Bienvenue Septembre!

Udah tengah bulan gini kok masih Bienvenue!

Awal bulan ini, saya kembali bertugas penuh sebagai ibu rumah tangga dan kembali ke Padang. Bagaimanapun juga, Agustus yang sangat indah di rumah Andung (panggilan anakku untuk ibuku) di Riau tetaplah harus berakhir. Hiks. Sekarang kembali ke ritme semula: 24/7 ngurus suami dan anak. dan saya pun berusaha menjadikan satu hari jadi 25 jam agar bisa memasukkan jadwal menjahit. hahah, seriously.

Ini juga berarti salam perpisahan untuk Janome-nya Ndung dan kembali bersama Singer-ku. Artinya, jahit-menjahit baju minggir dulu, dan kembali berkutat dengan jahit-menjahit tas.

Sedikit opini tentang kedua mesin jahit tersebut:

Janome 6260QC

Kelebihan: semuanya otomatis dan satu langkah (lubang kancing, pasang kancing, beberapa motif embroidery), ada pengatur kecepatan dari paling lambat sampai paling cepat, 60 motif jahitan yang semuanya memuaskan, pengatur tensi bisa otomatis. Menjahit baju jadi mudah dan cepat.

Kekurangan: suka protes kalau menjahit berbahan denim ke atas, apalagi di bagian lipatan. Sudah ganti jarum padahal.

Singer HD118C

Kelebihan: kuat! jahit yang tebal-tebal mantap.

Kekurangan: semi-otomatis, pengaturan tensi benang masih manual (harus dicoba dulu sebelum menjahit), Kenceeeeeeeeeeeeng banget ga ada pengatur kecepatan, semuanya tergantung injakan pedalnya.

Ini review ala saya penjahit pemula lho, kalau yang sudah pro, hal-hal di atas mungkin dianggap sebagai kecengengan dan kemanjaan (hahah biarlah ga apa-apa saya jadi penjahit manja T_T)

Singer ini adalah hadiah dari Andung dan saya selalu mengalami love-hate relationship dengannya. Kemarin dulu pun sempat berantem dengan si Singer ini waktu menjahit chiffon. Sampai detik ini saya tidak menjahit apa pun degan bahan dasar semacam itu dengan Singer. Saya mulai jatuh cinta dengannya setelah belajar menjahit tas dan celana bahan jeans. Walaupun harus ngatur-ngatur tensi, tapi saya tidak menemui masalah sewaktu menjahit bagian lipatan yang tebal.

Untuk pemula, saya tidak merekomendasikan Singer HD118C. Ga enak buat belajar jahit. Kalo udah bisa jahit sih ga masalah.

Jadi itulah kisahnya kenapa saya hanya menjahit tas di Padang dan hanya menjahit baju saat di kampung. Memang manja lah saya ini. Pengen cepat-cepat pintar jahit, supaya ga pilih-pilih mesin lagi :).

Oia ini tas pertama saya yang saya buat beberapa bulan yang lalu:

Waktu itu, saya tergila-gila dengan bowling bag. Baru pertama membuat tas pun, saya udah uji nyali dengan teknik piping dan cara menjahit lining yang rapi (sok kepengen keren nih "_"). Alhamdulillah, jadinya lumayan dan saat itu pun Singer sedang baik perangai. Lain kesempatan akan saya buat lagi yang seperti ini.

Sampai jumpa di jahitan selanjutnya,

Bisous,

August Challenge #2: Black Brocade Kebaya Encim

Hey hello again!...

Still in the same challenge with everything in Mom's treasure box wardrobe, I found a pair of this too old Kebaya Encim. It was around 30 years ago the last time Mom wore it. Do not be surprised, since this is not her only old collection.

Mom said that she had worn it only once. It explained a lot why these pair are in quite good condition. Unfortunately, neither me nor mom will wear them. I don't wear these style of clothing, puff sleeves and straight skirt? Nope. Mom? of course she fits this kebaya no more :)

Okay, after I get the permission to make-over this treasure, cut here cut there, and seam ripper became my bestie, Kebaya encim had changed to this fabulos babybop doll.

