Do it yourself Archives

Sewing Workshops in the City

Posted on Aug 3, 2011 in Muses | 0 comments

I’ve been learning to sew on-and-off for close to 2 years now, and it never fails to give me a sense of pride and achievement every time I create something new. They may be far from perfect, but to get there with just guts and give it your best to try, has always been an exhilarating experience. I think this is one of the reasons why DIY masters and home couture sewers never stop doing what they love. The experience, while time-consuming at times, is so addicting.

I have no teachers except that my mother taught me how to do several hand stitches when I was little (I hated sewing back then). I learn machine sewing and fabric treating all from the machine’s manuals and sewing books. But this way of learning isn’t for everyone. Some of us prefer to have guidance on how to start and making sense of sewing. There’s why you should check out workshop.

This 800 sq.ft. of creative space host one-time and series classes of affordable DIY. From sewing basics, alterations, quilting, screen printing, there’s no shortage of classes to get your creative blood boiling. Checkout their website and attend a class or two, and you’ll be sewing (and more) in no time.

Fast forward several months. Let’s say you’re so on a roll, make a few garment pieces, and then one day….you decide that you want to create your own fashion line. Well, well, well….then go over to The Factory. This collaborative space that supports local emerging designers and specializes in high-designs can get you moving. Exciting, right?

Too much too soon? But want to keep pushing the boundary of high designs past basic pieces? I thing I always recommend is getting a Japanese pattern book or two (one of my favorites is Koko Yamase’s Kakkoii Couture Remake). The pictures are basically the instructions, so you won’t have to worry about your Japanese language capability. Plus, some of them are now translated in English, like this Tomoko Nakamichi’s Pattern Magic series. You can also hone your sewing quality by reading books like Claire Shaeffer’s Couture Sewing Techniques.

And last but not least, download these free patterns from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Yohji Yamamoto, and John Galliano. When I visited one of the high-end boutiques at Fillmore neighborhood, the store salesperson asked me if I’m a designer after seeing me observing a Yohji Yamamoto piece’s construction. So thank you, lady, for referring me to this SHOWStudio site! I’m so excited to do these pieces soon :)

Have fun sewing,
Musank

Gift for a Friend: Evelyn Headband

Posted on Jul 5, 2011 in Do You DIY?, Musank's Projects | 0 comments

So what happened last weekend? Let’s see…I finished Wu, Wei, and Jin story line on Dynasty Warriors 7, had a BBQ party at a friend’s house, and finished this graduation gift for the lovely Evelyn (yes girl, it’s for you!).

So here’s my latest DIY project, a polkadot headband with a detachable, matching flower hair clip. On the above picture, I was “test driving” it and wore it as a accessory on my floppy hat (btw, a floppy hat is one MUST HAVE accessory for this super hot summer days).

Thank you Jeremy’s at Berkeley for the overall inspiration, DIY sites such as Craft Snob, Love Maegan, and ….one more website whose tutorial I actually used to make the flower (I can’t seem to find it after tried looking for an hour!) for the detailed instructions and for making me want to make A LOT more hair accessories =D

Evelyn, next time I meet you, I’ll give this to you. It’s already wrapped and ready to meet its new owner :)

Love,
Musank

DIY for Spring 2011

Posted on Apr 6, 2011 in Muses | 0 comments

DIY for Spring 2011 It’s truly nice to see beautiful DIY sites while surfing around the internet.

Wonderful blogs offering creative, fun, and addicting projects are always welcomed in my book. Thank you Elle Apparel and Say Yes! to hoboken !

What I love most about Elle Apparel is that her skirts DIY tutorials are very thorough and detailed, the pictures are helpful, and most importantly, they make me want to go back to my sewing machine ASAP and create more things. I don’t consider myself to be good at sewing and sometimes the results of my DIY projects don’t come up to par, but blogs like hers really repels me from my self-misery and I just want to try again and harder. So thank you very much, Leanne. I hope one day I can be as good at sewing as you.

On the other hand, Liz Stanley’s hoboken offers a great array of DIY projects, and there is sure to be something for fashionistas and DIY enthusiasts on her blog. The pictures are equally as stunning as her blog entries, and I can’t wait to dig into her blog more and find more inspirations for future projects!

So thank you ladies,
Musank

Going Antique or Thrifty in San Carlos

Posted on Dec 29, 2010 in Muses | 0 comments

My apologies for the late post, but I just finished cutting and sewing my first ever convertible top (or dress if you make it so) !! Thank you Tomoko Nakamichi for showing me the way! I mean, you should totally get this book even if you’re just slightly interested in sewing…..seriously.

OK, so back to the title…..San Carlos. Yes, who would’ve known San Carlos has so much treasures? From the beloved-by-the-community Thrift Center that frequently have 50% discounts on Mondays or some early bird specials, the turn-back-time antique stores such as the one in Laurel Street, Antiques Then & Now (the place where I got my golden brooch-chain-necklace and vintage French beaded purse), or Antiques Unlimited. I mean, come on now. Treasures. Treasures, I’m telling you.

So next time you’re in San Carlos and are looking for something that’s off but special, things to trigger your DIY projects, or just digging for some antique treasures, you’ll know where to go. And if you’re hungry but realized you threw away most of your money at the above-mentioned stores, you HAVE to check out Mediterranean Delite. Cheap AND Great. Greek salad, cous cous, or the chicken plate are to die for.

2 more days to 2011, OMG,
Musank