NOT SO SELFISH SEWING!

Scroll down for the English text. :-)

Em Novembro passado a minha amiga Patricia, do Pequeno Mundo a 3 teve uma ideia brilhante: juntarmos um grupo de entusiastas da costura para fazer uns presentes de Natal para os meninos e as suas mães da instituição Mums and Kids (*)...  

A ideia era, em vez de oferecer roupa usada, o que já muitos de nós fazemos, fazer roupa nova feita à mão e pensada especialmente para cada uma das crianças! Claro que achei a ideia maravilhosa e não podia deixar de participar. 

A Patricia encarregou-se de saber os nomes e idades das crianças e a mim calhou-me um menino de 5 anos. o G. 

Escolher o que fazer não foi difícil, porque eu também tenho um miúdo cá em casa. Comecei por fazer um pijama igual ao que fiz para o Manel, em malha, com a camisola branca e calças com carros de bombeiros. Mas depois entusiasmei-me e fiz também um saco para guardar o pijama.

Depois pensei que se calhar o G preferia ter roupa nova para levar para a rua, por isso fiz-lhe uma camisa de ganga e umas calças de bombazine.

Para a camisa usei uma ganga finhinha e como molde usei a Mulberry Tunic da Willow and Co. (já usei este molde "n" vezes e adoro!). Para as calças usei uma bombazina verde seco e usei o molde Ursule da Citronille. 

Como estou nos EUA, não tive oportunidade de entregar os presentes pessoalmente, mas a Patrícia tratou de tudo! As crianças já receberam os seus presentes e penso que gostaram. Eu adorei! E quero muito voltar a fazer! 

Existem tantas formas de podermos proporcionar um sorriso a famílias que estão a passar um período menos bom nas suas vidas e esta foi só uma. Mas estou completamente convencida que estes pequenos gestos fazem imensa diferença!

Já agora, vejam o que as minhas amigas também fizeram:

Pequeno Mundo a 3
Do Guincho 
Fairies, Bubbles and Co.
S is for Sewing
Conversas de Hermanas 
Made by Sara
Rita Pirolita
Saídos da Concha
House of Estrela 

(*)A Mums and Kids é um centro de acolhimento temporário para mães e crianças em situação de risco e exclusão social. A capacidade da casa é de 16 utentes (incluindo as mães e crianças) e durante o período em que estão nesta casa (máximo 2 anos) o objectivo é que estas pequenas familias vivam num ambiente familiar com alguma autonomia. Depois de estarem nesta casa, espera-se que as familias estejam mais capacitadas para a sua reinserção na sociedade. Para mais informação ou se quiserem contribuir de qualquer forma, visitem a página aqui ou a página no facebook aqui.

++++++ 

Last November, my sewing friend Patricia (Pequeno Mundo a 3) had a brilliant idea: what about getting together some sewing enthusiasts to make Christmas presents for the children and moms of a Charity called Mums and Kids (*)...  

The idea was to make brand new handmade clothes to these children, specially thought for each of them, instead of giving them second-hand clothes, which is something that most of us already do. I thought the idea was perfect and I could't say no.  

Patricia got the names and ages of all the children and I got to sew for a 5-year old boy: "G" 

Choosing what to sew was not hard at all, since I also have a little boy at home. I started by making pajamas, just like those that I made to my son Manel. I used a white knit for the top and a print with fire trucks for the pants. I then got carried away and also made a bag to keep the pajamas. 

But then I thought that maybe "G" would prefer to have something he could wear outside to play. So I made him a denim shirt and corduroy pants. 

For the shirt, I used a lightweight denim from Joann's and the pattern is the Mulberry Tunic from Willow and Co. (I've used this pattern before and love it!). For the pants I used lightweight corduroy also from Joann's and the pattern is the Ursule pants from Citronille. 

Since I live in the US, Patricia had to take care of getting the presents to the children. Thank you Patricia! The kids got their presents and apparently they liked it very much. I loved to be a part of this project and definitely want to do it again!  

There are so many ways to bring happiness to someone that is being through a rough time, this was just one. But I am totally convinced that these small gestures can make a difference. 

