I am ALL about the CATS!!! Wardrobe and Freshly Picked Moccasins Giveaway

He Is ALL About His CATS!!! And that's why when I first collaborated with Freshly Picked Baby Moccasins, I knew that I had to dedicate this blog entry to Liam, my kitty-cat obsessed 19-month-old. And if you are questioning how the cats ended up in the studio shoot? Well that's because he takes them (almost) everywhere. I need to invest in back-up of his feline 'Lovies' just in case.

Liam LOVES all things Kitty! He will point it out to me in books, on signs, in pictures, toys and of course-live. I decided he really needed a wardrobe dedicated to his obsession-One of A Kind, just for him to match his new Are You Kitten Me moccasins from Freshly Picked.

From Left to right, I used Brindille and Twig Fringe Romper, Cole's Corner and Creations Macs Monster T-shirt and Create Kids Couture Brody's Baseball Tee to create his new cat-addiction inspired clothes. Check back here next week, I'll be sharing how I up-cycled my beloved PAWS Chicago tee and modified the B&T Fridge Romper to create this special look for Liam.

And oh my how his face lit up when I took out the Are-you-kitten-me Moccasins out of their draw string bag. I actually had to hide these from him till photo-shoot day because I knew he would want to snuggle with them and wear them all the time-and I wanted them semi presentable. Little guy likes to jump into puddles and sand boxes - and since the shoot, you bet they are worn and loved at the park.

The soft leather sole is perfect for my newly found-walker, helping him navigate my slippery wood floors at home and the gravel and cement ground outdoors. Made with their signature elastic and fringe opening, you can find your perfect look among their huge selection of Moccasins for Babies and Kids Here. And for folks who like to know provenance, Freshly Picked is made in the USA and Mexico.

Now for the fun part! ONE lucky winner will win a THREE-Pattern pack giveaway. One-PDF pattern from each of the designer I used to create Liam's new Kitty wardrobe.
And that's not all: FRESHLY PICKED will send that ONE lucky winner a FREE pair of Baby Moccasins in choice of size and color.
To enter, please see Rafflecopter below.

Special shout out to my creative friends over at TKPhotography Chicago. I have to admit that I feel a bit spoiled with how fantastic my little man looks! These photos are going up on my wall. I was so nervous going into Liam's first blog shoot, little boy is always on the go-we did all three outfits in about 20 minutes. Thomas Kubik is just brilliant photographing the little ones.
Thanks for reading and good luck!
-Merav Ruthman @ Baby Hobbes Design

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sis Boom Sophie, Part II-Sewing for an indecisive month.

Sophie tunic-turned elastic cinched dress for the Win!!!

Hi again and thanks for joining me for Part II: Sophie Tunic Sewing for an Indecisive month. 

I just adore the relax fit and ease (I like to call it dress-ability) of the Sophie. I consider it a win in our house when Hobbes can come out of her room dressed in the morning without asking, OK, yelling for me to help her get dressed. And that's such a nice break for me, since most mornings I am chasing my 19 month old son around the house.

After sewing the original tunic (Sophie Tunic Part I), my wheels were still turning and I just had see how the Sophie Tunic worked as a dress. Because Hobbes is petite at 41 inches, I decided I wanted to add an external casing and create a waist line on the dress. I used Sis Boom beautiful Daisy in Blue, it's my favorite print from Caravelle Arcade.

Remember how I mentioned that you can get creative with your keyhole, I am just swooning over this combination. 

And check out the back:

I must stop and mention my friend Julie Crigger's amazing ability to match Sis Boom's fabrics with her gorgeous hair pretty. My heart melted when I received this Silk Sari Tie-back, created especially for this look. You can find her shop Little Sparrow Bow here. 

I really love how the Sophie Tunic transformed. Keep reading to find out how I achieved this look. 

Before you can start the transformation, you need to figure out the length to extend the pattern. For mine, I needed to add 4-5 inches to the tunic to get the length above the knees. I also wanted to allow for an approximately extra 2-3 inches so the dress can have a pillow-effect over the waist-with kids, it kind of happens naturally that dresses rise up.  I concluded that 7 was my magic number and crossed my fingers!

