Tag Archive for 'Happy Homemade Vol. 3'

HAPPY HOMEMADE VOL.3 : TOP A2

Published on May 29, 2011 in japanese dress/craft and stitchery. 10 Comments Tags: Happy Homemade Vol. 3, Japanese dress book.

I don’t know what it is about this top, but I just love it. It’s so easy to wear, almost like a woven t-shirt of sorts. I made another version a few months ago from light blue gingham. I’m trying hard not to over use these tops in my rotation and I kind of want to make another one.

This version is made from a fabric I’ve had in my stash for over a year that has a vintage feeling and I especially love the little purple and blue accents. I changed up the sleeves this time and made them gathered with a bias trim. My goal was to make lots of tops and shorts this summer, but I haven’t been very motivated to sew shorts with the rainy weather we’ve been having. I am hoping the sun is going to make a strong appearance this week!

HAPPY HOMEMADE VOL.3 : TOP A1/A2

Published on February 10, 2011 in japanese dress/craft and stitchery. 21 Comments Tags: Happy Homemade Vol. 3, Japanese dress book.

Alright, it’s time to get some garment sewing back into the mix here! Whenever I teach a Japanese Dress Books class, I try to work on a new pattern from one of my books at the same time. This is the one that I started during my January session.

I combined the pattern for Dress A1 and A2 together. I wanted to make a tunic top, with the bias neck detail of A2 and the pleated sleeve detail of A1. The fabric I chose is something I’ve been holding onto since last summer. It was one of the French General silky cottons. The yarn dyed wovens that French General does with their collections are very special and super soft. They are perfect for making clothing with.

I love how this top turned out. It makes me feel spring-y and happy. I’ve pulled out fabric for a second version. I am starting to plan my spring wardrobe and it’s going to include lots of cute tops and adorable shorts.

HAPPY HOMEMADE VOL.3 : C-1 BASIC

Published on February 19, 2010 in japanese dress/craft, stitchery and textiles. 19 Comments Tags: alexander henry, Happy Homemade Vol. 3, wild horses.

I’ve had my eye on this dress pattern for a while. It’s my favourite from this book. I really like the yoke with the little split down the centre of it. The open sleeve is also pretty cute.

I made few alterations to this pattern. The first was to take a couple inches off the sides of the dress. I could tell from the picture that all the gathering would just create too much volume for me. The next thing I did was to add pockets into the side seams. Finally. I don’t know why I’ve been avoiding taking this extra step with my dresses, it’s so nice to have pockets! I simply took another dress I have that has pockets I love, traced the pocket piece and measured how far down they were placed. So easy. I also added a little contrasting bias strip between the yoke and the body of the dress and faced the hem of the sleeves since they are so exposed. I learned these bits of detailing when I made the Oliver & S Tea Party Dress and I’ve been wanting to use it again. The metallic floral print was also used for the pocket pieces. These extra details didn’t take that long to do and really make the dress extra sweet.

The fabric is really what this dress is all about though. It is called “Wild Horses” (of course) by Alexander Henry. It looks like it belongs on the side of an 80s airbrushed van and for some reason I love it so much. It was one of those fabrics that when I saw it, I could hardly believe how great it was and then I selfishly bought a bolt because I knew I had to make a dress from it.

I’ve been wearing it with these amazing purple tights I bought in Paris. Perhaps the whole thing is a bit much together, but it makes me pretty happy.

HAPPY HOMEMADE VOL. 3

Published on October 13, 2009 in etsy and stitchery. 17 Comments Tags: anniversary, Happy Homemade Vol. 3, Japanese dress book, Pomadour, Quilt Market.

Happy Homemade Vol. 3
ISBN 9784579112470
purchased from Pomadour’s Craft Cafe

I went to Quilt Market in Houston, Texas over the weekend. It was both fun and exhausting looking at fabric and quilts for two days straight. I have lots to tell, but I haven’t even downloaded the photos off my camera yet. Soon.

In the meantime, I wanted to share my latest etsy purchase. I didn’t realize there were more volumes in the Happy Homemade series until Marilou brought her copy to the Japanese Dress Book class at the workroom. Of course, I had to have it for my collection. They’ve broken the book down into sections, showing variations on a basic style for each one. More and more, I’m wanting to customize parts of these patterns, so this layout is very helpful for mix and matching different pieces. ‘C-1′ basic is my favourite.

p.s. Today is the workroom‘s two year anniversary! Hooray! It’s also my birthday, my parents’ anniversary and Liz, Ashley & Esther’s birthday!