Inspiration: Secret Squirrel

Secret Squirrel Spring/Summer 2010 via Liebemarlene Vintage

I came across this Sydney born label, Secret Squirrel via Liebemarlene vintage (one of my favorite fashion blogs by the way!). Their motto is to create clothes "that will stand the test of time" I can see that by looking at their simple, elegant clothing, yet I love the subtle details, like the interesting cut of the dress (top left and bottom left) and round collars!

Revisiting old patterns

I can't believe it is September in two days! The summer went by so quick. Although, it is still unbearably hot here in Japan. You sweat a moment you step outside, it is over 90 degrees and it does not really cool down at night! I love Summer, I really do, but I could use some cooler, crisp air for a bit.

I just moved last Wednesday, and on top of that I had 12 hour work days two days in a row right after the move. I'm bit exhausted and I haven't touch my sewing machine since I moved.
I will be making curtains and small things around the house soon though.

For the Fall season, I would like to create new patterns and designs for dresses, skirts and shorts, but I just do not have enough time in a day these days! So I decided to revisit the patterns I used before, changed it up a bit to make them look like fall pieces.

Mustard yellow drapy dress
You must have seen this design a lot in my site this summer - I am really fond of cross over front (I think it works well for different bust sizes!) and the waist band. For the fall, I lengthen the sleeves and made the dress in fall color - mustard yellow.
Midnight blue cocktail dress
Guess which pattern is based on for this dress?! It's from BurdaStyle.
The Pattern is called Malissa. This dress does not look at all like the original Malissa, right? I cut the front dress pattern in two pieces, gathered the pieces with elastic thread, and added a waist band. For the top part, I made a small key hole detail - and voila! It's a cocktail dress for holiday season

Yukina dress in mustard yellow
This dress was based on a sketch I received from a girl, named Yukina. I made her a dress in shimmery green, two years ago! I totally forgot about the pattern after that, but found it in my pattern book and decided to give it a shot - This is a perfect work dress, I would wear this to work with tights, pumps and jacket!

Lovely work spaces

I'm truly in awe of people who can keep their sewing work spaces neat and lovely. As a part of BurdaStlye book project, my husband video taped my sewing room, but I'm so embarrassed because it was so messy! When I am sewing, ironing, cutting out pattern pieces, keeping the work area clean is not my priority.

I am inspired by the lovely sewing rooms below, it looks like the ideas for new clothes would pop up easily had I worked in those adorable places.

I just moved to a new place 3 days ago, so let's hope I can keep my work space clean and decorate it lovely this time.

Gaby's workspace via Spokes 'n' Daggers

Nadia's workspace via Nadinoo

Inspiration: Kelsey Genna

Just found out Kelsey Genna updated her site with new collection!
She is an independent designer from New Zealand, and ever since I found her line at Etsy.com, I've been quietly following her. Her girly sweet style is right on my alley!

She makes everything handmade herself, for a limited quantity. I like that too!

Stitch n Bitch

Stitch n Bitch with Kayo from Crochetie, or her shop, Emorie.
We live very close now, so we get together weekly to work on small projects together, show our new findings (great online resources and shops), drink coffee or tea and sometimes just chat.
Unfortunately, I'm moving next week to south of Tokyo. I'll miss stich and bitch with her!

I'm posting a sneak peak of what we do at the coffee shop... I'm terribly embarrassed to see my self talk and giggle..

200th etsy sale!

Last week, I had a 200th sale on my etsy shop. It might be a small accomplishment, but I felt so good about it.

It has been about two years since I started selling on etsy. When I started making clothes, I had no intention to sell at all. I was making them just for fun, and mostly, I didn't think I was good enough to be able to make clothes for someone else. Then I found out about Etsy and and how easy it is to set up a shop there. Plus, my friend, Naoko and my husband convinced me that I can do this. (I would never have done this without their push! I so appreciate them!!)

My very first sale came in a month after I opened a shop. When I received "Etsy Transaction" email to notify me of the sale, I just could not believe someone bought my handmade clothes. I was thrilled.

After that, everything was a learning experience for me. From custom order, consignment to wholesale deal, I had to kind of figure out the way by myself with some help from my husband and friends, since I have no background in designing or fashion business. But it has been a great, great experience! I love the every minute of it.

After running the shop for two years, I'm finally beginning to learn to deal with both busy time and slow time. When I'm busy and feel like I'm a sewing machine, I complain that I have no time to design new clothes. But when the shop is slow, I worry that there might be something wrong with me or clothes. I'm beginning to learn to use slow time wisely to criticize my shop, design new clothes, and pump out as much as I can to post new clothes at least a couple times a week. At the same time, I try to just shut up and get things done when things are crazy busy!

Anyway, whoever reading my blog, or has bought something from me, I want to thank you so much for your support! xx

Bicycle Print

Another photo from another lovely customer in her cut out dress - The fabric might look like polkadots, but they are actually bicycles! Isn't it adorable?

Built by Wendy Fall 2010

Built by Wendy Fall 2010 Collection

I love designing Spring/Summer clothes, but when it comes to Fall/Winter clothes, I always get stuck. I tend to like more colorful, bright colors and patterns, and heavy velvet, wool etc in dark colors don't inspire me much.

However, Built by Wendy's Fall 2010 collection is making me think more positively on making clothes for cold weather..Their dresses are minimal, but the cut is really nice and make me want to imitate them!

