my sewing plans

My recent hiccup concerning my health dampened my sewing mojo but, I did used the time to settle on the projects to sew for this year. Since I bought a set of 10 cloth labels, I have to make 10 garments so here it goes:

Tops:

I know Peplum tops was in the trend many moons ago so, why make it now? Exactly. This (1) Cyd Top  has interesting seam lines which is makes it more unique.  Second is the (2) Tuxedo Blouse from Burda Magazine January, 2008 issue. I've been searching high and low for this blouse and I am lucky enough to get a copy of the magazine. Both tops are versatile, both I could wear to work, I could wear the peplum top casually to meet friends, see the movie or if I have to go somewhere that calls for semi-formal attire, I could simply put on the tuxedo blouse, cigarette pants, statement necklace, wear a red lipstick and I'm off!


Dresses:

Left to right: This (3) Vogue 8872 reminds me of Black Halo Dress which definitely has to be in my wardrobe. Summer is coming so I need a pull over knit dress that is comfortable and chic and this (4) Cameron Dress fits the bill. Wedding season is also coming hence I need an (6) evening dress, I am planning to modify this New Look 6013 dress: lengthen the hem, add train, and add bead work at sleeves just like this one. I am also planning to use the same pattern to make a (7) cocktail dress; I'm thinking lace. I made a Burdastyle Princess Sheath Dress earlier; I liked it so much that I have to make another.

Outerwear:

I enjoyed making jacket last year hence I'll make another but this time using (8) Simplicity 2446. My wardrobe is desperately in need of long coat though it hardly gets cold here in Muscat but when it does, I usually wear my ever trusted and reliable long sweater. I hope this year I'll be looking a bit more polished with a (9) coat and I chose Lisette 6244: a fuss-free coat, no lining, no facing.


Bottom:

When I Komaried my wardrobe, I realized I have tons of skirts but no trousers so I decided to make Sew Over it (10) Ultimate Trousers. I've been living all these years without a trouser in my wardrobe but I have to learn something new besides, I need a pair of cigarette pants remember?

This is my plan: 10 labels for 10 garments. What's your sewing strategy for this year?

***Disclaimer: all images seen in this post are copyright to their respective owners***

insta-recap, february 2016

I spent my February taking medication, KonMari-ng (if that's even considered a verb), celebrating and a little reading, here's a recap:

It's crab season here so I cooked "Crab Curry" using the recipe from 50 Great Curries of India. 

 

Its been a while since I made some cupcakes, so I made a batch of Chocolate Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream:

 Celebrated Chinese New Year with Dumplings:

I treated myself with Matcha (Green Tea) Cake for Valentines' Day. In Chinese Tradition, you gift plum blossoms or sakura flowers to someone unmarried to wish him/her love for the New Year:

I did some sewing but to be honest to this day it's still a working in progress:

Spaghetti with Meatballs:

A got a set of cloth labels for this year:

I got a copy of "Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up"  More tidying up for me in the coming weeks and more trips to the donation shop

Another new in my library: "Sew Many Dress, Sew Little Time: The Ultimate Dressmaking Guide". I do understand the concept of mix and match bodice and skirt pattern. I do this all the time like: strapless bodice with circular skirt, with long bias skirt, with long straight skirt and peplum, or a sweetheart bodice with drape details and long pleated skirt or trims yet, I still bought a copy of this book, solely due to the pattern featured on the cover. What's more exciting, at least for me, the dress  looks like the Christian Siriano gown seen recently on the red carpet.  

Lastly, my family celebrated my dad's birthday. You may have notice that I cook this quite often for one obvious reason: it's my family's favorite!

Till next time!

insta-recap, January 2016

I couldn't sew or cook for the past few days now, I'm bit under the weather. Most of my body was covered with rash for three consecutive nights but it's under control. My dermatologist gave me a prescription and I'll be under medication for the next two weeks or so. At the mean time, a little recap:


George got comfy sleeping on my skirt:

I got these fabric scraps from a yard sale. The yellow is a home decor fabric and it is big enough to make a pair of pillow cases, while the rest are quilt weight cotton.

We celebrated my parent's 45th wedding anniversary:

I mentioned earlier that I am decluttering my closet and I already have donated *some* of my clothing. I used the KonMari method (spark joy) based on countless articles and videos I have read and seen. I still need to get a copy of the book to understand the method completely and to deal with my other stuff. Here is George in my closet; whenever he sees it open he would just get in, make himself comfortable, and stay there for few minutes. One of his favorite things to do :(    

I tried something new last month: Spaghetti with Anchovy Red Sauce. Yes, this is the meatless type of spaghetti and honestly, I miss the meat! Half of the sauce is sitting in the freezer and I am thinking of making some meatballs one of these days...

Guess who didn't keep one of her New Year's resolution? Me! I told myself no new fabrics for the first few months of the year yet here I was with 2-meter of floral fabric. While planning for projects to sew, this Princess Sheath dress is on top of the list. I just l-o-v-e that dress and it is on rotation ever since I made it so better make another one ;)

Catch these in real time via

41/45

I almost forgot about my brother's birthday - his 41st - which falls the day before my parents' wedding anniversary - their 45th . I didn't realized it till 2 days prior while I was re-checking my pantry for ingredients I needed for the anniversary dinner.

Shoot! What am I going to cook?!?!

