Velvet Dress

'She wore bluuuuue(ish with a hint of gray) velvet'...

Gorgeous color, right? There's really not much to say about the design. A slightly cocoon shaped dress with curved hem and high neck. It's all about the fabric.

It began with a green kimono a few weeks back and now this little number. But I promise/warn you, friends, this is only the beginning....I want all the velvet, Santa!

Wilma's coatigan.

A vest, that's what's missing in your wardrobe, Trine. A long, oversized striped vest. Good idea, me!
Cut cut sew sew. Meh. Wrong length and wrong something with the draped front. No, not the drape. Wrong fabric for the design. Dammit.

Hmmm, what to do?! If you unpick a little here, cut here, use the front facings for sleeves - with a seam down the top of the sleeve or else you won't have enough fabric - then maybe you'll be able to turn this failure into an oversized coatigan for Miss W instead. It has to work because the fabric is soooo good.

Happy dance. It worked. I used a pattern from B-Trendy Magazine as base - lengthened the pattern a bit, drafted different (huge) pockets et voila. A gorgeous new oversized coatigan for Wilma. Perfect for the Danish fall.

The shirt is from Zara and the jeggings from H&M

 

 

Alexandria & Axel sitting in a tree....

I'm part of the Indiesew Blogger Team and most of the patterns used in this post are sponsored by Indiesew. I'll link directly to the patterns below.

I've got two makes to show you today.

First up is the Axel skirt designed by the brillant Megan Nielsen. Did she just write skirt? Oh, yes she did. This is in fact the Axel skirt combined with a bodice from one of my favorite knit dress patterns. The original fitted pull on skirt pattern is designed with centre seams at both front and back - and you can wear it as you please. If you prefer to have the slit at the front you simply just do so. Smart, right?! I eliminated the centre front seam and put the slit at the back of the skirt/dress. The skirt sits at the natural waist so it's pretty easy to pair with a bodice as I've done here. The high neck dress has a short (almost) invisible zipper at the back.
I did in fact also make an Axel skirt - but completely forgot to photograph it. It's made of stretchy medium weight faux suede. Again, a fabric with great stretch and recovery, perfect for the Axel.

The fabric is a soft scuba with great stretch and recovery. This kind of fabric is perfect for pencil skirts and fitted dresses - but also for more roomy designs as cocoon shaped wear.

 

 

My second make is the Alexandria Peg Trousers designed by Named Clothing. These easy to sew cropped pull on pants have lovely deep pockets and brillantly designed pleats at the front. You can add a drawstring if you prefer. I added a little length to the pants and made the waistband a little wider than the original one. I also made the elastic fairly loose so the pants sit lower on my hip. I've got super skinny calves and ankles so I tapered the already pretty tapered pants even more. I've used a knit fabric with a little stretch for this version, so I've no problem getting them on. Well, even if I'd made them with a non-stretch woven I'm sure they would slip right over my feet any way.
I love how these pants turned out: the fabric choise is perfect imo. One of my favorite makes this year!!

 Hope I've inspired you to make your own Alexandrias and Axels.

The Acton Dress by In The Folds

The Acton Dress is the latest release from the very talented Emily of In The Folds. She has previously released the very popular 'The Rushcutter Dress' and my guess is that The Acton Dress will be just as popular if not more! It's that good, my friends. Really.
The Acton is available in 10 sizes (!) from bust 76 cm to 131 cm and includes 2 different skirt options and 2 bodice options.

My version is bodice B paired with skirt A (without pockets) in a size E. It is a little loose fitting so I might blend between sizes D and E the next time I make the dress. I lengthened the dress a couple of centimetres - and will probably add more length next time. I love for my dresses to hit just below the knee. Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely not complaining about this version - I'm very very much in love with how this baby turned out. My favorite part is the bodice/neckline. I love that high neckline with the racerback and cut away shoulders and I'm definetely making more Actons once summer hits Denmark again, cause yes - I'm standing bare shouldered in the snow! I could also see this bodice paired with a more fitted skirt  - or a drapey maxi skirt version. Yes!!!! I want all the Actons!

