of my winning. Thanks for much Sisboom!

Little Girls Big Style... Review!

2010-11-20T10:41:00.001-08:00

I guess most, if not all of you are aware of this blog, Conefession of a craft addict... But just in case you are not... go there! Have a look!
So when I understood Mary Abreu is having a book... I waited... and it arrived last week!
You can see some of the outfits from the book in its flickr page !

About the book
so pretty! great photos.. great inspiration! I can see my girls wearing any item in this book, and feeling special! There are only four basic patterns, but endless variations! All patterns are made of woven fabric, which is great also!
The paper is made of a very high quality! I think the patterns are simple, very easy, and so the book is very good for beginners, that want to sew for the little girls in their lives very quickly and with great results!

So this weekend I pushed aside some other tasks... and I started! The first thing was the basic top and ruffled pants outfit. I made it in just a few hours... very easy!
I madeit for my 7 years old. I traced size 6, and added seam allowance as I was sure (I didn't even check...) that size 6 will be too small.
I ended up with a cute set, a bit too wide for my girl, but that's OK, because in the coming winter she'll have to wear a top under the set, and in summer after that, this outfit will probably fit just great!
The pictures were taken at home... not the best place, but I really didn't want to wait...
So here it comes...

well, I still have two more items that need to completed soon, and then I promised my little one a dress from this book!
so... until next time! :-)

It's so easy 2672... boy version or girl version...

2010-11-15T20:43:00.000-08:00

I have been very busy lately. Mostly I made cakes for some family birthdays and doing some over time at work :-(,
This is what I made for my sister's son.
I don't like boys' cakes... so boring!

But I hope he'll be happy!

For over a week I didn't even come near my sewing machine! I've missed it!!! so when I could, I completed a romper I started two weeks ago...

I have two ladies on my life that are due pretty soon. One with a girl, one with a boy. I planned to make this romper for a boy... but when it was ready and all that was left was putting the buttons.. it didn't look like a boy's fabric after all. what do you say? If I attach blue buttons... will it be a boy's romper?

I didn't add any ruffles or anything, so switching the buttons is very easy... but I'm not sure! I could really use an input on this!

As for the pattern itself...
I left out the buttons on the bottom... I plan on waiting to see the romper actually fits before I make it again, this time complete and with emballishments.
I did make the pants part longer, because both babies are due in the coming winter, and the original pattern is for a short romper.
The fabric is gorgeous baby cord. It is gorgeous.. right?
I did nothing else different. And it came out very quick and easy. It just looks a bit big for a newborn baby... but I really don't remember that well... Still, if the romper fits a 3 month old baby, that's also OK... but I guess I'll just have to wait and see...
all in all - a very easy cute pattern. the size is questionable, and so is the fit... because I could not try it on.
I'll have to wait to decide if it looks good enough to make it again.

I did learn, doing this romper, to use my machine (my new pretty machine :-)) for buttons loops (so EASY!!!!) ! So I'm happy!

The cakes parade!

2010-11-09T00:56:00.000-08:00

So... My 7 years old is 7 today!!!!
I brought her a cakes to school today. The party is in two days!
She's gotten so big! It's easy for a sewing mom to keep track of how much her kids gotten big, right? patterns I traced only last year no longer fit!
well... dear, sweet girl... happy birthday!
I made her a long sleeve Tini, since this will be a weekend of parties, and we must have enough pretty cloths.. right?

(again.. not great pictures... I will have to take better pictures at the party!)

And here come the cakes!!!
The castle cake is a bit in 'offset'... but my girl wouldn't let me fix it :-). It's inspired by many castle cakes in the net, and specifically by a Lindy Smith cake.. Can't remember the name of the book right now...

The Ballerina is from Debbie Brown 's enchanted cakes... and the colors are so much better in life! I have to take a better picture!

Next week I have to make to "boys" cakes for my sister's son...
Then I'll finally get back to sewing! I miss it so much!!!! I have so much planned!

playing hide & seek in my house...

2010-11-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

The other day I sent my little one up the stairs to undress before I come to give her a bath. She sometimes enjoys hiding and gets thrilled when I pretend to look for her, She usually hides under the blanket. Not this time,
Look where she was...

Yes, I'm ashamed to admit.. this is only a part (a big part, but still... only a part) of my fabric stash... and this is where I store it.. unfolded in the bottom of my closet:-)

Now, I am very busy getting ready for my 7 years old birthday. I was missing a winter dress for my little one (and if I manage I will also make another dress for my 7 years old too). I didn't have the time to try a new pattern so I used my beloved Tini!
you may remember the many-many Tini-s I made this summer.. (if you don't - here are the links - Tini1, Tini2 and Tini3).
So I made the Long-sleeves Tini!
I made it a size bigger.. since in the winter I may want to put some leggings under, plus, I want it to fit throughout the winter..
I really like it!
I will have better pictures next week at the party, but right now...

Bye for now!

Butterick 5497 - new fall top for me

2010-10-29T22:10:00.000-07:00

This is the pattern

It looks great, right?
I order it a month ago, and dared to try it last week.
I used some not very stretchy knit, very nice one, and it now one of my fall tops, and just in time too... as tonight it started to rain.

I looked at my closet the other day, and I was happy to find out that this past year I have sewed many tops for myself. I am still behind on zippered pants, which are still a challenge, but the tops are great, all are in use, or will be soon when its colder outside.
Now as for this top, I'm not sure. It is unique, somewhat out-dated, I think. I think it looks good on me but I'm not sure as it very big in the bust area and very snug on the belly, and I'm not used for this look.

what do you think?

The pattern review:
The instructions are very very clear, I followed them and had no problem.
sizing - I made size 8, it is very snug on the belly, but big (I think it should be this way) on the bust. I have s small bust though..

If I make it again I'll have to make the belly part a bit wider.

Changes I made: for the neck you are supposed to just fold it in and sew, I don't like it, it never comes out OK to me. So I cut another two pieced at the same shape as the neck and sewed them in as facing.
I at first didn't fully understand how to make the gathering in the shoulders,so when I made it I didn't leave enough room for the neck facing and had to fix it manually... to bad, But it worked out OK, and if I make it again I'll remember that!

Don't know if I'll make it again, as I'm not sure the top looks so good on me... but if I wear itto work and get compliments,... then yes, as it is a vety easy top!

As for my many many packages... they are all here! I have so much fabric, which is great! I am stilling missing some types of fabric (such as fleece and solid knits), but I enoough for now!

For the next couple of weeks I am starting the November birthday Marathon! My girl celebrates her birthday on 9/11 and me nephew one week later. They both need thee cakes each.. One for school, one for the after school care, and one for the celebration. I will probably be a bit too busy to sew... but I will sure try. I'm hooked!

Fall set!

2010-10-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

We went out on Friday to celebrate my father on law's birthday. This was a great excute to dress my 7 years old in her new Butterick skirt
This is an official fall set. I just need to find or make a different blacktop, that isn't see-through :-)

The pattern is Butterick 4593.
The skirt is just great! It is a bit too wide, so after it was prepared I sewed in bias tape to the left of the back part (two pieces, one for each side of the zipper) and put elastic in it. This fixed the problem very well.
The bolero is newlook which I reviewed in here .
The top, as I said, I need to find another.
My little one wore the Hoverrock I made her last year. what a great pattern! it'll be good for her for the coming winter too!

I also made my 7 years old an Olivia top (Farbenmix Olivia, of course). But I made it out of rib fabric, and it is too wide to be a top under a bolero, It's a cute top though.

Yesreday I spent some time checking out the Embroidery function of my new machine. I used the piece of feltalready interfaced that the machine was sent with... and this what I have!

I think I'll put in on the Olivia top, What do you think?

My girl's birthday is in two and a half weeks... so much to do till then!

Many packages on the way!!!!

2010-10-21T04:33:00.000-07:00

To start with, I've been planning to go on a trip to 'Nahalat Binyamin', the fabric street of Israel for several months now, so I've been saving my money for this trip... It was canceled every time for reasons beyond my control!!!!
Anyway, when a close friend of mine told me a month ago that she will spend two weeks in the USA... and that she wouldn't mind bringing me a package... how could I say no??? So I order a package to her. She's my friend, I didn't want her to have to carry too much, so I tried very hard to keep the order not-too-big. This package I'll probably get next week!
Three day after I made this order, my brother in law told me he was going to be in Boston too... he's a guy.. so he can carry much more, right? I placed an order in fabroic.com for him too.
and I was soooo happy!
Then my brother in law called me from the US, to say they changed the hotel. It was too late however and my dear, great package could not be collected....
now I was soooo sad!
I had to do something to feel better. So I placed a tiny order on etsy, for some Japanese fabric. Never had these fabrics fabric, wanted to know how they feel.. They are kind of expensive though, and the shipping was also expensive. but still... I placed the order and I am waiting for it to arrive now.
Meanwhile, Fabric.com contacted me to say they have my package back. Since I already paid for it... I decided to ask them to ship it to me to Israel. Those of you who live here probably know that as much as they have great price for the fabrics, they are the most EXPENSIVE store I know when it comes to shipping costs. But I did it anyway.
I had to add 54$. More than the fabric cost me.

so now I have three packages on the way.
and they cost me much more then I have planned.
And I have no budget left for my Nahalat Binyamin trip... If I ever do go on it!!

