Season's greetings

I'm very happy to know that some of my creations in the Boutique Ateapic were already sold .. and the boutique manager said that she's enthusiastic for spring (it means she's looking forward to receive my creations for spring/summer 2014) which is a good sign.

 

I stopped by in the boutique yesterday to buy some teas for xmas gift to special friends and the shop assistant told me the good news .. oh you can't describe how I felt, happy, relieved, exciting all rolled into one. I feel optimistic and can't wait to start creating again!! :D

 

Meanwhile, I'd like to wish everyone happy holidays and all the best for 2014!

xoxo.

Incubateur des talents

The boutique I collaborate with is a place for creative people, designers, makers, creators. Their slogan is "Incubateur des talents" or incubator of talents. A place, especially with support staff and equipment, made available to new small businesses. For a "startup" like me, it's one step to progress, so I can say to my customers, my clients, people, family and friends that my creations are now available in this boutique, in this address. This is my "showroom" together with other creations from people in the business.

 

I'm glad they took some of my creations, so I have more space at home to prepare for the next local designer exhibition in Morges on May, that I hopefully could participate again :)

I noted what the founder of Ikea - Ingvar Kamprad, said:

The most dangerous poison is the feeling of achievement. The antidote is to every evening think what can be done better tomorrow.

yes, what can be done better tomorrow? keep exploring ...

 

My first contract with a Boutique!

I thank God for all His blessings and guidance that I've made another step for my sewing adventure. I got a collaboration contract with a boutique here in Geneva, Switzerland. After a fashion show, and now a collaboration with a boutique I feel so lucky and blessed and I can't believe I could go this far ..

 

It's true that I did all the hard work, but I also feel very grateful for the support I got from my family (my husband and our daughters) and friends. They know this is something I love to do, it's my dream to be able to run my own small business from home, and still be able to be close to our daughters and show them a positive activity hopefully they could learn from it as well. I always keep in mind that actions speak louder than your words. You are your child’s role model. How you speak to and treat others is usually replicated.

 

And one thing I'll show them: courage, positive attitudes and self-esteem. The three most important ingredients in life, especially if you are being a foreigner in a foreign country. Being a minority. Stay true to yourself. Respect yourself. Others will do the same to you.

 

 

First "Défilé de mode"

I got a chance to show my creations in a fashion show during 10 days of Les Automnales 2013 in Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland. The candidates of Miss Swiss Romande 2013 wore them ..

 

As it's my first fashion show .. I was like, oh! wow! it looks lovely when you see your creations on a model who walked down the runway! the movement .. the fluidity of the fabrics .. the lights .. all gave better visual perception I think ...

here's the link to video:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151722166795919&l=472505597555707394

 

 

Stand No. A28

Got my stand number today, and here's the map of the event on 15,16,17 November 2013:

Petits Pas on Place aux artistes et créateurs 2013, Palexpo, Genève.

Jour-10

I must be ready. I must handed the clothes to the organizer early (on Nov 7th afternoon) so they could do the fashion show with all pieces from the participants in Les Automnales. That's why although we're in Place aux artistes et créateurs will be in Palexpo starting Nov 15th, we could display our creations since the beginning of the Automnales exhibition on Nov 8th.

 

So many dates, eh?, I just mark those dates in calendar, on my computer, in my mobile phone, inside my head. That's why I think creative people also need to be extremely organized :)

 

This year they give opportunity for all fashion and accessories designers participants to participate in dressing up Miss and Mister Swiss Romande in a fashion shows during the entire exhibition.

 

I'm so thrilled, I was so happy when the organizer called and asked me how many models I would like to have (max 8) .. and I modestly said I might just need 4 models .. although I could take all 8 of them, but well ... I also have to sell my products, got to accept people who wants to try sewing in a workshop during the exhibition, etc ... so, I think 4 models are enough for my first "défié de mode" :D

 

I never thought I could have this awesome opportunity this fast. I remembered when I saw one of fellow exhibitor showing her "défilé de mode", I was longingly hope I could do the same one day ... and who thought that "one day" will come very soon .. thank you God ...

some of my creations for the "defile de mode"

Each piece has its story ..

