Hackers unite! For Kimberly has challenged us to remix one of her patterns in an unique Remix the Stitch series and this couldn´t have been more fun. And enlightening, ha. I have realised that:

a) I know nothing about fit.

b) I know nothing about flat pattern alterations for fitting purposes.

c) I have no idea if something is well fitted or not.
d) I do, however, know how to follow instructions and operate a sewing machine and a serger like a ninja.
e) I´m very creative when it comes to altering patterns but not everything works.

That being said, I decided to remix something simple: the Capitol Hill dress turned playsuit, by mixing it with the Alexandria Peg shorts from Named. Haha S.I.M.P.L.E. Since I didn´t have the time to muslin and record those alterations on the patterns, I made the changes I needed by trial and error, modeling on myself (aka try it on, too loose here, pin it, tuck it in, better now, now it´s short there, gaaaahh, what if i cut this bit off?... etc etc). I choose a beautiful burgundy crepe from my stash that is actually quite medium weight but with a nice drape and some stretch. First challenge was the bodice, since I knew I wanted to keep the pleats as they are the main feature for this pattern, but it ended too high from my waist, so I had to lenghten it. Because of this, the pleats design got somehow lost near my waist and wouldn´t be noticeable, so I transfered them to the neckline. I knew I could because I had extra fabric in the chest area and pleats are just an easy way to adjust that. Also, I needed it to adapt to the trousers waistband, so I wanted it larger at the bottom.

So, back to the neckline pleats. I marked and basted them upside down, but they were opening to much and spreading towards the armscye and making funny and not flattering lines, so I abandoned the outer set of pleats and left just the big inner ones, played a bit, basted, unpicked, steamed, basted again, until I ended up with my lovely inverted pleat. I named it The Batcave. I´m pretty sure I can put my wallet, car keys and Iphone in there. Not Iphone 6, though. Neverthless, I can honestly say I never saw that feature anywhere, so that makes this jumpsuit even more unique.
I feel the neckline pulling down a bit and I think it´s a combination of the weight of the fabric, the rise needing more lenght and the shoulders more wideness.



If you haven´t noticed, I´ll make you look again by talking about the back invisible zipper and the way that back seam perfectly matches the shorts back seam. I have no idea. I added the waistband and just elasticized the back, so I guess I missed the alignement after doing that.




Because the density of the fabric, this will actually be perfect for Fall, or those schizophrenic days when it´s 9ºC in the morning and 28ºC in the afternoon.
This brings us to hack number two. I have been dreaming about a boho large fitted, flare dress all Summer and finally did it. Fabric is a light and soft rayon challis, again from my stash. I remixed the Ravenna top by lenghtening it to dress size, keeping the hi-lo hem. I removed the dart by cut-and-spread towards the center and accentuated the A-line. I also added a little flare to the sleeves and shortened them, finishing with some soft gathers at the neckline and rolled hems.




Though it looks quite simple, it really was the look I was going for and I assure you it does not resemble in any way a hospital gown. It will look perfect with an oversized cardigan and some ankle boots. In fact, that´s practically my Fall uniform.




But all these remixes bring up a paradoxal question: if we can hack all patterns, why buy more? Do we need anything else rather than basic blocks? Why yes, certainly. Because:
a) I´m not a pattern maker, so it can go wrong sometimes.
b) Some basic blocks are so basic that altering it to achieve a certain look or add a certain feature would be so much work.
c) We are a comunity that indeed supports designers and their businesses. They are interested in making their patterns the best they can so we can feel good about the clothes we´re making, and we´re interested in the same. Win win.
d) I stopped buying clothes but I can´t just not buy anything. And shoes are good but, let´s face it, a girl needs more in life.

It´s the last day of the series and I´m sure you didn´t miss it, but here´s the amazing line up: they´re all really worth a visit!

