Monthly Archives: September 2010

A pair of dandy Candy Pants (1/08)

Posted on by

Candy pants ( 1/08)
Another simple pair of cotton pants that I sewed for KR in size 92. It would have taken less than half that time that I actually put into this becoz of my carelessness…..I sewed the wrong side seams together! >.< Had to unpick not only the sewing stitches BUT also the OL stitches!! That'll teach me to be more observant.... :P

What a PITA that was....aaccckkk!! To think that I could have made such a silly mistake, really....a lesson definitely learned the hard way. I reckon it's slightly big coz I have not let KR try it on just yet. But if it is, then that's quite alright. This spring isn't that warm but it has been raining a fair bit (Have to remember to get a pair of rain boots for KR too.) so when the weather is slightly warm, she’ll be able to wear this both during spring AND summer. I plan on whipping up a plain white tshirt with perhaps an iron-on so that she can wear it with this pair of pants as well as that Baby Dress that I’ve since finished as well. :)

TFL…

Baby dress (2/05)

Posted on by

When I saw this pattern, it was just the perfect option for a summer dress but I didn’t quite have the right fabric with me, or so I thought. Non-fabric people won’t really understand the next sentence BUT I’ll say it anyway…..what my problem was that, no fabric in my stash was speaking to me. :P So I did spend some times rummaging through my stash looking for that perfect fabric and then I chanced upon this! :) I actually totally forgot I had this and since it’s kind of thin, it got hidden. Because it took awhile to pick the right fabric, I left it for some time while I checked out some nutrisystem reviews coz my cousin was talking about it the other day and so I thought I’d check it out as well.

Anyway, I bought this fabric on eBay for Arianna and I was right to buy it for her coz Arianna really liked the fabric but sadly, I had just completed this dress when she saw it so it’s been hard trying to convince her that this dress is not hers. :( Poor thing! But I did promise her that I’ll sew one just like this for her, and now I’m stuck once again since I have to rummage through my stash AGAIN to look for that perfect fabric. If not, I’m going online to checkout eBay….what’s new right? :P

Baby dress (2/05)
Sewn in size 92 for KR, this one used lightweight poly-cotton fabric so I’m really hoping that it wont crease too badly after a wash! Ironing would then really be a PITA! This pattern really required a lot of patience with the ruffles….these are times I wished I had a ruffler foot! Slightly big but once summer hits, it will be perfect! :D

TFL….

A floral hat (2/05) and frilly pants (3/08)

Posted on by

Moving on with my summer swap, more stuff for Arianna….perhaps I’m pampering her too much that she is just spoilt for choice! So much so that she can now pick and choose what she wants to wear and can quite adamantly put her foot down if she doesn’t want to wear what I want her to wear!! >.< Spoilt...utterly spoilt! :P

Anyway, here are 2 more pieces that I've finished over the last few days. Both were easy to put together but I've been feeling a wee bit tired these past few days so been a bit slow sewing my SWAP up.

Floral hat (2/05)
Yet another attempt, this time in size 52 for Arianna. This time I aded mid-weight fusible interfacing to all the outer pieces to see if it would stick out, but sadly although the hat is slight stiff, the petals still do not stick out and go droopy when the hat is on. Although cute, I think I wont sew this again.

Here is my attempt to think outside the box and go crazy with something I don’t and won’t normally do :

Frilled pants (3/08)
Summer pants sewn in size 104 for Arianna. Dh says it’s a weird fabric choice and was speechless about the combo and at first, while I thought it was fine, he’s changed my mind now. >.< Tell me it looks ok? *looks for pity comments*

On a happier note, I am currently 36w into the pregnancy and made my way to Spotlight after my checkup and I am proud to announce that I was a VERY VERY good girl. I didn't run amok and go on a spending spree, in fact I stuck to my list as closely as I could and I bought what I TRULY needed : muslin for some summer wraps. The only thing that I bought that wasn't on my list was some batiste which I intend to use as lining. :) See, I can be a good girl if I absolutely have to.