I found some (God knows how many) egg yolks in a plastic container sitting in my freezer, then I saw a couple of tin of condensed milk in the cupboard and went like *eureka* creme caramel! I then decided to make Chicken Pot Pie since I haven't made one for quite a long while. Great! I made the menu in such little time. I like to cook ahead so I spent an entire evening cooking the chicken filling, making the creme caramel and marinating the pork ribs. I like to cook some of the dishes ahead of time so I don't have to spend an entire day slaving myself in the kitchen.

The following evening, its assembly time sadly, I found the chicken filling covered with thousand of tiny bubbles and distinct aroma. Yes, the filling was rotten and my mind was filled with a thousand F-bombs! To make the matter worse, the supermarket is 20-minute drive from my apartment and it was already 6PM. If I have to make the filling from scratch, the pie has to be in the oven by 7PM obviously, I can not make it. I have no Plan B whatsoever. Without any hesitation, I calmly announced to my family that dinner is late than the usual, grabbed the keys at get a chicken rotisserie.

It was almost 8PM when I got the pie in the oven, but minutes later, the puff pastry sunk in the filling. I felt so horrified; next thing I knew I found myself arguing with the oven. Then my family was horrified when they saw me. Anyway, I fished out the puff pastry placed in on a cookie sheet and popped it in the oven.

I never really imagined that after all the years of cooking and many recipes that I have tried and mastered, such disaster can happen.

And that's was my chicken pot pie, of course this picture was edited many times to make it looked appetizing. :P

***

The following evening was my parent's wedding anniversary. There wasn't any drama but I did worried a little because I thought made it too spicy for my mom.  Dinnertime, everybody was quite - - did I get myself into another disaster?

To my relief, they enjoyed it and even suggested used the same marinade with pork chops. I am happy that they have forgotten the disaster I had the night before. Well, I guess I'll have to find another occasion to celebrate.


Until then,

Happy Cooking

model member challenge: inspiration

via 

I've been wanting to make a tent/trapeze dress for sometime. Although, I am not pretty sure I could pull it off since I am petite (5ft tall) and I do not wear dresses or even skirts with hem above the knee. I saw this  basic shift dress sloper   and I thought: this can be easily modified to a tent dress!

Then Burdastyle announced another "Model Member Challenge" using the said sloper and modification was allowed. After 2 cups of strong coffee,  my game face was on!

  via 

I closed the bust dart, just as shown in the diagram (F). Initially considered lengthen the dress upto mid-calf but I felt it going to look weird so I opt for a floor length dress. I chose silk crepe de chine for this project; it may not be the most luxurious type but it's wrinkle resistant. So if I have a party to attend on the weeknight, I could just put it in a bag, along with other accessories, pull it out, wear it, retouch my make-up and I'm off! Convenient! Plus, this has 58" width with non-directional print, it didn't cost me much. 

I modified the neckline as well (from bateau to jewel). Both neckline and armhole are finished with facings This doesn't have a zipper, just a 6" opening, a hook and a little thread bar at the back.

I submitted my entry sadly, I didn't win the challenge. It was a good experience though.

Hopefully, I'll win next time. ;)

goodbye, betty

I was supposed to use the title "planing and procrastination" for this post as I was or still is planning for what to sew for this year. Some of you already have plans, or have set up a mood board but me, slowly decluttering my clothes.

My strategy is well, start new. However, it is a slow process for me as I find it hard to let go of the clothes I have made. Am I the only one struggling?

This is one of the dresses the I decided to let go.  I made this dress during the height of "Mad Men" fashion and my transition in sewing. My mentor taught my how to draft flat sewing pattern but, I never really perfected it. The tops I made from the pattern looks nice yet, I could barely move my arms. I was not able to figure out what I was doing wrong so I gave up. I started consider to use commercial patterns.

The bodice was based on the free bodice sloper and I gradually learn the adjustment and alteration. If you notice, the bodice looks ill-fitting because it was and this had taught me the importance of making a muslin.

No matter how ill fitting this dress on me, I still could not let this go.

Finally, I decided the take a seam ripper. I added a waistband on to the circular skirt and just like that, it looks new. The top is Seamwork's Astoria in textured knit:

The bodice will be facing a different fate: as a patchwork.



Until then,


Happy Sewing!

insta-recap: december, 2015

Alot of cooking and celebrations happened last December, here's a recap:

New pattern in my inventory: Vogue 2931, McCalls 7154 and a vintage 1970's McCalls 5239:

We celebrated my mom's birthday with Pansit Malabon - it's a stir-fry rice vermicelli noodles with minced beef and seafood. Mom's favorite!

 Ube-macapuno cake for dessert!

Celebrated my brother's birthday with Chocolate Cake (his request):

I participated in Burdastyle's Model Member Holiday Challenge, see my entry here:

Details of my bold jacket:

We celebrated Christmas with Roasted Pork Belly, Carrot & Potato Mash, Roasted Veggies:

Buko - Pandan, a fruit salad consist of meat of a young coconut, cream, pandan infused gelatin,  for dessert:

And Crab and Corn Soup as appetizer:

Another set of vintage patterns 1950's McCalls 3550 and 1970's McCalls 3031:

I've seen alot of flower wreath cakes so I tried to make one and gave it as a Christmas gift to one of my friends. Though it didn't turn out to be as pretty, but it was well appreciated and enjoyed:

Lastly, my family and I welcomed the New Year with Chicken Barbeque, Szechuan Noodles and Hatosi:

Catch these in real time via 


Happy New Year, everyone!