Shawl Collar Peplum Top & Giveaway! [Closed]

So, from the Japanese Sewing Book "Basic Black", I made this Shawl Collar Peplum Top.

This is the original pattern from the book.  You can see here they gave the recommended fabric and the notions as well as the Sewing Steps.  The shaded areas means 'Wrong side facing up'.

The most complicated part of the sewing is the shawl collar which is illustrated nicely in the diagram given in the book.

Changes I made

1. Change the fabric from Dobby Check to Knit. Can you believe that I don't even have any black fabric at home! Finally I found some black and white stripe knit that I bought from Spotlight a few weeks ago.

The knit is quite thick so I decided to use this instead and it works out quite well. The only problem I have is the matching of the stripes which was a nightmare. It didn't quite match up at the back but I managed to do better at the side seams.  My eyes were swimming when I was cutting out the pieces.

2. The 2nd changes that I made was to cut a short rectangle to make it into a peplum top.  I just eye ball the length that I want and cut along the white stripe, using the full width of the fabric.  It made pleats instead of gathering the skirt to reduce the bulk at the waist.

I especially love the shawl collar.  The interfacing really makes the collar stands properly. I topstitch the collar to make it lay nicely.  I like it that it is not to low and add interest to a normal V neck peplum top.

As mentioned in my earlier post, the finished size for each design given in the book really helps me in choosing the right size.  I tally my measurements against those on the book, using Bust, Waist and Hip measurements.  The size is quite accurate I find.   

Next up I think I will try to make the Round collar jacket since I really need one for my office.

My birthday is in May so I will be having a Giveaway.  The kind people from Tuttle Publishing have given me 2 copies of the 'Basic Black' for the giveaway.  Isn't this amazing!  

To enter, just leave a comment on this post with your email address.  You can leave any comments and I will pick 2 readers randomly and contact the winners by email.   

Giveaway details[Closed]

- 2 winners will be picked randomly

- Open till 31 May 2014

- Open to readers in Singapore and Malaysia only

Okay, that's it for now. I'll update another post soon on my birthday dress, pattern from another Japanese Sewing Book.  Stay tuned! 

Happy 1 year anniversary!

I just checked my past blog history and realised that it's one year since I started blogging on my sewing projects.

How times flies. I remembered when I first started, I was comtemplating if I'm up to steam in sewing and posting every week. But I guess the weekly posting helped to push me to keep up with my sewing. If not, I'll have piles of ideas in my head and all still collecting dust up there and none that come into fruitition.

Want to guess what are my more popular posts?

1) Neck pillow  2) Doodle chalkboard  3) Toddler vest with harness

The past 1 year had been an exiting time for me. Juggling work, sewing and the kids. But I'm glad I took the challenge to have this little blog here. My horizon had widen greatly as I found so many creative and talented bloggers' wonderful blogs for inspiration and encouragement.  I'm aspiring to be like them on day to be confident enough to live that dream.

For now, I'm still dreaming a dream to open a little shop to sell my home made items but do I dare to dream this unthinkable dream? Time is tight with my work and the children and all. But I really drool when I look at the shops at etsy and dream that one day I can too have my little shop. It's a step of faith but I would like to see myself stepping closely to the dream. Hmm....shall I? Shall I not??

My dear friends reading the blog, should I try? What do you like to see in my shop, if I've pucked up courage to open one? Do give me lots of suggestions and feedback.

So, for the first anniversary, I shall do another blog giveaway. Would you like to receive a set of the Colour Pen roll? It will include the 6 colour pen/markers.  I'll be giving away to 3 readers.

Just post a comment and let me know what you like to see in my blog for a chance to win a set. Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you for the mailing address. I'm also accepting overseas readers for this giveaway so join in.  The giveaway will close on 24 September 12 midnight Singapore Time.

A surprise giveaway

I've just bought some fabric from Spotlight since they were having a sale last week. Had wanted to make a dress for my girls and also more neck pillows. My best friend had asked me to sell her the neck pillows for her 2 kids as she saw the one that I made for my kids. I felt so happy that someone had really thought the pillows were good enough to sell.  Anyway, I couldn't charge my friend since I really wanted to give them as gifts to the 2 kids. 

For the girl, I used the pink pokka dots flannel that I made for my girl earlier and for the boy, a cute monkey print in green background.  Since I'm in it, I decided mass produce and give away 3 neck pillows to anyone reading my blog! But, only for readers in Singapore for now. Maybe in future, I will consider overseas if there is request. But for now, as the first giveaway, I"m starting it slowly.  : ) More will be coming in future if I've more confidence and time to do mass sewing.

If you would like to receive a neck pillow, you can drop me a comment. If there are more than 3 readers, then I'll draw lots.  Entry close next Wednesday.