To adjust the tunic into a dress length, I first eliminated the flaps (Please skip over page 11-12 in the Sophie tunic directions) and added 7 inches to the bottom of the pattern. See picture below.

When drawing the extension, start at the external arm hole and drew down a straight line, keeping the angle and curving at the bottom.

Once you have your dress sewn per directions (skipping the flaps) go ahead and hem the bottom of your dress by folding it up 0.5 inch then pressing. Fold again another 0.5 inch up, press and sew your hem closed.

Now we can begin making the external waist casing. There are many different ways to create casing, and you can choose to make it thinner or ticker then mine. You can even use pre-made bias tape for the same results, just remember to adjust your elastic size so it will fit inside your casing once it's edge-stitched on. For my dress, I had a specific look in mind. I wanted to sew it in a way that only the blue from Abby in Blue  and the rings will show up.

I choose to cut a 3 inch strip by the salvage width. I will later adjust it around the dress and cut off the extra fabric.
Go ahead and fold in half, with the right sides together sew along the strip. You don't need to finish the ends.

Flip your casing right side out. As you can see from the picture below, to achieve my design, the seam will run down the right side of my fabric-in the middle. I figured it wouldn't be as noticeable once it's cinched in.
You may choose to have your seam on the side or hidden underneath. Now iron your casing and set it aside.

Place the finished dress on a flat surface as seen in the picture below. With a ruler, go ahead and draw a straight continues line, marking the placement of the casing. I choose to mark the line 6 inch under the bodice facing, to create a drop-waist and allow for the pillow-like effect.

Once you made your marking, go ahead and pin your casing to your dress. Be sure you are only pinning through one layer at a time. As you can tell from the picture below, I started pinning from the dress front right edge. Since I cut my casing at salvage width, I left some of the excess fabric on the edge. Later I will use this fabric to close my casing.

Go ahead and edge stitch the casing. Remember to leave 1.5-2 inch opening on either the top or the bottom of your casing. This opening will be closed after the elastic is fed through the casing.

Once your casing ALMOST sewn all the way around, go ahead and trim the remaining fabric, tuck under and sew your casing closed as pictured below.

You are almost done!!! Remember that 1.5-2 inch space we left? time to get your elastic out. For my dress, I used a 3/4 inch width elastic, measured out to 19.5 inches-Hobbes waist is 20.5. For this dress design, I didn't want it to be to tight-just to have enough pull to cinch the dress to the body. I inserted the elastic, catching the two ends together and sewing with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Now all that is left is to sew your casing closed.
YOU ARE DONE!!!

What did you think of the Sophie Tunic transformation into a Dress? I love finding patterns that allow me so much versatility, especially sewing with October's weather indecisiveness.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments here, or stop by and say Hi to me over at Baby Hobbes Design
You can also follow me on Instagram @Babyhobbesdesign
Beautiful Sari Tie-back made to match Daisy in Green, by the talented Julie Crigger over at Little Sparrow Bow
Lastly, my genius friends Thomas and Tiana over at TK Photography Chicago for their amazing ability to capture my design creations and beautifully feature their movements and elegance. I couldn't be more impressed! Oh, and thanks for letting Hobbes and her little brother have some fun in-between takes.

Happy Sewing,
-Merav @ Baby Hobbes Design

A perfect pattern for an indecisive month: Sis Boom Sophie Tunic Part I

October has always been a difficult sewing month for me. I am not ready to commit to styling Hobbes with the long sleeve warmth of Winter, we have quite enough snow-covered months ahead of us; but the summer heat and the spaghetti strap dresses are now behind me. After receiving another beautiful mix of Sis Boom prints that included Caravelle Arcade Abby in Blue and Daisy in Green, I decided to capture October indecisiveness with a new to me pattern that allows me to change my mind too. Well in lengths that is!

Sis Boom Sophie Tunic offers four different sleeves styles that include short and long sleeve, cuffed and my favorite, a cap sleeve. It also outlines a few different hem lines so you can shorten your top, or create a tunic length top to wear over leggings too. You can even get creative with your keyhole, with options for contrasting fabric overlay and different keyhole closures.

