Mirela’s Eva Jacket & Marie Skirt

BurdaStyle – Eva Jacket, originally uploaded by fmirela.

Finally I have a suit. I paired BurdaStyle’s Eva jacket and Marie skirt with this stretch twill cotton fabric from fashion fabrics club – still available.

I went with the fake pocket clasps and no lining for comfort in summer days.
I must give credits to my mom helping me out with this creation. We cut the pattern and fabric out together and she assisted me with the ironing of every seam and interfacing piece, while I was sewing. I have made this in just a few hours and am thrilled with the results.
The Eva pattern is perfect, I’m crazy about the bust darts and the collar, it fits perfectly! I’m definitely sewing this pattern again and again.

 

The little Marie skirt…I was a little afraid to sew this one, thinking it will be kind of bulky or puffy, but it is cute and girlie! The leftover fabric from the jacket was just enough to make one side with the box pleats and the other one simple… I pinned down the pleats on the paper pattern to create a plain skirt panel. I also made it about 11cm shorter.
I like this skirt with the pleats in the back and the simple pencil skirt front.

BurdaStyle – Danielle

BurdaStyle-Danielle, originally uploaded by fmirela.

This is my version of the BurdaStyle – Danielle dress.

Having to work with just a little over a yard of crushed velvet, I had to transform this dress into a sleeveless top.

A little insight on sewing velvet can be found on the BurdaStyle site among many other useful how-tos, some of which I followed sewing the Danielle.

For finishing the neckline and underarms I used the technique described here: sew an all in one facing.

A little blue velvet ribbon accents the cut under the bust and the box pleats create a cute baby doll look.

Knit and Crochet

Knit and Crochet, originally uploaded by fmirela.

Yarn: Schachenmayr nomotta Catania
Pattern: Modische Maschen 06/1991 Vichy Top
Needles: Lower part knit with the Bond using No.1 plate.
3.25 and 3.5 Crochet Hook

This is a quick project thanks to the Bond! My mom knitted the front and I did the back on the Bond USM.

I have shortened the length and started with 70 stitches cast on instead of 100 like the pattern said. Did 80 stitches in the back so it would not end up too tight…
The bust panels are hand crochet and it took me about 8 hours to finish them, while we were driving to Busch Gardens, Tampa and back just before New Years.

Gosh I love those roller coasters!
Gwazi, Kumba and last but not least, Montu on which I have been 3 times in a row and would have gone again if they wouldn’t have closed the park…Good thing I have a 2008 pass and can’t wait to go back.

The lower crochet part is done after the front and back have been sewn together, using a 3.5 crochet hook.

These little Lories from Butterfly World loved the crochet top!

BusinessWeek Magazine Article!

BusinessWeek Mag PhotoShoot, originally uploaded by fmirela.

“Extra! Extra!
Read all about it!”

Here it is: a sneak preview into the photo shoot for BusinessWeek Magazine.

For hours on end I felt like a celebrity with photographer Jeffery Salter and his assistant, tons of photo gear all aimed at me. I wonder which picture they publishers chose to use for the magazine.

The article is already online. I was pleasantly surprised to read about Eric from Instructables, Etsy, BurdaStyle and me all in one article. Still can’t believe my eyes!

Isn’t this world so small and how small are we in it?

I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the printed version in stores this weekend! Simply have to get one for my parents 🙂

Thank you BurdaStyle for everything!

I’d like to thank Marius for his patience in taking picture of me and my creations, my mom for teaching me how to sew and helping me out with the latest garments.
Last, but not least: “I’d like to thank the…Academy!”

Christmas Tree and Endless Summer Luna Top

Christmas Tree, originally uploaded by fmirela.

Yarn: Endless Summer Luna from Elann – 4 balls
Pattern: Honeymoon Cami
Key plate No. 1 on the Bond Ultimate Sweater Machine

I have made plenty of changes to the pattern:

Instead of doing the ribbed edge I replaced it with a scalloped border inspired by Heidi’s machine knitting charts.

The V neck with this yarn and gauge is too deep, so it ended up in the back of my top. I redid the front the same way as the back, but I had started decreasing the front V and splitting the work only after I had decreased for the armholes.

For the straps I’ve used square mother of pearl beads that I had crochet together using a stitch similar to the hair pin lace crochet.

To finish it I’ve made a row of simple crochet stitches around the neckline and armholes.

I am still having issues with my gauge and the Bond. The top is a little larger and longer then I had wanted.

I enjoyed seeing the scallops take form immediately after I removed the work from the machine.

I love this yarn, it is very shiny, smooth and comfortable even for hot weather.

I wish you all a creative, productive, healthy and Happy New Year!
May all your wishes come true in 2008!

P.S. Thank you BurdaStyle for the amazing tassel!