Talk about a l-o-n-g hiatus! Sorry. Work and life in general got in the way.
Needless to say, the sewing machine has remained dormant and the fabric mountain untouched (at least it didn't grow; hahahhaha!). It's still crazy busy at work, but I hope to find the time and mojo to start creating again.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Friday, November 5, 2010
Even the tiniest flame dispels the darkness ....
Wishing all my lovely Hindu, Jain, Sikh and all Indian friends and readers of this blog who celebrate the festival a Happy Diwali/Deepavali!I feel so blessed to be living in a place where we have the opportunity to appreciate different ethnicities, languages and religious celebrations. Oh and the rich variety of cuisine too -- I'm reminded of this last point because of an utterly delish celebration we had at a colleague's home last night :-))
Read more about Deepavali on Wikipedia.
PS. To maintain a tenuous link to sewing, the little monkey wore her zoo safari birthday dress to the celebration last night and soaked up all the compliments :-)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
You know a birthday dress works when ...
...your darling little monkey happily poses in it (after undoing the bow you carefully tied!)
... she goes exploring in it
...she cuddles one of her many soft toys while wearing the dress.
...she opens up presents and then proceeds to stick stickers on her birthday dress to "decorate" it some more. In this pic, you can see some of the stickers she placed along the centre front placket. My darling baby is now three years old and what a blast we all had marking her special day! We did a little party at daycare and then the little monkey and mommy spent the rest of the day at the zoo where she rode a pony and an elephant for the first time.
It was an exhausting but thoroughly fun day :-)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Busy time! And a word on comments...
Sorry for the lack of updates. It's busy time at the office and I haven't had time to sewwwwwww! But things will ease up soon enough and I'll be back to regular posts.
In one quick piece of sewing news, the zoo safari dress (remix version) is DONE. And the darling monkey approves. So she's going to wear the dress on her birthday. Hurrah!!!
Now, a word on comments. Thanks to everyone who has left comments here; I truly appreciate it :-)))
But I must apologise because I still haven't figured out the settings on Blogger and some comments sit for ages, waiting to be moderated. And then, some comments bypass the whole approval/moderation thing and are published.
So if you don't see your comments, it's not because I'm ignoring you, promise! I just need to figure out how to set things up so that anyone (except anonymous posters) who wants to say something can do so.
Thanks for putting up with my total confusion with Blogger :-) I *heart* comments and am always happy to answer questions ... especially about fabric shopping. LOL!!!!
In one quick piece of sewing news, the zoo safari dress (remix version) is DONE. And the darling monkey approves. So she's going to wear the dress on her birthday. Hurrah!!!
Now, a word on comments. Thanks to everyone who has left comments here; I truly appreciate it :-)))
But I must apologise because I still haven't figured out the settings on Blogger and some comments sit for ages, waiting to be moderated. And then, some comments bypass the whole approval/moderation thing and are published.
So if you don't see your comments, it's not because I'm ignoring you, promise! I just need to figure out how to set things up so that anyone (except anonymous posters) who wants to say something can do so.
Thanks for putting up with my total confusion with Blogger :-) I *heart* comments and am always happy to answer questions ... especially about fabric shopping. LOL!!!!
Monday, October 11, 2010
(Almost) No pics, but progress made!
Sorry for a picture-less post. I'll be sure to take some when I get my act together, promise! LOL!
I'm happy to report that there has been some sewing going on:
Have a great sewing week ahead!!
Update:
Silly me! I *did* take pics of the quillow. Here is the "pillow" part. This is a very quick and easy project and I hope my 7-year-old nephew likes it :-)
I'm happy to report that there has been some sewing going on:
- i've almost completed the dress i drafted! It just needs to be hemmed and it's DONE!
- Version 2 of the zoo safari dress for my darling monkey is also almost completed. It needs to be hemmed (notice a trend here?) and the sash needs to be edge-stitched.
- i've started on a quillow for my nephew, in a funky monster print. It will be his Christmas present. A quillow is a quilt with a big attached pocket. The quilt then folds into the pocket when not in use and it looks like a pillow.
