I'm a very lucky blogger!

Indeed, I'm delighted to share the news with you that 2012 is going to be the year of my collaboration with the awesome Zoe in a project called Hem-isphere :)
It all started when I saw her Poetry and Clothing challenge in 2011, I too wanted to have some super cool and gorgeous garments made by her -yes I'm opportunistic like that!- so I asked her if she'd like to work on an exchange project with me. You'd think that just because she works in Traderemade, organises almost single-handedly Brighton Craftaganza, has launched the Me-Made challenges, analyses and writes about the sewing industry, consumption and women-related problems and sews amazing things in what is left of her free time she wouldn't be available... Well, she graciously said yes! But having sewn for her friend she advised me against making stuff for each other because of the unavoidable fitting issues so we settled on exchanging notions packages every two month to make our own garment/accessory. We'll also try and use stuff from our stash as mush as possible.
For our first swap we didn't choose a specific topic so here are the very random things I sent her -photo courtesy of Zoe since I forgot to take one:


The pattern is a 60's blouse, loose fitting with kimono sleeves and a peter pan collar or fitted and sleeveless. As they say on the enveloppe you can add a simple dirndl skirt to have a fabulous ensemble! The belt buckle is real vintage, dating back from the 60's too, the sequined anchor appliqué had been in my stash since 2000 and the only thing I bought for this occasion is the beige trim.
And now this is the excellent package I received from her:

OMG I want to make these two patterns! I love that 60's dress with the ties and the gathered shoulders but I'm fond of the 70's mini smock. And that fabric is so soft and cute! Can you imagine the front yoke detail in the bias with contrasting piping? And look at that adorable little badge:


I have already gotten started on a muslin for the pattern I chose and it's looking great so far, I may have managed to snatch myself a little Zoe modjo^^ We should post about our respective projects in February and then we'll have our next swap in March. I'm so excited about this collaboration, I can't even wait for the next round!

Burda shorts

Another day, another pair of shorts! I think I love them more than skirts, you can walk, sit, pick up stuff and all without being restricted and fearing your panties will show . I found the pattern in the December issue of Burda mag, they're the leather -eeeewwwww I HATE leather clothes with a passion- high-waisted ones. I got a little carried away and made a size 38 alas after Christmas and my vacation the shorts are a bit tight. I'm glad I put a handpicked zipper on the side or else that thing wouldn't have closed^^. I love the fabric however, it's cotton with some sort of faded/autumn hues Hawaiian print.


Have a nice weekend, see you!

Top and skirt

What an exciting title! I actually made these two garments a few weeks ago but I took pics today. Did you know that I got this amazing, all-option camera for Christmas but that it won't stand on its own like the old one and that as a consequence I'm back to using said old, half broken camera^^?


Anyway, let's start with the shirt: it's a 70's Style pattern already used and worn quite often, I had to make a few alterations what with my sway back and the fact that it wouldn't have sleeves, the fabric is sweet gingham and I love those crystal like buttons.


Now for the skirt, I had been wanting a bias skirt forever and I finally summoned all my courage to cut one out of that cute millefiori cotton fabric. I found the pattern in an old Japanese book, it was seriously easy to make and I hemmed the skirt 2 days after letting it hang. Still I had to do my hemming twice^^ but the result looks okay.


See you!

Happy new year!

Hello, so sorry I haven't posted in such a long time, I've been busy and have sewn so many things and all I have to show you is this one bag :( BUT let me say it's no ordinary bag since it's made of beautiful Japanese linen, I adore it and I wear it every single day! Have a very happy new year, big kisses and wishes to all of you!




See you!

The happy accident dress

I guess I must be a fully grown woman now since I have barely worn jeans in a loooong a** time and I live in dresses and other cute and sophisticated stuff. As a matter of fact I do have a dress to show you today, I call it the happy accident because at first I was to make it simply with black and white polka dot cotton but then I made the mistake to cut my facings in some fruity printed fabric remnants and tadaaa, revelation! Never mind I had to buy said fruity fabric again to make the skirt part when this project was supposed to help me bust my stash... Pics:




I bought and added the cherry red buttons in the afternoon because of course I didn't have any that matched in my tiny collection (heavy sarcasm). The bodice of the dress is the Disney Burda sleeveless shirt and the skirt is a dirndl, and I hope you like it as much as I do because there will be several more of this design :) Have a nice weekend, see you!

Short shorts

Hi there! Summer has totally come where I live, it's already 30° in the morning! In order to try and survive this heatwave I've sewn a couple of shorts but since I wasn't sold out on the designs I made them out of remnants from other projects. Well, they actually turned out quite nice!
The first pair was made using remaining toile de Jouy I used for a dress for my mum, the pattern comes from the French crafts mag Fait Main and even though I had already sewn it a few months ago this time I changed size and wasn' t sure about the result but they're really nice, look:

There is NO way I'm showing my morning face

That long-sleeved tee was only for photo purpose, you can't wear something that hot at the moment. I want to make a shocking pink loose, light top to go with the shorts, I need to find the correct fabric -and some time!
The second shorts are from Burda mag, still the May 2010 issue (it has so many excellent patterns!) and the fabric was a tiny piece of sateen cotton I had left, I like them too but even though I narrowed most seams they're still a bit big, but I didn't make a waistband as advised so this probably explains it. However they look really good worn with classy platforms or high heels and a simple white top :)


See you!

Is it a criiiiiiiime part I'm not even counting anymore

I had to do it, it had been at least one month since I had last made a garment out of childish fabric and I believe I have outdone myself in the loud department with this Disney fabric top:

I managed to set in a very decent handpicked zipper, ignore my armpit of doom however.

It's blue with polka dots, it's cotton, it has several members of the Duck family on it and 3 utterly vintage red buttons straight out of the sixties and I love it! The design comes from the May 2010 Burda mag, I cut a size 38 and had very minor adjustements to make, it's a good pattern with an easy fit and lovely results. Awww look at this cute peplum, I wonder why it took me so long to try this pattern! I just need to tack down the lapels with a few discreet hand stitches and it'll be perfect. And I'm so using the bodice for my big, flower dress project :) See you!