One of the good thing about doing your own creations from scratch is, even though we are no longer have it, we keep the memory of it, forever. This whole thing has given me fond memories of people and places, of panic and relieve, of fears and courage, of laughs and tears .. of friends and customers .. all people I’ve met during my journey as a dressmaker, designer, créatrice, whatever people may call it.

And maybe because I’m a bit of a story teller my-self, I tend to my put the journey into words. For one day if I’m not around anymore, I still got something to tell, hopefully to encourage my daughters or maybe other people so they could go further and higher than their dreams …

Now about the story of this piece (the sleeveless dress):

it's SOLD to a woman name Sophie. It was a competition piece for last edition of UniCréa exhibition in Château de Morges that I participated last April 2013. I wasn’t meant to sell it at first, because the fabric I got was the only piece that I had, it was one of a gift from my good friend. I wanted to keep it for my-self.

But Sophie insisted, I told her it was a competition dress and I should keep it until the last day of the exhibition that lasted 4 days. She still insisted, I said, “well try it on first, see how it looks on you and then we'll see ..” … She did. She tried it on, and she loved it. She was taller than me, and I'm a bit worried that the length wasn't long enough for her, she said the length was okay. So as promised, I sold the dress to her BUT in one condition: she got to wait, she could have it on the last day of the exhibition. She agreed, and she paid the dress on spot, booked. I was as happy as her, actually .. or you could say, I was happy to see her happy ...

Now when I remember this, it always bring smile to my face … it was a simple design, but I’m sure that the lovely fabrics that attract the public.

In memory of “123 soleil” dress J

 

Colors of Autumn

The Autumn Exhibition is in about a month now. My days are filled with cutting and sewing. I'm making many things from bonnets, winter capes, tunics, dresses, tops, etc ... and yes, only with my two hands and feet :)

 

I remember a friend once asked: "where are you making all these stuffs?" ... where?, here, at home in my bedroom and our sitting room .. in this apartment. But well, if I ever going to make this exhibitions a routines, then I think I should have a workshop. But how? ... *sigh* .. I'll figure it out somehow, someday ... 

 

Okay, for now .. I only do what I gotta do, I'll do what I could with what I have .. I'm still learning and I wanted to continue to upgrade my skills ...

Exhibition in November!

I received all the official documents for next month exhibition in Palexpo. Still need to pay for the stand though .. heheh :)

Sooooo yeap, busy days ahead. Making more clothes, as this year there will be a fashion show with Miss and Mister Suisse Romande as models. They will be wearing creations from the participants in the exhibition (Les Automnales and Place aux artistes et des créateurs). Exciting ...

Fashion Week

I subscribed to news feed from some of designers that I appreciate for their designs and work, also from some fashion mags through their website and FB fan page. Something has caught my attention when I saw updates from British Vogue Milan Fashion Week which has just started. I read their article about a new designer name Stella Jean : http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2014/ready-to-wear/stella-jean

 

What caught my attention was that she used her African ethnic fabrics and she's proud of it.

And her remarks:

They are ethnic, she says, in the truest sense: "the word liberated from Western abuse and manipulators, to be returned to its authentic and far more egalitarian routes".

Her mission is very close to what I was trying to bring here, although her level of skills and professionalism were waaaaaaayy beyond my little steps .. but if you remember the project that I've done for my summer course for stylisme class last July, this is what exactly I had in mind too. My title for the collection in the project was: "Back To The Roots" collection. You may see what it's like here: BACK TO THE ROOTS - Collections

 

I wish one day I could be so lucky. That I could continue adding my skills to the more advanced level. I have already planned some possible steps that hopefully could be realized next year. Yes, I'm full of dreams, I'm full of hopes ... May God lead me ...

 

Resemblance ..

I came across a picture of a dress by Ted Baker SS/2013 and I thought it resemble a dress that I made for one customer friend in Glasgow last time .. The collar was a bit different though, mine was doubled.

When my friend asked me to make a halter neck version of this dress, I told her I'll try and will let her know first if it's what she had in mind .. I only used a pattern of a similar dress that I have and just imagine and create the collar without pattern, I use the dummy as my mannequin to know where I should pinned the collar and measure how it laid on the neck .... I didn't know that there's a similar dress from TB :)

 

 

Pending order now is done!

