MORI DRESS PATTERN TOUR

The first PDF pattern I ever bought was an Elegance and Elephants pattern, the Bubble Pocket Shorts, and since then I have become a great fan of Heidi’s designs. So, of course, I had to try the new Mori Dress…

PATTERN: Mori Dress by Elegance and Elephants. I felt in love with the Mori when I saw this beautiful photo Heidi shared on IG. Such a cute and girly design… Then I checked the details and loved it even more when I discovered it was a pullover dress with no back enclosure. That little detail makes it such a fast sew and also makes it super easy for my girls to put it on and off without my help. So, when Heidi asked me if I would like to take part of her tour I had to say yes. I made a tunic in size six for Teresa, though she turned 8 last November, as that was the appropriate size for her chest measurement and the fitting is perfect! I made no changes to the original pattern but I had to skip the back tie as I could not find the right ribbon and didn’t feel like making ties from the tunic fabric.

FABRIC: Love Birds by Holly Holderman for Lake House Dry Goods (outer fabric) and grey/white striped cotton (lining fabric). Sometimes I love a print but I am not so sure I like the final garment made with that print. That’s exactly what happened with this quilting cotton! Maybe it is too bold… Maybe it drapes the wrong way because it is quilting cotton… Maybe my kids are already too old for this kind of prints… I really don’t know! Anyway, I mixed it with some lovely striped fabric from my local shop (Park dos Tecidos) and matching pompon trim and Teresa loved it so I guess that’s enough for me! But I think next time I will try this pattern with some nice white linen for a softer look…

 

 

Another detail I love about this pattern is the lined shoulder ruffles (is this the appropriate name?). They are great to play with fabric combinations and they are way faster to sew then if they were hemmed. Plus, when working with quilting cotton you don't ever see the ugly non printed inside of the fabric. Perfect!

So, don’t forget to check the other Mori Dresses and Tunics on the tour and remember you can get your copy of the pattern at Elegance and Elephants store with 10% discount until midnight (PST) on April 30 with the code MORITOUR.

And finally, I would love to share with you my other Elegance and Elephants creations as they are still among my (and my daughters’) favorite garments: the Bubble Pockets Shorts and the Bubble Pockets Shorts turned into rompers (with a tutorial), the Spin Skirt, the Bohemian Babydoll, the Hemlock Top and the Hemlock Top turned into dress. Enjoy!

THE ELEENA DRESS BY COFFE AND THREAD

Today I’ve got a beautiful dress to show you: The Eleena Dress!

This is actually the first dress I’ve sewn for Teresa for quite some time as she isn’t much into dresses anymore. And you know what? She is in love with it. She might even go back to liking dresses again just because of her new Eleena…

PATTERN: The Eleena Dress by Coffee and Thread. This is such a cute little vintage dress! I love it! This kind of dresses were very popular in the sixties and I even got an old pattern – sent all the way from New Zealand by my friend Constança - for a very similar design. But vintage patterns come in one size only, so I am glad Olga decided to launch the Eleena Dress so I can make it in every single size I need! Plus, the Eleena has some really nice sleeve options – flutter sleeves, short sleeves and long sleeves – and that makes it perfect for every season. There is also an option for a pretty collar and a contrasting central panel that will allow you to play with fabric. The dress is quite a-line shaped so it swings beautifully. I think that little detail was actually the one that made me want to sew it for my kids…

 

 

 

Since I had already seen so many amazing versions of the “original” dress (check #eleenadress on IG to be amazed), I’ve decided to play a little bit with the pattern and make something slightly different… I started with the collarless long sleeved version with continuous front panel and then hacked it a little bit: I’ve cut the skirt into two pieces and used a bright yellow contrasting piece of fabric for the bottom part, replaced the back invisible zipper for a big and long exposed zipper and the lining for a little neck facing (because my chambray is quite stiff and I thought the lining might make the top part of the dress too bulky), I’ve lengthen the sleeve a couple of inches (about 5cm) to properly accommodate Teresa’s very long arms and shorted the overall length again about a couple of inches as I like my kids dresses to be quite short.

FABRIC: Denim chambray and solid yellow cotton, both from my local shops (chambray from Feira dos Tecidos and Solid Yellow from Park dos Tecidos). I´ve got this thing for color blocking… I just love these simple designs in nice bright contrasting colors! But in Portugal, especially in winter time, kids wear mostly dark colors and sometimes – especially when I look at school or birthday photos – I feel like my daughters look  a little bit like aliens… I just hope they will not be traumatized adults because I make their clothes! But I am almost sure they will only wear black in their teens!

