The first official Artisans' Haven SG lunch

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. I should really start putting alarms and reminders to blog these days!

Remember me sharing about Artisans' Haven SG? We just had a lunch meeting last Friday after an event at The British Club to further discuss our next move, the kind of fleas we should be participating in, individual potentials, and all the other agendas..

To me, Artisans' Haven is the greatest gift of friendship. A special kind. We got together with the mere interest in sewing. We formed a whatsapp group initially to do a sew along on a pattern we bought as a group. To share tips and what not. It didnt utilize as everyone got busy with everything else BUT the actual sew along project. Haha..

We ended up bonding in the whatsapp group talking about everything sewing, from fabrics to machines to sewing rooms. As we bonded, we scratched each other in the name of advice, some fall out, some stayed. And those who stayed talked business and somehow, we formed Artisans' Haven SG when one of us were keen to take a booth at the Laloolalang event but it was pretty steep for a small local business like ourselves so we decide to collaboratively create a platform so anyone of us with a business can share the booth cost and participate as Artisans' Haven. How clever, right?

We soon grew and found ourselves smothered with so much tough love and called each other Sisters. Our husbands seeing each other's husbands being supportive, they became a little bit more supportive of us, and we benefit as a group. We share a lot of stuff, props, responsibilities and even children!

And so I present to you Artisans' Haven!

Us, missing IdaMan, Wadorobuku, Hashtag @ Chai's & Ardina business owners, and Maryam a leisure sewist.  

Many of us had our first ladies meeting for a simple lunch, we all had strict husbands who don't fancy leisure meet ups, but this was an exception at many levels. We connected, and we only influence each other to be better. All of us do not fancy backbiting husbands and often we reminded each other when we get a little too emotional (us being women, being emotional is almost normal).

So I find a lot of comfort in them, I find peace when I am with them, and I gather a lot of positivity when I am surrounded by them. I had never imagined myself to have such great friends 5 years ago, NEVER. So this, this is masyaAllah, a God sent! A friendship that I will always treasure.

We had lunch at The Landmark. Buffet, we were the first to arrive and last to leave, thankfully, the hotel and management didnt have to kick us all out. Hehehe...

And oh! They pushed me to try more things for my business, and I had just recently launched these pretty set!

The Camo Family/Couple Set!

Yeah! Instead of matching tops, we go matching bottoms. I find it easier to match that way, especially since I am a hijabi and rarely post a top selfie, this is Great! More reason to take a picture of our matchy2 without snapping our face. Hehe..

Slots filled up quick the moment I launch it with first 5 slots receiving a special introductory slot! I have just 2 slots left for next week, alhamdulillah! All orders are made to order, for now. But insyaAllah, I will be prototyping a standard size chart and will sew leisurely to make up a good collection of ready made.

I am just prepping the patterns, cutting them out and labelling all of them to their sizes for easy grab, trace and cut days, before the piecing, serging and sewing day come welcoming me.

And oh I am working on my very first extra plus size set this weekend and I am excited! I am so lucky to have a plus size trust me to sew her set! So I will definitely do my best!

Thank you!

Much love, me and Baby M. This is such a rare photo, by the way!

Wassalam!

National Day Weekend

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. Remember Artisans' Haven?

Well it is about them again! Heh.

Artisans' Haven - as the name suggests, it is a Haven for Artisans. And so it is. It houses multiple local crafters and sewist. 12 of us to be exact, and for this Laloolalang event this coming weekend, it features its best 8 - Ardina, Crafting Memoirs, Petite Dress Boutique, Sewcute n Unique, Gerobok Ashteen, Ayu Atelier, Wadorobu.ku and ahem.. Sewbasic. All of us will be bringing our most precious exclusive makes for the special you who is making your way down this weekend! So schedule your visit right and support us! Own your very unique piece!

Oh you read it right! You will receive our very own Artisans' Haven Tote Bag with a minimum purchase of $50 in a single receipt!

See how spacious this tote bag is!! 

We start will be there from 3pm - 10pm on 5th & 8th August, and 12-10pm on 6th, 7th & 9th August at the Festival Village, Esplanade.

Mark your calendar, set reminders and see us there okay? There are various other awesome vendors like Forest Child, Sotong Brothers, Fowrty, Frosty Foxy and oh so many more. Oh yes you read it right alright, there will be food! And it is just the next tentage, so c'mon down okay?

See you all there!!

