THE ELEENA DRESS

I was so thrilled to be able to test Coffee and Thread’s new pattern: the Eleena Dress. I love Olga’s designs! I made the Mulberry tunic a zillion times (you can see some versions here, here and here) and it is still one of my favorite patterns ever. So, when Olga invited the testers to join the tour, I couldn't say no. 

Olga’s patterns are very clever and beautifully made. It is such a pleasure to use a pattern where everything matches perfectly.

The Eleena dress is a 1960’s inspired dress that features an inverted pleat in the front...

... and an invisible zipper in the back.

There are three sleeve options to choose from: short sleeve, long sleeves with cuffs and flutter sleeves. The dress also comes with a very original collar. 

In this version I went with a sleeveless version and no collar, which I also find adorable. I wanted to make a summer dress and I am really happy with the result.

The floral fabric is a cotton lawn (Kaufman London Calling Lawn Tight Floral Garden) bought here. The red fabric used for the front pleat and the lining is from Joann's.

The pattern is available in sizes 2 to 12. I made size 8 for my tall 6 and 1/2 year-old and I think the fit is perfect.

The Eleena Dress pattern tour starts today and will go on until March 7. Here is the list of amazing bloggers that will be joining the tour. Be sure to check their versions.

February, 22 

Bonnie & Lottie, As it Seams, Sew Happy, Call Ajaire

February, 24

In a Manner of Sewing, Skirt Fixation, Stitched Together, 

Made by Sara, The Life of Compulsive Crafter

February, 26

A Jennuine Life, Fairies, Bubble & Co, Hungie Gungie, Doguincho

February, 29

Rebel & Malice, Sew Shelly Sew, Creative Needle and Threads, 

Welcome to the Mouse House

March, 2

Candice Ayala, LBG Studio, Crafty Biggers, Sewing Like Mad

March, 4

Greendoodle, Rita Pirolita, Boevenbende, Kristine Hansen 

March, 7

Les Reloux, Just Add Fabric, Lokakid, While she was sleeping

The Eleena dress will be on sale for US $7.00 (regular price US$ 9.00) through March 7th, 11:59 EST. 

There is also a giveaway!! Please be sure to use the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win two patterns of choice and one yard of Sara Jane fabric (photo below).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS

Hope everyone had a peaceful, healthy and merry Christmas! We stayed in Houston, so we did not get the chance to be with our families. Yet, thanks to skype, it almost felt as if our family was here with us.

Alike last year (though I never blogged about them...), I managed to make matching pajamas for Teresa and Manuel. 

The fabric is a jersey blend knit from Girl Charlee. I choose red and green for Teresa and blue and green for Manuel. 

The fabric is very soft and I really love the print. The only issue is that this jersey only has 30% stretch, which can be problematic depending on the pattern used.

I used the Heidi and Finn's All you need Jammies. I think this pattern is perfect! It comes with a number of options: long sleeve t-shirt, t-shirt, leggings, lounge pants, shorts, gathered t-shirt and nightgown.  So, if you have this pattern you really do not need to buy any other pattern for knit pajamas. The instructions are also clear and the construction is flawless. Perfection! 

I chose the long-sleeve shirt with leggings for both Teresa and Manuel.

The pattern asked for a fabric with at least a 50% stretch, which was a problem, since my fabric only had 30%. I decided to use one size up, 5 for Manuel (which fits a 4) and 10 for Teresa (which would fit a size 8 with a different fabric). I was a little worried, but it worked! 

I like how they turned out and most importantly Teresa and Manuel don't want to take them off. 

You may have noticed that I made a mistake when cutting Manuel's t-shirt and the pattern is upside down... 

It took me a while to convince him that frogs and castles are way cooler that reindeers and hearts...but he was convinced!) Uff...

Happy Holidays!!

Kids Clothes Week - Day 1 - Japanese Ribbon-tied Blouse

Its Kids Clothes Week again! Hooray! Can´t wait to start seeing what everyone is making this week. This is always such an inspiring event. This season the theme is Wild Animals... I like the theme, but I think I will not be able to make anything related to it... again! :-(

Anyway, for day-1, I made a blouse for Teresa. I am totally addicted to Japanese sewing books, I think by now, I have all books (with kids patterns) that are available in English... a little bit obsessed I know..

This blouse is from Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids, and is the ribbon-tied blouse.

New tunics for my little ones!

I am a huge fan of Citronille patterns. These were the first patterns I ever used and they never disappoint. Though I agree that the instructions are not beginner-friendly at all, they are pretty okay once you are more experienced. One of the last patterns that I purchased was the Zebulon, which is a boy's tunic. 

I made a tunic for Manuel using a very lightweight denim from Joann's. When I purchased the fabric I failed to buy a matching thread and since I didn't like any contrasting color I had on my stash, I decided to make all finishings by hand, using invisible stitches. I really do not mind hand sewing, so it was not boring at all.