Don't forget to check out the other creations on the tour:

February, 22 

Bonnie & Lottie, As it Seams, Sew Happy, Call Ajaire

February, 24

In a Manner of Sewing, Skirt Fixation, Stitched Together, 

Made by Sara, The Life of Compulsive Crafter

February, 26

A Jennuine Life, Fairies, Bubble & Co, Hungie Gungie, Doguincho

February, 29

Rebel & Malice, Sew Shelly Sew, Creative Needle and Threads, 

Welcome to the Mouse House

March, 2

Candice Ayala, LBG Studio, Crafty Biggers, Sewing Like Mad

March, 4

Greendoodle, Rita Pirolita, Boevenbende, Kristine Hansen 

March, 7

Les Reloux, Just Add Fabric, Lokakid, While She was Sleeping

 

The Eleena dress is on sale for only $7 until March 7th and you can get it here! 

 

Olga has also put together a great giveaway were you can win Coffee and Thread two patterns and one yard of Sara Jane fabric.Try your luck on the Rafflecopter!

 



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DEAR PRUDENCE BY SEW PONY

Today I am really happy to be part of the Dear Prudence Pattern Tour! Dear Prudence is the latest pattern designed by my good friend Suz and, like all other Sew Pony patterns, it is absolutely gorgeous!

PATTERN: Dear Prudence by Sew Pony.  Are you into unique and special designs with a touch of vintage style and some cool technics that might challenge you just a bit? Then this is a pattern for you! The ultra-complete instructions will guide you through out the all process and you might learn a couple of things while sewing your Dear Prudence.

What have I learned? I am happy to tell you that this pattern made me face an old fear of mine: shrinking shirring! It was actually my first time shrinking shirring with elastic thread and, though my shrinking shirring is far from perfect yet, I think it is quite acceptable for a beginner... I hope I can master this technic really fast as I love it and want to use it more often. (Thank you Suz for helping me  distinguish shrinking from shirring!)

 

For Teresa’s dress, I chose the cap sleeve option and I have only changed three things to the original design: 1. Instead of 9cm of shrinking lines, I have sewn only about 5cm because, as I told you before, I was afraid of shrinking! 2. I’ve hemmed the dress with piping because somehow I messed with the dress length and didn’t have enough fabric to make a regular double folded hem… 3. I added a belt. I don’t really know why I did it (because I do like the dress the way it is) but it just felt right! Maybe it was because I was using a solid color fabric. Anyway, I think the belt looks nice and Teresa and she likes it too.

Teresa was the one picking the hat for this photo shoot. She is starting to like to take photos! Should I be happy about it or not?... I really don't know if I am happy about it...

FABRIC: White cotton from a bed sheet I bought long ago at Zara Home. This is a super soft fabric with some nice little wrinkles (I’m afraid you can´t see them on the pictures…). Nothing special but Teresa wanted a white dress so I had to make her a white dress. As I was afraid the white cotton might be slightly see-through, my Dear Prudence is fully lined with some white voile from my local shop too. All notions were found on my very big notions stash (don’t you love when that happens?!): both piping and buttons are vintage and the belt buckle was bought on my trip to Copenhagen at Hadler Tekstiler, a great haberdashery in the city center.  

I hope you liked my Dear Prudence! Now please check all other gorgeous dresses from the pattern tour and, if you feel inspired to make one – as I am sure you will!-, don’t forget to use the code PRUDENCE15 to get 15% discount on your pattern.

And for more inspiration check out my Paris Sew Social post. There you will find a quite free approach to this pattern…

THE BEDFORD DRESS AND TOP BY BROOKLYN PATTERN CO.

I don’t know if I have already told you but, lately, Teresa has been really hard to please in terms of clothing. I have been struggling to find patterns and fabrics she likes but this time, thanks to Erin from Brooklyn Pattern Co., I think I have nailed it!

As soon as I showed Teresa her new Bedford Top made with the silver star France Duval-Stalla fabric I got in Paris she said: I LOVE IT! And I thought to myself: HURRAY!

(Do you like her new, kid of pirate without one front tooth, look?)

