Roots Sewing Series - Sewpony

The last stop on this whirlwind tour of sewing your heritage for children, is Australia, where Suz from Sewpony lives.  Let's forget about the polar vortex, and head to the beach with her for some Aussie summer vibes.  More details of her awesome outfit at Sewpony.

It's not too late to submit an outfit in the Sew-Along, but it's getting close to the deadline!  The link up closes at 11:55pm PST tonight.  Then the guest participants and myself will cast our votes over the weekend and the winners will be announced on Monday.  Will you be one of them?

Roots Sewing Series - Lollipop Garden Crafts

We're heading back to Asia today to see a beautiful batik creation made by Yeka from Lollipop Garden Crafts inspired by her Peranakan heritage.  Don't miss all the details on her blog.

Roots Sewing Series - Clouds Full of Rain

I'm thrilled to have the talented Tamika joining in the Roots series from her blog Clouds Full of Rain with an outfit inspired by her African heritage.  Those vivid colours are so gorgeous!  Want to see more?  Head over to Clouds Full of Rain for the details.

Only a few more days to get your submission in if you've been sewing along.  All entered must be linked up by Friday, January 31, 11:55pm PST.  Click on the graphic below to be re-directed to the link up and prize information.

Roots Sewing Series - Suburbia Soup

Today the Phillipines is the destination for inspiration, with Venus from Suburbia Soup.  She has such a way with coordinating textures and fabrics, and as you can see, she's done it again!  Head over to her blog to see more of her gorgeous ensemble.

Roots Sewing Series - Mekkotehdas

Sunna and Kirsikka, who host a beautiful Finnish blog called Mekkotehdas, are joining in today to show us their children's clothing inspired by the indigenous Sami people of northern Scandinavia. Admittedly, I hadn't heard of the Sami before, and I was so fascinated to learn more of this interesting culture.  Here is a little look Sunna and Kirsikka's stunning outfit.  Don't miss more details and photos at Mekkotehdas!

Roots Sewing Series - La Gang á Nat

We end this week of Roots series inspiration with fellow Canadian Natalie, from La Gang á Nat sharing her patriotic outfit.  Besides the sneak peek of the adorable ensemble, I also love this photograph with the forest in the background.  Makes me wish for some fresh maple syrup from Eastern Canada! :)  Head over to La Gang á Nat for more details on yet another impressive expression of sewing genius!

And on another note, it's my pleasure to announce that the winner of the Mjia Mae Design Studio Accessory Bundle giveaway is Renee Williams from Nearest the Pin.  

Congratulations!!

Roots Sewing Series - Groovybaby and Mama

Ever since I discovered her blog, Groovybaby and mama, I've been a fan of Trine's fantastic sense of style, so, I was thrilled when she agreed to be a part of the Roots series.    She's created this casual, cool outfit that is inspired by Denmark's flag.  Love it!  Go see more of it!!

Roots Sewing Series - Dotta Sews

Venice is on my list of places I have to visit.  Although I haven't made it there, yet, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Jo, a native Venetian who blogs at Dotta Sews.  Using her outstanding talent to create lovely garments, she has made this beautifully embroidered Venice dress.  Head over to her blog to see more.

Roots Sewing Series - La Inglesita

The talented María, who blogs at La Inglesita is sharing her beautiful flamenco outfit today.  Head over to her blog to see the rest of this stunning outfit, inspired by the place of her birth: Sevilla, Spain.

Roots Sewing Series - Sanae Ishida

Everything Sanae Ishida makes is impeccable, and once again she doesn't disappoint.  She has created a  beautiful dress incorporating elements of both the kimono and origami.  More details and photos on her blog.

Roots Series Sew-Along Features

Here's to taking some time during the Roots series to feature the outfits that have appeared in the Sew-Along link up so far.  The adorable models make each outfit look so perfectly lovely!  

There's still plenty of time to add your outfit to the Sew-Along if you haven't already.  January 31 is the deadline, and the winners of the amazing prizes will be announced on February 3.  

Tomorrow, we will see a stunning Japanese-inspired outfit made by Sanae.  See you then!

Sweet pea & Pumpkins

An Apprentice Housewife

Welcome to well made handmade

Nutta!

Friends Stitched Together

Roots Sewing Series - Näh-connection

Today we see the beautiful handiwork of Annika from Näh-connection.  Her goal for her blog is to help people from different countries connect through their mutual love for sewing.  What a perfect fit for this series!  Don't miss all her photos and details about the absolutely gorgeous German dirndl she made for her daughter (and even a giveaway for the pattern, too!).