Now go check what my sewing friends made:

Pequeno Mundo a 3
Do Guincho 
Fairies, Bubbles and Co.
S is for Sewing
Conversas de Hermanas 
Made by Sara
Rita Pirolita
Saídos da Concha
House of Estrela 

(*)Mums and Kids is a temporary foster home for moms and their children, who were identified as being at risk and struggling with social exclusion. The house has a capacity to receive 16 people (moms and children), who can stay here for a maximum period of 2 years. The purpose of the house is to provide these families with a family-like environment, with a certain degree of autonomy. Living here should help these families prepare themselves to "go back to society". 

For more information of if you want to contribute in any way, please visit their website here or their facebook page here.

REFASHION WEEK - DADDY'S OLD SHIRT BECOMES KID'S NEW COOL SHIRT

When Magda invited me to be a part of her Refashion Week series, I was so excited! I have been following Magda's blog for a couple of years, and I think she is so creative and talented! Magda is a real pro in what comes to recycling "old" clothes. I, on the other hand, had never done it before. 

The first step was to find something to refashion. I moved from Portugal to the US last year and only brought the essential stuff (clothes, books and toys), meaning that I could not find in my closet anything that I am not wearing. So... I had to take a look at hubbies' closet.. and there I could find a lot (in my own personal view) of stuff that could be refashioned. He agreed to spare me a very old shirt that he wore for the last time like 5 years ago! 

I cut the shirt and lay down all the pieces (praying throughout the process) to make sure that I had enough fabric to make a Mulberry Tunic for Manel in size 3. It wasn't easy, I wasn't able to match the plaid, but I really like the result.

  
It is kind of funny to see Manuel wearing his father's old shirt and I think he looks really cool.

I really enjoyed all the process, it was really fun and it got me hooked!

Thank you Magda for having me! To see what other very talented Portuguese ladies made in this series, be sure to visit Magda's blog! 


And now head over to Conversas de Hermanas! You can't miss what Rita made for her (so charming!) little boy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I know, I know, it's been almost two weeks already, but it is never too late to wish you all a Healthy, Happy, Successful and Peaceful 2015! 

For the last night of the year 2014, I made new clothing for the children! I had so many doubts about what to make for Teresa to wear that when I finally decided I nearly had no time to complete it. My big indecision was whether I should make her a fancy dress (that she would wear once or twice) or a more practical piece that she could wear more often. I finally decided to make her a sweatshirt and shorts and I am very happy with my decision! This year I will try to be more practical! (I will be telling you all about that in a different post, stay tuned!)

To make the top I used a white cotton knit, from Joann's, a white cotton woven fabric from some old sheets and snaps (I had to use pink snaps because I only had these at home...). 

I did not used a specific pattern for this sweatshirt. I used Heidi & Finn's All you need Jammies Pattern for the top with some modifications: added 1 inch to the collar of the top and made an opening in the back for the snaps. I then added the collar, which are two rectangles with different widths, I also used rolled hems in these triangles, so that the finishing of the collar would be more special. 

To complete Teresa's outfit I made her another version of Willow and Co.'s Clover shorts. I used a lightweight grey corduroy from Robert Kaufman. This pattern offers two versions of the shorts: a more bubbled version (you can see that version here) and a more tailored version. This time I made the tailored version. I like them both!

For Manuel I made some shorts on the same grey corduroy that I used for Teresa's shorts. I used (again I know) the Two Haute Shorts Pattern (I can almost make these with my eyes closed ;-)). But what can I say the pattern is great and he looks so cute in these shorts!!

To complete their outfits, they wore burgundy tights and Teresa wore velvet burgundy shoes as well.

I could't get many pictures of them, because they were so excited that wouldn't stand still. Here they are:

YET ANOTHER ASTER CARDIGAN

I have only recently started to sew with knits. I always thought one needed a professional sewing machine and professional skills to sew with knits, so this was something that I never thought I would try. I have said it before: I couldn´t be more wrong! Though I have a serger, one does not really need a serger to make a t-shirt. Anyway, for me, sewing with knits went from a intimidating idea to an addiction. I can't get enough of it...

Although I have a ton of projects that I want to make with knits... I couldn't resist trying another version of Willow and Co's Aster Cardigan. I had some trouble with my first version, not because of the pattern, which is GREAT, but because of the fabric that was very slippery. You can see that version here. This time, I used a mid-weight cotton knit from Joann’s and the fabric was much easier to work with. It is far from perfect (don't look too closer to the collar, please!), but I will get there! :-)

The original pattern as a 3/4 sleeve and is short, so, to be worn during winter, I decided to increase the length of both the top and the sleeves for about two inches. Once again, the fit was perfect and very comfortable! Teresa loves it! 