Artisans' Haven @ SG

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. I havent blogged about business for quite awhile ya? Well, I have got great news to share, and of course an introductory to Artisans' Haven @ SG.


Artisans' Haven @ SG :
FB Page - https://www.facebook.com/artisanshavensg/?fref=ts
IG - @artisans_haven.sg

Who?

Artisans' Haven are founded by a group of small local business owners who sew and craft, from apparels to bags. Our friendly competition led us to gather all our talents to use a single platform to benefit and compliment each other, allowing each of us to rise together as a good strong unit.

Artisan's Haven hold two strong criteria to be in their platform which are 1) LOCAL (Sg) Small businesses and 2) products are to be machine or hand sewn.

So who is behind Artisans' Haven @SG, you may ask..

Well we are made up of the following businesses:

• Crafting Memoirs  (IG: @craftingmemoirs)
• PetiteDressBoutique (IG: @petitedressboutique)
• Sewcute n Unique ( IG: @sewcute_n_unique)
• Sewbasic (IG: @sewbasicsg)
• Ardina (IG: @ardinasg)
• Gerobok Ashteen  
• Wadorobu.ku (IG: @wadorobu.ku)
• Ayu Atelier 
• Hashtags at Chai's
• Ct Haniz Fashion Inn
• idaMan

And possibly more coming on board. 

And guess what? Artisans' Haven @ SG will be making their first appearance at Laloolalang Bazaar at Esplanade Festival Village from 5th - 9th August!!



I can't wait to see them! Excited much!!!

For the first appearance, Artisans' Haven @ SG had carefully picked their best 8, so be there or be square people!

Our creations are mostly one-off, 100% exclusively created for the special you! You wont be bumping into a stranger with the same outfit, nah uh! No way... 

And you do know that Laloolalang is owned by the famous Malay actress, her husband and her daugher right? You know.. Huda Ali? Ya!! If you head down between 5th -9th August, you might just bump into her and get a selfie!! I say why not???

And hey, if you bump into me, and recognize me at the Artisans' Haven @ SG booth, I shall personally give you a good discount, so don't say I didn't say so! Do give us local small businesses some support okay?

Ehem, yours truly,
Owner of sewbasic

Wassalam

Mini Wallet Pattern / Envelope Wallets for Eid

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. It's been so long since I write anything sewing related, so here's one!!

I sewn fabric envelopes for my nieces and nephews last year for Eid and inserted their cash in them instead of the normal green packet. So I thought I should give them an upgraded version which is better since I didn't have a proper pattern last year and all 5 was sort of odd-shaped.

So my search ended in The Sewing Loft blog here with their mini wallet pattern. I didn't bother cutting scrap though. I just found some good sized remnants that can make 1 or 2 wallets. I tweaked it a bit by adding a D ring strap at the side so they can hook it or put in their lanyard or something, or perhaps I can make a strap for them if they requests later on.

Here's the first one out:

Not bad eh.. I got hooked and do a couple more and added my labels.

Ended with a third piece that is different because the infusible interfacing refused to be fused, so I had to sew them in like so:

Doesnt look that bad eh?

And so I managed to complete 5 Envelope Wallets for my 5 nieces and nephews. Hope they like it!

Yeay! Completed!

It is easy to sew this pattern, and definitely a good way to finish remnants or scraps (if you choose to do it as suggested in the link).

And with the end of Ramadhan, I would just like to seek forgiveness for all my shortcomings, the wrong choices of words, and all my flaws. May you all be blessed this Eid with lots of forgiveness and closeness of all relationships.

Lots of love,
The sewing Bibik Jun

Wassalam

What have I been up to?

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. I know... I know.. I am sorry for the month long silence..

I have been realigning my business and thinking about our purchases and sales lately that I have left with very little time to blog, but I, as always, would shamelessly share our latest creations at Sewbasic.

Oh before that, I will have to say and emphasize that sewbasic will be working on her branding and would like to focus on her well received skants. In fact, we even created a little tot edition too, and I tell you it is soooo cute!!!

I would be working a lot on varying the styles and designs, which means we need to shop for lots of cotton! I am going to work really hard on the sizes soon.

I hope I will have some time to sew for Baby H and possibly try work on having something for the little boy,

Are you getting impatient for some photos already? Hey, enjoy!

Would like to place an order? Come along and visit sewbasic! Chat us up, quote 'njunaidah' and enjoy 10% off any purchase. :)

Wassalam,
Your sewing Godmother,
Jun *winks*

Skants, and why I love them to bits!

