Get in touch

Vivat Veritas

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

/ Archives for Chie

Chie

Made:: Boyfriend(Husband)’s T-shirt

By

gray t-shirt handmade5 copyI love the instant gratification of a simple sewing project like this. As much as I enjoy sewing pretty dresses, sometimes I really need just basic pieces, like t-shirts, button down shirts in monotone colors. It is rather boring compared to sewing dresses in fun print fabrics or sewing coats, but I want to be able to say on any given day, that I made the clothes instead of having bought them. There is nothing wrong with wearing the clothes from those fast fashion brands, but people seem to expect me to say that I made the clothes I wear daily, because I make clothes for other people.

So this t-shirt is the same one as I made for Andy, just deepened the V neckline for a more feminine look. I actually made three of the same t-shirt in this gray fabric for Andy. He goes through many t-shirts as he works out a lot and t-shirts and sweatshirts are pretty much the only things he wears (even to work!). I really perfected (in my mind) the patterns for his t-shirt. It fits the way I like, although he complains the fit is too slim and makes him self-conscious… I have to take pictures of him wearing it and ask you guys what you think!

I used the thread for sewing stretch knit fabrics, called レジロン糸, but not sure how what it is called in English.  For the shoulder seams, I used fusible interface tapes, sew the shoulder seams together, overlocked it and top stitched it from the right side.

I like the simplicity of this relaxed fit t-shirt and am sure it will be one of my wardrobe staple in the warmer seasons!

handmade gray t-shirt by vivatveritas1 gray t-shirt handmade6handmade gray t-shirt by vivatveritas2ChieSignature

{find me elsewhere: shop, facebook, etsy, twitter, pinterest, instagram}

 

2014 New Year’s Resolution

By

what a mess craft suppliesI feel I dread to make a new year’s resolution every year; yet I still manage to come up with one every year (2010, 2011, and 2013). I stuck to my last year’s resolution pretty well. Although I did not sketch every day as I wanted to, I sketch and doodle a fair amount and at least have gotten over the fear of sketching. I want to continue to improve this are this year as well, but my real goal this year is to stay organized. I am not naturally a super organized person, and if you let me, I will have piles of papers all over my ironing board. But since I started sewing, selling my clothes and working from home, I have realized that I save more time being organized, even if the organization process may take some time. On top of that, I watched a few youtube videos by Alejandra (just happened to come across while I was searching something else) and it really motivated to create a neat and clean space.

As a starter, I decided to organize one of the drawers I keep some sewing supplies. In it, I have all kinds of stuff – zippers, laces, buttons, belt buckles, stamps, snap buttons and more! I went to 100 yen shop to buy a couple of plastic containers. I picked plastic containers as opposed to other filing and organizing tools since I can reuse them in the kitchen if I no longer need them. I separated all the trinkets and labeled them using washi tapes, which are also removable.

One thing I noticed while I was organizing was that I was buying more than I needed. My natural instinct is to buy items like lace, zippers and elastics in bulk, because you always need them; however, while I was organizing I found many of the above items that have not been used for more than a year. I’ve decided not to buy any more sales zippers unless they are white or black, invisible zippers. I have many zippers in moss green, brown, navy blue or pale pink that I can’t find any use for.

I feel so much better having a clean drawer! I am planning on tackling one drawer at a time. organizing supplies for craft itemsafter organizingplastic containers

ChieSignature

{find me elsewhere: shop, facebook, etsy, twitter, pinterest, instagram}

Sewing the Pink Coat:: Side Seams, Catch Stitches and Inseam Pockets

By

1 catch stitch

Hello! I wanted to show you my pink coat sewing progress. Last time I cut out the patterns and added the seam allowances to the patterns. I finally got to the actual sewing part! As I sew this coat, I am referencing a lot to Gertie’s Lady Gray Coat sew-along. Her tutorials are very helpful, although I am skipping certain tailoring steps this time, such as using hair canvas and pad stitching the lapel. I’m also not using the bound buttonhole technique since I will be using snaps.

The patterns I’m using is the BurdaStyle Wool Long Coat 08/2012#101B. I sewed the back to side, added the inseam pockets, and sewed the side and front pieces. I overlocked the seam allowances, pressed and catch stitched the seam allowances so they lay flat. Thankfully, this pink wool blend fabric I’m using is very easy to work with; it does not fray or leave marks when I press without pressing cloth. It is pretty thick so it’s easy to catch stitch the seam allowances without showing the stitches to the right side. 2 interface on hem

For the fusible interface, I used the one that was recommended at the fabric store in Nippori, called ZakZak. The store clerk gave me this black one with glue spots that are about 3mm apart from each other, so it almost looks like a polk-a-dot print. She said that way, the interface would not attach to the fabric completely, and will give the fabric room to move around and breath. 3 attatching pockets

Here is the picture of the side pockets. I was deciding whether to use polyester lining (I always have a roll of white polyester lining at hand) or silk satin, which was a left over from making this dress. When I met with Inna last summer, she was talking about how silk fabric would retain your skin temperature so it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As I was deciding on polyester vs silk for lining, I remembered her comments and decided to go with the silk. I am so happy with my decision to go with the silk! I love the luxurious silky (obviously) feel to my skin! It would be hard to go back to polyester lining coats. 4 pocket completedI’m pinning many winter coat inspirations on my Fashion Inspiration board on Pinterest! The boxy shapes worn as a cape is so refreshing, especially with the oversized clutch.coat inspiration board by vivat veritasSources: 1/2/3/4

ChieSignature{find me elsewhere: shop, facebook, etsy, twitter, pinterest, instagram}