Another Tova Top For Family Trip To Jakarta & Handmade Wardrobe Vow 2015

I made another Tova Top. My trusted pattern which I would sew up whenever I'm in need of a new top and not having the luxury of time. This is my fourth one so sewing it is really easy for me by now.

**Please excuse all my crappy dark & grainy photos, they are all from my phone.

We were going for a family trip in Jakarta and I wanted to wear something comfy and good for nursing Baby E on the plane. Just few months back I made this Tova in size XL (post baby) but now that I have lost some weight (after going back to work fulltime hahah) I made size Medium and it fits good except for a slight tightness around my bust area. That problem will go away once I wean Baby E from nursing, which will be in less than 4 months. The yoke opening makes this top perfect for nursing.

I made this using a sweet pink Art Gallery fabric designed by Bari J. I love the feminine color. At first I was afraid it might look a little to little girl-ish but hubby likes it on me so that's all that matters :)

I was rushing so I omit the neckline binding and finished the neckline using my sweet bias tape I purchased in Daiso. This makes making the top so much easier and faster to finish!

The pattern recommends 2.5 yards of fabric but I managed to squeeze this size M on 1.75 yard of 44" wide fabric yeay!! I love using Art Gallery fabrics for my garment sewing so this is good as the fabric is really expensive and being able to save on valuable yardage is a big plus point.

The Jakarta trip was fun especially when it involved fabric shopping. Photos above shows the textile shops in the huge Tanah Abang market. Love it, just my kind of happy place :D

This is my small haul for my Handmade Wardrobe 2015 sewing. Yup, I vow to sew a handmade wardrobe this year with the exception of jeans and perhaps work jacket. I will especially focus more on blouses as I am building my work wardrobe too. These consists of rayon challis and soft cotton lawn. These are perfect for blouse sewing as I love drapey fabrics for my tops. These are really great quality fabrics and you just can't beat the cheap price of fabrics in Indonesia. I mean look at that elephant fabric, isn't it cute?! I wish I can buy them all!

So here's to a successful year of handmade wardrobe, thanks for still reading my friends!

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

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!

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

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! 

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! :)

The Zee's Tee for Baby E!

I finally get the perfect opportunity to sew for my baby boo. I was part of the testing team for the Zee's Tee, a pattern by Tie Dye Diva, part of the fantastic Bundle Up Boys! pattern offered here.

I had so much fun sewing this t-shirt for baby E. The Zee's Tee comes in so many option - color block, yoke style, pocket style and short or long sleeves. I opted for long sleeves & pocket version. The easiest sew ever! I am now a little more confident sewing with knit fabrics, they are much faster to sew using the trusted serger compared to wovens.

This is the first time him modelling for mummy. It's so funny how he refused to smile and was basically perplexed the whole session as to what is happening lol...

I love my baby boo, need to sew more for him <3 nbsp="">

If you sew for boys, go and grab the Bundle Up Boys deal now! They are offered at great prices and you'd find many beautiful designs from some of the most talented designers. Definitely worth it!