Now, you may think all I did in the past few weeks is internet shopping, but I also managed to finish some items...
this is one:

This is "Vilkas" from Ottobre. I love this patter. made it many times before in smaller sizes, and will make this one again when the winter finally arrives.
I also made a very pretty skirt for my 7 years old, but there are no good pictures yet!
Weekend is almost here!!!! finally!

new look 6582.. and some news...

2010-10-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Well, this has been quiet a week...
October and November are usually busy months in my family. We have several birthdays, the holidays are over and the whole idea of taking a day off after the big August vacation and all these holidays seems ridiculous.
If I could take a day off... just to go fabric shopping...
Anyway, I had big plans for this week, as my big girl is turning 7!!! (in a month, yes, but we just started the planning phase - what party will she have,what will she wear, what cakes does she want...)
In between I had my niece's birthday party. The party was kind of last minute, so I just didn't have the time to make the cake I wanted, but here's what I did manage...

I also finished this week two boleros for my girls. I love boleros for this time of the year...
The pattern is New look 6582.

I plan on making also the dress.. but will have to wait.
Now please note - I forced my girls to wear the boleros first thing in the morning, they barely woke up.. over their jummies... because it's very sunny right now, and I think it'll be at least a week before they actually need to wear these. So, you'll just have to imagine that they are properly dresses... Ok? :-)

Isn't it cute???

I made some changes from the original design. In the pattern instructions - the bolero is made of one layer of knit fabric. I made the front and back parts out of two layers (cut the pieces twice, put the back and front together and sewed, then I sewed the inner part with the outer part (right to right) turned and top stitched. I then treated this whole thing as one and added the sleeves. I like it better because I think the front looks better this way, more finished, and you cannot see the back of the fabric.
as for the size - I made size 3 for my 3.5 years old, and it'll be good for next year I hope, and size 6 for my 7 years old, and she will not fit in this next year for sure.

now for my big news!!!!
I have a new sewing and embroidery machine!!!
look!

After two months at sea it's here!!! it arrived two days ago and I didn;t even have the time to do anything but look at it and try a couple of stitches, But really.. isn't it great!!!!
have a great week!

Simplicity 3902 - another dress..

2010-10-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

Fall has arrived. Yesterday it started to rain... good thing I already started sewing for winter already!
I always look for long sleeve party dresses for my girls. I know jumpers work well too, but they require a matching shirt under the jumper, so basically they require planning a head.. not my strongest side...
so when I saw this pattern

I thought it has great lines, and many possibilities.
It came out very fast. I made size 3 for my 3 years old and it is too WIDE. I should have checked... too bad.
I will have to try another dress...maybe this one again but after narrowing all side and back parts... maybe another one, more fancy and twirling, maybe Faliz again... don't know.
It's not a big deal...this dress will be ok in several month, and I do like the sleeves, don't know... would love to hear your thoughts on that!
But it probably will NOT be the dress my girl will have for my big girl's birthday party next month.
I did a rolled hem on the bottom and it doesn't look all that great. I'll put a red bias tape instead...
Now for the pictures
(Lady N is after a very long day... so she's not her smiling self... never mind that)

Buit I really don't get it! how come size 3 of one simplicity dress is too small and one is soooooo wide????

I'm not quilter... but...

2010-10-05T21:36:00.000-07:00

I ALWAYS look at all those amazing quilts people do... it seems to me like a year's work! Really! I admire people that are built for this type of lengthy work!
But I am not one such person.
Still, when my sister in law said she was pregnant, three months ago, I right a head thought... a baby blanket! a cute, tiny one, for a stroller...
And I started.
After I had two squares ready, we learned that she has a boy. A Boy.. In our family!!!! I was so sure she had a girl...
So I think I'll keep the blanket... :-)
It's not finished yet, but the top part is ready, and no, I don't think I'll ever make a quilt again. I'll finish this one, though it looks kind of weird, but I am not cut out for this type of work!

So, now that I know she has a BOY, I thought I'll make each month a small item for a new baby boy, so when the baby is out, I'll be able to give him a few items.
I started with this

The pattern is the Frog & the LadyBag Blankies. Cute, great pattern and instructions!
I made one side out of cotton, and one is very soft Fleece. I like it! I made two identical ones so if the baby is attached to it, and it gets dirty, his mom will be able to get it cleaned :-)

As for my October plans, I have changed them. This is going to be a difficult month at work, and if I set myself an unrealistic amount of goals, I'll end up not enjoying what I do... I need to keep reminding myself - this is my hobby.... my FUN! It better stays that way!
So this is what I plan:
a winter dress for my little one
a top for my self
omne small baby item
two boleros for the girls.
I think this I can do...

Modkid Kyoko - good dress, bad picture

2010-10-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

I started winter sewing... my girl will turn 7 in a month, and somehow it always rains on her birthday, and she always needs more then one dress - as there are several parties... of course. And of course her little sister will need a new dress too...

I thought to get a head start... I chose the Kyoko by Modkid.

The picture is pretty bad, I'll have better pictures in a month :-) but for now it'll do!

Looking back at Spetember, I had a lot done! some of which I didn't even post about...Now that the holidays are over, I'll probably have a lot less done.. too bad!

Still, I made some plans for October, trying to be realistic!
my plans are
1. one dress for each girl (probably Olivia by Farbenmix)
2. one item for myself - proabably a new top
3. one baby item for a pregnant friend
4. one charity item (more on that later...)
5. If I can make it - pants for myself ( I hate making pants... I keep pushing it... what can I say... kids' outfits are so much more fun!)

Burda 9652 - baby boy romper

2010-09-27T04:23:00.000-07:00

My sister in law is pregnant, with a boy. She's one great person, and I thought of making several baby boy clothes for her. I thought if I started now, 4 months in advance, I'll have the time to make many many things...
I chose this pattern

The pattern starts from size 68 cm (6 months), so this is what I did... only it was HUGE! far too big for a 6 months old baby (as I recall it... it's been while!).
So I added to the pants a 5 cm band of denim.. and it is a perfect fit for my sister's one year old baby boy...

So I'm happy with the result... But I need to look for some other baby pattern for my sister in law...

The patten review:
size: starts from 68 cm, but it is very big. my sister's son (one year old) is a big baby, and the fit on him (the 68 cm, the smallest size) (except the length, I added some) is good. it is even a bit too wide...
Instructions: didn't need them.. it is such an easy pattern (I made view b)
changes from the original design: I omitted the back pockets, and I put bottons on the shoulder straps. I also added to the length because I wanted it to be for the winter.
Likes: easy and cute...
fabric used: baby corderoy, denim on the pocket and on the pants extention.
conclusions: I would recommand this pattern, even to beginners, as it is very cute and easy. But - note the size issues!!!

well, off to find a good NB pattern!
Bye!

Vogue 2980

2010-09-22T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is my first Vogue pattern, and I LOVE it!

This pattern has so many good reviews in patternReviews. I don't really have anything to add... only to say YES! this is one easy, quick and special top!
I made it twice - short for the coming month or two, and once long for the coming winter...
The short version

The long version

The Pattern Review:

size: There are many sizes in one envelop. I made size C and it fits, I think that size C fit size 40 (or 8 in American sizes).

Instructions - GREAT! One step was not very clear to me, but I just did as sketched - and it works! There are only a few steps...

Changes from design: none. However, next time I make the long version I'll change the sleeve a bit - I'll make it an inch longer for sure (too short for my taste) and maybe wider too...

Notes: I really like that the short sleeves are construced with lining... and the pattern even explains why. I like the unique shape of the top, and that the pattern includes instruction to change the pattern for several body types.

Conclusions: Winderful pattern, great instructions...

On a personal note... I'm getting better! I baught my sewing machine exactly three years ago, and I didn't know even how to thread it, I knew nothing! I acually cried when I broke a needle, I was sure I've just destroyed my machine!
And now I'm getting better.
I am more willing to handle a bit more intimidating patterns, and I get more professional looking results. I have so much to learn, always, but I really do think Ihave better skills!

for the coming month - I am getting ready for fall...
so much to do!

Butterick 5019 - not so cute...

2010-09-20T21:39:00.001-07:00

I got this pattern thinking this simple layout will be great for the new Dora fabric I got...

I chose size 3 for my 3.5 girl. Good thing I decided to try with another fabric and not my Dora fabric....

This is one of the FIRST children patterns that I do not like. I wasn't sure at first, thinking it might too big for her, and that's way the fit wasn't great, but no... it's very short, so it may fit more as a top next year , but still, I just don't like it...

