Wearing my Me-Mades

I wore my me-made eyelet Vogue 1247 top and carried my new slouchy but clutch-esque bag this recent Sunday when we went out for lunch and run errands... I had my husband snap my picture before everything gets crumpled, and I like em! LOL!

Okay, I was playing around with Picasa, and can't remember what editing I did, so don't mind that the coloring and so on are different for the 3 pics okay. 

What's important here is that I have some pics of me wearing me-mades! That's rare.;)

So, this bag while cute and can fit a lot of stuff (and can also fit my small laptop and/or Ipad), it is not that practical if I use it for my everyday life (that may include bus rides with the Bean, and I have to hold my bag, his bag, our shopping bag/s, his folded stroller and him!). But it's okay for when going with the hubby who'd drive us, and can hold onto the wriggly Bean.

This top I do like and can wear all the time, especially over jeans. Notice how the top is boxy? That is totally my fault, not the fault of the pattern at all. You should go check out Carolyn's to see it's true potential! 

The pattern V1247 already informed you that it is a relaxed, loose fit top. But of course since all these pattern sizing befuddles me and I do like casual tops and I do need and love room in my clothes, I always add all these inches. And on a stiffer cotton eyelet fabric like mine, you can see how I make it boxier that it would have been (obvious in my 3rd picture there). I could shape it better I know, take it in a little around the bust and let it flow/taper out towards the bottom. :) Next time! I don't want to have to unpick all that french seams and whatnot! :)

Oh, and also, I changed the neckline of course. I don't like a wide neckline so I narrow it a bit, but I retained the depth of the neckline. I did raise the back neckline though.

The skirt in the picture is not a me made. To date I've only made one skirt after being inspired, impelled by Faye's obsession ;) After many of us make some noise, she finally invited us to tag along on her skirts carnival! We are having a carnival of skirts 2012 sew-a-long that is starting today! Join in on the parade!

Now, I better go get going on my skirt...

p/s: Almost forgot to mention that I'm having a patterns stash busting giveaway! Check it out :)

Blog-anniversary Refashion!

My little blog is one this month. From my own personal history, it's quite an exciting feat to last this long and to finish any project... And I've finished quite a number of projects since starting (sewing), and have this space to document them. I think I still have 3 UFOs, but I think I can go back to those and get them done by end of the year.. :)

Anyways, I wanted to do a refashion to celebrate! The remainder of our boxes arrived the other day, and among the things I kept for this purpose is this:

Before

A black and white stripey knit blazer from Zara (Basics). I had it maybe 5 years at least, and have worn it about 5 times, max. The fit and cut are great (eventhough 5 years later wearing it buttoned up feels like I'm a stuffed sausage), but the stripes are too severe on me hence why I don't like to wear it out much. Maybe if the stripes are thinner and smaller? :) What a pity because I really do like this princess cut blazer.

So, chop chop. A special refashion for my blog-niversary is in order. I want a slouchy clutch-y bag for me out of this blazer! :)

Retained the blazer front. Cut it out the size of 2 A4 papers taped together

Manipulated the back piece a bit, some pinching darts, added some fabric on the side, and then cut out the size of 2 A4 papers taped together like the front

Play around with different look with fabric from my stash, and this is the winning look

It's a faux leather fabric, thrifted for $3 back in Iowa

Here I was applying self-fabric piping to the edges

Found this thick satin-y hot pink/fuchsia fabric from my stash (in one of the boxes) that will be perfect and loud for my lining

Sewing lining onto the inside of the zippers (thrifted). Lining pockets are sewn before that.

After!!! My slouchy clutch-y bag

View of back of bag

Sewn rescued metal snaps

View of the inside of the bag

So there :) After making clothes from scratch for a stretch, it is quite satisfying to go back and do a pretty involved refashion. I feel like I am getting in touch with my roots somehow. LOL.

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Anyways, I think I've mentioned before our huge move back in May that I want to do a giveaway of the patterns I am hoarding. I do have a lot of nice patterns (mostly thrifted) that I am sure other people will find better use for than I would. I'll have to sort through them first before putting them up (wasn't able to do it before the move), but it will be soon before the month end for sure.... (once I know how to do a giveaway of course...)

