tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306686852024-03-13T12:32:47.976+08:00Pretty OddityLyra's often neglected sewing, knitting and crochet blog.Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-68312882652252203762013-04-13T16:02:00.001+08:002013-04-15T00:17:16.453+08:00The Vampire Seamstress Returns (and some reviews)I only get any sewing done when the sun (and son) is down.<br />
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Summer's officially here and it definitely feels like it. It's so bright and skin meltingly hot that doing anything, even moving, is difficult. These days, I limit my sewing when it gets dark and a little cooler. It's also a little more quiet with both boys (my little brother and my son) asleep and not curiously rifling through my scissors and pins (!!!) I'm so glad my dad gave me a nice lighting set up so I don't have any trouble seeing tiny details and mishandling sharp objects. Thanks, Dad!<br />
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The wedding gown is progressing slowly but surely. Cutting the silk and tulle was the hard part but sandwiching the fabric between pattern paper was the solution that worked perfectly. I pinned the heck out of each selvage on the bottom paper and pinned the pattern pieces (uncut) on top. I also used very fine glass-headed pins to minimize those scary looking puckers that look a bit like stocking runs. I still can't believe my pieces aren't distorted. I stay-stitched every single piece just in case.<br />
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I also got a lot of help from the classes I took at <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/" target="_blank">Craftsy</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/sewing-with-silks-the-liberty-shirt/171" target="_blank">Sewing With Silk with Linda Lee</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/sewing-with-silks-the-liberty-shirt/171" target="_blank">Sewing with Silks with Linda Lee</a> tackled things like types of thread, stitch width, the best way to cut fabric, stitch lengths and seam finishes for silk. If you've ever doubted yourself while working with slippery fabric (not just silk) this is the perfect class to guide you and hold your hand while you go through the process step by step. The instructor is so pleasant and has a soothing voice and demeanor. I can listen to her all day. There is a paper pattern that comes with the class and it's a lovely bonus.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Sew-Retro-Perfect-Fit-Bombshell-Dress/29" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Kz8TrJexs8QAL0xYM9_Pwnc4hG8K1R6ygANnCiUv_ultNcTLIUgr5g99h5Fw4aSGIIp0SuYnsPxPeWC_Htb4FZ3vO_8c68EVLt_ps3ctx0DD" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Sew-Retro-Perfect-Fit-Bombshell-Dress/29" target="_blank">Sew Retro: The Perfect Bombshell Dress with Gretchen Hirsch</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Sew-Retro-Perfect-Fit-Bombshell-Dress/29" target="_blank">Sew Retro: The Perfect Bombshell Dress with Gretchen Hirsch</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> was the first Craftsy class I ever took and it was the start of my Craftsy online class addiction. Gertie's teaching style is so easy and friendly, it's like you're having a craft date with a close friend. She has so many sewing tips gained from her own experience in making dresses. I love the little tricks she has like reinforcing the vee of a sweetheart neckline and adding a waist-stay. Those techniques alone make the class worth taking. There's a downloadable pattern included and it's definitely a dress I'd wear.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/The-Couture-Dress/53" target="_blank">The Couture Dress with Susan Khalje</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/The-Couture-Dress/53" target="_blank">The Couture Dress with Susan Khalje</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is the ultimate class to take if you're serious about construction techniques. This class will teach you how to be meticulous with your garments. Shortcuts are all well and good but she taught me joy in your own handiwork and that silk organza is something that you should never do without. This class comes with a paper pattern of a very wearable and customizable dress. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I cannot recommend these classes enough! The information you will get from each class is invaluable. I'm only naming the three classes I had to watch and re-watch to help me with the wedding dress that I'm working on, but I also signed up for other sewing classes that are just as informative as well as entertaining. They have free classes so you can try those and see if you like it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So while the sun is out, I will stay away from the light and take my long skirts and long sleeved blouses and put them in storage. Later at dusk, the real work begins.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hemming on the dining table.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The silk dress is going well and coming along quite nicely. I was mercifully given an extension bu my friend due to my current childcare situation. Connor's nanny left, quite suddenly, to get married. I am now taking of Connor FULL FULL time without any of the assistance I'm accustomed to, including bringing Connor to school and being his shadow aide. I work at night, after he falls asleep. I just finished hemming the lining and I have already drafted the outer shell and the overdress. It's getting there and I'm so glad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other news: TEA! </span><br />
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<br />Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-80397973621622459272013-01-13T20:19:00.001+08:002013-04-11T20:22:29.333+08:00Happy Late New Year!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's January 13, 2013 and I'm pretty excited about everything that's going on in my life. For this entry: GOALS!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">01) I am making a wedding dress for a good friend of mine, inspired by <a href="http://www.bhldn.com/product/lita-gown" target="_blank">BHLDN's Lita Gown</a>. This is the first time I've ever worked with silk charmeuse and it's really a learning experience. It's difficult, oh so DIFFICULT, but fun. The sweetheart bodice took me three tries. First, silk charmeuse with silk organza (too flimsy) Second, silk charmeuse with cotton twill (the twill shrank lengthwise when I pressed it. THE HORROR) Third time's the charm when I did silk charmeuse with cotton muslin (BINGO). I am almost DONE. This pile of beautiful silk and tulle has to be a dress by the end of this month.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lI_VpCzHxns/UPKTm1CBoMI/AAAAAAAAAyk/QgnscNZNoxU/s1600/24330086_011_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lI_VpCzHxns/UPKTm1CBoMI/AAAAAAAAAyk/QgnscNZNoxU/s640/24330086_011_a.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">02) I fell in love with a dress on Pinterest. A brief image search on Google informed me that the dress is from the <a href="http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/F2011RTW-PAUL" target="_blank">Fall 2011 collection of Paul Smith</a>. What gorgeous embroidery. I want to make it! (Or at least something like it) I'm already drawing up the plans for this dress. Construction will start as soon as I'm done with the wedding dress. (Is it sad that I already have the materials waiting in a project bag?)</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/PAUL/RUNWAY/00370fullscreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/2011/fashionshows/F2011RTW/PAUL/RUNWAY/00370fullscreen.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">03) How CUTE is<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5814-products-27962.php?page_id=147" target="_blank"> this dres</a>s designed by Gertie of <a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/" target="_blank">Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing</a>? I recently bought the digital pattern and it's currently fourth on my to-do list. I would love to make this in a DEEP DEEP Purple or Black Silk Dupioni. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">04) Finish all my UFO's. I get anxiety attacks just thinking about those unfinished projects languishing in project bags in my sewing nook and my closet. </span><br />
