The go to -outfit

You know those stupid-ugly-fat -days, when everything you put on looks stupid and you just feel outright drab - no matter what anyone else says? Sure you do. Everyone gets those sometimes. I get those too. When one of those days strikes I have one go to -outfit that always makes me feel like a decent human being again and not feel too self-conscious.

I made these 40s style dungarees as a sample for my summer collection to test how they wear, and they were a hit! They're cute and look good with almost any cardigan or blouse. Plus they're slimming and comfy! Today I wore them with a red cardigan and red clogs. You can't see it in the (crappy phone)pictures, but there are actually huge pockets on the front too.

What's your to go -outfit?

My next knitting project?

I think I'm hooked. Not only to knitting, but more specifically to 40's "victory" jumpers. I already have at least 2 knits in line, but I totally fell in love when I found this lovely style on V&A Museum's pattern archive and I thought this could be my next project. I just can't decide which colourway I should use. I already made my last jumper in red-blue-white colourway so I wouldn't want the next one to be too similar.

You can download the pattern for free here

I used the Tricksy Knitter knitting chart maker to try out different colour combinations. I do like the original colours, but as I said, I wouldn't want it to be too similar to my previous jumper.

I'm quite drawn to the orange colourway, but also the black/red/yellow would be quite interesting. Which one is your favourite?

Liebster Award and a few great blogs for you to check out

Yet an other Sunday. Gosh, these weeks go flying by, don't you agree? I just returned from a dress-swap of which I'll tell you more about later.

I also received my first Liebster Award from Kristin at Sew Classic this week.

Thank you, Kristin!

 Here are my answers to Kristin's questions:

1. How old were you when you started sewing?
-I actually have no idea! I've been sewing as long as I can remember, since I was a little kid.

2. What compels you to create something?
- I started sewing more for myself when I went to high school and started experienting with my style. I also sow because I couldn't find or afford to buy the clothes I wanted to wear. Now it's mostly because I enjoy creating something unique and I have the skill to transfer my ideas into wearable garments. My brain is bulging with ideas and it would probably explode if I didn't let them out once in a while :D

3. What is your favorite medium to create? (e.g. sewing, knitting, painting, writing, etc)
-Sewing most definitely although lately I've enjoyed doing a bit of knitting as well. But I like to see result fast, so knitting can be a little frustrating sometimes.

4. What is your best memory of sewing?
- My first memory of sewing success. I made a velvet evening gown for a Barbie-doll in elementary school sewing class and my teacher liked it so much it was put on display in a glass cabinet. I was so proud! :D And also any time I get a revelation and finally "get" something I've been pondering about.

5. Is there a time period or style that you create within?
- My favourite decades in style are the 40's and 50's, of which I mostly recreate the 50's

6. Is there a time period or style you're drawn to but never work within?
- I like the 30's too, but for some reason it still feels a little distant for me. I'm getting used to it though and am having ideas of 30's inspired outfits I would like to create.

7. Do you have any insecurities regarding sewing/crafting/etc?
- Making a wedding gown for someone can be quite stressful. Not because of the bride or because I would lack the skill. I guess it's because the garment is so very important to the bride and she'll probably keep it for the rest of her life that you'll need it to be perfect. There's a lot of emotion involved.

8. If you make vintage inspired or period clothing, how often do you wear it?
- At least once a week.

9. What's your favorite thing you've made? (Not exclusive to sewing.)
-That's a tough one. My most recent favourites are probably the 40's style dress and 40's reproduction knit.

10. If you could give any piece of advice to someone that you've learned about anything, what would it be?
- If you want to learn something, you just have to jump right in and try. Try until you get it. After that there're no limits.

11. What's your favorite dessert to bake?
- Double chocolate cupcakes, yummy!

***

And here's a bunch of lovely blogs you should all check out. It was a tough job, as there are so many great blogs out there, but I tried to pick blogs with less than 250 followers.

(not in any particular order)

Rosie The Crafter 

Jenni is a Finnish girl creating vintage inspired jewellery and crafts with a make do and mend principle.

Sew Retro Rose

is filled with vintage inspired sewing and other eye candy

Sewing Galaxy

I can't understand half of what this German lady is saying, but her sewing skills are just amazing

Sewing Vintage Knitting

Anthea is blogging from Netherlands and she's very skilled in sewing and knitting, not to mention all the retrolicious pictures she's posting.

Susan's Diary

Susan is a German girl who loves vintage style and heavy metal music and doesn't hesitate to combine these two. I love her already!

The Home Blues

Milenushka is an Israel based girl whose blog is visually very inspiring. I also like her analytical style of writing.

Kittens Klädkammare

Kitten is a Finnish Swede blogger and a newly graduated seamstress writing about her vintage passions.

Beswingtes Allerei

An other German blog I have no idea what's being written, but oh how inspiring all the images and retro sewing projects are!

Anna Neah

I fell in love with this Swedish blog the second I set my eyes on it. She is a very skilled sewist and I'm just blown away by her creations.

And here are my questions. Anyone can answer even if you weren't nominated. I would love to read your answers.

1. Who's your style icon and why?

2. What is your favourite material to work with (in sewing, knitting, crafting)?

3. When and where did you first learn to sew/knit/etc.?

4. Is there a skill you don't yet master, but would like to learn?

5. What inspires you the most in your craft?

6. If you could only save one piece of clothing from a fire, what would it be?

7. What is your favourite style era and what do you love about it the most?

8. Where do you mostly get your clothes i.e. do you make them, get them thrifted or buy them new?

9. What is your most used/favourite accessory?

10. Show us your most favourite outfit.

11. And because Kristin's question was so good, I'm going to ask the same thing: 

 If you could give any piece of advice to someone that you've learned about anything, what would it be?

Finished knit #4: Rainbow Jumper

Ha! I was finally able to finish this knit I started pretty much one and half months ago. I fell in love with the design at first sight and just had to get my own version. I first saw this Rainbow jumper on the blog 1940's Style For You and followed the lead to the author's Facebook shop where you can also buy the pattern: here.

The instructions were for a teeny-weeny 32 inch bust so naturally I had to add some width to it. I used a 100% alpaca yarn from Hjerte Alpaca. It's impossible to tell which colours were used for the original, but I chose to use red, navy, sky blue and white. The yarn was so thin it felt like I was never going to finish this jumper, but I did! I sure did!

I have to admit I'm just a little bit in love with the jumper-

Ok, I'm deeply in love with it.

As you can see, the spring is quite late and we still don't have any leaves on the trees. It's was, however, warm enough to survive 10 minutes without a jacket to snap a few photos.

And so the winter has turned to spring

Well hello there! Sorry for the silence. That's only because not much has been going on since my last post. I haven't finished any old projects or started any new ones that I could report about. So I thought I'd just share some random photos I've taken during the last couple months and haven't really got a chance to share yet. 

Have a great Sunday evening!

It wasn't that long ago that we still had this. There is a big lake near where we live and a lot of people would go walk on the ice. There's a little light house in the middle of the lake about 1,5 km from the shore and you could walk there and enjoy hot beverages.

I picked up drawing again. Last time I drew other than some messy sketches of clothes was probably at school more than 3 years ago.

Now who wouldn't love a new pair of pretty shoes? I know I do! Especially when you find on Sale for ridiculously cheap.

Went to the sushi restaurant and tried some really weird looking stuff. It was good though!

And this is what it looks like now. It's still  quite chilly outside, but the sun is really warm and the first little flowers are pushing through. Notice the bumble bee there.