Vogue 1247 top: Almost there...

Fabric: Thrifted eyelet cotton (1.5 yards x 44 inch)
Pattern: Vogue 1247, top
Comment:
Easy to follow for a relatively newbie like me.

Cut a size 18 and added 2 inches on the sides. Runs big and and look boxy on a "stiffer" fabric like this, but will be good if with softer drape fabric like linen or silk or even softer cotton. The pattern is for an easy wearing top, so it does come roomier anyways.

Currently just need to finish the sleeves facing and then hem.

Thrifting in Seattle

Ever since we've been in this new apartment, the Bean and I visited this particular Goodwill outlet nearest to us (a bus ride and long walk away) 4 times already. And guess what, I found some sewing patterns and fabric! Although not as cheap as a quarter or 50 cent each back in Iowa, at between $0.99 and $1.99 per pattern, it's not so bad. And since I've got tonnes of patterns already, now I kinda know what to look for: design/cuts that I don't have yet (or that I don't remember having...) I'll be okay... ;)

Above are my haul over 2 separate thrifting days... 5 sewing patterns, some buttons, elastic and 3 cuts of fabric between 1.5 - 2 yards each.

I am resuming my sewing (the silk charmeuse blouse project that I started back in May just before packing to move - V1170 Rachel Comey pattern), but at a snail pace since my sewing nook is still dark. We also don't have lamp yet in the living/dining area, so I've been sewing on the side of the dining table nearest to the kitchen (it's galley type) where there's bright track light. Problem with this is that the Bean, who recently just turned 2, is always interested in pins and always pull them out of the cut fabric or pincushions and then stick them somewhere else!

Of UFOs and upcoming projects

Yesterday I decided to finish off my very first attempt at sewing, a very old UFO* as old as my son. The back story is that I cut out my old dress (can't seem to find any picture, but it's a navy colored empire waisted long maxi dress with a faux wrap top - how's that for a description?) to make into a tunic top from a pattern (the only pattern I had at the time). The fabric of this dress is slinky, silky-ish polyester I think. I stop at cutting out the fabric pieces and then put it away for a whole year. Took it out August/September of last year when I became a SAHM, and turned it into a loose Sorbetto top, but never finish it. Didn't want to turn and stitch the armhole and hem (coz by this time the fabric has frayed like crazy), didn't have enough fabric to make self fabric binding, and didn't have anything in stash that matches or complements it too!

But 3 thrift store trips ago I found a white fabric (difficult to know the types of thrifted fabric unless it's noted on the tag, printed on selvage or I take time to do the tests that I do not know how to do, or that I do not have the tools/time to do ---> lazy...). Initially I envisioned something else for the fabric, but when I took out this UFO, they just go together so well!



Okay, technically this Sorbetto is not yet done. I've done the hem part and the length now is more of a tunic than a top which I prefer anyways, but have not yet stitched down the binding on the neckline and armhole. I probably will handstitch it as usual.

One reason why I'm not done with this is because of this boo boo:


My pinking shears accidentally got caught out with the front part of the top when I was trimming the seams where I attached the white to the bottom of the tunic. See the "small" hole on the purple fern in the picture above? As the Bean would say, OH NO!!!

So, last night was spent making these in the hope to cover up the mishap:

That's my very first attempt of making a fabric rosette (this morning I glued on safety pin on the back, so that I won't ruin it in the washer like I tend to do without fail...). I used the same white fabric, and hand sew Czech beads from my stash to the middle parts. Tutorial to make extravaganza fabric rosettes can be found on this site.

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Talking about UFOs, a most recent project that is being put on the back burner is a refashion of my favorite Massimo Dutti wool & angora tan coat that I shrunk in the washer fall of last year. I think the shrinking of that coat really made me so upset that I am trying my best to watch my laundering... I've never sent anything to the drycleaners here, so I am not sure of the cost, frankly I am being very conscientious of pricing and cost now that I'm here in the US/with a baby. I did it every month back in Malaysia because we wear a lot of silk/lace etc traditional outfit for events/work and so on.

