No Sew Tulle Skirt

I saw the online tutorial and couldn't believe it, everyone is making this no-sew version of the tutu skirt. You need decorators tulle (3" or 6" wide rolls) and a belt. I sewed a matching sash in place of a belt, so this version is easily machine washable.

I cut the tulle into 2 metre strips to tie onto the sash. You can add as much or as little as you want. The online tutorials recommend 4 rolls for a knee-length skirt on an average sized woman. To make a plus-size full-length ball gown takes 16 rolls.

When you are done, trim the ends so its all even. I think it makes the skirt look less Halloween-y.

 To wear, just put on the belt and you are done! Have fun!

Sonia Rykiel Spring Summer 2015

Last fashion post for this season and I feature Sonia Rykiel. I love the strappy tops that are all over her Spring Summer 2015 collection. That and there were a few supermodels that walked this runway (Miranda Kerr, Kendall Jenner).

Sonia Rykiel Resort 2015 is a vintage throwback but still retains that rich little girl vibe.

O'Sew Handheld Sewing Machine

Midway through sewing all these clothes, my Brother mechanical sewing machine broke down. Not surprising as it's 15 years old, I was not even going to bother about bringing it to the repair shop. Luckily, I had purchased this o'sew handheld sewing machine from Spotlight, just to play with and review. Finally, I can put it to good use.

This sewing machine comes with all the usual parts of a regular sewing machine (no problem getting replacement parts) however the similarities end there. It's shape & size is like a stapler, the power source comes from batteries (wireless), instead of a presser foot you have a switch, The speed and direction is pre-set and can't be changed. Lastly, you load either a bobbin or thread spool, not both.

The trouble with this is that my hands got tired from operating this thing after a while, you can place this on the table and leave it to sew but you lose control of the fabric. Lifting the foot takes effort as the machine is constructed to hold the fabric down. Also, you can't just sew 1 row of stitches and expect it to hold, you are expected to lift the foot without tugging the fabric and turn it around to sew a 2nd row of stitches in order for it to stay.

What's great about this is that it does work quite well. It allows the user more flexibility in their sewing, it's small and lightweight so you can slip it into your tote instead of lugging a 10kg machine around, it's convenient to setup and operate. It's also affordable @ $24.99, I bought mine @ $12.49 (half price).

Overall, I was reminded of old-fashioned sewing machines that our grandmothers had. It didn't have all the bells and whistles like auto-threading. This is meant to be another tool for your sewing and not a replacement for the sewing machine. I think fashion design students and anyone else in the rag trade will find this tool helpful. Because of the price, its a great way to start young kids on sewing.

PHYTO Hair Care

Phyto is a premium French botanical haircare brand that boasts all natural extracts from pure sources. It carries literally everything you need for your hair (edible vitamins, hair loss ampoules, styling products, shampoos & conditioners).

The latest product is Phytokeratine to repair damaged hair. The shampoo has a sappy texture and a lovely scent, its gentle too, having tried Phyto's other shampoos that leave the hair squeaky.

Use together with Phytobaume and Repairing Serum (not shown). The baume is a cream that disappears into the hair so I tend to put on more than recommended as I think its not enough. The results are really visible, my hair is soft, smooth and even frizz free. However, my split ends are still there. Overall, if not for the price I would buy it again, $40 per 200ml shampoo/125ml conditioner.

Frozen Satay

The essential supper food. So much so Frozen Satays are heaven sent to my family. We can toast what we need for supper without that midnight run out to the hawker centre.

Tulle Skirt - Round

To create a flatter look for everyday, you can cut the tulle the same way as the lining, in a perfect circle.

Add on as many or as few layers of tulle as you want (I made 3 layers for mine) and sew it flat against the lining.

I managed to use my new rolled hem machine footer and added an elastic band waist.

Prabal Gurung Spring Summer 2015

I was still thinking about those curvy lines when I saw Prabal Gurung's Spring Summer 2015 collection. Isn't he the designer that dresses Michelle Obama, he is another designer well known for his celebrity clientele of A List women like Oprah.

This season the clothes are still inspired by the Himalayas but his interpretation is soo elegant, modern and well-constructed that we all have to take another look.

Prabal Gurung Resort 2015.

