Made by Sara: for girls

Showing posts with label for girls. Show all posts

Sunday Picnic Dress

November 5, 2014

Hey! Today I am part of the Sunday Picnic dress tour. I love the lovely vintage look of this pattern! Suz does such a great job coming up with amazing vintage looking patterns...

Pattern
This is the Sunday Picnic dress, a new pattern by Sewpony Vintage patterns!

Fabric and notions
Suiting tweed, mid-weight wool and cotton blend, in grey with silver glitter (main), muted rose & cabbage cotton print in grey (lining).
Vintage trim, white piping.

Details
This dress is available in sizes 12 months up to 10 years. If offers three sleeve (or sleeveless) options, a pointy collar (or collarless) and a few embelishment options (piping and decorative buttons). The bodice is fully lined! And the A-line skirt features two pockets.
I opted to make a Fall/Winter version made out of a woolen blend for the colder weather, and sleeveless and collarless so it could be used with a blouse underneath.
Instead of using piping (as suggested) for the "V" neckline and pockets, I opted to use a vintage trim and I really like how it looks!
After I have sewn the bodice to the skirt it felt to me like something was missing on my version of this lovely dress... I think it was because I used such a grey & plain fabric (with no print) it was looking very dull on the back, so I decided to unpick the bodice seam and add piping there. I think it looks better this way. :)
I did a small flip on the this pattern. It is supposed to close at the back with an invisible zipper and the front pieces are supposed to be sewn to each other (so the "V" shape is more closed up to the neck), but I opted to skip the zipper (by making a single back piece, instead of two) and leave the two front pieces loose. This way I can easily pull it on and off her head (or feet, if she walks into it, which is also a great way to put dresses on a girl) with no closures!

Here is a sneak peek of the versions of some awesome ladies that are also on the pattern tour today! Go check their full blog post!

A Jennuine Life | Hungie Gungie | Gracie Oliver

Make sure to check the blogs that are also on this tour to see several amazing options of the Sunday Picnic dress!

Suzanne is offering a discount from Tuesday 28 Oct - Friday 7 November (duration of tour) of 15% with code: SUNDAYTOUR15. This will apply to both Big Cartel and Etsy store. Go get yours! :)

Red rain boots and a sick girl...

Fall has finally arrived around here! Last week it was all about sun and hot temperatures (we were still wearing short sleeves, shorts and sandals by the end of October!), and suddenly this week it is all about rain and the temperatures dropped like crazy!

Are you wondering "what's with those rain boots with that outfit"?... Well, this little girl has been ill for about a week now with a virus that caused her severe diarrehea... (I think it is the first time I use the word diarrehea on a blog post, sorry for that. ;) ) We had to take her to the hospital because she had blood on her poop and I kind of freaked out just a little... I am NOT the kind of mom that worries too much, and I can certainly deal with blood and with my kids bleeding but only when it is the "normal" bleeding, like coming from the nose or from skin scratches. Blood coming from the inside organs is not a good thing on my book... Well, apparently sometimes it is not a bad thing also. According to the doctors it is normal that a child bleeds like that when she's infected with a virus of this sort. So I learned something.

Oh, but back to the boots. :) She is still a bit weak (for not eating properly for a week and being a bit dehydrated) and when I asked her if we could go outside to take a few photos she was "Sure mommy, but I want to take my rain boots so I can jump in the puddles!" She was thrilled it was raining! My kids love rain in fact. (I don't think they are normal... :) ) They love to wear their rain boots and take their colorful umbrellas (the one on the photos is actually mine... hers has a huge Minnie on it and it is very pink and red... it wouldn't look so great on the photos... :) ) for a walk on the city park when it is raining. Of course I had to say yes. :)

And if you want to see a kid with chickenpox on a sewing blog post come back later today for another post... (and that would be my youngest girl... can you imagine my life in these last seven days with both girls being ill?... Oh well, it could be worse...) I will be showing my version of the Everyday tank top (pattern by Serger Pepper)!

The Franklin dress

October 22, 2014

If you follow my blog you alredy know how much I love to find new pattern designers. I already talked about how it always feel as a shoot in the dark but hey, I guess I like to live dangerously. :) So, when Erin from Brooklin Pattern Co. asked me if I would like to join the Franklin dress & top pattern tour I immediately said yes! I loved the pattern from the minute I saw it and I would have the chance to work with a new designer.

Erin was born in the UK but grew up in the east coast (USA). She worked as a costumer and a patternmaker on Broadway for several years until she became a mom to two munchkins. She is now lauching her patttern company with this debut pattern.

I was very impressed with the overall quality of this pattern. The pattern pieces have a lot of notches, on the right places and they match perfectly (I won't talk again about the importance of notches :) ), and the instructions look amazingly professional (something it is not common to find in the indie pdf patterns).

Pattern:
The Franklin dress pattern by Brooklin Pattern Co.

