Philippa

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Last Monday was a big one for me, I started school. I`m super excited to learn all the things I used to figure out by myself for years. I’m such a lucky girl.

I don`t know in which way it’s going to affect this little space, but I’m thinking about making it into a dairy of all the useful things I am going to learn. Maybe, it’s worth knowing for you as well.

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Today, i would like to show you my most recent pair of pants. It s the Philippa by Anna Allen.

The Philippa pants sewing pattern was created out of a need for simple but sturdy tapered leg trousers, slim fitting and high waisted. The side seams are completely straight, just as jeans and pants were typically made in the 1930’s and ‘40s. The straight side seams make this pattern perfect for selvedge denim, which is a type of denim woven on narrow looms. The Philippa pants include waist shaping at the front/back, two back darts and features a classic button fly, back pockets and belt loops. The pant length ends at the ankle, but can be lengthened or shortened as desired. This pattern is drafted for woven non-stretch fabrics.

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How couldn’t I fall in love with this pattern? It’s simple and beautiful. Nonetheless, i had to sew three muslins until i got the fit just right. Maybe, it’s about this high-waisted style but, they fit beautifully as long as I stand up straight. If I sit or stoop down, they pinch me in the belly. And yes, if I’m honest, it isn’t the most comfortable pair in my closet. That’s not a big plus if your a mum and pick up something every two meters.

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Anyway, I feel great wearing them. I feel great to wear well fitting pants in a beautiful fabric made to measure by myself. The fabric is amazing. Those pants are made from hemp-denim. I got it from Atelier Goldfaden in exchange for a sample garment. It`s soft. Holds his shape perfectly well and it feels so lightweight and cool. No better fabric for a pair of summer jeans! Hemp is a really sustainable fabric to sew with. Today a few more beautiful hempfabrics are going online on the Atelier Goldfaden Shop.

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The Philippa is a straight seam pattern. It`s made for selvedge fabric or you could do what I did and eleminate the side seams. What really adds a special touch. As I have quite some hip-to waist ratio, I had to sew a dart where the sideseams would be.

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I’m wearing my new favorite pants with a lightweight french-terry Inari Tee by Named. An all time favorit pattern of mine.

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And because i m such a lucky girl, a huge thank you goes to Mr. Fliegfederfrei. The pictures, he takes of me are like the way he looks at me. I`m way more beautiful through his eyes and linse.  He holds my back and lifts me up, makes me strong and help me to life my best life. With him backing me, I can do it, I can do everything. It means the world to me, that you love me, belief in me and help me to reach for my dreams.

Also my parents and my parents in law who look after the kids while i`m in school, it wouldn’t be possible without you. Thank you so much for your support. It means so much me to get this chance!

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Sparrow wrap

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Sometimes, you dream about something for ages. You just don`t get over that stage. A dream that stays in your mind, while you care for your kids or go to work in a job you don’t really love anymore. It’s there, sometimes louder, sometimes you’re just comfortable with it just being a dream.

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Until someone shows you, that your dreams could get real if you just go for it. After giving birth to three kids, it’s finally time for me to make my first steps towards my dream of sewing for a living. In Summer im going to start training.

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It takes courage. And I still can`t get over, how much love and support i got from my husband and my family. It means everything to me! As a mum it’s not that easy anymore to change your career. I’ll get the chance.

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The person who showed me, that it could be possible and introduced me to the training I choose now is Mirjam from Atelier Goldfaden. She is in a similar situation as a mum who made a career change. It’s so inspiring to see what she’s doing now after finishing her training.

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She just opened the most beautiful online fabric store in Switzerland. She offers natural fabrics like linen, wool, silk or double gaze. Wonderful japanese fabrics or indian block prints. Fabrics from Merchant an Mills, Oilskins. Her selection is amazing. It’s the kind of shop you want to buy everything you see. For sure its the shop im buying my fabric from now on.

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Mirjam offered me this most gorgeous linen. Its soft, has a beautiful drape and a wonderful weight. Since I cut the threads, I wore it as soon as it came out of the washing machine. I wore it over t shirts as it’s still a bit chilly for spaghetti straps. The fabric has a very subtile black check. You can get away with not matching it, but it adds some visual interest.

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Pattern: Sparrow wrap dress from afternoon patterns. I sewed the smallest size and had to take off a few cm on the skirt wide and change the hip curve. There are some tucks under the bust. I had the feeling that it added to much bulk on the side covered by the wrap. it looked silly as I don’t have so much bust, i took them out. I’m happy with the fit now.

