Encinitas - and a new decision...

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.. :-)

The search for the best winter dress...

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...

I'm back!!!!

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!

Old debts - black and white Zucka

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!!!

Red Zucka - another great pattern

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...

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!

more carolines...

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!

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? :-)

My guide to Elodie

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...