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<a href="http://alien-ufo-research.com/news/2012/fake-ufo-contest-2012/fake-ufo-philip-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://alien-ufo-research.com/news/2012/fake-ufo-contest-2012/fake-ufo-philip-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">05) I know it sounds cliche, but I would really like to use the New Year as an opportunity to better myself or, in this case, my fabric and notion stash. I have too much fabric, I have too many little oohsits and whatsits (zippers, rivets, spikes, hooks and eyes, pins, elastics, thread... you name it), too much yarn, too many patterns... just TOO MUCH. So I promised myself that I will be using up whatever's in my fabric closets and bins, my whatsits pile and my yarn box. I also think this exercise in using up stash will also improve my speed and skill in making things. Oh, and watch more of this inspirational show:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">05) THEN, after my fabric stash and everything else have been reduced to manageable levels, I am now going to implement a new policy of buying ONLY fabric with natural content (silk, wool, cotton, linen) Blends are fine as long as more than half of the fabric content is natural. It's not because I'm a granola eating hippie or some kind of deluded tree-hugger. I just LIKE natural fabrics more. They're easier to work with and they are more expensive, so I think twice before buying. Synthetics are SO cheap and we are so close to China, it's so easy to buy fifteen yards of gold </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">lamé</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> without batting an eyelash in this country. What the heck am I going to do with fifteen yards of </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lamé? It seemed like a good idea at the time. (This is ALWAYS my excuse, this is WHY I have piles of yardage scattered and shoved in different places around the house) So yeah, that's absolutely ending now. My Hoarders marathon will help kick my butt into action as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">06) Sew more historical costumes in the coming months! I'm addicted, but I must take care of all this unfinished business first. For peace of mind, doncha know.</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-61742049617905830662012-11-20T23:00:00.001+08:002012-11-20T23:24:57.736+08:00Melissa's Blue Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xf2vYUzsInY/UKuQSAp7KqI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/ks6p_2pG7RE/s1600/464503_10150747268734189_1204740584_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xf2vYUzsInY/UKuQSAp7KqI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/ks6p_2pG7RE/s640/464503_10150747268734189_1204740584_o.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made this dress for my favorite then-nine-year-old niece (incidentally, my ONLY niece) last July. She needed a dress to wear to a wedding and an exhaustive search for the right one in the right color and in the appropriate style yielded nothing. Melissa is too large for regular kid's sizes and too young for teen styles. They also couldn't find the blue that was the color theme of the wedding. The wedding was days away and her parents were getting worried, so I volunteered to make the dress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used something called Italian Taffeta in a beautiful iridescent blue, some cotton lace I had in my stash to edge the neck line and sleeve hems and two packs of white bias tape for the hem. The taffeta was thin so I underlined the bodice with flour sack cotton (I know, it sounds like it's rough and scratchy like burlap. My friends were kinda horrified when I told them, but the cotton was soft and absorbent. I love it and I want to make a blouse out of what's left of my stash someday) </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1H3LW848_aI/UKuf_Q6WL2I/AAAAAAAAAx8/AyeLsux67QQ/s1600/GPDP-Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1H3LW848_aI/UKuf_Q6WL2I/AAAAAAAAAx8/AyeLsux67QQ/s640/GPDP-Cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pattern I used for this dress was the <a href="http://sensibility.com/blog/patterns/girls-1780s-portrait-dress-pattern/" target="_blank">Girl's 1780 Portrait Dress Pattern</a> by <a href="http://sensibility.com/" target="_blank">Sense and Sensibility Patterns</a>. I thought it was the perfect style for her and really appropriate for the wedding. It's age appropriate, it's modest, it's versatile and most of all, it's historical! I love that e-patterns are now available for people like me who don't have access to paper patterns that seem to be so ubiquitous in the States. Printing them out and putting them together is fun and hardly takes any time (but your mileage may vary. I ENJOY putting e-patterns together. I have a system and everything. Derp.)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/timage_f?object=111&image=705&c=gg59" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;">Miss Juliana Willoughby by George Romney</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"> 1781-1783</span></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sewing this dress was easy but it had its challenges. I had a little difficulty with the sleeves because I'm not used to the way the sleeves were drafted. The shape was strange to me because I'm used to modern sleeves, but I was able to figure it out. Other than that, it was a pleasant and easy pattern to work with. The instructions were clear and straightforward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melissa had a lot of input while I was making this dress. She approved of the fabric, picked the fabric color and had the idea of putting that particular style of cotton lace on the neckline and sleeves. She asked me a lot of questions about sewing and construction and was as patient as a saint while I was doing her fitting. She also decided to omit the white sash we planned to tie around her waist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Melissa looked lovely wearing it. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_89lmqgT85Q/UKuQWoVrddI/AAAAAAAAAxY/LdxSBqg0UGk/s1600/482121_4318992463669_237153961_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_89lmqgT85Q/UKuQWoVrddI/AAAAAAAAAxY/LdxSBqg0UGk/s640/482121_4318992463669_237153961_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She's on her way here from Manila as I type. I cannot wait to see her and work on another dress!