For my first Sophie look, I made Hobbes a simple tunic. I wanted to sew it in the patterns' purest form to highlight an incredible aspect of design manipulation we may often forget about: Cutting pattern pieces ON THE BIAS:

You have to be very careful when you are cutting on the bias, or your garment may move or even stretch in the wrong direction. With the Sophie pattern, I was careful to cut it diagonally along the grain, however, because the pattern design includes flaps on the bottom ends of the tunic, I knew that my fabric wouldn't pull. 

Before cutting, I decided to redraw the pattern piece on wax paper so I would have the finished outline of the top. I did this truly to make fabric placement easier, as I wanted my keyhole to lay perfectly on the cream section of my Abby in Blue Fabric.

One of my favorite features on this top is the pleat on the sleeve. Just one little inverted pleat and the tunic has a soft and airy feel to it. I choose to sew my tunic with the cap sleeve, imagining it would look sweet over a long sleeved knit top or layered perfectly under Hobbes collection of faux fur vest.

I really enjoyed the simplicity of this pattern and already have mountains of ideas for my next few. It really is a great pattern to showcase a very bold print. And the versatility is endless. Join me Friday, for Sophie Tunic Part II, a different spin on Sophie. 

Here is a sneak:

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, come say hi to me over Baby Hobbes Design
You can also follow me on Instagram @Babyhobbesdesign
Special thanks to the amazing duo Thomas and Tiana over at Tk photography
Beautiful hair pretties by the talented Julie at Little Sparrow Boutique

Till Friday!
Happy Sewing,
-Merav, Designer at Baby Hobbes Design

Twice the Twirls with Daphne in Equinox

If you live in the Midwest like me, then I am sure you are familiar with the term "Two Seasons".
I have been living in this part of the country for 10 years now. Chicago has two Season: Hot and Cold.
As I write this, I shed a tear missing my day-long drives through New England Foliage. The beauty of golden, green, reds, pinks and oranges leaves, dancing all around me.
Here, Fall and Spring are both noted on the calendar, but rarely seen as the leaves turn and fall at the same time and the temperature plays games on us. Last week it was in the 60's, today it's HOT and 80's.
All of this makes dressing Hobbes a challenge! We are not ready to let go of the summer weather...but I never want her to be cold.

When I was asked to test the new Daphne Skirt from Simple Life Pattern Company, I knew I wanted to sew a "Fall Inspired" Outfit.
I choose the twirly double skirt version (there is a single skirt version with pockets too) with a thick-stay in place elastic waistband for it's twirl, bounce and body. I also chose the double layer for it's warmth-ability (we are all about layers in the Mid-West) and I paired it with the Cheyennes ultimate ruffle tshirt in 3/4 sleeve, so Hobbes will not be too hot or too cold.

The fabric was an absolute match!
I recently met a fellow Midwesterner artist, Ana Davis and fell over-heals for her fabrics and designs. With Fall in mind, I gravitated quickly to her Equinox Fabric Collection with it's play on vibrant and soft color palate; it reminded me of the struggle we face letting go of Summer to make way for the cold Winter Days.

I chose to embrace the in-between Season struggle with Paige Black on top, and Isla Brown of the bottom layer. I added Lattice Vine in Pink at the waistband to tie the pinks and soft orange tones together; completing my "Foliage" look

Thank you Ana Davis for letting me "play" with your fabrics.

Keep up with Baby Hobbes Design on Facebook Here

You can follow me on Instrgram for news and giveaways @babyhobbesdesign

For Skirt and Top sewing patterns, visit Simple Life Patters Co Here

To shop for your favorite Ana Davis for Blend Fabrics collections, go to: Find Fabric Here

Thanks for reading and happy sewing,

B

-Merav @BabyHobbesDesign

SisBoom Maddie and the Fall

It is by no surprise that I ADORE sewing designer fabrics with beautiful flower scenes, and if you have been following my Facebook posts at Baby Hobbes Design, you probably know by now that I have a little 'obsession' with Jennifer Paganelli and her SisBoom prints. Well, you could have imagined my excitement when I received a package from her with two gorgeous Caravelle Arcade floral prints, one very new to me pattern, and the challenge to "create something wonderful."

I am in heaven!

