Since I´ve been invited by Diana to take part in this blog hop, I´ve been mentally singing Daft Punk´s song.

What am I working on?

God. Where do I start? I´m all over the place. I´m doing some pattern testing for kids/women. I´m trying to build my kids wardrobe and my own for summer. I´m reading a lot about pattern alterations and grading for kids and trying to make my first very simple and basic pattern/tutorial, let´s see how it goes. I normally do 3 or 4 different sewing projects at once: when I finish a hard part at one of them, I stop and pick one of the others and so on. This helps me stay focused, oddly enough.

How does my work differ from others in its genre?

It doesn´t, I copy everything I like. Well, I´m influenced by RTW brands, both on colour trends and models. I try to make it myself instead of buying it. Try to keep it simple and basic, but I always fall for coloured prints. I really get out of my confort zone when sewing, I wouldn´t buy many of the items I make based on the fabric I use, I would simply stick to basics for wardrobe matching purposes, so that´s a big plus for me.

Why do I create what I do?

Well, it started as a challenge I made myself about two years ago and also out of need. Kids grow up very fast and it was getting hard to keep up with an updated fitted closet for them. Also, I realised some of the things I was buying for them were too expensive regarding price/quality. For myself, it was purely out of fitting issues; being petite sized it was becoming a struggle to find sized clothes, especially when fashion dictates boxy and large. I was feeling like a potato bag with all my rtw clothes. It´s incredible what sewing can do for your self esteem; once you free yourself from labels and size tags psichological power, you´ll be able to embrace your body size as is, enjoy it and dress it up with maximum confidence.

How does my creative process work?

If I look up to my home made clothes just a few months ago, I can already spot the difference and the evolution of my sewing game: play hard or go home.

I´ve started to choose patterns more carefully and wisely, paying attention to details and finishing touches. For a home taught sewist, this is a very important step, as you are learning and improving your skills by the pattern instructions and this is directly related to the designer own skills.

The Biscayne Blouse, a natural beauty indeed, by Hey June Patterns, which I had the pleasure to test, is a very good example of this. You look at it and think "no way, this is too much, I can´t, yada yada yada...". Well, I wouldn´t say you could and you should if i didn´t think it was possible and if I hadn´t tried it myself. The pattern is ment for light and drapey fabrics and includes some intimidating shit things: a welt pocket, a hidden button placket, a collar, all beautifully designed and instructed to elevate your sewing game and make you feel like a professional.

Being sttuborn by nature, I had to try a version in some rayon silk. I have been following this awesome technique to cut up these slippery buggers, and though there´s a bit of paper waist, it´s totally worth it and you can keep the leftovers for some kids artwork. Besides this, I also gave my fabric a starch bath, by dissolving some mash potatoes puree flakes (you work with what you have, right?) in about 2 lt water and it became so stiff it could stand alone. Once I was finished I just hand washed it with a mild detergent and it went back to it´s drapey drooling shape.

My second version was in a rayon challis and so much easier to sew, but again with wonderful draping power. The fit is loose at the side seams but you can easily adjust it by taking in a few cm. One of the things I loved about the pattern was all the preparation steps and attention to details that are sure to get you professional results. It´s not a rush sew, this is made for sewing lovers. The hidden button placket is a notorious marking game, there´s staystitching and understitching in all the right places, french seams, and you can choose to do a patch pocket instead of the welt (c´mon, are you a power girl or a chicken?).

I was photobombed at my last session, but that´s part of it too, isn´t it? They are always around, you sew by bits because mummy i want water, mummy i wanna play this game, mummy i wanna dance, mummy muaaaaahhhhh brother beat me muaaaaaaah, now sister beat me muaaaaahhhh but don´t worry: soon they´ll be sleeping, you´ll go back to your sewing moment of zen, and then stop it to go sit at their room and watch them sleep. All is love, all is balance. <3

This blog post contains affiliate links but all opinions are my own.

Today I´m continuing my series of tried n´true patterns. I started with the Linden but by now I have a few more I can add to this list.

I have recently tested the new Greenwood Tank by Straight Stitch Designs and it was a hit from stitch one. We all need basics in our wardrobe, but there´s a big difference between buying a bunch of tanks or making them yourself: well, that´s the difference, you made them.

Again, as the Linden, nothing extra about this pattern, it´s a simple tank. But you must think about everything that´s behind making a pattern like this: how do you adjust the neckline to please and fit everyone, how low should the armhole go, how to bind raw edges. And this, my friends, is exactly what turns simple into extraordinary. Kimberly is a knit pattern goddess.

I used a very soft cotton lycra that just feels like a second skin. I had this skirt sewn up long ago and never found the perfect top to go with it. It´s a simple lace skirt, lined, with a hand trimmed hem (yes, I hand trimmed that little bugger) from japonese book Casual Sweet Clothes. I´ve been living in simple clothes like this but I assure you that simple goes a long way on making you feel awesome.

The Greenwood is on a special release sale so be sure to add this staple to your memade wardrobe!

This blog post contains affiliate links but all opinions are my own.