</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-65817382723586987722012-11-16T22:17:00.000+08:002012-11-16T23:39:40.944+08:00The Blackest Black Bustle Dress<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have always been curious about <a href="http://trulyvictorian.com/" target="_blank">Truly Victorian Patterns</a>, so I made the Halloween party I was attending in Manila an excuse to buy the patterns I wanted. I was apprehensive, of course. There are so many horror stories about packages being lost and stolen in our postal system. Some packages are even held hostage by greedy post office workers, they won't give it to you unless you give them money. Fortunately, the gamble paid off. I got the patterns after one month of worrying and one panicked email to the owner of Truly Victorian, Heather. I was so excited about getting a notice from the post office that I threw up (Yes, I'm neurotic) The postal worker was very nice and gave it to me with no drama. I guess the horror stories depend which post office your package ends up in?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used these patterns:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.trulyvictorian.net/tvxcart/product.php?productid=21&cat=2&page=1" target="_blank">The Grand Bustle (TV108)</a> This pattern is SO clever with the hoop wire placement. I made this first and not only was it super duper easy to do, it was true to the illustration and I REALLY felt like I was wearing something from history even though my own hands made it. I skipped the ruffles because I was ran out of time, it worked well without so it's all good.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKLfnLCFCB8/UKYyAEWNJbI/AAAAAAAAAug/OFh22BooTiE/s1600/TV110.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKLfnLCFCB8/UKYyAEWNJbI/AAAAAAAAAug/OFh22BooTiE/s1600/TV110.png" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.trulyvictorian.net/tvxcart/product.php?productid=27&cat=3&page=1" target="_blank">1800 Late Victorian Corset (TV110)</a> This corset has a beautiful shape and it's very easy to do. I used an industrial strength metal separating zipper and cotton twill. I made it one layer and put boning channels on the outside. This was quick to sew and very gratifying.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhnALQMQj2I/UKYyBTRjMlI/AAAAAAAAAuo/HXqHyISZ7V0/s1600/TV216.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhnALQMQj2I/UKYyBTRjMlI/AAAAAAAAAuo/HXqHyISZ7V0/s1600/TV216.png" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.trulyvictorian.net/tvxcart/product.php?productid=42&cat=2&page=1" target="_blank">1875 Parisian Trained Skirt (TV216)</a> Clever clever and so beautiful. Do not let the illustration fool you, this is a very easy skirt to make. The only difficulty you will encounter is in the embellishment and how complicated you want it. You can embellish it or leave as is, it will still look beautiful. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jAfaGRxjXVE/UKYyD4GI1CI/AAAAAAAAAu4/n7iK8Mv7J64/s1600/TV416.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jAfaGRxjXVE/UKYyD4GI1CI/AAAAAAAAAu4/n7iK8Mv7J64/s1600/TV416.png" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.trulyvictorian.net/tvxcart/product.php?productid=36&cat=2&page=1" target="_blank">1875 Ball Gown Basque (TV416)</a> This was a little more difficult because I wasn't used to making the kind of pleats at the back. I had to out it down for a while and think about it. After I had my "AHA!" moment, finishing this was pretty fast. I skipped the sleeves and used fringe instead. It worked! Phew!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I got to work. I bought 20 meters of black duchess satin (shiny!), 2 meters of netting for bustle support, 2 meters of cotton twill for bodice underlining, 10 meters of quilting cotton for the Grand Bustle, two large cones of black thread (because I always need black thread), an entire pack of lovely 4-inch long black fringe (40 meters, I think), over 50 feet of steel for boning, duct tape, a whole roll of black velvet ribbon and a LARGE box of pins (just because)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was my peg: </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eUvRSntZsa0/UKY4RUGHRwI/AAAAAAAAAvY/vlmqix_Dwhg/s1600/37788084343007606_WI6aPh3A_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eUvRSntZsa0/UKY4RUGHRwI/AAAAAAAAAvY/vlmqix_Dwhg/s1600/37788084343007606_WI6aPh3A_c.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Edith Wharton, apparently.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I went to work. My sewing area was a MESS for the next two weeks. As much as I would like to tell you that I used Victorian sewing techniques and remained true to the period, I didn't. I serged the crap out of all the edges, used masking tape and a white gel pen to label and mark each piece and winged most of the construction (Directions? What directions?) I can already hear the purists shrieking in the distance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What can I say about those Truly Victorian Patterns? They were a DREAM to work with (and a dream to wing it too). They are so simple and easy to sew but the finished garment looks so complicated. As luck would have it, I am a perfect Truly Victorian size 14, so I did not have to alter anything. To think I was bracing myself for loads of fiddly and fussy work. It also helped that I spent months and months <strike>stalking</strike> studying Pinterest boards and loading my hard drive with bustle pictures so I had a basic understanding of what bustle and bodice patterns looked like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, my work wasn't perfect (and in my opinion, it never is) I have to admit, I really rushed this project. I was very pressed for time and could only sew at night when Connor was asleep. I was also doing a skirt and a corset for my best friend who was attending the party (that's another journal entry) No matter, I made it work. (Thanks, Tim Gunn)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1KCZ4Xz3po/UKY99PRvFfI/AAAAAAAAAwA/W0dSMxpHaaM/s1600/175527_10151234486234189_1259574961_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1KCZ4Xz3po/UKY99PRvFfI/AAAAAAAAAwA/W0dSMxpHaaM/s640/175527_10151234486234189_1259574961_o.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wrinkly, un-ironed mess.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NiiH-uPyKFc/UKY9-lC3EnI/AAAAAAAAAwI/RjDnc-qAkLM/s1600/53833_10151234486039189_963185662_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NiiH-uPyKFc/UKY9-lC3EnI/AAAAAAAAAwI/RjDnc-qAkLM/s640/53833_10151234486039189_963185662_o.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wouldn't have picked that black rose print for my cotton fabric but it was such good quality and so cheap that I convinced myself having a solid black cage bustle wasn't important.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXH1gGedYWI/UKY-AKRjEUI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/5atX92Wbfd4/s1600/615794_10151234485744189_1629901755_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXH1gGedYWI/UKY-AKRjEUI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/5atX92Wbfd4/s640/615794_10151234485744189_1629901755_o.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talulah the Dressform modelling the great black blob of shininess. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzo95MlOMfc/UKY-LKxhZyI/AAAAAAAAAwY/heKb9SqPeo0/s1600/620739_10151234485464189_86816772_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzo95MlOMfc/UKY-LKxhZyI/AAAAAAAAAwY/heKb9SqPeo0/s640/620739_10151234485464189_86816772_o.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This skirt's got SWAG.