The Pattern Review:
First, as I said, I think the dress is very wide and very short... so I have issues with the look of this pattern.
It is also very weird to put on... there are buttons on the front that are connected with another piece of fabric... difficult to explain. and then there are the ties on the back (which are actually cute). If it fits my girl better, I'd made her another dress with the ties on the front...
I think it isvery comfortable, since my daughter loves the dress...
The instructions are very good though, not much to not understand.
Also I want to mention that you need A LOT OF BIAS TAPE! (I made my own for this dress... using this cute machine

In conclusion - I'll try this pattern again next year (same size) and if it looks better then I'll have to lengthen it. But really, so many cute dresses out there... I'm not sure I'll ever look at this one again!

Bye

Simplicity 2396 - Revisited! (and more bags and stuff)

2010-09-14T22:09:00.000-07:00

I promised a very good friend of mine a bag. She selected the fabrics, and she selected some thick, leather-like (am I clear? I don't know what's the name of this fabric is English) fabric.
She wanted a bag similar to my Simplicity 2396 bag, only smaller. It took me a while.. but I finally made it - two sizes, the original size (for me) and the smaller one (for her).
I hope she likes it!

Then over the weekend I went to my mother. I had given her about a year ago one flower garden that I made using this great toturial. I thought of making a runner or something, I thought this would be a great craft for me for the times I spend with the girls in the playground... but since they never let me just sit there.... despite all my hopes... I ended up with only two such flowers.. and realized this is the end of my career as a hand sewing mama...
But I gave one of these flowers to my mom. Look what she made out of it!

I have some not-too-great patterns to post about and review.. It depresses me.. (time and fabric lost). But I'll get to it soon!

Ottobre 02-2005-18 - GREAT PANTS!

2010-09-09T21:47:00.001-07:00

I may have mentioned it before... my girl started school! Apparently, though she can wear skirts, most girls wear pants to school, so my Lady H, that has SO MANY skirts... wants to wear pants.
I chose Ot 02-2005-18 and made her two pairs.
Please ignore the poor quality of the pictures... and the total mess we have at home :-( I cannot be expected to both sew and keep the house in order... right????)
Anyway - here it comes!
This is from embroided linen..

This is from some home decor fabric...

I know it looks as if it doesn't sit well... but it really is OK! My girl just has the tendency to pose in weird body shapes when she tries on new clothes...

I made another pair of this pattern, without the ruffle, just the shorts.
I really like this pattern. It is really easy, and looks cute!

My Pattern Review
I made size 122. fit my girl perfectly!
The directions are easy and simple... you make the ruffle, you make the shorts, then attach both.
I finished the ruffle once with bias tape and once I just serged it...

Changes from the original design - I put in the elastics in the regular way (prepared casing and put in the elastics). I like it better this way.

Special likes - It's a great pattern for special pants... I will also make it in denim in the winter. The fit is good... it combines practical pants and fency look.

I also made two pairs of Riviera from SCKL

I think I have this whole school clothes stuff covered for the coming weeks, until winter starts :-)

I also finished a simple dress for my little one.. I will post on that soon, and I now work on two matching bags for my friend and for me. I hope to be done with that in a week...

On another note, I celebrated my birthday last week... amd after thinking about it for a year or so...I decided to buy myself an embroidery machine! It should arrive (in sea) in a couple of months! I have a lot to look for!

Starting school

2010-09-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of school. Thank god it's over!
Lady H started the first grade.
Lady N started kindergarten.
They were both very tense, and I cried.
They look so small.

My summer was busier then I thought it would be, and I didn't get to do all that I planned.
I never got to make the swimsuit for myself, or the blouse that I've planned to...

I still have some "debts" of clothes to make for friends and family.
So early next week I'll have to update all my plans for the coming month -

September will be all about old debts
1. swimming suit for me niece
2. Elodie for a frirnd
3. Bag for a friend.

Then I'll make
1. 2 pairs of pants for lady H for school
2. simple dress for my little one, yes, she doesn't need it... but... well...
3. blouse for myself

Then I'll start winter sewing...

can't wait!

My guide to Elodie

2010-08-27T00:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I showed my Elodie dresses...
As I wrote, I had some issues with the photo tutorials by Farbenmix, so I did my own.
This is how I did it...
I am sure there are more options... but this one worked for me, and since the Farbenmix photo toturials didn't help me much, I am uploading my bersion - It might help someone, and it will sure help me when I make this dress next time (which is next week, as I was asked to make it as a birthday gift for my kid's friend).
SO here goes:
The sleeve
I thought the sleeve should be gathered. It is a symmetrical piece (back and front), one edge is a little more curved then the other, I treated the other one (the less curved, and also the one that has marks on it) as the end edge of the sleeve. I chose to put elastics in it to gather it a little.

attcach the sleeve the back

top stitch it

repeat for the second sleeve

attach the sleeves to the front part

top stitch

sew the upper part sides together to finish the sleeves

top stitch

now. gather the lower part (I used two parallel long stitches for that) and you get this:

now prepare the lower part - just sew all panels of the lower part:

attach the uppoer and lower parts.., and elbalish (I placed a ribbon on)

all that's left now it to put on the zipper and put the elastic on the neck.I put the xipper on, then I used bias tape around the neck to create a tunnel for the elastics. I didn't document this part well so words is all I can offer at this stage..
Now embalish and finish...

Finally - The Elodie!

2010-08-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

I saw this pattern several months ago in the Farbenmix blog page - Loved it since the very first moment...
I made it, twice, for the coming new year's eve.
The first time was difficult. I tried to use these photo toturials, here, here and here
I couldn't understand the details - such as what side of the sleeve goes where (there is one side that is a bit more curved..), if the sleeve is gathered or not...
Anyway - I tried and tried and got a way to make it, and it is PRETTY!
Now, I am sure there are more ways to do it, but I took some pictures and I intend to put them in a document, because I know I'll be making this dress next summer for sure!
I made the simple version,
here it is -

The fisrt version is from a very fluid fabic, not sure what it is exactly..

The second is from quilting cotton

Isn't it lovely?
I'll post a good pattern review next week, because there's a lot to write, and we are going on vacation early tomorrow morning...
but I can say in short - another MUST HAVE pattern by farbenmix!

see you next week!

Some back to school sewing....

2010-08-24T21:04:00.000-07:00

Well, It is not really back to school, it is more - getting ready for school.. my big girl is about to start the first grade in a week.
Now, in her new school - the pupils have to wear school shirts, but I think (hope...) that they can wear either pants or skirts.
Now, Lady H has many many skirts, but she really did outgrew most of them lately, and she barely has pants without a zipper, which is what I prefer to send her with to school.
So here's what I made for her:
6 spirals Redondo
I have made this skirt so many times... really, I think it is my most used pattern! But I always made it one color. Now I made it with two colurs and added a spiral, so I'll have an even number of spirals.
Here's what I got

a little review
I already posted once a full review on patternReview right here, but I want to add a few words for the 6 spirals redondo..
well - it has a lovely effect! It doesn't change much the skirt... meaning - it doesn't cause any problem.. except it a bit too big. I think I could have avoid adding seam allowance

Then I made the neat beat pants from Ottobre

I made a very simple pair of stretch jeans. I added some buttons for embalishments. But in the next pants I'll make (and I will.. as it is a very easy pattern!) I will emblaish it with some ebroidery.
here are the pictures. Lady H loves these pants, she says they are 'bratz' pants... well, THAT wasn't on my mind when I made them... :-)

For the pattern review...
I made size 122-128 for lady H, and it's a bit too big.So I found myself having to add elastics to the front band. I almost didn't stretch it, but I needed it there for extra support...
I followed the instructions closely, without understanding how it will be.. and they turned fine. I usually make a leg, then another, then attach the two.Here the construction starts from the inner leg, then the crouch, and the outer leg is almost the last on the list. now I get what they did... but this is not the simple pants patterns that a beginner can make without the instructions, and brief as they are, the instructions for this pattern were good enough!

Next up - The ELODIE - what a pretty pattern! I already made two dresses.. just need to take pretty pictures!

Bye for now!

my first "real" skirt - Butterick 5042

2010-08-13T01:37:00.001-07:00

I have a friend that wears skirts. Lots and lots of skirts. and she looks great in them.
I, on the other hand, wear pants. only pants.
But I thought of trying...
I chose Butterick 5042, which looks so nice!

Isn't it a pretty skirt? I reminds of the Redondo by Studio Tantrum, which I LOVE and made many times for my girls. Now that I think of it, I need to make more!

Anyhow - b5042 is a swirl skirt, in three lengthes. I made at fist view B, medium length. No, it didn't look good!
I then chose view A (knee length) size 12. It was too big. still no good.
I then made size 10.
twice already.
Look:
First version is from quilting cotton

Second is from a more flowing fabric. I think it is a better choice for this type of skirt.

Apologies for the bad pictures.. poor lighting and poor camera (not to mention my pictures taking skills..) all combined...