Fabric: Were offered from Atelier Goldfaden in exchange for an example dress. You can find it here.

Thank you Mirjam for being an inspiration and for showing me that dreams can be made reality!

Lux

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It`s been a while. Not sure, if I missed anything. I sewed as always, just sharing didn`t feel that important. I`ll see if I feel like visiting this little space more often again.

But today I`m here and would love to show you my version of the Luxdress. It`s not an option to sew just for one of my girls anymore. I had to start sewing similar dresses for both.

“Mum, there are no buttons on my dress. Yes, but you got a bow on the neckline. Oh yes, her dress hasn`t a bow, right? Then it`s fine.”

My baby girl will have the same dresses in all the sizes.

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The Lux is a basic dress with a shirring or elastic detail at the waist. The option for a sporty jumpsuit is also included. It`s easy to make it yours, by adding details. It comes with capsleeves and a long sleeve is available. Stripes look like summer to me, that`s why my dresses had to be sleevless. For adding some interest I made a button-placket and a bow at the neckline. Pockets make them happy.

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The instructions are clear and I even discovered something new to me. Gathering elastic makes shirring so easy. I think there isn`t a better way to shirr knit fabric. Easy to sew on, it gives a nice finish and you`ll get exactly the measurement of your desire.

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Sizing is accurate, I took the size based on their chest measurements and adjusted the length. It`s a nice, comfortable fit. They`ll get lots of wear out of those dresses. They`re going to fit next summer as well.

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During the patterntour you`ll receive a free digital copy of the Lux dress for women (8 sizes, 10 tot 24) by ordering the kids pattern! (between July 6 2018 and July 20 2018)

Get your copy here.

And if you hope for a chance to win the pattern, visit me on IG @fliegfederfrei

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Pockets are everything. Thanks for having me on the tour Isabel!

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Pattern: Lux Dress by Bel`Etoile

 

Cosy Toes

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When my big girl was about her age I loved to sew her soft shoes. I even made her some little Doc Martens. It`s something quick and satisfying to sew. Little feet in tiny shoes are just darling. Twig and Tale is organising a tour to spread the shoe love and to inspire you to sew your own.

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My little one is wearing a Mara I made more than two years ago. I love to dress her in old favorites! It`s like meeting old friends again. I had a little piece of that fabric left in my scrap-bin. Shoes are a perfect project for really small scraps. The grey leather is a leftover piece from the furniture industry. Hello little upcycled mouse.

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As I sewed with leather i did not really follow the instructions. The pattern is designed for woven fabrics. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. There is a page to measure your baby`s feet which makes it very easy to pick the correct size and you`ll get a pair of well-fitting shoes.

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Check out the others on the tour as well for some more inspiration!

Twig and Tale overviewpage

Blogger link up:

Tuesday:  CreatenicSew SnippetSew Many Adventures

Wednesday: Sew Shelly SewShe Who SewsLife in our busy householdInspinration

Thursday: Skirt Fixation Sprouting Jube JubeNeedle and TedJust Add Fabric 

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Pattern: Wild things baby shoes from Twig and Tale

Northern Sea

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The seaside in the north. I didn`t know it`s that beautiful. It`s all I love about the sea. Wide, Windy, empty and lots of shells in the sand. I need to see more. I would love to walk on such beaches for hours. Just me, the ocean and the smell of salt.

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I`m wearing No. 8 Svaneke by How to do fashion, in a special cotton piqué, I bought in Paris. I sewed a size 34 based on my measurements. The only adjustment i had to make was to lower the darts by 1.5 cm. The bustpoint was way off for my small bust.

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The pleated skirt is actually a hack, you`ll find instructions on the how to do fashion blog. Easy to do. I`m so glad I added pockets into the seams. So much more comfort. The skirt is made from 6 panels, it has a good weight. I like that, it makes a nice sound when i move.

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I left the back of the top open. I just added one golden snap at the top to close it. I was afraid it would look to ascetic otherwise. And i love the sneak peek at my tree.

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Pattern: No. 8 Svaneke by How to do fashion

Fabric: cotton pique, bought in Paris.

All the colors

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Mummy, I would like to have a jacket in all the colors of spring. That was my girls request. Who am i, to say something against that. I took her to my sewing room and started to take some suitable fabrics out of my stash. This beautiful flower fabric was the first one and she immediately knew, that it should be this one and no other. It`s a slightly brushed cotton twill and it`s super soft.

