Hola Señorita

While everyone is planning and preparing winter wardrobe, I am still in summer mood.

This is one of few pieces  I have sewed this summer.

Pattern: BurdaStyle Magazine: 04-2010-112a

Simple, beautiful, exotic blouse in Carmen style. 

Well I know, I'm not a Carmen, but who cares.

Fabric used: white embroidered cotton .

No alterations.Flounces are finished with 3-thread rolled hem.

 :)

Frilled one-piece dress

Finally post after two months.

One of my New Year goals was to spend more time walking,swimming and resting.So, I turned all my blogging time in  beach time.I really enjoyed this summer.I made some jewelery,sewed few pieces and read some books.Now I have to catch up so much in this blog world.There was a lot of sewing,new baby,new pets...a lot of posts to read.

First of all I'll show you few pieces I made tree months ago.

This frilled one-piece dress I have prepared  for  my second exhibition opening.

The color of the dress  was chosen to match the jewelry color I have exhibited.LOL

And the exhibited bag was in same style.LOL

So here it is, comfortable little summer dress.

Pattern: Sewing book Simple Chic, by Machiko Kayaki.

Fabric:turquoise linen/cotton blend

I'm so satisfied with this pattern.

I like this tunic version,too.

Simple pull over blouse

From sewing book Simple Chic, by Machiko Kayaki.

This is the easiest top pattern I ever seen and used.Simple and perfect for beginners.

This pattern is perfect for reversible tops or for sewing with lace.

The fabric I used is light cotton with silver glitter decoration.The fabric is little bit transparent so I lined the blouse with cheesecloth.I find that cheesecloth is very practical for lining summer garments.

The top is"dartless", so if you need bust darts you have to add them or forget this pattern.I do not have bust darts problem.:)

To embellish the top I made this transparent,delicate,organza fabric rose.

Some more useful fabric flower tutorials HERE and HERE.

Nostalgic dress

The next project from book Simple Chic, by Machiko Kayaki is this cute nostalgic dress.

I really love the way it turned out.

Used fabric: dark blue rayon

Changes I made:cut about 15cm from the skirt length(it was almost maxi dress) added 2cm to the bodice length and sewed the belt lower.

The lace around neckline gives the romantic and vintage look,and I like it.

For all admirers of Machiko Kayaki patterns here is the fan club on Flicker.

So happy!!!

Thursday night was the opening of ULIPUD exhibition. (The Association of Fine and Applied artists of Dubrovnik)

I am still dancing happy dance!My bag, crocheted and felted jewelry are exhibited there.

Embroidered bag.Dubrovačko Primorje embroidery.Wedding scarf motive.

Crocheted and felted jewelery.

Mother's masterpiece :)

Bateau neckline top

Oh yes, I am alive! Not in perfect condition considering the years, but still alive. LOL 

Still trying to recover from this terrible winter. But, that is not a reason why I'm not blogging for more than two months. I was so busy.

After a year and a half struggle to sell my crocheted jewelry and bags on Etsy, I finally decided to try something different. I offered my jewelry to local souvenir and gift shops, and that was successful. Since I live in most popular tourist city in Croatia, and I can for sure say, very well known in whole world- selling "at home" was something expected, and I don't know why I didn't try it before. But, it's never too late.

I have been making handbags and jewelry for days, and totally limited access to the internet.

I was in a hurry,  didn't take pictures of most things I made, but I am so happy that I finished everything.

I even manage to sew something for myself.

That is simple raglan sleeves top with the bateau neckline from February Burda.

Fabric: Soft gray knit wool and something blend with animal print.

Alterations: Shortened the sleeves and top length.

I love it! Now, I have two TNT patterns for two tops with the bateau neckline. This one with raglan sleeves and one with set-in sleeves I made last year.

The flower for the necklace at the picture I made using this tutorial.

:)

Wide pants

Here it is- my first sewing project in this year. It is never too late. These days I am mostly sick of everything. I am sick of this winter, I am sick of being sick .So, I am not in sewing mood, at all. Somehow, I forced myself to sew these pants.

Those are pants from Japanese sewing book-Simple chic. My third project from this book, and I am very satisfied.

The pants are basic, wide (but not too wide) with side zipper. Until now I sewed pants only from Burda patterns. I always have to make some alternations. Burda pants are too deep for me (Is that right English explanation?)Those one are really perfect. I just cut them and sew. Even the length was perfect. Used fabric is black wool gabardine blend.

I did not make the belt because I did not find an appropriate clasp pin. I saved some fabric, and I'll do that later. I highly recommend this pattern. It's easy and the fit is really nice.

This success cheered me a little. I hope that soon will be more new projects.

Pinafore dress

Finally, I took some pictures of a dress I finished back in December. This is a dress/jumper from old Burda magazine (09-2007-121).

Lately I sew only with old patterns. There are two reasons for that: I need some time to accept new trends, and I don't sew enough so I can't finish all my plans from past years. So, for this year the sewing plan is to use all patterns from Simple chic (Japanese book I'm in love :)) and to use at least one pattern from new Burda. (I have a reason to buy  a magazine every month. :) )

Back to dress: This is pull-on knit dress with a deep v-neck and tulip-shaped skirt. It was quick and easy to sew. The fabric I used is heavy gray wool jersey.At first; I was worried it would be too bulky at the bodice. -The lining for bodice is the same wool jersey.-But it is not. I am skinny enough, and some bulky on particular parts of the body is welcome.

The Burda advice is to wear the dress over " a close-fitting turtleneck pullover for the true-to-style look."I love turtlenecks. Since I always freeze, they keep me warm. So, for me, this dress is the perfect garment.

I took size 36 and didn't make any pattern alternation. Here are lots of others dresses with complete reviews and useful construction details.

________

I did finally complete the scarf I have started back in September.

And the beret from same yarn.

I am not completely satisfied with the beret.The pattern is so beautiful but it's not noticeable when it is done with this yarn. And the photos are bad.

You can't see the beauty of the shining and sparkling yarn.LOL

I can't resist it.I really love busy prints, colors, sparkling stones, sequins and other kitsch.Period!LOL

Bye-Bye 2009!

*Previous year had finally ended, and I am glad. It was one of hardest years. Mostly I was ill. Last three months I was on four different antibiotics. So, I entered the New Year with new antibiotics and one more sore throat. Thankfully this is not a dangerous illness, but I am totally exhausted. I lost some weight, and that is not good. Now I hope that the new antibiotic will stop bacterial infection. I try to eat better and rest more.

*I did not sew much in previous year. But writing this blog and taking photos of finished garments helped me a lot. Thanks to those photos, I noticed every mistake I have made, and realized that I have to make some changes in my style. Photos are cruel more than mirrors.

*I have many plans in new year. With better health and little luck I hope I'll realize them all. I plan to crochet and sew more, walk to the beach more, swim and enjoy the sun. I have some plans for selling my jewelry, bags and other stuff I make. A lot of plans, but I will go step by step. (I have to show you one dress I have finished last year, but I am not capable for photo shooting, yet.)

*Since I started blogging in June last year, I feel really welcome in this sewing-blogging world. So, I want to thank you dear readers for your support and comments. I did not leave a lot of comments on other blogs (This is a matter of my knowledge of English), but I read them all, and I admire your skills. One of my New Year decisions is to hang out with you more. 

           Wish you wonderful, healthy, happy 2010!