Sunday 28 September 2008

28092008

the date on sunday today.

I have a few projects at hand that needs attention, right now I am doing this 6panel skirt with yoke. I am using some sort of a polyester blend knit. And yesterday when I went to Fabric Warehouse in Thorndon I found a match for its yoke, but forgotten that there is a fair visible line across my poly knit fabric, I need to do some problem solving. So what I intend to do is to use a knit interfacing to keep them together, cause I know that if I don't do something about it, Its no point making up the skirt if its going to unravel and its about 1 feet height from the hem as well.

I need more of the lining fabric, I've changed that from white lining to wool and polyester knit. And more of the knit fabric. I think the white lining we can use in any white dresses I'm planning to make soon. With a broderie anglaise border.

The knit interfacing is planned to be used as for the yoke's interfacing. I only just know what yoke is last week. Its not a waistband but a bigger version of it. Bigger than 5cm width.

Yesterday when I went to Salvation army, there were tonnes of new stuff, better than Mary Hospice. I prefer to shop at charity organizations first so that i pay less for what I need and in the meantime give some money to charity as well. If you shop in a 2 dollar shop, you are only making the big companies richer, why don't you help the working class people richer. right? Well that is what I am thinking anyway.

Only if they dont have what I need, I will go to search in normal retail shops. But yesterday in Salvation Army, I found a very big spring folder for a dollar, which in retail shops maybe its a few dollars, then I found several pieces of white fabrics. (I'm at the stage of investigating what types of white fabrics there are, for dressmaking use), then a load of patterns. Well a few fabric books as well. Samples from closed-down companies. I actually also got a few wooden frames to use in my screenprinting attempt.All I need now is mod podge or that primer? I have to check on the latter one.

Oooh, also I found a Pink linen in Salvo's* (abbrev, for salvation army) , I plan to make a drawstring pants with huge patch pocket on the side. Taken from this pattern I got from there as well. Lounge or just go out and do groceries.

My next project is a sleeveless black linen dress, drawstring as well at the waistline and 3 pockets, one on the left chest and two on the front hips. Put a cardigan to wrap your shoulders and you can go out! This can be casual, normal, formal. If for formal, you can put on a very pretty black matching jacket with heels or boots. I think that we need to think about the shoes again.

I am at the process of making a Laura Ashley Dress. It is actually in Esther's studio right now. She had a fitting on me and I'll be having class on Monday. So that is when we will finish the dress. It is this awesome fabric I will show you tomorrow.

So what I have to do now is practice to do french seam, welt seam, fish darts, curve darts, and shanks.

After I have to do some blocks and the butterfly diary. The butterfly diary is a new project for me. I'm using the butterfly diary to record my creations. It shall be interesting!

Halter top for my friend

nylon knit cut on fold for front, with facing overlocked and turned in, 12inch zip with fish darts or you can call it contour dart at the back, halter style, hang string on the sides, button on the back of the neck. Size tailored for my friend suja. Will take a pic and see how she looks in it.

Completed this after intense focus from 8.43pm to 2.17 a.m this morning. Or in a minute yesterday morning. Was soo energy absorbing that I barely woke up in time for my sewing class in the morning. Which I missed today. Tomorrow I will pop in to the studio and show my tutor how it is. I am sure she will be pleased with the work.*smile**with teeth showing*

Tomorrow I will want to go and draw and take pictures in the botanic garden too. Lovely! I will prepare tonight. Charge batteries for my camera, prepare pens and pencil and paper for drawing tomorrow, finish photocopying my references and work permit for application form for spotlight. Bring the top to show Esther, maybe bring something else too, just incase some students doesnt show up in Esther's class and I can fill in. Yee :D

Okay thats about it. :)

A pattern swapping site, http://www.vpll.org and a cute find!

I was browsing and looking for this vintage club for pattern swapping, and found one website, its www.vpll.org and there i found some very nice patterns, one of the pattern cover even had a model holding a bunny. it is so cute i just had to show you, there you go, there it is, it is so cute isnt it. :)

View out my window, today 22 September 08

Today the sun is out and yay for all wellingtonians, root for the sun! woot wooot! go sun go sun go sun! do the sun dance!~ sun dance ~ sun dance~

anyway, just want to share this amazing photo of the sun blasting into my window now. ooooh the warm sensation from the light is amazing after all those winter breeze. Yay sun!

Traditional Malay Outfit - Baju Kurung

This fabric above is the fabric I want to make up into a pretty nice malay dress. It is very pure white and not creamy at all. 100% silk. I think I only have 1.5yard of this with the width being approx 90cm.

Will have to make my own pattern and construct from scratch.

I have a white lining that I can make use if the fabric is not enough. I source this fabric from Asia Gallery down in Kilbirnie, Wellington City. Or I can buy a white polyester crepe or satin or silk that matches that fabric and pair up with it in the skirt section of the outfit, the waist to the hip, from hip to ankle will be the rose silk fabric. It's an idea when you want to make use of your beautiful fabric to the max.