January Jones of Mad Men fame @ The Emmys this year in red Prabal Gurung. The red carpet was filled with red dresses this year, or so I hear.

Deco Roll Cakes by Junko

Japanese food blogger Junko translates her recipes into English and I finally managed to get a copy from the Popular Book Fair. You have no idea how difficult her english recipe books are to get a hold of. The words are a little small, but the author makes up for it with lots of pictures and simple step-by-step explanations of how she does each cake roll. Junko has another deco roll book named "Deco Roll Party" and a new book "Deco Mushi Cakes".

LIERAC Premium Serum

This is French brand LEIRAC's anti-aging product. Made from rare black coloured flowers (orchid, rose, poppy) and containing 10% hyaluronic acid to regenerate skin. This Lierac Premium Serum is meant to be used day and night together with the Premium Cream.

The bottle comes with a dropper to ensure you make the most of this serum. The serum itself has a milky texture and intense perfume that really makes this product luxe.

Mathilde Vicenzi Millefoglie d'Italia

Mathilde Vicenzi packs and sells its Millefoglie pastries like biscuits @ Cold Storage. It's crispier than freshly made pastries with the additional convenience of being readily available all the time. Look for the ones that are wonderfully stuffed with creams.

Simplicity - Tulle Skirt B

Tulle skirt B requires additional sewing to make it more fluffy and takes up a whopping 36 metres of tulle. I am adapting this design to make a tiered ruffle skirt that is longer using the same amount of material so it won't be as pouffy. Petite size girls can actually pull this up to wear as a dress, cinch the waist with a belt.

I sort the fabric I buy into bundles with the paper pattern I am using. After cutting, I tie it up into plastic bag bundles like this. So each sewing project is a different plastic bag. If you ever wonder why people's homes are filled with plastic bag bundles like this, its because they are doing the same.

Yellow Tulle with gold flecks @ $8/metre : $120
Elastic band : $9
Yellow thread : $5
Total = $134

This is why you don't see many of these skirts around.

The finished skirt has a nice sway. With enough silk material leftover to sew a crop top. It was really difficult sewing this tulle as the glue builds up on the needle causing the thread to snap. The glitter effect is really subtle, what with all that tulle, you hardly notice it.

Paco Rabanne Spring Summer 2015

This bad boy of the 60s fashion scene is still churning out clothes bi-annually and his latest Spring Summer 2015 collection is sportswear inspired.  

I really like the unconventional mix of fabrics and colours, then there are all those curvy ergonomic lines.

No Sew Hemming Tape

I saw the IKEA ad selling house brand no sew tape for curtains. You use it to iron on the heading tape to the curtain fabric, then use it again to hem up the bottom of the fabric. The concept is not new and carried in most craft stores. I have used it before and even machine washed it, so I know its works.

Several things you need to know about this product before creating your first no sew dress:

• Hemming tape costs 10X more than thread.
• It also makes the fabric stiff, so you lose the tactile fluidity of your garment at that point, choose to use it strategically so this effect appears intentional to the design. 
• After several washes, the fabric might come undone, no need to use more hemming tape, just iron it again to stick it back on.

NUXE Rose Skincare

I am using the Huile Prodigieuse together with NUXE Rose foaming cleanser, Rose toner and Prodigieuse Nuit (anti-fatigue) night cream.

The sweet rose scent reminds me of Korres Japanese Rose series. Baby pink packaging is a winner. $33.50 for 200ml bottle.

NUXE has several skincare ranges: Nuxellence, Nuxuriance, Reve de Miel, Nirvanesque, Merveillance, Prodigieux. This creme prodigieux range is suitable for all skin types and provides moisture along with that familiar Prodigieux de Parfum scent.

Prima Taste Meal Kits

My aunt is a big fan of Prima Taste Meal Kits. She lives overseas and stocks up on this when she's in Singapore. It's pretty goof proof, I've tried a few packets myself. Mostly, I like the Mee Siam, fried dry without the soup part. If you want more oomph in your food then just use 2 packs instead of 1.

Meal Kits cost $6, Sauce Packets cost $2, Gift Packs (pic below) $16 to $19. Most people think its a tourist thing and it makes a great gift for out-of-towners.