手作り

Crossover Back Chambray Shirt

October 30, 2015 By Chie

I bought two meters of chambray fabric at Nippori Tomato during the Summer, thinking of making a dress shirt for Andy. After my failed attempt (talked about here), I lost the motivation to make anything for him. On top of that, he was just given around 30 new(used of course) pieces from his friend. Even his male friend could not stand seeing him wear the same old t-shirts and sweatpants. So I thought it would be good timing to just take the fabric and make something for myself.

Again, I based this shirt on Grainline Studio’s Archer button up. This is my sixth time using this pattern (my other versions 1, 2, 3, 4. The pattern fits me well and making button up is a perfect in-between project. It is intricate enough to be interesting to sew but not time consuming enough to be too daunting to start, like coat.

To change things up a bit, I modified it to make cross over back. The inspiration comes from my Fall Sewing List, particularly Antonio Berardi poplin shirt. It retails $735!
The adjustment is easy, as described below. Instead of making the center front folded, the back panel separated in two. I added 5cm in center back, and using curved ruler, cut slightly curved line toward the hem. I also lengthen the hem by about 7cm. I folded the hem twice the center back, crossed over and attached to back yoke. Another modification I made was the pockets. I experimented with the pocket flaps in the past in my silk version. On top of the added flaps, I made the pocket bellows pocket. I love to add little details like this to a simple button up. Also enjoyed learning new skills.

Finally, I did all the button holes by hand. I did one in the past, but working on 8 button holes by hand took longer than I planned!

Next up in my sewing cue is khaki parka using BurdaStyle pattern! Some sneak peak on my instagram.

自分用にまた１枚、デニムシャツ作りました。
ちょっと変わったデザインにしたくて、後ろをクロスに。
長さも後ろは少し長めにして、冬にセーターの下に着ても見せられてレイヤーが楽しめるように。

ボタンホールは手縫い、ボタンは千鳥掛けと、ちょっとこだわってみました。

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Handmade Bow Ballet Leotard

July 25, 2015 By Chie

My daughter started taking ballet lessons in last October and I made a lace ballet leotard for her back then. It’s been nine months and I already had to make a second one since she’s grown out of the first one! Although the leotard had some stretch, at the end her nipples were exposed and its time had passed. I already made the pattern, so I made simple modifications on the pattern and didn’t need to change much (here is a good alternative PDF pattern on etsy). I added 5cm in bodice and few centimeters around chest and waist. It turned out that chest is a bit big for her but I have no doubt that she will grow out of this leotard very soon.

She did not like the last dress I made for her, but thankfully she received this leotard with much love and gratitude. So funny that a child has preferences over what she wears at this young age.

The fabric is a leftover from the jazz dance costumes I made back in 2012. It’s some kind of spandex mix two way stretch fabric I bought in the second floor of Nippori Tomato, knit section. After making her leotard, I still have a ton left so I’m thinking of making myself bathing suit for this summer. I’ve been eyeing this vintage inspired one piece number by Ohh Lulu Sews. Has anyone made this?

9ヶ月前に始めたバレエですが、既に２着目のレオタードが必要になってしまいました。
すごい勢いで背が伸びているみたいです。
型紙は１回目に作った時に市販の水着を元におこしたものを少し調節したのみ。
サイドがちょっと大きいですが、これで何か月か着てもらえるかな♪

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Bow Tie Dress from Girls’ Clothes by Fu-Ko basics

July 20, 2015 By Chie

Our local library has many great sewing books. Kiko and I go there once a week since they have a story telling program for little kids. While she is in the program, I wander around the sewing and crafting section and usually end up taking out one or two sewing books.

My recent sewing project for Kiko came from the book, “Heart Warming Life Series: Girls’ Clothes by Fu-Ko basics” by Mayumi Minowa (Japanese title 作ってあげたい、女の子のお洋服）.

I made Bow Tie Dress in size 120. Japanese kids clothing size goes 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120… and they point to the kids’ height in centimeters. Kiko is little over 110cm right now, but I made it in a bigger size so she can get the most wear out of it.

The fabric is cotton with pink dots. I bought the fabric back in 2012 and made curtains for her nursery. It looked cute in the room but it did not cut out the light so later on I bought light shielding curtain which cuts the outside light completely. It comes handy for naps when she used to take one or summer nights when the outside is still bright at 7pm. Since we no longer need the polkadot curtains, I recycled it to make the bow tie dresses.

I love making clothes for her at night and surprise her in the morning. It’s like a mini Christmas. I hang the new clothes in her room while she is asleep and she finds it when she gets up. I was convinced that she would love this dress. It’s 1)dress, 2)pink and 3)bow tie. What more can a girl dream for?

Contrary to my expectation, I did not get a good reaction out of her. She did not like it at all and told me I can give it to her friend! I was furious. I thought about giving it away so she can’t wear it but she kept insisting that I should give away, so I thought maybe I should demand that she wears it even though she does not like it to teach her to appreciate things that she is given. I think she got my point.

If you sew for your children, do you get a reaction “I don’t like this”? When that happens how do you react?