i made this denim skirt for my lil sister

i used her dress sloper that i drafted earlier. i traced the sloper from waist line down to the hip line and extended the length for a floor length skirt.

i made a 6-panel skirt in heavy denim  and installed an exposed zipper.  i used a YKK metal zipper as the denim is thick and heavy.  i used running stitches, to serve as a decorative top stitching  for the casual rustic look that i love.

i prefer to finish the waist with facings rather than a waist band.  here, i used a 100% cotton fabric.  i find that the skirt sits better on the waist with this finishing and it is comfortable too.  furthermore, it makes it easier to install the zipper.  plus, the facings offer another design interest.

so here are the photos.

back panels

front panels 

close-up front panel

close-up back panel and the exposed zipper

the exposed zipper, the facings and the hand-sewn top stitching 

cheers,
YunY

my inspiration for lisa's dinner outfit

the long panel skirt by carolina herera.
lovely isn't it?

this simple clean black top by dkny.
it is just fabulous.
love the simple lines.

cheers,
YunY

a dress and a long skirt for my daughter lisa

recently, i made a dress and a skirt for my daughter lisa.  the outfit was for her graduation dinner party.  i made it from scratch.  it took me about 2 weeks plus.  here is the photo for the outfit....almost ready.

the fabric for the scarf was really nice.
my favourite colour, charcoal grey.
the colour combination makes the outfit looks classy,
if i may say so myself :)

first i have to draft her a new sloper (she told me that she has gained weight).  then i used this new sloper to make a pattern for the dress and the skirt. then i made a muslin for the dress and the skirt.  then i went out to shop for the fabric to make the dress and the skirt and the long scarf.  one has to be in black and the other one has to be in a striking colour.  at that time she was busy with her final exam and i have to pick her up at her college to do the fitting.  i didn't even have time to take any photos of the finished outfit on her.  it was really hectic.  i wish i could work on it continuously without interruption.  but that would be nearly impossible with the kids and the house and the rabbits...ha ha.   the deadline was yesterday, 9 april, her graduation dinner party.  and she happily told me that everyone loved her outfit.  here are the photos of the snapshot of the w.i.ps

the long skirt.

the facing on the waist of the longskirt.
i used cotton so that it is comfortable
the fabric for the skirt is from synthetic fiber, not so comfortable against the skin.

the zipper and the facings of the neck of the dress.

a close up of the outfit

front view of the dress

i love making this outfit.  and i love how it turned out......just like how i want it to be.

cheers,
YunY

i am sewing clothes for myself

my lil sis came back from india last month.  she usually comes back during her semester break.  and this time she brought me about 10 pieces of cotton yardage.

i need a couple of tops to wear with my skirts and those fabrics that she brought were just perfect....lightweight, breathable, 100% cotton.

i made these two simple loose fitting tops and i couldn't stop myself from making a skirt too.  i took these photos last nite with my mobile phone.  i used the sloper system from lucia's book.  

completed...just to tidy up loose threads. 

completed...just to tidy up loose threads.

this is a basic long skirt.
i need to install the waistband,
and then hemming.
and still contemplating to line this skirt.

status: tops COMPLETED but still having some issues with the sleeves:( the sleeves hang ok....but a wee bit too tight when i cross my arms.  i'd prefer a bit more room.  the top of the sleeve cap, i.e about 1" around the joint at shoulder seams, has some excess fabrics. i suppose this has got something  to do with the fact that i have forward thrust shoulders.  i need to tweak the sleeve cap and the shoulder seam.  wish me luck.

status @ 21mac2013:  it has been a very long and painful one month of finding the perfect fit for the set-in sleeve.  it was done in series of 10-minute-in-between-sessions daily (with the kids and the house and the rabbits) for the past one month.  i almost give up.  and i think i'm almost there.  but i'm keeping my fingers crossed.  will be posting more photos of the sleeve later.

cheers
YunY

my skirt is completed and ready-to-wear

did any of you remember my skirt making project last year (see here)?  well, today i finally completed the skirt and i put it on.  this is how it looks.  sorry for the low photo quality.  the photographer is too lazy to step outside the house to take the photos :).  of course, i could have waited.  but i just couldn't.  i can't wait to show you the skirt that i made for myself.  if i have time, i will try to take another photo of this skirt on me. 

i think i need to get myself a decent camera.  almost all of the photos that you have seen in this blog so far were taken using my mobile phone......including these.

view from a 45 degree angle

view from a 45 degree angle

cheers,
YunY

how to take your measurement for drafting a skirt pattern

(it is not that complicated but you must make sure that your measurement is taken accurately)

a) preparation
you'll need
- a measuring tape
- a pencil and a piece of paper
- a string (tie it around your waist before you begin to take the measurement)
- an assistant

b) take your Front Waistline Measurement & Back Waistline Measurement 

taken from Side Waist Point to Side Waist Point on opposite side

c) take your Shoulder Blade Width (back only)

taken from  Shoulder Blade Point to  Shoulder Blade Point (this measurement is for the dart placement)

d) take your Front Hip Measurement & Back Hip Measurement
taken from Side Hip Point to Side Hip Point on opposite side (Side Hip Point is located 7 inches down from the waistline) 

e) Take these length measurements from waistline tape to floor:
1. Front Center Skirt Length Measurement
2. Side Skirt Measurement
3. Back Center Skirt Measurement

happy new year everyone!

YunY

i am making more ayu bags and a skirt too

i'm back from ipoh. i am down with sore throat and i have been quiet since my last post. but, my fingers are busy, busy, busy.....cutting leathers and organising the cut leather pieces for my next ayu bags. as mentioned earlier, i'll be making one for my mom. the challenge now is to choose the fabric that is perfect for my mom. i am also cutting the leather pieces to make 3 more ayu bags. isn't that too ambitious of me? we'll see.

next, i want to work on a few new designs. again.....isn't that too ambitious? anyways, i have received a request from a friend of my sister. she would like me to make her a long skirt....like the one featured in my earlier post. since i have not uploaded the "how to take your measurement", i will need to bring her to my place and get her measurement myself. since she is going to be my first customer, i am going to give her a promotional discount.

cheers,

YunY

i am making my own skirt

work-in-progress. i am making my own skirt. i drafted the skirt pattern from scratch. i've finished hemming. next is the waistband.

my daughter said the skirt looks just like the one i bought from m&s. i think so too.

it is a 6-gored skirt made from a medium weight fabric. so, i did not line it.

if you like it let me know. boleh tempah.

status: completed.  for photo of completed skirt, pls click here.

cheers!

YunY

i made this skirt for my daughter.

I drafted this skirt pattern from scratch and it turned out great!

cheers!

YunY