A Japanese Kimono

I have been wanting to make a kimono for a hundred years. 

I love them. They are so comfortable and look good on everyone!

Someone had asked why I had such an obsession with Chinese and Japanese dresses- the cheongsam (also known as qipao) and kimono.

Perhaps I could say that maybe it is because I have ancestral origins from both places. I could also say that I love how both styles are modest with their sleeves. But to be honest, I don't know. I just do! 

I found this fabric that I thought was pretty and interesting. However it was also see-through so I bought a black stretchy fabric for the lining. 

FUTURE NOTE TO SELF- Unless for a winter dress, don't use such a thick lining! It was a pain.

Kimonos are simple and extremely varied. I wanted easy, easy, easy. Only 6 pieces. 12 if you include the lining pieces.

This fabric has both stripes in its texture as well as the gentle floral print. I cut a few pieces of the actual fabric before I cut the muslin to see how the stripes would work. Then I knew the direction of the pattern.

Then muslin.

Front

Back

I used three inches of (unstretched) elastic to shape the bust.

I finished the top in a matter of hours. See how the v-neck is supposed to line up with that triangular waist shape? The sewing machine was okay but to make it really nice and tight and stay in its proper place, I hand sewed that.

After some fittings and tweaking a few other things, finally done!

I am still learning so its not perfect but it fits pretty good and is comfortable!

Now that this one is finally done, I am excited to start another project today!

Thanks for stopping by!

xx

Birds and Flowers Fabric Bunting

I still have bunting fever. I just love them!

This fabric is a bit unusual and I think it is so cool.

A little bit of bird makes me think of being free. Let your wings soar.

A little postcard stamping here and there reminds me of all the letters I have received from friends around the world.

The collage represents (for me) how random, and yet beautiful, life can be.

Flowers, who doesn't love flowers? God's adornments on the Earth.

The colours are bright and happy. 

The bunting has rough edges. Sometimes I feel like I do too, but I hope others will see the good in me.

Another bunting and this will be going to a special friend as a gift. (I hope she likes it!)

Thanks for stopping by!

xx

Monster Face Knees!

Years ago on Pinterest I saw a cute way to mend those holes at the knee. I remember thinking I wanted to cut a hole in my son's jeans just so I could make a monster face!

The opportunity finally came. He wore out these cargo pants enough for me to make a simple monster face.

It was quick, simple and fun!

Just using some thick interfacing, a zig zag stitch and a sharpie marker.

1. Turn pants inside out. Trim excess thread.
2. Close the hole as much as you can.
3. The side of the interfacing with glue dots should be on the fabric.
4. Your iron should be hot. Hold down for about ten seconds. Make sure you get those corners.

Then I sewed a green zigzag with my sewing machine.

I have seen others that used felt to make the face but I just used the interfacing for the teeth and eyes. Ironing it on.

UPDATE: the interfacing does not last. I am getting some felt for next time...

I hand sewed in some blue hair.

Not so detailed as some others that I have seen but my Ethan liked it and that's all that matters really.

Thanks for stopping by!

xx

Sesame Street Pillow

A while back I had made a bandana pillow for little Axel. I should have made two! I need to always think in twos but hey, I'm human and don't always realise or think.

So instead of another bandana, I decided to make a pillow of the sesame street fabric I had. Luckily Axel still prefers his and Ethan LOVES his!

What three year old wouldn't love this BRIGHT thing! hahaha

I did the exact same thing as before. 

Using the pillow cover as the lining, cut/sew, stuff and finish. 

I love how fast and easy pillows are to make!

I have also been doing a bit of what I call "admin sewing". Those things that need done but really aren't that fun to mention. Fixing PJ seams, hemming more jeans, making rice hot packs, altering dresses, but it all takes time. 

I continue towards my goal of learning all about dressmaking, which is very time consuming but also fun and exciting! Will post again soon!

Thanks for stopping by! 

xx

Etro Designer Knock-Off Chinese Dress

Have you heard of the Italian designer Etro? I first heard of her when I worked in a really posh department store 7 years ago and have since been following her collections on the style.com app.  

I absolutely love Chinese dresses, so when I saw this beauty in her Fall 2010 collection, I always knew I would someday make my own version of it!

Several weeks ago I went fabric shopping with my mother-in-law and fell in love with this vintage looking navy blue floral fabric. I instantly knew I would pair that fabric with the above Etro design!

I am not a dressmaker. I am learning! This is only the second dress I have made so far. This post is NOT a tutorial, but rather my go-to when I choose to make another one! A lot of it may make no sense because it won't be in chronological order either. Sorry but I am a beginner and only trying to teach myself dressmaking. I am just documenting this as a reference. 

MAKING THE PATTERN

Drape muslin over mannequin. Draw the desired design. Cut.

Use other patterns for help on armholes and necklines, and collars.

PLEATS

Decide which of these looks best for the design effect.

