I just realized I haven't written in about a year. A lot has happened and a lot has changed. And together with all the changes, it's time to leave this blog in the past and move forward with a new one.
My new blog will still be about sewing and pattern drafting, and also about random adventures and bits of my daily life.
I hope I'll see you at my new blog : Powder Pink World
Lately saying goodbye, one way of another, has become a really huge part of my life.
This month, I had to say goodbye to one of the important men in my life. On February 1st my grandfather lost his battle with cancer. He was a great and wonderful man, very inspirational, although strict, tough and stubborn (I take that after him). He would have been 86 years old this May. He lived a full and fruitful life and left a great legacy behind. He did a lot for his community, he even wrote and published a book about the history of his village. Even though we had our share of differences, he taught me some valuable life lessons like importance of self-discipline, having beliefs and sticking to your guns, and, most important (well, for me at least), that being stubborn actually gets you somewhere. He was a dear dear man and he will always have a special place in my heart.
Saying goodbye sucks, regardless how you look at it. Dealing with death is something we all have to do, but we're never really ready; and no matter how well you prepare yourself for it, it still comes as a shock, still rips your heart out and leaves you hurt, empty and confused. But, nevertheless, you can get something positive from dealing with loss. Awareness of life and mere shortness of it for example....
For me, all these goodbyes and letting goes made me even more aware of the fact that life really is too short not to live it to the fullest extent and taking chances actually pays off. So from now on I decided to throw myself into opportunities, love, friendships, give it all, give my best, and surely something wonderful will happen. Like they say, if you don't go, you don't have a story....
And I really do have to mention another great man who lost his own battle this month... Alexander McQueen, a genius, an innovator, a huge talent that will be greatly missed by the entire fashion world. His work will continue to inspire generations to come.
The last day of 2009 got me thinking about the past year. And despite all the obstacles and set-backs, it actually was a pretty good year, especially the last month was absolutely wonderful.
Just to name a few things that marked my 2009:
- found some truly wonderful friends
- figured out what I really want to do with my life and stopped caring how that fits into other people's expectations and plans
- started exercising regularly
- danced at the belly dance performance, sober :)
- started learning Italian
- became less self conscious about sewing, my body and my abilities in general
- ended a long-term relationship
- got a new job and got promoted soon afterward
- made a huge step towards accomplishing my dreams by enrolling in a designer course
I do feel like 2010 is a sort of a new beginning for me. I'm starting the year single, with wonderful friends, with a new promotion and enrollment papers for Milan in my hands. Pretty good, huh? Now if my closet was full of designer shoes, I could easily be the fifth friend in the Sex in the City. lol
For me, 2010 will be about following my dreams and passion.I'm determined to improve my sewing skills, my pattern drafting skills and produce some original designs of my own. And all that before I go to Milan.
So motto for the 2010: Just do it! Not very original but indeed words to live by. Sometimes you just have to do the things that scare you.
Probably the only thing I dread about 2010 is one thing I will have to do and that is: turn 30. But I guess I'll survive.
I wish you all a Happy 2010 and be sure to live each and every day to the fullest! May all your dreams and wishes come true and most of all I wish you all health and happiness.
Hi guys,
[Warning: some cheesy emotional lines coming up]
Life has been so good to me lately it's unbelievable.
The greatest news is that I have applied for the Fashion Design Summer Course in Milan, got accepted and already paid the admissions fee; so it's official... I'll be spending July in Milan, one of the fashion capitals in the world. Now, how exciting is that?
Then yesterday, I received a new contract at work, got a promotion and from the January 1st I'm officially the manager of the brand.
Probably the most important thing I have realized lately is how incredibly lucky I am. I realized that I'm surrounded by the most amazing and wonderful friends, I could ever hope and wish for. People I can truly count on and who I love deeply.
It also seems like all the pieces of the puzzle are coming together, I feel at peace and at ease with myself, everyone I meet is willing to help me in some way on my road to achieving my dreams. I feel truly blessed and happy.
[end of cheesy lines]
Anyhow:
Happy Sewing everyone!
I made this dress for the New Year's party at work. This was one of those Project Runway moments when you race to finish the dress at 1 a.m., go to bed, wake up at 6 a.m., work all day and party half of the night.