Tuesday, September 8th: Meg Cookin' and Craftin' | Jennifer Ginger Peach Studio
Wednesday, September 9th: Ajaire Call Ajaire | Heidi Handmade Frenzy | Stacey Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts
Thursday, September 10th: Melissa Rebel & Malice | Annika Näh-Connection | Abby Sew Much Ado
Friday, September 11th: Katie It's Hard to Hear Up Here | Jane Buzzmills | Lisa Mabey She Made It
Saturday, September 12th: Elena Randomly Happy | Allie Indiesew | Jess If Only They Would Nap
Monday, September 14th: Jaime Made By Jaime | Lauren BASTE + GATHER | Sara Made by Sara
Tuesday, September 15th: Audrey Skirt Fixationy | Teri Fa Sew La | Hayley Welcome to the Mouse House
Wednesday, September 16th: Emi Just Add Fabric | Rachael Imagine Gnats | Teresa Dandelion Drift
Thursday, September 17th: Kaysie | KZJO'STUDIO Rita Conversas de Hermanas | Stephanie Swoodson Says
Friday, September 18th: Andreia In a Manner of Sewing | Nienke Pienkel | Abbey Sew Charleston

This is a really big anniversary for Kimberly so she´s offering 50% off all patterns in her shop, both pdf and paper, and 40% off Stitch Kits. This sale will run until September 20th. No code necessary.
There´s also a big giveaway TODAY with some amazing prizes from throughout the pattern and fabric world! Oh and look! For that I have one of those helicopter annoying thingys that make you visit 296 pages for a chance to win! Wait what!? Aaaaall you have to do is give a virtual high five!? Pff, don´t burn your finger.

There´s definitely a chill coming around, announcing a new season. The only comfort I can find in the end of Summer is that I can now concentrate on filling my stash with wools, flanels, twills, all Winter goodies. I may even try some knitting. May.

Today I´m part of this awesome series hosted by Becca Duvall from Free Notion, where a lot of patterns for Fall Capsule Wardrobe have been showcased and garantee to get your sewing groove back with no remorse for missing the beach. It´s getting cold, anyway.

This week is all about Tops, Blouses and Tunics so I´ve choosen the Camas Blouse by Thread Theory. The pattern is intended for light knits but you can go woven on the yokes, which makes it quite versatile and interesting as a sew and for playing with fabric matching.

I´m needing basics and solids in my wardrobe after Summer-flowers-flamingos-all-the-rainbow-prints-madness, so I choose this light pink gauze that actually has some stretch. It´s quite see thru so I had to underline the front pieces with the same fabric.

I have absolutely nothing to mention about the pattern, except for the placket. Those are some dangerous curves and you´re supposed to work with ease, which takes some time to get just right. I made a faux placket by simply overlapping both sides and sewing the buttons in, and added an extra one on the top to keep the cleavage discreet. I need quick, dress fast clothes for morning rush, and these little things make all the difference. In the back, instead of gathering I did a box pleat simply because I had been doing gathers on a lot of other pieces and I just.couldn´t.stand.it.anymore.

There were no alterations fitting wise; I did the smallest size, zero, yes I dress zero, that´s not even a number, ha, and the blouse just feels comfortable like this (i´m not keen on tight wear).

The skirt is my all time favourite and now TNT Sister Mini by Vanessa Pouzet and my third make, this time in some medium weight jacquard, with a black and white print that is just perfect for matching with a pop of colour.

This blouse is just a wonderful basic with a twist, that can be dressed up or down depending on fabric you choose. It´s also quite an easy sew but the end result is so gratifying and good looking that just makes you say "Did I sew this?".

Don´t forget to check Free Notion on Friday for a round up of all the participants this week and get tons of inspiration!

First press play please:

This is a fun tune we listened to while photoshooting, it just makes us
want to dance (and it has my daughter´s name)

It definitely feels like Anna Wintour might be coming round the corner to check out all the awesomeness from TA-NA-NA-NA:

And it all comes down to this moment, where we hope we´ve made justice to the fabulous work Olu and Anna developed. They´re the faces behind MadeIt Patterns and this week they´re showcasing the amazing FOLD|2 collection, inspired by the japanese art of origami.

