New Books

So so so excited with the new books I just got in the mail.

Handmade Home signed by Amanda Blake Soule... excited to try out some of the ideas in the book.


Stitched in Time signed by Alicia Paulson... (kids wanted to read it before I could). After I managed to flip through it, itching to try out the ideas in the book.

Design-It-Yourself by Cal Patch... I am instantly in love with this book with clear instructions on how to take measurements and creating your own patterns. I can't wait to read it in detail and sew some of the simple clothes in the book.

Popover Sundress

Last night I finally finished the Popover dress for Audrey using the pattern from Oliver+S, free from Sew Hip magazine. It was a bit nerve-wracking for me as I worried about not doing a good job of it esp. since Audrey wanted Heather Ross' Far Far Away Unicorn fabric and it wasn't cheap. But I was glad that it turned out great (if I may say so) and importantly, she wanted to wear the dress today. Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to take a photo of her wearing it as I was late for work.

Ended up making this reversible as I thought the Far Far Away double gauze fabric was a bit too thin. And had to improvise a bit with the length on this side as I only have 1/2 yard, not enough to cover the required length. The yellow side is also made of double gauze cotton but slightly heavier weight which I bought about 5 years ago for less than a dollar for 5 metres (!) at the very original fabric market in Shanghai (the market has since moved twice to the current location which I don't like much and too far from where I live). Back then when I bought it I wasn't sure what to get the dressmaker to make with it. Glad I kept it.

By the way, j saw that this Popover Sundress pattern is now free for download. Check it out now.

My experience with Oliver+S patterns have been fantastic so far; detailed instruction and easy to follow illustrations. So for a newbie like me, it's quite a nice way to learn. Next up in my list of things to sew is the Sailboat Top, Skirt & Pants pattern I bought recently for my twins.

Walking

After I'd dropped kids off at classmate's home for the morning, walked about 7-8 blocks to the office. Xintiandi is on my route so I took some quick snapshots of Shanghai after the rain.