Mode Monday - Tribal

It's a look that has had many resurrections, and I do love it every time - perhaps it's from growing up in Indonesia that draws me back to the patterns and shapes that come with the 'tribal' look. Here are a few collections of the current incarnation of the trend:

Tribal Dresses by Su-Sews-So-So featuring maxi dresses

Tribal Separates by Su-Sews-So-So featuring red tops

Tribal Accessories by Su-Sews-So-So featuring tribal jewelry

It's amazing how a fantastic print or fabric can transform quite a simple garment style. I guess that's what dressmaking opens your eyes up to. The problem is trying to track down that fabulous fabric!!!

Fabulous Fabric...Screen Printing

It's been a little while since I last did one of my Fabulous Fabric post so I thought it was high time I fixed all you fabric addicts out there (you know who you are) with another hit. Today I'm drooling over handmade screen printed fabric made by independent artists....and boy do I love them:

Both from Habitat Textiles

From Summersville

From Melbomba

From Pippijoe

Both from Sarah Waterhouse

*Click on the images or the designer's name for sources*

I just love the quirkiness and colours of all these designs. They are all cotton and you usually only get them in small lengths so perhaps not the best for dress making, but endless opportunities for other crafty endeavours. I think the last one would be really fun made up into a travel document wallet (I travel a fair bit for work so I'm quite tempted giving this one a go**). And since I'm a bit obsessed with bags at the moment (evidence here, here and here!) I recon all of these would look fab made up into totes or clutches, perhaps even just as a pocket detail or as lining. But I do think that the Red Kangaroo Paw or the Teal Birch Forest, both from Habitat Textiles, would make really gorgeous statement skirts, teamed with classic basics.

Do any of you know any other fab fabric designers who use the screen printing method? I'd love to hear.

P.S. I'm not at all endorsed by any of these designers by the way, I have just found them through browsing the Internet and fell in love!

** Catch yerself on Suzie, when do you think you will have the time to make one of those?!!!

Thanks for following - and potential GIVEAWAY!

Source

Aw, I was so delighted to see that my humble little blog has managed to get 30 followers. It's not a lot by most blogs, but it means a lot to me - hello new followers, welcome and thanks for following (and of course hello old faithful followers, thanks for sticking around and putting up with my ramblings!).

So, I was thinking it would be nice to have a mini celebration (any excuse really!). If (should I be more optimistic and say when?!), by some happy chance, I manage to get to 50 followers, I promise to have a bit of a giveaway!! Everyone loves a giveaway. I'm not 100% sure yet what I'll give away, but it will definitely be crafty related and hopefully something everyone would like! It will be open to everyone in the whole wide world, coz I'm generous like that.

So keep your fingers crossed people and lets hope for a giveaway soon!

P.S. Did I say 'thanks' for following? ;)

My life-long dream of making bags...

I mentioned in my post yesterday that it has always been a little dream of mine to make and sell bags. Well, to prove just how long I have had this dream check this out. An old friend of mine sent me the following scans of a 'promo voucher' I made years ago:

Front and Back

Inside

Unfortunately the scan is a little blurry so apologies if you can't read it (you could try clicking on the images to see a larger version). It was a folded 'leaflet' of sorts, with the front being dark brown with a little tan plaid bag (cut out of fabric) and with "Handbags by Suzie" written on it. Inside I have drawn a plethora of sample bags (that are obviously available for the Suzie Bags range!) and it says:

Suzie Bags

Handmade handbags for all occassions (shame the creator can't spell!)...

The latest craze to his the shops. Waiting lists are months long.

BUT...this special voucher ensures the owner to skip to the front of the list and snatch up the latest designs before they even reach the stores!!

Cringe! Ha ha, it's so cute. My friend has asked if the voucher is still valid...I think I see another bag being made soon!

P.S. Yes, unfortunately my speeling is still bad...thank god for spell checker! ;)

My first commissioned bag!

I mentioned in this post that last weekend I was working on a secret project. Well it was really only a secret because I was terrified I might mess it up! But luckily all went well and I was pleased to churn out my very first commissioned curvy clutch!! You may have seen my previous versions of this bag here and here.

I was commissioned to make this bag by a friend of my mum's friend (can you follow that!) who is attending a wedding next weekend (er - she's the mother of the bride!! No pressure!!!) and was having a lot of trouble finding the 'perfect' bag to go with her outfit. My mum had the clutch I had made her with her for NYE and apparently her friend was quite taken with it so mentioned to this lady that she knew someone who might be able to make a bag for her! After a few consultations with my mum (to see the clutch and discuss timings and materials) she agreed she would like me to make the bag and provided me with the fabric which she had chosen from the fabric shop.

I am really delighted with the end result - she picked such gorgeous fabric!! The outer casing is quite a stiff silver/cream embellished fabric (which actually is perfect for this style) and the lining is a lovely purple/blue satin (which was the colour of her dress). She also asked for me to sew the lovely diamante embellishment on, which she had clipped off her dress!! I made the inner pocket from the silver material, as a nice contrast and to break up the purple a little.

I didn't deliver the bag directly to her, but the feedback was very good and apparently she is delighted with the bag (phew!!!) and has insisted I keep the left over fabric (score!) and has some little brooches which she thinks I might like too (double score!). And of course, she paid me for the bag. Yeay!

It has always been a little dream of mine to have a little crafty business, and in particular - making bags. So maybe this is my first step in that direction. I'm so grateful of my mum's friend for thinking of me :)