The Rhapsody in ruffles

Well here is the ruffled top with the ruffled collar. It's made of the lightest cotton in soft blue.
For the top I didn't use any pattern. I just drew it with a chalk on the fabric.

The construction was quite easy, and the ruffles were fun to make.
The front part of the bodice is shorter than the back. Up front I added a ruffle in circles.

At the back I sewed three rows of ruffles and I like the effect they create.

When trying it for the first time, Eva wasn't quite satisfied with it. She kept saying: "I look just like a conductor! All I need is an orchestra!"

And the rambling went on and on.... (Look at me! I am growing a tail! What am I to do with it?!)

Eventually, when it was finished and when I made a tiny belt for it she took all her words back.

The photos are witness to it. She enjoyed the photo shoot - I didn't even have to bribe her. Now she thinks it's adorable and asked if she may wear this to school on Monday.
Here's the link to the tutorial

The doily blouse

I have made this blouse the same day I made this one. As a matter of fact I made three that day. The third one for me. Just like the red one because I had plenty of the fabric. Mine is not adorned - that makes it possible for me to wear it with different scarves, jewelery, etc. A detail will have certainly limited the possibilities.

I didn't plan to leave Eva's plain. I had in mind an applique or something, but couldn't decide on anything and yesterday, piling up the things needed to be finished (and those are numerous - take my word) I experimented with the doily and where would be best to place it.
And this is the result. The doily blouse.

I recycled one of her old pair of tights to make these knee-length cuties.
So now she has a matching pair of socks.

She didn't know what I was doing with the blouse and when she saw it like this she just said: "Oh, mom - it's gorgeous!" Isn't that the greatest reward for a mom?!
In continuation - The Rhapsody in ruffles.

Ruffled collar tutorial

I just finished a top for Eva. It has ruffles, more ruffles and nothing but the ruffles, so to speak. For the top I used the same ruffled collar as I did for my Bronte dress.

And I documented the process as I went along, so here it is.

The ruffled collar tutorial

Cut out the piece of fabric on the fold with slightly curved edges and sew those edges.

Turn the collar right side out.
Here it is.


Next sew a running stitch near the bottom and when finished
pull the bottom thread to ruffle it.

(On the side bar I have a tutorial on ruffling
so you may check it up for this)

When done with the ruffling pin the collar to the top.
Cut off the excess fabric and threads. Sew to fix it in place.

To finish it you may use a bias tape or a ribbon. I used this cute
decorative ribbon, which I think gives it a cute finishing touch.

And you are done!

The top I made with this collar is really cute, but I decided to take some photos tomorrow. Somewhere outside. It really deserves it. Because today it's "cloudy no - wait- it's sunny -' shall I rain' - oh I just can't make up my mind" weather, and the shadows it makes in the house are just terrible for photo shooting.
So, until tomorrow, take care.
Update: Here's a peek of the finished piece!

The birth of the scarf tee

Here is the story of the birth of the scarf tee.

I've mentioned here that I have quite a large collection of vintage scarves. Well there was this gorgeous one I wanted to use for some of my sewing projects but didn't want to cut it out but use it as a whole.

On the other hand last summer I bought this tee

on a clearance purposefully with an idea to refashion it - because I am not a person that wears this kind of tops. I am pretty much broad -shouldered and I hate emphasizing the fact even more- I am sure people get the picture as it is.

However until yesterday I didn't have the slightest notion that these two were up for a match.
The children, due to the fresh air and long hiking (refer to my last post) went to bed early, the father of my children was deeply involved with an action movie on TV and that left me free to enjoy a little sewing after long abstinence.

So I made zillion things in front of the mirror and this is what I came up with.

I cut off the upper part of the top and left this piece aside for later.

Then I folded the scarf twice and marked it for cutting for the opening of the head.

I did this twice because I didn't want a big neckline just gaping, so it is a good idea to try it a couple of times until you are satisfied with the opening.

This is what I got.


Next I shirred the edge of the scarf. Since the scarf was almost twice wider than the left over piece of the top, I thought this would be a good way to narrow it a bit.

Then I joined the two pieces. I sewed them together right above the elastic all the way round.


In the end I used the cut-off straps to finish the neckline.

My new scarftee.

Rear view.

This was so easy I know I'll be making another one!

A fantastic day out!

