Strapless

Sorry I've been M.I.A for a couple of weeks.  It was midterms at my school and I had to haul ass and rearrange some things.  I have basic design foundation classes and so far (they're not very challenging) granted that I have already taken these before at my old school before I transferred here.  Can I just say that the color wheel is the BANE OF MY EXISTENCE?!  Anyway, I finally had some time to  blog :)  I really missed blogging, even though I was only gone for a little while.  It's starting to get all rainy and typhoony (yes, I made those words up,)  it's a blessing and a curse.

I recently got referred to some people looking for designers and they asked to see samples :)  Of course I was excited and their style is up my alley.  Wearable, street chic fashion is what they're all about.  They're new players to the market and I can't wait to see them emerge and offer Fashion with a Korean flavor to the Philippines.

I've been sketching like crazy and just whipped something up for my clients.  I decided to make something sexy but demure at the same time.  I thought something simple like a strapless mini dress.  Not the skanky kind you see people at clubs wear and they end up looking like Vienna Sausages.  I was thinking something Taylor Swift would wear and write breakup songs in for 10 tracks in an upcoming album.  I digress, here are the pictures :)

I chose these two textiles because I love the texture and pattern.  If you read further, you'll see  that the navy fabric is woven into a houndstooth pattern as well.  It's really gorgeous and really thick.  I like to think that if Zooey Deschanel wanted to be a hipster Batman, she'd wear this dress with black tights and booties and a cape with a mask.  Quirkiness is charming.  Being charming >Slutty

The bustier was the most difficult to sew.  Drafting the pattern was pretty simple, but constructing it and putting in the boning was really time consuming.  I'm really happy the way it turned out though.  It took me about 5 hours from start to finish.  I would work in 2 hour increments and rest in between.

That's not puckering, my iron broke -__-  I chose to do a gathered a-line skirt because I like the silhouette.  Think of the prom dress Andy made in "Pretty in Pink" BEFORE she ruined it.  I always tend to make the dress slightly larger in fear of it not fitting correctly even though I've trued the pattern numerous times, I just get so paranoid hahaha.

 Close Up of the material.  I bought the last bolts of this houndstooth and It was only about 1 to 2 USD for 5 yards.

One thing I love about fashion is Texture.  It looks so comfy and safe you know?

I used a plaid lining fabric.  I love cute linings.  It may sound weird because you never see it anyway, but It's the fabric closest to you and you don't notice it.  It makes sure you're comfortable and at ease and doesn't expect anything in return.  Think of it as Ji hoo from Boys Over Flowers and the outer fabric as Gu Jun Pyo.  Sorry I got all cheesy hahaha.  I almost forgot, I used a 10 inch zipper.  I used a normal one because Invisible ones are really annoying to put on with out the invisible zipper foot for the sewing machine.

 My preliminary sketches.  I couldn't find a black to match the houndstooth so the navy was the next best thing.  My friend saw the sketch and said the girl with black hair looked like Lupin the III.  I agree.
The post-it notes were suggestions I wrote down so next time, the dresses would be perfect.  I need to use more fun colors.  I always default to muted or subtle colors out of habit.  You know what they say, branch out :).

I'm planing to create more separates.  What do you guys think?  Hopefully, when time permits, I can have an actual person TRY on my clothes for the camera :)  Got any suggestions, comments, passive aggressive ramblings to throw my way? Feel free to leave them in the comment box and I'll respond as soon as I can :)  

Little Plaid Dress

When I used to live in a place with colder weather, my closet was FILLED with plaid.  I think I wore it everyday and it came to the point where the only thing missing was a full beard, an axe and a fetish for chopping down trees to make my log cabin.  Since lumberjacks consume massive amounts of smoked and cured meats, I was prepared for such situations. (As long as you took away the manual labor, I'm only it it for the bacon, axe and clothing.)  Back to the topic,  uh, plaid, yes plaid!  I think it's a very classic pattern and everyone should have at least one plaid shirt.  They're so warm and soft when they get worn in and they give/have so much character.  But this time, I'm talking to the ladies(or lady boys).  I love plaid, and I love baby doll dresses.  I've always been into 60's silhouettes and the 1995 movie Clueless.  Put the two together and you have a plaid, baby doll dress!  This dress isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I'm sure with some personal styling it could appeal to a wide audience.

