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