Sunday, August 29, 2010

A cloudy Sunday afternoon

It was a cloudy day last Sunday. The children where playing with dolls, toy cars and other indoor games. Suddenly DD informs us that she DOES NEED some goodies for her doll: a washing machine and some clothes. DH and I decided to do something for her. The following photos show our efforts and the final results: please don't laugh... too much ;-)

Father and daughter assembling the doll washing machine: made of cardboard.

French lingerie on japanese doll ;-)

The cardboard washing machine completed.

A spring summer outfit: tunic and wrap skirt.

All the set made during the afternoon.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Breastfeeding: a sewing dilemma

Breastfeeding a growing baby causes a sewing dilemma. Let me explain a little bit more.

The facts:
  • My tiny baby has grown into a two-year-old little boy, with an already strong personality.
  • I still breastfeed him and I will probably continue for one year, maybe less, but not much more.
  • My full-breastfeeding bust will return to normality in about one year.
  • I have some so nice suit, blouse, dress (the list has no limit ;-) patterns to use.
  • I have some perfect fashion fabrics to cut into a so nice suit, blouse, dress, and so on.
Dilemma:
  • Should I cut into my so perfect fabric to sew this so nice suit, blouse, dress, just for a few months of use before my body changes again?
  • Should I wait a little (possibly much longer)?

The photo above has been taken in an incredible garden: the botanical garden ("Orto Botanico") in Roma (Italy), where we went on vacation last July.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

DH black jeans rescue

In the sewing world, we often talk about these special-occasion outfits we are so proud of, and that we wear only once or twice. It is far less often that we talk about all the other outfits we made, and we almost never talk about all that we have to repair or rescue.

Today I will share a little repair/rescue story.

My husband is hard with his clothes and especially with his pants.
Look at this poor RTW black jean (photo above):
  • I hemmed it when DH bought it. After a lot of walking, the friction on the top of the shoes torn the fabric.
  • The too thin fabric for the pocket lining has too much torn, and has already been fixed with pieces so many times.
  • The heavy fabric on the inside of the waist shows some signs of wearing out.
DH love these pants, they fit him well and the fabric itself is still in good condition: it's time for some repair or a complete rescue!

I bought some of that little cotton ribon that French name "talonnette", I have no no clue about its name in English. I sewed it in place at the hem.
I unsewed some heavy cotton waist lining and pocket from on of DH's reformed summer light pair of jeans.
I resewed the waist and pocket in place, after cutting the old ones.
but I have done nothing yet for the back pockets and the inside of the waist.

Now that loved pair of jeans will start a new life and some months, perhaps years ;-) of use.
And DH will be happy.

Monday, August 16, 2010

A parisian promenade

I am back in Paris. Last week-end we simply took a stroll after the afternoon nap of my last one. Here are just some photos to share, no captions with them tonight.


Wednesday, August 11, 2010

I am back