A. Pleats by hand
B. Shirring
C. Elastic underneath
D. Gathering option on serger

I pinned and repinned those pleats for days and days! Big ones, smaller ones, lots of pleats and less pleats, one side or both sides, it all makes a huge difference to the overall look.

Note to self: Muslin was totally different than the actual dress fabric. It looks, lays and gathers in its own way. Re-pin your pleats.

This also gives an idea of how much fabric is needed in the pattern.

Tip: mark the pleats.

And then match with pins.

COLLAR AND INTERFACING.

Do a practice run on muslin first. Watch this video for a tutorial.

Need interfacing on collar and across chest where snaps will be later hand-sewn. The interfacing needed is described on a chinese dress pattern.

Measure neck so it's not too big! Your neck may be different from the mannequin's.

SEAMS

Constantly check seams and seam allowances.
When piecing together, be sure they are laying in the same direction so it doesn't cause a bump.
Some seams need serged before sewn together.
Seams are important DETAILS for a clean finish.

CUT FABRIC.

START OVER!

(I am so sorry this room has yellow walls. And the lighting is awful. But you get the jist yes :)

DETAILS

Sew a quick seam to hold pleats in place. Then sew about an inch into the seam to hold it down and make it more seen.

I used a bright blue thread when sewing the pleats just in case I wanted to redo them, and its a good thing because I did undo some! To cover it up, I will use a sharpie marker! Hey, it works!

Below: The pointed seam combining the blue bands. Tuck the longer one underneath, then serge the other seam with the blue band that has interfacing.

Blue band going across chest needs finished edges.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Ruffled skirt, blue band and side skirt all layered and serged.

MISTAKES

Are okay!
This fabric frayed really easily and it is only my second dress. There were holes that needed mending, just hand sew.

Remember that even the greatest of inventors made a lot of mistakes before figuring out what they needed to do to make things work. And of course practice!

DARTS

There are two small darts on the back.
This was a good link. 

SNAPS

I watched this easy video tutorial on how to hand sew snaps. This dress has five across the chest on the blue band. It was super fast and easy!

BOTTOM HEM

When everything was absolutely done, lay dress across quilting measuring board, measure and cut. Finish off the hem with serger and stitch.

TAKE A BREAK.

I always feel rushed to get things done asap. I'm learning to take my time and enjoy the progress of each new step I learn.

Finished!

This took three weeks worth of nap times from start to finish. I can finally relax! Until I start my next project!

Thanks for stopping by!

xx

From Old Skirt to Apron!

The Goodwill and other secondhand/charity shops are full of skirts made from heavy fabrics that would be perfect for a crafting apron!

I had so much fun making this because it is JUST a crafting apron. Which means I didn't bother changing the threads on my machines and I wasn't bothered with perfection at all.

Undo the side seams.

Use the front as your apron. And the back to make it cover your chest. Serge or zig zag the edges.

The back of your skirt can be used to make the pocket. I made mine a double for convenience. 

Using cotton tape, I made a quick halter tie for the neck and a tie for the waist. Yes I know, they don't match. Feels great doesn't it? (Please ignore the muslin pattern already pinned to the mannequin! ;)

I was able to get this done while the little one had his nap so it's a quick project!

I have been working tirelessly on a dress project. Here's a sneak peek:

Lined Paper Fabric

I have seen these all over Pinterest and decided to make my own! I haven't decided yet to make it a pillow or clip it somewhere or what but it's sitting here waiting for my decision!

Maybe I will write a message with a sharpie too. 

I thought these are cool enough for the boys too.

Cutting a big piece of the thicker muslin and using some red and aqua thread, I had fun making this!

I only sew when the Axel naps so it feels good to start and (kind of) finish something in a few minutes! :)

Thanks for stopping by! x

Christmas Decorations Box: Tree Ornaments!

This month, I am adding a set of five Christmas tree ornaments to my decorations box.

Originally, I wanted to stamp white snowflakes on the tea stained muslin with my toddler but that just turned out to be a big mess! Using paints or glueing something on would be fun. I love having a blank canvas to be freely creative with.

I have to admit, these were done in haste, the kids have been sick with croup cough, one night spent in ER for a few hours, last week I wanted to actually start and finish a book before returning it to the library (it has been 4 years since I read one) so I am VERY inconsistent right now. But at least I stop by once in a while and visit my own blog! ;)

These would also make a lovely handmade gift for someone.

Materials used for Tree Ornaments set:

Hemp string

Tea stained muslin

Ribbon

Thread

Stuffing

More lovely ideas for making your own Christmas tree decorations...

From this blog. I love the mixture of nature and words.

Found these here being used as gift tags but I think they'd be so cute on a tree!

Aren't these adorable? Found on Pinterest.

Also found on Pinterest, RED, STRIPES, BELLS on stockings! I'm dying of the cuteness!

From one of my favourite blogs, applesauce ornaments! This is definitely on our Christmas activities list for this year! I LOVE cinnamon! This brilliant girl adds glitter to hers!

Thanks for stopping by! x