April… well, it is over, but though I was not around here, I kept sewing (though not nearly as much as I wanted!)
First, I made the tiger top for my tween. It’s the same pattern I made several times before, Ottobre 01-2014-28. size 146 cm. The fit, as you see, is great. She loves it. I don’t see the point in reviewing it again, couldn't find an easier sleeveless top..

Then I tried something new - an Ottobre top for myself. Yes, I renewed my subscription and included also the women issue. I hope to have at least one really good pattern at each issue.. at least…
I chose Faded stripes. Ot 02-2015-17. Can't recall which size I made. I'll have to update it layter.
I added a band at the bottom and on the sleeves, I like this way of finishing sleeves….
I like it, but I don’t know if I LOVE it though. The pattern is really easy, the fit is good. The instructions are clear. But it’s missing something. Not sure what, I’m not sure I’ll make it again.

I didn't take a photo yet, will do it soon...
Then I decided to make a pattern that is one of the oldest patterns I own, back from the times I just started sewing. simplicity 2268, size 3, for my soon 4 years girl.
Funny, back when I bought this pattern it was supposed to be for my oldest.. not almost 12 years old J
Well, it’s never too late!
I like it. It’s for woven fabric, meaning I get to use my cute fabric with cute prints! This fabric that two years from now I may have nothing to do with it!!! It has NO zippers and NO buttons!!!!
And it still looks cute.

The instructions are very clear and detailed. I remembered how I like
- Tracing patterns and cutting them – without having to to print and tape together…
- The step by step instructions of the big 4!

I think I’m back to paper patterns! After several years of PDFs…

anyway – I did everything exactly as instructed and I like the result – but if I make it again… (why if???? Because I lately counted,.. my 4 years old has 20 dresses, no less!!! I’ve started already a new dress for her birthday, bou after that I honestly doubt I’ll make her another one in the coming year or two…) I’ll make two changes
- Fully line the bodice
- Omit the piece of elastic in the back. It really is meaningless… the ties work well enough

Do I recommend it?
Yes! .lovely, and very easy!
Hope to back in less then two full months J

Spring is officially here!

And I started Summer sewing!
As usual.. there's always this issue of.. why bother???? The girls have so many clothes. cute ones! dresses, etc... My boy also has a lot of clothes...
Actually, my oldest, being a tween and all, is really obsessed now days with the clothes she is willing to dress.. It's difficult to find those rare items in the store, that are priced reasonably and both of us approve of it. I guess most of my Summer sewing will be for her. And for me.. I also need some tops.
But I started with shorts for my 8 years old. She really is a tom boy. She loves wearing dresses, but if they are not VERY comfortable.. she'll never wear them again. same for pants! she refuses to wear Jeans, or any pants/shorts with buttons or zipper. So I was really pleased when she felt this very soft floral denim fabric and decided that yes, I can make her some shorts out of it..

The pattern is Oliver + S Sunny Days Shorts, and it is FREE! You can download it here... I have never used Oliver + S patterns before.. translated to Israeli money they are really expensive.. but I may just have to.. it really is a great pattern!
I did not add anything to this really basic shorts, knowing that for my eight years old any addition might just get in the way of, well... of messing around... I made size 8. It's slightly too big, but the elastics in the waist keep it all in place.

Then I continued with my tween. She chose a really weird fabric, Mottled (I hope I'm using the correct term, this is what google translate gave me). But I don't have much of it so I first made a try of a simple top using some other fabric. The pattern is Ottobre 01-2014-28. I made size 146 exactly as instructed. I finished the neck, sleeves and bottom end of the top with black bands of fabric.I kile this look. My girl loves it and gave me the OK to make the same top with that mottled fabric...

Also for my tween.. The school has some talent show every year, and this year was selected to represent her class. RESPECT, right??? She asked me to make a dress.. She never asks me make her dresses anymore!!! so I had to agree (even though I only had two days.. two work days... for that. I made her my beloved Maria dress, which I made so many times before. Still used size 10, but added seam allowances and added about on inch to the front. That was a mistake, it's too big... So next time I will have to make it narrower (just add seams to the sides do NOT add to the middle!), and make it longer next time. Still, my girl liked it a lot!

