My Natalie Top by Liola Designs

Last week, hubby and I attended a reunion where the theme was red and black. I did not have any red dress that fits in the closet and really did not want to buy any. So I decided to sew up a top to wear to the event. I made the Natalie top a pattern by Liola Designs.

Please excuse all my out of focus photos...my girls were behind the camera and I don't  expect them to know how to operate the dslr. I'm lucky they got me centered in the pics lol 

I love the top so much!!! Made in a beautiful Alexander Henry cotton print I have stashed since 2009, perfect for the event. The pleats in front of the top is a lovely feature, and the fit is perfect on me. I did not modify anything at all from the pattern. I did omit the pocket and the sleeve tabs though.

I used a pretty floral bias tape to finish the neckline of this top. I purchased it at Daiso, they are so pretty, reminisce of the Liberty prints. (will update the process photo later)

I wore the top with a black maxi skirt. The design and length is perfect for my work wardrobe and as of now I already wore it to work. Looks great under my work blazer.

Pattern : Painted Portrait Blouse by Anna Maria Horner

Fabric  : Alexander Henry - quilting cotton (lighter pima cotton weight)
Size      : L
Mods   : Omit pocket & sleeve tabs

My First Magazine Feature 2014 _ Nur Magazine (Karangkraf)

This is a waaayyy overdue post. I was featured in a local magazine in their DIY column for 2 issues in April and May 2014. While I have posted about this on my Instagram and Facebook page, I completely forgot to blog about it.

So here it is. The first was an article about my passion for sewing in Nur Magazine April issue. This is really the highlight of my sewing this year. I remember feeling happy and proud and teary-eyed all at the same time :)

The article is in Bahasa Malaysia, it talks about how I started sewing, my handmade brand, my products among other things. Looking at these pages with my colorful creations on it, just made me feel a tad nostalgic....I wish I can be more productive these days!

This is the cover of May issue of the same magazine. I contributed two tutorials for this issue's DIY column.

The tutorials are for Linen and Lace tissue holder and Kids Apron. The crew came to my house to shoot these tutorials and it was really hard work! It took almost one whole day to finish!

I have another sewing tutorial contribution for a different magazine in January 2015. I will blog about it once I get hold of my copy of that magazine.

:)

Painted Portrait Blouse by Anna Maria Horner

Few weeks back I made this blouse using the Painted Portrait Blouse by Anna Maria Horner. I have purchased this pattern (paper pattern) few years ago and I finally have the courage to use it. The pattern comes in the brown tissue paper, which is the main reason it takes me so long to use it. I have always had this fear of using tissue patterns but this time I am determined to use up and sew up all the patterns in my stash. I even cut it to my size instead of tracing it (gasp). This means if I ever need to sew this blouse in a different size (who knows I might slim down lol :P) I have to purchase a new one.

I made the blouse in this pretty floral fabric by Joel Dewberry which I love so much. But I did not have enough for the blouse so I used a contrast fabric for the yoke. I am not really loving my choice there but oh well...

Sorry for the crappy phone pics of me modelling the blouse. It turned out really pretty and I am loving this blouse so much! I think how the side panel was designed is genius. There are no side seams, the side panels were attached to the front and back panels instead. This made the blouse curves pretty-ly when its worn. I just love the shaping of the blouse.

The soft gathers in front covers my post 3 babies tummy nicely. I did use a bias tape to finish the neckline as I messed up the yoke facing. I also skipped the back button and the resulting neckline is wide enough for this pullover blouse.

I highly recommend this pattern for Intermediate or Adventurous Beginner sewist. Next time I'd love to try and make the pieced yoke version. I also want to use more lightweight fabrics for sewing my own clothes.


Pattern : Painted Portrait Blouse by Anna Maria Horner
Fabric  : Dainty Daisies in Lavender, Bungalow by Joel Dewberry - quilting weight cotton
Size      : L
Mods   : Bias bound neck, no back closure


Right now I am a busy mama. I am back working full time as my unpaid leave is over. Yep, sewing is back as a part time venture. I am limiting orders to only a few dresses per month but I will make more ready items for my etsy shop. I really want to sew more for myself and my family in the future.

As much as I love the financial freedom from being back on the payroll, my heart breaks every morning as I kiss my baby to go to work :'(    Here's a pic of baby E, he has started walking at 19 months old. For a premature baby, I am just so happy and thankful that he is now healthy and happy! :)

Sewing for Me - The Josephine Blouse

I am currently in a selfish sewing mode. I share most of it on my Instagram but as I am getting more adventurous and sewing from various patterns, figured I should start blogging about them. Glad I took some time to take some proper photos of this Josephine Blouse I recently made. My girl Aisha was behind the camera and we had fun!

