11.01.15

I was looking forward to sew more after Mason passes the 6 months mark but, my gosh, I had no clue! He doesn’t crawl yet but he wants to play and venture around the house all the time so I’m with him more than ever.  

Yesterday and today I worked on a dress for a niece. I’m happy with it but it shouldn’t have taken me two days! I’m anxious to use this fabric for more dresses so hopefully Mason will be more willing to sit still and play. 

   

Hmong Print Satin Shorts

I ordered this print on spoonflower.com on the polyester satin fabric just to see how it looks and feels like. I didn’t know what to make with it because it’s shiny and I don’t wear anything satin shiny. I literally sat staring at the fabric all night yesterday trying to think of what to make with it. This afternoon, while Mason napped, I decided to make a pair of sleeping shorts. It’s perfect!

08.17.2016

I’ve been gone quite a while! I really want to and will try my best to update my projects here more often. It’s just getting harder and harder with a baby, especially now that he wants to be interactive all the time. I moved back to North Carolina after having my baby. We drove across country when he was only 2 weeks old! …and… we are planning to “permanently” move back to California by the end of the year so I am looking forward to buy fabrics in bulk again next year. :D

Below are some of the projects I made. The cross stitch was a bit painful, pushing the dull needle through the interface backing for the onesies. Love every piece.

Hmong Coin Purse Tutorial

One thing I don’t like about California is that A LOT of shops take cash only. While in California I’ve gone to the bank or ATM to get cash more than I have in the east coast altogether. When paying with cash, you end up with tons of COINS so a coin purse is much needed. I have some time (couldn’t sleep) the other night so I made myself one. Hopefully the photos and steps are easy and clear enough to follow.

Step 1:

Materials: 2 pieces of decorative fabric, 2 piece of plain fabric for lining, zipper

Cut all the fabrics to the same size. I used a left over Hmong trim. I think it was about 4″ by 5.25″. It’s best if you use a zipper just a little longer than the length of the fabric, but you can use whatever length zipper you have on hand and just cut it afterwards.

Step 2:

Unzip the zipper. Pin the decorative or outside fabric to the zipper according to the photo below. Sew between the edge of the zipper and the teeth, make sure to back stitch. Do the same to the other piece of the decorative fabric to the other side of the zipper.

Once you’re done sewing the two decorative pieces onto the zipper, it should look like the photo below.

Step 3:

On the bottom side of the zipper, pin the lining fabric according to the photo below. It should sit exactly above the decorative fabric. Sew between the edge and teeth of the zipper. Do the same to the other piece of the lining to the other side of the zipper.

Once you’re done sewing the lining onto the zipper, it should look like the photo below with.

Step 4:

Move the lining fabric away from the decorative fabric and top stitch the decorative fabric. This will make the top fabric stay on the zipper with a cleaner look. Only the lining should lay on the left, the decorative fabric and seams should be laying on the right. Sew through the decorative fabric and seams close to the edge.

Step 5:

Make sure the zipper is opened at least half way if not a little more. This step is important because you will need to turn the coin purse through the opening of the zipper.

Step 6:

Pin the right sides of the decorative and lining fabrics together like the photo below. The zipper is hiding in the middle; make sure the zipper teeth and ends match up. Sew all the way around, but leave an opening at the bottom of the lining shown below with a white line. Remember to back stitch. You need to keep the bottom open and big enough so you can stick your fingers through the opening and opened zipper and turn it inside out. Once you’re done sewing, if your zipper is longer than the fabric, you can now cut it.

Once you turn it inside out, it’ll look like the photo below.

Step 7:

Tuck in the seams on the opening of the lining and sew close the the edge. Make sure to back stitch. Push in the lining and you’re done! Add cute accessories to the zipper handle if you want to.

01.29.15

I’m due in 2 months and there are so many projects I want to do! Hopefully I can sew after I give birth? If not, I don’t think I’ll have a collection this year except for random pieces. Once I get back to NC, my resources will be nothing! Just thought I share some of the things I’ve made since my last update.

California

I’m in California! I was so excited to be in California because family is here and I’ll have an abundance of places to get fabrics and such. But the excitement came to a halt when my mother in law said I will not be able to sew. Hmong people have this superstition that when your husband goes off to war, you cannot touch a needle or knife. My husband is deploying and with respect to my parents in law’s beliefs, I’ll hold off on sewing til he gets home. At first I was very reluctant, but I realized it’s best to not cause any stress as I’m sure my mother in law is probably already stressing. I’ll just have to pick up another hobby. Lately, I’ve been working on Elsa dresses for my nieces for Halloween. And the other day I worked on a jacket for myself.

05.02.14

Hello hello hello! I don’t consider myself a blogger because I am so horrible at it. Anyway, below are just updates. I am moving next weekend! On that same Saturday, it’ll be my first craft show with my sister! more stress than excitement though because I haven’t made anything! I hope things go well.? :D
This morning I got an update on my fabric printing. Hopefully I receive it by end of May since printing is actually not done yet and it is being ship from China. Super excited!

 

Orchid Hmong print pencil skirt

I really like the crop top with a high waist pants, shorts, or skirt. I might recreate the full skirt to pair it with the top for a photoshoot. Or, maybe I should design a different crop top. We’ll see… I have to finish my orders first though. I AM moving soon. :D

Short shorts!

I had a hard time figuring out what to do with the high neckline top I was working on. I sat around for a long time just killing time online then I remembered I needed shorts for the summer. I am super glad the shorts turned out great and it fits like a glove. I also tried to make a skirt for my niece, but realized the width of the fabric was shorter than expected. I also reattempted the upcycle tanktop dress in pink and the Hmong scarf. I really like the dress and will probably make myself one.

04.21.14

Just some updates and photos…

I was way overdue to make my sister in law a tea length skirt. Last week I finally made her one! This skirt is also posted on my etsy shop for ordering.

I received my cotton fabric I purchased from spoonflower.com over the weekend. I haven’t really thought much about what to make. I made a high neck scoop top because I like it high. I have no clue what kind of bottom to add onto the top.