Another ugly duckling

My latest dress was made using my basic bodice pattern and some excellent paisley fabric stolen from my mama's stash. I'm normally allergic to this print -go figure- but I fell in love with this one and since it will probably be the only paisley thing I'll ever own it fits quite well in the "ugly duckling" category :)
The design is super classic with a sleeveless, very fitted bodice and a gathered skirt but I added a few details such as a velvet mock tab on the front with tiny pearl buttons and a slit at the back that closes with a pearl button too.

I've noticed it's the second Thursday I've been able to post about a new dress, how cool would it be if I could make a new one every week?! Sigh, one can dream^^

Today's top...

... is a tee length version of The Favourite One made with black striped cotton, it also has slightly shorter sleeves because with summer coming back the less fabric the better! I don't know why after finishing it I got totally obsessed with making an origami brooch to wear with it, so I settled for a basic paper hen design and it's mock origami of course -I'm lazy like that^^- I simply topstitched the fabric where the pleats should be to give it a little relief. The fabric is Japanese tiny flowers on a red background -bought in 2008, stash busting's not dead- that was fused with heavy interfacing and I finished the back with fusable green felt before attaching the brooch.

A fun dress

Hum, when you see this pic you may think: "Dots are SO funny, yeah right. And it's not even a dress, it's a skirt".

But look again:

Hey it is a fun dress! I know it's very similar to the panel dress from the August issue of Burda but I actually used my own basic bodice -the sleeveless version- and altered it after seeing a girl wear a mesh and black velvet top with this panel detail when I was on holiday. So I used navy bedsheet for the centre/upper part at the front and the upper back part and the dots fabric is super soft and thin stretch satined cotton from a local shop. The navy jacket is stretch cotton bought on sale, I sligthly altered a Burda Easy sewing design and the facings are navy and cream yukata cotton. Even though I wear a lot of my basic kimono style tops and tunics I love indulging in a little retro/glamour outfit sometimes and I really enjoyed spending the day in this one!

Babydoll tunic

This is another design I "drafted" -considering that it's more or less a rectangle with straps- and that I made with beautiful, expensive and I hope resistant French lace. I used the fabric's scalloped edge so no hemming and the straps are simple bias tape folded in two.

And here I am Demi Lovato-ing the hell out of it -hey don't judge, it seems that both she and I are fighting the extra pounds with flashy blond hair and tiny jackets on full dresses^^

The denim jacket is a 90's Cimarron one that I stole from my mum and refashioned by shortening its length and sleeves.

My most favourite garment of all times

Well, what else do you call a design that you wear almost every single day? I have finally drafted a loose, kimono sleeved top that I find flattering enough so I've made it in all fabrics and lengths possible, tee, tunic and dress. I have a few pics of them but there are many more waiting to be photographed -if Tilly has another "One week one pattern" you know I'll be the first to sign up^^.

 Awwww from Takashimaya Shinjuku: tiny hippos on blue double gauze and pink glass button on a tiny pocket

 Dress length made with striped cotton, contrasting pockets

 It's LOVE: cloudy sky fabric from Nippori -can't remember if the shop is Zak Zak or Pop Girl

 Wild animals Liberty lawn from Takashimaya again with a mock button placket at the back

Peach crepe from a local shop, mock button placket at the back and incredibly coordinated vintage buttons -lucky me^^!

I have also made a few for friends and clients, I'll try and get pics of theirs because some are really cool if I dare say so^^. BTW glad to be back on this little blog, thank you for reading it!

Singapore and Japan 2012

Best.holidays.EVER! (Can't wait for next year^^)

 Marina Bay area -where the F1 race took place just yesterday:

Sentosa island is now accessible via this huge boardwalk complete with travelator and air conditioning^^

Of course I had to put my mug somewhere, those pop sculptures were super cute and fit perfectly with the fun atmosphere of the island.

Kyoto!

Our huge Japanese style room - you put away the table and chairs and prepare your futon there when you want to go to sleep.

Kannon the very important goddess of compassion at the todai-ji in Nara

  The lady's touching this statue's knee because he's supposed to cure your ailments if you touch him where you hurt, unfortunately it was hard to reach his neck -my main aching area :(

 

 

natsu no semi

The new Skytree Tower in Asakusa

Also this is my life:

The Hem-isphere challenge: garment n°2

Hey there a quick post to show you what I made for the second instalment of Zoe and I's swap project, our topic was La Parisienne and you can read more about it here. I'm so sorry for the bad pics but I was in a rush and it was early in the morning so the light was really dim :(

So this is another take on New Look 6808, I used the beautiful silky cotton and mother-of-pearl buttons Zoe sent me and added heart-shaped lace from my stash around the collar. I LOVE my top and I usually wear it with jeans but it's also great with a pencil skirt.
You can see Zoe's garment here http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/2012/06/hem-isphere-project-parisienne-blouse.html, I can't believe she made such an awesome top out of what I sent her! See you