Tag Archive for 'children sewing pattern'

Tiny Polka Dot Top E

Published on September 29, 2010 in Handmade, Sew beautiful, Sewing Japanese and Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Pattern: Top E from this Japanese Pattern Book.
Fabric: purple polka dot gauze from Fabric Depot’s Outdoor sale for $2/yard

A very special moment for me when L was taking time to do a little face and toe painting before we went to school. I wonder where she gets it from because I hardly use any make-up. The pattern is quite simple to assemble. The only thing I found tricky was that the bottom of the bodice and the top of the skirt both had to be gathered before they were sewn together. Which isn’t very stable. And in the end the gathering is not quite even all around but as I am probably the only one even noticing anything. Next time I would stabilize one of the gathered ends by sewing it against a tape down first to the wrong side of the garment.

I love the back overlaid openings but that’s something I will hardly be able to pull of anymore. But who cares if you have a little one who can pull it off no problem. Still a tiny bit too big but as summer is dwindling down now, I am glad it will fit just right next summer!

Happy new Year

Published on January 7, 2010 in Handmade. 2 Comments Tags: .

Whow, it’s already 2010!
Just wanted to show off this beautiful creation from Shelly, the owner of Figgy’s Kids! She has created a collection of beautiful yet uncomplicated girls patterns for the sewing enthusiast. You can find her on etsy, she’s blogging here and teaches sewing classes at Bolt and Cool Cottons. The dress above is the Mary-Go-Round and has fantasticly 3 armholes! L finds that extremely funny and loves putting it on while getting twisted and twirled around in the armholes. One of my next projects is Ella’s Bubble Bottom Skirt that has been on my list for me for a while now. You can have a look at the pattern sold on etsy here.

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday time. I enjoyed having my hubby home with me for 2 weeks. We went skiing up to Mt. Hood several times, cooked lovely dinners and played with Leona. We did lots of skype and telephone sessions with our families back home in Europe and really missed being around them and the typical German or English Christmas atmosphere.

…and then we found this place! A little German haven in the middle of the Cascades. Just of the middle station at Skibowl at Mt. Hood there is this lovely little warming hut without running water and the only heat source is from the open fire place. The owner is Chech but besides his Pilsner he offers Paulaner and Wiesn’ Bier. No wonder i love it here and a stop here quickly became a tradition for us when we ski here.

So: Frohes Neues Jahr!
(Happy new year!)

Wardrobe Sewing Challenge – Pop Art tops for everyone!

Published on November 4, 2009 in Handmade. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

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Leona and I have some new funky tops! Hurray. Quick and easy projects that result in stunning unique pieces are my favorites. Knitting pattern for the hat can be found here.

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Stylish dress book
ISBN978-4-579-11185-5
Style D
Fabric: Over the Rainbow, B, Tana Lawn Liberty

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And a version for Leona with 2 cute pockets in the front and a two-button closure in the back.

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Mama Girl Wardrobe
ISBN978-4-8347-2691-6
Variation of Style 17

Magazines available here and here. And, as you can see, i’ve got a new toy: a tripod and a remote for the camera. That should take care of my lack of photo-opportunities. See you soon!

Wardrobe Sewing Challenge – A blouse for Leona

Published on October 28, 2009 in Handmade and Sewing Japanese. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

bycicle top

Could it be that Portland has the highest bycicle participation in the states that I had my eyes on this beautiful Tara Lawn cotton from Liberty of London?

Picture 1I loved it when i was out searching for Leona’s B-day tunic but passed on it then. I decided to snatch it up atBolt for a japanese top that i want to sew for myself and after cutting it there was even enough left to get a blouse for Leona. I love Oliver+S designs and had sewn the 2:2 blouse in a short sleeve version before. But now that it is getting colder, Leona really needs some nice long sleeve versions. So here it is with light weight denim detailing.

