Hogweed Silhouette Skirt

by
17 comments

This has been a nice and quiet weekend. Saturday, I traced and sewed a skirt for Ronja, using a half panama fabric, that I’ve used previously. It’s a nice heavy quality, which makes the skirt stand out a little bit, and I like it a lot.

Doing a little dance 

I edged it with bias tape, and used the same bias tape to edge the pocket. I did use a pattern for the shape of the skirt, but I altered it so much that it would be difficult to recognise it. However, the base was Onion 20021, without the top binder, and with a cased elastic for waist instead of rib. The pocket was made at Ronja’s request – they just love pockets at that age, don’t they? She did a little dance while modeling, and I can assure you she’s trying to look princessy!

Hogweed Silhouette Skirt - mosaic 

As little as I followed the pattern, I still should’ve drafted my own or found one that was meant for wovens. This one is meant for knits, and it would be great if it had just a bit more ease at the waist line. It’s fine once it’s on, but it could be easier for Ronja to put on and take off.

And now I’m on to finishing something else, that I started yesterday.

Early Summer Blouse

by
17 comments

Monday I received a package of beautiful fabric from Fabric.com. I have been rather tired this week, still not feeling up to much after my sore throat and stuffy nose took off last week, but I still had to do a bit of sewing.

Modeling a new blouse 

The pattern for this blouse is from a Danish book containing sewing and knitting patterns for children’s wear. It’s the “Sy og Strik Børnetøj 4-10 år” by Ulla Welinder (Sew and Knit Children’s Wear 4-10 years). This is the blouse pattern on page 94, which uses shirring at the neckline, sleeve edges, and waist line. I hadn’t tried shirring before, but it went fine after I checked a few tutorials on the internet.

I really like the look of the blouse, but to me the pattern does have a few weaknesses, like the fact that the neckline opening is very wide before you start shirring, so even though the shirring gathers it up, it’s still totally expandable – which may look cute, but I have yet to see if it works alright on a lively 4-year old. For some reason my version of the blouse looks a lot shorter than the one showing in the book, even though I added a few inches to the pattern. I triple checked that I traced the right one, which according to the instructions I did, but I would still make it longer if I were to make it again – the shirring at the waist has a tendency to pull it up a bit. I love this fabric combo, and there was even more fabulousness in the package – can’t wait to use it!

My conclusion is that I love the look and colours of this blouse, but it’ll be far more useful when we get some warm temperatures!

Light and shadow

by
5 comments

The snow is falling. Trucks go by to salt the roads every now and then, and the weather forecasts predict more snow in the days to come. Don’t get me wrong, I like snow – really! In December, when it provides the Christmas decorations and lights with a certain atmosphere that reaches beyond commercialization from the tradespeople and hectic Christmas preparations. And in January, because that’s really one of the few things that the dark month has working in its favour. I love the sound of my boots in the crunchy snow, and to go sled riding with the kids.

But hey – I was ready for spring! It’s almost light when I leave for work in the morning now, and it’s not yet dark when I come home. The birds have started singing several times a day, and I want to sew stuff for spring.

Light and shadow 

This picture was taken Sunday in the afternoon after Fastelavn. I should mention that we – almost literally – haven’t seen the sun for weeks. And the few times that we have, it has been a glimpse through the grey, grey clouds, and then gone again… However, Sunday the sun was shining from a blue sky most of the day, and it was wonderful and much needed. It just has that incredible effect on your state of mind. Ronja was playing with shadows, and I grabbed my camera to catch it. I love this picture.

Now we go back to looking forward to the next sunbeam. In the meantime, if the snow stays, I’m sure Ronja will be thrilled – and Frida just might as well!

Clowns and Angels

by
13 comments

Yesterday, we all went to Fastelavn – you know, the thing I told you about the other day. And Ronja was indeed an angel – here she is on the wings.

On the wings 

On the wings  

Saturday I had been making an outfit for Frida as well – a clown costume to be exact. I based the costume on the Onion pattern 10009 that includes a pair of basic loose pants, and a blouse that buttons on one shoulder. I modified them a bit – the pants are meant for rib at the lining and at the ancles, but I decided that elastics in dotted casings would work better for my tiny clown. The blouse pattern is meant for a knit, and has a rib at the neckline – I switched it and went with wovens and a clown collar at the neckline. I covered the collar edge with bias tape, made from the same fabric as the collar. Then I embellished it with a tiny pocket and two flower-buttons.

A colourful clown 

I threw all kinds of colourful fabric in the pool; Michael Miller, Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett, and a bunch of other stuff - and above you can see how it all turned out. Below, you can see the caring big sister holding hands with the little clown, while they’re having their picture taken together with Ronja’s friends Emma and Ida.