And now that DH knows I can indeed resist the temptation to NOT bust his credit card, I reckon he'll take me more often! :P Aren't I a scheming clever little duck? ;)

To knit or to crochet…

Posted on by

That is the question…..

I’ve actually dabbled in both crafts before but never mastered either one. And now that I’ve seen what beautiful things my MIL, grandmother, Mum and some of my mama friends have made, I’m seriously thinking about picking either one, or both crafts up. ;) I think these are crafts that will stand the test of time and will never go out of date. In fact, if at all, it will be something people will treasure because honestly, how many people out there are willing to invest so much time in making these gorgeous but time consuming garments? Not many and time being so precious these days, and everything must be fast, fast, fast….sometimes, you really need to slow down and smell the roses.

Anyway, if like me, you get confused which is which or have no idea what crochet and knit is…here are 2 pictures and introductions that I found that might give you an idea.

Crochet
Note the hooked needle. Read more here.

And this is a sample of a crocheted piece :

The following is an example of knitting :

Knitting
Note that this craft requires 2 pointed needles, one in each hand. More info here.

Here’s an example of lace knitting :
Lace knitting

See, both of these crafts make gorgeous items and there is no end as to what you can make! Hence I’ve decided to start this new journey with the new baby….in hospital. :P Yes, since I’ll be in there for at least 5 days as that is the package here, I’ve got nothing to do but sit and wait for feeding times for bub, so why not do something productive? :) Now, I’m only left to decide which craft I should start….

So, tell me….to knit or to crochet?

Modified Orvokki (1/09)

Posted on by

After the recent Orvokki I did, I knew for a fact that it was really cut short in the pattern sheet so I lengthen this by 10cm and took off the sleeves coz I wanted it for summer. I also added more gathers coz I think it’s currently not enough! :) Sewn in 104 with a little Pooh Bear sew-on thingy MIL bought for Arianna. ;) It’s been SO long since I sewed a simple solid top that this will match loads of the other patterned pieces that I’ve sewn in the past! ;)

Sometimes going simple does make things look better and I think this top will also compliment the frilly pants that I’m going to sew up next! ;)

Modified Orvokki (1/09)
I might sew up a few other colors as well but I do have to be careful that I don’t mix up the front/back yoke with the front/back panels!! Only because I did and I had completely sewn EVERYTHING , including the OL and all, and was just down to stitching up the side seams when I noticed what I had done!! >.< Too late....I wasnt up to unpicking triple stitches AND OL stitches so I actually cut up another set...YES, technically, this is the second top I'm sewing. The ruin one is currently sitting in my scrap bin. :/

Lesson of the day : Sewing takes time, don’t rush it no matter how excited you are to see the end result. Thank goodness I had loads more of this fabric left! TFL…..

3 piece floral suit (3/08)

Posted on by

I was pretty excited to try this pattern coz I thought the petals were so cute! I liked how the pants turned out and *not that I’m blowing my own trumpet here but….* KR looks so cute in it!! :P I know I’m most probably bias coz I’m her mum but I’m going to say it anyway. LOL

I didn’t plan on sewing up a top to go with it but somehow I couldn’t think of what would match the top coz I didn’t like the top that paired with this pants so I ended up modifying the Baby’s dress pattern a little and with the top and pants completed….instead of looking like something she could wear in public, it now looks like summer PJs to me!! >.< So I'm not really happy with my fabric choice...or perhaps I should have just sewn a knit top instead of a matching top. *sigh* I don't know - what do you think? I've got loads of solid purple knits here so I think I might just whip up a simple tshirt/blouse and get an iron-on transfer from Spotlight when I go there next week, what say you?

3 piece floral suit (3/08)
Sewn in size 92 for KR – Floral pants, modified Baby’s Dress & Floral hat all from 3/08. I thought the fabric would suit the name of the pattern but now it looks like PJs to me! >.<

As for the Floral hat, I’m not sure if it’s meant to be THAT floppy coz it is and I wanted the petals to stick out more. Perhaps I should have used some fusible interfacing to give it some stiffness…aaarrrgghh, all these ifs!! :( But never mind, it’s all part and parcel of the learning process….now I just have to REMEMBER them and not make the same mistake. I might have to jot it down in this Otto issue in case I forget. :P TFL…..