 
    

  

 

The other day I showed a little sneak peek of the dress on Instagram promising more info on how I would winterize the Acton.  Here I'm wearing it under a belted blouse - but it also looks great with a fitted turtleneck under or perhaps styled with a warm cardi and ditto tights.
 

  

The beautiful 'Eucalytus Leaves' is from True Fabrics.

An all Aussie dress.

Karl - you womanizer, you!!!

Meet my latest addiction - Karl.

This bad boy hasn't been around for that long but he's already hugging women all over the world, and I'm not even ashamed to admit that I've fallen for him too. Hard!

I've been fooling around with Karl for a week or so now and boy is he good - real good! Hugging me all the right places.

Since I'm all about sharing you can have your own piece of Karl if you're into that kind of guy.

Today Monika of Schneidernmeistern - the mastermind behind - is releasing the pattern for your new beau. With an introduction discount even.

Here's how Monika describes Karl:

Karl is a cozy, high collar, sweater dress in midi length. The unpretentious design creates a timeless look. Karl has a slightly oversized fit, a funnel neck and a side pocket.

My Karl is a slightly modified size 40. I've lowered the funnel neck a bit and taken in the dress mostly at the sleeves/upper body and also lengthened it a bit.

This is My Blue Karl. I posted My Green Karl on Instagram a couple of days ago with the original higher funnel neck and I love both versions.

The green is a wool jersey and the blue is a modal jersey - with a gorgeous peach skin surface.

I want all the Karls....

Love,
Mrs. Karl

   

Daughter, can I raid your closet?!

Click click click. That's the sound of me online ordering more (the very last few metres) of the fabric I used for Wilma's new pants - 'cause this mama got pant envy! If my pants turn out as well as I hope I might make another pair in this warm and cosy looking fabric.

The tee, well, I've already made one for myself using the same soft faux suede from The Sweet Mercerie. My version has short dolman sleeves - but I'm dreaming of a long sleeve high neck top in this fabric as well. Click Click.

The blazer. I was able to squeeze this one out of 1 metre of the now sold out two-tone woolen (poly) fabric. From the very last scraps I was able to cut two pockets that I might patch to the jacket.

The drop crotch pants are selfdrafted.

The tee is based on this great pattern from Jalie which includes sizes for both children and women!

The blazer is based on a vintage Vogue pattern.

Tap tap tap. That's the sound of me on my way to raid my daughter's closet.

Floral Bomber Jacket for Wilma

I want that outfit. Even her dirty old boots. I want it all. 

I thought I was done with any kind of purple. '50 Shades of Purple' - that's how color define the years 2007-2010! Purple was REALLY popular during those years (at least in Denmark) and by the end of that period the color started to make sligthly nauseous! I swore that never again would I get near that color.

Well, I managed about six years without the color - and apparently that was just the right amount of time to cure my purplefobia. I'm not a fan of all purple shades (yet) but this greyish heather purple is frankly quite alright. I would even consider calling it beautiful. Phew. I did it. (It's my birthday today so that might have influenced my positive state of mind. 27. Again). 

The skirt and the top are simple self drafted makes but for the cherry on top - the gorgeous floral bomber - I used a pattern from Ottobre 03/2016. Such a great design - I mean really great and the instructions are fab! The jacket is fully lined and perfect for the not too cold and too wet autumn days. Not that we usually have a lot of those days in Denmark. Well, hopefully she can use it for spring as well. 

The design is suitable for both boys and girls so I might make one for her brother as well. Faux leather or some sort of camouflage print. 

I found the floral fabric in Stoff & Stil's upholstery fabric section. 

The grey linen for her blouse is from Stofdepotet and the very light weight crepe that I used for both skirt and jacket lining is from Minerva Crafts. Be sure to use a microtex needle and sharp pins for this crepe - it's very delicate and unfortunately I pulled some threads while sewing. 

Stay tuned for more purple makes. 

 

 

 

 

For Sara's baby boy - (or how to scare the shit out of your husband....)