Have a great sewing week ahead!!
Update:
Silly me! I *did* take pics of the quillow. Here is the "pillow" part. This is a very quick and easy project and I hope my 7-year-old nephew likes it :-)
Monday, October 4, 2010
A skirt and a sale
Here is the skirt I drafted and sewed back in August. It has been worn quite a lot -- both dressed up with a blouse and pearls as well as dressed down as you see here with a black tee and slippers.
Suck in tummy - check! Angle the body to look slimmer - check! lol :-)
Back view.
I need to make more of these skirts -- they're quick to sew up and best of all, FIT! I think I'll practice drafting and sewing one of these for my 12-year-old niece ... or skinny sister who is built like a 12-year-old (no, no, there is nooooo jealousy in my tone here ... LOL!)
OK, now for the sale news -- the Spotlight sale catalogue arrived today and there are some tempting goodies which go on sale from Wednesday 6th October to Sunday 24th October:
Suck in tummy - check! Angle the body to look slimmer - check! lol :-)
Back view. I need to make more of these skirts -- they're quick to sew up and best of all, FIT! I think I'll practice drafting and sewing one of these for my 12-year-old niece ... or skinny sister who is built like a 12-year-old (no, no, there is nooooo jealousy in my tone here ... LOL!)
OK, now for the sale news -- the Spotlight sale catalogue arrived today and there are some tempting goodies which go on sale from Wednesday 6th October to Sunday 24th October:
- Butterick patterns are buy 1, get 1 free ... and VIPs get an additional 10% off
- Knits are marked down ... SGD$8.99 - $13.25 a metre (from $12.99 - 18.95 a metre)
- All printed cottons (poplin, sateen & voiles included) from $6.96 - $12.56 a metre
- Adjustable dressforms @ $439.96 (usual $549.95)
- 100% cotton stripes and dots - $6.95 a metre
Friday, October 1, 2010
Searching for Burda magazine, August 2010
Does anyone know where I can get the August issue of Burda Magazine? I somehow missed it in the shops ... boo! I have September; I even have October. It's just the darn August edition that's missing.
Many thanks!
Many thanks!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
She's growing....
First, the good news: the zoo safari dress is DONE!
I just love the little pop of zebra print!
And I also love the red flower buttons (bought from Antiq Rose in Chinatown -- in the same building as the hawker centre and fabric shops).
Oh, and my darling little monkey likes the dress as well. BUT ...
... it is too small for her. Sigh. I'm going to make her another, in a larger size.
I just love the little pop of zebra print! 
And I also love the red flower buttons (bought from Antiq Rose in Chinatown -- in the same building as the hawker centre and fabric shops).
Oh, and my darling little monkey likes the dress as well. BUT ...... it is too small for her. Sigh. I'm going to make her another, in a larger size.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The "zoo safari" dress - progress in pics
Progress has been made on both the quilt and the "zoo safari" dress!
This time, instead of sewing only when I have a chunk of time to do so, I've sewn in little snippets at a time. It seems to help and I don't feel like I'm so behind on projects. Cutting out has to be done when the little monkey is not around, though, as she's too curious about what I do and loves nothing better than to snatch fabric away from me ("for my babies, mammy," she says).
Speaking of the little darling monkey, she has informed me that that by her birthday (at the end of next month, she turns 3), mammy has to teach her how to sew. LOL! Funny little girl.
Anyway, the dress is almost done. I just need to sew on a pocket and do the hem. Here is the progress of the dress in pictures:
It has been a while since I sewed a placket, but the Oliver + S instructions were so detailed, putting in the placket was actually quite simple. LOVE the groovy zebra print. LOL!
Close-up of the placket. Please ignore the blue fabric marker markings. Those are the locations of the buttonholes ... which reminds me that I need to hunt down some red buttons for this dress.
On goes the collar. The top is the animal print and the undercollar is the zebra print. Now I'm wondering if I should've done the top in the zebra print. Hmmmm maybe next time.
