Now that I’m commuting everyday I can’t stop reading. I do not read real books anymore, only ebooks. Because 1/ there is no more shelf space at home and 2/ have you tried to hold a book open with one hand during London peak hour? Your face will be mashed into someone’s shoulder first. This is a felt sweets bag from Japan, gift from a friend in #Penang. It’s so striking and cute. I have no idea what is “Hokkaido Milk Land”. After the sweets were consumed, I upcycled it into a kindle case by sewing a red polyester satin lining (leftover/remnant from when I made the 1950s swing cape, remember?) made to measure, inside it. Wa-lah! Fully-lined kindle case.

#fixingshit #dressmaking #frugalliving #imakemyownclothes #sewing #sewcialists #customized #customizacao #DIY #homemade #vintage #sundayvibes #weekendproject #upcycling #repurposed #amazonkindle #amazon #japan #hokkaidomilkland #londonunderground

Cut up all the pieces yesterday and today made this cuddly lamb for the #ladyboss. It’s not perfect, not exactly aligned to the centreline at the back, not symmetrical but who is.

#toymaking #fixingshit #dressmaking #imakemyownclothes #sewing #sewcialists #customized #customizacao #DIY #homemade #vintage #sundayvibes #weekendproject

Fully-lined zipped makeup bag, spare tights or pencil case

Getting all professional now. This is the last project for today I swear. So this is a brush case or makeup case made from remnant. 

Also perfect size for spare tights.

For commuting you cannot have a deep makeup bag - it’s v irritating because everything falls to the bottom. Therefore you need a long shallow one to find things easily. Washable. Light. Took about two hours because the zip is a bugger and I had to rip it out twice due to inaccuracy and crudeness. My fault. This case also can be for carrying spare pair of tights, perfect size for it. For when you get a ladder or need a quick change or if there’s an event and you need smartening up. 

#fixingshit #dressmaking #imakemyownclothes #sewing #sewcialists #customized #customizacao #DIY #homemade #vintage #sundayvibes #weekendproject #fashtag #wiwt #whatsinmybag #makeup #makeupjunkie #wakeupandmakeup #blendthatshit #makeupartist

How to Replace Broken Buckle on Leather Belt

Finished view of belt.

Next dastardly mini task. This is a vintage belt with fine leather marquetry in scallop shape navy and white c. Late 1960s or early 1970s anybody? 

As you can see it is missing a buckle because it has rusted or disintegrated away or whatever. Reason for fixing this belt is that it’s leather and handmade in the first place. If I start unpicking old plastic/vinyl, it will just crack. 

You are probably thinking to yourself, why don't I just throw it away. I can't just throw it away because we are already living in a throw away culture, and I was brought up to always fix or repair or mend something at least once. If it cannot be mended then you have to throw it away.

1/ The first step is to unpick the entire area concerned to open up the buckle holding capsule.

2/ Buy a belt buckle that fits with the width of the belt. Yes you might actually have to spend money. But it won't be the cost of a new leather belt. I promise you this.

3/ Sew it on using the original holes to make it easier and not to impale yourself.

4/ Glue and clamp to make the new joint flat.

5/ Wa-lah! All done. 

1960s empire line Jackie Onassis Audrey Hepburn Wedding Dress

“It was 20 years ago today...” I wore my homemade wedding dress to London’s Westminster registry office. Hey yes thanks for asking, I did do my own makeup, of course! I was always mad about makeup. This 1960s Jackie Onassis Audrey Hepburn style dress took me 40 hours or so I wrote in my time sheet as I was so meticulous and thorough (THEN). The neckline was completely hand-embroidered with beads bought in #JohorBahru my home town with my mum. The fabric is ivory duchess satin and the polyester lining were from Singapore’s Chinatown. It is of course fully-lined, including the sleeves and to the full length of the hem, none of this cheating stuff. The most fun was handmaking the pretty bow which is perfectly shaped. I was size 12 then and I’m size 6 now, see photo of the back being clipped/clamped. How things have changed, right? #whatwouldguccido?#fixingshit #dressmaking #imakemyownclothes #sewing #sewcialists #customized #customizacao #DIY #homemade #vintage #sundayvibes#weekendproject #weddingdress #1960s #jackieonassis #fashtag #wiwt #whatimwearing

Vintage 1960s style FRANCOISE Dress with French Darts

After about 600 years I finally finished making this #Francoise #dress from #Ikea curtain fabric. So called because of the #French #darts. Oui. Not the championships but one continuous dart from hip to bust each side. 

#whatwouldguccido? #fixingshit #dressmaking #imakemyownclothes #sewing #sewcialists #customized #customizacao #DIY #homemade #vintage #sundayvibes #weekendproject #francoisedress #peterpancollar #fashtag