The Ballard







Today I am part of the Ballard pattern tour! 
I was really sad that I couldn't apply to test this pattern when I saw the tester call. My schedule was already fully booked for that period... So, when Kimberly invited me for this tour I was thrilled! (Thank you Kimberly!) 

This top is made out of knit, it is super comfortable and a super quick sew! 

Pattern: the Ballard top, pattern by Straight Stitch Designs
Fabric: light-weight knit with a panel print that I used for the bands (neckband, waistband and sleeve band) to add some color contrast to the pale main color. (I don't know what I had in mind when I chose this knit because this color doesn't suit my skin tone at all... oh well, lesson learned! :) )
Details: This top features a gathered scoop neck, 3/4 sleeve (perfect for Fall weather), banded hem (which I love!) and an open back detail. The pattern is really great, the fit is perfect, and the instructions are fantastic (each step has a well designed illustration). I already have in mind a few ideas to flip it a bit and that means that I love this pattern! My next version will be just like this one on IndieSew. It is a perfect addition to my fall wardrobe!

I am loving all the versions for this tour - like this floral and this striped, oh and this houndstooth version?... {swooning...} -, so make sure to check them all! You will get lots of inspiration!

Kimberly is definitely a new designer you should keep an eye for. Her first pattern was the Ravenna and I can't wait to sew it! It has the most beautiful detail on the back. I am looking forward to see what she will be coming up next as her third pattern! I am sure it will be amazing...



{And now you can skip a few ramblings on selfish sewing and body image if you want to... I won't take personally. :) }

This post doesn't have many photos, I am aware of that. And no, it wasn't because they were all blurry (they weren't, my dear husband always does a good job taking pictures of me - thank you sweetie!). The truth is I had a hard time picking a few photos because I don't like what I see in them. I don't recognize myself in this after-having-three-kids-in-less-than-four-years body. I keep focusing on all the curvy spots (as seen in the photo above), I can't see past that and I'm having a hard time sharing it with the world. (Adding to the fact that I am shy... {I am sure all my real friends are laughing out loud now... :) })
 I really want to sew more for myself - I know that my wardrobe needs it more than my kids do, now that I have been sewing for them like crazy in this last year :) - but I am dreading having to take photos and blogging about it. I would rather not. And the truth is I don't have to, right? I can sew just for fun and don't blog about it...
But then I keep telling myself that I have to face it. That I have to accept this figure as it is. That I can't wait for the perfect time, sometime in the future, when I'll loose all my baby weight and be back to my pre-mom body. Because honestly, I don't think I ever do. And the present is now and I can't live thinking about the future and saying to myself "Then it would be perfect!..." Stop that, Sara. Stop finding excuses not to sew for yourself. "I don't want to cut into all the gorgeous fabric I have been keeping on my stash before I loose all the extra weight... I will be ruining good fabric!"... Humm... Not an excuse because if you saw this post you know I have cut a beautiful fabric that was seating on my stash for about one year, on a dress for one of my girls and you know how fast kids grow, right?... "I haven't find the perfect pattern"... No, there are a lot of amazing patterns out there! 
So, I think it is just about time I stop finding a few excuses and start sewing more for myself. It is about time I accept my body as it is and stop wondering "what if?" or thinking "one day..." 
And maybe I blog about my makings maybe I won't... :)

So... Is there anyone out there that would like to join me? Together we can do it!


18 comments

  1. Querida Sara, estás tão bem nestas fotos! Que treta que sejamos umas tão grandes criticas de nós mesmas (e quantas vezes tão pouco objectivas somos, como se pode ver aqui ;-)). Adorei o top e estás LINDA mulher!

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  2. I hear you! I too struggle with my post 2 pregnancies body and need, I mean WANT to sew more for myself. Both my girls have enough clotes and it is about time I cut into the pretty fabrics I reserved for myself. But, like you, I keep waiting for my body to return to "normal" and for the time when I fit in my old clothes again. Like that will ever happen! So I think I will accept your challenge and will try to sew for myself again. Just like I did before I had children. Now the only thing I need to do is start a sewing blog.
    Marjolein

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  3. Concordo inteiramente com a Patricia!! Também sou super critica com a minha auto-imagem mas acho que não nos podemos deixar levar por esses pensamentos. :) estás linda e queremos ver mais coisas feitas para ti!!! <3 <3 <3

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  4. Sara, estás lindamente e a blusa assenta-te mesmo bem! Queremos ver mais roupas feitas para ti! Mas só se tu quiseres também. ;)
    E sim, lidar com o corpo pós-bebés não é fácil! Eu até estou mais magra que antes (as miúdas dão cabo de mim!) mas mesmo assim o corpo não é o mesmo, nem pode ser, que aos 20 anos.

