How to make a skirt: Easy project

This project is very easy. All you need is a rectangle piece of fabric, elastic and 2 smaller rectangles if you want pockets.

1. Cut fabric in a 40" wide rectangle, the length is your decision. 

2.  Fold the rectangle and sew the opposite ends.

 3.  Fold top about 2.25" for elastic. Pin it and then sew and leave some room open to insert the elastic through. To insert the elastic, you can use a safety pin, pushing the pin with your hands until you reach the other end of the elastic. Once they elastic ends meet you can sew them together and close the opening.

4.  Sew the top of the elastic (optional) I liked the look of it. 

5. Hem the bottom of your skirt to the length you prefer. 

6. Cut smaller rectangles (whatever size you would like the pockets to be) Mine were 5.5"x8.25.  Final size 5"x7".  Fold the top of your rectangle about 1 inch or so and sew it. Once the top has been sewn you fold 1/4 of the edges of the sides and bottom. Pin it to your skirt, then sew. Now you should have your skirt with pockets.

Not bad, right? 

Chocolate craving...

While grocery shopping, I was contemplating if I should of buy a whole box of twix. I have never made such a stupid purchase but I will not take the blame myself. I consulted with Mr. Freckles (husband) which I should have known better, he will always say yes, get it.  After buying it we decided to hide it on top of the fridge so I would pace myself and not eat it as often. BUT you always find a way to reach for it. I almost fell trying to get one, so it is the last time I ever buy something so addicting. So the lesson I learned was to never buy something if you are having doubts. Photograph is courtesy of Freckles, who snapped a picture of me trying to reach for one. He really didn't believe I can climb. ;-) 

How to make an easy summer dress:

I hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend. It's raining in New York therefor is a perfect day to sew! My husband would rather see me painting but I am in love with sewing at the moment and I must put my brush down.

As I mentioned to you on my "How to make a tunic dress" post about my friend, Yulia. When I last visited her, she was kind enough to make me a dress pattern from a dress I no longer wear but love the shape of. My first attempt to sew my own dress was not the tunic dress, my first attempt was a much simpler dress which I had a pattern for.  I changed the pattern just a tiny bit. Why? because I was scared to make a mistake on the collar area. There! Okay, I feel better.  There were some mistakes along the way, but I think the project turned out okay. I was content with the results and I made 2 other dresses with the same pattern.

I took a picture of the dress patterns before I started to sew them together to help you understand what pieces you will need and as picture of the results. It's a very comfortable and easy dress to make. 

Cut 2 pieces.

 I used Cotton Jersey fabric and 1/4" elastic for the waist. 

 

Here I used linen fabric and 1/2"elastic for the waist. 

For the "Senda" Book Fans out there!

Senda was published in the 1970's in Spain and has not been reprinted since. Those who were fortunate enough to read those books as a child know what it means to read a real good children's book that will inspire you forever.  I believe these books were educational books geared towards 1st, 2nd and third graders.  

When I was living in Peru, I had to read those book as homework. I can't tell you how much they still mean to me. Years have passed by and I still think about "Pandora's Box" and it's vibrant colors, "Toni y su cometa" raw illustrations that kept me captivated all this time. I have read my share of books. Okay, okay so I used to read more comics like "Asterix" and "Mi Pequeña Lulu".  What can I say? I was a child at heart who loves to laugh and appreciate great illustrations. 

Now as a mother and an artist, I think it is very important for me to surround my son with books that have captivating illustrations and great stories that will inspire him. I have bought my son many books to read to him. However, I have not found too many books that I actually enjoy reading to him. Most children's books have great illustrations and boring stories or great stories and ugly illustrations and don't get me started on Eric Carl! ughh!  I do have some favorites to read to him, "Dr. Seuss", "Zen" and  "Arthur" books are always great.  If you haven't bought "Martina la Cucarachita Muy Linda" is divine! That's a must buy! They have an english version as well. BUT there is still an obsession about these Senda books that I read as a child. The good news is that after many long searches I have found a low resolution pdf of the books and I can now print them and read them to my son. I am so super excited I will be able to share something special from my childhood and hope he will have the same reactions. 

Senda Book PDF:  Download link below

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O08SO8JU

Reference:

http://coleccionandoprincipios.com/?p=574