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After two or so weeks of working about 1-2 hours a night, I got most of the machine sewing done. We were packed and ready to fly to Manila from Cebu for Halloween, my little's brother's birthday, All Saints' and All Souls' day and I was STILL tethered to my sewing machine, doing last minute details. (I didn't have a working sewing machine in Manila) I made it. Most of it got done. The embellishing was going to be done in Manila. By hand. (GULP)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Four days and several sewing calluses later, the fringe and other details were sewn and the dress was DONE!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I added a curly wig, bumper bangs, black flowers ala Frida Kahlo, fishnet sleeves, black gloves, a lace choker (made that too!) and gigantic cow lashes.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jmh-XIkpYj4/UKZB9j3qLYI/AAAAAAAAAwo/lH1aL6lK0Cg/s1600/8143225507_eebd9a564f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jmh-XIkpYj4/UKZB9j3qLYI/AAAAAAAAAwo/lH1aL6lK0Cg/s640/8143225507_eebd9a564f_b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With my good good friend Paolo waiting for our German sandwiches. No amount of steel boning will ruin our appetite! The bruise-like thing on my shoulder is the event stamp. They stamped on my shoulder because my wrists were covered. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQyCcE9swxw/UKZCDpPdC5I/AAAAAAAAAww/OXiUPdKPKA0/s1600/8143225913_e974151ca7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQyCcE9swxw/UKZCDpPdC5I/AAAAAAAAAww/OXiUPdKPKA0/s640/8143225913_e974151ca7_b.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Posing infront of entrance of the bathroom. Yay! Fringey bustle! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dress was a gigantic success! The party was fun, I got to catch up with friends and got my picture taken a lot by total strangers. I even got to dance to Sisters of Mercy! That was the highlight of my night. No kidding. I CANNOT wait til next Halloween! (Knowing me, I probably won't wait that long to make another bustle dress)</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-42681387822552654312012-07-07T13:47:00.000+08:002012-07-07T13:47:50.576+08:00Gah, July!<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gah. where do I begin? I promised myself to blog at least TWICE a month and where did that get me? I have no other excuse other than I have been, as Americans would call it, "crazy busy." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's see, I made more of those striped Maxi dresses for friends: </span><br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/398825_10150758705184189_1365766359_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/398825_10150758705184189_1365766359_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I attempted to make a skirt with a bunch of cotton scarves that I got on sale:</span><br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/542343_10150933387149189_1560545391_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/542343_10150933387149189_1560545391_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kinda wasn't feeling it, so I shelved the project for another day. Do you know why? Because my wonderful mother distracted me with this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/537494_10150977819079189_1366983843_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/537494_10150977819079189_1366983843_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She got me 4.5 meters of this staggeringly beautiful blue grey embroidered Indian silk. I want to do a tunic with it, nothing complicated with so many darts and tucks that I have to distort the beautiful embroidery on this fabric. I am, however, doing some more beading on it and it's so much fun. I'm using gold metal beads (not metallic beads, real metal beads. I'm so happy I found some.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I was beading, I also decided to make a wearable muslin of the tunic I want to make out of the Indian silk. I made it and my mother loved it so much, she claimed it. >D I will take in the sides a little bit and maybe add darts (maybe) at the back for the next version. My mom was happy with the first one, I'm not complaining. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Self-drafted, 100% cotton.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of all, my time has been taken up by this little boy: </span><br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/525050_10150933362704189_1187618986_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/525050_10150933362704189_1187618986_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wake up to this everyday and I love it. </span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com1Cebu City, Philippines10.3156992 123.885436610.1907237 123.72750810000001 10.440674699999999 124.0433651tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-80626507812451962962012-03-29T16:52:00.003+08:002012-04-03T18:07:31.742+08:00And because there's nothing sadder than a Tropical Goth...<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... I have decided to sink into the very depths of despair by crocheting a gigantic wool blanket during the most hellish time of the year. There is no sign of rain and you can fry an egg on the sidewalk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also stopped all sewing because I remembered it was Mother's Day in a couple of weeks. So this blanket will be hers. Happy Mother's Day, Mommy! <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black, red and the multi-dimensional shade of innards. (Knitpick's Wool of the Andes in Coal, Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Iron Ore and Noro Kureyon Shade #124)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b5aFWWXb3i0/T3QgpwXFWXI/AAAAAAAAAtg/cO19OyXa1RM/s1600/097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b5aFWWXb3i0/T3QgpwXFWXI/AAAAAAAAAtg/cO19OyXa1RM/s640/097.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7WRBEmBTkpc/T3Qg1py01qI/AAAAAAAAAto/tiX7mgjQ-mk/s1600/098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7WRBEmBTkpc/T3Qg1py01qI/AAAAAAAAAto/tiX7mgjQ-mk/s640/098.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FylbOw6XnOM/T3QhE0zVHDI/AAAAAAAAAtw/aLqLghHbwZA/s1600/102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FylbOw6XnOM/T3QhE0zVHDI/AAAAAAAAAtw/aLqLghHbwZA/s640/102.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-45043705394654373092012-03-20T20:26:00.000+08:002012-03-20T20:26:41.916+08:00He is the one I love the most.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pxDYFH5VeUI/T2h3ADioMsI/AAAAAAAAAtM/sttQoxHQuy4/s1600/153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pxDYFH5VeUI/T2h3ADioMsI/AAAAAAAAAtM/sttQoxHQuy4/s640/153.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-72707379392864902132012-03-05T16:06:00.000+08:002012-03-05T16:06:21.345+08:00Quick Update!<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer is really here and the heat is depressing me, so I decided to make something summery without resorting to floral prints and bright colors. I got bored last night and made this dress:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reYUCJ_mS7Y/T1Rx853JqrI/AAAAAAAAAtE/E0O2p4fRtxA/s1600/Photo0268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reYUCJ_mS7Y/T1Rx853JqrI/AAAAAAAAAtE/E0O2p4fRtxA/s1600/Photo0268.jpg" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black and white striped stretch and a wide wide black garter. The total time it took to make this dress is about three hours. That includes drafting, cutting and sewing. It's so easy! I'm kinda thinking about making it a downloadable pattern. What do you think?</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-32094522617025373362012-02-01T01:11:00.000+08:002012-02-01T01:11:10.787+08:00Downton Progress!