Straw clutch!

   Straw clutches and cross body straw purses seem to be a trend this summer. I've been seeing them in the stores since spring and I really liked them. But they are quite overpriced for their quality. Some of them are not made or real straw, but a material that look like straw. After all it's straw and it can be easily damaged. So I decided to make my own. I thought it would be easy. Well it's wasn't very easy. It takes some patience, but I think I had a good result. It will be perfect for my vacations.

Front

Back

Side

Details

In case you are wondering this clutch is made from a straw mat!

Even my dad liked it a lot. He said it's very cool!

See you around

Maria

The summer style you can sew

    Ok ok I know, to much talk and no sewing. I don't have time these days, please be patient with me. I am working on a straw clutch, I've made a muslin of a dress that won't fit no matter what (urg) and a dozen of projects on my mind.

  I read this article that Cameron Diaz pulled out the coolest summer look. Actually her stylist Rachel Zoe. It's a shirt dress.

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       Nothing too special or fancy right? Isn't that what summer is all about? I love the look and her sandals. Maybe her sandals more! If you want to make it yours, it's easy. Choose your favorite shirt pattern and lenghten it or use one of BurdaStyle's patterns. For example pattern 117 from Burda 5/2011.

Or pattern 108 from Burda 1/2011. You can also download this one from here.

                                 

I prefer this one more. I think that pleat in the back will be a great feature with a belt. How about you?

   See you around

Maria

Fashion findings

    I was out shopping with a friend the other day. We went at Zara and look what I found at the TRF section, for 26 Euros.

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Does it remind you of anything?



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Now?

Last summer's obsession dress for many women is now available. Sarah Jessica Parker wore this dress on the movie "Sex and the City 2". Actually she wore two of them.

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 Of course the quality of fabric is not the same. The Zara dress is 100% polyester, although the original Halston is made of 90% Silk, 10% Metallic and the Lining is 100% Silk.

I bet you can spot the unflattering difference between the two. On the Zara dress the "blouse" section is longer and hits the belly button. On the contrary the Halston dress reaches down to the waist line, giving a more feminine look. The skirt looks shorter too. I totally prefer the original. Don't you?

See you around

Maria

P.S.: I didn't buy it if you're asking!

Summertime

This is all I have to report from this weekend that was not a sewing weekend as it usually is! It felt good! I got a nice tan too.

See you around

Maria

Burda 7/2011 full preview

     You can find the full preview at the Russian site of Burda, right here. They are always ahead. You can still see some pics in my previous post. I found the full preview to be more interesting. I'll show you the designs that impressed me.
 

This is a blouse I'd love to try out



How about these?

Beautiful don't you think?

Don't you want to go Charlestone dancing in it?

I like this one. This should flatter a woman with narrow shoulders.

  

Boxy pattern, but it looks nice.

   

I love this skirt. The zip is exposed, isn't it?

I think this should flatter some extra tummy. 

  

Here's a design you don't see often.

  

How would you call that... overall shorts? jumpshorts?

Ok I don't know how these are called, but they would convenient for the beach or vacations.

     

I want this! Right now! I have to have it!

(I need to go fabric shopping for tops by the way)

   

Remember this dress I totally loved in the early preview?

Well this is how it looks now...

  

Is it my eyes or it's not the same?

On the model it looks like a dress with a dramatic sleeve.

On the dress form it looks like an one shoulder poncho thing.

Pitty...

Disco groove in the late '80s is the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw this

ok I know it's all a matter of fabric choice.

Lovely draped shoulders on a plus size dress.

I wish this one didn't come only in plus size

See you around

Maria

I was only looking for a comic book

     Yesterday I was looking for a comic book, with nice colourful illustrations, to use in a craft. I have to say I was disappointed. What's with all the massacres, and monsters, and vampires, and dark evil creatures? I couldn't find one page with nice illustrations in a gigantic bookstore. Pffff I guess I'll have to look on line.

    I found this magazine instead. It's been so long since I've knitted. I have a half knitted scarf. Maybe I should pick it up on September to have it ready for winter. Knitting is a couch hobby for me. I mean, when I'm sewing I'm alone at my sewing station, deep in my thoughts. But when I'm knitting I want to be in front of the TV with the rest of the family. Of course mistakes will happen this way, but mistakes are to be corrected right?

    I already have some magazines about knitting from the '90s and '00s, but I rarely see any hip knitting patterns. I have to say I was impressed with this magazine. You can take a look at its content here.

    I'll give you a taste of my favourite designs.

    I would definitely wear these dresses. As far as my knowledge on knitting goes, any girl could wear these dresses, cause they are knitted horizontally (I hope this makes sence) and they should flatter any body type.



        I totally love the long blouse on the left. It's ideal for summer nights, don't you think?

   

    I would also like to have these two blouses on the right. To be totally honest with you, I'm not up for knitting right now. But it's nice to have these options when ever I' ll feel like it. I'll definitely look for some winter issue some time.

See you around

Maria

Designer Techniques

Got mine in the post today! I had the chance to give it a quick look before I left for the office and I have to say I'm very excited. I don't know if I'll use any of these methods, I'll surely try them out, but I'm so happy to add sources like this in my sewing library.

I'm even considering subscribing to Threads magazine. Would you recomend it? Does any of you buy this magazine?

Summer purse!

     I've been working this purse in my mind since last summer. I needed for so long, I just never got around making it. I think this pale pink is versatile. It looks good with black, brown or colourful clothes.

I used the scrap pieces from my travelling bag over here.

I found matching colour leather like strap and I attached to the sides with D rings.

I even put the hardware you see my self!

I used a small buckle as a length adjuster, that I took the middle moving part out.

I put a zip to keep my belongings safe.

and a cute owl to guard them!

Here's a look of the colourful lining and inside pocket.

See you around

Maria