Here is where it's at:

The coat shrunk from a European size 16 (US size 14) to a child sized one! So it was quite brutal for me to rip up the seams, as there was a lot of puckering (to the many many interfacing) and the wool and angora hide a lot of the stitches too.

My plan is to make a clutch, incorporating the collar and so on to the design. The black fabric with gold, white and bright red flowers is a thrifted fabric that I am using as the lining.

I will only go back to this project once I'm done with at least one of the following upcoming projects:

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1) Sporty dress with exposed zipper - I've wanted to make this dress for a while now, but only got the right fabric for it last Friday. It's a Sangria-colored (like darker hot pink) Sophia ponte knit that I bought from Vogue Fabrics. I haven't decided on the type of zippers yet, I bought several types from Joann's but the only gold colored ones are for Jeans and they are stiff... :(

Pattern for this dress is McCall's M6395, and I want to make the long sleeved red version (on the pattern).


2) Kimono-esque style top from purple stretch poly charmeuse bought from FabricMart (provided that I have enough yardage will follow pattern M6204, or else will have to wing it). Beading/embellishment will be optional.


3) Making a 3-quater sleeved version of the Date Dress from pattern M6518 from this thrifted cotton fabric:


This fabric I think was my very first thrifted fabric that's not cut out fabric for quilts. I have 3 yards of it. For the dress, I will leave out the ruffles from the pattern and this version will incorporate the tweaks I want to make for the pattern. I might need to make another muslin for this purpose... hmmm...

4) Top - long sleeved/3 quarter sleeved version) out of this floral knit also from FabricMart using pattern M6513



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Anyways, time to hand stitch the tunic and officially close it's chapter as a UFO.

*UFO = unfinished object

Red & black date dress

Yesterday afternoon the date dress was finally completed. I am emotionally exhausted. Spent. Has any sewing project did that to you?

There are some fit issues that I've identified that I can do better for next version (yes I do like the pattern McCall's M6518 , or the shape really) but after so many times ripping the seams, resewing and so on, I won't mess with this one anymore. The issues are from my own limitation re my fitting, and not from the pattern.

I might shorten the hem to follow the pattern sleeve picture. Right now with the knee length and two color it's looking too corporate-ish, officey. Shorter hem will make it look more fun. I'll do longer than knee length when I do an all black version someday.

Might get the hubby take pics for when I am all cleaned up and dressed for our dinner out, but here are the pics for now:

Under Construction

This is the dress pattern that I have been working on and off the past week, McCall's M6518 (Misses' Lined Dress) that I bought during the recent pattern sale:

I used a red stiff woven fabric that I am not sure what it's called or made of (it was thrifted months ago), just that I like it a lot. It kinda look like linen but stiffer, like a thick shirting. with lighter red and black slubs weaved into it??? Did not have enough to make the whole dress with it, so I decided to cut into my precious thrifted black pure wool fabric. I think it could be gabardine, but also I am not sure re that.


I have been making muslins before I cut into the dress fabric, out of also thrifted fabric for lining, and then made adjustment to the pattern on the neckline: I raised the back neckline and made the U-neck not as wide eventhough I retained the depth. Since I don't have enough yardage of the lining material, I ended up using a cream thin silk fabric that was also thrifted. Only after I was done making the lining and fitting myself was when I start cutting the dress. The pattern pieces for the dress and lining are the same, minus the ruffles for the bodice of the dress.

On the pattern envelope, the dresses are made out of one fabric with contrasting band using trim or ribbon sewed onto the midriff part. I chose to skip that trim as I am already making the skirt portion using black and I don't want to make my torso any shorter than it already is. Ohh, and this dress comes with pockets, yay!

I didn't have an 18 inches zipper to go with the dress, so we went to Joann's yeasterday 15 mins before closing time for me to get it. I bought several lengths of black zippers and some with metal, which turned out to be a blessing because on the car ride home it dawned on me that since I raised the back neckline, it meant I will need a longer zipper! :)

Right now I am attaching the zipper to the dress, and once I'm done with that I will be able to attach the lining to the dress... Who knows how long this will take. If I'm lucky, sometime late tonight....