I've purchased this pattern from Rae's shop a long time ago. As usual I buy and I stash - that's my craziness. Now that I have made the Josephine I'm kicking myself for not sewing them earlier. It is an easy sew and I LOVE the result!

I wanted to make the release tucks version after I saw Rae's version here. I have always loved this type of silhouette for my tops/blouses/tunics as it is very forgiving on my had-3-babies-tummy. The fabric print hides the tucks from far so above is the closeup. I stopped sewing the tucks just below the bust and as a result the front flares out a bit.

I made size L of this pattern without modification. The sleeves are at my wrists instead of the sweet bracelet length the pattern comes with. So I will shorten my next one by 1.5 inch. Other than that, I like the length of the blouse itself and the shoulders fit me well. I do feel I want to take in the body at least 1/2 inch next time as I prefer a more fitted look for me to wear as a work blouse.

The elastic at the back cinch the blouse nicely to give it shape. I think I sewed a too narrow casing there I could see the elastic rolling a bit. Note to self, extra attention to the elastic casing next time :P

I also used a bias tape bound finish  to the neckline of this blouse. It's my favorite go to neckline finishes these days as I am just too impatient for other type of closures for my own blouses lol...the neckline is wide enough, just nice for me to pullover when wearing and taking off the blouse.

I love this beautiful cotton print by Amy Butler I chose. But I feel the blouse would look best in a lightweight fabric with more drape. Perhaps I'll make my next one in rayon or voile. I'd love to try the full tucks version and the longer tunic length of this pattern.

Pattern : Josephine Blouse by Made By Rae
Fabric  : Queen Anne's Butterflies in Ruby, Amy Butler Alchemy Collection - quilting weight cotton
Size     : L
Mods   : Release tucks; Bias bound neck

I will be sewing more for myself in the future and blog about them here. Till then, thank you for still reading! ;)

Ansley Top by Blaverry For My Sweet Aisha

After so many postponed projects, I finally managed to sew something up for my sweet girl Aisha, I am a happy mama!

Aisha is 14 years old this year, and finding a pattern that would get her nod of approval is proving more and more difficult! That's why I was so happy when I stumbled upon this beautiful Ansley Top/Dress pattern by an amazing designer Blaverry. This pattern has the covered look that is trendy and what my modest girl who is now in full hijab, loves to wear. Plus the sizing goes up to size 14 yeay!

It took us longer to decide on fabrics than to sew one up. Aisha wanted something neutral for easy mix and match and she chose a lovely lightweight rayon in my stash. This fabric is so flowy and swingy great for this baby-doll yoked type of top.

The pattern itself is a dream to sew! It's a great pattern with so many options. I finally selected a no collar, straight hemline top version to make it more like a feminine blouse. As for the sleeves, I did not add the cuffs but simply add a 6 inch double fold band to lengthen the 3/4 sleeves and for added contrast.

Obviously, my pre-teen loves it! Hehehe....we had fun during the photo shoot (pleated clutch made by mommy too). My girl, all grown up but still have that goofy side of her that we always love :)

More pics to show you the different angles of the top. There is a placket in front of the top which I think if you prefer to be at the back could easily be reversed. I did add a layer of interfacing to the button yoke to stabilize this flimsy fabric. I also used snap buttons for the closure, easy as pie :D

Pattern instructions is great and I also love the fact that this pattern comes with a layered format where you can just select and print the size that you need instead of printing all of the different sizes. I love this function, it saves me printer ink and effort as you only print what you need.

I highly recommend this pattern. Even if you don't have a pre-teen to sew for, it comes in size 9 months to 14, plenty of sizes and the options are endless! I'm thinking of making the hi-lo hem version for lil miss Hanan soon!

Patchwork Pillow

I'm crazy about patchwork. Lately it's all on my mind...always thinking about possible patchwork projects to sew & some to sell.

I made this pillow cover for my bff, a birthday gift.

 It's a simple design, fit for a 16 inch cushion.

I used Moda candy or mini charm pack for the middle square patch. The fabrics are Happy Go Lucky by Bonnie & Camille. I framed the middle patch with 3.5 inch blue strips.

I love it and I hope my girlfriend love it too.

I am right now buried in so many wips I could barely stop to look at the computer. It's a miracle I could actually write this post haha...

I will be back with more projects, promise!

:)

Nautical Shirt - A Little Boy Sewing

Honestly, I have sewn very few boy's clothing ....I sort of want to wait for Erfan to be bigger for me to sew some clothing for him. How silly is that? I know I have to sew more for him and I find it hard to be inspired with boy's clothing sigh....

When a customer asked me to sew a shirt for her big boy, I said yes, secretly hoping perhaps I'd be inspired to sew for Erfan after sewing this shirt.

