Tempting, very, very tempting

Batik

Since today I wore a batik blazer made two years ago, I thought why not I blog about it. BTW not a Malaysian batik but China batik. :)

I purchased this batik during my trip to Beijing in 2002 because of the bold pattern and colors. As usual it took me many years to decide what to do with it; cushion cover, wall deco, skirts, shirt or blazer. I  chose Nehru collar blazer and omitted buttons to wear with black sleeveless maxi. The thick cotton was so delightful to cut and sew.

I think the blazer turns out OK for Thursday-casual batik office wear-when u don't have meeting day.

Wedding quickie

2 days before my niece got married, she came to the house with great expectation. Her reception dress was too simple and she wanted to add a longer train at the back pf the dress. Hmm... Me who never work on silky/satiny material or lace got worried. Big time.

In the first place the dress was inspired by Hana Tajima's wedding dress, and i think the simplicity of the design took into consideration of its striking color; quartz purple and where it was worn... The registry office.

She proposed to attach the train underneath the empire-waist band that requires unpicking stiches... A lot of stiches. As i proceeded to measure and cut the length of the lacy sari to make the train, i envisioned making mistakes and bad workmanship which would ruin the dress in the process... Horror. Me definitely don't likey. 

I was very apprehensive about altering the dress and came up with a simple solution. I totally had a light-bulb moment. Haha... What if the train is not attached to the dress at all... So that she could still wear the dress on other occasions? As a separate garment, the train work like an apron; a backward apron... I also attached fabric strings instead of hooks and eyes so that she could tie them snugly. To make it more festive we decided to use a brooch over it. So within 3 hour the apron-train was completed and the bride was happy.

It was such a simple sewing process yet nerve wrecking moments for me that i forget to take picture of it. It was also sweet and heart warming to be part of her memories as she enters adulthood. Here she was ready to go out and receive the groom...

My best friend

The seam reaper...
Not a good star in getting acquaint with satin

Testing update

Beautiful print

YES

year end sewing?

Pfft... 

been here for nearly seven months... not much sewing except 4 pairs of baju kurung inclusive 1 pair baju raya. who cares? i care.. sob, sob. i miss my old craft room. 

no way i'm going to lay low, when

talented (...ahem) c.r.a.f.t.y a.n.i.q.u.e hold giveaway on her precious (...ahem) cushion covers....

I so WANT THIS CUSHION COVER badly BECAUSE  I DON'T THINK I WILL ABLE TO MAKE ONE (so many techniques i've yet to learn), IT'S ABOUT GREEN (boleh pakai kat office which goes along our design approach toward sustainable living, bla,bla...) AND BECAUSE OMG ITS FREE (if i'm lucky la... insya Allah).