Next I plan two tops for myself and.. well.. I have to.. few summers dresses for my younger girls (yes, even though they don't need dresses..)
Bye

This month's new pattern is... Kimono Sleeve Ot 01-2014-19

OK then, I really don't need any clothes for my little ones (well, except for some pants for my boy... but I don't bother with those.. I just buy the cheapest that I find). Still, in the latest Ottobre I saw this really cute pattern.. I could not resist it.
It is constructed really funny.. the sleeves are cut with the bodice, and the seam is in the bodice center. It's unique...
Now, here's the problem - I can do with lightweight knit, but it'll mean I'll have to hem this lightweight curvy knit, which I'm not good with... and it'll only be good for a month or so, then the winter begins and heavier cloths are required.
So I decided to use fleece.. It's a problematic fabric choice because the fleece stretches to one side only.. this means that if the bodies stretches the sleeve doesn't stretch. I decided to take the risk.
Since non of my fleece fabrics was patterned, I needed a way to cheer the tunic up. I decided to use appliques that I bought long ago. Just ironed them on. Then I showed my 3.5 years the tunic and she LOVED it.. but my son felt neglected. I had to make him a top also. I used the Harava (01-2009-22) top from Ottobre.
So.. to the reviews
Both tops are great. For both I used high quality fleece. size 92.
Kimono Sleeve top

This is the way it looks after 4 times it's been washed...

The kimono top fits perfectly on little girl. The instructions are great, I really love the way it looks. The problem is, that the applique I used doesn't hold very well in laundry. So, for the second top I made her, I made the applique myself, using a free pattern that I downloaded years ago. (look here.. I love this applique)

.
Nothing problematic about the instruction. real cute, really special looking. My 8 years old also asked for such a top, in pink fleece. I just need to get more fleece..
Mode it twice. will probably make it again...
Harava top

I used size 92cm. A bit wide on my son. But CUTE. For the first version (the blue one) I used neck binding. For the second version I used neck facing.

I don't like it as much...
It turned out way too wide, so I guess we can use for sleeping, but it's too bad...
I have much more I want to make. As always, I guess I will not have time for all... but on the to-do list I have
Two tops for myself
Two toys that I promised my little ones (monkeys, or snails...)
dress for my tween and for my 8 years old
Bag for myself
I have some photos from my tween's 11th birthday.. but I think it'll wait. This post turned out long anyway..
Have a good weekend all!

Ottobre 1/2014 #25 Funny Faces Dress

So, my October's new pattern is Funny faces, from Ottobre. It's getting colder here, and my 3 years old girl loves dresses... and the pattern seems easy enough. so I tried.
For my first attempt I used size 92cm (my girl is about that size), and changed nothing from the pattern. (actually I lengthed the sleeves. they seemed to short..) I used a stretch white fabric leftover from my older girls' dresses. and on top I put stretch floral lace, which I had sitting around for ages...
This is what i got (not great pictures, I know)

So you can see the sleeves are too long... my error.. also the dress is too wide for my taste, and the skirt just isn't twirling enough... still, my girl loves it.
For the next dress I made some changes - I narrowed the upper part, kept the sleeve length at the original size (which turned out to be just fine), and used a circle skirt instead if the gathered skirt. I took the pattern piece from the maria dress I made so many times... I like this option of a skirt because
1. very twirly
2. very easy to sew - no gathering needed
3. no need to hem if I don't want to (and I didn't want to) because I cut it once on two folds... no seams in the skirt at all..
so here's the second version

I like the dress much more this way, and I know I'll make it many more times.... maybe also for my 7.5 years old. a good basic dress.
For the coming few weeks I plan two make some log sleeves tops for myself... and If find a good winter dress for my tween it'll be great, it's her birthday soon.. so I have many cakes in the pipeline. Will not have time for sewing... again..

sleeveless tops - women and tweens

Hi all.
It's spring here.. Passover. we had big plans for this holiday. Both my husband and myself took days off work.. we planned to travel, do things.
Then, a week before the holiday.. my husband broke his leg.. when taking out the garbage!!!! Can you believe it?? If you think you remember such a post in the past.. yes, two years ago.. a week before the holiday I broke my ankle when doing the laundry. I think both my husband and me are not cut out for house work!!

