R&D : Sewing Ribbon on Collar

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In current project, I am going to R&D sewing ribbon on collar. It is quite challenging for me because the curve side make it difficult for ribbon to follow when is being sewn.

I forgot from where I got the idea but here I am using FABRIC GLUE to attach the ribbon on. It is under process. I have not known if the pen marker can be washed. I have not know if it’s better to sew it. It is a very raw idea under process. I will write more about this later.

The first step was just glue the ribbon then iron it to make the ribbon stay. Do it gradually. Apply glue then iron, apply again and iron again until we finish. It may need some practice to make it perfect.

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Mori Kei : A New Love

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I watched Honey and Clover dorama once again  last time. My eyes were then on Hagu’s outfit. It’s so adorable. The style looks so messy but very comforting. I looked in the internet and it’s mori style. I remember i have read about that mori means forest, and the outfit is about forest-style fashion, yet, I hadn’t paid attention until I watched again Honey and Clover. I also found about the guide of Mori-kei fashion (and life). After reading it, I googled the mori style clothes. I printed them, too, and put it on my sewing room wall so i could remember well the style. The style is ‘totally’ new to me (my feel). It’s not sexy. It’s not ‘cute’. The cuteness is totally different from what I have always done. After some reading and watching, I tried designing some ‘simple’ mori kei clothes and then sew it for my doll. It’s not easy, I must be very careful as using different other than guidance color will create a non mori style feel. Using wrong lace will create a different feel.

These are some work in progress pictures.

So, not yet washed, ironed, button added, etc etc. I totally hate to explain this but some people really don’t know what the WIP is and throw harsh and stupid comments.

The robe is slightly ‘stiff’ because I used lining in purpose. The green one is a linen and the lining is a thin interfacing. I want to give a different color from main fabric lining because I want the lining to be seen as well as give a feel of ‘flowing’ to the whole colours of the other outfit. From what I have watched, mori kei robes were mostly  from light fabric and very ‘flowing’. So, it may be different feel we have when see the robe here.

 

I even did a short r&d for this skirt. I locked the fibre using kind of stitch in my sewing machine. it locked very well (^_^)d. It’s not the basic zigzag stitches by the way. Try other stitches that looks like arrow or else on your machine.

I used french-seam on the fraying-skirt part. As for the dusty-pink skirt, i used serge technique for finishing.

 

 

 

This is the first mori style. I used a stretched textured fabric for the robe. It’s challenging too. I didn’t use lining.

I also made another robe but didn’t take the picture. It used cotton with lining so how the look-feel looked like the green linen robe above which was not too flowing and a bit stiff. It is a bit stiff because it’s doll size. The fabrics themselves are actually thin ones.

 

I think, i still want to do something with the blouse lace. It’s an overlapped on the front but somehow not quite seen. Not yet get a good and fixed idea until now. I might also leave it as it is.

I gathered the lace long time ago using special  sewing feet. I’m glad that the result doesn’t have too high density. If it does, the bear pattern would be seen

I sew the leaf on the skirt using sewing machine, following the ‘bone’ shape of the leaf. It’s quite challenging. The fabric was better than I thought. I thought it would be a messy sewing but not. The back/wrong side is good, too. I used burning/hot knife technique on this skirt.

I’m still influenced by my sewing style that is in-order, balance, ‘neat’ while in mori kei, it’s totally different. So, sometimes, it’s already ok but I still have that feel to fix here and there and add something while actually it might not be needed after all. Putting pictures on the wall is quite helpful to keep reminding myself on track.

I still call my ‘current’ mori kei sewing is ‘pure’ style. In the future, i might combine mori kei with my own style.

 

Outside of The (Comfort) Box

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I’ve been doing sewing with cute and/or sexy style. Pink, red, white, yellow, all ended up with cute or sexy style.

Lately, i watched a japanese dorama and I’m in love with one character and her clothes style. There’s no very much source about it though it’s a popular style. I feel I want to make that clothes style. It’s a total change. Colors, style, everything will be unusual for me to do this style. To be honest, I don’t even know if it can match my doll(s)’s character. Haha.

I will update everything here later

Changing Most Patterns of Doll Clothes

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Been learning lots for months from dolly books which then remind me of how I used to take measurement for human patterns. Now, i’ve been going back to revise the pattern on few parts. My pattern for doll is ok but for some style, I think, the dolly books technique (which is same as when taking human measurement) is better for aesthetic reason.

Also, I’ve been wondering about changing sleeves pattern, too. Been R&D-ing but not sure about it. I took course lately, for a traditional clothes type (human size). While doing that, my teacher taught me her new technique in making pattern. It inspired me to do the changing for doll sleeve pattern, too.

Besides that, I’ve also been learning about collars from a book. A very good reference, indeed. It’s for human but I apply it for doll pattern, too. I also changed the way I placed the pattern on the fabric. I usually used my teacher’s theory but seems it can’t be applied to doll clothes making. *This also change my way to place some bag-parts patterns on fabric. It has  HUGE impact indeed.