 Hope you like it too! :-)

THANKSGIVINGS OUTFITS

Although I have not been blogging about it, I have been sewing a lot. Yet, my kids are not always into taking pictures, so sometimes it is really hard to sew, dress them, take pictures and blog about it shortly after. I know you can relate to this! Anyway, I managed to sew complete outfits for Teresa and Manuel for Thanksgiving. I made two shirts and two shorts! 

For Manuel I (once again) used Citronille's Balthasar shirt pattern. I like the cut and the fit of this shirt so I keep on doing it over and over again. This time, to be able to match it with Teresa's blouse, I used a different fabric in the placket. I also used some wood buttons. I loved the result. 

For Teresa I used (also once again! Don't get me wrong I purchase a lot of new patterns, but once I get one that I like, I like to test different versions of it) the Compagnie M's Mara Blouse. This is a great pattern, I already blogged about it here. 

The fabric used for both shirts are white viyella purchased here and a beautiful Japanese floral cotton lawn from Farmhouse fabrics.

I wanted to coordinate the shirts with some shorts, since the weather still allows it. For Manuel I used the Two Haute Shorts pattern (Thank you Rita (Conversas de Hermanas) for the tip!). This pattern is great, it has three versions: shorts with or without the sash and a skort, this way it can be adapted for both boys and girls. The shorts are very easy and quick to sew and the result is perfect! 

For Teresa I made Willow and Co.'s Clover shorts. I have been wanting to sew these shorts for a while and finally manged to do it. The instructions are very very clear, and I loved the result. They are very loose, so perfect for playing around. Teresa loved them. I will definitely be making some more!  

For both shorts, I used a lightweight green corduroy from Joann's.

Here are the two with their new outfits! Aren't they cute?

I (HEART) MARCEL MARLIER

Well, I have a confession to make. I have been discussing with my husband for well over a year whether or not I should create a blog to record the thinks I sew for my children. Somehow, I never had the urge to do it... that was until I read about the I (heart) Marcel Marlier sew along! So, basically, what motivated me to create a blog was the opportunity to participate in this sew along! And why, you may ask? Well, I believe I read all books ever written by Marcel Marlier for the "Anita" collection. I still have all those books at my parents' house in Portugal and this book collection was probably the first collection I have ever made. So, for me, this sew along, was the kick that I needed to make this blog!

So, my idea was to try to recreate, as close as possible, an outfit wore by Anita in one of those books. I don't have any book at home here in the US, so, I had to stick with what I was able to find online. One of the first images that I found was one of Anita with a boy. I thought it would be perfect: I would get to sew not only for Teresa but also for Manuel! Here is the picture that I used as an inspiration:

Due to the weather conditions around here, I have not been able to take pictures of Teresa and Manuel outside. I wanted to go to a park to try to recreate the picture above, but it is too cold for that now, meaning that I had to improvise an indoor photo-shoot. Teresa is always ready for a photo, but Manuel hates it, so getting a picture of two together was really hard.

For Teresa's dress, I used red corduroy (Kaufman 21 Wale Corduroy) and seersucker in plaid for the lining (Kaufman plaid seersucker). The pattern is Straight-grain's Hanami top or dress. This pattern is great. I have already sewed the Hanami top (you can check it here) and this time I made the dress version with the invisible zipper. It was the first time that I included a zipper in clothes and, surprisingly, I found it very easy to do (maybe it was just beginners luck...). I really like the way it turned out, it is very elegant and fits beautifully. I made it in size 7 (though Teresa is a size 6), so that she can use it during the winter with a blouse or a sweater underneath.  

 

For Manuel I decided for a tunic and pants. For the tunic I used Willow and Co's Mulberry Tunic in white linen (I already showed this tunic here).

For the pants I decided to try Citronille's Ursule pants, also in linen, bought here. I love these pants, they are very easy and quick to sew and are super comfortable and cool for both a boy or a girl. I love the way they fit Manuel. 

I am really happy with the two outfits! :-) Hope you like it too!