Artbella

Friday, April 11, 2014

KCW day 5 - Bella's first Blazer

so we were running out of daylight time so I still have to add my buttonholes and buttons but everything else on my blazer is done. My plan for Kids Clothes week was to sew most of Bella's Easter outfit which will also count as my signature look for the last week of Project Run and Play sew along. for Easter I was thinking Blazer for Bella ( I haven't sewed a lined jacket/blazer since college) so I was happy when Melissa from Melly Sews announced the Berkshire Blazer sew along this past week so it all worked out. I finally got around to it today and all I have to say is I got more than my hour sewing required for KCW in:)

I will add the buttons tomorrow morning and the buttonholes and will share some pictures then of the final result but here she is.

I used a navy twill fabric for the jacket and a pink cotton for the lining. I also made pink bias binding for around edges. The fact that it was almost night doesn't really show the pink.....

I made roll up sleeves because of spring ( it does roll down for winter though)

I added two circle ruffles to the back for a girly look

I love the inside fabric.....

the bias binding around the edges turned out real good.

I hand embroidered a B on the front pocket for Bella with pink .....

I have one more outfit I hope to sew tomorrow that I am quite excited about. I got the Triangle pants pattern from see Kate sew this past week and think it will be the perfect pants for my busy little girl who always puts her treasures in her pockets!!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

KCW day 4 - Natty Janes

I dont know if this counts as clothes but I just had to sew these - I had different plans for the day like cutting and sewing a blazer for Miss Bella but the itch of using this beautiful turquoise leather got to me. I made the Natty Janes Pattern from the fabulous Delia over at Delia Creates and you can see the roundup on her blog Here for some inspiration. I loved this pattern from the moment I saw it but my youngest is too big for them and all my friends who had babies recently had boys. When I found out that the Natty Janes will be a pattern available to me through the Pattern membership ( if you have a pattern addiction like me and want to meet some new bloggers through great community come join me) I decided to sew a pair for a very good friend who happens to have the cutest niece ever. Problem solved:) On to the pattern - very easy, VERY versatile and honestly too cute for words. Delia's instructions and tips are very clear and the process was very smooth and definitely something you can sew up in a day. I used leather and good quality felt. The fact that it is so small you only need scraps which makes these shoes very affordable. OK enough talking on to the pictures.......

for construction I found the red clips and my pinking shears very helpful...

I used my sewing machine to sew a 4 on the inside so she knows what size it is...

ugh I love them so much ... wish they came in my size

I am busy cutting out my Berkshire Blazer as we speak so I will hopefully sew a little on that tomorrow.

KCW day 3 - The Julia Sweater and go to leggings

for day 3 I made the Julia sweater and the Go to leggings ( a staple ) . Why a long sleeve top. First of all this pattern was just released a few weeks ago by Marte from Compagnie-M and I just love her style. Other patterns I have sewn from Marte is The Mara dress/blouse and also my version of The Louisa . Second - we spend a lot of time at the pool late afternoon and when the kids are done they are almost turning completely blue so this is the perfect outfit for after swim!

I added cording in the front and used the same method I use for Bella's Twizzler dress....

the things that immediately attracted me to this sweater was the buttons on the shoulder as well as the tunnel pocket...

I used some turquoise leather to mount my name tag to the back

All of the fabrics are from JoAnn's

just look at those cute pockets

I will add some pictures of my girl in her new outfit as soon as I can.

for Today I had the Berkshire blazer planned but I am so excited to sew up some Natty Janes that I am going to do that first and see what time is left for the blazer - it might just have to wait for tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

KCW Day 2 - The Soleil dress

On Tuesday I sewed the
Soleil dress from Selvage designs. If you have a girl GET.IT.

Get the pattern HERE

LOVE.IT. Will sew up a few for Bella. It is the prefect summer dress for any occasion and I sure love a knit fabric pattern. I bought this fabric from

Girl Charlee a while back so I don't know if they have it anymore.... ( I checked ,they don't:( )

I am hoping to cut and sew the Julia Sweater from Compagnie M for Day 3.....

KCW Spring 2014 Day 1

It is Kids Clothes week Spring 2014 ( the idea is that you sew kids clothes at least 1 hour each day for 7 days)

Day 1 I got up early and finished my Madeline Dress from the fabulous Jess at the Sewing rabbit ( me sew crazy Blog) I shoretened it to a Tunic for an Easter outfit for Bella. I am planning to sew up some go-to-leggings and a blazer with it for my Signature look for Project Run and Play. I used some shantung for the bodice , cotton for the dress part as well as a beautiful flower net fabric I got from JoAnns a while ago.

I got up early Monday morning to finish it and I sure am glad I did . I ended up getting a stomach bug and was out till day 2.

see you at Day 2

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Week 3 Project Run and Play - design your own fabric...

Its week 3 over at Project Run and Play and its "Design your own fabric" week.

I am ALWAYS having a lot of fun with Project Run and Play but this challenge was SUPER fun.

Arthur has a certain style and I love that about him. Not only that but he LOVES it if I sew for him. He asked me the other day if I can teach him to sew and you know what - I am going to buy a sewing machine for my boy and teach him and let him be creative.

Taking pictures with him is also a LOT easier than with a 3 year old. We got up early Saturday morning while dad and sister is still asleep and headed on over to the basketball courts to get some pictures. That is our special time together - weekends early in the morning while the other 2 are still sleeping....

He Loves his skateboard and so the clothes I sew for him needs to be comfy enough for skateboarding.

He is such a thinker

Showing me his Yoga pose

The Pants:

I used the Small Fry Skinny Jeans Pattern and if you are looking for a great jeans pattern this is your pattern. It wasn't a fast sew but it is a great quality pattern that produces some pretty adorable pants. I chose to make Capri's so he has some protection over his knees but not too long if it is hot. I added a slanted inlay at the bottom of the pants to show off the design of the fabric. orange zipper and made an orange belt and diamond detail on the back pocket.

Design of the fabric. I used a black and white Painty marker and drew lines a quarter of an inch apart over all of the fabric before cutting the pattern pieces. It ended up not too bad at all and I managed to line up the lines on most places. the lines runs horizontally across the pants but I made the bottom inlay so it runs diagonally and the seam where the two pieces join also runs diagonally.

The Shirt:

I made a recessed sleeve shirt with a button placket and a black pocket. For the sleeves I used my serger to make decorative serger stitching on top over the seam with orange thread.

I took a picture of him on the skateboard and created a silhouette on Photoshop elements

I then cut out the silhouette on freezer paper and ironed him to the front panel of the shirt and sprayed around him with Tulip fabric paint. The back panel was just sprayed with the white paint. It came out pretty cool.