Well, it's true!! I am feeling very inspired! I love this nautical shirt I made for my customer and I really wanna make one for baby Erfan now! 

I used a pattern called Boy's Shirt Pattern No.7 by E+M Patterns. This is a size 7, the pattern was a breeze to sew. Excellent instructions and I love how the designer included a clean, durable finishing method as an option to the normal serger.

Here are some detail pics of the shirt. I omitted the pocket this time though.

I simply love the functional buttons on the shoulders, perfect for a nautical themed shirt :)

The smallest size however is size 2...now that Erfan is almost 18 months old, I think I can make one now in size 2 and if it's still a bit too big for him, we'll wait a few more months for him to grow into it. Am already selecting some fabrics for him. Will definitely blog about it once it's done.

For now, here's my cheeky lil angel! :D

Banksia Play Dress by Fresh Stitch Patterns!

Hello my lovelies!

I wanna show you this new pattern I had the honor to test for, by a fabulous new Aussie designer, Kylie from Fresh Stitch Patterns!

The pattern is called Banksia Play Dress and today it is released with a massive discount!

I tested size 7 for my lil Hanan and sewed View A, dress option of the pattern. This pattern comes with so many variations, it is a true value for money as you can choose many options to create a dress or tunic that is uniquely yours!

Again we chose the Lake Club for our photography location, we had so much fun!

We love the carefree feel of this dress. And, bonus, it is great for layering too! Just add t-shirt underneath and leggings for tunic legth Banksia, and your girl is good to go :)

Just to show you the majestic buildings we have here in Putrajaya :D

Go get the Banksia now!

Another Tova Tunic!

Yep, this is my 3rd Tova Tunic by Wiksten, my favorite tunic pattern!

I made this in half a day, just few hours before a movie date with darling hubby ;)

I love the fabric I used this time, it's a beautiful green print from the Collage Collection by designer Carrie Bloomston. Those criss crossing newspaper print collage is so unique, love it!

I decided on this pattern again mainly due to my larger size now :'(  After baby number 3 I just am not able to shake off these excess pounds, it's heartbreaking! Nothing in my wardrob fit! So I have no choice but to make new clothing...Another reason  is that I am still breastfeeding baby E, so the open placket in front of this tunic is perfect for nursing! 

I forgot to snap some pics of me wearing this, but it fits me great! I made the top version but I lengthened it by 1.5 inch, just nice for me to wear with jeans.

Till later, bye! 

Ponderosa Dress - Pattern Testing for Elegance and Elephants

As mentioned in the previous post, I tested the 3rd pattern in the E&E Fall line called the Ponderosa Dress.

This dress is SO gorgeous and unique and surprisingly easy to make! I am so in love with the swingy outer bodice and the soft twirl of the skirt. It's oh so elegant and feminine and lil Hanan love it too!

This is also a knit dress pattern. There are two layers of bodice so I highly recommend a thinner knit at least for the bodice. 

The girl was soooo happy, she didn't want to take the dress off! Another score for mummy!

Don't forget to grab the patterns when E&E releases their fall patterns this week, I highly recommend her patterns, especially this Ponderosa Dress, you will not be disappointed! 

You can also view the lookbook here http://www.eleganceandelephants.com/2014/08/e-e-patterns-fall-lookbook.htmlhttp://www.eleganceandelephants.com/2014/08/e-e-patterns-fall-lookbook.html

Magnolia Skirt and Hemlock Top - Pattern Testing for Elegance & Elephants

I was honored to be selected as one of the testers for the talented Heidi from Elegance & Elephants . I have been a long time E&E patterns admirer and I have purchased many of her patterns such as the Bohemian Babydoll and Bubble Pocket Top and Shorts, major love!

E&E is coming up with her new fall lines this week, the first in the line is the Magnolia Skirt and Hemlock Top. The skirt is a cute 6 panel swing style skirt which can be made in both woven and knit fabrics.

The Hemlock Top is a knit top that comes with short and long sleeves options with a cute flutter details on the shoulder. I used a heavier knit fabric here that I purchased with making leggings for my girls in mind. I personally recommend a lighter weight knit fabric for the Hemlock Top so that the flutter detail would ruffle nicely.

I made size 7 for my active girl Hanan and the fit of the pattern is spot on. I absolutely love these patterns!

And that Joel Dewberry print I used for the skirt is just amazing! I cut a heart shape and machine appliqued to the shirt for added detail.

Don't forget to grab the fall lines by E&E releasing this week. For a preview of the patterns you can also look at the lookbook that Heidi have prepared here : http://www.eleganceandelephants.com/2014/08/e-e-patterns-fall-lookbook.html

I have another dress from her line that I tested. Will blog about it in my next post, till then, have a wonderful day! :)