A ROBE

I’ve wanted a gorgeous robe for the longest of times, and the ones that I’ve liked have typically been in the $400 -$500 range. Case in point, the Emerson Fry robe below for only $495 (which later got reduced to $295). I still wouldn’t buy it at $295.

So what does someone who has recently learnt to barely sew do? Decide to sew one, of course. What’s the fun in making simple stuff when you can try and attack a complicated fully lined robe? Anyway, so I looked around the net for some free information, because I am a kanjus at heart, and Petit Republic came to my rescue. I modified the massive kimono sleeves and skipped the collar + belt option, plus added the white lining using whatever I thought would work best, which actually didn’t turn out too shabby. The same cannot be said for the stitching but I do want to make one again. For now, have a look at some not so great photos which conveniently hide my terrible stitching.

  

Despite everything I am happy with it and wear the robe a lot!

 

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THE REQUISITE APRON AND SKIRT

Of course I’ve made an apron and a super simple skirt. I don’t think anyone can call themselves a “seamstress” (not that I call myself that) unless they make the apron and the skirt.

Never mind that the bottom of this apron looks a bit like a skirt and nowhere as nice as the Purl Bee one, which was my guide. Both the military green and the colourful striped fabrics were picked by the chef himself. It took me about 2 hours to make this and the sturdy canvas fabric was easy to sew but I still messed up the casing on the side.

Also, this was the first thing I made using my new Brother GS2700 sewing machine, bought for me a day or two before!

Anyway, he seems to like it and that’s what matters.

The skirt took me a whole of 30 minutes to make and was basically 2 pieces of rectangle sewn with a casing for elastic. Boom, boom, bam!

Sorry for the blurry photo.

THE PENCIL SKIRT

I got such a buzz from making this even though I cut too much up during serging which in the end turned out to be a blessing, as the skirt became my size! Insides were a bit messy but it was wearable, and for me that was enough!

It looks much nicer in the photo than in real life, though because it is unlined I will not be able to wear it. Unless ofcourse, I decide to someday line it which is definitely something I want to do.

FIRST TIME SEWING

My sewing began when I started a basic course at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines, sometime in February of this year. The classes are once a week and the results of my first (or second day?) are here. I sent the photo to my mum whose response was “wow you need to learn”. Off to a good start, wasn’t I?

In the next class I practiced darts, seams and zippers on the muslin. Mum’s response to the zipper photo was “beautiful”. Either way, I was feeling quite proud, but I will admit a bit curious as to of how I was going to make a pencil skirt (next on the project) given that the industrial juki seemed to have a mind of it’s own and more than half my time was spent in dealing with the bobbin, threading the needle and other difficult tasks.

 

If anyone ever reads this, let this be a reminder that your day 1 was probably not as bad. I’m glad I am able to spread joy in the world.