I actually like these skirts. A lot!
I wore them a couple of times. I still feel weird wearing skirts.. as if I pretending to be someone I'm not... But I hope to get over it!

a few comments:
1. Sizing - I think I am size 12 (below my waist) but I made size 10 here... so I think this pattern runs big.. I'm not sure since this is my first skirt pattern.
2. zipper, wasn't that bad...
3. finishing - I used my serger.. two difficult any other ways.
4. I used a button rather then whatever closing the pattern call for.
5. Important note when cuttong - the pattern pieces are NOT cut on the fold. the skirt pattern piece is cut 4 times on the righh side of the fabric! (I actually drafted it twice to make it easier and placed one piece inside the other to save fabric. kind of like this

Except these are pieces of the Laguna skirt (again, Studio Tantrum, need to make this skirt again too!), but the principe is the same - place one pattern piece inside the other one...

We have a new family member at home. a new puppy, very sweet... name Chicka. Pictures soon...

Mccall 6074 - the top version

2010-08-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

Well, to be exact, I did try the dress first. It just didn't work for me!
First - this is the pattern...

I baught it as soon as I saw it... I mean - it looks great, right? yea, on the models! I just couldn't make it work for me.
I has several issues - for my first try I selected a heavy knit, I think this is why the gathering in the front didn't look good!
But I also have a probelm with the facing. The pattern is constructed of three pieces only - front, back and band for the gathering. for a nice finish you have to fold the neck and arm opening, don't know... it doesn't seem as nice to me, and it's trickier. I guess more experiences sewers will have no problems there though.
Anyway, after the unsuccessful try, I put the pattern aside, but over the next two months I kept seeing great reviews of this dress in patternReview.
So I tried again, a top this time, with several modification.
First - I made sure to use thin fabric, to make sure the gathers will look cute.
Then I changed the order of the construction - I put together the two front parts, and the two back parts. I then sewed the shoulders together, tried it on to mark where I want the gathers to be, I then gathered the front, and finished the side seams.
I drafted facing parts for both the neck and arm opening (well - for the arm opening it's just a strip of fabric...). and I did facing instead of folding the fabric.
Since it was too short (it was a muslin) I had to add some white lace to the bottom of the top..
Here's what I have

Now, I did make more stuff. Some of them I never get to upload here... but here's a little thing I made and made my Lady H very happy...

I used Farbenmix Olivia. which I love! My girl likes it as a night dress.

On a non sewing related note... we are having very hot days here! I really hate that summer camps and the big vacation are in the Summer (silly, I know! ), I have tto bring the girls every day to a different Summer activity, some are outside in the type of whether that I think people should be close to air conditions...
Can't wait for the begining of the school year.
In the meantime, this evening, my little one has her farewell party from her kindergarten. After two years there she'll start 'big kids kindergarten' in September, so it's really a goodbye... kind of sad.
They are having Pirates party, so I made them (at my girl's request) 'Dora the Pirate' cake:

I planned to make a list of everything I did this month... but it'll have to wait. But I can list here everything I plan to make the coming month... I'm good with plans! :-)
1. swimsuit for my niece (I promised.. two months ago!)
2. pants for my mother (she asked for it)
3. bag for a friend (I really want to make her one )
4. another bag for myself (ok, no good reason for this one)
5. dress for a friend of Lady H (her mom asked for one as a birthday gift)
6. two dresses for new year's eve for my girls.
7. cute romper for my sister's son
Do you see that there's a LOT in this list... and nothing is clothing for myself...
Well, I hope to manage all of these stuff. We'll see!

NewLook 6613 and Simplicity 2467

2010-07-31T20:43:00.000-07:00

new summer dresses for my girls!
These dresses are easy!
In fact, Newlook 6613 is one of the first patterns I ever tried! and it was great from the first try!
I already made it several times for the my big girl and some of her friends.
I really like the shape of it and how easy it is... but I don't like the exposed back.
This time I wanted to add a bolero.. I looked for a sleeveless dress to make to match... and NL6613 seemed just the right thing!

I already posted a pattern review for this pattern right here!

The bolero I chose is from Simplicity 2467:

And here are the results...

Now for some conclusions and thoughts...
NEWLOOK 6613
1. I like the dress, simple as it is. It can be embalished, but I chose to only add piping (my first piping!!!!) as I thought it will look better this way.
2. For my almost 7 years old I made size 8, and made the elastics in the back in a smaller size. I made ths skirt longer, since she really likes long dresses. The fit is great!
3. for my 3.5 years old... well - here's a problem I have and I had to see it coming... In all of her fitted dresses lately... they are very snug on her! I know why! I made her size 3... I should have made 4. I made the elastics pretty tight... In my mind she's still a baby! I can't seem to get over that! After I cut the fabric (or before, when I trace the pattern) it just looks to big for her! I keep forgetting that my baby is getting bigger! But that's my problem... Not the pattern!

Simplicity 2467:
1. I made the bolero - twice. Size 6 for Lady H, size 3 for lady N. They were both big! wearable... but way too big!
2. I like the shape - and how easy it is. So easy... took me about an hour to sew!
3. I changed the design just a bit - instead of a button and a loop. I decided to add ribbons on both sides to make the bolero two sided!

4. I'll have to make it again, but in solid color, something to go with every sleevless outfit my girls have...

I also have a skirt pattern to share... But it'll have to wait, as I still don't have any pictures...

Bye for now!

My new turtles!

2010-07-20T23:45:00.000-07:00

As soon as I saw the pattern, in melly&me blog, I knew I had to have it!

(picture from the Melly&me site)

I do not usually make stuffies, but every so often, there's one that I must make.
And I have some unresolved issues with turtles, aren't they cute? small, slow, wild animals, not 'cute' in the actual sense of the word, not colorful or furry,,, but very cute as a stuffed animal.
Here are some turtles I made in the past - birthday cakes..

Isn't it funny how our favorites suffed animals (and cakes, for that matter) are those 'simple', grey, animals? turtles, elephants, bears... not the colorfull ones, such as birds...

So here are my new turtles...

I put on the spots before sewing the shell, which is why the spots are not very nice... but the girls do not care. They both asked for two turtles, a boy and a girl... I will have to get to that...

The Pattern Review
Usually I find the instructions by Melly&me a bit lacking... only words, for me, since my English is not that good, it is sometimes hard to follow.
This pattern was a great surprise, it was followed with some drawings to explan very well how to attach the inner legs so that it will look very good, and I folloiwed it without a problem! (you can find similar instructions here)
This is an easy pattern, but really cute!
The turtle is small... kind of the size of a real turtle. I think I'll enlarge it and make larget turtles the next time I do it.

I'll make them and I think it is a great beginner's pattern!

My new bag - Simplicity 2396

2010-07-13T22:56:00.000-07:00

As promised, I made a new bag for myself, and I LOVE it!

The pattern is really very simple, I guess I could draft it myself... But I like it better to buy patterns and use them :-)

Here is the pattern:

This time I decided it will be my perfect bag! I made sure it looked big enough, I placed two pockets inside and a zippered pocket outside, and I even added a cute little 'thing' (see in the picture below) on a loop inside the bag, making roon for me to "hang" my keys so they wouldn;t get lost inside the mess in the bag!

And it is perfect!

Look!

The pattern Review
I really didn't need the instructions for this bag! It is so easy!
So I can't even comment on how easy or difficult they are...
The bag is very roomy, I like that about it!
Changes from the original design:
I added a zippered pocket on the outside and two pockets on the inside. (not zippered, but next time I'll make them zippered also).

fabric used:
quilting cotton, I interfaced the outer fabric, all the pockets and the shoulder straps.

Will I make it again:
Yes, a friend already asked me for a bag, just like this one but a little smaller, and I plan to make another one for myself too.
I love it, did I mention that?

Coming up next... an unsuccssful swimming suit experience, and an I'm-not-sure skirt...
soon, I hope...

Mccall 5813 - shorts!

2010-07-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

I really liked this pattern when I sew it. I have been looking for a while for good pants for myself in wovens, and this seemed just right.

I made my muslin. I decided on shorts, because it is much more usefull right now. It turned out great! I love it, so confortable. I plan on making a few more before the end of August, so I can take them all to our summer vacation!

To the pattern review
Not much to say, since I changed nothing (but the length, since I made shorts). I made size 12, and the fit is perfect. I since these are perfect summer shorts, and I plan to make nore. I think the long version will also look nice! I have the fabric for it, and I plan on making it pretty soon!
my best shorts for staying around the house of for water activities with the girls!

Coming up next... my new bag!

The Magic Skirts.. AKA Skorts!

2010-07-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

I never knew these are called skorts... so at my home we refer to them as "Magic Skirts", skirts with shorts under them, and they are a big hit!
I used Emily by Mamu Design.