I´ve joined them during a late testing phase and let me tell you, in all honesty, some serious pattern making happens there. Off the charts creativity with well thought designs and careful construction. The collection is modern and edgy and just gives you that rush while sewing it, but still has an everyday and practical feel to it.

For the Fashion Show I made the Pleat Fold Top and Petal Fold culottes (separates) for her, and the Kite Fold Tee and Oru shorts (still on testing) for him. And do you see all those little cranes in the fabric? I folded them all myself, yep. Haha, well it´s actually a lightweight rayon challis and when I saw that print I knew it was a match made in heaven for this collection. On the tshirt I used it as a panel by underlining it with some white cotton jersey. The culottes are a medium weight dark denim with a little sparkle and silver piping at the pockets, it´s actually so shiny I couldn´t get a good picture of it, ha! The beige Oru shorts are twill and they have some cool features to get your sewing groove on, like the inseam pockets, back flaps faux pockets and faux fly.

Two toddlers under 5 so you know you must limit your photoshoot to what you can control. I decided to try an actual catwalk on a table I folded myself out of paper. Got you again, paper... pff. No, it´s just cardboard.

And though they don´t yet understand the concept I was trying to recreate, they asked to do it again the next day, ha! You clever dudes, it´s not everyday mummy lets you walk all over the dining table, right?

I wasn´t in line when God delivered origami skills, so you´ll have to settle for my FOLD letters on the runway. Neverthless, as you scroll down, take a good look at the pictures as they have some instructions for you to follow. Grab a piece of squared paper and give it a go! (If you start with A4 or letter sized paper, cut it square and make a fan out of the leftovers and give it to your kids: simple entertainment, no need to thank me for those 4.2 minutes of rest you´ll get).

1. Divide a square into 3 equal parts.

 2. Fold from point A, bringing it to align with the first crease at the left.

 3. Fold from point B and C, making them match A.

4. Turn the paper 45º to the right. Fold the top back flap behind.

5. Fold the pointy tips on top and at the sides towards the back to shape it. It´s done! Oh, you origami master! <3

If I have taught you well and you end up filling your house with little origami hearts or just feel like you´re ready to try a platypus, I´d love to see, so please share on Instagram and hashtag #madeitorigami and #madeitfashionweek !

And now it´s time for some goodies:

This discount will run all week but they are also giving away a MadeIt pattern a day:

All you have to do is correctly answer a question related to the Fashion Show that will be posted on Facebook or Instagram at random times of the day. (The question will mean you will have to visit the blogs to find out the answer). The first person who correctly answers the question will win a pattern of their choice from the FOLD Collection.

And this is how you can win a €50 NOSH voucher: all you have to do is leave a comment on Needle and Ted on day 7 of Fashion Week (Sunday 6 September) letting her know what the highlights of the Fashion Shows were for you. Olu will pick a winner from the comments and the winner will be notified by email the following week.

There will be another giveaway on Instagram to win another €50 Nosh voucher, so look out for the prompt!

Here´s the amazing line up, if you haven´t already, check out the first days of the Fashion Week and stay tuned to follow what´s coming:

Monday 31 August
Kid Approved | Girl Like the Sea | Huisje Boompje Boefjes | Our Chez Nous

Tuesday 1 September
Kimme Sew Crazy | Pienkel | East and Eden | Chi Chi Romeo and Me

Wednesday 2 September
Neil and Nikki | In a manner of Sewing | Glitter + Wit | Creative Needles and Threads | As it Seams

Thursday 3 September
Climbing the Willow | Fliegfederfrei | Fairies and Bubbles Co | Sew Thrifty

Friday 4 September
Just Add Fabric | So-Cal Sewing Mom | Sansahash | Miss Castelinhos | Sewing Sober

Saturday 5 September
Made by Toya | My Cosy Co | Paisley Roots | Diorella | Fruits de Mère

Sunday 6 September
Round Up and Reviews: Needle and Ted | Climbing the Willow | Swoodson says

And now it´s my turn to walk the runway just to say a huge thank you to Olu and Anna for letting me take part! Loved every minute of it! <3

All pictures and edits are my own. All opinions too. In fact, it´s all mine haha!