VV girls!

Here are some photos from happy customers:)

I posted about throwing a baby shower for my friend a while ago, and she had a baby at the end of March! And her baby girl is wearing the clothes I made for her. Makes me so happy to see she is actually wearing it!

Picture on the left is a custom order I did. The cut out dress in blue floral. I wish I had gotten more of those floral fabrics when I was in Thailand..I only got 4 meters of it, and it was gone so quick.

Back in Japan

I'm finally back in Japan after a month long stay in the U.S.! It's good to be back and reunited with my husband:)

I did a lot of traveling while I was in the U.S. - went to Boston, D.C., Upstate NY and NYC for 3 times while I was based in Philly, and working full time. I did a little bit of fabric shopping as well, and all the fabrics above are from my favorite fabric shop in Philly, called Gaffney. They have great stock of prints, and I am especially in love with the bicycle print above. Isn't it so cute?
I have a list of fabric shops that I went while I was in Philly, and am planning to post the list in my blog soon:)

Something I worked on last week..

This is something I worked on last week. I never went for yellow clothes, because of my skin color, but I really do like this yellow floral print I found here in Philadelphia. It's very Springy and I would actually wear yellow if it's something like this.

I'm counting down days till I get to go back home, and I can't wait to get there, since it's my birthday! What a treat to be picked up by my beloved husband on my birthday after a month of separation.

Lovely Shaine Mote

I found out about this lovely etsy seller today - Shaine Mote. I love everything she makes! Her dresses and skirts are feminine and flattering. Also her photographs are beautiful.

Lots of hearts

I made this dress a while ago but never got around to post it on my blog. I thought of posting it today, because I miss my husband terribly and I want to give him all my hearts, kisses and love!

I still have 2 and a half weeks in the States by myself, and I think the latter half will be hard for me..

Anyway, I intended to make this dress with crossed straps in the back. I kind of drafted the patterns for the back, but the straps ended up being too short, it was like a kid's dress, and there was no way that a grown-up woman can wear.
Even worse, I did not have enough fabric left to make another set of straps. These kind of things happen to me all the time when I'm sewing. Sometimes things don't go as I plan.

So instead, I made it a halter neck, and added a strap thingy(?) in the back, with a covered button closure.
The result was not what I initially designed, but I like it. The back straps give an extra support as well:) m

Heart print back cut out dress

Thank you tzipporit!

Sarah from tzipporit kindly featured my shop at her blog. Check out her blog post here;)
She is also a fellow etsian, and has a vintage shop and a handmade jewelry shop featuring many delicate lace jewelries. I think her vintage dresses are really reasonably priced, ranging from 12.99 to 29.99! Her lace rose earrings are my favorite!!

VV girls

Wanted to share pictures of happy customers. Made to order floral cut out dress on the left, and cherry blossom and leopard mini skirt on the right. I'm so glad to see my clothes worn by these girls!!

Inspiration: Karla's Closet

Karla's Closet is one of my daily reads...I love her unique style, and how unconcerned she is about trend and such. She experiments with different hem lines of skits and pants, which I need to try..I always stick to knee length or little above knee length skirts and dresses.
Right now, I'm crazy about her look above! vintage pastel chiffon skirt, stripes, moto jacket and wedges... I love it!

I went to fabric shopping with Naoko today. Check out my new fabric purchase here!

Happy Easter!

This weekend had an amazing weather in Philly! It was warm, reached to 80s F during the day. I started the Sunday by going to a sunrise morning service. The church I used to go to in Philly has a 7:30 service on Easter Sunday at a park. It was really nice. Then my friend and I went for a run around a Schuylkill river..it was a perfect running day too, not too much wind. After that, we had a lunch at our friend's house. Here are some delicious photos...


Also had a BBQ party on Saturday with some friends. My friend made a amazing chicken marinated with vinegar, lime, garlic and soy sauce.

When I was in NY, my friend and I went to Max Brenner for dinner. That place is what all girls want - all different kinds of chocolates. wonderful.

New this week!

These are new at the shop! Both so Springy.

I am currently in Philadelphia, but will be updating the shop with 2 new items per week. I can also accept urgent custom orders since I brought my sewing machine with me. However all non-urgent items will be made and shipped once I return to Japan on April 28th.

Left: Leopard and Cherry Blossom Tunic

Right: Pink Peter Pan Collar Dolly Dress

Backless dress by Petite Republic

I just sew a post over at Petite Republic about her new creation - backless dress! I'm so flattered because she mentioned that she fell in love with my garden party dress and wanted to make her own.

I think her dress turned out so lovely. She used Danielle dress pattern from BurdaStyle as a base, and changed up the back panel. Although I separated the back pane in two (top and bottom), she uses one big panel with a hole in the middle.

She also shares her tips for using interface for the bust area, so it's slightly padded. Obviously, you cannot wear a regular bra with this backless dress. I didn't think of using the interface, and it is such a great idea! I should do that next time I make this dress.
When I wear this patterned dress myself (I made it in gray satin for myself to wear it to an upcoming wedding! will show it here soon..) I use sticky bra I stole from my sister. I believe they sell it at Victoria's Secret, but it is a bra made out of silicon or something, and has no straps, and it literally sticks to your boobs. The only problem with it is that it gets really gross when you sweat, since the silicon like material does not observe sweat.

Anyway, check out her blog and all creations! She has occasional giveaway at her blog as well.

socks + sandals

I've noticed some fashionable people online are wearing short socks (especially in black) with pumps, oxford and sandals. I like the mix of oversized vintage shirt and socks & oxford by Song of Style. Bravegirrl (on the right) wears brown socks with Balenciaga sandals, although it looks almost impossible to walk and do some everyday stuff with those killer heels, she really looks chic!
Late Afternoon is my daily read.. not only I like style, but also I am attracted to her long blond hair with bangs. The hear style really suits her.

Ships!

Just thought to share a dress I made before all the craziness started last week! I got this cute ships fabric in Nippori, Japan. I thought it might be too much if I used this fabric all though the dress, so I decided to use it only for the top part.
The bottom skirt is made out of black light weight cotton, which is so breezy and comfortable.

Now I'm in Philly! It was so beautiful and sunny today, it made me happy. I hope this weather lasts for a while.