when I least expecting it

Since lemon print fabrics graced the catwalk years ago, I searched high and low for similar prints to the point of exhaustion and simply gave up. Sometime last year, while fabric shopping for my graduation dress, when I least expected it, I stumbled upon meters of lemon print fabric!

Using my TNT bodice pattern, I made a summer dress with an A-line skirt and a ruffled hem. I gave the bodice a haute couture treatment: interlined with habotai silk, and the dress is lined with rayon which is handsewn to the shell fabric. The zipper was hand-sewn, too, as I prefer that vintage feel. 

The print is bright and has a happy feel to it, something that I was lacking at the time I bought the fabric. I was stuck in a toxic relationship with Mr. Long Legs. Although I broke up with him one fine Christmas morning, he couldn't let go. Messages kept pouring in and, from what psychologists would say, displayed some "repair attempts." I simply acknowledged these repair attempts and continued with the relationship as if we didn't break up. Early on in our dating/courtship phase, Mr. Long Legs liked the facade of the relationship: always out and about, taking pictures and sharing on social media, while I tried to hold back, trying to know and understand him better and looked for the ways on building a rapport - - it is a relationship after all. When the pandemic hit us, since there was very little to no rapport established, we both failed to help each other cope. He felt unloved, while I felt alone. 

Whilst in the repair phase of our relationship, I realized that he's an anxious type of partner; hence, the abandonment issues and demands for more time together, while I am an avoidant-dismissive type. Although there are many ways to build a healthier bond, he isn't offering a higher level of commitment. He will love me whilst keeping a foot outside the door and he needs me to do the same which I am incapable of doing. And whatever emotional trauma/s he's carrying is not my burden to bear nor my responsibility to fix or heal it for him. The pressure/expectation to conform was too overwhelming. And just like any avoidant partner, I distanced myself, set some personal goals, and chased it. I can lose him, but I cannot lose myself. 

If I break up with him again, then we would be stuck in the vicious cycle of toxicity, so I decided to stay and gave him the luxury of pulling the plug. I accepted the pain from lies, cheating, and deceit while I remained loyal and focused on achieving the goals I set for myself. (I do not recommend this to anyone, so if you are in a toxic relationship, please ask for help). 

He pulled the plug. 

Finally, freedom. 

The fabric was turned into a dress as I come full circle, with some lessons learned and a brighter outlook. 

what's your color?

As I was doing some inventory and planning in upgrading my wardrobe, there was one problem that came to mind: color. I have my favorite TnT (tried and tested) patterns and figured out which silhouette suits me best, it's deciding on the color and prints that I struggled with the most. 

Social media lead me to color analysis. No harm in trying, no? So,  upload my picture, lo and behold, I'm a "dark winter"! 

In the color palette, there's a shade of green that looks "teal" to me. It reminded me of the tulle cocktail dress I've been planning to make over the years. I grabbed nearly 10 meters of lightweight tulle and a few more medium-weight tulle for the crinoline. This is perhaps the puffiest dress I ever made; you can see part of the process on my Instagram. 

The skirt has 5 layers of lightweight tulle and 3 layers of medium-weight tulle as crinoline. The appliques are from scrap fabric I've been keeping for at least a decade - I'm still upset that not all were used :( 

I was showered with compliments, particularly the color!

Did I get this right? Would you try color analysis? Let me know your thoughts!

  

anxiety

 Covid restriction here finally lifted: no more mask, social distancing, pubs/bars and restaurants are in full capacity. 

I was required to work 4days a week, still at risk of getting the virus and passing it to my elderly parents. My siblings are like me  front liners - nurse and teacher, respectively. No matter how careful we can be we are at risk hence, the anxiety was overwhelming. What was toughest was finding balance between seeing other people we care about, our friends, whilst at the same time, trying to protect ourselves and our parents. 

During the peak of the pandemic, I was helping everyone around me deal with their own anxiety and uncertainty. I felt that I had no one but me dealing with my own anxiety, I found solace and comfort with my hobbies. Started sewing, blogging and crocheting again. 

I did a lot of crocheting since I can simply carry crochet hook and thread anywhere. I actually learned to crochet first before sewing, still I tried to freshen up my skill by doing smaller crochet project like few coasters. 

Coincidently, many had babies so with hopes that one of my friends will have hers, I started making one 

and then there's two. 

Yet, still no babies.

Inshallah.

the limit does not exits

I was really excited when I received 2 stretch laces I got from mail.

"How many underwear do you need to have?" - boyfriend asked

Is that even a question?

Sewing lingerie is addicting. Really, ADDICTING. More Bellas, then.

Tried other pattern using different type of fabrics, like silk from my previous project.

These needs a matching bras!

Scrap-busting & Instant Gratification project

Scrap-busting is such a dreaded task for me. There's so many tutorials floating around for scrap-busting projects but I really don't have the patience for it. I was so bad at it that once, I have donated a bagful of scraps to charity. 

Done. At least with the woven fabrics. 

I have many knit jersey fabrics scraps too since I learned that you can work with it with a basic sewing machines. Many wrap dresses and tshirts later, again I have to deal with remnants and scrap material. I saw many panty sewing patterns on etsy and thought of giving it a try. First choice, is Bella Panty since it got rave reviews. I bought fold over elastics (FOE), narrow laces, and even rosettes. 

 

I love making these! 

Not only its a scrap busting project, it's instant gratification project too! Can make one under an hour!

 

Tell me, what's your favorite scrap busting project? or instant gratification project?

soirees

Normally, the last quarter of my calendar, is filled of soirees and parties. Endless nights of meeting and talking to people whilst enjoying a flow of hors d'oeuvres (very important). I do missed it terribly. Yet, I still sewed myself a cocktail dress. I never want to miss an opportunity to work with more challenging or delicate fabrics and use a more complicated couture techniques.    

This fabric has been sitting in my stash - one of many finds in remnant pile from a fabric store. It's silk, with border print details. I used cotton batiste as interlining as I do not have the luxury to use silk organza; worked just as fine. 

 The neckline and shoulder strap was the challenging part. Since using a fusible lining is not an option but, I did remember reading an article about using horsehair braid to add shape and structure to the neckline. So I went to ebay, get a couple of meters and waited patiently. 

 

I attached the horsehair braid to the neckline by hand but the shoulder straps were floppy. I followed this little hack to fix it and viola! No more floppy shoulders!

 (left: no rigilene boning; right: with rigilene boning)

Attached the lining by hand, and its done. Now, where to go? 

 

 Till my next post!

 

 

summer pants

The trend of casual light weight elastic waist pants maybe gone but it remained staple in my wardrobe. Its a must for me specially for running errands on a hot summer weekend. I made a couple of pairs using this pattern: 

This fabric was let go by a fellow sewing enthusiast. I was hoping that it was a knit jersey fabric as it reminded me of a particular signature designer print; I immediately thought of making a wrap dress with it. Sadly, it was woven and a previous owner's UFO (Un-Finish Objects); still managed to make something out of it, nevertheless. 

And from a remnant from my previous project: 

What is your summer sewing plans? Let me know ;)