I made the Skort, I like this pattern for having so many options in it... not to mention it includes many sizes of doll size patterns... a great deal!
But, The English translation is not that good. Maybe it's me - I am not experienced enough, and I do not understand English well enough, to understand the instructions... That's pretty bad, because at the moment I have quiet a few patterns by this company that I really hesitate about buying... I wish they had photo toturials for each pattern, same as Farbenmix. This would help a LOT!
anyway - I already made two for my little one, and one for my bigger one... they both love it!
The two for my little one

I thought that was enough, but my 6.5 years old wanted one (or more) too... and I actually like these, because even at 6.5.. still it's usefull during playtime to have some shorts under the skirt...
So here's her version

Now for the actual pattern review...
I like the paper, it is thick, and the parts are well drawn.
As for the instructions... I already noted, it might be my poor English, but other then the skort, which is easy enough to understand, I found the other views confusing... I may give it another try one day though.
The pattern seems a bit on the big side to me. It's a skirt, so I don't mind... but I made both the girls a size too small (because I copied the pattern pieces last year, but didn't get to it until now) and just left seam allowances. and the skorts are big.
In the original pattern the ruffle part is only on the back side. I chose to make it also on the front... I like it better this way.
No other chances were made...
all in all - I like it, as for the other views, I need to cut the pieces and play with it until I understand...
The skort itself is very usefull for a child who plays on sand and dirt, so I see many more coming for my little one...

Coming up next - shorts for myself!

Summing up June 2010

2010-07-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

I saw other bloggers do that, and I like the idea. Mostly I am following Katie from Kadiddlehopper. I will not expand on how much of what I sewed this month is from stash... I don't really want to think about that...
Anyhow - here's what I managed this month.
NewLook 6106 - two tops for me. here and here...
Pattern notes: great summer top, no fitting issues!
black simple skirt for myself - didn't document it yet..
tini for a friend.. right here
and for another friend - I did not document it...
Simplicity 2464 here it is.
Pattern notes: cute dress. Special because of the back view. Keep this one - it'll be in use!
Ronja for my dd
Pattern notes - not sure yet. The fit is great, the skirt panels are too long in my view. keep it to give it another chance...
Zoe for my dd,
Pattern notes - cute easy top (after adjustment). I will use it again..
Both can be seen right here.
two skorts for my little one, didn't post on that just yet... (very very soon)
all in all -
Four new patterns - That's good!
Ten items are plenty for me... So I did good, considering what a difficult month this was...
I only made two tops for me, I was supposed to make more 'me' stuff...
I did not master any 'new' technique...
Only one item is from 'stash fabric'... all others are from fabric that I bought last month (yes, I baught so much in May....).

My plans for the coing month...
1. Swiming suit for myself - that's a challenge, because I need bra cups and I'm trying to understand how to insert those...
2. Swiming suit for my niece.
3. new bag for myself
everything else will be a bonus... but I really hope to manage the Elodie for both my girls...

That's it for now :-)

Last Day Of Pre School!

2010-06-30T03:02:00.000-07:00

So, today is my dd's last day of pre school! Next year she'll be in school! I'm not sure she is ready for that... (I'm not sure I'm ready for that..) but I hope everything will be ok.
In the meantime - leaving her pre school teacher.. leaving her friends (though some of them will probably end up with her in school) is really difficult for my girl, so We decided to let her say goodbye for each child indiviually..
We sat together over the weekend and made each boy and girl a 'sugar child'. we then wrapped it up nicely and today she's giving those away!
here are some pictures of my girl preparing the little treats...
We used Wilton's boy and girl cookie cutters...

I've decided to start summing up the months, what I made, how many new/old patterns, etc. ... I have seen some bloggers do that, and I like the idea. I'll get to that really soon!

Bye for now!

Ronja, Zoe, and some more

2010-06-27T20:43:00.000-07:00

I recently baught two new patterns, Zoe and Ronja, both by Farbenmix.
It took me a while to decide to buy them, because next year my big dd will be in school, and will wear school uniform... so really, what do I need Zoe for? Yes, I have my little one, but she has many clothes as is... from her big sister. And also - I enjoy making dresses and skirts...
I finally decided to get them because Ronja seemed special enough to get my girls to wear it instead of skirts sometimes... and Zoe, well, there are many expamples of pretty tops made with it... right here.
I let my dd selct her Ronja colors.. I think it's a bit too much, but with a blacktop.. it is cute, I think...

note for this pattern: the pants fit fine, (though a bit long to be 3/4... but it's fine by me, I prefer them long), but the ruffle part for the skirt is too small...
next time I'll cut longer ruffle parts...

Now for Zoe... well, I had a disappointment here... This is the first time a Farbenmix pattern just didn;t match. The first time I made it, without any changes, the neck just hang there..

I consulted around (in Israeli sewing forums...) and followed some advices from there..
now I have a cute Zoe top

The changes I made:I hope it's visible from the pictures...

There's a lot more to share, but it'll have to wait :-)
Bye for now!

I've been tagged!

2010-06-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
Kathryn from lespetitsanglais has tagged me! It actually took me a while to understand what it means :-). I've just visited her blog too see her answers and, wow, such cute outfits! Love them all!
Now, to the game! :-)
1. Which pattern/vintage style have you been thinking about lately?
Ok, there are a few... Some that I need (swiming suit for myself... ) and some that I don't need (yes, you got it! more dresses for my girls :-))
The one that I plan to make this month and am really excited about is this Elodie by Farbenmix

Isn't is an amazing dress???? you can see dresses made from this pattern right here!

2. What's the one place you want to visit that you've never been to before.
Well, I don't know... I think Madgaskar... I've heard there's a lot to see there...

3. How do you relax?
I read, and yes, I sew!

4. What is your favourite holiday.
In Israel we have Shavot, That's one hoilday to celebrate the new born - kids, fruits, and for some reason that I'm not sure of, it's a dairy (milk products, I'm not sure I spelled it correctly) hoilday, I do not eat meet, so it's a real treat to me. It's also the holiday I got married in, the begining of Spring...

5. What is one sewing skill you want to learn/try out?
I want to get better.. yes. But for now I'm pretty happy with the way I progress. I have a lot to learn, but I don't let it bother me... I'll get to it someday. I now think of my self as an advanced beginner... I would like to be just 'advanced' one day :-)

6. Can you knit/crochet? Other crafting talents?I'm a slow but good My other craft hobbies are cake decorating and papier nache..
cake decorating is a mess, and within a few days nothing is left ;-) Papier mache is just a mess... But i like them both! Ever since I started sewing i don't have time for them as much as before though...

7. What garment/accessory do you wear the most?
basic t-shirt.

8a. How much time do you spend reading blogs?
It varies but too much!!

8b. Your motto/mantra
don't have one

Tagging other blogs...
I haven't been following this game closely, so I hope I do not tag blogs that already participated in this game..
First up is TAS from Little Boozle, I love all the girl's clothing she makes... but the top of the top is this amazing fairy house, go look!
Second is Jenny from SewPrettyDresses... what can I say??? pretty dresses... I just love them!
And third is Nicole from dots N stripes. I love her work, I love her online shop!
And the last tagged blog is willow and moo. How I love Sara's work... all these rainbow's colors!

I have a lot more to write, will post very soon!

Simplicity 2464.. new princess dress!

2010-06-20T03:11:00.000-07:00

About two weeks since my last post... I didn't mean for it to be so long... but the days go by so quickly...
Anyway, we're very close to the end of the school year here... and the summer vacation will be here in notime! (scary!!!!)
In September my dd will start school... first grade. We are all very excited about that.
Last week there was a farewell party in her kindergarten. I thought of making her a new dress for the occasion (yea, sure, she really needs new dresses..). I was halfway through that dress when the kindergarten teacher annonced that all kids must come dressed in white. Damn!
So the dress was completed in time, but is still in the closet.
Still, I like it.
It's Simplicity 2464. I like the look of this dress.

I chose size 7 for my average build 6.5 years old. It's big, and long, but I managed it with the elastics on the back, and she has room to grow.
As for the instructions - great. The only thing I couldn't understand is the section of attaching the skirt to the bodice. I think they may have meant to attach the front skirt part to the front upper part and the same for the back, but I'm not sure. Anyway - I did the bodice back and the skirt and the attached the skirt to the bodice.
Changes from the original design - well, I left out the strip of fabric on the bottom of the front part. Don't know why -but when I added it the front part was too long... I just omitted it.
here it is!

I really like that the shoulders are covered in this dress, not much of the back is exposed. Makes it a good choice for the summer. My girl LOVES this dress!
I also managed over the weekend another top from NewLook 6106. I made it before - and I will make more, just probably not this summer :-)

As for my plans to come... I think that for the coming few weeks I'll only make kids' clothing... I've got a lot on my mind and managing 'grownup projects' is a bit too much for me right now... I might give a try to a new swiming suit for myself though. Maybe...
That't it for now!

my new summer outfit!

2010-06-07T20:59:00.000-07:00

Ok then, between some other 'old' stuff I managed to make a summer outfit for myself
But first, the old stuff...
my 6.5 years old started a swiming course! She's getting so big...
So I had to make her another swiming suit, using KwikSew 2605 pattern.

I also made a new Olivia for my 3 years old, since the pink Olivia I made for her last month is by far her favorite dress, and I can hardly wash it between her wearing it. So now she has a new one!