A Life By Design : Laura Ashley

Last week I have been sick, unwell, got the Spring Flu, change of seasons. I was so lucky I found a Laura Ashley Biography by Anne Sebba. I have just finished reading it, and will share it to you one by one those details that struck me as an important flux in a designer's career.

I will now actually quote a phrase from the book, a philosophy that Laura Ashley holds herself very strongly about. That has been an issue from the past decade or centuries. It is about Laura Ashley, not being the first English designer with a puritanical streak. That has brought a missionary zeal to her work. Missionary zeal meaning, Her beliefs and thoughts are she hold rapidly true to her heart.

In the centuries before, with the Victorian and Edwardian, the costumes or fashion daily wears for women was unhealthy, with their ever so tight corsets that causes spinal injury. They couldn't move much and they mostly too, can't even breath. In this quote that I am bringing you, Laura Ashley has been put at the same page of the past dress reformers who wants changes in dress attire for women. And so her philosophy serves very well if she were to live in the1870s and 1880s . Below is the quote from her biography.


"Laura would have approved of their* aims, which almost a century later, stood as a beacon of her own
philosophy; they were 'to protest against the introduction of any fashion in dress that either deforms
the body, impedes movement or injures health ... and to promote the adoption according to individual
taste and convenience of a style of dress based upon considerations of health, comforts and beauty and
to deprecate the constant changes of fashion that cannot be recommended on any of these grounds"

also

"Towards the end of the twentieth century, Laura believed that the pendulum had swung too far and that
women were far more likely to achieve their ends if they showed more feminine charm, prettiness and
selflessness, as she herself practiced. But her belief that all women, regardless of wealth, should be
offered clothes that were artistic and beautiful, not brash, sexually offensive or uncomfortable, would
have made her a worthy member of most of the nineteenth-century dress reform movements."


I don't want to text heavy this, I want it simply and sweet like Laura Ashley would love too, so that is my share for today.

Laura Ashley is an epiphany of good taste and all that is sweet and wonderful. She lived in a dream come true life, where she knew she beholds the power to all of her surrounding.

She held the secret, what we called new age now. Her belief that she has the power to affect her surroundings. May god bless Laura Ashley and the wonderful thing she brought to earth.

And that is all from me, creator of Mynrose who will step by step follow the route of Laura Ashley's success.

Laura Ashley Inspired Skirt

My First Skirt. Laura Ashley inspired! The border is a Laura Ashley fabric itself!. The plain black fabric working as the main fabric is just a plain normal cotton drill black color fabric. It is an A-Line skirt. I somehow see it now, i just have to criticize it a bit, I should pay attention to placement in the patterns. I see that pattern of floral's from Laura Ashley fabric is somehow now unparallel to the ground. It is somehow, lopsided to the left. Unless its just the circular shape of the skirt on a mannequin, giving it that look.

There are 4 darts. 2 in front and two behind. to shape the bosom. The Skirt is Knee Length. The interfacing of the Skirt is of the same Laura Ashley Fabric. Laura Ashley is never short on materials. They are an overflowing mountain of fabrics. In my own personal words, they are never stingy with fabrics. They want to make a nice long dress, and they shall make it.

Apron,

I completed this ages ago. I even already used it. Some oil spots around it and its crumpled >.< This should stay in the kitchen from now onwards, not hang in my wardrobe lol.

On the Verge to become a Laura Ashley Designer.

I have my hands on vintage Laura Ashley fabrics, (I have worked in Laura Ashley part-time in Retail and Visual Merchandising since December 2005 to March 2008 on and off) I have a hold of her autobiography, and now, I got to know Malaysian company has a share on Laura Ashley. And they are in need of a person of caliber to take care of the company. In Design and Business wise. O . My. This is my path this is my path. This is truly truly my path. I will establish myself, learn all the things in the world that will make me a prominent fashion designer and entrepreneur and help Laura Ashley be great!

1. Sewing Techniques, Tailoring, Dressmaking, Pattern Drafting.

(I don't care if I have to start at the bottom to go to the top. I want to I will, I would love to
go through that journey!)

2. Fashion Design, Brainstorming, Idea Collaboration, Modern Entity, 21st Century

3. This is achievable, Anything is achievable, And I am going to achieve this. I believe.

Atm, Lillian Tan is the Chief Executive of Laura Ashley who also handles one of the biggest retail companies in Malaysia, Which is Metrojaya, which has recently took over Laura Ashley in the past year. I was there when the change took place. A few several complaints on how the Metrojaya retail company set the rules for the employees, they are strict and they give a fine to whomever was late. 2 times their hourly wage was cut if they were late for 10 minutes. Last news I heard from Laura Ashley where I use to work is that, they will no longer have their beautiful uniforms, but they will have to where black. totally. I mean this people who works there almost like half decade, are used to wear Laura Ashley. It is part of marketing. You have to be a consumer to understand the consumer or customers. In order having to wear this clothes, you mirror what is good about it. And to see the customers, see how it looks good on other people, they will want to look good too.