We spent yesterday hiking the mountain overlooking our city. Up there, there is a wonderful almost secluded meadow, we constantly go to. We have a spot on that meadow under a wild cherry tree which we like to refer to as "our place".

The undisturbed nature, the carpet of wild field flowers spread all over the meadow, the buzzing of the insects and the song of the birds really make each visit a memorable one.

All winter I have dreamed of lying under the branches of the cherry tree looking up at the beautiful flowers, but sadly, they were gone. The cherry tree flowers have over bloomed and faded away.

We picked flowers, made a wreath, and did a little walking around to discover more unusual flowers. Then we played tag, braided our hairs and told stories.

Look at these! Dad went down a slope to get them for me! He almost broke his neck doing it (his words)! What a nice gesture of love ;)

Couldn't wish for a more beautiful day!

Back home

My little sunshine caught the Pneumonia virus last Sunday. It all happened out of the blue and we were admitted to hospital immediately. After being tied with the IV for a week Jacob was out of himself when we were released yesterday.

We are both exhausted and tired but really happy to be home!

Book fair

This week is the Annual Book Fair. It is an event we obligatorily visit to check the new releases and of course to buy some in order to freshen up our library, because in our family we love books. Our tastes range in dependence of our interests and likes.

Of course when I come near something like this - it is unthinkable of passing by and not throwing a glance or two.

To be honest I leafed through it twice. Made a big mistake not buying it because I was convinced I'd find something more interesting. However my favourite book store sells it so I'll take it next time I am there.

In the end everyone got what everyone wanted.

As you can see our purchase is always a motley selection.

Egg cozies

Yesterday I received this lovely package from Momfetti! And inside the gift I have been anxiously waiting for! The egg cozies I won at her wonderful giveaway!

I cannot describe my pleasure at seeing them! Look at the cuties! The children couldn't keep their hands off them! We placed them over the egg cups to better enjoy them at every angle.
They are simply breath-taking! The craftsmanship is meticulous and extraordinary through which she clearly states that she is a true believer of her maxim: "If you make something yourself, it better look store bought". And they sure do!

You must check her blog where you will find some amazing tutorials and
especially her wonderful shop with things that shall certainly make your household brighter, happier and 'greener'!

And I mustn't forget to mention the envelopes which she makes herself by reusing paper! The sewn edges and the whole appearance of it simply builds up the anticipation and tops the pleasure of receiving such a gift!

Thank you Tuppence for bringing joy to my table!

Dandelion dress

I present the Dandelion dress!

For this one I didn't use any particular pattern except for the sleeves which were the same as on the Snowdrop blouse - however, as you know from my previous posts they tore at the seams so besides my effort to save them they kept tearing away, so I decided to remove them Obviously, I left too little seam allowance at the center piece gathering the sleeves and the velvet just couldn't resist the stress. However, I like it this way better.

The making of the round lacey parts was a pain in the neck. I had to re-do them a couple of times because although I am a person who learns from her mistakes and past experience, I had it stuck in my head that sewing lace on velvet is going to be a smooth job!It wasn't! Just take my word for it! The whole appearance of the lacey parts reminded me of dandelions - hence the name!

I enclosed a silk ribbon around the lace and left the ends a bit longer so little bows could be tied. I wonder what it would have look like if I used a sturdier lace -just like one I used for the tunic. Hm!

There were supposed to be three 'dandelions' but I couldn't incorporate the third one, however hard I tried!

So I got meself another spring dress!

Tablecloth Tunic - repurposing a tablecloth

Here it is! You are looking at my tablecloth tunic.

When I saw the pattern of this dress in the March Burda magazine (see previous post for reference) I knew I had to make it. I went through my stash of tablecloths and found this gorgeous piece. I have never used it as a tablecloth and to be honest when I saw its beautiful pattern I decided to repurpose it.

It didn't have the appropriate length so it turned out to be a tunic (I swear I can never wear it this short - even if I were 20 years younger - or maybe I would have then :)
The only flaw is that it is sturdy so it actually hangs like a sack. I am thinking of letting it soak into a fabric softener so it might ease a bit, although I highly doubt it.

Nevertheless it's gorgeous and I love it. I put a light jersey dress underneath and I am thinking of making one in white or dust white to wear underneath but I'll make it just above the knees.
And I am sure that with more elastic fabrics this could be a wonderful dress. Just what I have been after lately.