Last weekend I wanted to get "tasks" out of my head. I was asked by a couple of friends to sew dresses for their girls. I don't usually mind, but when three friends ask me together (I mean, a part and not knowing on each other, but at the same time practically), and at this time of the year which is busy as it is... well, I decided to get it done with.
I finished one Tini for a friend, another Tini for another friend is almost done, and I still have some tasks ahead... but not so much!

In this Tini I didn't use elastics for the neck opening but rather FOE. It is much easier, and I thought the added color is also cute! I hope my friend likes it!

Then I got around to make some "me" stuff. Not much though.
I first made a simple peseant skirt... (drafted by me...). I don't like it too much... It doesn't fit great, but it's comfortable to wear around the house...
I then went over my stash of pattern to find a good easy summer top pattern for a friend, and I saw this one - NewLook 6106.

I am not even sure how long have I had this pattern around.. I think it was from a couple of years ago, I was too scared of handling knit fabric and I just put it a side.
anyhow, I love it!

By far one of the easiest knit patterns around, it sits really nice.
The sizing is perfect, I made size 8, view C.
I did change something - the pattern calls for using same interfacing before attaching the neck binding, I ddecided to try without it and see if there's a problem. I am glad to report that the neck opening is stable enough without the interfacing, making a simple top even simpler.
I actually got a compliment when wearing this top :-)!
Ok then, till next time :-)

Ok... So this month was supposed to be all about me..

2010-06-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

But it will not be!
First, I have nothing to show yet, but I will, I finished another swiming suit for my 6 years old, and the cutest Olivia for my 3 years old, and some pants for me.. Just didn't take any pictures yet!
About this month - Some of my friends asked me to sew new dresses for their daugthers. And my sister asked for a swiming suit for her daughter. And I forgot that my 6 years old needs a new dress for her farewell party from kindergarten.
So instead of making this month all about me, here are my renewed plans for this month:
1. two dresses for my friends
2. swiming suit for my niece
3. new dress for my girl's party
4. top for me
5. skirt for me
6. bag for me
I wonder if I'll be able to make it all... The 'me' stuff takes time, you know!

Since I have nothing to show, I thought I'll share some of the cute events allover blogland and some of the stuff that I know I'll have to get!
Books
First - look at this book:

I don't know anything about this book, but I know both my girls would love to dress a doll just like they are dressed! I am seriously thinking of getting this book once it is published! I just need to find 'an American doll' here where I live!
This book is also on my list!

Much more is happening!

On the Burda magazine from the previous monthes that are plenty of stuff for me to make, I don't know when I will get to that though!

Skirts week!
I do not wear skirts! But that's not because I don't like them. I just never found a skirt to compliment mty heavy lower body part!
But I keep thinking that I might come across such a design.
So one of this month's goals is making myself a skirt!
And after setting this goal I came across this great idea of the skirts week!
I know I'll look at all these pictures and try to gather some tips for adjusting a nice skirt for myself!
I hope also to take part in the girls' skirts section - I have made many cute skirts for my girls that I think can be entered to the flicker group!

Giveaway
Clare from Clare's craftroom is giving away her new pattren - the cutest Crocodile! How cute is that?

I so hope I win!

Bye for now!

Next month will be all about me!

2010-05-23T20:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, in June I'll try to make some stuff for me!
I plan pants, skirt, and two tops - just for me!
This month was so full, and now it's almost over!
First - I got from my husband the WII Fit Plus! Wow!!! I'll ignore the hint of me needing to get into shape and focus on the good things!
It's so cute!
Now I need to find the time to read (can't do without it!), sew (don't want to do without it) and sports (no more excuses... plus - It is fun!) and all this in the evenings once my girls are in bed...
Even with the WII, I did get some stuff done.
First - this baby set. (I already made one before). Not sure why I did it. I thought it's a cute baby gift, and I can make one to wait for a friend who's having a baby girl...

This time I put on buttons and shortened the straps. It looks better to me...
Nie-Nie
I then made the nie-nie skirt. I LOVE the way it looks, but, Wow, the work!!! So much work! I omitted one ruffle, and made the band far narrower (my dd has a round body, and skirts just tend to slip below her waist, so the broad band just didn't look good).

I usually really love designer's patterns, and make them in pairs, one for each dd, at least! But I had enough with the ruffles!!!! and with gathering!!!
I believe I'll make this skirt again... but not soon, and not with a smile... Only if one of my girls asks for it...
Kyoko
I also made my first ModKid pattern! I made the Kyoko!
I love how simple it is, and yet, it looks so special. The booklet the pattern arrives with is beyond my wildest expectations! Such great explanations.
I made the dress for my three years old. She's kind of sensivitive in her clothing, and I had to convince he to let me put on the obi. but when she allowed me...

This pattern will be very much in use!

Bye for now!

More dresses...

2010-05-12T02:14:00.000-07:00

A few more dresses for my girls...
My first try with the famous Olivia By Farbenmix! I didn't get around yet to making the upper dress, but the knit one I made was the easiest thing, and turned out really cute!
My three years old LOVE it!
I guess it's really comfortable, appropriate also for the kindergarten activities. a HUGE success... So I know there will be more!

I also made two more Tinis.
My 6 years old loves hers! It's made from poly cotton, so really, no need to iron. It's wash-and-go!

My 3 years old still didn't get hers... I am still thinking if I should give this dress as a present to a friend's daughter... I know I should... but I have troubles giving this dress away!
I just love the fabric of this one. I got it over a year ago from dotsnstripes. How pretty is that????

I am going tomorrow with my husband to a zimmer (is this a word in English??? I am not sure... ) I mean - the girls are staying with their grandparents and we will sleep, eat and rest in a country house for two whole days! We haven't done that since my three years old was born...
To top that, on the way over we will stop in Nahalat Binyamin - the Israeli street that is full of fabric stores!
I can't wait!
So, until next week...

Mccall 4444 - (Almost) first self-made dress!

2010-05-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

Well, It is not a first, I made one dress last year, but it didn't come out as well as I hoped... as well as the model on the pattern looks...
But then again - if I don't lose at least 10 kg, and get at least 10 more cm to my height... :-)
Anyway - I decided to try another dress, Mccall 4444

So, in a few words... This pattern is 'easy mccall'... It was NOT easy for me. Now, I am not a very experienced sewer, and there's a lot I don't know... but I expect 'easy' pattern to be suited for my skills...
The pattern is actually expalained very well, but the neck bands were a bit difficult to understand, and it has many steps... again, not my idea of an easy pattern.
Then again, I haven't made many women dress's patterns before, so maybe it is an easy dress pattern..
I've used quilting cotton. So the dress doesn't drape as nicely as in the picture... but it still looks nice.
Changes I've made:
1. I cut size 8, and expanded to 10 from the hips down...
2. I had two yards of this fabric so I didn't have enough fabric.. so I cut the dress parts about 2 cm shorter then needed.. thinking that I could add contrast fabric or something if needed later on. As it turned out, I don't think it's needed.
3. the gathering in the top area - the pattern's instructions call for gathering using two long stitches and pulling them together. I've tried that three times, and each time the thread was torn. I finally added elastic in the left part, and stretched it as much as I could when sewing.
4. in the neck bands - I put a button, not two hooks and eyes.
Other then that - no changes...
Here is it:

I actually think it looks good.. (though it requires some ironing). I like the top part, it is very special in my opinion.
The dress fits very nice over my top part, but is not too revealing (it is not, right?) I mean - even when I bend, nothing is shown that shouldn't be...
I might make another dress... this one certainly took much of my time and I know that my next one will take far less. However, since I am not a 'dress person', I want to make sure that I actually wear this dress before I make another one!

baby set..

2010-05-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine had a baby girl a month ago.
I wanted to make something as a baby gift. I do not usually make such gifts, I am under the impression that most people prefer gifts that they can replace, and do not value the work and effort put into a handmade gift. But here I am talking of a co-worker, that had gotten her 'shop bought' gift, so I thought I would add something!
I used the itty-bitty dress pattern from MadeByRea.
The cute reversible jacket, the apron and the application are from patterns that I baught from preciouspatterns.

Here is the outcome

And all together

I hope she likes it!

Many Many Colors

2010-04-19T22:21:00.000-07:00

I finally got my camera back!
So this is what I planned to post a couple of days ago...
Israel is celebrating Independence Day, I thought this would be a great excuse to make my girls new dresses...
I know, I said several times, they both have enough, but in fact, my 6 years old has gotten so tall... none of her old dresses fit anymore. My 3 years old does have many dresses, but most of them are not new. So there you go... They needed new dresses!
This time I chose Farbenmix Tini!

So, I don't often make stuff with English instructions... But I tried. I did have a problem. I made three dresses, three different ways.
I thought for some reason that the waist part is supposed to be more close fitting, with elastics, but didn't know how to do it. I don't like the use of the bobbin's elastics thread for that, I am not sure why, but it sometimes gets torn after washing...
So for the first dress, I added a band, and put elastics in it.

For the second dress - I made the front part longer and added the elastics behind it.

For the third dress - I made the front part just a bit longer, and didn't put elastics in it - so it took far less time...

