F for Fashion reconstruction #30

A French seam is a seam that encloses the seam allowance on the inside of a sewn item so that no raw edge is visible and eliminates the need for another form of seam finish.

Yes! For this particular fashion reconstruction, I used quite a lot of French seams because the fabric I have chosen is loosely woven hence the edges fray very badly. Even if I serged the edges of the fabric, I am pretty sure the edges will fray again, after it has gone through a few washes.

So, to eliminate such calamity from occurring in the future, I have chosen French seams instead of the usual serger. A lot of work now, but it is the safest option for the long run.

It looks neater too.

Let's start from the beginning...

A few years ago, I gave a long skirt I made in the early 2000s, to my nephew's wife because she seems to like wearing long skirts. Unfortunately, she returned the skirt to me after their marriage ended. Argh well, who ever says that love lasts forever?


It is no wonder she returned the skirt. The elastic band has already expanded and the skirt was a little too long for her to begin with. Anyway, since I was looking for a skirt to match a cap-sleeved cotton blouse (bought in Hong Kong some time in 2011) I was going to reconstruct, the timing could not be any better because the overall combination - colour and motifs, fit perfectly.

All I had to do is, make a slight change in the orientation of the skirt. Already pictured in my head how this whole new dress would look like and I just could not wait to finish this project.


Apart from the French seams, the rest of the process went smoothly. Even the sleeves behaved themselves with me. I am impressed!


It took me a week to complete the new dress. I am really happy with the outcome.

Who could tell that this was a cut-and-paste project, if I had not disclosed the facts?


I can proudly say that you cannot find this item anywhere. 💃🐒👌🙋

F for Fashion reconstruction #29

This fashion reconstruction project was both easy and tricky at the same time.


When I thought I was almost there, something happened and I went off track. Almost at every step of the process, there was a hurdle.


The item chosen for this project was a short-sleeved floral dress of cotton voile which is lightweight and delicate. This one I bought in Hong Kong some time in 2010.

In the beginning, I was enthusiastic about this project because I had already pictured in my mind, a simple and sweet long dress that I would wear to a wedding reception in mid December, somewhere in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Also because I have found just the right kind of chiffon fabric that will fit perfectly with the colour and overall scheme of things.


Anyway, for the transformation to materialise, I only needed to loosen the bodice, remove the hidden zipper, extend the skirt and add a couple of new sleeves. Sounds easy and straightforward, right?


Not until I noticed a slight tear just below the left underarm, after removing the zipper.


Thankfully for some stitching tips I picked up from the internet, I managed to conceal the tear. Hopefully, the stitches will hold up and endure a few more wearings and washings. For that to happen, I would have to be extra careful and handle the new dress extremely gently.


Anyway, while that is taken care of, the rest of the pieces just fit into their places nicely, until I started working on the sleeves.


Sleeves have always been the last thing on my mind because sleeves and I have a love-hate thing going on since I started sewing during my teens. I hate sleeves! But love them too if they turned out right.


The idea was to have elastic cuff sleeves but I miscalculated the thickness of the elastic band and so ended up redoing the hems of the cuffs just so they would fit the elastic bands.


Regardless of the hiccups and hurdles, I really liked how the new dress turned out. Because it is cotton, I felt very comfortable wearing it especially since the wedding reception would be held during day time. Also because it is lightweight, I would not have much difficulties handling my luggage for the entire journey.

I was so looking forward to a lovely wedding reception and meeting the rest of the clan!


Unfortunately, I did not get to wear this dress since my mom (the old-fashioned old woman that she is) did not approve of it. So, to please her, I chose to wear a kebaya and batik wrap-around sarong skirt instead, the traditional Javanese woman that I am.


Who could tell that this was a cut-and-paste project, if I had not disclosed the facts?


I can proudly say that you cannot find this item anywhere. 💃🐒👌🙋