10 of 12 months of 2017

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. How has October treated you? Mine has been good, alhamdulillah!

Beginning of October was busy completing my biggest single order in history for Sewbasic : 15 heart-shape zipper pouch, 15 cute animal cordkeepers and 18 names embroided on square snaptags!

10 broken needles later, the final handover batch is so perfect it made all my struggle and hardwork well worth it!

It felt so good to see the person squeal in excitement as she receive them! I am sure the people she is gifting them to would appreciate them as well.. 

Remember Teachers' Day last month? I made a small gift for Baby M's 4 teachers, well she returned on Childrens' Day eve with 3 bags full of gifts from teachers! So many! And I realize she has more than just 4 teachers la.. Teacher Lin, Teacher Dina, Teacher Nina, Teacher Yati, Ding Laoshi, Ustazah Liyana, Mdm Nor, so many! I dunno who else.. How do one actually find out all of their children's teachers' name?? 

That aside, we participated in a 3km walk that weekend, and took the chance to sew Baby M her long awaited shorts! Since my cutter had done the cutting for me, I really have no further excuse to not do it.. so I did...

I did the Sycamore Shorts and lengthened its length by 5" to make it a little more modest. It is so easy to spot her from far with such a unique shorts on. 

Some pictures I took of the event:

We took part of the the 10K steps challenge thingy, so had to collect our device.. spend an hour in queue.. 

I had a HSG test scheduled the following day.. 9th October 2017.. 

Nervous as hell, doesnt help that 2 person ahead of me had complication and took longer than scheduled (both men, so must be a different procedure la). So my 12nn appointment got pushed all the way back to 3.30pm or so. So I bought myself a sandwich from the vending machine, because I am so lazy to get changed and try enjoy every bite while waiting.

I texted my boss and he gladly allow me to come back on Friday morning to make up for this half day. I am so blessed to have such a kind and understanding boss, really! 

So my turn came to lie on the table.. I found out my tubes were blocked, and I wont know the next course of action until my appointment with my Gynae in November. And because I know I will overthink about it, I look out for pattern testing to apply and I was also in dire need to murder all my stash so I can start my purposeful hoarding instead of keep it for I don't know what kindda stash, and that I saw and did! And thankfully, I got accepted to be one of the tester! How nice!

I initially doubted as I see a lot of testers having to size down, to my measurement I am Sz0, so I wont have a base to size down if it is really required. So i waited for a bit, asked and decided to just do a straight Sz0 with zero modifications. I like how she create the hood, I will probably use this technique for all the hoodies I have hereon. And I finally figured how the fake layered sleeves were constructed. So cool! I like the way she does her instructions too. I wrote more about it here!

I sew up Baby M's saree for the Deepavali Celebrations in school on 17th, but her mom found her real saree, so maybe my intentions won't go as planned. It's okay la. Whatever. I am a bit upset. But I guess I can always dress her up with my self-sewn saree on some forced open house, maybe invite myself to my bff's house. I don't mind!

Here's what I sew for her! Her reaction is a little too much, I tell you!

She asked to wear it again the next day, and the next day and the next day, but of course I didnt allow it. :p And I sort of regretted it when her mom text me to make me don her in her saree instead of this. Oh wells.

Also, this Baby M now demands to be called Kakak. So Kakak la. May her prayers come true!

We had my brother, his wife and my mom's second cousin over at my crib that weekend.. And my brother is a splitting image of my Bapak. His voice, his gestures as he tell familiar stories, the way he holds his kain pelikat, the way he mumbles as he sit to watch us (baby M particularly). Really doesn't help that Baby M refuse to call him Obek but insisted in calling him Atok instead.

Speaking of Baby M, as a kakak, she now insisted in carrying her own bag. Too cute la.

Oh, my mom loves the fit of the Boxerwear I made her. Yeay! I can probably utilize all the cotton lycra in my stash for that now.

So on Tuesday, 17th October, for the Deepavali Celebration at her school, she wore the saree her mom bought last yr. Not her fit but probably worth just one more wear. She looked way too adorable!

The Indian blood in her is so strong! She instantly knew how to hold the saree and stand.