I also tested some pants patterns. Comparing them between theories. I found that the patterns from my book was better than one that my teacher taught me. So, my latest doll patterns were already using that pattern while the older, not yet. I forgot to change my MSD Volks pants pattern until I realised why the fitting was not as good as expected. I was just, aaa, it still used my teacher’s theory. Haha. So, yess, I revised the pants pattern like crazy. Pants pattern is difficult yet the sewing itself is not too difficult.

I have lots of doll bodies. So, yes, it will be a quite lots of homework to revise here and there. Whew.

Sometimes, I just want to be like some people who are ignorant about this but I can’t. I always want to improve my skill and knowledge. It fulfil my thirst for a better result of my project. It’s handmade. I feel like, even if I don’t sell it, yet, I want to make it as best as I can so i can present it to potential buyer as a proper project to be bought at the price I’m given. But…may be, before that, i want to present it to myself as a proper and better product.

What about you? Are you trying to achieve better each time? Are you easily satisfied? Would you give your best (not just your whatever-effort) effort to your handmade? Or just ignorant, as long as it sells?

Desperate With Supplies And Material

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I plan to make doll clothes for sale. I had hunted some good fabrics but apparently, they were the ugliest fabrics I ever bought.

I took a break and sew something else like bag. I then thought to make bag with faux leather handles. I bought the handles from local online store. I tried their strap handles 2 times and THEY WERE AWFUL! Broken after 1 time usage. Even let’s say, in my very worst laziest sewing, it never happened, the bag strap/handles is broken after ONE time usage. I don’t know. I WILL NEVER USE THEIR STRAP/HANDLE AGAIN. I was even planning to sell my bags with their handles in the future. Good thing, I only bought a few for sample. Goodness. It even still took quite lots of money, too.

I am so frustrated. Just when I want to upgrade my product with better designs and materials, the worst happened. All plans are cancelled automatically.

I’m now blank and don’t know what to do. I thought, I haven’t tried harder but seems the harder I try, the worse it becomes. *cry

Pattern Is OK But Why Is It Too Fit?

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I made a doll pants pattern. I was confused, why the pants I made was almost unfit for my doll. It was almost too small. Need a little bit pull and small cuts to make it  flexible on the waist.

I then ‘tested’ the pattern (Yes, I created real project first and then tested the pattern when I found the problem). It was OK!. I was totally confused. The only thing different was KIND OF FABRIC. The fabric i used for testing the pattern was cotton, regular cotton which the fiber woven wasn’t too strong and quite flexible. While the real project used imported fabric which is strong and not thin aaaand not flexible either.

I was also thinking about sewing procedure. It also created a problem if I sew it not in a proper order but I thought I had fixed the problem but the pants still didn’t fit well. When I sew the test one, I used different order/procedure. I didn’t have to fix things.

The pattern technique I used has it’s own formula for small, regular, big style of pants. I used small style pants formula but after the problem arose, I made regular pants pattern. I will tested the pattern tomorrow. I must use the exact same fabric or same kind of fabric to test the pattern. Goodness, and I used branded expensive rare fabric for small style real project (T.T)… I must re-create using another typical fabric I have which has length more than 50cm. TAT …

I’m so disappointed at myself. Been making doll clothes lately and none is good. TAT … Perhaps because I made them with a very stressful mind (not caused by the making process but because of other things… 🙁 )

Will write about my findings and conclusion later after making the pants… TAT …
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Rubber Band (Tape) With Holes

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Above is the rubber band I mentioned in my previous post. It’s quite common now. Kids’ pants use it a lot.

 

Please zoom it to see it.

I learned from store pants I bought for kids while ago. The points are:

  1. Make a ‘vertical straight hole’ on the waist band. The height is same as the height/width of the rubber band. Use the ‘making-button-hole’ feature in your sewing machine. Make it 2 holes, right and left. Just estimate yourself how many cm from the middle front.
  2. Cut the rubber the length is from right hole-back waist- left hole  PLUS extra 5-8 cm. You don’t have to pull the rubber when measuring the length.
  3. Slip the rubber into one hole until it goes out on another hole.
  4. DONT FOLD THE WAIST BAND, YET.
  5. Sew the each end of rubber band on the waist band (the extra 5-8cm). I used zig-zag to attached it to the waist band. So, it would be about 5-8cm from the holes. It’s just ‘naturally’ attaching or holding the rubber to the waist band using stitch. Just sew with technique you think it’s neat and better and you can use any stitch you think better though. I set no rule here.
  6. THIS WILL BE THE INNER SIDE of the waist band.

Place a button UNDER the rubber; the position is between the end of the rubber and the hole on the waist you have made on picture no.2. Yes, somewhere under 5-8 cm extra length of rubber
You can place button before inserting the rubber though. Do whatever you feel easier for you to do.

