the sew must go on

Whenever I walk in to a fabric store, I usually don't have a specific project in mind.  My decision-making process happens when I check the fabric details: print, texture, width, or how it drapes, if it reminds me of certain silhouette or lifestyle I saw on website, magazine or sewing patterns I have already pinned; if its a yes, then I'll start negotiating for a good price. The process would be in reverse if I'm making a formal evening dress.

Around 3 weeks ago, I went to a store that has a good selection of brocade and jacquard fabrics. I haven't been to this store for a long while (like 3-4 years) since price went way over my budget range, I only went in as there was a massive "sale" sign on their showroom window. I have to make a cocktail dress though I didn't have specific silhouette in mind. The first few fabrics I saw was too shiny for my taste; the owner suggested to head upstairs to see their other range of fabric. I went and met the most annoying salesman - ever! I am not exaggerating but he kept asking the question "what are you looking for? cotton? print?" like every minute! So I explained what I was trying to make yet, he kept asking the same question. Mom insisted I have to make up my mind. What was I was seeing around me didn't stimulate me to think creatively, so I look onto my phone and found this:

       via

This silhouette reminded me of Princess Sheath dress I made twice (here and here) Finally, something clicked! I knew it's impossible to find a similar print, so I settled with this:

I also got my notions, and lining for the project. I adjusted the pattern - raise the neckline and chopped off 3/8" across the bodice (somewhere in-between the arm cycle) - made the muslin and it was as fitted as I thought it would. As I lay my patterns to the fashion fabric I notice that the motif has 'direction' (see those smaller motifs around the big one?) and there are chances that the big motif would be on my derriere... Sugar, Honey, Ice Tea!

Plan B.

It was almost midnight and I got less than a week to make my dress; so dig in to to my stash, luckily I found this brocade and jacquard:

I also got black habutai silk, thread and invisible zipper. The brocade fabric has a small width (44/45") so I didn't went obsessively match the motif at every seam; the reverse side has this rows of colors so I did try to match those so at least there would be a sense of continuity to it (you get what I mean, right?).

I made an obi-belt with the jacquard fabric. I didn't make it too wide as I have a short torso.

Here's some pictures, taken at the party:

Until then,

insta-recap:: september, 2015

I'll be posting about my recent project soon, at the meantime, you can follow me via:

 A glimpse of the cutting process and the finished bodice of the dress I made recently.

My family and I celebrated the feast of my hometown with my variation of Fresh Lumpia which I served along with a fiesta-staple Menudo.  This is my variation of my mom's variation of lumpia, I know sounds confusing. My mom's variation of this recipe, since she doesn't know how to make fresh lumpia wrapper, is sauteed shrimps, green beans, julienne carrots & jicama with thickened sauce and minced fresh garlic and chopped toasted peanuts. I, like my mom, doesn't know how to make fresh wrapper, so I wrapped the sauteed veggies with plain crepe. Traditionally, the sauce or at least all of what I have tasted in the past, is a thickened and sweetened broth with minced raw garlic - which I never really appreciated. So instead, I made this sauce using shrimp broth, peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar (just a *hint* of sweetness) and seasoned with salt pepper. So my variation is more like a sweet & savory crepe, a very eclectic but, my family loves these and that's what really matters. 

New fabric in my stash! I supposedly shopping for suiting/coat fabric but I bought this instead. Well, it looks so pretty I can't resist. I've been contemplating to make Alder shirtdress for so long; maybe its about time. 

I missed having heavy breakfast, so I made some chicken longaniza which I served with fried rice and fresh tomatoes. I have made this before, but my earlier version was too dry but this time it wasn't as I added some pork. There was some pork chunks sitting in my fridge, I just cut the fat part of it, put it in a food processor and added it to a mixture. 

I was working on my project  last week and my tailoring chalk fell from the table :( 

Until then, 

See you on my next post!