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Custom Wedding Dress & Kimono Upcycled Clothes | オーダーメイドウェディングドレス&着物ドレス

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Chie

Swing dress sew-along at Casey’s!

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I’m happy to announce that I’m participating in 1940’s swing dress sew-along that’s going on at Casey’s elegant musings! This will be my first sew-along, and I’m pretty excited! I really wanted to participate in Gertie’s Lady Gray coat sew-along, but I kind of missed the chance. Besides, sewing a coat is a lot of work and I didn’t think I could juggle with other projects going on at that time. I know there are a lot of sew-alongs going on, including men’s shirt sew-along by Peter at male pattern boldness, and Trouser sew-along by Sunni at The Cupcake Goddess, to name a few. I thought about participating in the men’s shirt sew-along, and give the shirt to my husband as a valentine’s day’s gift, but considering my husband’s uniform is jeans and a wife beater, I decided against it. Sorry Andy.

Schedule for swing dress sew-along can be viewed here, and pattern can be purchased here. I think the dress is very pretty, and has numerous possibilities for variations. I adore the wide waist band and cross over front. Cross over front might be good for nursing in the future maybe?

Right now, I’m thinking of making one in default pattern with pale pink polyester fabric for Spring.

I searched “swing dress patterns” on etsy for some inspirations for possible alterations. The bottom left, uses two different fabrics for top and skirt, and I think it’s a great idea for the 2nd dress. Also considering altering the neckline to make it like the 3rd one from the left, to sweet heart neckline.

Anyway, I will document my first sew-along experience here:)

What I’ve been working on…

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Hello! How was your weekend? Mine went too quick. I have a day off today for MLK’s day, but I basically sat at a tax office to get my taxes filed all day long…sad. The weather was beautiful out, and I wanted to do something fun, but I really needed to get my taxes filed before I forget.

Here is a sneak peak of what I’ve been working on the past couple of weeks – mini Spring collection! I wanted to make a small collection and a lookbook of it before the baby comes. It’s “mini” because it will be a collection of dresses in 2-3 different designs, made in different colors and patterns.

The one below is one of them. I wanted to incorporate my favorite “cut out” detail, this time in the front, and sweet heart neckline. This black one is just a proto-type, and the actual collection will be in more Springy color, like lavender or light blue. The black one is available for sample sale in my shop, here.
I’ve worked with friend photographers to shoot for a lookbook in the past, but this time it will be my first time working with real photographer and coordinating with models and hair & make-up person. I’m excited, but it is a lot of work! The entire collection will be available sometime in mid February, so stay tuned:)

Interview: Meet Anna!

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I’m not sure how I stumbled across Anna’s blog, but as soon as I saw the pictures of her handmade clothes, I added her blog to my daily reading list, regardless of my lack of ability to read Polish. Her clothes is stylish, perfect for daily wear, and most of all look so comfortable.

She has two blogs, aniomatronika and anio prezentuje przedipo, and burdastyle page. Be sure to check them out for more of her creations!

I had a chance to ask her background, inspiration sources and more.. Here is Anna!

1. Please introduce yourself Where do you live, and what do you do?

Hi. My name is Anna. I live in Lodz, its a large city in the centre of Poland. I am currently attending University majoring in Psychology.

2. When did you start sewing?

Growing up my home we always had a sewing machine. My first “creation” was a dress for my plush elephant. I was around seven when I made it. I distinctly remember sewing way too fast, neglecting every rule and braking many needles. It was not until much later that I started sewing professionally. About two years ago, I decided to do this more as a side job than basic side hobby. In 2010 I bought a new sewing machine and really started to work.

3. What’s your favorite creation you’ve made so far and why?

Tough question… All of my creations teach me something and are important to me. Probably, each “latest” creation is my favorite. That is until I finish the next one. If I had to choose a particular creation, I would, surprisingly my wallets. they are something totally different from the rest of things that I generally make. Also, I really love lace+tracksuit-like fabric dress, I love this contrast and how the dress looks.

4. What’s your favorite place to shop fabric and other sewing materials? Any recommendations?

I don’t have one favorite place. I shop in second hand stores a lot. I also use curtains, tablecloths, big skirts along with other various things. My mother and grandma are “fabric pack rats” so I can use some of their vintage fabric as well, lucky me. Also when I see a shop with sewing materials I always stop in.
My recommendation? Keep your eyes open and use what you can have around you….its cheaper that way.

5. What inspires you when you design and sew?

I really don’t know. Of course sewing and personal style blogs, fellow Burdastyle member creations among other things. Musicians sense of style also inspires me. My favorite artists have a fashion sense that reflects their personality. Sometimes when I see fabric or piece of clothing I know what exactly I want to make out of it. More than anything, I feel so inspired when I talk with my boyfriend and some friends… I believe that everything around a person influences them.

6. What’s your next goal in sewing?

At the moment, II have a lot of sewing goals, resolutions and ideas. The new year does that to me I guess. I decided to stop buying new clothes for the next 6 months and I hope that it will force me to sew more. I want to sew more, be more precise and develop my skills in general. I would love to make more winter clothing something like a jacket. A jacket would be a “serious project” for me.

I don’t feel good enough to give advice but from my experience you should accept the fact that some of your creations (in the beginning the most of them) won’t be perfect. It’s never a total waste because you can’t learn sewing any other way but from building on your own experiences.