Then, to wear the pants, don’t forget to slip the button into the rubber hole (unless, it fits already or using belt. (^_^) )

 

The pics are dark since i used notebook camera (T.T) but i hope my notes helps, too. The last pic shows the gathers created by the stretched rubber. The gathers are not a lot because I didn’t really make the waist too big. If I sew the darts and not adding the waist part, it could be fit for my boys. Yet, my boys’ body is hip-less (or waist-less? (^_^)” ), so, it would be better to add belt stripes or using rubber like this. (>_<). I was too lazy to make belt stripes and also, i don’t buy my boys belts. hahaha. I like this rubber (rubber with hole for exactly) style. Well, I can’t say this pants style/design is very formal but sufficient for any occasion for kids. Also, if the rubber has depreciated and not too stretchy anymore, we can still adjust the waist part buy pulling the rubber and hold it with button.

 

*There is another technique to make pants with rubber more formal style. It’s quite ‘difficult’ though. I think, i post the video here long time ago. Not my video. It’s from youtube. I don’t use the technique here as I don’t want to make formal pants, instead, just a.s.a.p pants.

Boy’s Uniform

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I made boy clothes lately. School ‘free’ uniforms, and now, pants. It’s not easy to make them the right way. Of course, it looks ok but actually, there were small mistakes and ‘imperfection’. It’s quite tricky to sew this kind of ‘seamless’ pattern on the opener side. I also forgot that my teachers once taught me wasn’t correct. I forgot to correct that when cutting the fabric. Well, it’s wearable alright but definitely not ‘correctly’ sew.

I made pants too. Three pants then the last one is the best! Haha. Seems like the pattern I got from my teacher is kind of ‘regular’ shape of pants which is it is really difficult for me to change it into more fit style. May be i can change but it would take lots of trial. I don’t have time! After modifying the pants ONCE, i decided to use another pattern I got from my sewing bible. It is the best! Somehow the formula seems weird but really it works! Looks like the writer is really an expert and have lots lots lots experience. I have never seen something like this before. *I can’t reveal the formula. Please get your own book. The writer’s name is WANCIK. It’s not in english though. So may be, it can’t be used internationally 🙁 . I don’t even know if the publisher republishes it again. I haven’t seen it in a while in bookstore. May be some people spread it in internet. I  don’t do that. I don’t want to get in trouble with the law.* 

My boys leg shape from waist to feet, they are thin. So bony TAT. It’s hard to make quite fit pants. The pants I made are still a bit lose on the leg but ok on the waist. I used stretch on the waist, too but if i didn’t use it, it was ok too. I used type of stretch band which has holes so we can control the length of stretch by slipping the button into one of the holes. It’s a very good idea about using this kind of stretch for kids pants as they will growl and the stretch quality usually depreciates along with time. Yet, for ‘neat’ and very formal pants, I won’t use this. Haha. Although, it won’t be seen from outside, I don’t feel it’s 100% neat. Must take a pic and show the stretch band/tape someday and put it here. It may be difficult to imagine what kind of stretch or what kind of rubber i’m talking about.

 

There is also a web i would like to promote. They sell downloadable patterns. I don’t use their pattern though as i can make it myself and love to do it, yet, for some people who don’t like making pattern and just want to sew, you might want to check out https://fitinline.com/product/pattern/ (this is not in english either but may be since it’s diagram, it’s more understandable)

Not So Simple Backpack

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{CAPTION}

this was supposed to be quite simple backpack. But somehow, since i wanted to sew the zipper differently than i usually did, I didnt set up a step by step sewing procedure properly. I just sew as usual. Apparently, I sew in a wrong order so the result was not precise and the difficulty increased.

i also made a pattern mistake which i wanted to make side pockets flatter a bit but ended up with sewing difficulty due to thickness. 😰😰. I added a strap to make it thicker or fatter. So you can see there’s kind of ‘additional strap’ on the pockets. Yet, since it’s emergency correction, the precision of the stripe, the position of the pockets (the mark was quite disappeared and i was too lazy to do it again bcs the pieces were half assembled already when i fixed the pockets) and the sewing are not good. 😞. aaaaaand so does the zipper part. it wasnt precise too.
the lining inside should be modified too. separate pattern should be made. I didnt do it bcs i didnt think it would be necessary. I made the pattern very simple that actually it caused me difficulty in sewing. It was same to the lining. I should make separate different lining pattern but I used main fabric pattern
I want to write abt the zipper sewing later. I plan to make one more later. I hope i wont forget to take a picture. haha.
Also want to write abt lining pattern too. I dont plan to write a whole tutorial though. But if i have time, may be.

Few things to note (again) when making new project (though it looks like not new):

  1. set up a step-by-step sewing procedure.
  2. don’t just use main pattern as lining pattern.
  3. with that kind of pockets, it’s better to give more sewing allowance rather than 0.5cm or less. It’s even better to give at around 1.7-2cm.
  4. Better no interfacing used on pocket strap to be sewn on the main body. Interfacing will add thickness. Or even if it’s used, make it smaller than pattern, so the side to be sewn is still interfacing-less.