It was perfect timing for this collaboration too, as I just started sewing Hobbes back to school looks and the weather decided to turn from beach-bound 90 degrees to a cool and breezy 60 degrees here in Chicago. I downloaded the Maddie pattern (find it here) and instantly knew that I wanted to play with the idea of wearing your summer wardrobe right into Fall. Maddie, with her delicate shoulder curves and angelic flutters seemed like the perfect top/dress to slip over a long sleeve tee or under a faux-fur vest.

What I love about the SisBoom patterns, aside from how gorgeous and timeless they are, is that I always learn a new sewing technique (hum, did you see the sleeve bands). When I first started sewing SisBoom patterns as a beginner seamstress, I appreciated that the designers take their time to teach and give you the opportunity to adapt the design and measurements for the best fit and style. My Hobbes is petite and I appreciate the opportunity to alter sizing without compromising the finished product.

It's so important to measure the child wearing this pattern. Hobbes measured in between two sizes, so I cut both bodices and laid the smaller one above, then traced over the larger bodice, keeping the bodice length at size 3-4 but the width with size 2T (see the shaded area on picture #2) then I cut it for her size. I sewed and finished the dress per pattern directions.

There is something so classic about a repetitive print dress. Caravelle Arcade, Ruby in pink is perfect fabric design to work as a coordinate (see my next look); but she can certainly be sewn alone-to give Hobbes's Maddie Dress the perfect vintage look.

Lastly, I waned to pair the dress with Miss 5's favorite boots, so I decided to hem the dress at the midpoint of her knees. My Maddie dress is complete!

The second look I created with my luscious Caravelle Arcade in Jessica was a tunic top. I just cherish this print, with its soft pinks and vintage blues on a creamy, buttery color back-ground.  Even though it has such a large floral print, the fabric lends itself for wear-ability no matter which direction you are working with.

I decided to go for a top since Hobbes, who has been wearing a dress almost every day since I started sewing, discovered that it's easier to climb the monkey bars in pants and a shirt. My jaw dropped when she asked me for jeans for back to school, and I couldn't wait to create this look for her. This time around, I decided to add some subtle touches to the Maddie Top. Starting with an ivory lace trim sewn in to the flutters.

To get this look, you have to cut FOUR flutters (2-main fabric, 2-lining) to create lined flutters. Then cut two pieces of lace trim about ONE inch longer then the length of the flutter piece. Remember to use the measurements of the side of the flutter that doesn't meet the sleeve band.
***I chose not to include the interfacing in the flutters

Starting from the left, in the pictures below:
1) Place the lace, right side together with your flutter piece.
2) Place your flutter lining (I used the same fabric) right side together with your flutter, sandwiching the lace.
3) Pin and sew in place
4) As seen in the middle picture, open up the flutter and iron the seams. Be careful ironing the lace, depending on its material may melt.
5) Top stitch your flutters/lace in place.

Lastly, I am loving tops with a little give this season; especially since I plan to layer it. I decided to add a little swing curve to the sides of the Maddie top.

To achieve this look, I sewed my top, according to direction, skipping the hemming step and sewing up the side and flutter sleeves. I laid my shirt flat on my measuring board. Since I don't have a french curve ruler, I played a bit to figure out the curve length for this top. I decided to measure an inch and a half on each side (measured from the bottom side corner) and mark my original pattern with it.

Following the order of the pictures, you can see that I created a curve on the bottom of my pattern, starting at the 1 1/2 inch mark (see shading). I then cut it off from my pattern piece, placed pattern over my shirt folded in half vertically and cut into my Maddie top.

Lastly I hemmed the shirt, following the directions in the pattern: folding twice and sewing 1/8 from the folded edge. My Maddie Swing Top is All DONE!!!

And look how flowy  it looks paired with a long sleeve top. Its exactly as I imagined it!

If you adore this pattern and fabric like I do, please visit SisBoom for so much more inspiration. 

To get Hobbes look, you can visit me at Baby Hobbes Design - please stop by and say hi!

Made to match Halo created by the talented Julie over at The Little Sparrow Boutique

Special thanks to Thomas at TKPhotography for taking these breath-taking photos of Hobbes and introducing me 

to a an amazing nature reserve right here in town.

Till next time!

Happy Sewing

-Merav Ruthman @ Baby Hobbes Design