I just finished a cute wrap dress, made from a vintage kimono. It hooks on one side and buttons on the other ‘s inside at the waist belt. The skirt is slightly gathered under the waist to allow more flair and movement around the hip. The sleeves are kept open on the top from shoulder to hem, which gives a sharp Asian appeal to them.
At the end of 2019 I had a wonderful order from Nora, a German bride, who got married to her boyfriend from Senegal. See her beautiful dress here.
I’ve worked on this skirt for the past days and found a new way to make the high waist/ hip area really precious, gorgeous and interesting. I really like the way, how the pleats and the piping technique worked together.
The high waist band has a stiff interface ironed on the inside to secure the fabric from stretching. Then I folded the belt band in small piping lines and sewed them down. The effect on the high waist band is really amazing. The irregular diagonal lines make the pattern even more playful.
Look at this amazing Summer Skirt! Meryl started her sewing lessons with the Basic Course and had no idea to run the machine or understand all functions. We did the very first Beginner Lesson together to work on the machine smoothly. Then we adjusted the skirt pattern, cut the linen and she learned to sew this skirt step by step. I also showed her to insert a zipper and she had the idea to add this really fun ribbon!
If you are interested in my sewing lessons, please view the Classes page and Contact me at any time 🙂
A few weeks ago I found this little bag in a second hand store that I really like and get lost in. The name tag made me buy it and it’s worth to tell the story about the man, who designed it:
The ones of you who travelled to Thailand, Bangkok: do you know the legend of Jim Thompson? He was an American Architect, Designer and Businessman, who helped revitalise the Silk Industry in Thailand. After years in the army he went to Thailand in late 1946 to join a group of investors to buy the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. During this time he found a deep interest in silk.
Thai Silk that was until then mostly produced in family businesses, for private use and in a small scale. Thompson helped to build up a manufacture, the Thai Silk Company Limited and made Thai Silk world famous and precious.
Then suddenly he got missing in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands in 1967. His body was never found and nobody had an idea why and how he disappeared. The mystery about his disappearance is unclear until today and there are many legends around it. Maybe he got eaten by a tiger, he got lost in the highlands, was murdered or he disappeared into another life and identity.
Most likely we will never know, but if you are in Bangkok, visit his Silk Museum and the Thompson House.
More to read on Wikipedia life of Jim Thompson
Once upon a time there was a pair of trousers. They were 15 years old, to worn out to still function as a garment, but too nice to be thrown out…. A brave tailor came along, cut them up and transformed them in a great cushion cover! Love upcycling!
The picture above is not a try to copy Claude Monet’s aquarelle paintings… It’s my sewing machine photographed though a plastic sheet that is now hung up in my atelier!
At the beginning I was quite irritated by these sheets, cos they give a very blur vision to the person or subject in front of you, but I really got to like them now. They give more freedom than the face shields and they give another layer of safety.
Further it’s now warm enough that the windows and door can be open at all times, I have an air-condition to cool the air and a fan if we need a breeze. I am disinfecting the tables and machines for every student and we are of course wear all masks. So I think we are good to
Please see my brand new Class Guidelines that I changed due to COVID19 and I am happy to meet you for classes soon again.
Nice wishes *m
Japans first and most famous bridal designer, Yumi Katsura, turns 88 today!
Ready – Set – Tokyo will not happen this year. The Corona Virus has held the world in states of emergency and LUCKILY many athletes expressed their opinion clearly that they DONT even want to participate in the Olympics and Paralympics in 2020 under these circumstances.
Finally on March 24th the Olympic Committee and Japan’s President Abe announced that the Games will be postponed to 2021.
I was especially involved in these news. In October 2018 the Paralympic Team of Australia contacted me that they need a tailor for their athletes. I was supposed to re-tailor and adjust uniforms, tricots and sports suits, working with them in the Training Camp in Kobe and in the Olympic Village in Tokyo.
Let’s hope for the Olympics and Paralympics in 2021 or even 2022! I’ll be there 😉
Ready – Set – Tailoring!!
