Latest loot

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Mistyeiz

I finally managed to get some fabric from a local textile store called Nagoya. Apparently they have opened up new branches and this was one of it. It is comparatively dinky compared to their ‘HQ’ in Pacific Seberang Jaya but heck, to me, something is better than nothing. That said, I am now looking forward to check out the biggun’ some day soon. (This simply means I’ll have to wait till sis comes home for a holiday!! Lord knows when that will be. *sigh)

Anyway, I managed to only get me 3 pieces of fabric. In Malaysia, most textile stored only sell cotton, poly-cotton or this other type of fabric used to sew Baju Kurung (a traditional Malay costume). I’m not sure what that type of fabric is called but it is rather silky like and imo, hard to sew. However, they come in assorted colors that if you were into such fabric, you’d go nuts!!! I should have taken some shots of that store to show you what they have but I totally forgot.

Anyway, this is my latest loot :

A little something for me. I love the border and it will make a wonderful summer dress. The tops bits can be used to sew something for girls, utilizing the border once again, for the sleeves. I got it all worked out!

Something for the girls – on the left is something from Moda Designs but I can’t remember what it’s called. I’m looking to making dresses with the pink fabric and a flare dress for Arianna with the polka dot fabric.

Seems like I will be busy but I haven’t started on anything yet. Apparently I will be busy buying more fabric online coz there are some that I’ve been keeping my eye out for that are on sale. Off to do more shopping!!

Old is gold

Posted on May 28, 2010 by Mistyeiz

For as long as I can remember, my mum sewed our clothes from when we were young until now. She last sewed me some maternity tops and soon, she will be busy sewing a new top for sis.

She’s only had one sewing machine that I know of, Usha brand and it was only a couple of years ago that she actually bought herself an overlocker. It’s an Acme 3 thread OL.

This is her ol’ faithful….I reckon a couple of mamas from CM would enjoy a peek at this baby. Mum told me that from memory, she got it in 1963 and it still works!!

A close-up shot.

This is the OL that she got a couple of years ago, I wonder how she managed without it for so long!!! I can’t imagine how tough it must have been to stop the fraying since she sews mostly woven.

Like I said, Mum has sewn 99% of all our clothes since we were kids. She still sews her own tops coz she doesn’t like those RTW ones. And it was with this ol’ faithful that she sewed my wedding dress and my dinner reception dress/lengaa as well.

She designed the pattern and got the fabric as well. I tells ya, she is an amazing woman!! (Sorry abt the minute pix – didnt really get the original size up!)

Side view of my wedding gown – I had me a LONG train, loved it!!

Front view of my reception dress made from sari material. This ‘dress’ is called a lengha, a type of Indian traditional costume to reflect my Indian heritage. (Click here for more examples)

Back view of my dinner/reception dress

So you can see the service that this machine has given to our family, and is still going strong. I am looking forward to sewing some dresses for Arianna coz I’ve FINALLY got the OL fixed up with the help of my almost-there-PhD.-holder sister! *lol*

Wish me luck as we embark on a fabric shopping spree tomorrow!!

Missing out on all the fun!!

Posted on May 26, 2010 by Mistyeiz

While I am totally enjoying my stay with family here in Malaysia at the moment, I can’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy at the Crafty Mamas who will be meeting up in Melbourne for their weekend craft retreat!

I would have loved to travel to Melbourne and meet up with the ladies face to face but sadly this is not to be just yet. Firstly, we had already bought the tix to Malaysia and secondly, I can’t imagine leaving the girls with Ted over the weekend by himself! *lol* I might only come home to one child.

Plus, now that I’m preggers again, I don’t think I’d want to be traveling anymore than I should. We bought our holiday tix before we knew about Nibbles so, bub turning up was indeed a surprise for us. But that’s alright…hopefully, I’ll be able to make it to the next one and here’s hoping that it will be held perhaps in Sydney the next time so I don’t have to travel so far.

