a series of unfortunate events

This is the dress I made for my sister. Inspired by a 1950's cocktail dress using a saree fabric. The bodice is based on Burda pattern Princess Sheath Dress and I drafted the skirt pattern based on this tutorial. 

 The saree has a beautiful border, I tried my best to carefully place the pattern so the border would match along the seam:

Bodice is lined and interlined with lightweight cotton; while the skirt is interlined with tulle and is lined with a lightweight cotton. 

The dress is a tea-length cocktail dress but because of the fullness of the skirt I decided to sew a horsehair braid at the hem.

When I was making this dress, I thought I will not be able to finish on time - I was down for 3 days with a flu, broke my needles twice and I ran out of scallop lace trim (for the skirt lining hem).

But when the day came for my sister to wear this, it rained. My sister and I stayed home and spent the night watching old episodes of our favorite TV show.



Until then,

the quest continues...

Belcarra Blouse

Its been a while since I made something to my mom. I often ignore her request, as I always find it difficult to please her. There were even times that I don't understand exactly what she is asking. For instance, she asked me to make her a blouse she could wear with a skirt - - since I wear blouse/tops interchangeably with pants or skirts - - I have no idea what that means.

I saw Belcarra blouse pattern - a simple top, no closures, just bias binding and top stitching is required. I made a muslin first in size 16; she liked the fit, and the length; she only  asked to make the neckline narrower.

Easy.

So I adjusted the pattern, pulled fabrics from my inventory, cut, put in on assembly line  and sew away.
Three finished blouses later, mom came to me and ask for another blouse.

Wait, what?

It turn out that she doesn't like the blouses I made her, and the neckline is not narrow enough.

Oh dear...

Back to basics

Blouse: Vogue Pattern 8772

Finally, I am revamping my work/casual wardrobe. It took me a while to do this since I made quite a few big projects these past few months.

So I made a button down blouse as a start. 

When I bought this light weight printed cotton fabric more than a year ago, I initially thought of making a bow blouse. Though there are many tutorials on making one floating in the blogosphere, I still patiently waited for a pattern to come out. So when I stumbled with this Vogue pattern, I immediately bought a copy. 

Unfortunately, my fabric wasn't big enough to make a bow blouse (more than 3 meters is required, while I have 2 meters of fabric), so I have to settle with a classic collar blouse. I didn't do a muslin however, I did a tissue fitting  and went ahead cut and sew away.

I really love the print and I like how it turned out.

Off to the next project...

Happy sewing...!!!