Fabric:
This fabric is rayon challys. It worked great! It is super soft and it drapes beautifully.
This fabric was chosen by my little princess from my stash, so no suprise it is... a floral print. :) I had 3 yards of this print and I was saving them to make something for me (I have to say it was a favorite fabric from my stash... but what's a mom supposed to do when a child asks for it?...) but because I had to fussy cut the print to center and match front, back and sleeves, I was left with 2 yards of scraps... I really don't know to do with them... They are big enough to make maybe a girl's blouse or top but I am not sure I will be able to match the print perfectly... Oh well...

Details:
This pattern is available in sizes 6 months to 8 years. It features a beautiful pleated yoke, gathered sleeves and in seam pockets. I love it!!
I did some things differently though: I have made the button placket a girl's placket (the pattern instructs on how to make a boy/ unisex placket) and I have enclosed the yoke seam (so it wouldn't itch, not that it would in this case because this fabric is really soft, but I am used to make enclosed seams since I personally prefer it to exposed seams).

She wanted to take it to school today and I was "hummm, no!" :) She would be comfortable, no doubt on that, but it is a bit too much of a dress up style to go to school, don't you agree? :)

I think I am on an experimental phase of my sewing...
I should be making pratical clothes for my kids, things they really need, but instead I am finding myself lately wanting to try new things and to use new or fancier fabrics... It is a shift on my sewing style? Only time will tell...
I began sewing for me not for my kids. Then when I found the whole sewing-mom-blogger online community I was compelled to sew for my kids - something that surprisingly has never crossed my mind, maybe because I thought it wouldn't be worth it since they grow up so fast and let's face it, sometimes a handmade outfit costs the same or even more than those from RTW...
So, even when I decided to start sewing for my kids it was more about me (about learning more and making sewing experiments and finding new patterns, new designers, new techniques...) then about them (making them clothes they need)... I guess that for me selfish sewing is not just about sewing for myself but also sewing for my kids... I mean, sewing is my hobby and just as any other hobby it is supposed to be a creative outlet or something that keeps you sane or something that makes you relaxed... So it is always a bit about ourselves and our well being, right?
Is it shocking? Or is it something you relate with? I wonder...

This post is part of the Franklin dress pattern tour. Take a look at all the other participants versions for some inspiration!

Erin is giving away a Franklin dress pattern, just entry the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIY Tulle Skirt (simple and easy!)

October 17, 2014

Hi guys! Today I am over Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop's blog sharing a super simple tutorial on how to make a tulle skirt. You can whip it up in 10-15 minutes and you can use it as it is OR sew it together with a tee to make it a dress OR sew it together with some leggings for a more comfortable and warm outfit.
You can play with the tulle and tee colors to make princess dresses - they make perfect last-minute costumes!

Happy sewing!

Hoje estou no blog Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop's blog a partilhar um tutorial super simples para fazer uma saia de tule! Pode ser feita em 10-15 minutos, e pode ser usada simples OU cosida a uma t-shirt para fazer um vestido OU cosida a umas leggings para torná-la mais confortável e quente.
Pode jogar-se com as cores do tule e da t-shirt para transformá-la num vestido de princesa! Basta pensar em branco e azul para um vestido à Frozen, ou amarelo com azul para um vestido à Bela Adormecida... As possibilidades são ilimitadas!

Boas costuras!

A Floral Jacket

October 8, 2014

In this photo it seems that the jacket doesn't fit, but it does! She was moving and her left shoulder is lowered, that is why it looks a bit lopsided...

I had the chance to test this pattern about 2 weeks ago just a few days after I pinned almost every single outfit from Dolce & Gabbana's Fall/Winter kids collection to my kids fashion pinboard on Pinterest. I was in love with those bold floral prints at first and then, oh well, I fell in love with the whole collection... So I just had to make this jacket in a bold floral print. :)
I waited until week # 4 of Project Run and Play to post about it because I think this jacket actually shows my signature style - florals and details, like piping! (I have joined Signature Style challenge on season 8 of PR&P also with a floral + piping. :) You can check it here.)

Pattern: the Beetle jacket by Mamacosesola.
Fabric: floral cotton piqué as main, and a polka dot rayon for the lining.
Details: I love this jacket! I love its design and details, as the piping (you know how I love piping... :) ), the peplum style and the sleeves that are slightly gathered - adding to the overall design. It features a peter pan collar, it closes with a button placket or with big sew-in snaps on the inside (which is what I used) and it is fully lined! It is a feminine short jacket that goes well in several styles, depending on the fabric you use. The instructions are in spanish but there are lots of images to help you through the construction.

I should have ironed the lining... :)

This jacket is perfect for Fall weather.! I can't wait to make a few more with other fabrics, such as corduroy or tweed. I think they will look great!