Fastelavn 

The Fastelavn-party took place in a gym, and all the kids lined up in different lines according to their age, to beat the cat out of the barrel (this very traditional event at Fastelavn has got to make no sense to many of you – read more about it here - about halfway down). Ronja had fun with her friends, and although I think the experience was a little overwhelming to Frida, she found it exciting as well.

Afterwards, Frida and I went to meet with my mothers group. It has been quite a while since the last time, because we’re all working now – but we had such a nice time, and the kids are just growing up so quickly. It was great to see them all again, and to watch the children play! Frida was exceptionally tired when we went home, so she had herself a good long afternoon nap.

Out for a drive

by
4 comments

Yesterday, Mads and I went for a drive with the girls.

In a field 

We used to do that quite a bit 5 years ago, when we were looking to buy a house, trying to get a feel of the different areas around Copenhagen. And of course, each time we have been searching for inspiration for something to do on the house – like constructional techniques, colours, roofing solutions, windows, etc. This particular weekend, we would have preferred to go for a walk, but Frida has a terrible cold again, so we went for a drive instead – just to get “outside” for a bit.

Alley 

The landscape that surrounds our town is quite beautiful, especially if you go to the south. It had been snowing a little, and Ronja was going on all day about going out for a sled ride. I think she was a bit disappointed, that there wasn’t anywhere near enough snow for that. We haven’t had much snow this winter – way back in November, we had some, but I think that about sums it up…

Trees 

I have been working on Ronja’s angel costume this weekend, and I’m rather enthusiastic about the way it’s coming together. I haven’t finished, though – still need the last bit of the underdress, and some detail work. I’m using this Ottobre pattern, which is meant for a regular dress (a bit to the dressy side), but I think it’s perfect for this purpose. Once again I have been getting some fabulous advice from the Ottobre English Sewing Group, which I cannot commend highly enough. I’m learning so much from being part of the group – it’s just brilliant for receiving help and inspiration, if you’re sewing Ottobre.

And then I received something this weekend. Ronja was certain it was for her, because of the sweet stamps on the envelope – including Curious George (called Peter Pedal in Danish). And the truth is, it will be for her as well.

From a friend 

Guys, take a look at this beautiful dress! It’s so wonderful – the shape, the sleeves, and that fabric too… Well, Sarah mailed me the traced pattern for it – isn’t she great? Thank you SO much, Sarah – it looks like it’s just the right size for Ronja, and I’m going to be making it among my first projects to come right after the angel costume.

And for you guys – if you aren’t reading it already, you should go have a look at Sarah’s blog – she does some beautiful sewing!

The girl in the window

by
5 comments

I just left work, and while I was walking to the train, a bird was singing – you know, spring-like! I immediately started dreaming of bursting buds, sunshine, and warmer temperatures. It won’t be long – right?

The girl in the window 

This is Ronja modeling her rose dress.

I must say that I find the [lack of] light at the moment utterly uninspiring – which leads me back to dreaming of spring. Can’t wait!

Wrap up

by
7 comments

I’m in the train right now – on my way home from work. It’s getting dark – and by the time I reach our house the light will be all gone. I wanted to post about 2008 one last time – just a few pictures to show you what we were up to in December.

It was a busy month. With me starting my new job, and all of us taking turns in having sore throats and then some. And Christmas of course – I know I wrote a bit about that already, but our traditions in December are very important to me and my family, so even though they do add a bit to the general bustle, we’re just not letting go of those.

Like going to the Tivoli Christmas market – Mads and I have been going there every year since we met, and it’s become quite an important event.

Tivoli Christmas Market 2008 

Tivoli Christmas Market 2008 

A while ago, we had some snow, and Mads and Ronja went sledding. I wasn’t feeling good at the time, and Frida was having a cold, so we stayed behind. I do hope we get another snow fall during this winter – you never know.

 First sled ride this winter

On Boxing Day we went for the traditional Christmas lunch with my side of the family, which is always a cosy event. We don’t get together too often, so this annual event is much anticipated. After lunch Ronja and I went with a few others for a walk by the fjord. Ronja had a cold, so she and I didn’t go quite as far as the others, but then we had a quiet mom-and-daughter moment instead.

Reflective 

I’m not going to say more about 2008. Now it’s all about 2009, and 2 days ago I actually managed to do some sewing. Just a pair of pants for Frida, which were needed, but I do hope that I will have more time for my sewing now that we’ve entered the new year. I don’t have any new years resolutions this year in particular – just looking forward to the new year in general.

 Sunset