So I'm trying to survive eight days with four kids at home!!! It's not a good holiday :-(

Anyway, trying to get ready for the coming Summer, I realized that all my kids have so many clothes! Too many to fit into their closets... The one exception is my tween... She's getting bigger and taller... and she's getting very difficult to sew for, and frankly, also to buy for! The clothes she loves are clothes that I think are not appropriate for her age!!!

I also need a few more clothes. Mostly casual wear, for work and for afternoons in the playground, since that's all I ever do...(Does it sounds as if I complain??? Most of the time I really don't, but this past week with my husband sitting and enjoying himself while I try to entertain the kids and cook.. well, it's not my best time..)

So my first Summer projects for the season are the easiest tops, two for myself and two for my tween...

The pattern for my top is KS2965 view B. I traced the pattern before, size M. and narrowed it down a lot to fit me. Now it's a great fit.

The pattern I used for my tween is Ottobre 01-2014-28. Also a sleeveless top, I made size 146 for my 140 cm girl, and I do not leave seam allowance when I cut the pattern. No need to check the instructions. I make it the same way I made my KS sleeveless tops:
sew the back and front together at shoulder and side
sew two binding peaces together
sew the neck binding to the neck opening right sides together and fold the binding back and sew..

Sp for the coming month I guess I'll concentrate on some items for my tween. I plan two dresses, two more tops, and two tights. I doubt I'll actually have the time.. but I'll try. If I am lucky I'll squeeze in a dress for myself (yes, one more for my closet, I never wear them...) and a dress for 7 years old.. we'll see.. Happy holiday all!!!

Ottobre 02-2007-20 + 02-32007-33 - Tween Sewing

Hi all! I am starting a new Tag in my blog - Tween sewing. It seems that my 10 years old... well, she wants to wear certain things, certain colors, and a twirly dress no longer does the job :-(.
I saw first signs of it last year, but now....
. I promised her that we will buy cloths for her. and we caught some.. but.. these arehard to find forget the price, let's say it's not the issue.. some of the clothes I see are either too short, too adult like, or I just can't find a good fit. we baught some, but I also wnt to mke some.
Ottobree magazine is a good source for that. I don't have many issues (keep thinking of subsribing to the magazine and keep postponing that, because I hate tracing from their patterns!)
This time I made an effort.

I chose this top and skirt. here's what I got..

The pattern review
The top - Ot 02-2007-33
It's OK. good directions, the ft is not very good, it's too big (I made size 140 for my 140 cm girl... I thought the fit would be better, but it's too wide and too long. I don't relly minf, it'll be good for next year, but tht was not my originl intent.
The fbric is cute... very thin, from Nahlat Binyamin... when I saw it I know my girl wil love it. It's getting hard to find fabric that she likes (I mean, other than black..). I have a nother ful meters of it, need to think what to make out of it.
Anyway, nothing special about this pattern, noting complicated, I followed the instructions., no problem, but if you make it, note the sizing.
I'm pretty sure I will make it again, since I already traced it :-) but not until next winter! Then the fit will be perfect!
The skirt - Ot 02-2007-20
I like the skirt because it has an elastic waist, so easy to make. Again, the sizing is too big. I made it once for a 'draft version' and then repeated in stretch denim fabric. (the pattern doesn't call for stretch but I wanted a bit less roomy). I had to narrow the pattern on the sides, and shorten it at least 5 cms... but then it looked pretty!
Changes from the instructions:
1. Had to narrow it a bit
2. had to shorten it a lot...
3. I also gave up the back pockets..
I will make it again.. maybe soon, maybe with non stretch fabric, just to see how it works. It really is an easy and recommanded pattern.. worth the try!!
This is it for now... Goos day all

Summer sewing...

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...

Many packages on the way!!!!

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!

Ottobre 02-2005-18 - GREAT PANTS!

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!

Purim, Riviera, Embalishments...

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?????