PATTERN: The Bedford Dress and Top by Brooklyn Pattern Co. I must confess I also felt in love with this top/dress the first time I saw it. It is such simple but so cool design. Perfect to make a 7 year old girl look really stylish!

Teresa needed tops more than dresses so I made the top version. According to her chest measurement, I should sew a size 5 and so I did. I really like the fitting but I must confess I have already sewn another Bedford in size 7 because I love this top so much I want it to last. So, though on the blog photos Teresa is wearing the smaller top, in reality she will be wearing the bigger one and Ines will wear the smaller one. (Confusing?! That’s what happens when my kids wear matchy-matchy outfits!) And you know what? Both size 5 and size 7 do fit her nicely and that's a really great thing on a pattern.

This was the first time I have sewn a Brooklyn Pattern Co. pattern and I was amazed with the quality of the overall design, the super clear instructions (I prefer diagrams to photos and Erin’s diagrams are perfect!) and, as I said before, the impeccable fitting. But, though the instructions really easy to follow, the technics are kind of challenging… A perfect project if you are an intermediate sewer looking for a nice challenge!
On my second top I have actually used this technic to close the harmholes. It is a great "backup" technic if you don't want to topstich though the way Erin tells you to do it perfect too.

FABRIC: Grey Silver Stars Glossy Coated Cambric from France Duval-Stalla (I think this specific color is out if stock now but there are some other quite amazingcolors on sale right now.) Have I already told you that France Duval-Stalla shop was my favorite shop in Paris? (And there are some pretty amazing shops there!) I felt like buying the all store! But instead, I got this beautiful silver stars chambray and a peace of blue linen I have been selfishly saving to make a dress for myself! This chambray is truly soft and has the perfect drape for this pattern. I feel happy because I have used it to sew such a great pattern but I think I might have to go back to Paris soon to buy some more…

The zipper and matching bias tape I’ve used to hem the tunic (the only thing I have changed to the original design) are from my local shop and I just adore the contrast between the pink and the bluish grey.

So do you feel like trying this pattern too? Or the Henry? Or the Franklin? Brooklyn Pattern Co. is offering a special launch discount until July 15 (11:59p.m.)! You can get 20% off any pattern with the code SUMMERFUN15.

And don’t forget to check all other Henry and Bedford dresses and tops on the blogtour. The lineup of bloggers is amazing and I am sure we will all be super inspired!

Thank you Erin for such a great pattern!

NINA CULOTTES AND SKIRT BY COMPAGNIE M. PATTERN TOUR

I still can't believe I am on a women's clothes pattern tour! I am really excited about it though I am a little bit scared too. Will you like the clothes I make for myself? Will the photos be good enough? Will you actually feel like buying the pattern after seeing what I have sewn? Well, let's hope so...
When we were together in Paris, Marte from Compagnie M. asked me if I wanted to try her new pattern, the Nina Culottes and Skirt. She was wearing a Nina skirt and the design and fitting seemed perfect but I was not sure if culottes were my style so I told her I would think about it. I gave it some thought and I am so glad I said yes! I actually made a skirt and a pair of culottes and I love them both!

Let's start with the skirt. Since, according to the size chart, I am a XXS at the hip and a S (almost a M!) at the waist I decided to make a muslin and I am glad I did! I don't like to make muslins but I am learning they are very, very important! Well, my muslin "told me" I should make a size XS and so I did!
Then I had to choose one of (so many) different options for the pockets and enclosure this pattern offers... But that was easy! I knew right from the start I wanted the diagonal side pockets and side invisible zipper (next time I hope I have the courage to add the double welt pockets!)

I made only a couple of changes to the original pattern: I added interfacing to the waistband and shortened a bit the hem (I'm sorry but I don't know how much...). The fabric is Simply Color, Metro Dots Dotty Ombre Grey by V and Co., a quilting cotton I had on my stash for ages! I am not a great fan of women's clothes made with quilting cotton but I think it works quite nicely for this pattern. Plus I love the design! These dots are so much fun but it is still quite a discreet print. Finally, I was lucky enough to have the perfect matching color piping on my stash too so I finished the hem with it and I am glad I added this little detail to my skirt.

While I was sure I was going to love the skirt, I was not that sure about the culottes... I thought culottes were for tall women and I am kind of short. Guess what? I was wrong! The Nina Culottes really have a nice and flattering fit.