A friend's teenage daughter wanted a lace brocade dress since ... May!! .. oops, yeah I know, I let her waited for 3 months (I understand that it's such a long wait for her, sorry missy) .. but it's not all my fault though, I'm not trying to defense my self, I asked her mom in June if she wanted the dress sooner than later, but as they were preparing their summer holiday and I was preparing my stay for the summer course in Paris last July ... she said, it wasn't urgent, and I could relaxed, took my time .. and we're both on holiday ... until ... end of holiday and we met in the bazaar when her daughter asked if the dress is ready :)

 

Oooookaaayy ... so it took me sometimes to finish this dress she had ordered, but now it's done and she said "parfait" (when I showed them the picture I uploaded in fb) ..and  she'll pick up her order next weekend.

 

Actually it's a simple design. Size 152 cm (for 10-11 yrs girl). But because I used full lined for full lace dress ... then it needed a bit of tender, love and care (tlc) ... heheh ... The pattern is just a basic block of bodice and flare skirt (I modified a bit to make it into a ruffle skirt by adding about 10 cm each sides (front and back). Then I attached RED ribbon as an accent as it looks pretty in my opinion ...  glad the owner of the dress agreed too ;)

 

So, I'm done for today ... what's for dinner??? I'm starving!! :D

Biography - 2nd (Edited).

I got to edit my biography as a part of registration as an "exposant" or exhibitor. It's my 2nd participation in the Places aux artistes et des créateurs in Palexpo. It's also their 2nd edition. So, that's why I felt "attached" to this event, as it was the first place I've made my first exhibition.

So here it is, I think I better note down my Biography in this blog too, just in case I need to use (and edit) it again in the future ...

Biographie

Wati Yusuf
Créatrice pour "Petits Pas - handmade creations"
 

Wati Yusuf a appris la couture au début à travers de ses amies en essayant plusieurs patrons de livres de coutures et coudre des objets et des vêtements par son imagination.

Depuis 2012 elle a participé dans les salons de créateurs, des expositions et des bazars en Suisse Romande et elle a commencé de prendre des commandes par ses connaissances ou des commandes en ligne.
 

Pour elle c'est important de toujours présenter ses créations au public et de voir comment les gens apprécient son travail pour améliorer ses collections.
 

C'est pour cette raison, en Juillet 2013 elle s'est inscrite à l'école de Mode à Paris pour suivre un stage d'été pour le modélisme et le stylisme. Cette formation courte a ouvert ses yeux et l'a aidé de mieux comprendre comment le monde de la Fashion est géré de manière plus grande et professionnelle.
 

Dans sa deuxième participation au "Place aux artistes et des créateurs 2013" elle apporte  ses créations de vêtements et d'objets pour enfants et jeunes femmes.

Petits Pas – Handmade Creations
www.facebook.com/petitspas.handmade

tank top for teens

Got some rest of the fabric from my previous creation "The Little Girl's Dream" dress, and thought of making it into a simple tank top. I love the fluidity of the fabric, the prints, the color .. and decided to make it into a kid size 152 summer top.

NEXT : 2nd participation in Palexpo for this fall ..

I've received an email confirmation from the organizer in Palexpo that they received all my files for a stand in Place aux artistes et des createurs 2013 this coming fall (Nov, 15-17).

"Chère Madame,

J’ai bien reçu votre dossier d’inscription et vous en remercie. Vous recevrez le guide de l’exposant mi-septembre, ainsi que les horaires de vos deux ateliers, qui seront annoncés dans le magazine Fémina !

Je vous souhaite une très bonne journée."

Cordialement,
LM.

So, they will put an advertisement of my 2 workshops in this "creative village" of Les Automnales in Femina (weekend magazine) from Le Matin Dimanche. I should get prepare, then ... busy days ahead!! :) 

We've won The Best Stand categories in the bazaar!

So the bazaar is over ...

So I've sold 2 items -- kids batik dresses.

So .. what?! .. hehe ..

Yup, the most important part is that we participate, we're always tried to be present in local events .. and SURPRISE! we've won THE BEST STAND category in the bazaar! .. it was actually a "secret" mission from the organizer, we didn't know that there will be stand competition. We're very pleased that they voted for our stand. I didn't plan too much (and have no expectation) for our stand to become the best, my goal was only to have some fun in the event as it was Indonesian Independence Day celebration.

