Lining isn't a scary thing (anymore)

It's been a while I keep thinking of making a proper jacket. Proper here means, a fully lined jackets. Jackets that entirely lined. Yeah, yeah, boring for you who already done this, maybe, but to me it's completely new. Sure, I've done jackets before, they're using facings. But those kind of jackets we could only wear as a light cover-ups in mid-seasons kind of weather, but we live in Europe, and Switzerland particularly, winter too cold for light jackets. We need wool, we need fleece and knits.

So, I made up my mind, I must make my winter creations "properly" according to the season. I must learn to make a fully lined jacket. I must get this knowledge because a jacket that is fully lined will look more neat and professionally made. I decided to bring them on December's Marché de créateurs in Geneva (if I got selected again this year and I really hope so).

I started by making children jackets for girls and I choose colorful fleece fabrics for this. I'm happy with the results. I use cotton fabrics for all of the jackets lining, with different prints and colors because I think cotton is comfortable for kids and the prints make the jackets look fun and unusual. I do it on purpose as I wanted my winter collection this time to look standout and unique. I will also make fun capes again, of course, but as I already brought them last year, I want this year to be a little bit different (and better), so I prepared better too, from choosing fleece, patterns, and just using creativity to make each of my creations unique :)

PP - Winter 2016 Collection

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 :)

proposition from mall management

While we're on holiday (kid's winter break from 9-17 Feb) I received an email proposition from a mall management here in Geneva:

Bonjour,

 

Les Centres Commerciaux EAUX VIVES 2000 et LANCY CENTRE au plein cœur de Genève vous proposent de venir exposer en leurs seins tout au long de l'année dans le but de promouvoir votre activité et de vendre pour une semaine .

N'hésitez pas à nous contacter pour d'avantages d'informations.

Bien cordialement,

Ms. S

MALL SOLUTIONS
Agence de Communication.

I'm very grateful for her proposition, but to be honest, right now I can't take this chance but later maybe I will considerate about this. I'm quite handful right now, my objectives are to participate in the exhibitions and bazaar (fair) in April and May this year, then I will take a summer break and I planned to enroll myself in Esmod's summer course in Paris. With all these positive feedback and opportunities that people gave me, I should "upgrade" my skills. I should learn more seriously than just do lots of "trials" at home. I wanted to know more about the mysteries of creating a nice piece of clothes, I'm hungry for knowledge that I still don't formally have.

So, just wish me luck ... this year is going to be a more exciting one! :)

@ Montmarte, Paris.

 

Pleated Skirt for girls

Weekend easy project. We had planned to see "Escalade" celebration in Geneva old town on Saturday afternoon, but I reeeeeeeeaally wanted to sew something, and I reeeeeeeaaally got this urge to make this pleated skirt I saw in the latest "Coudre" magazine I got last time.

This skirt didn't need pattern, simply cut two rectangular fabric (front & back of the skirt) in the desired length you wanted to make, added some length (sew allowance) for the hem. Form the pleats (here I made 3 pleats each side) and cut some fabric for the waist band (to put the elastic band) .. I finished the skirt with white lace and it's done .. just about the right time to go out to see the festival! :)

weekend simple project

Easy Pleated Skirt for girls

the making ..

done! ... ;-D

I'm On The List ! .. yeaayy!! :-D

I received a notification from one of JCA administrator that my blog is already on the list in Japan Couture Addicts collective blog.

I'm so happy, excited to sew more and more .. to try to make different outfit from diffrenet pattern and different sewing books to improve my skill .. :)

JCA

I've just got accepted to become a member of JCA (Japan Couture Addicts), a French collective sewing blog for all fans of Japanese couture. I'm so happy to finally have the courage to participate after months of visiting and admiring other member's creations.

I received the invitation to join in from one of the administrators couple of days ago:

Bonjour !
Je t'ai envoyé une invitation, il te suffit de suivre les instructions du mail que tu vas recevoir.
Merci de lire au préalable la charte ci-dessous (c'est pas long !).
Lorsque tu seras inscrite, indique-moi ton pseudo et si tu as un blog envoie-moi son adresse pour que je le rajoute avec ton pseudo à la liste des membres :)
A bientôt
Cindy--
Japan Couture Addicts
http://japancouture.canalblog.com

And here's one of my entry to JCA :)

Making plans ..

Looks like we're going to wait another week before moving on to Geneva. Meanwhile, while I don't see my sewing machine, I can at least making plans for what I want to do once I could put my hands on my machine again: start sewing! .. I've been google-ing for a sewing class or sewing group in Geneva, but I want a local based class where I can get to know local people and improve my french.

