2 dresses with different necklines

Dress A has a small X on the back, Dress B has a big X on the front. Since it is essentially the same dress, I thought I would make it in blue herringbone and black silk.

Starting with the black silk. The design uses facings on the inside rather than full lining, also the straps on the back are too long. I had to make adjustments to make it fit properly.

I was too tired to make a ruched skirt so I just pleated it.

 LBD with a U-shape front and cross on the back.

Onto the blue herringbone. There are no specific instructions on how to sew the inside of that big cross in front and it took me forever (2 weeks) just to get it right. sewing down the lining over the zip also took me a long time to get right, 1 week I think.

It has full bodice lining inside, unfortunately I ran out of fabric and had to use another fabric to make up the lining.

Front and back views. Wish I could show you how it looks when worn.

Carmen Marc Valvo A/W 2015/16

Carmen Marc Valvo is all about tartan this season. Occasionally, he designs swimwear and couture.

 

CMV is not new to the red carpet, just check out the number of celebrities that wore his creations on the red carpet in 2015.

No surprise his red carpet looks are also the most reasonably priced, topping $3,500. Just last month I saw a CMV black sequin mermaid gown for just SGD $340 on clearance @NeimanMarcus.com.

Mayer Toaster

Sunshine Bread was giving away something like 300 sets of these Mayer Thick Slices Toasters so I entered the contest and won one! I usually have to wait months before knowing if I won something and I received the winning letter for this within a month.

Lunch @ Wan Hao

Managed to sell more of the clothes I am sewing, meeting the buyer @ Wan Hao Marriott Hotel for dim sum lunch.

Wan Hao barely seats 30, reservations are required for one of their cosy tables. I really like this place for the privacy and comfy chairs.

Apart from usual dim sum fare, there is a seasonal premium dim sum menu and we ordered everything on it to try.

Sweet & sour pork that reminds me of overseas Chinese restaurants. Its that same sauce they fry it with bell peppers and fruits.

Individual portion desserts.

Ivy's Hainanese Herbal Mutton Soup

Fortifying mutton soup with herbal undertones. The sourish chili sauce really added a kick to this dish. I poured the soup into my rice and finished everything.

Spotlight - Curtain Remnants - Dress D

I am making that same dress in the picture. The pattern recommends the use of heavy fabrics that can hold its shape like denim, brocade, linen blends. I was afraid it would be too heavy, so reinforced all seams 3x just in case. Using the same twill weave fabric as Dress C.

Marking out the circles, lines, dots using blue chalk that didn't wash off immediately. I had to go out and buy those new water-soluble markers to use going forward. I also bought this button making kit to make matching buttons for this dress.

Cut out a piece of matching fabric using the template provided, then layer it in the custom case together with the button front & back. Push to snap everything in place.

So fun and easy to create a customized look!

Since the buttons were done up soo nicely, I took extra care to ensure all seams on this dress are not visible.

The completed outfit.

Herve Leger Autumn/Winter 2015/16

Herve Leger was founded on the bandage dress, a body conscious short and tight wrap dress that accentuated a woman's curves. Since then, the brand started by Hervé Peugnet has been acquired by BCBG MAX AZRIA.

Since then, the look has grown beyond just colours and features sophisticated renderings of that same body con dress. This season we see more kaleidoscope prints that create a tribal vibe.