As we ended our holiday, and was getting ready for work, my husband received a call to say his mom had fallen in the toilet and had to be rushed to the hospital. I had to go to work as my office will have an audit tomorrow and I had to do all the filings (which Engineers had conveniently kept unfiled for a year!).

I decided to work on the patterns I got from One Thimble Issue 14 - the Amuse Boho & the Trillium Maxi Dress and Tunic this week. In which I discovered a missing step in the latter. I reach out via the One Thimble grp and got in touch with the designer. I highly encourage everyone to do that really. Things can get overlooked even after world tours, really. I mean, we are human, aren't we?

Sometimes, even as a tester (speaking of myself), we get too excited, and overlook the instructions because we are so focused on fit issues, or stuff like that. Trust me, it happens! Even with the Alexis I didn't realize one step was to be interchanged, until someone highlighted it. I followed it through, I really thought I had paid attention to the instructions, but yet, I missed it. So ya I trust the designer when she said I am the first to flag this missing step. So happy to help more than anything.

Just be nice, be human. Talk and reach out to the people behind it before leaving a bad review of any kind. Really. It could be a really genuine mistake. Here's what my muslins of the two looked like, I haven't got time yet to make them in the intended good fabric, but these are made to wear out already. I love them despite the many mistakes, after all I haven't sewn woven in a long long time, and had forgotten some basics. I mean it, these skills require practice, and when you don't you will get those skills rusting and in need for a good polish.

The Trillium, I am horrible with curved hem for wovens. So for the actual one, I think I will stick with a maxi option. 

The Amuse Boho - it is actually quite a breeze to put together despite the fancy detail at the front yoke! 

Close up of the Trillium - of course I used snap buttons, I will no way do a nice button hole.. 

Me in the Amuse Boho, of course I fell in love with it! Roomy for some bottomless buffet!

We went to my BFF's house that weekend just because we want to. It has been a long time since we met and we just had to! Baby M confidently call her Aunty Deepavali and we had a good laugh abt it. Jojo (my bff's dog) had grown old, but still as excited as a puppy! Naughty one indeed!

Aunty liked Baby M so much, she told my bff to get her a suit when she visit India. Haha.. So happy to know that Baby M is loved wherever she goes..

I was sure I had planned to make something as a farewell gift for my colleagues the moment I knew they are leaving... but today is his last day, and I had nothing made..

We did go for a farewell lunch though..

We went to Eighteen Chefs at Star Vista. The Salted Egg Pasta is yummy!!!

Back on the farewell gift, I guess I'll have to gift it if he is ever coming back to Sg to visit with his family. We only spoke a lot of personal level on his last few days in the company, he has been doing a lot of charity community work back in his village, providing monetary support and the likes to the villagers who have lost their homes to the recent flood, bought uniforms for the students in the school (as the children had lost homes and no real clothes to put on, much less books and the likes), he said it is just 1000 rupees.

He added, "very little for us here, but it means the world to them, the smile they give me is nothing money can buy." I agreed. For someone who had lost their homes and everything they ever own, $1 will make a difference.

For that I asked for his FB so we could stay in touch, who knows I can contribute in his next big charity drive. Who knows I could be of some help, who knows I might want to visit Bangladesh and contribute something there? Who knows what opportunities the future will bring us?

Ah, the final leg of October... I haven't run/cycled for 2 weeks, I am beginning to feel lousy again. I am turning a year older soon too.

I tried another free pattern, this time from George & Ginger - the Lovesick Bralette. I love how easy and quick it comes together, and I can surely make use of good remnants too!

I got a few small orders in between.. A name tag for a school going boy, his mom couldnt decide which shape to go for, so I casually suggested getting both. And she said ok.. Nice customer this one! A keeper, definitely!

Name Tags are always very practical and useful!

Also had an order for mini tissue pouch.. But this one I made didn't impress her, so I need to recall how I did my first one and deliver that. So take note, guys.. Keep the pattern drafted and keep it. You never know which prototype will be in demand, really.

So I made this, and will probably sell it as is.

I added two D rings so the free end strap with hook can hook on either. 

Keen? You know where to find me, yes?