So here's a few lists of places I got so far :
http://www.auxpointsdujour.net/
http://www.coudrart.ch/
http://www.ecole-club.ch/
http://www.velen.ch/

I put the lists based on "casually". The first place got my first attention as it seems like the place that I want to learn to sew, just do it kind of classes and not like other places that offer more serious approach. The first one looks friendly and laid back and the prices aren't expensive. For example:

coud-it your self
where you can bring your own project and using their machine or sewing materials for the price of 10 CHF/hour, classes in Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 16-21pm for debutant to sew and ask the teacher.

or

couture du jeudi

where every Thursday there's a sewing class from 18-20pm for the price of 30 CHF, you can bring your own fabrics, buttons and materials and your idea of project and the teacher will help you to see your sewing skills evolving with other fellow students.

I think that's more than enough to guide me to learn more about sewing and make projects right away. This hands on approach suits me best I think ...

New sewing books and mags :-)

I've been "collecting" Japanese sewing books and magazines. I've fallen in love with their simple style, simple pattern and clear, easy to follow instructions. I wanted to know their "sewing techniques" which I found a lot easier and not complicated comparing to other techniques I saw in most of sewing books.

I stopped my Saturday night sewing class after I started to work part-time in the French school. I need my weekend to repose and re-charged my energy. I feel that going to a sewing class on a Saturday night while I supposed to enjoy my time with my family, seems a bit "ambitious" ...

These books and mags really help me a lot! and I recommend them for a beginner (like my self) to start making one or two projects, you'll be surprise that it could turn you into a sewing addict ;-)

2 projects from sewing class

The sewing class part 01 has just finished. I think I will continue to part 02 next week. No pain, no gain! .. gotta force my self to go to class on Saturday night and put any doubts on the back of my mind. I need to keep reminding my self that we need some kind of goal to set for ourselves, and I wanted to continue because I wanted to know how to make a man's shirt ..

I know, some people prefer to learn in a comfort of their home, search in YouTube for almost anything about sewing. For me, I want to be able to ask directly to the teacher, to classmates for my questions, learning from them gave me valuable lessons.

I've finally finished my 2 skirts projects with a waistband.

Semi Circular Skirt

This is my second project in sewing class. I was so left behind everybody, just because I've missed 3 classes out of 8 in total. This Saturday will be the last class for beginner level - part 01. I have to finish at least 3 projects, and the next part we'll be making pants, men's shirt with collar and a culotte.

Today I decided to make the semi circular skirt. I have this fabulous Batik from a friend that I think would be awesome to make it into a skirt. Here I try it on without the waistband and zipper attached (I need to overlock the edges with a serger first, I need to use the one in the classroom) .. but more or less, this is how it looks like :-)

To make this skirt is very simple, actually .. I wonder why I didn't go and try to make it earlier :-). We just need to measure our waist and the length of the skirt we wanted to make.
The math is only: [waist measurement] /4 +3 ; so if your waist is 60 cm/4+3 = 18 cm. This is the number we use to make the small circle.

Note:
the teacher gave us this little tips: if your waist measure around [58-62] /4+3 ; if bigger, let say [63-80]/4+5 -- I don't know why, but that's the trick :-)

Sewing Class Beginner Part 01 -- almost done.

I've missed the last 2 classes *sigh* .. it's not easy to choose between family time on Saturday night and going to a sewing class :-( I'm not sure if I will continue the "Part 02" of this class " -- which will included: blouses, collar and pants! ... *sounds very tempting, eh?* .. and next week (August 21st) will be the last class for Part 01.

Oh dear .. I really curious about this stuff! and last night the teacher taught us how to draw a basic block of blouse, included how to make measurement then create a pattern from it. How can I miss all of this! .. so my homework now will be: finishing the A-line waist band, making the semi-circular skirt and draw the basic block of blouse for my self using my own measurement that the teacher had helped me to do it.

this picture is taken when the teacher show us how to make pleated skirt (the one like school girl's skirt) using the basic skirt pattern.

First sewing lesson: Basic block of skirts

The basic block of skirt is the measurement you need to take before drawing a skirt pattern. It includes:

1. Waist = [waist measure]/4= A --> A+1 for Front pattern (F); A-1 for Back pattern (B)
2. Waist to hip
3. Hip = [hip measurement]/4 = B --> B+1 (F) ; B-1 (B)
4. Bust width = [bust width]/2
5. Length (from hip to desired skirt length)

We actually divided the skirt into 4 to have a quarter skirt pattern, that's why waist & hip measurement must divided by 4. We also need bust width to make darts, that's why we divide bust width by 2. Next all we need to do is make the pattern. Always start from right corner of your pattern paper.

To make a slit (on the back of your skirt), start from zip end divide by 3 equal lengths and the last part is the slit length. Use 7 inch (18 cm) or 8 inch (20 cm) zipper.

Note: for flat bottom people, move up 1,5 cm from left bottom of the skirt, and 1 cm up from right bottom, draw straight line first then join the line together.