For her teacher

Sinterklaas was here. And we noticed! M was glad that she had drawn her teacher to make a surprise for. As her teacher loves cats, we came up with this idea. The pillow is made by M, only for the zipper she got some help.


She was determined to make the present that was hidden inside, herself as well. She made a cooks apron (that will be shown some other time). In school the paper shredder was just emptied, so she collected paper and even made these paper scraps herself. Well done, girl!

Going out

The day after Jil's kids party we were invited to the party for grown up (grotemensenfeest). For this occasion I completed our gift and made some tiny extra's for popje, in a fabric pouch (not pictured).

And undressed again. Her new name: 'Haasje'.

Popje

Last week I had this 'popje' in my hand and couldn't decide whether to buy it or not. Such a little sweetheart in a beautiful box. But I wasn't convinced. Don't really know why.
Last weekend this 'popje' came out of my hands. For a first 'popje' try I'm satisfied. Last Saturday L gave her to her best friend Jil, as in three shown steps. I used this great tuto for the paper box. Papersize: 40x40 cm, size 'popje': about 36 cm.

The pattern was quickly drawn. I might make more 'popjes' and reshape her a bit next time. Other faves are in my Pinterest boards: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
To be continued.

Finally sunlight

This coat needs sunlight for fine photo shoots. Today finally we had time and sun! So M took me to her favorite spot nearby along the Maas, where she use to play with her best friend.

What to tell about this coat, that M is wearing for weeks now. The wool fabric we bought together in Paris. For the pattern I had this coat in my mind. I used this Burda pattern as a base; a boy's leather jacket. No Burda misery like here! Everything was clear and I sure loved to make it. It's like magic every time you do the final step and turn the coat inside out. Hear me... every time... this is my third coat ever made!

Of course a lot of changes were made. I made size 158, but for the width I used 146, because I liked the coat to be slim fit. The border, the cuffs and the collar were enlarged. A hood was added, that can be press fastened to a low standing collar. Pocket sizes on demand of M (here my smartphone, here my cards...). I decided to make the zippered pockets red lined and waterproof, which M found a lovely touch.

Decorated with stitched red triangles to make the coat extra unique ;). And lined with a bright red color, her favorite. M asked me to make it large enough to wear it many years. I told you before she is such a grateful girl to make something for.

Stay warm, sweetheart!

Night work

Last Saturday I was feeling restless. I had planned to make a leather bag in daytime, but daytime was really busy. So finally quite late in the evening my egg could go out. It just came the way it was, without a lot of prior thinking or designing (I was just too tired...). This leather was used right away, because who's a better receiver of a bag like this then Kristel?

Sewing this first large leather bag late at night didn't turn out perfectly, but luckily Kristel is not a perfect perfectionist ;). She invited us to their together-100-years-old-party. And what happened? Kristel was wearing nude colored clothes, just like the color of this bag and, M discovered yesterday, apparently did I unconsciously use the same colors as she used in their invitation. Funny, isn't it?

The edge of the green leather was used just like I bought it. Of course I didn't want to spoil this beautiful material. I enjoyed roller-cutting it. Like cutting butter! Above you see a cows mark, that I loved to use.

For those who wanna know how to make it: here's the inside of the bag.
Kirstel, you did such an awesome party preparation! So well done! You made me happy with being so happy with this present.

Dear Sint

This is a letter for Sint, as left in L's shoe the other night. A wish because of one mosquito, a die hard that is still living in L's bedroom.

Coat preview

Last weekend we went by train to Petra and M persisted in wearing her not yet finished coat. I only had basted the zipper; the border and collar were not yet sewn, plus the lining was missing. But she was happy to wear it.
Last Monday she left for school in her new coat and every day after she came home with enthusiastic words about her coat. She is such a grateful daughter to make something for!
This weekend the hood was finally finished. It took me quite some time to fix all press fasteners! Sadly we had no opportunity yet to make good pictures. For today this one, that will be followed by more (and better) next time.

Weekend roundup

May I still tell you about last weekend, just before next weekend? It was such a rich weekend with good results, one could say. The program:

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: sewing a coat for M. Here a glimpse. Stay tuned to see it finished.

Saturday: open house at DTH Leather in Drunen. Don't know where these leathers will be used for, but I'll surely keep you posted.

Sunday: bloggers meeting with Petra of Vervlogen Dagen. What a lovely woman and daughter! Petra and I started our blogs at the same time in 2010 (!). I love her creativity and text writing skills! Please comment here when you - just like me - don't want her to quit her great blog!

M and make up?

This locker is hanging on M's bedroom wall in order to organize nail polish, hair elastics, etc. It's a present we made for M's birthday last summer, but never showed it on this blog because the green edge had still to be crocheted. Now it's like it was in my mind.

An unused locker of Ikea is used. I covered the front and the inside with a leftover fabric of her tree and a mirror was mounted on the front. Because the locker had to close properly it turned out a quite precise job to do. But we managed.

Here you can see the different stages of mounting double sided adhesive foil to the fabric, cutting, folding corners and finally sticking to the front.

By post

My mother is having her birthday today and is turning 75! We posted this for her and will visit her with the whole family next weekend. For now a small present filled with birthday goodies like pictures, drawings and letters.

My mother loves a modest way of living. Design should be simple, colors preferably natural. I hope this bag will suit her well. The leather is much more soft and supple than used in this tutorial.