<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last weekend and my Monday and Tuesday have been busy busy busy! I cut the bodice fabrics for the 1910s Tea Gown, basted, crazily decided to do the whole thing by hand (just needle and thread, no machines)and all this happened while I rewatched Downton Abbey and American Horror story. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvf6Vv9uGOs/TygXV3k96qI/AAAAAAAAAsY/L04LlAcxov0/s1600/Photo0194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvf6Vv9uGOs/TygXV3k96qI/AAAAAAAAAsY/L04LlAcxov0/s640/Photo0194.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baste baste baste!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIMcUIkKHCI/TygXWSkY7yI/AAAAAAAAAsc/By_Aru5_MTY/s1600/Photo0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIMcUIkKHCI/TygXWSkY7yI/AAAAAAAAAsc/By_Aru5_MTY/s640/Photo0195.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm especially proud of the sleeves. I overcasted the side of the bodice by hand.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pieQbqBo6iA/TygXXK0koLI/AAAAAAAAAsk/_Q2X62x_hDI/s1600/Photo0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pieQbqBo6iA/TygXXK0koLI/AAAAAAAAAsk/_Q2X62x_hDI/s640/Photo0196.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A closer look at the lace. The solid black fabric is the Italian Satin I bought on the whim with no clear idea what to do with it. So glad I finally found a use for it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then tomorrow, I'm going to be marking and cutting all those skirts and overskirts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next part of my progress is this:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RXPOINrzYfU/TygXPuUiR_I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/P6G8Ei_QQzc/s1600/395789_10150565676089189_712224188_8777509_1556941825_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RXPOINrzYfU/TygXPuUiR_I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/P6G8Ei_QQzc/s640/395789_10150565676089189_712224188_8777509_1556941825_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband and I on our wedding day, April 15, 2005</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought the dress from David's Bridal. It was on a sale rack with the other bridesmaid gowns, the last piece of that style and wonderfully marked down. It was the only champagne colored, historically inspired and slim dress in the whole jumble of stark white strapless voluminous A-lines. It had an overskirt, yo. Then I tried it on and it fit PERFECTLY. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the silhouette of the dress was gorgeous, it lacked in embellishment. So off I went to Joanns and Hobby Lobby to find beads that matched the sparse beading that was already on the dress. I only had two weeks to embellish my wedding dress. (Yeah, two weeks. That's another long story) So off my inept self went. I was able to bead only what was needed, but nothing beyond that. It took me forever, I have never sewn or beaded anything before. Then I got married and put the dress away. I only had a small amount of regret for not being able to finish the embroidery and beading.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seven years and loads of sewing and beading experience later, I decided to pick it up again. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ul1OFejBWYI/TygWkuI-qGI/AAAAAAAAAsA/nggl57_g1bk/s1600/000043xs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ul1OFejBWYI/TygWkuI-qGI/AAAAAAAAAsA/nggl57_g1bk/s640/000043xs.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the dress before I beaded anything on it. Photo taken in late March, 2005</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HcYIXMwAeTI/TygWlXXJBKI/AAAAAAAAAsE/j5dbh-A9Czw/s1600/Photo0201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HcYIXMwAeTI/TygWlXXJBKI/AAAAAAAAAsE/j5dbh-A9Czw/s640/Photo0201.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Work In Progress. I really would like to fill the whole bodice with pretty pretty silver beads. <br />
Photo taken today, January 31, 2012.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I am quite happy with how it turned out. I had no set pattern to follow and it was so much fun to do. I cannot wait to finish both these dresses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am thinking of beading the black 1910s Tea Gown with black beads and crystals. What do you think?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-44354132274793529802012-01-23T17:11:00.003+08:002012-01-24T21:26:47.316+08:00Dressing Downton, Sewing Downton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gbQaiQ3h7Pc/Tx0fkpbSsEI/AAAAAAAAAqw/N3BpZtu2fmU/s1600/article-2058390-0df0a35700000578-298_468x334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gbQaiQ3h7Pc/Tx0fkpbSsEI/AAAAAAAAAqw/N3BpZtu2fmU/s1600/article-2058390-0df0a35700000578-298_468x334.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I fell head over heels in love with Downton Abbey. I watched it for the clothes at first, then got sucked in by the drama less than two second later. To celebrate my obsession with this show, I have decided to sew up some Edwardian pieces (also, garments that can be styled as such) I am so excited!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To prepare for all this sewing, I downloaded several patterns from <a href="http://sensibility.com/" target="_blank">Sense and Sensibility Patterns</a>. I spent the better part of the weekend printing everything out and taping the first pattern I'm going to work on. I decided to work on the <a href="http://sensibility.com/patterns/1910s-tea-gown-pattern/" target="_blank">1910s Tea Gown Pattern</a> first. I am going to do it in black fabrics: black lace, black italian satin, black chiffon etc. Kind of fitting since Downtown Abbey started with a tragedy and a memorial (I also have mostly black fabric in my large stash that I have to get rid of before I justify buying any more fabric *cough*)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And of course, I have been collecting pots of inspiration from different places. The possibilities for embellishment and construction are endless. Here's hoping I come up with something fairly cohesive that is also fairly historically accurate.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrffyixDIN0/Tx0ioWirixI/AAAAAAAAArw/yt1MmxdC3no/s1600/tumblr_lx5tdvA9W51qidnqfo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrffyixDIN0/Tx0ioWirixI/AAAAAAAAArw/yt1MmxdC3no/s640/tumblr_lx5tdvA9W51qidnqfo1_1280.jpg" width="370" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NOTE: I was on a right-click-save binge, so all the images (except the one from Sense and Sensibility Patterns) are of semi-unknown origin. If you want credit for these pictures or want me to take them down, let me know, 'kay?</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-17773378299794270102011-09-30T22:38:00.001+08:002011-09-30T22:41:56.852+08:00I shall call you HIPPIEDOOM!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZ-8RagOEys/ToXJSBJyN2I/AAAAAAAAAoU/UlHbaxN6LFM/s1600/lecien1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZ-8RagOEys/ToXJSBJyN2I/AAAAAAAAAoU/UlHbaxN6LFM/s1600/lecien1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://panilisnewska.com/catalogue/product.php?id_product=728">www.panilisnewska.