I like them all!
But I think I like this last one, the soft pink one, the most!
I added these cute hair clips to match the dresses. This is so easy! I made it from a photo guide in Polka Dot Pineapple

The really hard thing about this pattern - is stopping.. It's kind of addictive. I could have done many more, and my girls would wear them all..,
but I have so many additional patterns to try!

A bit more...
Yesterday I spent the morning with a friend, tracing and cutting!
I now have about four projects that are already cut, and four more that are already traced...
It was good, and productive!

My plans for the coming two weeks -
1. Try a dress for myself... My parents have a surprise party to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday... I would like to have something new and nice to wear!
2. A baby girl gift for a friend...
3. Two more Tini-s for my girls.

On another matter - when checking for spelling mistakes using this ABC icon - I always get - no spelling errors! Even when I know there are some! why is that? Does anybody know???

Burda 07-2008-118

2010-04-11T05:26:00.000-07:00

Hi,
I made a new top for myself using Burda 07-08-118....
I was supposed to make the twist top from Butterick, but it was too diffcult for me...
I needed something easy, some quick success...
Here's the pattern -

The instructions were VERY easy! (I do not say it often about Burda... right?). The order in which to work was very clear... and the parts perfectly match one another!
But - this patterns runs big. I made size 40, I'll have to do again in 38.
There were really no special issues here, very plain. I did change a little bit - I narrowed the body a bit to make it a bit more 'with shape' and I cut about 2 inches of the length. It still looks a bit like a pregnancy top, don't you think?
And I am not pregnant...
So, my conclusions for next time -
1. make it shorter in length
2. make it a size smaller (38 instead of 40)
here it is... (OK, here I am :-)). I may post it for Spring top week. what do you think?

too many circles.. I think. On the other hand, I may just not be used to it, most of the tops I make for myself are dark and more solid... But I like it... I'll wear even though it's too big and not my usual colors...

I also managed to make a size 6 (approxmately) patchwork skirt for a friend's daugters... I was hoping to try it on my 6 years old, but when I only showed it to her she almost cried when she understood the skirt wasn't hers... I put it away.... that's the only pictue I have.

I still have a lot of plans for this month -
1. pants for myself
2. two dresses for my girls (Tini by Farbenmix... I am struggling with it now, not sure how the skirt is attached to to the top. German instuctions do not help much...).
3. Some other small stuff I was hoping to make as gifts... not sure which yet...
well, till next time then :-)

Kwik Sew 2605 - swim suits!

2010-04-04T21:33:00.000-07:00

Well, This was such an easy thing to do. what can I say??? great instructions, very clear pattern!
This is my first kwik sew pattern to try,
I made View C. I prefer full body swimming suits, but to be honest, tankini allows girls more to be more independent.. going to the bathroom. They manage it better. So I decided to made two suits each, and decide which one to wear by the occasion...

I love it!
It runs from size 4 to 7. I graded it down a bit for my 3 years old... I didn't do such a good job, but it still looks good.

For my 6 years old I made size 6, right out of the paper, nothing was changed... Great fit!

I really like that the pattern is very well illustrated, very nicely explained, and the paper is a joy to work with! (not this see through paper I'm used to from the bug 4)!
These aren't very good pictures, because once I finished these items, the wether became cooler again, so our beach plans were changed.
On another note, tomorrow Passover is over. I think it's good. I actually miss work a little bit :-)

Spring, Passover, long vacation!

2010-03-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

Less then a week ago we started Summer clock here in Israel... I guess Spring is officially here, along with Passover!
This year is the first year both my husband and myself take time off work and we intend to spend the whole week with our girls, travel every day, play with them. I think it is great, that we can do that.. but now, after three such days... I'm so tired! It is much easier going to work every day and get myself going with my regular cups of coffee :-)
Anyway, I started summer sewing, but did actually very little... and I probably will not have time during the coming days.
So what did I do?
I made three Rivieras for my girls...
Here's two..

I also made three summer hats... from this great free pattern here...

What are my April plans?
I've decided that at the end of each month I'll try to plan the next one... My goal is try at least one new pattern each month, and make at least one thing for each one of us (I do NOT include my husband... only the girls and myself) each month.
So this month's tasks:
1. One top for myself - I'll try Butterick 4789

I still didn't understand how it is done though... I looked at the instructions but got nowhere with them, so I decided to cut the fabric and just try it out...
Then what?
2. Two bathing suits, one for each girl.
3. Good pants for myself. I hope I can make it all!

one more Mia Top

2010-03-23T02:29:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to show my second Pink Fig Mia Top that I've made for my 6 years old.
We've spent the weekend with family in the Kibbutz, and it was really great. So here's the pictures!

I really like this dress... I'll be making more!

My little one wears 'hoverrock' of Farbenmix. How cute is that?????

I have so many more dresses planned for them.. I know they'll not have the time to wear it all. But I love making these colorfull dresses so much! And I'm afraid the day is not far when they tell me they want some branded clothes (is that how you say it??? I mean - Jeans from a specific company, etc.) And they will refuse to put on these cute dresses! What will I do then????
Happy Passover!

My March Challenge...

2010-03-21T00:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I've had several challenges this month...
First is the softies challenge... right here. I don't usually make softies. As much as I like them, my girls play with them for a few hours, and that's it... but when I saw Dee-Dee by Melly&Me, I knew this is one softie I'll make, even if no one will play with it!
So here it is (I made two, as usual. My 3 years old still plays with hers... at least that!) -

As for the pattern, it really was very easy and came together just great. My only difficulty was the way the tail connects to the body. It might be my bad English, but I found this to be poorly explained. I finally made it two ways - in the first version I connected the body and then finishes the tail and then connected the two (I had to gather the tail a bit, since the tail is wider then the body). It came out just fine. In the second softie, I put the tail together, then attached it to the back body, and when I put the body front and back together, I had to play a bit with that, make some folds.. it then came out just fine to. So basically - I guess any way you find to attach the tail and body should work.
Both dee-Dee are cute, and I like them, I may enlarge the pattern to make a real big size dolphin, one a child can actually ride. Wouldn't that be cute???

Now for a personal challenge! I've been wanting for over a year now, to put a pants fly. And I have decided that this month is THE MONTH!
I found some great toturials! Here's the one I used - Fly-Fly-Front guide. It was a great help! I did it three times (first two I ended up with a great zipper, but upside down...) but then the third time - it came together really great! Remember - the image is not very clear, but at the first step, when putting the fly - it should be backside!
The pants is Burda 08-2006-112. Can't find the pattern picture. However - it's easy basic pants pattern, no pockets, no nothing. I started with size 44, (never made burda pants - or any pants - before, was unsure as for my measurements). Turned out it was VERY big (already good!) . I narrowed it a bit and left no seam allowance.

The important things are:
1. The fly looks great!
2. The pants are totally wearable!
I intend to get some good pants fabric next week, and make another try.
I have to remember:
1. lengthen the pants a bit - they are a bit short!
2. I used some fabric with a little stretch, I need to use no-stretch fabric
3. try to take a little bit from the waist, where they are too wide, but very little from the hips...

Pink Fig - Mia top

2010-03-16T22:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
This is my first try with pink fig patterns, I have also shirred very little in the past...
I wanted cute, uncomplicated dresses for my girls for the coming holidays. As with most new patterns, I started with the little one (so if I missed something in the pattern, I would not ruin that much fabric).
My 3 years old picked up the fabrics.
I finished the dress yesterday, and put it on just for the photos... She refused to take it off!
look at her!

I have a prolem with shirring... First, I was afraid that my girl will find it uncomfortable to wear. Luckily - no such issue was noted, she seemed perfectly comfortable to dance and run and sing in the dress...
Second - and I think ths is MY problem - I shirred many many rows, and it looked well, but I think the thread I'm using is not good, because when I stretched the dress a bit, the thread was torn on some of these rows, It didn't affect the oberall look of the dress, since most of the rows are intact, but I think the thread is just not good (even without sewing it, just looking at it and stretching it, it looks very thin, and get torn really easily). Where can I get a good thread????

Changes from the original design - I made the top a bit longer (the skirt part) since I want it to be a dress. Next time (sure, there will be a next time!) I'll make it even an inch longer. I also didn't make the sash, thinking that my 3 years old wouldn't need that...
The ruffle of the skirt - I made shorter then indicated, since I just didn't have enough fabric.
All in all - it came out really cute. and I love it! I'm starting the dress for my 6 years old, so I really need to get a good thread...

Yes, another great pattern!

What I've been up to...

2010-03-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

First, thanks all for your good wishes for my daughter, She's much better now. Still weak, but improving :-)
I have been busy!
I started summer sewing! Isn't that great????
It's only March but is very warm here. I know it'll rain next week, but for now I enjoy this short, lovely Spring!
I made a couple of Redondo skirts!
I love this pattern. It was my first Studio Tantrum pattern that I got a year ago from dots and stripes, and I have made it a couple of times since... But as much as I love it, I just can't get a good picture of it, unless my daugther is wearning it.
I am still not sure what to do with these skirts - I love them both, but my girl has too many skirts as is. I originally planned to give them as gifts, but frankly, it's really difficult to give them! I still need to think about that.
Anyhow - I let me girl wear them for a few minutes just so I can take a picture... and then I put them a side to keep thinking...

