Category: review

Red lace set

My newest set! The bra is made with Marlborough bra by Orange Lingerie. The first time I made this pattern, the fit wasn’t too great. Since then I have made several alterations to perfect the fit for my body, such as: narrowed the centre piece because I have very little space between breasts very narrow cradle gothic arc on center front back strap extension If you notice, these are the alterations that I have always made on my bra recently. The cradle and band on all my recent bra are pretty similar, only the cups are different. It is also important to find out […]

Komani cape dress – Bootstrap Fashion

This is the Komani cape dress, the second pattern that I made from Bootstrap Fashion. As I have mentioned in my previous post about Bootstrap Fashion, the patterns are drafted according to your individual body measurements including height and other details like belly protuberance and upper arm circumference, among other things. This pattern is one of the exclusive design made by indie designers who use the same Leko fit customization technology. Bootstrap Fashion allows indie designers to set their own price, that is why these patterns are set on much higher price than other Bootstrap Fashion patterns. I was attracted to the dress’ many interesting […]

Cap sleeves dress – Bootstrap fashion

A couple of months ago, I was approached by Bootstrap Fashion to try their custom-fit sewing patterns. Unlike with other pattern companies, you don’t have the option of choosing regular sizes when buying their patterns. Instead, you put your own detailed measurements, and Bootstrap Fashion will prepare a pattern customized just for your body! Isn’t this a great idea? I always have to make petite adjustments when using sewing patterns. Other people always need tall adjustment, short waist, full bust adjustment, and other things. With this system, you don’t have to worry about all of these adjustments! Of course it is […]

Lydia skirt – Boundless Style

  A new skirt! I have lots of Indonesian batik fabric lying around, including this cotton batik from my sister-in-law. Probably not the best choice for winter, but I can always wear it with tights like I do here. The pattern is from the new book ‘Boundless Style – A Mix-and-Match Sewing Pattern Workbook’ by Kristiann Boos of Victory Patterns. This is no ordinary sewing pattern book. Instead of several separate patterns in one book, you get five bodices, five sleeves, and five skirts that can be mixed and matched to create a whole wardrobe – boundless style. I think it is […]

Book review: Stylish Remakes

I don’t use many Japanese sewing books now, but they have always been special to me. Mainly because the first time I learned sewing was through Japanese sewing books and magazines. The minimalist photos and layouts are one of the characteristics of these books. The model usually just stand or sit on a simple chair (or even the floor), doesn’t do much and not even smiling. The clothes are often loose and flowy with not much shaping, which makes them quite easy to make. Japanese sewing books don’t use many words in their instructions, mainly relying on pictures and diagrams. […]

Merchant & Mills Workbook: The Strides

  I’ve often heard about Merchant & Mills patterns and sewing supplies, but have never found the patterns here in Japan. The closest that I can get was several T-shirts by Uniqlo when they collaborated with Merchant & Mills. So I was very happy when they contacted me to review their newest book, Merchant & Mills Workbook. The book has six paterns for vest, dress, skirt, top, jacket, and trousers. Four of the patterns have style variations so you can get more from this book. Although the patterns are simple, they are aimed to develop new sewing skills. So it is […]

Review: The Express Corset Making Course

I always love to learn how something works. When I was a child, my favorite book was ‘How Things Work’. In the sewing world itself, there is still so many things that I don’t understand and want to learn. People often says, ‘Isn’t it difficult to make this or that?’ Of course everything is difficult when you don’t understand, but there is a satisfaction when your brain is slowly figuring out how something works. In pursue of this satisfaction, a couple of years ago I learned to make a corset. It was a very satisfying experience and I really love […]

Giveaway: JORD wood watch! – CLOSED

Something a little different today! Several weeks ago I got an email from JORD, introducing their line of wood watches and offered me to review a watch of my chosen model. I don’t usually wear wristwatch but actually I like them, especially the classic wristwatch with metal link bands. So when I opened JORD website to look at the watches, I was very intrigued to see such unique twist of the classic style. For my complimentary watch, I chose one from the Ely series in the color maple. The Ely series has small face that is suitable for my wrist. You can […]

Summer Concert Tee – Pattern Parcel #1

It is already March but why is it still soooo cold here in Tokyo? I just can’t wait for the warmer weather to arrive so I can wear other things than coat! Here is a tee that I made for the hopefully warmer weather next week. The pattern is Summer Concert Tee by Dixie DIY. The smallest size of this pattern (XS) is for bust size 34″. Since my bust size is 31.5″, I printed the pattern at 93% and cut size XS. I think it would make me size XXS for this pattern. The pattern is drafted for 2-way stretch […]