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I bought 4.8 meters of Lecien's "My Folklore" quilting cotton on a whim a couple of weeks ago and I knew I had to make some kind of maxi dress with it. The fabric is a strange brownish eggplant with a blue and yellow flower motif and a really sweet looking border. I was also set on trying my hand at making a Gunne Sax-esque dress I've been drooling over at Etsy for the past couple of days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3NSoK7Mbfw/ToXJ3sH-R7I/AAAAAAAAAog/baSezi7Lcq0/s1600/pioneer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g3NSoK7Mbfw/ToXJ3sH-R7I/AAAAAAAAAog/baSezi7Lcq0/s640/pioneer.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from etsy.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxYlIs-NERc/ToXK_NI0WgI/AAAAAAAAAok/JlredfXKFTY/s1600/hippie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxYlIs-NERc/ToXK_NI0WgI/AAAAAAAAAok/JlredfXKFTY/s1600/hippie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from etsy.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PC6E0b67PIQ/ToXLCnKOlPI/AAAAAAAAAow/V0JsC398JLg/s1600/il_fullxfull.178747727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PC6E0b67PIQ/ToXLCnKOlPI/AAAAAAAAAow/V0JsC398JLg/s640/il_fullxfull.178747727.jpg" width="546" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from etsy.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9VDXZgr0DQ/ToXLHlyIHQI/AAAAAAAAAo8/s4qw3HryDSI/s1600/il_fullxfull.264173621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9VDXZgr0DQ/ToXLHlyIHQI/AAAAAAAAAo8/s4qw3HryDSI/s640/il_fullxfull.264173621.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from etsy.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The whole dress is self-drafted, but heavily based on the <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/wiesn-dirndl">Weisn Dirndl from Burdastyle</a>. I love the princess armhole, the pleated looking skirt and the slightly puffed sleeves.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://assets.burdastyle.com/patterns/technical_drawings/000/000/100/6038_tech_large.jpg?1243623676" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://assets.burdastyle.com/patterns/technical_drawings/000/000/100/6038_tech_large.jpg?1243623676" /></a></div>I made the princess armhole bodice from my basic sloper and added sleeves. I eliminated the button down at the front and put a zipper at the back. I embellished the front bodice with cotton lace, bias piping and bias tape before I sewed the pieces together. The bodice I drafted was a little too short, so I added a "belt" so the waistline would sit right at my waist instead of above it (I felt that a too-high waist made my own waist look bigger). I also pleated the skirt, rather than gather it.<br />
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And after about three days of sewing (about an hour a day, it was so hot in my sewing room), voila!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7-brhL_QQ0/ToXHu7abzKI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/J4Y4RcCaBoo/s1600/IMGA1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7-brhL_QQ0/ToXHu7abzKI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/J4Y4RcCaBoo/s640/IMGA1681.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41DkqHo2OlA/ToXJbz2ELRI/AAAAAAAAAoY/EfBoklCiZ2k/s1600/snapshot+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41DkqHo2OlA/ToXJbz2ELRI/AAAAAAAAAoY/EfBoklCiZ2k/s640/snapshot+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-rVZZVUJ34/ToXJclqGp-I/AAAAAAAAAoc/gAcpHdpHX3Q/s1600/snapshot+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-rVZZVUJ34/ToXJclqGp-I/AAAAAAAAAoc/gAcpHdpHX3Q/s640/snapshot+%25286%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>HIPPIEDOOM!<br />
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I love this dress, the skirt has great swish and I feel pretty wearing it. The bodice fits me perfectly and my waist looks smaller than usual. Wearing it reminds me of my younger days as a Goth (though I am still a Goth, I'm hardly what you would call "young") when I used to wear long skirts even in tropical weather. This is definitely a wear-again for me, but now that I'm older, I'll wait for cooler weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3rbFNO0pQRE/ToXSzwVeSaI/AAAAAAAAApA/XV_dWjry7yc/s1600/6930_142754549188_712224188_2376495_4504221_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3rbFNO0pQRE/ToXSzwVeSaI/AAAAAAAAApA/XV_dWjry7yc/s640/6930_142754549188_712224188_2376495_4504221_n.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lyra, all of nineteen years old in 1999.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-86294573524270296132011-09-05T17:53:00.000+08:002011-09-05T17:53:42.944+08:00A New Dress for Mom<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got this very retro fabric from a very popular fabric store in Manila for CHEAP (less about USD1.75) It looks slightly canvas-y but it's very soft, unlike real canvas. I got about three yards without a real plan for it (I just fell in love with the cute geometric tree print)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then last Saturday, I was inspired and made this: </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A11sjmmt79k/TmSZVqEQcKI/AAAAAAAAAoI/-uvC6Mtidtk/s1600/snapshot+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A11sjmmt79k/TmSZVqEQcKI/AAAAAAAAAoI/-uvC6Mtidtk/s1600/snapshot+%25281%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't plan to do anything fancy to it. It has an exposed metal zipper which I installed by hand because I was in the mood for pain. I still need to install the facing and finish the hem. I'm quite happy with it. It fits my mom and I perfectly and REALLY sucks all those loose bits in, since the fabric is sturdy like canvas, but soft and smooth but not shiny like fine cotton broadcloth or high quality quilting cotton. That's me modelling the unfinished dress, but I'm hoping that my mom would be willing to model this for me when I've got everything installed (facings and waist stay) and all the loose threads snipped.</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-49904021443666722042011-08-07T14:16:00.000+08:002011-08-07T14:16:11.567+08:00Update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As much as I wanted to update my portfolio and make pieces for the Project Runway audition, I had to go to the hospital and stay there for a week because of a liver infection. I was brought to the emergency room with a gigantic belly ache, vomiting and just feeling terrible. They quickly hooked me up to an IV and told me that I would be confined to a room while they run tests. They also found a stone in my gall bladder through ultrasound and it all sounded scary to me.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These past few weeks were an eye opener for sure. I need to improve every way. I need to not only try to improve my sewing and pattern making skills, I also need to get healthy. I have been neglecting my health and this experience inspires me to never set foot in a hospital unless it's a routine checkup. I need to live longer. I have a small boy I love and he is everything. That reason alone is compelling enough.</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-51291084015915643062011-07-15T18:03:00.001+08:002011-07-15T18:03:51.068+08:00I Am Torn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FFoprapIpZA/TiAPw0bEwVI/AAAAAAAAAno/9NZJI5vJSEU/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FFoprapIpZA/TiAPw0bEwVI/AAAAAAAAAno/9NZJI5vJSEU/s640/images.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="http://www.google.com.ph/imghp?hl=tl&tab=wi">Google Images</a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Project Runway Philippines is gonna be holding auditions soon and I am still kinda on the fence about auditioning. There are reasons why I REALLY should and there are also reasons why I REALLY shouldn't. So what do I do???