Tapered chiffon top

I'm so pleased with this tapered chiffon top that I made using a yard chiffon that I got on sale from chinatown at $3. It was a steal cause the blue chiffon was so pretty.

Since chiffon does fray alot, I decided to use french seams to treat all the seams.  For the neckline and sleeve, I fold over twice and enclose the raw edges.

I especially like the way I tried to match the checked lines on the chiffon. Added the small pocket in front since it appears to be on most chiffon tops that I saw in the shop. Next time, I'll make it bigger though.

For the hem, I did a rolled hem using my serger since I was having trouble sewing the curvy edge.

I cut the front to be shorter than the back so that it will have a tapered effect.  I wish I had made it longer behind. Oh well, nex time then.  Oops, I looks so awkward! 

Didn't follow any pattern for this as I trace my existing top for this.  I'll be making another version of this with a longer tapered back and more loose fitting to have a flowy effect.  

Patchwork Pouch

I made this little pouch for my girl to store her Chinese word cards. The cardboard box that came with the cards came apart so I did a quick (or not so quick) sew to make her one so that she will not misplace the cards.

Instead of the usual one-fabric-sew-it-up thingy, I decided to do it differently this time to do a patchwork. I have alot of beautiful quilting cotton scraps that was left over from my previous sewing projects. It was a waste to throw them away so I just stored them and it gets piled up in no time.

I'll share a simple tutorial how I sew this patchwork pouch here.

Sew up all the stripes of scraps, try to find those with the same width so that it looks more or less consistent. But it is up to you. Sew up enough to make the pouch. I just eye ball the side. It's alright to sew more than less. Press the seams open.

Then, cut the pieced fabric into 2.5" long stripes, across the stripes that you have sewn. Cut up enough for the pouch. This will allow you to have different fabric print on the same stripe.

I use a earth tone long stripe of fabric to sandwich between the 2 colourful stripes for added interest. Sew up the side, with right side facing. This will make up the width of the pouch so cut the middle fabric to make up the required width. Press seams open.

Add another stripe below the earlier block to make up the required length. Top stitch on the stripes. Press seams open.

front view

back view

(Sorry, not photo here)
Next, for the inner layer, I get a floral cotton fabric, the same size as the pieced fabric and sew them together, right side facing. Sew all along the edges, leaving a 2" gap opening for turning over. Turn the bag right side out from the opening and press flat. Fold a 6" thin elastic band into half and insert both the raw edges into the opening and sew shut. Top stitch all the 4 sides and you have the fabric ready to sew the pouch.

Choose which directional print you like and with right side facing, fold up one short end to make the pouch pocket (make sure it is long enough to cover the cards). Sew up the 2 side seams, right side facing. You then pinch the bottom corner together and stitch across 1.5" from corner to create the base.  More instruction here. Make sure that the base is large enough to fit in the cards.  The portion above will be your flap of the pouch. I flip in the 2 sides to make it more tapered.

This is how the bag looks when it's close with the elastic band.

Simple and pretty. Good to use up those pretty fabric too!

Stripe Tea Dress

If you are following me on Pinterest, you will see me pining chevron and stripes on my pin board like crazy. I don't really see a lot of chevron print around here so I just make them using the regular stripe fabric.

Recently, we had a special Mother's Day celebration in our church called " Tea with Mum" where all mothers were encouraged to wear a 'tea-coloured' dress on Mother's day.  I think my orange chevron dress has the vintage 60s feel to it.

I took my inspiration from this dress that I pin in my board.

I didn't follow one pattern for this dress.  I used an existing bodice from New Look 6968 but changed it to V neck.  As I wanted the chevron effect on the bodice, so I piece 2 stripes on bias at the centre so that they create a chevron effect.  As I didn't want the waist darts to spoilt the effect, I pivot the darts using Gertie's tutorial. It's a bit hard to visualise the method but I think I did ok.  I especially like how the stripe meet at the centre quite nicely.

For the skirt, I wanted a really full skirt like in the 60s so I used the entire width of the fabric and sew up 2 rectangles.  I did have to pleat ALOT to make it fit the top bodice. 

I also added pockets since recently I fell in love with pockets and feel that all my skirts should have them. I needed to keep my handphone with me all the time and I don't carry handbag with me all the time.

The cotton stripe fabric is abit light weight and hence see-through, I underline it with a white cotton that I've on hand. Maybe I should use some polyester cause it make the dress a quite heavy but then, it makes the skirt really fluffy and full!

I love love how the dress looks so 60s and the orange is so bright and springy. Do you know what?

I got a prize for dressing up to fit the theme on Mother's Day!  I was so surprised and happy. I think nobody in church realized that I made the dress and I was really pleased : )