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So I took this fabric, added some sparkle and turned it into a beautiful little bomber. She really wants to wear it every single day. To see her face when it was done and ready to wear… priceless! It`s allways a good idea to let her choose the fabric she loves the most.

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It was a joy to sew. Piping, lining, pockets, collar. It took me some time, but I loved every single step. She looks so cute in it! I used an Ottobre pattern from Issue 01/2015. I made it one size bigger than necessary. She will be able to wear it in autumn as well and hopefully still in spring next year. Otherwise, I didn`t made any changes to the pattern.

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The dress she wears under the jacket is a little sneak peek of the Apron Dress by Lolah likes. It will hopefully be released soon. Be on the luck out for it, I really like the pattern! I`m a bit jealous every time she wears it. I`ll have to make one for myself. If i think about it… i need the bomber and the dress.

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Pattern: Bomberjacket Ottobre Design Issue 01/2015

Apron Dress by Lolah likes (tester version, not yet released)

Fabric: Cotton from Miss Matatabi

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Hanna_2___003There are a few patterns, I immediately think of, if i`m just randomly looking at the fabrics in my stash. My stash, by the way, is the spot i pick out the fabrics for all my projects. I never shop for fabric for a special purpose. I just buy if i stumble over something that speaks to me. Hannah, is one of those patterns, I keep thinking about. It`s so clever and i love wearing my first version that much (If you want to read more about Hannah nr.1). It was one of those days, I was just looking at my fabrics (odd lady i know). This very lovely cotton lawn enshuku by Kokka caught my eyes, I bought it from Miss Matatabi some time ago. The texture of this fabric is so special. Like stones on the ground of a river. I like it a lot. But as a whole dress, it would be overwhelming. It`s a fabric you want to highlight without overdose. Hannah can do that.

Hanna_2___007Hanna_2___006It sets the perfect frame for a very special fabric. Some patterns just demands more than one version. Do you have a pattern you keep thinking about?

Hanna_2___008Hanna_2___010You may notice the inspiring, beautiful location. Mr. Fliegfederfrei took those pictures of me very spontaneously, while visiting the c-mine Genk, in Belgium. Marte and Bjorn showed us that wonderful place on our last visit. That`s why my dress isn`t ironed. My leggings have a hole at the knee. My boots are dirty. Wild hair I don`t care. The location makes up for it. I love the pictures he took.

Hanna_2___012Hanna_2___013A hidden buttonplanket is the best thing if you love snaps on a dress. Laziness, that won`t be noticed. The instructions for that buttonplanket are very well made. I love how it assembles step for step.

Hanna_2___015Hanna_2___014The dresspattern doesn`t have a back seam, I accidentally didn`t place the back piece on fold. Happily, i discovered my mistake early enough to add seamallowance at centre back. Let`s call it a design element.

Hanna_2___016With two Hannah’s in my closet, I can stop thinking about that pattern now. For some time. Maybe.

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Pattern: Hannah by VictoryPatterns

Fabric: Cotton enshuku from Miss Matatabi

OneYear

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My little girl has so much hand-me-down clothes from her sister, it`s really not necessary to sew for her. Sewing cute little baby-stuff is so hard to resist, if you`ve the sweetest baby girl at home. I can tell you. But I try to be reasonable, resources arn`t endless. Still, from time to time, i make her something. Just something small. For her first birthday, i made her a dress, in one of the most beautiful fabrics i had in my stash. I just felt like wrap this special little lady in love on this day.

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Is it really already one year, that you`re a part of our family? Time flies like I never dared to imagine. I just blinked and the baby days were gone. I try to cherish every moment and every step you take. I try to see the little things to remember them. First move, first time really looking at me, first time holding something, first words, first steps. Big and small things. Just our normal ordinary life that is so extraordinary beautiful since you and your big sister make our days. You are so welcome. My heart burst with love every time i look at you.

Things you love: Climbing, moving and walking. You`re a brave one, always ready to take the risk. You`re not complaining if you fall, you get up and try again. Sometimes my heart skip a beat if I left you out of sight for a few seconds, you`re so fast. I`m always ready to safe you. But you know so well what you want. And you`ll tell everybody. You can be so loud. Crazy. You love to watch your big sister. She`s your hero. You try to do everything she does. You like to hold hands if you sleep and there is nothing more beautiful than to watch you sleeping. I could look at you forever. Your skin is so soft i could kiss you the whole day. You`ve humor, you like to make fun of us. You love to fly and giggle very hard.