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Parting shot of my surprise Valentine's flower from the hubby :) <3

My test V1250 dress

Earlier this week I was able to finally be done with hemming my 1st version of Vogue 1250 dress. I used a thrifted jersey type fabric I have in my stash for the project, it's brown with cream colored roses.

V1250 has only 3 pattern pieces, so it should be easy right? Ha ha. :) The pieces are 1) front & back, 2) back neck facing and 3) upper back. I cut a size 14 for the upper back and the armhole of front and back pieces, however I added 3 inches to the middle of the front and back by pivoting and sliding.

The thing is, whenever I buy RTW (ready-to-wear) clothes in the past, things never fit me right. If it fits great on the shoulder it means it's too small over my bust, and so on. Sewing for myself means I am able to have clothes that fit me better, in fabric I like, and patterns and shapes that flatter me better than RTW. And hopefully with better quality finishing than the RTWs. I'm still learning re fit. I think i'm not progressing as much on that, but maybe once i'm done wanting to sew a lot of "basics"(Right now I'm into making loose outfit that fits great on my shoulder and bust and then flow over my tummy - a problem area that I need to work A LOT on post c-sect.), i will then progress into accomplishing better fit by attempting different silhouettes...

This version will be worn with a belt definitely. For my next version (yes, there will be next versions, the first one probably in black - i still have tonnes of the black ponte knit!!!), I will change up the pattern by separating the front and back as that will work better for me rather than the original pattern that has the front and lower back in one fabric piece. (those who has worked on this pattern will know what I'm talking about re the pattern pieces for this. sorry, i don't have the pics to show what i mean...)

This weekend I am going to work on my wool knit fabric... Winter will end soon so I better get cracking (However, as I am typing this, it started snowing out there! hehehe)

Linking up my dress @:

2012!

Happy new year everyone!

2012 crept in and so did winter. Finally. Just as I was about to ditch my winter sewing plan, and dash into spring wink wink. Unfortunately, with crazy cold weather I hibernate even more. I haven't finished the 2 dresses that I started since the New Year hols (Vogue 1250 and Tracy Reese's Vogue 1225). Well, they are almost done, but I'm stalling because they aren't looking the way I envisioned them to look. I still have a lot to learn re fitting, and also, I have to also get in better shape. Both can qualify as my 2012 resolution then, hehe.

With V1225, i used black ponte knit as the top portion and a sequinned black fabric i got from a local thrift store for the skirt. I left out the pockets for this version. I bought size 14 i think and added some inches, and that's where the problem is when i tried it on. It was too big! I am so used of making everything roomy I (like tunic types) and really need to learn to make things fit on me better. After all, the top is made of a good knit fabric, i don't need to add. The skirt portion is okay, as i can pleat it a little. So, for now I just put it aside as my first 2012 UFO, to be worked on a later date. After all, I don't have anywhere to go with sequins ;)

I started the very popular V1250 2 weeks ago. Since my baby is getting older, errrmmm he is like 1.5 months already, he became even more so active and thinks that any chair is for him to climb on, esp when I am trying to sew, it meant no sewing for mommy when he is up. :) hmmmm unless of course i bring my chair and table for sewing into the kitchen area which is gated. That's not a bad idea. ...

Anyways, the deal with the V1250 dress is that don't have much sewing time with it, and also ehile it only have 3 pattern pieces and quite simple, again my fitting is off (i added inches to it by sliding and pivoting etc) so i had to take it apart and resew it. Now it is just not sitting right on me, and I will have to take some time t figure out what is wrong. Is it the fabric? Since I am also not that familiar with what type the fabric was (since it's my 1st V1250 version, i used a thrifted fabric, the feel is like tshirt material but has just some stretch). Is it the way i added inches and then take them off at some part and leaving some part as is? Maybe for the next version, I will separate the front and back like one of my favorite blogger did (although probably the reason she did that wasn't because she is clueless re fitting like me!!!) Hubby said that if i wear a belt with the dress it's better, so that's what i'm going to do. Once i finish hemming and sewing the armhole nicely. I really love the neck draping/cowl on me :) Pic will be in next post when the dress is done.