Really, so what if she has about ten skirts in her closet, and no time to wear them all?????
I also had a success with my pants project! More on that - in the next post...

Good IMKE and bad, bad pants experience...

2010-03-07T20:53:00.000-08:00

Well.. I had a really hard time these past couple of days. There's so much I want to do and so much that I have to do (at work) and all of a sudden, 9 days ago, my 6 years old got sick. high fever, not eating or drinking, so tired...
9 days after, still the same...
We got the diagnosis now, it's probably Infectious mononucleosis, and she's got it pretty bad...
Anyhow, all my best made plans... will have to wait! The dresses I wanted to make my girls for the coming holidays... the stuffed animal for the March challenge...
But, before it all started - I did manage to finish the IMKE for SCKL!
When I first got the book, I didn't think I'll make this top, but my daughter saw it in the book, and really really wanted a hooded top!
I chose lovely fabrics (but really thin, because I want the top to be good for the coming spring season).
I don't have good pictures yet.. my daughter really doesn't have the energy to model for me :-(

I didn;t finish it well... I tried - finish with a serger then folding it inside, iron and top stitch - but it's not holding there.. I'll have to find another way to finish the curved edges! How do you do that?
I really like it - for next winter I'll be making more of this top!
Many more..

As for my pants experience - I set up a goal for myself for March to make myself a pair of zippered pants! I really need some pants and I HATE shopping for 'lower body parts clothes'! Having to try on clothes and look at myself in the mirror in front of other people... having to ask for those sizes... I prefer living in denial... I don't think of that. Can't do that and shop for pants!
So I chose a pattern, made some dummy version, practiced on how to put on the zipper... and then got started on the real thing - a lovely color of corderoy!
BUT - only after I sewed the two legs together I remembered - this fabric is 'with nap'. I never dealt with this type of fabric before! Even if I finish this pants, and the fit will be ok (not amazing, OK is good enough for me), the back part of the legs is darker then the front part. How's that for a woman trying to HIDE her back part???????????
I got really upset over that! The wasted time and fabric.
well, I did learn something.. I'll try to look at that as my learning fee :-)

Purim, Riviera, Embalishments...

2010-02-27T08:01:00.000-08:00

A lot to write about..
Well, first - it is PURIM here, and it is raining so hard... too bad.. Still, we found a few not-raining minutes yesterday to take photos of the girls. Both were princesses, of course. My young one, 3 years old, decided she wanted to be also a cat...
So she was!

The big princess dress is from Burda 01-2010. A great pattern, that I already reviewed a month or so ago. The little princess is from an old Ottobrre issue, from 2003 I think.
Both were very happy with their costumes!

What else?
I have worked hard these past couple of weeks on patterns from SCKL. I made the Riviera Leggings - twice! what a great pattern.. I initially wasn't too thrilled about it, then, a couple of weeks ago, when helping my girls into their under garments, it hit me! Legging is indeed a great idea, and this pattern is so easy!
So I made it - twice... once the long version and once the short (which I didn't take photo of yet, since it's winter here...).
Anyhow - here it is..
The photos don't do justice by them...

The fit and instructions are just great! I'll be making so many more of these, they are so useful!
I also made IMKE, turned out just great... on that - in the next post.

One thing I have to comment, and this is entirely SCKL fault.... I have spent way too much money getting embellishments on etsy and eBay these past couple of weeks.. After seeing the book, and looking over at the flickr group... well, I could not resist it...

I bought a lot, The world turns out to be a very small place, if I can place an order and get it withing a week or so from Singapore!
I bought from several online shops that I know I'll return too!

This is one - earthfile
and this is second (especially recommended for the great service! I even got a bonus ribbon) myluckynumner9...

what would I do without the Internet?????

INSA Skirt

2010-02-20T20:33:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

So I got this book last week

I already mentioned how pretty it i, and inspiring!

My first project from it was the INSA skirt. No, my girls do not any more skirts (or dresses, for that matter... :-)), but it seemed really easy, fast and cute.

And it is!

I made it as simple as possible, just to try the sizes, and see how it looks on my girls. My only embellishments were a rickrack at the top. I LOVE the outcome! My girls love their skirts (I had to make two identical ones...) and they fit real nice. I still may add some elastics on the sides of each panel to add some embellishments to the skirt...

The skirts are slightly longer then my girls are used to, it is nice, buy I may shorten the top part a bit next time I make them.

Another pretty pattern!
I hope to manage some more simple projects from the book, building my way for the more complicated Dortje and Manhetten soon. Still, on March I plan to take a little break from sewing for the girls - and attempt a pair of pants for me! I really hope to make something wearable!

Good day!

One more challenge!

2010-02-16T20:21:00.000-08:00

A friend gave me her Burda Magazine of 01-2009 to trace a pattern... a 2009 winner!

I saw it in the best patterns of 2009 article... (what a great idea - these articles are so full of tips !)
I had to have it!
Once I had it... well, I did manage the construction of the sleeve, but I must say that seeing the tip by sew-4-fun (here is the link to the tip) made it so much easier!
Thank you, sew-4-fun!
so I did it, I don't have good pictures of the top just yet... but here's what I do have!

You have to trust me - It does look good!
Now for my review - I perfectly understood Burda's instructions... The construction was simple enough. However - I found that following sew-4-fun instruction makes no difference to the outcome but makes the construction ever easier.
As for the size - I have no issue. I made size 38, I usually make 40, but I've recently found that 40 is too big (No, I didn't lose weight... I don't know what happened...), and size 38 fit perfectly.
I don't usually wear 3/4 sleeves... but this one seems special enough - I'll wear it, I think I may even make another one when summer comes, and a good fabric!

On another note - some recommendations -

I think the whole sewing world already knows about Sewing Clothes Kids Love by Nancy Langon. But just in case you don't... I have ordered it last June, and got it a week ago! What a great book. I love the pictures, the patterns! There are 10 patterns there, and I love almost all of them! And I'll make most of them! I've already made INSA out of the book (will be posted soon!), I plan to make IMKA shirt next, then the leggings and the Manhetten. The book never arrives to the patterns drawer.. It's on my table all the time.

Well, till next time...

Burda 02-2010 - my knit challenge!

2010-02-05T22:45:00.000-08:00

Hi,
After many many months that I found no interest in my Burdas... It finally arrived - a simple cute knit top that I liked!
(The image is from the Burda magazine)

I thought it would be the perfect challenge for the February challenge at My Favourite.
It's a good thing I decided on that pattern as my month's challenge... Or I would have never completed it. I started at size 40. I'm not as thin as I'd like, and last time I made a burda top, that was my size...
First - I couldn't get the directions. The part of putting the small band between the upper front parts.. I don;t know - maybe the band was supposed to come on top of the top parts, bot between... I sewed it between the parts.
Other then that - there was no need for instructions.
but it came out HUGE! I know I'm pretty small there, but so is the model in the magazine and the top fits her...
Anyhow - I started modifying the pattern - making it longer in length and smaller in all other parts... I have never before made such big changes in a top! I'm pretty proud in myself!

I already made it twice - both sleeves variations.
I'll make it again for sure - so here are the things for me to remember for next time -
1. leave very little seam allowance!
2. use steady knit... medium weight. the thin fabric also works, but less well for me..
I like it!

Oona!

2010-01-30T21:17:00.000-08:00

I won Oona in a giveaway from dots N Stripes!
I love winning!
I love Farbenmix patterns!
I have a somewhat crazy week, since the coming Friday my little one turns 3! I can't believe it - She's my baby, and she is such a big child now!
Anyhow - I wanted to make her something, a new outfit, for her birthday, but I knew I really wouldn't have the time. Then I looked at Oona - and it seemed simple enough, but really cute!
so - it was very fast!
This is my first Farbenmix pattern that I didn't need the photo tutorial or any explanation, it just came together so quickly!
One of the reasons I love Farbenmix patterns is that they seem comfortable. Nothing to limit the child from jumping, running... Oona is no exception - my doughter danced in it...
so here it comes -

Her 6 years old sister is also there, getting ready for Purim...

That's it for now...

January Challenge! ME

2010-01-25T20:34:00.001-08:00

Hi,
Just a quick little post - I've completed my January challenge! I have joined earlier this month the 12 month challenge at My Favourite, At some point I didn't think I'll make it, but I did!
My challenge was to find the time between getting my daughters' costumes ready and regular house work and my actual work - and sew a new bag for myself!
I've used the pattern (and cut fabric) from SEW, but I have changed it - I put inside red lining, closed it using a magnetic snap, put two pockets inside. I like the way it looks..

However - This is NOT the bag I thought it would be... too small! I think I'll have to, at some point, make a diaper bag for myself! This seems the only kind of bag that will be roomy enough for me.... and no, it will not have diapers in it!
Anyhow, I completed this challenge! It is such a great idea! Getting ready for the next one!