FLECKS & GUSSET

I decides to rename this blog from FLECKS to FLECKS & GUSSET to reflects the invasion of my interest in sewing into this initially make-up blog.

Why GUSSET? Because gusset is a tiny piece of fabric that added to a garment for better fit and mobility while allow fitted silhouette to be retained. The main reason why I started sewing my own clothes.

I didn't blog much these days because I'm hardly inspired and motivated to write a make-up post. Ideas did pops in my head many times, but I couldn't keep thoughts coherently enough to make a post. I hardly put on makeup aside from sunscreen and some neutral eyeshadows. And sewing take over most of my free time. I think it is only a phase and over time, I'll be going gaga over makeup again.

Finally, the Urban Decay Naked Palette!!!!

This palette ladies has been in my wishlist for the longest time. Finally, I can cross it out of my wishlist, courtesy of my bf, his mum and his sis. His sister, went all the way to KL for Cyberjaya to get this palette. I couldn't thank you people enough.

p/s: Even though UD released Naked 2, I'm not digging into it after seeing the color swatches. But this one here, I can wait to put my grubby paws on it!

Showing some love to the sewing machine.

The thing about Brother LS2160 sewing machine is that it is a loud machine. So I couldn't figure when is the good time to oil the machine based on the time since it is always noisy.

 Dear LS2160 and Singer oil.

 The sewing machine light bulb was burnt and I haven't replace it. If I got extra cash, I might want to replace this with LED light.

 The best tool to clean up the lint is lip brush! small enough to go through every small nook and corners.

Since I'm gonna start making a dress within this week. I clean up the lint and oil the machine. After that, I sew a leftover fabric to remove excess oil and boy, the machine run so smooth! Maybe I should do this more often.

Petticoat from repurposed fabric, closer look.

Making toile.

I'm planning to make a 50's inspired dress, which means fitted bodice and full circle skirt. This particular shape I find very flattering to any body shape.Of course it's not gonna look like anything like the Christian Dior work of art up there. But the general silhouette is pretty much the same. In few years, maybe I would be able to recreate something like CD satin dress, in few more years. More technique shall be acquire to make this kind of masterpiece. Anyway, today I finally learn to make French seams. It's a simple technique, but a winner in making the dress inside looks awesome.

Enough on the CD dress, back to the toile. I made the whole thing from RM3/metre fabric. Since it's only the bodice that's need to be fitted, I simply attached a circle skirt I made before this to complete the whole dress. Hooray for smart idea.

The toile needs quite a lot of alterations, which means a lot of modifications needed to be done with the flat pattern. The most important modification is at the back since the back bodice was so boxy. I fix that by increasing the dart intake. But it doesn't work. So I stitch the back bodice along the centre tapering towards the neckline, and voila, issue resolved.

More pic to show how fitted it was.

For the front bodice, I divided it into two panel. The whole bodice except the tummy part, and the tummy part. At first, the tummy part was a little low for the design in my head. It was about an inch too long. So I redo the part and finally the tummy part starts right where I want it, right under the bust. I replace the bust dart with gathers to eliminate stich at the bust area.

I want to make a petticoat so much...

That I can't wait until I got some tulle/crinoline fabric. I end up salvaging fabric from BLEACH's Shinigami costumes I made years ago.

Finding the fabric large enough for use in the whole stash bag.

Attaching two panels about 9inches width each, length is not measured, but it is about 4-5inches larger than my hip measurement.

The whole stretch of the two panel sewn lengthwise.

Add another panel about 6 inches width, the same length with the previous two panel. This panel using thinner fabric as this is where the elastic waist band will be attached.

cutting strips of fabric about 7inches wide to make ruffles.

How to make the ruffles. Hand stitch along the fabric length and pull to gather.

White ruffles. This one is about 3 inches wide.

The ruffles sewn to the panels.

Just to show what petticoat do.

(The skirt in this pic is not suitable to be worn with petticoat. Petticoat works better with fuller or circle skirt)

before petticoat,

after petticoat.