I know maybe some of you will say: oh that's too bad! why did you change those beautiful kebaya into that babydoll?

so I can wear it

what a waste leaving something in the wardrobe but never put it on :)

kebaya encim turned into sleeveless babydoll

The black brocade fabric was the main reason I interested in. I have planned to make something from lace, brocade, embroidery, or anything like that, so when I found this kebaya, I felt truly happy. First, no money for fabric. Second, my concern about 'what ifs' was subside (e.g. what if I failed? with the brand new expensive brocade fabric, I believe I will be crazy with this kind of thinking)

neckline - good old style

Never passed in my mind, this make-over would be in tears, blood, and struggle (Oh hyperbola). I learn many things like:

1. Lining, the only project with lining I worked with was ikat bag pants; In this case lining in the armholes.

2. change the size and position of darts, from the waist darts to armscye darts. grrrr...

3. difference between armhole for sleeveless and with sleeve bodice pattern.

I do keep the style of neckline and the front opening of kebaya. The rest is quite usual for me: ruffle skirt. I satisfied with the result. I believe learning with practice is more effective for me (although at first I nearly gave up because of lining and darts things. I used to do my best to avoid them)

old black brocade?

 still not very into the sewing mood though, need to heal soon T_T

Until my next project,

Love,

Happy birthday - Depressing Sewing-day

Last week was hectic. I pushed myself to fulfill my target on sewing. The deadline is today: my son's birthday.

I planned to make three pairs of clothing plus one vest for him. I have just finished two and no vest. This is a big disappointment. It is not about I couldn't finish the project, but the fact I made them in a hurry.

I am a perfectionist, but I can't make something perfect in a short time. I love to watch the machine sew a bit slow, making a perfect seam and then a perfect and neat garment. I enjoyed every second when I sew.

Bad mood.

my recent project was black shorts. I did it in a crazy sewing speed. It turned out quite wearable, but I lost every sewing passion in me. because of that made-in-a-hurry-shorts. How simple things could ruin my day! *sobs.

I hope tomorrow will be better for me, and my sewing mood.

Shirt - okay :)
Shorts - not okay :(

See you soon, hopefully

August Challenge #1

Area: mom's and my wardrobe

Target: Any old clothing me or mom used to wear, still in good condition (the color and the fabric).

Mission: change it to wearable clothes for me or my son. Mom won't wear it, she needs brand new clothing though.

Challenge #1: maxi sleeveless dress, the neckline was torn

Skill: pretty easy :)

This is what I called happy ending! It's been in the closet for dozen years. Now, it is 'revive' :)

Love,

my personal Quote of the day!

Re-Post: My (not) VERY FIRST SEWING PROJECT

(This post was actually dated 25 Nov 2012)

I was so happy that finally I made something wearable! well, I started sewing since my second year in elementary school, being taught and inspired by my very talented sister Silvi Yulwina. At that time, we made clothes for dolls and we enjoyed put our handmade little dress in them.

I always remember the time when I opened up mom's wardrobe, tried to find some fabric, and I ended up cutting the curtains, leaving holes everywhere (I don't remember whether my mom got angry or not). I also learned that patience is a must for sewing; one time, I felt that it took long time too finish the Barbie wrap dress by stitching the seam line across the side seam, little by little, then this idea just came out from nowhere: why didn't I stitch it only in the beginning and then straight to the end of the seam. I did that, believe me. I sat quietly for a while to understand that it didn't work at all. IT JUST LEAVING THE MIDDLE SIDE SEAM UN-STITCH GIVING A BIG HOLE! mwuahaha... how stupid I was!

End of old story,

I started sewing again after I think I'd better sew for my fast growing toddler clothes. When I went to Department store and saw the price of kid's clothing, I was amazed how expensive they are (for those tiny pieces I believe i can make it, and it would be a lot cheaper). I agree with expensive price with good quality clothing, but I rarely find that one here.

But first, I need to learn real sewing. I have some basic sewing knowledge when I took sewing course in the last year of university (after I have finished one dress, I quit) but it looks like I must started out all over again.

So i tried not to mess up wit drafting the pattern and simply downloaded free printable sewing pattern on the internet. This is my (not so) very first sewing project.

comfy in this forever summer season!

I took the pattern from Angela Kane website. It was easy, simple, basic, but very chic! I've made some adjustment to the bodice pattern so it fits me very well (I picked medium size pattern, but the armscye was too big). I also made facing to the area of neckline and arms instead of leaving it alone like the instruction said. it gives comfort and it looks neat.

please visit Angela Kane

and see you soon,

Lots of Sewing Project for birthday!

Few more days until my boy's birthday. I hope I can finish this project on time:

Okay, I'll make three shirts, two shorts, and one vest,In sha Allah. I do really hope that my little one can wear some of them in his birthday (*_* pray).

I need to start now, then.