I'm a Princess DIY

Hi! This blog has been a bit quiet but it doesn't mean I am not sewing. "Au contraire" the French would say. I have been sewing up a storm! I have about 20 items sewn and photographed but I haven't had either the time or the will to blog about them. :)

Today I am part of the Make Believe blog tour! When Chelsea - who blogs over GYCT - asked a group pf bloggers who would like to join a sewing series about making cool props for kids to play pretend I had to say Yes! My kids *love* to play pretend so this series would be perfect for them to get some new props!

The Color Block Ziggy Top

Hey! How was the weekend? We are having a beautiful Spring weather around here. I have seen some people wearing short sleeves already, so that's a sign that Spring is really here. :)

Every time I get an email from my blogging friend Olu - from Needle and Ted - two things happen: I have a good laugh (she has the best sense of humor) and I know I will be in trouble... :) She always comes up with these fun pattern tours, competitions and the sort, for Madeit patterns, and I am always ready to jump into whatever it is because I just love Anna's patterns.

So, today I am joining the Just Add Detail challenge!
This friendly competition is all about grabbing the Ziggy top pattern - an oversized box kids top - and adding some detail to it or flip it around and make something completely different. :)

A Self-Drafted Top (aka Some Selfish Sewing)

Hey! Today is the last day of Selfish Sewing Week* and yesterday I finally managed to make something for myself. Yay! :) It was a whole "selfish day" kind of day actually, since I was alone at home most of it. Yes, no kids, no interruptions. Just me and my sewing machine. (and a house with a week load of laundry TBD... oh well, that could wait, right?)

Yesterday I woke up determined to make something for myself. I looked at a bunch of PDF patterns and I couldn't decide... I picked my drafting paper and tools and... I have self-drafted this top in the morning and sewn it in the afternoon. 

Sewing for a Baby

Hi! Today I am so so excited! This post is part of a huge online surprise baby shower for a fellow blogger -  Patrícia, over Pequeno Mundo a 3. 

Patrícia is a super lovely and wonderful person and she is having her second baby girl in just a few weeks (days?). Remember that post about two weeks ago about sewing for charity? It was her idea so the same group of bloggers who joined her request decided to give her back some of her generosity by throwing a surprise baby shower!

A Fancy Raglan Tee - tutorial

Hi! Today I am at Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop's blog with my monthly contributor's post!
I am sharing a super quick & easy way to turn a simple raglan pattern into a fancy (but practical) raglan tee!

Mystery Challenge - Under The Big Top!

Hi! It seems like we are having an early Spring around here and all I want now is to sew cool Spring/Summer clothes. I have a curated board on Pinterest with SS15 trends and colors  and I can't wait to make everything I have on my mind. :) Here is the board, just in case you need some inspiration.

Today I am part of the Mystery Challenge, hosted by Amy over Friends Stitched Together. Amy is always sewing up a storm but she found the time to put together a group of fellow bloggers and friends on this sewing fun event! Each one of us was drawn a name and had to assign a theme for that person.

I assigned the theme "Rockabilly" to the uber cool and super talented Melissa who blogs over Rebel & Malice and, on my hand, I  was assigned the theme "Under The Big Top" by Tasha who blogs along with Amy. 

Boys can wear pink!

When Kelly - who blogs over Handmade Boy -  said something about hosting a blog series on boys wearing pink I immediately said yes! I never say no to a chance to sew something for my little guy since he gets so much less sewing from mom than his two sisters. 

He is always so happy when I do! (As in opposed to his sisters who often say things like "Oh no mommy, another dress?!? Don't I have enough yet?" As if it was possible that a girl could ever have too many dresses!... Well, according to their book it is, haha! ) 

And I love new sewing challenges and I knew sewing something pink for him would be a challenge. And I wasn't wrong. 

A Reversible Hooded Vest

EDITED: Seven hours later I'm back as I promised with the good photos! This little girl always wakes up in such a good mood! (I wish I was the same, ha!) I can't delete the photo above because that's the one I have linked to PR&P's link-up. Now to the good photos and the best smiles. :) 

A Free Japanese Smock Pattern

Hi! How are things in your neck of the woods? Around here it is still a bit cold and we just came back from a snow trip to the mountains for mid-term break. The kids had so much fun with the sledge. And (a-hem...) so did I. :) 

Today I am part of the Flip This Pattern series, hosted by the lovely sisters over FrancesSuzanne blog. This month the theme is Free For All and it is all about FREE PATTERNS galore! 

Dozens of sewing bloggers have been sharing their makings out of free sewing patterns. There are hundreds out there! I have a Pinterest board with nothing but free patterns for kids clothes and it is already counting 350+! (And I am sure there are a ton more yet to be found!) You can find it here.