I actually finished one dress during Christmas break. It was actually supposed to be a prototype for my yellow wool knit from Marc Jacobs bought online. Prototype because I don't know yet what look/pattern will be best for that fabric, so I decided to come up with my own. LOL. I used a knit of unknown materials that I thrifted. :) Pic below:

It is very loose which is what i like, i love the sleeves and pretty chuffed with the buttons added. Come to think of it, the shape is kinda like my traditional dress, baju kurung. Except that for our traditional dress, i still need a long skirt to go with it! :) Maybe I will make a skirt to go with it and i can wear it for events that need me to wear one :)

I've been looking high and low for the perfect pattern for my fabric, and after weeks of looking, I bought the Butterick 5523 pattern. Should be here anytime now. Can't wait!

Happy New Year! May 2012 bring happiness, love, blessings and prosperity to all :)

Choo-choo pyjama set

It's been awhile since my last post. In fact, my last post was not a real post, just a couple of pictures. I've been meaning to write more on the dress from the last post, about my Sew Cute Dress class (from which the dress was the product of), and a little about the necklace I made. But I've been super busy to get my son's pyjama done, so that I can then get on my with the planning of my "business". Since this is a space I dedicated to feature my hobby in sewing (DIY/crafting) I will just proceed with sharing the pyjama project.

Before and after my miracle son is born, I only bought very few baby clothes for him. He has enough, but eventhough he is my first (and perhaps only?) child, i did not go crazy with buying him cute clothes :) Having a baby is already a very expensive affair, and he did and still does need a lot of other stuff that cost a lot of money: carseat, stroller, baby carrier, baby bag, toys, and whatnots.

During my maternity leave, I made him a carseat cover (that was probably my very first project on the sewing machine - i used to sew everything by hand before). I also started on a patchwork quilt for him. the patchworked quilt top was done quickly enough, but has been put aside for a long time in place for all the other projects that's more fun. I plan to make it into a toddler bed sized/ single bed size quilt, so I do have time yet. Haha.

Anyways, back to clothes. Basically he has outgrown many of the clothes i bought him. I picked out one or 2 whenever we go thrifting, but my plan is to refashion things into clothes for him. So far I made him a winter hat, a t-shirt for sleeping. I have nice men's tshirts that I intend to remake to fit him, which I haven't done since I'm still testing patterns (excuses).

In the spirit of testing pattern, I made him (probably the day after we came back from Thanksgiving trip in Minnesota, and it took 2 days) a set of pyjama (top comes from this book while the pyjama bottom was from this pattern-link will be added later)

Raw-edged raglan top:

I made size 2/3 and it fits the Bean perfectly over his chubby baby tummy :) and he loves the train so much made my day. :)

The knit material is thrifted, and the train applique was made using scraps from last year's Charlie bag and also rice bag heat therapy project for my in-laws, also thrifted material.

Top and bottom:

The pants I made size 2, but I shorten it by 3 inches from the pattern, and still made the hem? bigger. It is still a bit long but ok for the Bean. The elastic was also a lil loose on him. Maybe it's my fault? He is wearing size 18 mths for knit pants (RTW) and they are kinda snug. Maybe I read the pattern wrong? I thought that size 2 means for toddlers 2 years old size....hmmm... I think the pattern is McCall's, but will confirm later.

All in all, they look super cute on him and I'm satisfied. I will make more for him in the future. Not sure when. My plan is to sew me a dress (either a black ponte knit dress to showcase the lapiz lazuli necklace I made, or sew up my yellow wool knit fabric) once im done with 2 of my business related project. That's my plan anyways, to have breaks in between work, so that I can continue with my learning. And of course, I've been wearing my handmade things so much that they are looking worn. :(

What I've been working on...

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I found this vest-and-"bermuda shorts" set at my favorite local thrift store a year ago. Must have been someone's previous year's Halloween costume, or something like that. I can't imagine anyone wanting to wear this otherwise, and most definitely not both at the same time :) But to each their own. I got them for a quarter each, and they had been languishing in my to be refashioned pile ever since.



I definitely see that they are made of synthetic fabric, and and on the printed side have this smooth shiny a little furry like feel to the fabric.



Saw this tote bag on the Boden catalog, and it's been the inspiration of this project:



Now, just have to finish it!!!!