Hello 2013!

It has been a while long since I last posted. In between the Fall Dress and now, I submitted my FYP, graduated and already started teaching. I’m settling in well in my new school and very thankful for the people around me. While revising for exams, running all the errands and making sure that I made full use of my last holiday, I also had to keep sewing. It may be my last sewing break! I have been making new dresses, but no time or occassion to photograph them nicely. I made a lemon zesty princess shift for a wedding I attended in Decemeber,

a Parisian peplum which is a little short for my already-very-short torso, another Parisian number,

a snow flake Christmas dress, and

2 samples for my wedding dress!!! Yes I’m making my own wedding dress!! As exciting as it sounds, I’m way behind schedule for the wedding dress. It was suposed to be all sampled in December. I may be making a couple more samples to test out a few more cuttings and I should be all ready to make the real thing!

2012 had been a fruitful year. I will sum up my brief experience sewing with Sew Weekly in another post. With all the wedding plans and my work coming up, 2013 will be spent on wedding projects and very possibly work clothes. I will keep my blog updated as frequently as I can!

Huat Ah!

I FOUND THE BEST FRENCH ONION SOUP AND TRIED ESCARGOTS FOR THE FIRST TIME AND IT WAS SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD!!!

Paris, Je t’aime

Liberty en Strasbourg

I had the opportunity to visit Strasbourg over the free weekend. It is a very beautiful town and houses a very beautiful historical centre – the Grande Île – which was the first city centre to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (Wikipedia, 2012).

One of the attractions of the historical centre is la magnifique Notre-Dame Cathédrale of Strasbourg. There are also many cafés and salon de thé around the cathedral where you can chill during the afternoon. And we did just that – ice cream and limonade on a hot afternoon!

Before we left the hotel room, we found out from the provided travel mag that Strasbourg is well-known for their gingerbread and traditional cookies. We located a few of such speciality shop had ours from Coco LM, located at rue du Dôme. You can either purchase the pre-packed or mix and match your favourite flavours, which they charge by weight.

Besides the main city centre, we made a trip to the very scenic La Petite France, just south of the Grande Île where the Île river winds through half timbered townhouses. It is one of the prettiest sights in France, so far! La Petite France also reminds me of Beauty and the Beast. Could this be the poor provincial town where Belle came from?

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While making our way to La Petite France from the main town/shopping area, I came across La Droguerie, a sewer’s/knitter’s heaven! They are well stocked with a variety of Liberty prints (both by metres and fat quarters), accessories parts, yarns, buttons and other notions. I’m not too sure of it is cheaper to get Liberty prints in France but those prints which I fancy were from 20€. Liberty bias tapes are also available at 2€/metre as well!

I spent a while in the store but walked out empty handed. Liberty prints were out of my budget (but now I regret not splurging on just 1 metre), and the notions didn’t catch my eye. After some googling, I found out that La Drouguerie has a few stores across France, including Paris and other major cities. For sewing and knitting fanatics who are planning to visit France or happen to be in France, you may like to check out them out!

Berlin 2012: The Wall

Berlin 2012: Britzer Garten

Berlin 2012

C’est la vie!

 

In The Mood for Cheongsam

The boyf surprised me with a trip to the National Museum for “In The Mood for Cheongsam” exhibition! You cannot imagine my excitement! This exhibition showcases quite a variety of cheongsams from the 1920s-present, among which includes pieces worn by ‘powerful’ women in Singapore. It is very inspiring and informative on the evolution of the traditional Chinese dress over the decades in our hometown.

Cheongsams from the early days

It’s all in the details!

Lace and georgette

A few of my favourites: funky prints, floral, polka dots, and lace.  The lace number is by Tan Yoong!

Zip detailing by Alexander McQueen

To quote a friend, “I feel zip does not do justice to a cheongsam. It took the ‘delicate-ness’ out of what cheongsams are suppose to represent. Full marks for innovation though.” I do agree with her but it also daunt upon me that cheongsams have evolved and reflect the society too: today’s women are not as delicate any more! In the past, the XX chromosomes were expected to be gentle, feminine, ‘delicate’ … and cheongsams were meant to bring every bit of these qualities.

After touring the exhibition, there is an activity corner designed for the little ones. There is a section on various types of fabrics used (I passed the quiz!), another where kids can trace and colour traditional chinese motifs and finally a model where you can unleash your creativity by styling it.

Here’s what I’ve styled. She’s just short of a pair of pearl earrings.
The other pairs available doesn’t suit the look I have in mind! 

I was very overwhelmed and a little distracted by every single piece featured. I should be making another trip down to be inspired once again!

First day of school;