SEWN: Polka Dot Cape

Pattern: Simplicity 2030 (Sew Simple)

Fabric: Velour, navy polka dots on white background

This cape is made of velour, just like Zapp Brannigan's suit. But this cape is more awesome than Zapp Brannigan's suit. I think I bought this fabric earlier this year when it was on sale. The polka dots and the plush, shiny look of the fabric blew me away the very moment I laid eyes on it and I knew I had to get it. I don't know why, but for some reason, the fabric screamed, 'KATE SPADE!' to me. 

Wearing the cape with ASOS sunnies, DIY denim, and red lipstick

Within a minute of deciding that I was going to buy the fabric, I also decided that I was going to make a cape with the fabric, regardless of the suitability of velour as a material for making something that is meant to keep a person warm in winter. Oh, and also, the pattern does not recommend the use of velour at all. Sense 0 - Sensibility 1. 

But hey, the end product isn't too bad! I didn't make a muslin but simply made some alterations to the pattern based on my... intuition... and how the cape looks on the white silhouette on the front of the envelope. These are the changes that I made:


- Raised arm holes
- Shortened cape
- 3 hook and eye instead of the 4 prescribed by the pattern
- Additional topstitch all around the bottom which was not stated in the pattern. I did this to make the fabric stay in place since my fabric is quite light. Without the topstitch, the bottom of the cape looked puffy as the velour is not heavy enough.

The cape

Detail

I reckon the arm holes can still be raised a tad more. Regardless, I am still happy with how the cape turned out. Now, let me lay the cape to sleep into my wardrobe and I shall find an opportunity to wear it when I'm back from my clinical placement in Albury.

Let me know what you think of this polka dot cape! :)

Island Fever

Top: Recent cheap fabric buy
Bottom: Forgotten fabric buy gathering dust in my stash

A couple of days ago, I bought some Hawaiian/Tropical print fabrics from Cabramatta. When I got home and wanted to pack the fabrics away with the rest of my fabric stash, I realised, to my horror, that I already have 2 other similar Hawaiian/Tropical print fabrics.


My condition is a lot worse than I thought. So behold, the full glory of my Hawaiian madness. 

Details: Sky blue fabric with orange Hawaiian flowers and beautiful border details. 100% cotton. 2.5 metres. $2/m.

Plan: Most likely a dress with a fitted bodice and a full skirt with border detail at the bottom.

Details: Dark blue fabric with fish and islands scattered all over. Poly-cotton with a good drape. 3 metres. $2/m

Plan: Currently undecided

Close-up

Details: Blue fabric with man selling fruits and fishing. Poly-cotton with good drape. About 2 metres. Price forgotten.

Plan: A backpack, a pair of shorts with elastic and maybe a matching shirt/jacket top

Close-up

Details: Sky blue fabric with sailing dinghies, surfing boys, and islands with palm trees. Rayon with fabulous drape. About 2.5 metres. $5/m (if I recall correctly).

Plan: Probably a flowy dress or voluminous skirt to take full advantage of the drape.

Close-up

I can't wait to start sewing with these fabrics! Have you sewn anything with Hawaiian/Tropical print? Do you also have a weakness for prints like these?


xx

FO: Just a yellow beanie

This is the second project that I've knitted using DPNs. It is also the first project that I knitted using my new bamboo DPNs that I bought off eBay. The problem with knitting cable (or really, knitting anything at all) using bamboo needles is the fear of breaking them. Perhaps it's a self-fulfilling prophecy, but I really broke one of my needles. Damn. 

I was really excited to see how this beanie would turn out as I was knitting because I really love the cable patterns and the overall slouchy look of the original hat knitted by the writer of the pattern. To be honest, I am actually quite disappointed at the way the hat turned out. It was not slouchy at all. And then, to my horror, I realised that it was all my own fault because I forgot to change to bigger needles after knitting the ribbed edge. Whatever.