I started by drafting a pattern from an existing garment and I altered it drastically by making the bodice shorter and eliminated the zipper.  I love these tools!  They make sewing and my life much easier.  The tracing wheel makes me think of a pizza cutter and I get so hungry for pizza when I draft patterns.  JESUS, WHAT I'D GIVE FOR A PIZZA RIGHT NOW.

Please excuse the HIDDY lighting.  I'm just starting out with my fancy camera and it's gotten so cloudy that I was lucky to get these in.  It's super short and I would hope the wearer would pair this up with tights and a pair or flats or ankle booties :)  She'll have legs for DAYS!  Think Twiggy and Cher from Clueless combined!  

 The fabric is a navy plaid with maroon and green accents that are quite subtle.  I left the selvage edge  because it doesn't fray and I think it adds a nice charm to something so neat and clean.  The belt is detachable and it can be slipped on really easily.  I just wanted to practice my sewing and made this dress in a couple of hours.

I little sketch I made when I was planning out the dress hours ago.  I love how long her legs look (well I drew them that way so hurr durrrrr)  I'm planning on having a 60's themed photo shoot with a friend modeling it.

I think it looks really gorgeous in natural light.  I miss simple, Classic pieces rather than those sheer blouses and blog shop dresses that have become fast fashion and girls end up reselling them or throwing them away :/  Maybe it's the hoarder in me but, clothes should be an investment and not a way to keep up with others so you can fit in.  Find the best quality, not quantity.  Nothing is more stylish than a piece that has you written all over and is classic.  I'm not the most fashionable person, but I can see it when someone just puts something on just because they think it's the new 'it/in' thing.  Excuse the preaching, but I really abhor people becoming Lemmings.  (Apparently, mass suicide among these rodents are a myth Disney created, creepy!)

P.S
I've recently had an exciting opportunity come up and I have to postpone my personal projects and focus on a new project :)  I'll fill you guys in once stuff starts to get get finalized.  I can't wait to share with you guys :)

Any comments, suggestions, refutations against my stance on fast fashion, therefore labeling yourself as a lemming? Leave me a comment.  I'd love to hear from you!

Knitta Please

    Back in California, especially in the colder times, I would KNIT my ass off for hours!  I really missed it since I moved to the Philippines, where good quality yarn is really hard to come by.  Another factor is the tropical climate.  I'm not really fond of the weather here.  Sometimes I think if I'm even Filipino, because I usually do not like beaches or going out in the heat.  You never look your best and the U.V rays just scream murder.  I'm just going to introduce a current project I'm trying to finish up :)
 

Juri and Wataru wearing my hand made circle scarf

    I'm making this scarf for myself because I get to go back home for Christmas! :)) I anticipate the cold weather with open arms!  My parents usually send me a care package every other month filled with supplies and they always send me yarn <3

I miss Knitting/Crochet circles

    

         I used the white crochet hook(11.50mm) on a standard skein of yarn.  Most people start/use the standard 6.50 mm needle, but I'm really impatient and don't mind a loose knit.

         I learned how to knit/crochet in my Textile Science instructor at FIDM and a friend back home helped me along the way too.  It's totally easy and relaxing!  I swear, the sense of creating something rather than buying something triple the price is so awesome.  Let's drink to that!
     
         I started with a chain stitch and just went of from there.  No pattern, just counting and eye balling. It feels so warm!  I can smell the cold California air now!  I can't wait to wear this to shows or drunken escapades in the city with my close friends <3

        Close up of the knit, Damn It makes me want to eat more Shin Ramyun ㅠ.ㅠ ugh with egg and Kimchi!

I'm about 50% done with the scarf :D  got any suggestions? requests? feel free to comment or stalk ;D and I'll get back to you guys.