Oh Friday was spent at the hospital with my mom's appointment back to back, the thing that looked like bone mass behind her knees are found to be the gout crystals accumulated and just happen to stay there. Since mom can tolerate what she call "regular" pain, the doctor said there is no need for any surgery, however, if at any time before the next review, she finds it painful and unbearable, she can swing by to do it. I wonder what can help loosen those crystals and get them out of the system. Any ideas?

So.. tomorrow will be the last day of October, I don't really have anything major happening, so I guess this will be it for October. Time to prepare for the many birthdays coming up in November!

Until the next monthly summary,
Jun

Wassalam.

Testing for Sinclair Patterns - The Alexis Relaxed Fit Hoodie Dress

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. As many would have known, I have been trying to finish up my stash and do more purposeful hoarding that I will definitely use instead of keeping it for "I don't know when, and what pattern will call for it". So lately, to facilitate that intention and help me finish it up quicker, I end up signing up for a lot of pattern tester opportunities.

And I saw one as soon as I decided to do it. A call from Oxana Sinclair - the designer behind Sinclair Patterns. I honestly haven't heard of her before this, but the image she shared for us to test was something I knew I won't mind doing more than twice and something I would love! I signed up, and eventually got chosen few days to a week later. Through that week I joined her pattern group and saw a few patterns that I'd love to have and sew! She does designs pretty stuff to wear!!!

As with most pattern testing, I usually wait for someone to do it first, just so I can use my good fabric right away. I initially had my doubts as many were saying it has too much room, and that they had to downsize and what not. I am a Sz0 Petite, so I hang on for a bit. When Oxana address this, I took the opportunity to confirm her intention and if I need to cut my ease for the look she is after, and my gut is right, I don't need to change anything, so I went as is on her pattern, and it is true love! I did and completed mine of the 3rd or 4th day of the testing period and immediately fell in love with it! I love oversize everything on me!

My first love moment was when I was doing the hood. It requires a band, which I thought was peculiar but I followed through the instructions, and oh boy I love that the hood was the first thing that is instructed to construct, because it is so perfect!!! I knew right away I will love the rest of the instructions and definitely love the pattern. That I do.

The hood band means I don't need to make the tunnel for the string, it also gives this very clean finish look, and add more room in the hood, I totally totally love love love it!

The next thing I like is the reinforced shoulder seam, I never seen this need for other patterns so I find that interesting, instead of using cotton twill tape or clear elastic, I use my ponte scraps, and it worked great! I thought it would be bulky, but i don't feel a thing there, except I felt it is better, and prevented overstretching due to the weight as this pattern calls for med-heavy stable knit. So that reinforcement helps hold it all up together better.

I used neo-membrane fabric (I don't really know what that is! It felt a little spongy almost like a Styrofoam, I am guessing it is equivalent to scuba fabric? The print was pretty with huge florals!) and ponte as lining. No regrets! I love it! ALL of it! Ponte I had is only 2way stretch, so it is a little stiff and tight, but it works for me oh so well, esp as the layered sleeves. I just couldn't express enough love for it! And I could hardly keep my hands off the pockets! It is so roomy and I can fit a sandwich in them and not look overloaded! So much love!!!!

The neo-membrane fabric aka "scuba knit", I got it from a physical shop at People's Park Complex, 2nd floor near the escalator where there are furniture selling.
The green Ponte de Roma was from Oh Sew Knits & Basics

The next one I tried (really, trust me! It doesn't take long to make one!) was with French Terry as main and the Modal Knit as layered sleeves and hood, and a much heavier FT for the hood lining. I lengthened the layered sleeves as I love love love extra long sleeves I like it to end nearer to my palm. And since a lot of us had said the same - the need to lengthened the sleeves, Oxana revised the pattern to accommodate that, along with a little less extra ease at waist and hips, whilst still maintaining its relaxed fit.

Here are the pictures I have! So much love! On a serious note though, I really need a better cameraman. My husband took like 20-25 quick snaps and simply tell me "nah done!". Ok lah I still love him, but I wish he could take better photos to focus on the garment I sew.. Maybe he is retaliating for all the time I took to sew instead of lying next to him and watch tv, I don't know... :p

I guess they are not that bad, better than the last pictures I had taken previously, yes?