That said, I’ve still not started on any sewing project. I’ve been meaning to get Mum to teach me how to draft my own patterns and a hands-on lesson at zipper sewing coz although I can wing it, it has always turned out disastrous. Hence, now is the best time to learn from the pro (imho). I would really like to make more dresses for Arianna and since cotton is readily available at home, it would be the perfect reason to start sewing really but I’ve been putting it off – simply becoz I’ve been nothing but purely lazy. LOL

I really have to get that OL re-threaded correctly once and for all, I guess with that done, my sewjo might come back!

Strawberry tunic & matching shorts

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Mistyeiz

I made these for Arianna and I love how the tunic turned out!! It’s a simple design but it’s very comfy and suitable for any weather. If it gets cold, all I need to do is get her to wear a long tshirt inside and in summer, it does well on its own.

I love maroon and it blends well with cream hence I’m so loving how they turned out. I reckon I’ll be churning more of these out when I get home!! I’ll have to remember to make the waistband bigger coz they are current a bit too tight for Arianna.

The gorgeous ribbons are from the Crafty Mamas shops. Lisa has got tonnes of it, so do pop by and grab yourself a deal!

TFL……

So much time on my hands!

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Mistyeiz

I’ve been home (Kulim) for less than a week and I noticed that after the kids have gone to bed, I have so much time on my hands! I’ve been thinking about sewing up a couple of things but nothing particular in mind. Mum’s got an old Singer sewing machine (pix soon when I get my card reader) which still works although it is ancient, and an OL as well.

But the OL has been giving issues so I’ve re-threaded one of the reels and hopefully it will work fine again. Perhaps with the OL working once again, I’ll get that extra push I need to get myself back into gear. I would love to sew some dresses for Arianna since Mum can definitely draw up some of her own ideas and if I can pull them off well, I’ll add them to my collection of patterns for when I decide to start selling my stuff.

Under pressure outputs

Posted on May 15, 2010 by Mistyeiz

This was meant to be posted up a long time ago but since I was too busy sewing these garments and then I got caught up with the packing, I’m only able to do this now.

I had in mind to sew the girls some warm wear coz when we get back to Sydney in August, winter will still be around and a sweater would be the perfect idea. Please bear with me as I have no recollection of the issues these clothes came from coz I don’t have my mags to refer to here in Malaysia. (YES, I am home!!! )

I made matching sweaters for the girls out of fleece fabric. It’s fleecey on the inside and knit on the outside (I think) I got the fabric off eBay. From memory, the pattern is called Velour Sweater.

Next up is something for Arianna. Since she is the eldest, she gets more new stuff that KR hence, I decided to sew 2 more pants to bring down with us to Malaysia. The left one is a 3/4 cropped Vilkas pants while the white thighs are well, tights. They are meant to match a 2 piece suit that I also made recently but had no time to publish/post them.

Will try to sort that out soonest, TFL…..

Fabrilicious fabric+a giveaway!!

Posted on May 2, 2010 by Mistyeiz

OMG OMG OMG!!! They are here….YAY!!! Come drool with me….

Patty Young’s Tapestry Pink, Sandi Hendersin’s Vintage Cherries, Paula Prass’s Par Avion

I absolutely fell in love with the Vintage Cherries and Par Avion but they were never on sale until finally they were and I grabbed them!! I can already see what I’ll be sewing with them.

*drool drool* My first purchase ever of designer fabric and I’m over the moon!!!

Top : Jungle Jam
Bottom : Garden Collage, Birds of Norway

The moment I saw Jungle Jam, I saw Arianna in a pretty dress with those borders – she is SO going to be stoked! And the Birds of Norway…I don’t think I could ever chop that up! =.=

This was a complimentray gift that was included with one of the purchases that I made. It was a pleasant surprise but since I’m not into making stuff like this, this is going to be a giveaway.

All you need to do is blog about this and link me back. Be sure to leave a valid email address to I can contact you if you’re the lucky winner. All the best and good luck.

Winners will be picked on 9/5/2010 in conjunction with Mother’s Day.

So exciting!!!

Posted on May 1, 2010 by Mistyeiz

Just a quick post to say how excited I am because tomorrow around this time, I will be holding in my hands….my first ever purchase of some designer fabrics!!! *dancing with glee*

Since I could never really afford them, this was the first time I actually found them for a good price as they were on sale!!! Happiness is me!!

stitch 2 stitch

Monthly Archives: May 2010