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog.

This is a little bit of cheat, as it is a review of my own product. Well not really my own review though, I went around asking my customers what they really like about #skantsbyJunYusof. So it is partially half right? Hehe...

Anyways.. Just what is Skants? If you are asking, you obviously didnt read my previous entry, did you? Fret not, it is okay... Skants is just Skirt + Pants put together as one piece.

Like such:

Why I love them too much?

Elegance

It is feminine, and is very elegant as it behaves and looks like skirt. I am a girl, afterall!

Freedom

It provides freedom for those accidental exposure when you sit cross legged, as it is really a pair of pants. This is especially useful and practical when you deal with kids or in a men's industry where you need to be very agile and on the go at all times.

Versatile

Ultimately, when you find it to fulfil two things all at once, it is versatile! I can change all my current skirts into skants, especially those baju kurungs.

So many colours & styles!

Yes, I have like at least 10 colours! And we will be exploring another material for those who love prints as well!

Style? Feed me, we can perhaps work different skirt style, pleated maybe? Or slanted slit? Who knows what creativity can do to fashion, right?

With pockets, without pockets, flap on the right, flap on the left, you decide! It is really versatile!

Wanna order?

Oh why not? Hit down to www.facebook.com/sewbasic and hit the message button and start communicating.

Got your own fabric and just want us to put them together? All the better! Talk to us soon okay?

Gotta run and sew more Skants!

Talk to you all soon!
Wassalam,
Jun

Dressmaking and everything #sewbasic & #handmadebyJunYusof

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. I've been missing yet again..

Main reason is, I am out of time.. I just started my short course (over 3 months). Yes, I finally did it! I finally enrolled myself to do the Basic Certificate in Human Resource Management with SHRi! Self sponsored, people! It is interesting to know that many of my coursemates are self sponsored like me too!

Another reason is that I have been busy dressmaking my whole wardrobe! Hah! Yes!!! I have finally magnet myself to take up and love dressmaking! We all know I always have complaints about the readymade clothes that are just not Muslimah enough.

So, I took up the challenge and do it all myself! I am not THAT perfect, afterall I am relatively new (though not that VERY new) to dressmaking. There are flaws, needless to say.. However, as shameless as can be, I will share my work here!

I am just very excited that my nieces and some friends have asked if I could make them one as well. SO yes, VERY excited!

I first started off with sewing my own hijabs...

Tudung Labuh Bulat. :) 

Due to many requests, I did this!

And this!

Well, and this too!

 And one night, I just decide to sew my own Muslimah tops because I was sick of the ones I bought off the shelf.. There is just something lacking in them!

I had to succumb to teamwork with my mom. 

 The serging machine just had to put on a strike, and had to get my mom's help to serge it all after I cut all the fabric I have to make some magic...

NERVOUS I must say!!!

I was ambitious to want to complete all four in 2 nights.. Obviously, that didn't happen. I only manage to complete these two over 2 nights of work.

Simple Tunic

Peplum with loose bodice and longer skirt

I continued working a few days later to complete the other two:

This is by far the most complex dress I've sewn! I love it!

Look at the room I had in this dress! 

Needless to say the above was one without the mercy of mistakes. It was initially supposed to be a full length dress, but I cleverly only cut one side, so I had to cut it in half and make it a short dress to be worn with pants instead. The sleeves got mixed up so my left sleeve ends up on my right hand and vice.

Since it is for my own, I didn't unpick it and just leave it as is. This is to remind me for the next time I attempt sleeve placket! :) I love how deep the pockets are! I can fit a 500ml bottle in the pocket easy! Hehehe...

This is something I create. I dunno what to call it. hee.. I just love pockets! Can't you tell?

 I went crazy and wore these 4 tops over 4 days back to back. I just love it!! It being 100% cotton it feels great against the skin! Keeps me warm in the office! Perfect!

And so I decide to also venture more into pants.. and this is what happened!

I love this!

Let's not deny. It is HARD to find a SkirtPants or Flare Pants, for some reason, when I do find it, it cost pretty expensive, min $50.. That too, wasn't just flare enough! So that is why I love that.. Then it got me thinking, it would be nice with a flap in front to make it look more like a skirt, yes? Well....

But I love this more! This is SKANTS!

Isnt't it pretty!!! I love it too much!!!!