Just after i had proclaimed to do a japanese sewing challenge that i tackled an adorable pattern from Jenny Gordy from wikstenmade featured in Stitch magazine. And it definitely tested my limits even though it’s categorized as ‘simple’. And it’s not a difficult sewing pattern but rather a tale of what happens when you choose to not measure yourself. But more to that later as i will try my first raffle as i will gift away the tulip skirt in size medium/large to someone who comments on this particular post. And just to wet your mouth click here to see the skirt being sewn by others.


Sewing Japanese – wardrobe challenge

Published on October 6, 2009 in Handmade and Sewing Japanese. 0 Comments Tags: , .

After having tackled and finished all my ‘outdoor’ projects before the winter season starts – staining decks and staircases and beautifying our garden – i am more then eager to get back to my sewing machine. And because i just love my japanese sewing books so much, i have decided to put myself up for a wardrobe challenge – japanese style. Meaning i am committing to sew Leona’s and my entire winter wardrobe from either japanese patterns or japanese fabrics if i use other patterns.

Birthday Tunic

Birthday Tunic

First up, a double whammy for Leona’s 2nd Birthday:
Fabric: Double Gauze Girly & Bitter by usuka by Kokka available online here and here.
Trim: lightweight denim for binding and pockets, yummy shank buttons found at Knittn’Kitten
Pattern: taken from Mama Girl Wardrobe ISBN978-4-8347-2691-6 but own interpretation

Wrestling with the Needle

Published on July 22, 2009 in Handmade. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

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Wohoooo! I have managed to wrestle it out with Tunic Top from Oliver+S. I must be doing something wrong but for some reason,  i mess something up somehow. Sewing this particular top, the Lining pieces didn’t match up at the side seams, they were about 1 inch both sides too short. After i tried to butcher a solution together with extentions and bias tape, i gave in – i  ripped the seams back open, re-cut the lining pieces and reassemble the garment after i had already partially sewn it. It was a bit of a needle game but i was able to conquer in the end.
I have  to say i learned a lot today – even if the tiny garment took me almost 2 days to make. But i am getting better and learning every day.  

I used Heather Rosse’s Uniqhorn fabric from Kokka from Japan. I got it here on Hawthorne at Cool Cottons. It’s an adorable cotton double weave, very delicate but perfect for this kind of weather. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too big for L. So no better photo for now. But i have to say, it turned out cute, and i can’t wait for her to fit into it. Might be next year.

Goodies from Japan

Published on July 10, 2009 in Handmade and Sewing Japanese. 0 Comments Tags: , .

 

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Last week two gorgeous Japanese sewing pattern books arrived! You have no idea how excited i was when i saw the package in my post box. I have been researching japanese pattern books through the internet for a while and got really inspired especially through the Makesomething blog. If you haven’t read it yet – do so, Karyn’s work is absolutely gorgeous and reading her blog is so inspiring! She has the perfect job! 

Above book is Girly Style Wardrobe. A selection of stylish girls patterns. Even though not having english or german instructions seemed a bit intimidating at first. The book is clearly structured and the styles are named by letters so that the patterns on the sheet are easily identifiable for our eyes as well. The japanese are very visual, their instructions are step-by-step illustrations so it should work without too many problems.  But judge for yourself in a couple of weeks. I can’t decide yet which of the patterns to do first, but love the little 3/4 sleeve shirt – will need to get some shirting fabric because all the quilting cottons aren’t really appropriate. 

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I bought some light weight quilting cotton at Cool Cottons from Heather Ross’s Mendocino collection. It’s a fishy mermaid squid design – and want to transform it into a simple little sundress from another japanese pattern magazine that arrived at the same time as Girly Style Wardrobe. It’s a pretty nice concept – Girl and Mom designs in the same pattern book – Mama and Girls Summer Clothes. The designs look quite simple – am looking forward to get going on it.

I bought the two books through Yesasia and ebay. But through Pompadour Craft Cafe it’s much easier, the selection and prices are better! I had a sizing question and emailed her, she responded quickly which made the whole process very pleasurable.

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