My pair of culottes are not made of woven fabric though... I made them with french terry! They were super fast to sew (no side zipper needed as the fabric stretches) and they are so comfy! Plus I think they fit quite nicely and look much fancier then a pair of yoga pants. What have I changed from the original pattern? Not much! Of course I didn't add the side zipper and since I was making the culottes with stretchy fabric I cut a size 14 and used slightly shorter waistbands in order to get a better fit. Once again the hem is slightly shorter then the original, maybe about 5cm, I think.

The fabric is, once again, from my stash and I think I got it on my local shop. The qualities is quite nice and I hope the black will not fade when washed... Because I want to wear these culottes for a long, long time!

Well, do you feel like sewing a Nina skirt or a pair of Nina culottes? You can win a copy of the pattern here! Good luck!

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THE HEMLOCK TOP BY E+E TURNED INTO DRESS

If you have been following my blog I think you already know I love Elegance and Elephants Patterns. The Bubble Pockets Shorts (Heidi is improving this pattern and it will be available again very soon)was actually the first indie pattern I bought and it is still among my favorite designs! I’ve sewn my first pair of Bubble Pocket Shorts last summer and, a month later, I flipped them into rompers for Flip This Pattern contest. Then I’ve sewn this colorful Spin Skirt and it has turned out so simple but gorgeous… This pattern is now my “to go” pattern for simple skirts (I’ve got another pair on my cutting table right now!) Finally, this summer I made a Bohemian Babydoll for Teresa and love it! Once again a simple, well draft pattern that fits my daughters to perfection!

So when Heidi asked me to sew any pattern from her new Fall Collection I had to say yes!

The Pattern: The Hemlock Top by Elegance and Elephants. Since I am trying to start sewing with knits I picked the Hemlock Top but Teresa needed a knit dress she could wear during the winter with leggings so I’ve turned it into a short dress. I love the simple but stylish design of the pattern and this dress was so easy and fast to sew! As usually, Heidi’s instructions are perfect and, even if I am not very used to sew with knits, I think I did a great job with her help. I love the overall fitting and I have to confess I can’t wait to try the original pattern! I actually am waiting for some gorgeous fabric from this shop to arrive to start sewing!

Fabric/Notions: Main fabric is a nice polka dot knit in blue and turquoise from my local shop (Ouro Texteis) and, for a little bit of fun, I added a couple of details in a gorgeous Liberty of London woven fabric. While the shoulder ruffles are from the original pattern and are perfect, the kangaroo pocket is self-draft and, next time, I might have to make it slightly bigger…

It is still too hot in Portugal to wear long-sleeved dresses but I know this drees will be worn again and again in the cold winter days!

Finally, I've got good news: all Elegance and Elephants' patterns are on sale (1$ off) until October 24th. Use the coupon code TOUR at the check out!

(Enough photos, now!)



ASTER CARDIGAN BY WILLOW AND CO.

I’ve made a cardi! A knit cardi! I am so happy!

I’ve always had issues sewing with knits but, when I saw Willow and Co. Aster Cardigan, I knew I had to give it a try. So I bought a new - but cheap and not fancy at all - sewing machine and a piece of not very stretchy knit and finally went for it. You know what? It wasn’t as hard as I thought! And I think I will be sewing a lot more with knits from now on.

The Pattern: Aster Cardigan by Vanessa from lbg-studio for Willow and Co. Patterns. This is such a simple and easy pattern to sew. Yet the result is super clean and professional! The original pattern comes with a collar (actually it comes with two lovely types of collar) but, this time, I’ve decided to make it a little bit different: I’ve finished the neckline with bias tape in order to close the cardigan with a bow.

Fabric /Notions: White and red striped knit from my local shop (Os Bispos) and white and navy polka dot bias tape I had on my stash.

We have been postponing the photo shot all week as Teresa was not in the mood for photos but today we really had to do it and all I got was this grumpy face…

..then, when Teresa started having fun, she wouldn’t show the cardigan!

Enough photos for today!

PS. Do you know Willow and Co. is hosting a fantastic “back to school” contest? Check it out here and don’t forget to add your Willow and Co. creations!

PS (for Portuguese readers). A minha nova maquina foi comprada no LIDL por 100 Euros e estou impressionada com a relação qualidade/preço desta maquina. Uma optima compra para alguém que se queira iniciar nas costuras!