Butterick B6370 Coatigan and a sack...

I always have room for one more coatigan. Always. And this one is a bit different from the coatigans I usually sew.

Butterick B6370 is very loose fitting and has a front that extends into a draped collar. A couple of darts in the front (hidden under the collar) add a little shaping and hold to the collar. The coatigan is unlined but designed with a front facing. I skipped the facing - didn't have enough fabric - and just did a couple of flat felled seams and hemmed the front instead. I used a rather light weight wool blend for the jacket.

I really like the outcome. A camel colored coatigan is always a good idea, right?!

The dress. Well, if the coatigan is simple I don't know how to describe the dress. Four seams, friends, four seams. No hemming.

I was supposed to do a Vogue V1482 with this beautiful pale pink pleated satin from The Sweet Mercerie. I had the front cut out when I realised that I didn't have enough fabric! So, I had to be creative and make my own and super simple cocoon sack dress.

 

 

 

 

Sewing Happiness - 2017 Winter Tour and a giveaway

Beautiful. That pretty much sums it up.

This book is a beauty from the beginning to end - the words, the photos, the illustrations, the colors.

This (beautiful) book is not only about sewing. As described by the author herself: It's (also) a personal story about unexpected transformation. It's about how sewing saved and altered Sanae Ishidas life when she was diagnosed with a chronic disease and on top of that lost her corporate job back in 2012.

The book includes twenty simple projects. So, if you're new to this sewing business this truly is a great (and beautiful - did I mention that) book to start with. Sanae will teach you how to make  origami pillows, adorable tooth fairy pillows, baby kimonos. pouches, camera straps and dresses just to mention a few. And you'll want to make it all.

The book is divided into four chapters - summer, fall, winter and spring. Each chapter starts with a little personal essay about how sewing - and a healthier life style - brought back happiness and well being to her life.


The origami pillow described as deceptively complicted-looking. At first I wasn't sure about the deceptively part, but of course Sanae is right. The (beautiful) pillow is really easy to make. It's all about sewing straight lines. So why not make two when you're at it.

I made a pillow in a solid pale pink (surprise) woolen fabric and a reversible one in ash rose/tree print. I want to fill my home with these beauties.

//UPDATE

Random.org has chosen a winner - lucky no 29 aka Sheila Johnson. Congrats :-)

 

 

 

Want to make such a (beautiful) pillow for you own sofa? Or perhaps a (beautiful) dopp kit for the man in your life - or a (beautiful) infinity scarf for yourself?! All you have to do is leave a comment below. The winner will be picked by Random Generator when the tour is over.

Sanae is generously offering a signed copy of 'Sewing Happiness' to one of my followers. And the lucky winner will also receive a 45 Euro gift certificate to German based 1000stoff

Thank you, beautiful Sanae, for letting me play along. Be sure to visit the other ladies on the Sewing Happiness 2017 Winter Tour.

January 23 - Ute + Lara   
January 24 - An of StraightGrain // Instagram  
January 25 - Trine of Groovy Baby and Mama Trine of // Instagram  
January 26 - Shelley of Bartacks and Singletrack // Instagram   
January 30 - Annika of Näh Connection // Instagram  
January 31 - Olu of Needle and Ted // Instagram  
February 1 - Emi of Just Add Fabric // Instagram  
February 2 - Eva of With Love - by Eva // Instagram

Tween sized 'Alexandria Trousers' and more velvet...

Tween sized Alexandrias - how about that, huh?!

Well, she still needs about 24 cm before she reaches the height the Named Clothing patterns are designed for, but hey, my 150 cm tall soon to be 10 year old rocks these pants anyway, right?! They're full length and not the designed ankle length cropped on miss W - and I did have to take the smallest size 32 in a bit, but that's it.

The fabric is french terry in a beautiful vintage rose color from The Sweet Mercerie

The top is a little self drafted thing with a side seam split in a gorgeous rose colored liquid velvet.

Yes, more velvet and more to come - and yes, she's also wearing a matching velvet scrunchie.

 

 

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.