The Multi-Apron

Have heard about One Thimble? Well, issue #6 is out and you shouldn't miss it!
One Thimble is a PDf digital sewing magazine full of super interesting articles and tutorials that cover several topics (in this issue there are 26 articles about sewing, photography, heirloom, sewing with knits, interfacing, handmade market, etc.) and you get 10 sewing patterns! (Which you can check here.)

I had the opportunity to sew something from issue #5 - the Moku Shorts - and this time I am showcasing one of the PDF patterns from issue #6, the Multi-Apron!

Valentines Fabric Envelopes - a Tutorial!

Hi! My monthly contributor's post for Peek-a-Boo Patterns blog is up today! I am sharing a super easy tutorial on how to make these lovely fabric envelopes for Valentines! 

You can make them in any fabric and theme you want, any time of the year for any occasion. Check the tutorial here!

The Freestyle Harem Pants and The Phresh Blazer

Hey! I'm back to show you lovely readers two more makings for the BundleUP - Girls edition tour - the Freestyle Harem pants and the Phresh blazer.

Just in case you have missed my previous post, I have also made the Penny Vintage dress and you can see it here.

How to Gather Fabric - a tutorial

Hi! Today I am on Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop's blog with my monthly contributor's post! This month I am sharing with you a tutorial on how to make gatherings - for a dress, skirt, top, you name it! :) - using EIGHT different methods! Check the whole tutorial here.

My favorite method is the three line gathering! What's yours? :) 

Olá! Hoje estou no blog da Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop com o meu post mensal. Este mês montei um tutorial sobre como fazer franzidos usando OITO métodos diferentes! :) Os franzidos são uma técnica de costura básica e essencial. Soretudo para quem faz vestidos de menina, fofos, folhos, mangas franzidas, golinhas, etc. Podem ver o tutorial todo aqui!

O meu método preferido é o das 3 linhas, e o vosso? :) 

Marble Maze and "I spy" Fabric Games - a tutorial

Today I am over Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop blog with my monthly tutorial! 
I am sharing two ideas for last minute gifts for toddlers (well, truth be said my two oldest kids loved them too!) - the marble maze and "I spy" fabric games! They are super quick to sew! 

And now I'll have to go back to my sewing... I am finally starting to make all the Christmas presents... (Yes, I only have one week, I know... :) )

Happy sewing!

Hoje estou no blog Peek-a-Boo com o meu tutorial mensal. Este mês tenho dois pequenos tutoriais para jogos de tecido adequados a crianças mais pequenas (se bem que os meus dois mais velhos também adoraram!) - um labirinto de berlinde e um jogo "onde está?". Ambos são super rápidos de fazer!

E agora tenho de voltar para as minhas costuras... Vou finalmente começar a fazer as prendas handmade de Natal que tenho para oferecer... (Sim, eu sei que já só tenho uma semana... Não vamos falar nisso, sim? :) )

Boas costuras!

12 Days of Christmas!

Hi! Today I am joining all the Holiday fun over Sew McCool for the 12 Days of Christmas blog tour, with two super quick and simple projects for you to make - a fabric box and a pouch! They are perfect for holding some candy or to gift small items. 

I had these two projects on my to-sew list for a while now. They are inspired in an old Japanese magazine that I have (in the French version). I love LOVE Japanese design and aesthetic! They make the most beautiful things...

These can be made with any size and fabric print but since this is a Christmas tour I had to go with some Christmas prints, right? :)

You will need:

• For the box: two squares of 8''x 8'' from two different fabric prints and one square 8''x 8'' from fusible interfacing.
• For the pouch: two squares of 6''x 6'' from two different fabric prints and about 25'' of ribbon.

How to make it:

The basic construction for the two projects is the same, only the final step is different.

1. Place the two squares together with right sides facing - if you are making the box, iron the interfacing to one of the squares prior to this step. Pin and stitch all around with a 1/4'' seam allowance leaving a gap of about 2''.

2. Clip corners. Turn right side out, making sure all the corners are neat. Press. Close the gap with a slip stitch.

3. Mark with pins 3.5'' for the box and 2.5'' for the pouch from the corner on all four corners. Fold corners as shown in the picture above. Press.

For the pouch follow step 4. For the box jump to step 5.

4. Making the pouch: Stitch 1/2'' from the folded edge to create a casing. Insert the ribbon through all four casings with a ribbon needle or a safety pin. Pull to gather the pouch - this will form those cute petals - and tie a bow. You're done!

5. Making the box: Make box pleats on all four sides (as shown above). Mark the center side and the corners crease edge with pins. Fold one of the pleat sides and stitch close to the edge. Fold the other side of the pleat and stitch. (You can stitch the pleat at once but personally I prefer to stitch each pleat "flap" in separate on the inside so the stitching won't show on the outside of the box.) Repeat on all sides. You're done!