</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-248iHSndCBc/ThZ0qEdQBwI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/3OWF2vdEPIg/s1600/bombshell+dress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-248iHSndCBc/ThZ0qEdQBwI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/3OWF2vdEPIg/s640/bombshell+dress+2.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture stolen from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/">http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/</a></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently enrolled in an online sewing class called <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/gift/29">Sew Retro</a> taught by Gertie of <a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/">Gertie's New Blog For Better Sewing</a>. I have to say I am really enjoying it. The class teaches you to make the <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/52011-bustier-dress">BurdaStyle Bustier Dress</a> with the weird looking bath lily front drape omitted. I find the process of making a dress from start to finish seriously fascinating and I can't wait till I get done taping my pattern together so I can start my own Bombshell dress. Gertie guides you through taping up your pattern, making a muslin, fitting the bodice using draping techniques and sewing the actual garment. She is engaging and she really knows her stuff. I like her teaching style, it's casual. Like you're old friends and she's right there next to you, patiently explaining the importance of hand basting. The class is just a goldmine of information, resulting in a lot of of A-HA! moments for me, for sure. I won't give much away, suffice to say I learned so much from those 15 videos and I'm eager to learn more. I hope she makes more classes!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://assets.burdastyle.com/project_images/assets/000/194/114/Bustier-Dress_large.jpg?1304973119" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="484" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BurdaStyle's Bustier Dress.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://assets.burdastyle.com/project_images/assets/000/194/114/Bustier-Dress_large.jpg?1304973119" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/gift/29">Anyway, you can take the class over at Craftsy</a>. I think they're having a 50% off special. </span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-2341869445416512912011-07-04T13:35:00.000+08:002011-07-04T13:35:28.660+08:00Sewing? Oh you slay me, you're so funny.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been trying. But trying and doing are completely different things. This is what my project is supposed to be:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0EdHNoTavE/ThFQd4wLnLI/AAAAAAAAAnU/n6-y59Bz7eE/s1600/IMG_0497_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0EdHNoTavE/ThFQd4wLnLI/AAAAAAAAAnU/n6-y59Bz7eE/s640/IMG_0497_large.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But it looks more like this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEx5CQ1wtwc/ThFPvSA7U4I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/ekvW7_gDl8M/s1600/100_7680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEx5CQ1wtwc/ThFPvSA7U4I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/ekvW7_gDl8M/s640/100_7680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is why I can't get anything done. @_@</span></div>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-23449147963566340702011-06-19T22:31:00.000+08:002011-06-19T22:31:51.508+08:00To My Dad<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To the silent and solid man who love, guides, provides and cares for me. To that frighteningly intelligent Engineer who leads not by words but by example: Thank you, Daddy. Thank you for driving me to parties, then staying up to wait to pick me up when it's over, thank you for eating with me at three in the morning when I have pan de sal and liver spread cravings, thank you for trying fixing anything that is out of order: be it a sewing machine or my life, thank you for being such a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Thank you for being Papa to Connor. There's isn't a more perfect Dad in the world. I love you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVBNUHLaP4Y/Tf4HLYEAilI/AAAAAAAAAnM/nNKH2UagSv0/s1600/100_6166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVBNUHLaP4Y/Tf4HLYEAilI/AAAAAAAAAnM/nNKH2UagSv0/s640/100_6166.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-35813917009790583882011-06-07T18:19:00.003+08:002011-06-07T22:17:22.503+08:00Cotton/Silk Embroidered Blouse for Mom: DONE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">e<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aig_XiaVTWg/Te3v-gMb-FI/AAAAAAAAAm0/c3g59qhATa4/s1600/100_7612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aig_XiaVTWg/Te3v-gMb-FI/AAAAAAAAAm0/c3g59qhATa4/s640/100_7612.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77XWf_zqpF4/Te3wG_E7p3I/AAAAAAAAAm8/wLTe8URqKUY/s1600/100_7618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-77XWf_zqpF4/Te3wG_E7p3I/AAAAAAAAAm8/wLTe8URqKUY/s640/100_7618.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTOq67xf88Y/Te3wNK5Xv8I/AAAAAAAAAnA/kzgOmKHsFA4/s1600/100_7619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TTOq67xf88Y/Te3wNK5Xv8I/AAAAAAAAAnA/kzgOmKHsFA4/s640/100_7619.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_V9by8Mhz4/Te3wQfKnVVI/AAAAAAAAAnE/IfVyOsz64F8/s1600/100_7623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_V9by8Mhz4/Te3wQfKnVVI/AAAAAAAAAnE/IfVyOsz64F8/s640/100_7623.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Details</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MATERIALS: 4 yards (yes, you read that right) 60 width Cotton/Silk (70/30), 1 pack of cream colored bias tape, five spools of white thread (four for the serger, one for the machine) and half a yard of cream colored cotton twill tape.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DURATION: May 5 to June 7, 2011. Embroidery from May 5 to June 2. Sewing took a total of two days, June 6 to 7. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PATTERN: Self-drafted according to Mom's measurements.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CONSTRUCTION: I really enjoyed making this blouse. The planning, embroidery, modifying the design and sewing was so much fun. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The front bodice is doubled, so the embroidery is protected from skin and friction. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did change a lot of things from the original design. It was supposed to be a tunic with set in sleeves, but it ended up being a raglan peasant top instead. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On to the horror stories: a bit of fabric got caught in the knife of my edger (eek) and there was a big hole next to the right arm-scythe and while I was doing the embroidery, Connor ate a melon popsicle and left an orange stain on the neckline. (DOOOOOOOOOM) So I cut away the offending parts and made the blouse raglan sleeved. Mom liked this silhouette better than the original so I'm relieved. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also originally cut the sleeves to be quarter sleeves, but mom changed her mind and wanted long sleeves instead. I cut more leftover fabric and connected it to the existing hem. I covered the unsightly seams with bias tape and hereby declare it a design feature. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On to the next project! YAHOO!</span><br />