Now see!! I am addicted to dressmaking now! If you are keen, my facebook page is here. :)

So, when my birthday comes, perhaps you can get me pretty fabric, yes? And throw some sewing party of some sort, right?

Until next time,
Your sewing addict!

Wassalam.

In my absence...

Assalammu'alaikum family, friends, readers and followers of this blog. I know and well aware that I've been missing in the blogging arena and this space for a long while now.. My last entry was on 14th May, and now, it is 8th July!!!

There are many reasons why I was deprived of blogging for almost 2months.

Hospitalised

Yup, I was hospitalised. I went to the GP on 27th May as I was feeling very breathless doing something very simple. I took a long 15minute to catch up my breath. I was told to get my chest xray done ASAP, and so I did. GP called me on Friday evening to see him the next morning, and so I did.

"Xray and report is NOT good, this is a letter for the hospital, please bring yourself in through A&E now" was what the GP had to tell me the moment I sat down in his clinic. 

I waited for my husband though. I even had time to complete my sisters' bags. 

The bucket bags for my sister and her daughters

The compliments from my sister

Back to being in the hospital. So my husband drove me down to A&E, and I registered myself. I handed over my Xray and the letter from my GP. They took my vital readings and almost immediately had a wheelchair ready to wheel me away. 

The fastest service I ever received! Obviously, it doesn't sound too good to be given such quick attention when you are in the hospital as it meant something serious.

I was then whisk away into an isolation room, just me, 4 bare walls, the clock and the bed.. The ticking of the time soon lullaby me to sleep.. I awoke to the same room with nothing new. I probably waited like 4 hours before a doctor came in to poke me, took my blood and put me on IV. About an hour or two later, I was told to get an xray done.

And some 3-4 hours later, I was finally given a proper bed in an isolation ward, as they still havent figured out what is wrong with me, all the while mentioning about the xray that reveals something was wrong with my lungs, highly suspecting a lung infection or pneumonia. 

And I stayed in the hospital for 8Days 7Nights. To be honest, I enjoyed my stay day albeit the frequent "I am sorry, need to check your temperature and blood pressure" and the "how are you feeling today, any giddiness, extreme breathlessness?" and "this is your medicine, don't forget to take after food, your food will be in very soon" sort of questions. 

I get to totally rest, I mean when else do I get to just sleep, shower, eat, and sleep all day, right? I was constantly thinking of all my sewing projects whilst I was there. But I totally spend at least 10hrs sleeping everyday due to the drowsy meds and the fact that there is really nothing else to do. 

And so on my 7th day, they finally decide to just diagnose me with some hard to pronounce and spell diagnosis. The only thing I caught was that both my lungs has some permanent damage. I was smiling when the doctor told me this, and she repeated herself and asked if I heard her. 

Oh well, what else can I do but smile, right? 

I was then given a long 14days to rest, before I swing by to see her again for a follow up. I will probably have to do that for a long long time... 

Sewing Projects

Yup, I kept myself busy with sewing projects. I started my own test labels, and did up lots of alpha and beta versions of my creations and let my family and close friends test drive them all. And as usual, I launched my bags. I wasn't too sure of my apparels just as yet, as I wasnt drafting at all, I was merely outlining an existing one and just do what I think is right sort of thing. 

As shameless as can be, I will share all my work here just for the sake of sharing. :p

Enjoy!! 

6 internal pockets and 6 external pockets! Awesome!

Wide Leg Pants made of Linen

Office Set. I love them! 

Camo Sweater made of Thermal Knit

Little Girl Dress and Tunic made of Cotton Knit

Bucket Bag (Beta Version) out for test review!

Bucket Bag (Beta Version) out for test review!

Both has been received and used by our chosen reviewers.. :)

Upcycle Project. A long sleeve crop top upcycled into a dress using 1m of Soft Knit.

Wrap Pants for a lady rider reviewer. Out for test rides, awaiting reviews.

My mom chose to call this Pajama. :(

Another bucket bag for a little girl!

Alpha version of my Green Packet organiser! Wait for the Beta Version!

Carry-it-all Bag! This is huge!! And I LOVE it!

Yup, you've guessed it right, I will be using the labels #sewbasic and #handmadebyJunYusof. 

The bags may look so complex, but trust me, they were all made of straight stitches and nothing fancy! :)

I guess that is all for my updates now.. And oh! This our last few days of Ramadhan so freshen up! Lailatur Qadr could be any day!

Have a great Ramadhan you alls! 

Till I blog again,

Jun