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Summer 2015 Swimsuits

August 19, 2015 By Chie

I never understood why swimwear is so expensive (look at this price tag!) since it uses small amounts of fabric. With one meter of fabric, you can probably make 3-5 bikini bottoms, depending on the fabric width and size of the bottom. I had some credit card points to burn and so decided to buy 30cm of this hot pink polyurethane fabric to make this bikini bottom.

I used no pattern; just traced the shape out of my other store-bought swimsuits and adjusted a little. One major modification I made was to add this stretched elastic line in the center back. It is so easy to do and it definitely helps your butt look more cheeky than it actually is.

Here is how:
1. Measure the length of center back.
2. Cut the elastic band (I used 1cm width elastic) in the half of the length you measure in #1.
3. Sew the elastic in the center back of your bottom as you stretch the elastic.

I didn’t use a special lining for this. Just cut two pieces of front and two pieces of back, serge together and hem the side. Sewing swimsuit fabric is not difficult as long as you have the right thread. I used resilon thread. Didn’t even bothered to change my needle but it is better to use ballpoint needle for knits.

Here are some bikini tops and Brazilian style bottoms I recently made for a customer. I don’t have a place or courage to wear those bottoms… but someone will?!

今年作った水着色々です。
日本では上下セットで同じ色や柄で合わせるのがメジャーだと思いますが、個人的に色々mix & matchするのが好きです。
型紙はなしで、元々持っていたビキニから写して少し調節しました。

真ん中にゴムを伸ばしながらつけると、着た時おしりがキレイに見えます♪
簡単にできるトリックです。

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Before & After | Maternity Dress to Peplum Top

August 14, 2015 By Chie

Most of you know how much I like quick refashioning – it is a great way to update your wardrobe without putting in much effort. I still like making clothes from scratch but I can’t deny the instant gratification that quick DIY projects provide.

Here is another “old” piece my friend gave me. It was never worn and it is from Max Mara! I’m sure it cost 3-500 dollars. She said it was too potato sack-y for her and I kind of agree that the shape is rather unflattering. Initially my thought was to make a skater dress like this, but I quickly realized that I didn’t have enough fabric. It’s hard to gauge how much fabric I have when it is in an already constructed clothes form. So I had to change the plan mid way and turn it into a peplum top. Considering how much wear I’m getting from this peplum top, I didn’t mind the change of plan 🙂

I forgot that stripes (especially wide stripes) require more fabric…sigh. I made this little peak-a-boo cutout in the back not really on purpose but because of the lack of fabric. But I think it turned out ok!
The fabric shed a lot so as soon as I cut, I added the iron-on interface and surged the seam allowances. P.S., Check out more Before & After like this here, here and here.

洋裁をしていることを知っている友達からは、よくいらなくなったお洋服のドネーションをしていただきます。
これはMax Maraのワンピース。
たぶん高かっただろうな。。。１度も着ていないらしい、とっても状態が良いワンピースです。
簡単な作りで、ほとんどダーツとかも入っていなかったので、作りやすかったですが、ボーダーなのは盲点でした。
ボーダー合わせに結構悩みました。

ぺプラムトップスはちょっと食べ過ぎてもぽっこりお腹が隠れて好き♪

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Summer Gataway to Ajiro, Shizuoka

August 13, 2015 By Chie

I think Airbnb is the greatest invention – traveling and finding a place to stay on a budget was a pain before, when you had only two options: staying in a hotel or staying with friends or family. Back in June, I was going through Airbnb and found this amazing Spanish style house in a place called Ajiro in Shizuoka prefecture. It is little over an hour away from Tokyo and the beach is nearby. I booked a room immediately and we just went there last weekend.

Ajiro is a quiet fisherman’s town. It is one stop away from the big beach and hot spring resort, Atami. When you go outside the metropolitan area in Japan, you get a very different feel – it is quiet and people are very friendly. We asked directions to the super market from an elderly lady on the street. Not only did she give us the directions, but she also offered her friend to take us to the super market! We decided to walk since it was relatively close but it makes me smile to bump into people who offer kindness to strangers.

The place we were staying was about 1.5km away from the nearest station. The host said to take a cab but Andy and I decided to walk, since we walk and bike daily. We thought why not?! We get to see things on the way. Little did I know there was a reason for cab comment. It was 45 degrees uphill all the way to the house. It took us close to an hour. I felt horrible for Kiko but by the time we realized it was a bad idea, we could not find cab anywhere and it would have been dangerous to climb down the hill. I’m still amazed Kiko made it to the top without much whining.

The host, Yoshiko’s house was lovely and she provided the experience that was more than a regular trip. It was kind of like a home stay experience. She was an amazing chief and we hung out, chatted and drank wine together. Wine tasted so good after all the walking!

Airbnbを使って、１泊だけの小旅行に行ってきました。
泊まったのはこちら。
プール付き、２４時間かけ流し温泉付きのスペイン風のお家です。
レビューを見て、評価が高かったので即決しました。
素敵なおうちも素晴らしかったですが、ホストのYoshikoさんも素敵で、いつもとは違った旅が楽しめました！
すごくおすすめです。

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