creation

TGIF! I updated my shop with new dresses:) They are available in both white and powder blue. I really wanted to try incorporating a midriff cut out in my dress as I wrote here and here. I finally got to it this week and I love the result! I think the key hole is small enough to be  fun to wear but not overly revealing or embarrassing. I wanted to create a piece that’s unique but not trashy 🙂

It might be because I am making a wedding dress that I chose white for one of these dresses. I think this dress would be perfect for an engagement photos, or as a gateway dress!

I modified the pattern I drafted for sweet heart cut out dress. The sleeves and top back panel are modification of the Tara pattern from BurdaStyle. I think these flatter sleeves are super cute and fairy like. I adjusted the length of the sleeves so it sits better with the front top panel.

Top: Powder Blue Midriff Cut Out Dress, Bottom: White Blue Midriff Cut Out Dress

I also made the same dress in powder blue. I underlined the entire bodice, since this blue fabric is gauzy and light weight. I wanted to give a little more structure to the bodice. I am happy with the result of underlining. I am not crazy about the iron-on interface I have on stock. They are too paper-like and I didn’t want to use it for this dress.

Both dresses are fully lined because I was afraid of them being see-through.

I think these will be the last of my Summer dresses of the season. From next week, I’ll be transitioning into fall/winter clothes. I much prefer sewing light weight summer dresses, but Andy urged me to make fall/winter wear and I think he is wright. Any requests or suggestions on what I should make for the cooler weather?

Last but not least, I made two share buttons! If you are reading this from a reader, please hop over to my site and grab the button 🙂

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo

I worked on this new design this week, but haven’t had enough time to complete it for the Friday shop updates. Here is the sneak peak! Remember I talked about how I wanted to make a piece with a key hole detail in midriff area? I’m making that now 🙂 To balance out the skin showing, I am making the skirt longer and the flatter sleeves. Although, sleeves pattern needs to be adjusted, as you can see above!

Also, I need your input on this – I’ve been shipping my orders to the U.S. and elsewhere using the Japan Postal Office’s “small air package” method, which is the cheapest option available. The method does not provide tracking number or insurance, but depending on the weight, it costs 400 yen and up for a dress. By using that method, I have been able to maintain reasonable shipping fees to the U.S. ($5) and other countries ($7). I do not want people to not purchase my items because of high shipping fees.

However, this past month, I’ve had some costumers telling me that they did not receive  items that had been shipped. That got me thinking, perhaps I should change my shipping method to EMS, Expedited Mailing Services, which comes with tracking number and insurance up to 20,000 yen (about 250 USD). This method is more expensive, starting from 1300 yen for an item, more depending on weight. I’m considering changing shipping fee in my shop to $10, and eat the rest of the cost. What do you think? Would you still purchase an item with $10 shipping fee? I offer EMS option for my customers and it is included in my shop policy (that I ship by EMS with extra charge), but I don’t think most buyers read the policy before purchasing..  Also, with U.S. dollars doing so crappy (76 yen for a dollar now 🙁 ), it is getting hard for me to eat the extra costs. Any thoughts?