Pattern Description: Dress - top is a tube top ending in V-shape; bottom part has ruching on the hips.
Pattern Sizing: The pattern comes in sizes 40, 44 and 48. I started with size 40.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, except I intentionally omitted the applique on the top.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't follow them, because the only word I understood was 'vestido' :-)
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love everything about the pattern. I had a few issues with the V point, but I knew that was going to be the most challenging part of the pattern.
Fabric Used: rayon-lycra knit
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: First I took in the pattern. As I wrote above, I started with size 40, but ended up taking the pattern in quite a lot. On the top part I took in: 3cm at the center front (the V part), 2.5cm at the side seams and at the back 1cm on every seam. The back consists of 4 parts. I then changed the skirt part accordingly.
I also omitted the applique part, mostly because I didn't have anything appropriate at home.
Sewing: I've sewn the entire dress on my SM, no serger. I did the ruching by sewing with the largest seam length and gathered it by pulling the thread, I then pinned it and slowly sewed it to the top.
For the upper part of the tube top there is a facing pattern piece. I used the facing, but reinforced the seam with clear elastic. It worked perfectly. I minimized the slipping of the dress. I only had a few of those pulling-up the dress moments :-)
The only part I didn't like is sewing the V-part. The fabric kept stretching and the V didn't look good at all. I finally managed to put it into a satisfactory state. I'm not entirely happy with it, but oh, well.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I probably won't sew it again, but I do recommend it.
Conclusion: Great party / evening dress.
Dress on me:
Btw, did you notice I made a white cover up for Mimi. I like it better than the red one she came in.
I have some more great news, but I'll share them in my next post. Until then....
Happy sewing everyone!
Hi guys. My life has turned upside down in the past month. In a nutshell: my long-term relationship ended; a few other people also left my life, new ones entered; a few doors closed, new ones opened. Everything made me re-think my life, my goals and my priorities. I finally feel I'm doing things right and I feel awake, alive, my creativity is through the roof, and I feel a sense of peace and calmness. I guess sometimes in life you need one huge shake to get back on the right path.
Anyhow, meet my new sewing buddy Mimi:
I got Mimi a few days ago. I think she'll be a great help with sewing, fitting and detail work. Plus, I'd *love* to learn draping. I'm planning on getting some draping books. After reading reviews, these two ended up on my wish list: Draping for Apparel Design and The Art of Fashion Draping.
I did manage to get some sewing done. I have two small craft project to show. First one is an eye-mask I made for my ex-BF's mom:
It's made of fashion fabric which I interfaced with Pro-Tricot Fusible interfacing from SewExciting. (Btw, don't you just love her interfacing.) Then I sewed together two layers of black jersey to make the inside of the mask soft and so that no light comes through.
And the second one is an sunglass case for me, since I lost the original one. I lined it with some white jersey, so my sunglasses don't get scratched.
Next on the sewing table is a dress for my work's New Years party, so stay tuned.
Happy sewing everyone.
Hi everyone!
I just realized I haven't posted in a month. There are a lot of wonderful things happening in my life at the moment. I'm meeting and re-connecting with lots of wonderful people who are all somehow connected with my interests and who are offering me wonderful opportunities. For example, my best friend's cousin is belly dancing and would like me to sew costumes for her. I'm really scared to do this one, though. Then, I re-connected with a friends from elementary school (gotta love the Facebook) and he's a yoga master and his club needs someone to sew tunics and pants for them. Talk about coincidences and opportunities.
Then, the best news I've had in a long time: I found a wonderful fashion summer course in Italy, I want to attend next year. It's a fashion design course and involves everything from designing to pattern drafting to sewing on industrial machines. Plus it's designed to meet the needs of individuals and to the level they are at. It's not cheap, so I'm saving all my cents, because this would be a dream come true for me (well, one of the dreams anyway). I started learning Italian and I'm getting the basics down pretty fast. The classes are available in English, but I'd like to shop (did I mention the school's in Milan) and order food in Italian.
Consequently, I applied for a position at a multi-brand store and I'm waiting to hear from them sometime next week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one.
As for the sewing, I'm working on the Vogue 8386 dress. I've cut it out and sewed the bodice parts. I'm planing on finishing it this weekend.