Close-up

So here's the story of the imperfect beanie. At least it helps to keep me warm and adds a dash a colour to dreary winter days. I wanted to knit a pair of matching fingerless mittens initially but right now I don't know if I still have the drive to do it. Perhaps I should do it after all, since I still have a bit of that yellow yarn left. 


Original pattern of the beanie


xx

Oh lord, what have I done?

The semester is drawing to an end and everything has been going fine (as in ok and only just ok) so far. So, last Saturday, I thought to myself, "what better way to celebrate the survival of another semester than spending money to fulfill my materialistic desires?" Behold, a picture featuring the full glory of my finds. Perhaps I have gone a tad too far.

Burnt orange wool hat with brim, Dotti, $9.95
Olive green wool bowler hat, Dotti, $5.95
Leopard print beret (with a furry texture *squeals*), Dotti, $.9.95
Black bag with gold bow detail, Dotti, $9.95
A set of 3 headbands, Factorie, $1
A set of bracelets in ethnic-inspired colours, Factorie, $4.95
Striped cotton jersey dress, Factorie, $4.95
Floral dress, Cotton On, $10
Faux fur coat, Cotton On, $20
Sunglasses for a DIY project, Cotton On, $2
Buckle bracelets in black and beige, Cotton On, $2 each
Faux leather brown laptop sleeve, Cotton On, $2
Burgundy Hi-top sneakers (*without* hidden heels, unfortunately), Rubi/Cotton On, $10

When I become an old spinster, I shall be known as the Hat Lady.

I am really really going to miss shopping in Sydney when I return to Singapore.


xx

DIY: Detachable Collar

DIY Detachable Collar

Finally, a DIY-related post. 

This detachable collar was inspired by a tutorial featured on Rookie here. If you're not reading Rookie then you are missing out on something good. Anyway, the collar is from the same XL chambray shirt that I thrifted eons ago. Oh yes, I used the shirt to make a skirt here and now I've made a fun collar from remains of the shirt. I'm very much like the hunter that utilises every single part of a kill - skin, meat, fats, bones and all. Waste not, want not.

The shirt-to-skirt DIY

So here's the skirt that I made from the same shirt. Ah, I looked so happy wearing it then. But just to let everyone know, I have a very fickle heart. I stopped loving the skirt a while ago and have given it to my friend. Perhaps it was partly due to the fact that it was part of the 30 X 30 wardrobe challenge I did last year. Wearing the same item repeatedly certainly has the tendency to make it fall out of favour.

The original shirt

I think I still have the sleeves and some other remnants of the shirt lying around... I can probably make a couple of bows and random stuff out of it. We'll see! :) 


xx

Sydney Trip 2011/2012 - Day Three

I must be the most lazy blogger in the world. It's been 6 months since the trip and I haven't blogged about all the days of the trip! Anyway, in case you missed it:
Sydney Trip 2011/2012 - Day One
Sydney Trip 2011/2012 - Day Two


DAY THREE (31/12/2011): Glebe Market and the City
Day 3 of the trip consisted of a walk around the Glebe Market, Broadway Shopping Centre and an attempt to countdown to the new year in the city...

Central Station

We waited for a bus to get to Glebe Market. The bus never came.
(from my friend's iPhone)

Here we are, finally at the Glebe Market and hungry for some food!(from my friend's iPhone)

Lunch was this delicious spicy chicken wrap.

Oh hey, red lips.(from my friend's iPhone)

We also had some refreshing drink after lunch whilst on our way to Broadway Shopping Centre.

I love bubbletea and drinks such as this.

Spoilt for choice

I spent such a loooong time at a cosmetic counter in Broadway Shopping Centre umm-ing and ah-ing over what lipstick colour to buy.

Dinner was Mexican food at Mad Mex!(from my friend's iPhone)

Waiting to usher in the new year.

Squeezed like sardines in a can.(from my friend's iPhone)