If you are looking for Christmas decorating tutorials check this two I have made: 

• A Christmas braided fabric breath
• Christmas pillow/cushions covers

Have fun and have a great Holiday season! 

Join all the 12 Days of Christmas fun! Don't forget to visit all of the bloggers who are creating tutorials for the Sew McCool 12 Days of Christmas challenge. Voting will begin on www.sewmccool.com on December 13 and go through 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on December 20.

December 1 - The Inspired Wren |  Swoodson Says | Felt With Love Designs

December 2 - Sew Outnumbered |  So-Sew-Easy | Call Ajaire

December 3 - Friends Stitched Together | Sew Maris | Phat Quarters

December 4 - How I Make Stuff |  Falafel and the Bee

December 5 - Beth Jarrett | Just Joshin

December 6 - Molly and Mama | Bee Quilted Beauties

December 7 - Vicky Myers Creations | Sprouting Jube Jube

December 8 - Addie K | Not My Tree

December 9 - Lulu & Celeste | Made By Sara | GYCT Designs

December 10 - Bluebird & the Boy |  Ginger House Designs | Coral & Co.

December 11 -  Britches 'n Bloomers | Kelly J Designs

December 12 - Mae and K | Gracious Threads | Knot Sew Normal

Happy sewing!

The Socialite Peplum

Hey! Today I am part of the Lil Luxe Collection pattern tour. 
The designer behind Lil Luxe patterns is Jessica Bustos. She started her pattern company this year and had already released several patterns. All of them have a distinct and glamorous design. They are all being showcased on a pattern tour and I got to make the Socialite Peplum top. 

Pattern: 
The Socialite Peplum Bubble Dress, pattern by Lil Luxe Collection. You can get it (or any other Lil Luxe Collection pattern) here with 30% off from Dec. 2nd to Dec. 11th with coupon code “blogtour"!

Fabric:
Medium weight woven, checkered pale pink background.

Details:
This pattern is a new version of Jessica's first pattern (which I got to test) that kept the main features - princess seams, scoop back neck and a bubble skirt. It offers options for sleeveless, short and long sleeves, with or without a little shoulder cap. And you can make it as a Peplum flounce top or a Bubble skirt dress with pockets.
For this tour I have opted for the peplum top version but you can see my super dress-up bubble dress version here.

This week's theme was " A dressy affair to remember - style your fashionista". When I was choosing fabric for this pattern - and I was thinking about making another dress - my dear daughter came to me and after realizing I was going to make her a dress she said "Another dress?! But I don't want another dress!... I have too many!" I have to say she is right... So I had to come up with a fancy no-dress version for this "dressy affair" tour... Well, I think a little girl can be all dressed up in... pants! Specially if they are fancy pants! So I grabed this black twill pants with velveteen hearts from her wardrobe, her shinny black mary jane shoes with the most cute bow, and that had to do it. And then it just happened again... I had this fabric on my hands - a red one with polka dots (that I used here), beacuse after all red is the Holidays season color - when she promptly said "But it has to be pink..." Well, pink it was... 
So, here is my no-dress fancy version of the Socialite Peplum Bubble dress and top. Sometimes a mom's gotta to do what a mom's gotta to do, right? :)

Giveaway!

Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win fabric!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jessica just announced the Monthly pattern of choice giveaway!  Every month she will choose one winner from Lil Luxe Collection Instagram followers. Followers must tag @jessbluxe with their Lil Luxe Collection pattern creation.  A winner will be chosen every first of the month Starting with January 1, 2015. Isn't this great?



Here is the Blog Tour schedule - go have a look at all these fabulous versions of Lil Luxe patterns!

Monday, Dec. 1 - Rouche & Division Top

Rebekah Sews

Wednesday, Dec. 3 - Peek A Boo Hoodie

How I Make Stuff  |  Needle And Ted  |  The Crazy Tailor

Thursday, Dec. 4 - Alley Cat Romper

Max California  |  Creative Needles and Threads

Friday, Dec. 5 - Reversible Crop Top & Dress

Kimmie Sew Crazy

Monday, Dec. 8 - Modern Belle Dress

Kiwi Crafty Chemist | Lisa Lisa Designs

Tuesday, Dec. 9 - Socialite Peplum and Dress

Sewing Sober  |  Made By Sara

Wednesday, Dec. 10 - Two Haute Shorts

Call Ajaire  |  Ginger House Designs

Thursday, Dec. 11 - Starlight City Dress

Rebel And Malice  |  Bonnie and Lottie

Happy Sewing!