But I do have "my own standard" on setting up my stand. I have visualized how my stand would be like more or less -- in my head. I knew the place would be held in a garden, it's a garden party, and it's summer time, with those things on my mind, I'd like to create something joyful, pretty, léger (light) neat and clean. So it got to be close to those "standard" I've had in mind and I won't settle for less.

Here's the true story behind the scene: in the morning, when we packed our stuff into the car hubby ALMOST brought different color of porte-habits (clothing stand). I told him, NO .. I want the same color, both white ones, not white and black! .. he (like most of "crucial" moments on the D day), always tried to "bargain" .... first he woke up late, then he wanted to take black and white clothing stand, and then ... at quarter to nine he seemed not in a hurry and told me to relax, don't be stressed ... while the bazaar will open at 10am. Well, yeah okay .. but I had to firmly said "bring two white clothing stand, if it's too much hassle then I'll do it" ...

So there .... with that story behind the best stand prize that we've won, I should celebrate my efforts! :)

 

Little Girl's Dream ...

I've made a little girl's dream came true! .. 

It's her dream dress, and also deep down inside my heart it's my dream to make a dress that's pretty, fluid, breezy, soft, lovely .. like this.

 

I'm using silky fabric found in Cergy Saint-Christophe weekend market for only EUR 2/m! .. I only bought 2 meters long, I thought I'd only like to make this fabric into a personal project. So I did, it's for my 7 yo girl's party dress that she wore this weekend. She's happy, I'm happier ...

I firmly believe that choosing a fabric it's the most important part in creating some projects, as I would always say, the fabric often "speaks" to me, like, calling me .. "buy me, you'll never regret" .. hahaha .. really! I'm not hallucinating .. it spoke to me most of the time when I went out purchasing textiles in a textile shop or market .... and just like this one, a "Monet" kind of prints in a silky, fluid fabric .. I just fell in love with it instantly :)

 

Tube dress for teens

I got a request to make this kind of 'strapless' dress from my teen daughter for this weekend's party. I came  up with this idea in my head: she wanted a strapless dress, but she doesn't have a grown-up bust yet, so she needs something to support the dress, so that it won't slip down because it's 'loose' and it should be something pretty but easy to wear for an active teenagers .. I made the "tube" dress with elastic! .. and she's happy with it :)

I made 2 parts of the dress: the top in form of rectangular tube, and bottom in pleats skirt (also came from a rectangular) .. NO PATTERN needed! easy peasy ...

Bazaar "Pesta Rakyat"

In line with Indonesian independence day on August 17th, The Indonesian Permanent Mission for The UN here in Geneva together with Indonesian Association in Geneva will open a People's Celebrations (Pesta Rakyat) on Sunday August 18th 2013. I will be participating in this event and open one day stand from 10am - 3pm.

I think I will be quite busy these couple of weeks ...

First delivery after a month holiday

I know it's a bit late, but promise must be delivered.

I hope the little girl who will receive this flowery dress would be happy.

I'm going to the post office now ... 

see you again soon (but first, I have to finish another 2 orders) .. :D

Stages d'été / Summer course, Esmod Paris July 2013.

We've done it. Lots of unforgettable moments, unforgettable experiences, unforgettable personalities .. one summer that I'd never forget and one particular summer that I might only experience for the rest of my life! .. 

I've always dreamed to go to fashion school, since I was a teenage. I knew I wanted to learn fashion, the process of creating a beautiful outfit, to draw a fashion collections of my imagination and make it into a real clothing ... I knew it since I was a kid. But life, well ... it's too complicated to write it down into one post of blog. My family, my background, my guts, all play it roles to burn down my true desires ... until now? in my 40's? ... do I have regrets? ... I do, but it won't help to make me a better person. Regrets only make you weak. So I fight it. I fight to have my only possible to do it now ... or never.

So I did. I finished my summer course in a fashion school in Paris! in ESMOD ((l'Ecole Supérieure des Arts et techniques de la Mode) in the busy area of 9th arrondissement in Paris - one of world's capital of Fashion and Mode. Yes, only a summer course ... but it might be my only chance, and if you have given a chance to do it, then grab it! :)

It seemed like everything fell into place. We used to worry about how we could manage the kids, the time, and all ... but we believe that it could be possible. Husband's professional choice had make this happened. When he chose to leave his 13+ years job in one company and shift to another company (still in Geneva), he voluntarily took 2 months paid leave .. and took over all my responsibilities in taking care and look after our 2 daughters. So I could go to Paris and have the time of my life! :) ...