The Summer Soirée dress

October 6, 2014

I should have understitched that lining... ;)

So Summer is definitely (and finally) over around here. (I don't hide that I am a Fall lover. Maybe because I was born in October. :) ) The weather is still nice for short sleeves during the day - if it is not raining that is - but the early mornings and after dusks are already a bit chilly.
Shamely I have still a few outfits I made for summer that haven't been blogged yet, so I thought that maybe this was a good time to do it since in no time it won't make much sense... at least for all my upper hemisphere readers. ;)

I have tested this pattern a few months ago but unfortunately at the time I couldn't take proper outside photos... I was finally able to have this photoshoot a month ago, but life just got in the way and for one reason or another I didn't shared this project until now. Before I started to blog more often (earlier this year, after 7 years of blogging just for myself :) ) I didn't realized all that it takes to make a sewing blog post or a DIY post... Well, it takes a lot! :) And sometimes we just don't have the time to go to a certain place to have *the* phoshoot, or we don't have the time to edit the photos and write about it... Oh well, I have a couple of other summer projects to blog and (doing a happy dance) I have all the photos taken, so I will be blogging about them in the next 2 weeks.

Pattern: the Summer Soirée dress by Lil Luxe Collection
Fabric: I have used a medium-weight satin brocade fabric (the kind of that is used for kimonos). Both bodice and skirt are from the same fabric yard. It was a chinese print border fabric with three layers - one green band with chinese dragons, one pink with small red flowers and one red and small pink flowers. It had this colored stitching lines between layers that I carefully cut to match at the bottom of the bodice pieces.
Details: This dress features a beautifuly designed bodice, a bubble skirt, a V back, and in-seam pockets. It was recentely revamped into a new pattern - the Socialite Peplum Bubble dress - which I love even more! It can now be made either as a peplum top or a bubble dress, sleeveless or with short/long sleeves. Perfect for Fall weather.

You can see by her face that he was having all the fun... :)

We took this photos at the same time I was also photoshooting the Knight Hoodie (for Pattern Parcel #4). If you missed it - and want the to get the story behind this - go check it here.

The Playhouse dress - It's Perfect Pattern Parcel #5!

October 3, 2014

Perfect Pattern Parcel #5 is here!! And is all about girls of all ages - from toddlers to tweens!

Pattern: Playhouse dress, pattern by Fishsticks Design
Fabric: flamingo striped piqué cotton knit (I love this knit! I have used it before here and here.)
Details:
This pattern is an easy sew and such a quick sewing project!
It comes with the option for puff short sleeves or long sleeves and it features a circular skirt. I had to make it in short sleeves since it is still very hot these days...
This dress can be made in knit or in a knit-woven mix!

About PPP#5!
It includes 6 patterns and it's a "name your price" deal! Isn't it amazing? And the best part is that it is all for a good cause! And wait, there is more! If you choose a price of $28 or greater you get a bonus pattern! You can read more and get it here.

Perfect Pattern Parcel believes in supporting independent pattern designers. It allows customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel and it also encourages customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. They have raised over $11,000 for classrooms in need!

So, Parcel #5 - Girls and Tweens includes:

Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-a-Boo Patterns
Everyday Yoga Pant for Girls by Greenstyle
Asymmetrical Drape Top by EYMM
Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs
Mimi Dress and Shirt by Filles a Maman
Bonus pattern: Sunki Dress by Figgy’s (it includes 18 months through a 16 tween sizing)

Pattern Parcel #5: Choose your own price and support DonorsChoose. Win/win

The story behind this post and my pattern choice:

It was very hard to choose what to make... I just wanted to make them all! If only I had the time... :)

First I was going to make a Sunki dress. I missed all the fun last year when it was released, and then again when it was the pattern to flip over Flip This Pattern. There were Sunkis everywhere around the sewing blogging community and I loved them all!! This was finally my opportunity to make one. But then I realized that this was the bonus pattern and that for the PPP#4 - boys edition - I had also chosen the bonus pattern. It was the Knight Hoodie and you can see it here. So I decided to give it a go on another pattern. And it had to be a dress. And it had to be in knit. :)

My 3 year-old started pre-school this week. (she used to be at home with me)
We were told in July (when we applied) that the school didn't have a vacancy for her. This week, all of a sudden they gave us a phone call to let us know that a few kids had been transferred to other schools and thus she could finally go! My heart fainted... but she was thrilled!
So now I feel that I need to sew her up an entire school-proof, pratical and suitable for all the running and playing with other kids, wardrobe. Well, I can never have too many excuses to sew for my kids...
I immediately thought... knits! Well, lucky me! PPP#5 is all about knits! It offers a pants patttern, several tops and dresses, and even a blazer. I won't need to look for anything more. :)

I have sewn this up for her first day at pre-school. Ans she loved it! In fact, she loved both the dress and going to school... She was so proud and happy for leaving home in the morning along with her brother and sister and her cute little backpack (with changing clothes because sometimes she still gets distracted... :) ) to go to school... And I was... well... feeling sad and lost. Last (school) year I was at home with my two girls, and now I am left alone every week day from 9am to 3.30pm. Well, almost. They all come home for lunch! :)

We went to the playground in the afternoon after school was over and she was oh-so-happy in her new knit dress. It is indeed very pratical!

I have already cut some knit for a Mimi shirt (I have made before a Marc shirt also from Filles à Maman and I loved it!) and a Lily blazer. Oh, and I will definitely make a couple of Sunkis for my girls. :)