I just couldn't resist! Right after I finished this tiny set I went to hubby who was very much occupied by the computer:

Me: 'Hubby, look what I just made'
Hubby - turning around in his chair. Not.a.single.word came out of his mouth - just that 'WTF' scared look on his face!!!
And then I laughed....and so did he. Or tried. A somewhat nervous and a bit hysterical laugh.

Relax hon, this outfit is for the adorable baby boy my dear fellow 'sewing addict and fabric hoarder' Sara just gave birth to.

Congrats on baby no 4, Sara. 2 boys and 2 girls, just like me :-). 

He looks so cute - and I'm sure that he's already very much loved by his older siblings. Enjoy that baby bubble. (And be careful; baby 4 is so easy that you might start dreaming of more...just sayin'!)

For your little guy I made a tiny wool felt coat and a dribble bib. Hope you and baby boy will enjoy the gift. 

Hugs,
Trine

The fabric is from Stofdepotet.dk

A bunch of sewing blogger budies are spoiling Sara and baby boy with gifts - lean back and enjoy the tour...



As it Seams
By Eva Maria
Craftstorming
Do Guincho
Fairies, Bubbles & Co
Huisjeboompjeboefjes
In a Manner of Sewing
Just Add Fabric
La Folie Sewing Booth
Made by Toya
Miss Castelinhos
Naeh Connection
Needle and Ted
Pienkel
Sewpony
S is for Sewing
Straight Grain

Schnittchen Patterns - Sewing Around the World Tour

Today I'm sharing my contribution to Schnittchen's 'Sewing Around the World' tour. I was scheduled for a September post but life and pattern making got in the way.

Some months ago the Schnittchen Girls showed me some line drawings of their AW 2016 collection and I was sold!!! Among the patterns was a dress that just screamed 'Trine, make me!' - and who am I to let down a screaming LBD?! That would be cruel, right?!

Late September the pattern was finally ready to travel from Germany to Denmark - and that Jeannie Dress was sure worth the wait.

'Mr. Draper will see you now'! With a little more boob and butt I'm pretty sure I would make a damn fine Don Draper secretary in this dress. It's got that va-va-voom in a decent way, right?! That neckline combined with the crossover bodice and the fitted skirt - so freakin' elegant, if you ask me.

The pattern is designed for woven fabrics preferably with a little stretch, but Schnittchen also suggests scuba or some other sort of stable knit; a knit with some weight, not too much stretch and great recovery, like this GOTS certified textured double knit from Stofdepotet.

This fabric was indeed perfect for the dress.

The dress is designed with at back vent for walking ease, but because of my fabric choice I omitted that one. The dress is also meant to be zipped at the side seam but again due to my stretchy jersey fabric I could leave out the zipper.

Before sewing I had a feeling that I might have to adjust the fit a teeny tiny bit. So, instead of constructing the dress as a bodice and a skirt joined at the waist seam, I joined the front skirt to the front bodice - and did the same with the back parts - before sewing the side seams of the dress, making it much easier to take in if necessary. I mainly took it in at the arm and bodice area. Not much - just a 1 cm at each side I believe. Furthermore I stitched down the cross front detail because it gaped when I moved. That's about all the changes I made. Very simple ones.

The dress is unlined but you could easily add a lining to the skirt if prefered. The sleeves are beautifully finished with facings. All hems are finished with a blind stitch - I hand stitched the sleeves and machine stitched the skirt hem.

I've got only love for this pattern.

The new collection from Schnittchen will be released on Oct 16 and I promise you it's gorgeous. Perhaps even the best so far imo.

The Jeannie Dress pattern will be available in standard European sizes (34-44) and plus sizes 46-56. Oh, this cut is perfect for plus size girls! Show them hips!

Schnittchen has offered to sponsor 3 patterns for a giveaway - just leave a comment below to enter and I'll announce the three winners on Sunday Oct  9.

Thank you so much, Silke and Co. for having me on this tour

//
UPDATE: Below you'll find the 3 winners

Pernille E (comment no 22)
Anne (comment no 3)
Homemade by Jill (comment no 53)

Send me an email, you lucky girls :-)