Well this is great, I'm actually shaping / designing my journey to become a Laura Ashley Designer, all I have to do now, is learn how to sew, tailor, design, make, and produce a line!

Duck In the Neighbourhood

Today is such a good sunny day, so I left the door open to get all the fresh sunny air in the house. And in the middle of the road in front of our house, is a non other than A DUCK!

I went up to get my camera and to take picture of it. Then we took out a bread leftovers and fed the duckie. Here are some pictures to share with you all!




Twweet twweeet. Birdieee

I have an absolute greatest Idea on Earth.

Okay. We make a website. Where all of us, are members of a pattern cult. or pattern tea party members. We can do this two ways. We choose a spot, or a website. If you choose a spot, Make it central. Then gather everyone together, the avid fans of sewing, sewist, tailoress, or anyone who loves patterns. Get them together. and do a swap pattern tea party. Or else. Make a website. Then Everyone who is interested registers with a small fee. And then you guys can take a picture and post it on the website, showcasing what patterns you have, and how much you would like to rent it for. We can make a HUGE SEWIST COMMUNITY!!!!! TRADE SWAP PATTERNS AND MAKE COOL NEW CLOTHS FROM THE AWESOME 20TH CENTURY!!!!! 1950'S PATTERN LIKE MAUDELLA IS AWESOME AND SOMETIMES ITS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE AFTER PEOPLE ARE BIDDING ON IT. i WILL turn off my caps now.


Think about it. Its a great idea. Comment me to leave feedbacks and I KNOW SEWERS LIKE YOU AND ME WOULD LOVE THIS IDEA. ITS LIKE SEWING PENPALS. guess of all the cute tidbits you can make or give like a surprise tips or notes in the pattern envelope saying hi and hope they enjoy making that pattern and then they can post a picture up in the webbie. Might just do that eh!

Maudella Pattern #4794

A few weeks or a week plus ago, i have made a design in my tiny sketchbook. And while browsing trademe *I am a recovering trademe addict* have seen this picture, and click on it, and guess what else it is. Another pattern. But wait. It is having the exact same cutting and design I visualize in my mind, but on the picture there, it is just perfect. But a lot of people are bidding on it. So.... I wish I have it in my hand. Just here, right on my lap or between my hand while I'm typing this keys on my keyboard. It is my perfect size too. Right. Awesome. But yeah. Its good. All is good. If anyone got another one of this and wants to give me a pleasant suprise, e-mail me. at mynrose.ultd@yahoo.co.nz or if that is too long, just email at mazuin@mynrose.com ... yeah.... i feel so high...... why am i speaking like such harrrrr harrr.... okay before i fool myself silly... the end. period. stop. end de. lol. bye

Itchy Throat & Ticklish Nose

I have no idea about ticklish nose, but it is happening to me, its like something is tickling it with a feather duster, I keep wanting to sneeze. My head is a bummer. So I made Earl Grey Tea and... dipped in a slice of lemon.
This is what I plan to do tonight. Yes. That. Book. And my heavy head and the lemon in my tea. All good favorites of mine.
Rawr rawr. I can say rawr whenever I want. Cause Nobody can say rawr as cute as I do. Haaaaaa.

My first french knot and embroidery work in progress.

My First French Knot! Cool! I am so enthusiastic now. Take a look at the picture!
I will make another one!
Okay my second one is quite perfect but my third sucks. I pulled it ahem, tugged it to make it look unstray, but i accidentallly pulled it too hard. Okay, next one!


ookay my fourth one is being cheeky, it has a loop. cause I kinda left the knot from the last accident of the third knot in,... didn't fix it. Remember, making mistakes is good, it makes you learn. :) so yeah, i feel pretty good to make this mistakes. Makes me learn!

So below is my current state of first embroidery work. I know such an amateur. But beware, I can be good in a matter of... months! I bet you! Yeah, I bet you a piece of lollipop I could!

So Off I go to actually go read stuff I'm supposed to.

this is the video that helped me do french knot and chain stitch.

Teeny setback

This week was the first week I had private lesson with the tutor. She taught me a good deal of lessons, firstly she talked about having determination. Also a tip of time management. Find who you are, listen to your heart. This week I had to do some deeper soul searching. Im 75% near it. I think.

Well learnt about front hip pockets and tomorrow will learn more on different type of pockets. I probably should start putting the lessons I learn online, make it seem more worth reading rather than my daily rambles ain't it. He he.

Here is a picture of the Hawaiian applique, I am working on using a blanket stitch and embroidery thread. Really apologize for making this quick. Will seriously update this more. :)

Spring Pouches~

This is a very versatile pouch. Convenient and handy. Put all your daily necessities in it, or even a phone charger. Your cosmetics, your cash and coins and just go out and have a fling in spring time~

Handmade with cotton fabric and ink jet transfer, I have created this cute and beautiful rose pouch. A strap at the side to fit your fingers easy to just grab and go. Zipped up in a matching color to the pouch.

NZ welcomes spring in Wellington!
Not in my shops yet but taking orders!
E-mail me at Mynrose.ultd@yahoo.co.nz for orders :)