Roots Sewing Series - MjiaMae Accessories Bundle Giveaway

It's been a fun start to the Roots Sewing Series, with so much more to come!  Today, our journey around the world takes us to South Africa and the MjiaMae Design Studio.  The MjiaMae, M & T Atelier is a Design Studio based on the Coast of the Eastern Cape in South Africa that was started by a daughter and mother team in October 2013.

MjiaMae has developed into a beautiful fashion line, with a focus on an exclusive limited line producing original,  small collections only.  While the label focuses on little and young girls they have plans to expand to a ladies collection, called Lady Mae. MjiaMae is known for the use of soft, cool cotton voiles for summer, and clean lines with a simplistic, classic design.  They use only the best finishings, for example, a French made method of using binding on certain seams.  Touches of European inspiration with a signature touch of black are often used as detail with colourful trim components.  They even place their printed label at the hemline of the garment to prevent scratchiness at the neckline.  No detail goes unnoticed with this design team!

MjiaMae is really taking the world by storm!  One of their dresses (Lilly Ruffle Tutu dress) is being featured in the February 2014 issue Ideas Magazine and their limited collections quickly sell out.  Soon, they will begin taking online orders, so I can only imagine the huge success that will follow.

It's with great excitement to announce that MjiaMae Design Studio is generously offering one reader an exclusive accessories gift bundle.  Good luck to everyone, and thank you, MjiaMae Design Studio!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Roots Sewing Series - Free Apron Pattern

The free Apron pattern includes:

•  12 page PDF document (1.6MB) with full colour photographs and instructions
• numbered, step-by-step instructions
• prints on both standard 8.5X11" and A4 paper
• includes both imperial and metric measurements
• full-size pattern pages 
• seam allowances included
• no serger needed
• sizes 6 months to 9 years
• fabric recommendations & requirements and notions

Once you are directed to google docs, click on the arrow in the top left hand corner to download the complimentary pattern.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Roots Sewing Series - Do Guincho

I have admired the talents of Marta from Do Guincho ever since I laid eyes on her beautifully photographed outfits on her pretty, little girls.  Her skills are impeccable, as is her attention to detail.  Here is just a peek at what she's made for the series.  I'm sure you will want to click through to see more of it.  Thank you, Marta, for sharing with us today, and inviting us to see something inspired by your beautiful country, Portugal!

Roots Sewing Series - Elegance & Elephants

Behind the scenes I've been excitedly working on my Roots sewing series outfit, and today I finally get to share it with you!  It has been so rewarding to put this outfit together for my little girl.  

First of all, let's talk about my inspiration.  My heritage is a very unique mixture of two very different cultures: Czech and Trinidadian.  My parents both immigrated to Canada when they were in their twenties, met, married, and here I am!  At first, I was really uncertain about how to combine these two cultures.  Originally I thought I would make two separate outfits, but then, I like a challenge!  In the end, it actually wasn't that big a challenge at all.  I knew I had to create something that was inspired by the Czech national folk costume.  I've always loved the look of them…so beautiful with so many gorgeous details!  As a little girl, I used to play with these little Czech dolls dressed in these stunning dresses, and I always wanted one.  So, I knew I would create a similar, yet simplified, look for my girl.  And as I browsed through examples, I noticed that many of them had the colour palette of red, black, and white.  Well, that was just perfect, since those are the colours of the Trinidadian flag.  What a simple way of combining my two cultures!  

The Czech traditional costumes (called kroje) are very distinctive to each region, and now, are only worn during certain celebrations or festivals.  They are known for vivid colours, intricate embroidery, and elaborate accessories (scarves, ribbons, headdresses, hats, and belts).  One interesting fact I learned, was that in the Plzen region, the women wore 24 underskirts!

Here are some photos I was inspired by:

source

source

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And here is the flag that became my colour palette.

Trinidad & Tobago flag

What I came up with is a versatile, three piece outfit.  Probably my favourite part is the collar of the white underdress.  It's kind of a delicate, flounced, overlapped peter pan collar, that through quite a bit of trial and error, came out just the way I wanted it (don't you just love it when that happens!).  I self-drafted the white dress and added lace to the bottom.  The pinafore is adapted from the pattern in the Five and Ten Designs Volume 1 eBook.  I lowered the front bodice piece, and added some width to the skirt to get more volume.  The little apron is also a self-drafted pattern, and one that I will make available to you in five sizes on Wednesday (and it will be free!)

Tomorrow, we head to Portugal when we are joined by Marta from Do Guincho.  I've seen a sneak peek, so I know you won't want to miss it!

You can join in the Sew-Along and get in on the fun!  

Every submission is entered into a draw to win some AMAZING prize packages!