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</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-39078621646995434932011-06-06T09:05:00.000+08:002011-06-06T09:05:20.653+08:00So true.<div class="title" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I always feel like I’m struggling to become someone else. Like I’m trying to find a new place, grab hold of a new life, a new personality. I guess it’s part of growing up, yet it’s also an attempt to reinvent myself. By becoming a different me, I could free myself of everything. I seriously believed I could escape myself- as long as I made the effort. But I always hit a dead end. No matter where I go, I still end up me. What’s missing never changes. The scenery may change, but I’m still the same old incomplete person. The same missing elements torture me with a hunger that I can never satisfy. I guess that lack itself is as close as I’ll come to define myself."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Haruki Murakami</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">via<a href="http://lovedesignlife.tumblr.com/"> Love.Design.Life</a></span></div></span></div>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-45415267081918775512011-06-02T00:04:00.000+08:002011-06-02T00:04:47.734+08:00EMBROIDERY IS DONE!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mwahahaha!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AP7Ats7rLZI/TeZhOf7v-4I/AAAAAAAAAmU/5o8g96igXyc/s1600/snapshot+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AP7Ats7rLZI/TeZhOf7v-4I/AAAAAAAAAmU/5o8g96igXyc/s1600/snapshot+%25289%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rG5lBCvmsVg/TeZhRA5vetI/AAAAAAAAAmY/4eLOvXz16ZY/s1600/snapshot+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rG5lBCvmsVg/TeZhRA5vetI/AAAAAAAAAmY/4eLOvXz16ZY/s1600/snapshot+%252810%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here's a couple of mostly unflattering behind the scenes photos. No makeup, hair unbrushed, no dignity:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXP2JEm0bXI/TeZhi2v6pTI/AAAAAAAAAmc/NgO6Re4POPU/s1600/snapshot+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXP2JEm0bXI/TeZhi2v6pTI/AAAAAAAAAmc/NgO6Re4POPU/s1600/snapshot+%25281%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3_Hhd3HFCk/TeZhjWEaf7I/AAAAAAAAAmg/mqIUmr1JdoI/s1600/snapshot+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3_Hhd3HFCk/TeZhjWEaf7I/AAAAAAAAAmg/mqIUmr1JdoI/s1600/snapshot+%25282%2529.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stitching while watching North by Northwest. Yahoo.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RAse_WoHXTw/TeZhj9Wf2qI/AAAAAAAAAmk/H4Mgx9eCsXI/s1600/snapshot+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RAse_WoHXTw/TeZhj9Wf2qI/AAAAAAAAAmk/H4Mgx9eCsXI/s1600/snapshot+%25283%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3MC8Mj_UCBM/TeZhknEsNVI/AAAAAAAAAmo/6_gUYNuUOG8/s1600/snapshot+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3MC8Mj_UCBM/TeZhknEsNVI/AAAAAAAAAmo/6_gUYNuUOG8/s1600/snapshot+%25284%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d__1K7SRRJ8/TeZhlMFZPZI/AAAAAAAAAms/Uu6kA9twSoU/s1600/snapshot+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d__1K7SRRJ8/TeZhlMFZPZI/AAAAAAAAAms/Uu6kA9twSoU/s1600/snapshot+%25285%2529.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking a Connor break!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGAbFxbuy5c/TeZhlpssrdI/AAAAAAAAAmw/ofCqIufFkBU/s1600/snapshot+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGAbFxbuy5c/TeZhlpssrdI/AAAAAAAAAmw/ofCqIufFkBU/s1600/snapshot+%25286%2529.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is the one I love the most.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sewing the tunic is gonna happen tomorrow, bright and early. Hurray! Can't wait.</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-81088196051737700042011-05-29T12:37:00.001+08:002011-05-29T12:39:20.344+08:00Almost DONE!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The embroidery for Mom's summer tunic is almost DONE! I can't wait to see this thing on an actual body (before summer ends too) I do miss the sound of my industrial machine. While I am enjoying doing all this hand embroidery, I also want to get some actual sewing done. I have so many projects in line and I want to finish them all before the 20th of June (my birthday). I just want CLOTHES, demmet! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OK4Q7S-bBFs/TeHI_jMleJI/AAAAAAAAAmI/51Jp6RlfrlA/s1600/snapshot+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OK4Q7S-bBFs/TeHI_jMleJI/AAAAAAAAAmI/51Jp6RlfrlA/s1600/snapshot+%25284%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B9cTVvGvV3o/TeHI_KTq_MI/AAAAAAAAAmE/SAUOQxO7LYY/s1600/snapshot+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B9cTVvGvV3o/TeHI_KTq_MI/AAAAAAAAAmE/SAUOQxO7LYY/s1600/snapshot+%25283%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VpzF0iJlfM4/TeHJLJigtNI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/gPl2H5_tlUY/s1600/snapshot+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VpzF0iJlfM4/TeHJLJigtNI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/gPl2H5_tlUY/s1600/snapshot+%25288%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cotton Silk Blend (70/30) from Fabric Warehouse in Natural, DMC Rayon Floss in different colors, my largest embroidery hoop and size 26 DMC Tapestry needles.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is why I'm taking a while. Try doing some hand-embroidery with this cheeky monkey on your back. Hee.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other news, I really need to do something about my hair. Hmm.</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-4518529253333365472011-05-21T13:01:00.000+08:002011-05-21T13:01:04.789+08:00CEBU! and the end of the world...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, my lovies. Just a quick update. We are now in Cebu (we flew in Tuesday night) and we are going to be here until August. The embroidery is going well, but it has slowed down considerably because of all the packing and preparation for Connor's and my extended stay. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-el_EhOlBulI/TddGgimNblI/AAAAAAAAAmA/Ds3N1To4Ji8/s1600/philippines01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-el_EhOlBulI/TddGgimNblI/AAAAAAAAAmA/Ds3N1To4Ji8/s640/philippines01.jpg" width="460" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The REAL work (sewing, embroidery etc) begins Monday. This weekend will be used to celebrated the world not ending. HURRAY.</span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30668685.post-3402242790212470672011-05-07T16:36:00.000+08:002011-05-07T16:36:44.181+08:00Mom's Embroidered Summer Tunic<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The embroidery bug bit me recently and I have also been thinking of what to give my mom for mother's day. So I decided on making a nice summery tunic for her. She had hinted several times that she wanted several tunics to wear now that the temperature has risen in this country. And because I currently want to embroider until my fingers fall off, this tunic is the perfect excuse to kill two birds with one stone.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's FAAAAR from perfect, but I'm quite happy with it.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am using a cotton/silk (70/30) blend fabric and DMC Rayon Embroidery Floss. I WISH I could use 100% silk on this project. Sadly. it's not available in this country and this project was planned on such short notice that I wasn't able to order pure silk embroidery floss ahead of time. Perhaps for another embroidery project, we'll see. </span>Lyrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08249126343348519430noreply@blogger.com8