Icicles

I LOVE snow. I don't like winter generally, but snow is just the part of the winter I cherish most. But, snow in the big city is not much fun, except if going to Kalemegdan or in similar green places.

And after snow, yet, there are some beautiful dangerous and magical snow creations, mainly icicles that can be found and admired, even in the city....

Hope you had a wonderful weekend,
Katarina

Capri baby

Capri is the name of my first "ready made" collection. I am working really hard on getting it all ready for the next month. I named it Capri, after the gorgeous Italian island, well known for its enchanting beauty.



I was asked to made some shoots for the local magazine interview so here are some....







Happy weekend everyone,
Katarina

The Year of the rabbit

"According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2011 is the Year of the Golden Rabbit, which begins on February 3, 2011 and ends on January 22, 2012. The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animals signs. The Rabbit is a lucky sign. Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are reasonably friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends. They are good teachers, counselors and communicators, but also need their own space. They are articulate, talented and ambitious, virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky."

Even that the way this Year have started for me, I can not say that this should be "my year too" (being born in the Year of the rabbit), but on the other side, I would love to believe that it might be;)

So, to celebrate it, I made a rabbit patterned fabric, based on one of my previous designs.



So, here you can see it and even eventually vote for my entry in the Spoonflower's Year of the Rabbit contest. (no registration needed...THANKS in advance:)
It is even available for sale directly@Spoonflower.
Can't wait for my piece to arrive;)

Happy Year of the Rabbit,
Katarina

Whitish

It is very cold these days here. And I realized that I haven't posted any winterish whitish pictures this year, so here are some...









And from the inside some more whitish pics:

xo,
Katarina

Grazia magazine feature

I was a bit surprised, when a few days ago a friend of mine told me that my plexi ornaments are featured in the Grazia magazine, Serbian edition, January issue.
I suppose that they saw them in the Supermarket concept store and have decided to feature them within this cute little Wish list.




And while I am thinking about creating and adding new shapes and styles of ornaments to my plexi creations, my kids enjoy playing with some of those that still "didn't make it".....(there were some things that should be corrected and I wasn't sure about the real size)...
I hope that I will find some time to adjust the errors and create the small "Tea time" collection soon:)





xo,
Katarina

In 2011.

We are back home and ready to move on:)
We had a wonderful New Years eve, being blessed to share those moments with my DH's family in Italy.





Just like the last year, for me it is both hard and joyful to start the New Year, thinking about what it will bring.
I hope that it will bring happiness, wealth and peace not only to me and my family, but to everyone in this world. I also hope that I will be able to fulfill some ideas, dreams and plans for this year too.




And for the start, it is so great to know that some things, planned 2 years ago are slowly but certainly coming to life.
My best friend is finally opening the shop. The name is WannaBe and Toy, as we decided to share the things for the little ones that will not only be clothes, but toys too. The shop is quite big and as I will not be able to cover all the clothing corner, we decided to import one of my favorite European kids brands, which is Mim-Pi.
We already ordered the new spring/summer collection (sizes 4-10 years) and it is coming in February. How great is that?
We are planning a big opening on March 1st, but you will be informed and invited, of course:)



I am working on my first own collection too (I had the name "Capri" in mind for this first collection for such a long time) and hope to share some sneak peeks here soon.
I will be using mainly Tanya Whelan's fabrics, so it will be whimsy and girly with a shabby chic vintage twist.

Happy New Year again!!!
Katarina

Shinny leggings tutorial for the Happy New Year!!!

Hello friends!!!
We are in Italy, enjoying our family and Vacation time.

First and above all, I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

And than as promised, here is the leggings tutorial, step by step.
You can click on the thumbnails, to get the bigger preview. The pictures here are showing the leggings created in size 3/4 years.
As always, feel free to e-mail me with any suggestions and questions;)

Notes: if you don't have the serger, it is always better to use the zig zag stitch or stretch stitch, avoiding to get the broken stitches when the fabric is stretched.

Before cutting the fabric, remember to check the way fabric stretches, as the maximum stretch should be always used widthwise(horizontally) as will be going and will be stretched across the body. There are jersey and knit fabrics that are two ways stretched(like the one I used), but mostly they are just one way stretched and in those cases you should be careful with cutting directions.



You will need:

1 yard of jersey knit fabric(a bit less or more depending on the size...I made both pairs: sizes-3/4 and 9/10 with one yard only, as it was double way stretch jersey and the type of jersey I used is liquid lycra fabric, that can be purchased here, @ funkaliciousfabrics)
scissors or rotary cutter
sewing machine(serger is optional, but preferred)
stretch needle 70/10
thread and pins

It is very important to determine the measurements for the leggings:
1. for the waistband and
2. for the length

You can get those measurements from your child, using the tape measure and measuring all across the waist for the waistband and than for the length measuring from the waist to your desired length(it can be full length or 3/4 length). In my case, the waistband is 20" and the length is 21".



I've started using an existing pair of leggings(Hello Kitty ones)as a guide to create/draw the template-pattern for them, adding around 1/2" as seam allowance to all sides.






Here is the pattern/template I got for the body of the leggings(without the waistband), that was used for both sizes(with adding appropriate length of course and a bit more as seam allowance in larger size....around 1" more).Just note that one side is slightly deeper in rise/crotch part than the other side, so the deeper side will be used as the back part of the leggings.
As the fabric is folded(in direction that will respect the maximum stretch, but usually widthwise), cutting only one, you will get 2 reverse pieces for the body of the leggings.




Here are all the needed pieces: waistband, body of thee leggings and stripes for the ruffles.




If you want the ruffles at the bottom, you will need to make and sew them to the body of the leggings pieces before assembling them. So, you just need to cut the stripes that will be approx. 1 1/2" wide, lets say 2 stripes, using the max. length of the fabric(usually 54"). So, if the fabric is folded, cutting once, you will get 2 stripes.


Now, to ruffle the stripes, use the elasticized thread (hand wind a bobbin with the elasticized thread and put it in your machine) and make one row using the basic straight stitch in the middle of the stripes.




Using pins, pin the ruffles to the bottom of the main pieces (approx. 2" from the bottom line) and attach them using zig zag stitch. You can create only one or even 2 rows of ruffles, as I did.



At this point, you can pin insides of the main leggings parts (taking care of those ruffles ends to match), sew and serge in one continuous line from the bottom to the top.

Here are the pictures of: one leg sewed inside(sewed inside on the wrong, black side)and one still unsewed and both legs sewed, wrong and right sides.



Having both legs done it is time to sew them together.





Now, first pin and than stitch and serge the crotch parts of the legs turned both on the wrong sides.


You are almost done, now it is time to sew the waistband.






Cut the waistband piece, around 3" wide and 1-2" narrower in length than your kid's waist.(for example, as my daughter waist circumference is 20", my waistband piece was 18")





Press the waistband piece in half lengthwise, wrong sides together and pin it to the waist part of the legging.



Taking care that the seamed part of the waistband remains in the back(deeper part of tho crotch) and matches the back seam of the back side of the leggings, sew and serge the waistband.




Now finish the lower edges of the legs. Hem them using your preferable method( I usually do either the 1/2" serged, pressed and seamed edges or rolled hems with the serger).





Done:)
Hope you will be able to follow my instructions(above all my English:)
Once again, enjoy the Holidays with your loved ones and see you here next Year!!!!
xo, Katarina