I`m so happy to be your mum. I love you more than I can say.

Happy Birthday my Love

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Pattern: Modified version from Burdakids 05/2014 Mod. 623 (find it online here)

Fabric: Nani Iro from Julija`s shop in Antwerpen

Jackie – Victory Patterns

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With sewing my own clothes, I started to get boldly about trying new styles. Styles, i would never have picked from a clothes rail. The process of making, seems to enlarge my possibilities. It`s the creative process, that makes a certain style to my own. From the vision in my mind until the finished garment made with my hands.

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When I first saw the line drawings of the Jackiedress, I didn`t now if it`s for me. Kristiann asked me if i feel like testing it. I slept over it. After imagine all the possible Jackies i could sew, i finally felt in love with a plain, simple and of course grey version. We take small steps, don`t we?

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I`m so glad I gave this style a change. I tryied it on for the first time and it felt great. So comfortable. A secret pyjama that makes you look properly dressed. A clean and simple chic without being to loud. Perfect for everyday. But i could also wear it for going out. I made it mine.

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Victory Patterns has designed an other dress i`m madly in love with. After Hannah and Trina she has set the standard high (see my version here and here). But Jackie doesn`t disappoint in any way. It`s a beautifully drafted pattern. The seamlines shapes the dress so nicely and the opening at the back is a lovely detail, that takes away some of the seriousness added by the high neckline. All is finished with a facing.

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The buttons on the back neck are glorious! I had some vintage ones in my stash, which i covered with the same fabric. Score!

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I sewed version one, with short sleeves. Size 2. The dress is drafted for a height range from 165-175 cm. I`m 168 cm tall and had to shorten the skirt about 12 cm (maybe about 3 cm too much). The hemline should end just below the knee.

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Fabric is a heavier cottonknit with some elastane. Like used for t-shirts. It drapes beautifully and is oh so comfortable. I found it locally.

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I finished all the hemlines with my new vintage industrial coverstitch. It`s such a beauty! It took me three!!! evenings until it was set up the right way and i finally had nice stitches. Small and bigger victories of a seamstress.

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More Jackies are already in planning. Thank you Kris for letting me test! I love that dress a lot!

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Pattern: Jackiedress by Victory Patterns

Fabric: Cotton/Elastane Knit purchased locally.

Helmi

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February is over. Short month. My sewing goal this month was to sew a blouse (see project sew it). I do not own one single blouse until now. Sometimes one should try something new I thought. I tried, i really did. I made good resolutions, I bought the Helmiblouse pattern by named. I had my eyes on this one since it released last fall. For my Blouse sewing plans it was maybe not such a smart move. There is a dress version included as well. You can feel my dilemma, can you? Yes, you can see the result. I couldn`t help myself and went for the tunic version. I got a beautiful Helmitunicblouse. Ha. For me that totally counts! Oh how I love it!

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Clean seamlines, the hidden button planket. The mandarin collar. The beautiful shaped hemline. Nothing too much. So my style.

By the way, Named just released the Spring Summer 2017 collection today. Check it out!

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The fabric is special! It`s a double-faced one. On the inside is a nice grey cotton and on the outside there is this really soft and warm wool. I bought it from `in the beer`in Belgium. Marte visited this store with me. She looked at this fabric when I pulled it out from a big staple and just said, a real Nina fabric. It is.

I wanted to sew the whole dress with this fabric. But luckily it wasn`t enough. So I picked this beautiful sand-crepe out of my stash. It has a lovely weight and drape. I had just enough for the skirt part. It was meant to be!

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A dress without Pockets. Doesn`t work for me. I never know where to store my hands. I used a piece of the wool as pocket lining. Cold hands, not with this dress. For a bit of visual interest I added some rivets. They were black, but lost their color after the first wash.

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The hem is finished with a facing. I`m addicted.

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To make up a balance. It`s not really a blouse, when a blouse is defined by the length. But at least, I made a garment i truly love and perhaps is more in use, than a piece of garment i was not sure if it would fit into my wardrobe so well. I call it a success.

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Pattern: Helmi Tunic and Blouse by Named Patterns

Fabric: From in the beer Belgium (Bodice) Skirt fabric bought locally.