Updated Tutorial Page

I've recently updated my Tutorials page. In case you've never known such a page existed, you can access it via the menu. Looking through it, I realised I haven't written as many tutorials as I could have considering I've been blogging since September 2007. Perhaps I should rectify that this year?

I spent some time reorganizing the tutorial page and one thing I can say with all my heart - I dislike working with table html. Ugh, phui!

My little blog crossed one million views some time ago. Since I wrote my first blog in September 2007, it sure took a long time to reach a million page views. (it probably included spam views!) I used to read this blog and it had 8 million views. And the blogger stopped blogging! Can you believe it? I will never be able to achieve 8 million views in my lifetime.

Speaking of page views, I thought it would be interesting to let you know which are my more popular posts. Obviously my bag/pouch tutes are the bestsellers but apart from these, two posts stood out. I'm very sure you're going to be surprised which two these are.

How to stitch a tatted motif to felt. I wrote this in response to Christel's comment. It beats me why people keep coming to read this post.

The other surprise hit is How to attach a PDF to your Blogger blog post.

I also wrote a series of applique related tutes. Out of these, the blanket stitch by hand and blanket stitch by machine tutes got more hits.

When I write a tute, I never know how popular it will be. Of course I hoped it would be used and referenced but you never know until you publish it. I don't want to dwell too much on my page views because it's so pathetic, right? Anyway, I hope you will use my Tutorials Page and I will try my best to keep it updated. I have written another tute and it should be published some time this week. See ya.

Journey Girl Dana

Are you scared of dolls? If so, 18 inch dolls should scare you even more. Recently I bought myself a 18 inch Journey Girl from Toys R Us.

Her name is Dana. It was the name given to her by the doll designer. Most doll collectors rename the dolls they buy. For me, it just doesn't work. So Dana it is.

It was quite hard removing Dana from the box. Like breaking out of prison hard. It's almost as if she wanted to stay inside the box forever. I looked her over and only found a tiny amount of stains. Not enough to make me storm down to the store for an exchange.

Her stock outfit include a shawl, long sleeved shirt, skirt, undies, socks and shoes. I'm not crazy about the shawl.

I feel a little pervy showing you her under garment.

Dana stands rather well. Sitting, not so much. She isn't a ball jointed doll after all. She comes with a soft body which I used to dislike a lot but after reading up about play dolls, many of which come with soft bodies, I grew less anal.

Out of all the Journey girls, I picked Dana. You know why? Her glasses.

Her glasses are removable. It's like getting two dolls!

 

The doll comes with a cheap vinyl bag. Dana can't wear it cross body because the strap is too short to go over her head and arms. I guess I'll have to make one for her. Dana makes me want to sew for her. In fact, I've already made a dress for her. Show it to you soon.

Excuse me, are you wearing an Ikea curtain?

Question. Would you rather be mistaken for a pregnant lady when you're not? Or would you rather be mistaken for an Ikea curtain?

It's a bit of a conflict for me. I get so upset when I get mistaken for being pregnant because you know what that means - I'm so fat I look pregnant! On the other hand, when I take the train, I want to sleep. Sometimes I can't get a seat. I get offered seats from time to time. Is it because I look pregnant? Clearly being mistaken for a pregnant lady has its benefits. (I hope nobody suggest it's because I look like a senior citizen! I will hunt you down...)

Being mistaken for an Ikea curtain is not so bad, right? Right? I mean there are worse things to be mistaken for. Like someone's bed sheet. Geez. I hope no one uses this Ikea fabric for bed sheets.

Anyway, why am I asking such questions? It'll become clear in a while.

It's been at least 30 years since I made a blouse for a human. I've never really been into making clothes for myself mainly because I usually wear T-shirts and shorts/jeans most of the time. It's not hard to find clothes which fit me in Singapore and at an affordable price. Plus making your own clothes is really not cheap. Well, I could list a few other reasons against making your own clothes. The thing is I recently had a change of mindset. Maybe I was getting a little tired of wearing tees. Or Maybe I want to (secretly) get rid of some of the fabric I had accumulated over the years? Regardless, I started looking for an easy blouse I could sew and wear.

I finally settled on Fancy Tiger Crafts' Sailor Top. What attracted me to this pattern was the neckline/sleeves. Over the years I've often found myself buying such blouses.

OMG. I found this pic in my archives. It's from 2004. I was very thin and wearing a much loved blouse with my favourite neckline/sleeve. I still have the blouse but it has yellowed. This pic was probably taken before we discovered taking photos from below is not a good look.

Here is 2013 Jane, a lot fatter and wearing another blouse in a similar neckline/sleeve.

The sailor top is a beginner pattern. It has no closure. You put on the blouse by pulling it over your head. I was pretty sure I won't have any problems sewing it.

I was right. The sewing together wasn't hard. I did struggle with one thing. I hadn't used my sewing machine for a while and I forgot how to wind the bobbin! Maybe it was because I was drugged on antihistamines and other nose unclogging stuff or maybe I really forgot. I had to look at the diagram on the machine to figure it out! I spent like an hour each time over two days making it. I chose a black on white Ikea print I have lying around. I've actually already used some of this fabric in my home as a cover over some foam which I use as my "ironing board".

And here's the blouse. What do you think? The trouble with photographing clothes is someone else needs to do it for me. Hubs' favourite spot is these "bonsai" trees and as you can see, my natural response was to stiffly hold on to a leaf. I know it's pretty common to take selfies in public nowadays but posing for photos in public is still a very awkward thing for me. I paired the sailor top with Uniqlo black tights.

The design of the sailor top focused on the shoulder, sleeves and neckline. The rest of the blouse is let's face it - shapeless.

The sailor top also has the ability to make a non-pregnant woman look pregnant. I had to suck in my stomach throughout the time I was wearing this blouse. I'm kidding. I'm kidding.

I wasn't afraid to wear this sailor top and risk being mistaken for a pregnant lady because I think I can carry it off. My shoulders are still quite bony and create the illusion of thinness.

It also helped that I made the blouse in size Large so it looked slightly big for me. I wore the sailor top out yesterday and to be honest I was rather afraid someone would should out, "That's my curtain/bed sheet!"

In conclusion, the sailor top is not hard to sew but I don't think someone who is very new to sewing could do it. You still need to have at least decent sewing skills and be able to understand how to cut fabric using the pattern. If you use the PDF version, be prepared to tape a gazillion pieces of paper together! In terms of shape/fit, I don't think the sailor top will look flattering on anyone who is short or pear shaped or has quite a bit of spare type around the tummy. Unless you don't mind looking preggy.