And on go the sleeves! The sleeves have funky zebra stripe tabs too :-)) The pocket is done too -- it just needs to be sewn on. Then, I'll add a strip of zebra print fabric to the bottom of the skirt, hem it and then ... ta-da!
This time, instead of sewing only when I have a chunk of time to do so, I've sewn in little snippets at a time. It seems to help and I don't feel like I'm so behind on projects. Cutting out has to be done when the little monkey is not around, though, as she's too curious about what I do and loves nothing better than to snatch fabric away from me ("for my babies, mammy," she says).
Speaking of the little darling monkey, she has informed me that that by her birthday (at the end of next month, she turns 3), mammy has to teach her how to sew. LOL! Funny little girl.
Anyway, the dress is almost done. I just need to sew on a pocket and do the hem. Here is the progress of the dress in pictures:
It has been a while since I sewed a placket, but the Oliver + S instructions were so detailed, putting in the placket was actually quite simple. LOVE the groovy zebra print. LOL!
Close-up of the placket. Please ignore the blue fabric marker markings. Those are the locations of the buttonholes ... which reminds me that I need to hunt down some red buttons for this dress.
On goes the collar. The top is the animal print and the undercollar is the zebra print. Now I'm wondering if I should've done the top in the zebra print. Hmmmm maybe next time.
And on go the sleeves! The sleeves have funky zebra stripe tabs too :-)) The pocket is done too -- it just needs to be sewn on. Then, I'll add a strip of zebra print fabric to the bottom of the skirt, hem it and then ... ta-da! The dress fits the little monkey quite nicely now, but I should've gone up a size as I think she'll get just one wearing out of it, maybe two, before it becomes too snug. Oh well!
Ah, about that colourful quilt, the top is all sewn together and looks quite happy, if I may say so myself. I just need to actually quilt it and add a binding and it will be 100% completed. It was meant for a friend's daughter. Guess who has declared it to be hers?
Ah, about that colourful quilt, the top is all sewn together and looks quite happy, if I may say so myself. I just need to actually quilt it and add a binding and it will be 100% completed. It was meant for a friend's daughter. Guess who has declared it to be hers?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Bits and pieces
Yesterday, I learnt that a little simple cutting will transform this (9 straightforward squares) ....
...into this (fuuunnnkkkyy!). And this is just one variation.
And yes, I've started on ANOTHER quilt. This one is for a colleague's little girl. She loves bright, cheerful colours and so I hope she will appreciate this quilt :-)) I've also decided to sew some funky patchy reusable grocery bags for colleagues for Christmas. This method is a wonderful way to use up scraps of fabric.
For those interested in trying out this method (or just to explore patchwork), Quilts & Calicoes has charm packs all cut up already. Ira also has classes for the curious :-)
Now, it hasn't been just all about quilts around here. After several auditions, I've finally chosen the darling monkey's birthday dress fabrics and pattern:
That's the Oliver + S Jump Rope dress and I plan to sew up View B (not shown) which is more like a simple shirt-dress. The fabric is just right for a trip to the zoo :-))
The zebra stripes are for the trimming -- I plan to use just a bit of it and perhaps add some red buttons. The darling monkey has approved of the choices and sewing should begin shortly!
...into this (fuuunnnkkkyy!). And this is just one variation.
And yes, I've started on ANOTHER quilt. This one is for a colleague's little girl. She loves bright, cheerful colours and so I hope she will appreciate this quilt :-)) I've also decided to sew some funky patchy reusable grocery bags for colleagues for Christmas. This method is a wonderful way to use up scraps of fabric.For those interested in trying out this method (or just to explore patchwork), Quilts & Calicoes has charm packs all cut up already. Ira also has classes for the curious :-)
Now, it hasn't been just all about quilts around here. After several auditions, I've finally chosen the darling monkey's birthday dress fabrics and pattern:
That's the Oliver + S Jump Rope dress and I plan to sew up View B (not shown) which is more like a simple shirt-dress. The fabric is just right for a trip to the zoo :-))
The zebra stripes are for the trimming -- I plan to use just a bit of it and perhaps add some red buttons. The darling monkey has approved of the choices and sewing should begin shortly!
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