The Stripes French Terry, Solid Black French Terry (hood lining - can't see in pictures) & White Modal Knit is from Oh Sew Knits & Basic.

Edited to add: This patterns comes in sizes US0-US22 /UK8-UK26 and in 3 different heights, ie. Petite (152-160cm / 5'1"-5'3"), Regular (162-170cm/ 5'4"-5'6") & Tall (170-178cm/5'7"-5'9"). Hardly any grading is required for this, but if you wish to have a custom sizing made for you, it'll be an addnt $10, simply get hold of the designer by leaving a note at checkout.

Oh! And it comes in A0 print - no taping required!

The pattern is available here:

Alexis Relaxed Fit Hoodie Dress

You can join the Sinclair Patterns Grp here as well! It is where we all share our creations made using Sinclair Patterns.

Happy Sewing! Oh! If you are not fond of sewing it yourself, you know you can always dm Sewbasicsg here.

Until the next PDF Pattern Testing,
Jun

Wassalam

Holiday Planning

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. It is that time of the year where many Singaporean and others would be planning for a year-end holiday filled with celebration and what-not.

I usually plan travels few months ahead, and if it is scheduled for a December Holiday, I sometimes plan 10-12 months ahead. I have been using a booking app which somewhat gave me good deals from time to time. A lot of my staycays are of great deals from that app.

They recently allow me to refer people to use it and reward my referrals if they use my link by giving them 10% refund upon a successful check-out. I feel that 10% can give you some lunch or dinner after the check-out, so why not?

I haven't had bad experiences using the app, except maybe 1 or 2 on the hotel side for the lack of timely order and things like that, but I guess other things make up for those. For staycays, I usually just stay for one night so I wont want to spoil my day revving about the delays, or maybe I am just someone who give too much credit for front desk people. I have a lot of friends in this position and I definitely wish to make them a little happier by being an easy customer to serve. I believe good things like this makes someone's day, although it may sound insignificant. I always like to make things a little easier for these people who have been standing for 8-10hrs dealing with a lot of difficult people. It really wont hurt to smile and help them go through their day a little wee bit brighter, yes?

Want to utilize my referral link? Well of course you can! Simply book your stay using this link here. It doesn't cost a dime more, but it will earn you a 10% refund upon check-out, so earn it already!

My next holiday is a post-birthday stay.. I can't wait to go on my long deserved chill-out holiday. I really need some time-out with my husband, just the two of us, no dishes, no laundry.. .just us and the world..

I still want to be a stay at home wife

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. I know it has become somewhat routine for me to summarize my months in a single post but on some days/months, I need to do multiple entries because some topics are just such. I have been crying blood and tears to make my dream to be a stay home wife so much this year. It hurts me so much to be working, doing business and trying to handle my home.

I know I cant do it right now. I have a home to pay for, and for that we calculated. I need to continue working for at least 5 more years before taking the next downgrade or quit and realize my dream. 5 years when I did the deal with my husband sounded so short, but guess what? 1 yr into it I began to really think that this 5 years will feel like 50 years.. And like always, whenever I feel pressure to do everything I add more things to do so I don't overthink. I don't know how to think anymore. I am tired, but I can't complain because I added more things to do, and I promise so I commit. I am beyond tired but all everyone says is that I am super to be able to do all this on time and on my own.

Truth is, I am not super. I am tired, and I am scared of giving up. I am scared to fall and give it all up, so I kept going. I had no choice. I had no luxury to get back and complain. I can't. I had to keep going and going. There is no choice.

And people keep telling me, just forget about being at home, just work and continue working until you can't, but people.. That won't do me any justice... I am not quitting my job to stay home and do nothing. I know what is in store for me. I am quitting so I can be home and continue working non-stop and for much lesser. I know... I know when I quit my job, I will have less money power, and I will drown with never ending work. I know. Trust me, I know. I also know that I will miss working, I also know I will not be able to go out with my friends for coffee because I may not have the money to do so. I know. And still, yes.. and still, I want to quit and be home.