In these several months, since the whirlwind we had, we believe one thing: just have patience. Your dreams are unfolding in perfect time. Remember that, at all times and in all circumstances, your life is in the hands of the Divine. Do not doubt. Do not fear. Listen. Trust and open yourself to receive the answers to your prayers. Listen. You are being guided and supported in everything you do. All is well ... I got a summer diploma from Esmod Paris and husband got a good new job, he started to work just yesterday and he's exciting ... I'm glad, I'm happy for him too :)

Warming Up!

The weather is getting warmer this week. Seems like summer is getting closer at last. After a "forgotten" spring :) I'm also warming up my works. I have to finish some orders, I know, but I just playing around to make some accessories like bags, sunglasses case, etc. I just not feel ready for a sewing marathon completing all orders in a month! .. why a month? because in summer holiday I already have plans, I'll take a summer course in Esmod Paris. August husband will go back to work and the kids are still on school holiday until end of August.

So I wanted to take some times to breath, to stretch my hand and legs, to enjoy the weather, to have a breakfast for two with my beloved husband each day in June!, enjoy driving around together with him, having lunch with him, discuss so many things ... bref, juste pour s'amuser quoi! ...

But I promise, I will go back to work in Monday, I will start to make pieces of clothes that people have ordered and have been waiting ;-)

Ciao!

Bon weekend :-)

Expo AIG

25 May 2013 participation in the first Expo organized by Indonesian Association in Geneva.

Good moments ..

We just received pictures from the organizer of the 15th edition UNICrea in Morges last month. Here's a collage of good moments, good companion during 4 days exhibition. All of them here were my "neighbor", their stand were close to mine, and of course their lovely personalities too, close to my heart ..

15th Edition of UNICrea

Yup, it's done!

From 26-29 April I was going back and forth from Geneva to Morges. Thank you for my supporting family, husband and our daughters, friends and neighbors who were all so kind to help us looking after the kids after school. I've done better this time, I sold 14 items in 4 days exhibition, which is not bad for a second time participation in a creative events.

Thank you to the organizer who has given me a chance to participate, who selected me to join in the UNICrea (Univers Creative), the creative universe :)

Today I'm taking a rest before starting to make things again for AIJ's Bazaar in Grand Saconnex on May 25th. AIJ is the Indonesian Association in Geneva and it's their first public event and first bazaar. Oh, and yes .. today I got a business proposal from an owner of a crepes resto in Rolle to make employee's tshirts, he invited me to come to Rolle this coming Saturday to talk about the design, wish me luck ... even this only for 4 employees in the beginning, but it shows me how people seriously appreciate the things that I do. Thank you God ... you're very kind to me ... you gave me a little bit of sunshine after the storms ;)

setting up the stand on Friday morning

Last exhibition day on Monday

1 month to go ...

One more month to D day ..

I'm a bit panic now .. with the kids in "Vacances de Pâques" from today to 5 April 2013, I really need to concentrate on my "emploi de temps" each day. I must stay focus! *inhale-exhale* ...

I'm thinking of completing the collection with casual collection (always colorful!) and also a classic stripes. Wish me luck, wish me having the strength to finish all by my self ... God help me .. amen.

 

it's getting closer ..

pheewwh ....

I can't say much nowadays .. I can only making more and more clothes.

less blogging, more sewing, April is approaching ...

simply white

colorful candy color

for the 123 soleil theme in this edition.

My 2nd Exhibition!

Please mark your agenda, and don't forget to bring everyone to UNICrea at Chateau de Morges, Vaud, Switzerland on 26-29 April 2013 as I will be there to participate in this 15th Edition Creative Fiesta! :)

1-3-13 - First of March 2013.

I found the notification from Mr. Postman on the end of Feb (28/02) that I need to pick up a package at the nearby post office. I had a feeling that it might be the package that I've been waiting for: the fabrics that I'd ordered from an online boutique and from my friends .. and I was right! they're all in a package! I'm so relieved and happy that all fabrics were safely sent to me through a post package.

Now, let's get busy ...

this would be my entry for their theme "123-soleil" :)

Indonesian Batiks