The best part about Built by Wendy is, they sell sewing patterns as well. They are a bit pricey (I think..), about $15 for each pattern, but I really would like to try one!
Check out their patterns here.

Maxi dress for myself

I wrote a while ago that I hadn't made anything for my self for a long time since I've been busy keeping up with my etsy shop? I had a chance to make myself a maxi dress for summer, and I love it! I've already worn it a bunch of time.

I got this floral print fabric from Philly, when I went there in April. I got this from my favorite fabric shop, called Gaffney. It was pretty cheap, I don't remember how much exactly, but love how the fabric feels - It is soft, and don't stick to your body. Since here is very humid in Summer, the fabric worked out well for me.

I also made a skirt with the same fabric, which was posted here.

Marie skirt pattern

It has been a while since I used a new BurdaStyle pattern, but a couple of weeks ago, I printed out Marie skirt pattern. It is free at BurdaStyle! I wanted to make a cocoon skirt, and this pattern was perfect. It is very very easy, and the front and back part of the skirt has the same pattern. It has an interesting pleats which I liked. I connected with the pattern I made for front part to make it a dress.
Some improvements I would make for the next time is:
1) Make it shorter - I feel as though BurdaStyle patterns are always too long for me. Perhaps that's because I'm not particularly tall in American standard (I'm 5'5) but I prefer skirt to be a bit shorter than my knee.
2) Add a slit in the back. I find it a bit hard to walk, because the hem of the skirt is a bit tight. It's not like you cannot walk around, but I prefer having more room since I like to walk fast!

Tiger secretary dress

Green stripe secretary dress

The Cosmopolitan Clevelander

It always makes me smile when a male customer order some clothing from my shop for his wife or girlfriend. I think those guys are so thoughtful that they research their girls' favorite online shops:)

Christina from the lovely style blog, The Cosmopolitan Clevelander contacted me for an interview after her boyfriend gave her the ruffle romper he purchased from me for Christina's birthday. She has such a great bf!

Here is the interview post:)

Christina with polkadot ruffle romper:)

We're moving!

My husband and I are moving in two weeks! We will be moving to a little bit south of Tokyo, near Yokohama. I can't wait to get a place of our own again, and I've been checking Design Sponge vigorously to decide what kind of home decoration I want for the new place.
I love the piled up pillows in random, different colors and patterns. I can probably DIY this, using some left over fabric from making clothes?!
I think I'd like to keep other bed linens in white, to make it easier to match different colored pillow cases.
Also inspired by different sized photo frames and pictures in the living room. I'm kind of looking for nice print to decorate the living room with (preferably pictures of sky or water, something blue). Does anyone have any recommendation for some reasonably priced shop online?
Lastly, above is some inspiration pictures for home office. I work from home most days, so I want to make the working conditions as pleasant as possible:)

Images all via Design Sponge.

Small back V detail from vintage pattern

One of my inspiration sources for sewing comes from vintage patterns. I love going through etsy or ebay for different vintage patterns. I've purchased some from etsy, and I cherish those patterns (something about these patterns I feel so special about), but unfortunately, when it comes to using vintage patterns, it usually does not come out as I imagine. Many times, shoulders are too wide, and the patterns require a lot of modification.

Nevertheless, I do like looking at vintage patterns and the drawing on the pattern package to be inspired for next creation.

These small back v dresses are inspired from the pattern I found at Flickr. I like how the dress itself is pretty moderate, but has a good amount of flirtation with small back V line.
I like the choker and a small flower in the waist belt as well.

Left: Mint Stripe Baby Doll Dress, Middle: Polkadot Back V Dress, Right: Mint Green Back V Dress

Image via Sandritocat's Flickr

Inspiration: APC Fall Winter Collection

Images: APC Fall Winter via Sally Jane Vintage

Although it is glazing hot out here in Japan, I see different labels showing off their fall/winter collections out there! At this moment, I do not want to think of working on heavy wool or knit yet, but I still like looking at the pretty fall and winter clothes on computer.

APC collection is giving me a good inspiration on winter coats. I like the pink color they use, not too girly but not too dark, cropped sleeves and big buttons.
I felt kind of weird looking at these photos, then I realize it's probably because the models are bare-legged even though they are wearing heavy winter stuff. I wish they put opaque tights or socks on the models?!

Inspiration: Back details

Source: Karla's Closet

Source: Fashion Snag (Left), Unknown (Right)

Source: Unknown

If you see my dresses, you can see that I'm obsessed with back details! I just can't get enough of some interesting details in back. Images above are from my inspiration folder..sorry that some sources are missing, I saved those images long time ago, and lost track of where they came from.

VV girls

Here are some photos I received from happy customers:)
I always LOVE seeing people wearing clothes I made, so if you'd purchased from me in the past and would like to share the photos of your clothes, please email me at chieduncan@gmail.com.

Kaitlyn in Tuxedo dress

Kathrine in custom made blue floral dresss

Summer things

Went to see fireworks twice this week, once with some friends and once with my husband. He does not seem to understand why I'm so intrigued by fireworks, but I just love sitting down with some drink on a hot Summer day, with the sound of fireworks popping. I really can't get tired of it!

Also went to a waterpark - I enjoyed it a lot but there were way too many kids! :p