tova #6

Quando vi este tecido (Winter's Lane Mistletoe by Kate & Birdie Paper Co.) achei que seria perfeito para mais uma camisa Tova (a #6). E mesmo assim, penso que não será a última ...

When I saw this fabric (Winter's Lane Mistletoe by Kate & Birdie Paper Co.)  I thought it would be perfect for another Tova shirt (#6). And I don't think this will be my last one ...

it still fits

... at 6 months

... and at almost 22 months

 

Huumm, maybe it's time for a new jacket ?

sewing :: Tova tops

I can't believe I've finally sewn something wearable for myself. It's been a couple of years ...
The pattern is the Wiksten Tova top, which I've been coveting for a long time (way before there was a pattern available). It's just the kind of top I like, simple yet elegant. The fit is perfect, and Jenny's instructions are quite clear and easy to follow.

I've made not just one but three different versions. My favourite one is this one, made from this shirt weight Nunoya fabric I've been saving in my stash for over four years. I think it was worth the wait, because the combination is perfect, don't you agree ?

I also made this short sleeved version ...

And my first attempt which was actually long sleeved.
I can't get enough of this pattern, so I'm not sure three are enough, I might have to make a few more in the future ...

Grey Cord Tunic

The o w l s are ready, but the weather has been so dreary I didn't have enough light to take decent photos.

So instead here's a garment I finished recently, with a few changes to suit me better. I think it's pattern G from this book (Otona no couture "Stylish dress book" ISBN 4579111850). I loved this fabric on sight so I bought it without a specific project in mind, and later when I was browsing my sewing books I thought this pattern would be perfect. It turned out nicely, I think, even though I cut the wrong size and had to resize quite a bit.

I haven't sewn anything for myself in a while, so I'm hoping this will get me inspired to start a few projects I've been meaning to do.

the polka dot dress

Remember I once said I wasn't the biggest fan of polka dots ? Well, I guess I've changed my mind. I actually made a polka dot dress, a chocolate brown polka dot dress, as you can see ...

The pattern is yet another dress from this japanese book. I chose it because I loved the raglan puffed sleeves, but after I tried it on I just had to make a few changes. I inserted darts in the front and back, so it wouldn't look so baggy, and decided to dismiss the pockets in the end (although I do love pockets so I saved them in case I change my mind later on). And the tie-on ribbon around the waist was a last minute inspiration, which I happened to have in hand. Perfect for going out for tea ? Yeah, I think this will probably do ...

summer sewing - part II - batik dress

The first of many dresses to come, I think. I've been saving this batik fabric ever since Amy sent it to me a couple of years ago. I keep doing this, saving pieces of fabric I don't have the courage to use, until the right idea or pattern comes along.



In this case, the fabric and the pattern I've had for a while, but it didn't occur to me to join them together until recently.

This strap dress is an H&M pattern from an old summer edition of Patrones (from two or three years ago, maybe ?) which has a nice selection of dresses, all of which I've been meaning to make one time or another.



Because it's a batik fabric, the print is not equal, which worked great in this dress. I chose a darker piece for the front and a brighter one for the back. The only change I made was in the straps, which I crossed at the back so they wouldn't slip so easily. A perfect dress for summer, I think :) Now, if only the weather would cooperate a little bit ...

summer sewing part I - the japanese tunic

So officially I started my summer sewing a couple of weeks ago. And about time too, just look at the pile of fabrics I've set apart for clothes sewing this season.



Scary, right ? But some of these I've had for the longest time, and either didn't have the courage to cut them up or simply didn't know what to do with them.

Anyway, I started with two simple pieces that I've been wanting to make since last year. The first one is pattern #3 from this book (one of my all time favorite ones, I think there's not a single pattern there that I don't like). It's a simple long sleeved tunic, which works well with the light and thin fabric.



The only change I made was to shorten the body and sleeve length a little bit, but only because I didn't have enough fabric. And if I ever do this again I'd probably add some darts, especially in the back, to give it a more fitted shaping. Otherwise, it's just perfect. Next up, a couple of dresses ...

the burda dress

Last week's dress was finally finished, so here it is... It's a very simple design but I love it. I've come to the conclusion that I love this kind of pleated dresses, I just do. Remember this red dress from last summer ? It's one of my favorites, and although it's not clear from the photos it's also pleated at the waist.



The pattern is of the cover dress from Burda Tendances nr. 94 (Oct 07). There are actually a few variations on this pattern inside the magazine, my favorite being this one.I followed it precisely except I made it sleeveless. I did cut out the sleeves, but decided not to put them on just at the end (I did save the pieces, in case I change my mind later on). I used a very soft and somewhat thick jersey fabric, which I think also helped the perfect fit of this immensely.



I can now start thinking about some summer patterns for these fabrics. Last night I've borrowed a bunch of pattern magazines from my friend I. (the macaroons tasted as delicious as they look, by the way) so I think I know what will be keeping me busy this next weekend (that and start working on a new batch of bookcovers, which for those who have been asking will be the next shop update).

new skirt

It's been a long time since I've sewn something for myself to wear. In fact, I don't think I've sewn any clothes this winter, my enthusiasm has been so much more on the knitting this season. But when I saw this piece of fabric on the sale section at one of the local fabric shops I immediately envisioned a skirt out of it.



That was weeks ago, of course, and since I usually procrastinate a lot when it comes to sewing clothes it didn't get done till last week, but now it's done, it fits and I'm quite happy about it turned out. I adapted a pattern out of "Skirt à la carte" (japanese pattern book by Machiko Kayaki), a very simple A-line skirt design which always works well for me.



And now that I'm on a roll with the sewing again, maybe I'll finally finish a dress I cut up last November, who knows ?

inspiration

some balls of yarn that are looking so pretty on my desk ... I plan on using them all during the next weeks, I love working with thicker yarns. And yes, red is one of my favorite colors.



but what I wanted to show you were my new japanese sewing pattern books.

[ISBN 4418074112]
This first one is called Robe Rouge, and it's already a favorite. Maybe because the designs are so simple and mostly in linen







[ISBN: 430928115X]
And the second one is similar to "Favorite black clothes", although not as good, in my opinion. Still, there are a couple of things in there that I might want to try ...





And because I have this thing about dresses, here's a couple more things out there that I'm loving at the moment:

floral dresses by Gudrun Sjoden



and the ruffle cotton dress by Boden