What to do when a pattern eludes you

I have been trying to find a certain pattern for ages. I started seeing gorgeous interpretations of it on European blogs, and I was just dying to try my hand at it. The pattern is Roos 5011, and I think when you see these examples, you will understand why I was in such desperation to find it. Here is one, here is another, and if you aren't fully convinced, look here. I mean, seriously cute, right? Well, there is a catch! Roos patterns have, to the best of my knowledge, all gone out of print. I have found a couple of European sites that sell Roos patterns, but sadly not this one. I was in despair.

But then, I was flipping through my Ottobre magazines the other day, and what should I happen to find? This! From Ottobre 1/09.

It's not exactly the same thing, but it's pretty darn close!

I really like how the Roos version has rounded panel edges and binding all around, and a snap/button closure instead of the ties. So, armed with many pictures of European versions to inspire me, I came up with a fairly reasonable copy, if I do say so myself! Here is my version, done in Tina Givens fabric. I originally intended to use pre-made Michael Miller bias tape, but I didn't have enough! So, groaning audibly, I decided reluctantly made my own. In the end, I'm glad I did because I think it looks a lot better.

Pattern: Ottobre 1/09

Embroidery: http://www.stickbaer.de/

Where is the embroidery, you may ask? They may be slightly camouflaged with everything going on in that fabric, but the little flower snap closures are embroidered. I finally figured out how to do a freestanding embroidery (ie, one that looks "finished" from both the front and back sides), so I was eager to try out the technique. Seemed to work pretty well! If anybody is interested in how to do this, let me know and I can set up a little tutorial.

Anyway, I naturally had to make a shirt to go underneath, and for that I used my old standby, the Farbenmix Antonia. It took awhile to pick out the fabric; I was originally going to go with just a solid color for the shirt front and back, and dots for the sleeves, but it just seemed so....boring. I eventually stumbled upon this tiny little scrap of some much adored fabric, and was struck by how well the colors matched. I thought it may be a little loud with the Tina Givens fabric, but, well, what can I say. The spirit moved me.

Here's the Antonia:

Pattern: Farbenmix Antonia

Bird embroidery: Lynnie Pinnie

Frame embroideries: Tinimi

Aren't those frame embroidery designs perfect? I just embroidered them around text that I had cut out of the Tina Givens fabric, and it turned out perfectly! I was so pleased with how the whole set came together. This was actually my "tester" version - I have another one planned out in my head, using some expensive European fabric, but that will have to wait until I can find some time (not to mention energy).

Goodness, could I possibly blather on any more about a sewing project? The answer to that, of course, is yes I can. But I'll spare you.