Different people, different ways.. The desire to be home is getting stronger and stronger.. I don't know how to handle it... Everytime I hit home, I hit right to work. Be it, my sewing job, or my household chores. I don't have rest except for sleep (if I do). I resent people who comes home and hit the sofa and rest, but I can't do the same no matter how much I wanted to. I kept going, and had to keep going. When I stop to rest, I feel like I am wasting time. I become very restless. I become angry when I suddenly don't have anything to do, although in my head I had wanted to sit down and watch tv, I can't. My mind and body wont allow it. It is like I wont be able to do so.

I had always thought a dream is about having a dream house, dream car, dream holiday, you know.. monetary stuff, but it is not. My dream to be able to stay home is much much bigger than anything else that money could buy. I wish money drops from the sky and into my sewing room window. I wish. I wish Singapore is not too expensive to live in, but it is not.

So, I really don't know how to realize my dream. At the moment, I just wish and hope my house gets paid for quicker than we plan to. I just want to be home... Just be at home... indulging in the never-ending list of things to get done...

My dream is not silly, I am not silly. Until I fulfil my dream, I will continue to dream my dream to be home where my heart belongs.

Until next entry,
Jun

Wassalam

9 of 12 months of 2017

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. I am starting to write this on the start of 3rd week of September. This Month has been tiring really. I have been running up and down to hospital making it an almost comfortable place to reside in, well almost. It was filled with my appointments, my mother's follow up appointments, my follow-up appointments. So ya.

I was so busy, I had 2 written planners accessible to me at any point, and virtual calendar on my phone. 1 written planner is at home, and another one in the office, which i will occassionally bring home to tally up with the planner at home. And yes, it gets real, and crazy.

1st September is Hari Raya Haji, for which I spend some portion of time at my mom's then to my in-law's. Nothing too much going on.

On the 2nd I played and made another cordkeeper then we went to Big Box and husband got to spend some time with Baby M in the indoor playground.

On the 3rd I did another heart zipper pouch and my 2nd prototype of the tissue cover cum pouch, it was too pretty, so I did a mini version on the 4th.

It is also the start of my participation in Artisans' Haven SG give away. I contributed my unicorn keyfob/snaptag.

I also participated in 2 pattern testing this month. You can read all about it for the kids' pattern and for an adult to twin.

I finally downloaded Netflix and boy I caught up with so many movies!

I cut my hair damn short that weekend. And we got into the cycling routine, seems like Tuesday would be our fixed exercise day, maybe alternating cycling and running, we shall see. Tuesday 12th I clocked in 4km in 40mins. Not too bad for first time after such a long break off exercising, right?I blogged a bit more this month, as I reviewed the pattern testing and the embroidery software.

My embroidery machine is down with tension issues it had had since Day 1, and I can't wait for the technician to come down and fix it. I have 30 cordkeepers to make and 16 names tags to embroid. I think this is the biggest single order I've had so far, and I am always grateful for it. There is also 2 romper and 1 Tshirt on the wait list to get embroided as well.

It seems that my business is getting heavy on the embroidery machine more than the sewing parts, and I kindda enjoy it. Since I already have cutters to cut my fabric, I feel like I probably should get some to sew the cut-up fabrics as well. Should I head that direction?

On the cloudy side of news is Butterscotch, my favourite cafe, is closing down. Last day of operation on 27th September. I am so devastated to hear the news. I will miss their menu a whole lot. The Chocolate Ecstasy, the Ondeh Ondeh Waffles, The Durian Serawa Waffles, the Chicken Chop Pasta, the Seafood Aglio Olio, the everything, really.. The ambiance, the friendship (although I don't know their names), the familiar smiley faces.. The cafe itself. It will be a big void for me, a missing escapade during lunch to perk up my day.. Why must good things always end?

I finally asked the friend who is cutting fabric for me, who stays the nearest to me, if she is willing to take up a sewing job as well. I am crazy to be splurging a lot on my business. I really wish money fall from the sky like literally drop from the sky into the window in my sewing room and into my petty cash box. I wish.