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  5. OKAY....you must have had a killer body before if this is your I-must-hide-for-the-world-body!! You look great and you should definitely sew more for yourself!!!

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  6. What?!! I think you are seeing something completely different from what we are all seeing! You look GREAT! You are somoretty and have a cute little figure! Stop it! And start sewing! 😄(yes, I am bossy, I know) the top is super cute!

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  7. Sara, percebo-te bem, eu estou com um corpo completamente diferente depois desta segunda gravidez (para não falar em muitos quilos a mais que não se vão embora nem por nada...). Não te vi antes mas pareces-me muito bem, gira e com boa figura mas, acima de tudo, tens de te convencer de que mereces ter roupa feita por ti! Com tecidos especiais, sim! E claro que não tens de blogar sobre isso se não te apetecer, o que interessa é que te sintas bem no dia-a-dia. Força! :)

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  8. Sara, the top is awesome, and you are gorgeous :) I have been thinking the same things and using the same excises to not sew for myself. Then I decided there was no better time to start sewing for myself. If I ever get motivated enough to deal with a few extra kilos I have accumulated, my sewing skills will improve and I will make gorgeous clothes ;) We can cheer each other on, hey :) I hope to see more think you have made for yourself on this blog :)

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  9. Sara, estás óptima!! E é claro que mereces tecidos fantásticos só para ti, nem que seja pelo facto de ser mãe ;-)
    O top ficou muito giro e fica lindamente :-)

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  10. Same here! I hate measuring and trying to fit the "bumpy" places! And now that I'm pregnant again, I think "I don't want to waste this fabric on something I'm only going to wear for a few months". But really, what's the difference between that and BUYING maternity clothes? And you look great Sara, you are so cute! I love the top and you should definitely keep sewing for yourself! :)

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  11. Lovely top, beautiful model! you are beautiful and did a great job with this top. I feel so related to your post. I have been procrastinating sewing for me just waiting for the extra baby kilos to go...but certainly I would like join you! hope I can be brave to show my sewing on the blog :P.

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  12. Sara, eu sei que és tímida e junto-me a ti nessa sensação de estranheza do corpo pós-bebés, já que conto com 18 kgs de baby-weight...

    Mas posso só constatar uma coisa óbvia?!
    Porquê deixar de costurar para ti agora só porque achas que tens peso a mais (que não acho que seja o caso!) ou te sentes menos bem com a tua figura? Já pensaste que se perderes peso ou melhorares a tua linha de alguma forma, o que costurares hoje pode sempre ser apertado, ajustado e melhorado?! O contrário é que seria complicado, certo!?

    Não deixes de o fazer! A tua auto-estima vai ficar bem mais lá em cima :)

    Beijinhos

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  13. Adoro, o top e a coragem. Estás linda <3

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  14. Sara o top e lindo!!! Fica-te lindamente! 3 crianças depois e estas fantastica... As fotos estao muito bem! Fazes coisas tao giras para os teus filhos que bem podes começar a fazer umas para ti. Seria a minha inveja de armario! LOL

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  15. Eu gosto imenso e acho que te fica muito bem :)
    Pessoalmente, também não me dou nada bem com o espelho/fotos (apesar de ter o mesmo peso, a verdade é que o corpo fica diferente depois de passar por 3 gravidezes), mas não será essa mais uma motivação para fazermos coisas para nós próprias - já sabemos o que nos assenta bem e quais o que queremos valorizar.
    Cada vez me convenço mais de que somos as nossas piores críticas e por isso a mudança tem de partir de cada uma de nós :)

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  16. Sara, eu não consigo ver mal algum na tua figura, és linda, estás ótima para quem teve 3 filhos.

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  17. Sara,
    Que lindo tecido!
    Sim, temos que coser para nós, não é só compensador, é libertador. Não dependemos das Zaras do mundo, somos autónomas! :)
    Quando comecei a fazer roupa senti-me um pouco um ET da blogosfera, não encontrava mais gente que cosesse para fazer roupa de adulto, roupa para si própria! Aos poucos vou encontrando " a minha turma" por assim dizer :) É que isto torna-se uma paixão e depois um vicio. Agora que ando muito ocupada e não tenho cosido nada de especial, olho para os meus projectos que esperam, e sinto como sede, sede de lhes pegar e esquecer o resto :)

    Bom trabalho, gostei de vir visitar este blog e fiquei seguidora, no bloglovin :) Obrigada!

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