I could not resist...

I knew I shouldn't buy anything new since I am moving, but I could not resist Bandolino sales... It's their fault for having a store right next to my work! These criss cross strap black sandals were $29.99 for sale, but since I had a 25 dollar gift certificate, I only paid $5 for this. I didn't feel as bad...! They are on sale for $39.99 on their website, but at their physical store, they were 10 dollars cheaper:)

This is totally irrelavant, but I am so impressed by boyfriends/husbands purchasing clothes for their girlfriends/wives from my shop. Every time I get a sale or inquiry from a male customer, explaining his girlfriend's birthday is coming up or what not, it makes me happy!

love the new machine!

I had to work till 9pm last night, which is pretty rare for me. But working late did not prevent me from trying my new Janome sewing machine. I ended up staying a bit late and made this dress. I am so happy with the new machine. It is so much quieter, and faster than my old Kenmore. I liked my Kenmore machine, and I made more than 150 garments, using it. But I am happy to move on to a new machine, and pass on the Kenmore to a new user, Sammy. She will be altering vintage clothes and selling them in NY!

P.S. Kaitlyn, I can't thank you enough for the Kenmore sewing machine! You are the best!

Going to NY for the 4th of July weekend!

Vivi, August 2009

A: Plain loose fit t-shirt
B: Stripe tank top
C: High-waisted mini skirt
D: White cotton mini skirt
E: Harem pants
F: Flower print dress
G: Long t-shirt dress
H: Oversize boyfriend button down shirt

List of must-have clothes from Vivi, August 2009 issue. I want them all!

New sewing machine has arrived!

I'm so excited to use this new sewing machine of mine! I bought Janome Thread Banger 12. I've been using Kenmore, then got a Brother sewing machine for Christmas, but brother was just not working for me. I'm sure it is perfectly fine for someone who do a little bit of sewing, but since I use it so much, it couldn't bear the labor. Janome TB12 was recommended from the place I got, Ken's Sewing Center. If you are thinking of buying a sewing machine, I do recommend buying from them. They are the nicest people, and very helpful. I will report how this sewing machine will work for me in a couple of weeks:)

Any request for next tutorials? I'm thinking of doing one again!

Black cross strap sandals

I usually like very feminine looking stuff, like a thin strap sandals in the summer but this summer, I found myself attracted to this black wide cross strap sandals. Perhaps because I saw these photos by Sex and Coffee. I love how she wears them with mini dresses. So chic!  

Top left: GoJane, $15.70 on sale

Top right: NineWest, $29.99 on sale

Bottom left: NineWest, $49.99 on sale

Bottom right: Bandolino, $69. 

Weekends always feel so short...

Dress: bought in Thailand, Kao San street about 3 years ago
Earrings: H&M
Listening to U remind me by Usher

Do you know Pandora Radio? It is an online radio, and commercial free! When you type the singer you like or a song, they will generate a station consists of the similar kind of songs and singers. It is great and I've been using it for a while now.

I bought this dress in Kao San streen in Thailand, when I went there for the first time about three years ago. I remember haggling with the vendor, trying to lower the price... in retrospect, it made not much difference, since it is like 2-3 bucks difference in US dollars. But I just remember fighting with that vendor guy. I noticed that Kao San street changed a lot in the past two, three years, when I went to Bangkok two weeks ago. There are more foreign tourists, and the vendors became less willing to faggle with me. Sad:(

DIY - Kimono top

I have been asked to do a how-to on this kimono top by Burdastyle members, and I finally got to it. I am not very good at explaining things, but I will try. This top is very easy to make, and once you get used to it, it takes less than an hour to make this.
1. There are two patterns you need. One is a back bodice pattern from Tara pattern from Burdastyle, and the other is rectangles. For size small, I use 10"×25" rectangles. You would need two bodice, and two rectangles. Cut out the fabric. You need about one yard of stretch knit fabric.

2. Sew bodice. Put bodice together, and sew side seems. I like to finish up with french seams, but if you want to serge, that would be find too.
Hem the bottom as well.

3. Sew the rectangles. On one side, add lace if you'd like. For the other side, I usually ruffle the edge to add feminine feel of it. You can make many different variation of this!

4. Connect the rectangles to the bodice.
Take the 10" long side of the rectangles, and sew it to the upper hem part of the bodice. Make sure to leave about an inch and a half as an allowance, so you can use the allowance to make a loop for an elastic to go through. Make sure that the right side of the fabrics are facing each other. Sew both front and back of the clothes.
5. Make a loop for the elastic band. Using the allowance of the rectangles, make a loop and sew it all around the shirt.

6. Cut the elastic band in the length of your under bust. Using bodkin, put the elastic band into the loop. and you're done!

I hope I explain this well.. Let me know if you have any questions! I would love to see how your kimono top turns out:)

Vivat Veritas dresses available at Brilliant Stranger!

I just completed these dresses. Available in Small, Medium and Large at Brilliant Stranger!

The address is:
4192 Main St
Fish creek, WI 54212

BBQ

Top: from thrift store in Japan for $2.50!

White shorts: good will

Neckless: forever 21

Bangles: Eternity

Thrift stores in Japan operate a bit differently. You can donate stuff, but they pay you depending on the weight. Last time I was there, I brought in a bunch of stuff, and got some cash from them, which was nice. But since they buy the stuff from you, the price their clothes little more expensive than in here in the States. I got the chiffon blouse (or tunic) for only $2.50, since they were having get 5 and 50% off sale! I went there with mom, and she got a vintage Bottega Veneta vintage bag for $10. 

Just came back from BBQ party.. the weather was perfect!

Featured in Scoutie Girl

Jan from Scoutie Girl kindly featured my white lacy kimono top in her website today! The article is here.