I received two offers for a booth manned. Of course, it comes with a price. I couldnt commit for various reasons, 1) I don't usually have a lot of in stock in hand 2)my financial status hasnt been awesome lately 3) I cannot do them if my husband don't allow them. I was told off to my face that I am working and I should have money to throw, and on to like the other businesses were all housewives and they took the risk and take up the booth yada yada yada. I had to tell her it wasn't just money, and who says a childless couple have all the money to save? We have other commitments to pay for. And who says it is just money. For me it was more of a support from the husband and family that is what's more important when I take up a booth. I can't possibly be happy if I don't have their blessings. Nevermind if you consider it curbing or whatever. I guess people don't know what it is like to do business without much support.. I guess they think this support thing is negotiable or easily attained. I cant blame them I guess. They had always had support from their respective husband and children. Of course they had half the trouble settled.

I wont say my husband don't support me at all. At the same time he is also not someone I can rope in if my monies are low or if I need some help setting up or tearing down, unless he himself offer the help. I am not that person like the housewives who can get offers and the husbands chip in and give 200% support financially, in labour, physically, mentally or in soul where the husband willingly take up your other duties while you are at the booth, where the husband willingly buy food instead of expecting you to cook. It is just a different struggle. I am not saying you housewives have it easy, no. Just that dont assume the same for us working wives. Ok fine we have money, but have we got time to create stocks like you do? No... After work we rush to fetch our children, do chores, attend to our parents, when will we have time? We cant stay awake all night every night either. So please. As much as you wont like it if you were judged, dont judge others.

It is painful to be asked and compared like that. I thought these people would be better. Maybe she meant well but wrong choice of words. I don't know. I am not rich, I am also not the healthiest of all human. I have so many expenses coming up and I don't even know if I can make it through, then why rub this booth thingy on my face?

Different people, different household, different rules, different operational methods. Just don't compare and don't assume. Don't make it hard on others. Everyone has a struggle. Be nice. Always be nice.

So the day the technician came to fix my machine came. He spent about an hour fiddling with the machine. at least 15min of that period was spent as staring at the sample stitches he did with tension adjustments but it looked somewhat indifferent. He finally changed the bobbin casing and it solved pretty much everything.

I had to rush off so I didnt play with it right after, I started on my orders the next day, it still gives me random bunching, so I posted it in the machine FB group and they had one suggestion which I tried and works. Finally! No more random bunching at the back!

I didnt get much work on Sunday as we head out as a family to visit Bapak, then we went for brunch, then to Makam Habib Nor, and somehow we ended up at East Coast Park. My brother in law sent us to my in law's. And we reach home at sunset... What a long long day... I did 2 more cordkeepers as I was a bit behind on that.

I have like 20 more to do, so I am targeting to make a minimum 4 each day. I hope I can keep up! This would be my biggest single order, really. Doesn't help that I have a free booth this Friday either, good thing is, I share it with someone whom I trust and don't mind my busy body and mind. I don't even know if I have anything to sell on that day...

In the end, that booth didnt happen, my friend fell sick and is home bound. So I had to give it a miss. I am way behind on my orders, had to come up with a back up plan and get cracking on those.. I am way too busy at the moment, and I havent rid that lingerie sewing mojo... Everytime i need to sew something else I had to convince my brain that lingerie will be sewn after I am done, and if that didnt work I had to cut some and put it at the side and be next in line.. I don't like this choosy sewing mojo mode, but I cant seem to rid it no matter how I tell the brain I had orders to clear!

Crazy much.

The good thing is I manage to run 1.7km in 15mins, not that bad after a super long break, and cycled over 5km the following week in an hour or slightly under. So my stamina and fitness looks promising - I hope!

Oh! Yes, I went JB with husband the other day on the bike, and oh boy it had changed quite a lot, then again, the last I went in on the bike is probably years ago! So ya, now you scan your own passport, insert your cashcard, and scan your own thumbprint. Pretty smooth I should say.

With that, September bids me goodbye, and it already 2nd of October. Yikes! 4 days to complete 10 more zipper pouches and get the rest of the cutting and snapping done! Oh double triple yikes! Help!

Until I get my orders out and off my system,
Jun

Wassalam