My vacation wardrobe

I've just come back from my yearly Asian vacation and it was AMAZING! This time I went with my cousin/bff and we had so much fun now I want to travel with her only :) We spent a few days in Singapore and 2 weeks in beautiful Japan, starting with Tokyo, then Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kyoto, Osaka, Okayama, Takamatsu and back to Tokyo.
I wanted to share a few pics of the me-made outfits I brought, I wore almost everything I had planned to except for a rayon mini dress that shrinked when I washed it and a cotton dress that looked atrocious no matter how much ironing I gave it :(

This is my NHK sewing book dress with a 60's flair made with Japanese cotton in a green quilting print, it was a breeze to wear in the summer temperatures! The pic was taken on Sentosa island in Singapore.

This khaki jersey top/ dotted navy shorts combo got a lot of wear during the trip, it was comfortable and would dry super quickly without wrinkling when I washed it. The top's pattern comes from Female and the shorts are self-drafted. The pic was taken in megastore La Foret in Harajuku, such a cool and stylish place for inspiration :)

A Japanese pattern navy linen dress with ecru crochet details totally inspired by one of Zoe's amazing creation, it's very flattering and I felt like a doll in it! This pic was taken in Nagasaki near the Promenade, I must say this was my favourite city this time, it was beautiful, original and people were adorable. Also I love willows!

 

Argh I look seriously chubby here but I just had to show you my classic red checked pattern Japanese cotton dress, I used an A-line dress pattern from the Sweet Dress Book and if I remember correctly the pic was taken in a cafe Veloce in Fukuoka.

 

Here I'm wearing my eternal denim shorts that are getting seriously worn out and need a replacement with a coral jersey top from a Female pattern. We had a blast in Osaka where the pic was taken and Icoca is so cute!

Me-made cropped leggings in black jersey, the shirt is from Uniqlo and the pic was taken in a temple near Nijo castle in Kyoto. It used to be the emperor's private garden, what an excellent place to visit!

I'm getting so emotional everytime I go to Inari, this is my most favourite place ever! I'm wearing a self-drafted top in Japanese cottton with sky print and my denim shorts next to one of the temple's gorgeous kitsune.

A Japanese pattern maxi dress in tropical print cotton in Ueno station, I've always loved deep water creatures and there was an expo about them at the Natural Sciences Museum!

Same place different outfit with a self-drafted dress in dotted cotton and refashioned denim jacket.

So about this year's bounty I brought back 2 Female issues and some fabrics including Liberty and Sevenberry cotton lawns that I can't wait to turn into cool garments!

Tropical outfit

I've just finished two garments which I'm very happy with, they're colourful, comfortable and cute!

I made another raglan sweatshirt, this time in coral knit fabric, it's the same Female pattern as the tiger one except I made a size M and it's still a little baggy because the fabric is so thin it stretches a lot. I'll take care of that by slightly reducing the hip band next time, I think it'll work!

Now for the bottom, I adapted a pattern from the Sweet Dress Book to get a pair of very gathered, almost skirt-like shorts. They close at the side with two buttons and a zipper and they're made with some fluo print cotton fabric.

I'm super sensitive to cold weather and it's still winter here but the day was so sunny I was able to wear the shorts without tights and the sweatshirt kept me warm enough :)

Tiger sweatshirt

Even though I'm usually more of a leopard fan I've been quietly obsessing about tiger prints for months now so when I saw this thin, velvety fake tiger fur at a local shop I was delighted! It was the perfect fabric for another idée fixe of mine, a slightly bulky raglan sweatshirt -go figure^^
I found the pattern in an old Female magazine, it was sized for knits but after measuring the pieces I saw it would be roomy enough for non stretchable fabric so I tried a size L and it worked great! Since I didn't want the hood part I simply finished the neckline with some mustard bias tape from my stash.

I'm so happy with how this project turned out, not only was it quick and easy but the final product looks exactly as I wanted it to! It's also very comfortable and I've worn it a lot :) By the way, to avoid damaging the fake fur I turn the garment inside out and put it in a lingerie bag before washing it in the machine.

A little romance

I made another lace baby doll top, almost one year after the first one, except this time it's only the border that's embroidered. I must admit the fabric was an impulse purchase because I have so much stash I really shouldn't buy anymore stuff! It was 8€ a meter and 90cm were enough for the top which is plain voile at the back. I saw similar designs in some of the few designers stores around town and the average price is 200-250€ so I feel a little less guilty with my 7.20€ garment^^.

Hot basics

I sewed some leggings and a cardigan, hence the "basics" part. The leggings' pattern comes from an old Pochée magazine, I had to slightly grade it up but once this was done it came together in a few minutes! Of course there's only one inner seam for the legs, the waist is simply folded to the inside to encase an elastic and the legs' hem are folded too. I made a cropped version but the original pattern is longer and there's even a variation if you want to ruch the ankles.

Now for the cardigan it's from another old Japanese mag, actually it's a simple rectangle on the fold with two cut-outs to set the sleeves in:

Tracing, cutting, sewing and finishing took me less than one hour so if you want a quick, easy project may I suggest you try this one?
Oh and that leopard knit makes all that extremely hot imo^^

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A new top

I discovered the crafts store Spotlight the last time I went to Singapore and even though their fabrics are seriously expensive I had to buy some, they were so cute! Case in point the adorable nautical themed cotton I used for today's top that cost a good 20 dollars A METER and that, of course, I had to waste by using it for a dress that made me look like a deranged aging little girl.

Fortunately I could save the skirt panels and managed to squeeze a top out of them. The patten is my altered R design from the Sweet Dress Book, I paired the printed fabric with plain white cotton for the yoke:

And I added a mock buttoned tab at the back:

Phew, I'm relieved I didn't completely waste it, I may even be able to make a lil' bag out of some remaining scrap!