Strawberry tunic (3/08)

Posted on by

I’ve finally got a start on sewing up my summer SWAP. :) I wouldn’t consider being away from the sewing machine a break coz I was still busy picking out patterns, then tracing out the said patterns but the worst is trying to pick what fabric to go with what pattern!! See why there is never a time when you have enough fabric…something is always missing! :P

Anyway, this is my first garment for summer 2010. :P

Strawberry tunic (3/08)
Sewn in size 98 for Arianna, this is one of my absolute fav patterns! ;) Thank goodness it runs up to quite a size range coz I see myself sewing many variations of this pattern for the girls. :)

I previously sewed the same pattern but in a solid color and I still love it!

Strawberry tunic (?) & shorts
I sewed this up for our trip back to Malaysia and it was well worn although I miscalculated the elastic waist for this pair of shorts and its just way too tight for Arianna. :( Pity coz the fabric is nice and thick yet has a bit of stretch in it.

If only I knew how to upsize this to MY size, I’ll definitely sew a few for me!! And in this color too coz what can I say….I’m a sucker for anything maroon. :P TFL…

Ps. I’m so happy – I managed to scam a trip to Spotlight!! Going there after my 36 weeks check up on 28/9. YIIPPEEE!!

A year older and hopefully, wiser! :P

Posted on by

Well, I’m not sure if I’m suppose to celebrate the fact that I’m growing OLDER but what I do want to celebrate is the fact that I’ve lived another year to see my children grow up and to welcome a new member into our family in a few weeks time, and hopefully celebrate more years to come of course. :) I can’t believe I’m 32 this year…I don’t feel that age at all but I have to accept reality la! My younger, happening days are still fresh in my mind, thank goodness for that but more often than not, it takes awhile to refresh them. And this makes me think how time has really passed me by.

I am content and happy where I am today although there are a couple of things that I have not yet fulfilled. I’ve always wanted to work with animals and that desire is still very much alive although I don’t see it happening so soon coz I really don’t know where to start but SOMEDAY, I will definitely make this dream come through. I still dream of owning our own house someday. After all, with a new house, I can also hope for my own sewing room! :P What can I say…I’ve finally realised that I really enjoy sewing and its something that I won’t stop doing, at least for time being.

I am happy that I have been blessed in so many ways that I could go on and on and bore the heck out of you but one things for sure, the best things that have happened to me up till today is definitely the work of the Lord. Without Him in our lives, I think it would not be as good as it is today. I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again….we may not be filthy rich (though we hope that someday we will be!) but we have everything we need to lead a comfy and happy life and, honestly from the bottom of my heart, I really couldn’t ask for more.

Here’s to another blessed year…. :)

Ps. My cousins just commented on my status saying that that I should have a nice day today and not sew. OMG, no way cuz….if at all, it should be an ALL day sewing day for me today!! LOL Sadly, this will never happen, at least not for me. If wishes came true, I’d have me a nice, cozy house, a maid to clean it for me, a sewing room and a walk-in fabric storage room just for me! :P

A solution perhaps?

Posted on by

was talking to sis about this acne problem that I’ve been having and based on my previous post, she reckons that I’ll have to get prescription acne medication because of my current state, I can’t just simply go out and get some over-the-counter medication. And I have to agree with her. I might have to make an appointment with that doc the same day I’m going for my 36 weeks checkup next week just so I get to utilise the whole day and not spoil it.

I might try and sneak in a trip to Spotlight if I can scam it out of Ted! Lol Lord knows he thinks of it as the forbidden zone and would never step foot there if he can avoid it! Cheeky fella….o well, I better get to bed then. Perhaps I’m not getting enough sleep as well…could be the reason for this fantastic outbreak. (>.<)