Pastel Dream

Swirling Elegance

2011-10-14T23:36:00.000-07:00

Just some attempts I made before entering the final one for Blissful Brides Bridal Gown Design competition. Enjoy.

on Drapes and Ruches

2011-07-25T05:18:00.001-07:00

lace butterfly

2011-07-15T04:21:00.001-07:00

Faces I Know

2011-07-12T05:27:00.000-07:00

"You must remember, family is often born of blood, but it doesn't depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family."

Flight of Fancy

2011-07-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

My design teacher has been telling us all to make moodboards and take notes and sketches of something that inspires us, that is interesting to us. I've been meaning to do that from a long time, so even though it was something that's very hard to do these days remembering the amount of other works waiting for me, I was excited to do it. From now on I will probably constantly posting pics that is interesting to me, some kind of a moodboard in photos-in-blog form.

I've been into birds lately, and I don't know when it's started. Was it when I first got my peacock feather earrings from Forever21? Or was it when I went to Jurong Bird Park the other day?

My collection of bird-inspired accessories. Ever expanding one.

Alexander McQueen Fall 2006. Gemma in feather headpiece. Oh Gemma..... I'm in love with you and McQueen.
After I saw this photo I was reminded on how McQueen made superb works, and how he left all so suddenly. Just like how Galliano left out of the blue. Life can be unpredictable, even for genius designers.

Roses, roses on my vest

2011-06-13T02:25:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. It's a man's mannequin who's wearing the vest. And it's rose patterned. But who cares, I made it unisex and I would wear it out anyway. x) Will post the pics of me wearing this thing soon after holiday comes.

And this thing actually is reversible.... How cool is that.

Nerds

2011-06-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

Copic marker on marker paper, cobined with color pencil.

Raaawr.

2011-05-21T09:12:00.000-07:00

Classic Men's Raglan Bomber Jacket with zippered pockets in front.

Material: some deadly knit that made my life so much harder when sewing the thing.

I like the pattern though. I think I'm gonna wear it after my lecturer marks it.

Finishing the Toile

2011-05-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the blurry image quality. Taken by my phone, since I forgot to bring camera to school that day....

Anyway, this post is related to the one I posted several weeks ago, about my project to imitate the Zac Posen's jersey draped dress. The one I ended up making is not in jersey though (I bought my fabric in sateen crepe)

In case you're wondering, the one above is not the finished garment. It's the toile I made, then after this I still have to make the pattern pieces on the paper, then cut and sew the actual fabric. Still long way to goooo.... :D

Braids, braids

2011-05-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

Click for larger size.
I'm in 'braid'-ey mood xD *braids my bang before going to school*

I am Feeling Very Chanel-ish

2011-05-07T18:01:00.000-07:00

Sewing Tid Bits

2011-04-19T01:32:00.000-07:00

These things I'm going to post are some little things that may seem insignificant to others... yet some of it I spent hours on.

They are also things that make me grateful to have enrolled into my college. If I haven't gone here and study fashion professionally like this, I may not able to sew these important bits. As you can see from my previous works (you can access it from the sidebar archives), I seldom made anything beside dresses. I grew accustomed to sew flared skirts and fitted brassier, but I didn't know how to sew a welt pocket..... or a fly zipper of a pants.

First photo from left: crescent pocket with piping, tailored buttonhole with facing (spent like, 4 hours?), right top is a godet, and right bottom is welt pocket, with flap too actually, but I tucked it in.

Now Progressing

2011-04-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

Remember the pants suit project I mentioned earlier?
So the first step to get the right fit for me is to make a toile out of it. Drafted basic pants, got it corrected by my lecturer, then sew it with unprocessed fabric.

Sorry it's so wrinkled, I snuggled my way into it in front of the class. -__-;
And it turned out the waist and hip was pretty snug and fit, yet the flare of the pants were a little baggy for me, so I was told to trim it down about 4 cm for the legs....

Below is the drafting of the basic pants. Look at the red markings, those are all corrected things by my lecturer~ I must study harder.

And other thing to talk about: I have another big project going on. This time is imitating this jersey draped dress by Zac Posen Spring/Summer 2009 collection. Frieda Pinto was seen wearing this baby to an event too some time ago....

Stay tune to see the progression. ;)

mysterious triangle (okay, it's bermuda)

2011-04-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I sew anything pants-like. I used to stick with skirts, dresses or whatever, but not pants --- since me myself don't like to wear pants. But this one is one of my assignment, so have to do it anyway. And it turns out it's not that bad (well sewing the zipper is one of the suck-est part of all).....
Sorry for the photo quality --- took it at school, and no proper camera with me.

'till next time. :)

The Pants Suit Project

2011-04-09T07:16:00.000-07:00

So my college wants me to do a pants suit this term. The design chosen for me was this pants suit from Givenchy Fall/Winter 2008 collection:

This is how it works: I'm going to do it step by step, and I will keep you guys updated. I thought it will be pretty fun to watch how it goes. :) So far I've only done the pattern for the pants, now sewing the toile of it, to see if the fit is right.

Tiered Skirt

2011-04-08T05:24:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to make this with something like silk, but I found something similar with only 5SGD a meter. The color was lovely.

This was my draping project --- where I had to make the pattern with muslin on the mannequin. Preparing blocks of squared muslin was a pain, especially if your skirt is tiered. Never never do tiered things for draping again....

Draped Collar Blouse

2011-03-28T22:38:00.000-07:00

So there's this subject called Draping where I had to drape cheap unprocessed fabric onto the mannequin to get the pattern for desired garment. Last term we were talking about tops and bodices, and so we were told to bring some photos for the lecturer to choose. She chose this blouse from Modcloth for me to imitate, and then on to the draping part....

Haha, you can see my name written on top of the mannequin ribbon. That's school's mannequin. So then after cutting fabric and hours of sewing, I brought it home to Bandung Indonesia and took a photo of it this morning....

Now, draw!

2011-03-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

So college has been keeping me busy these days, but I'm still here! Probably will update around my college life from now on, since I'm in the fashion design, so everything is relevant. I'm on my way to term three, and tomorrow is the first day of my second term break... time flies, it's like it's only yesterday I was here for orientation.

Anyway, this is one of the projects I submitted for final. Made this with ink pen and then scan and Photoshopped it. From now on you will witness my progress, so go ahead and subscribe!

Kebaya

2010-07-10T08:02:00.001-07:00

I had my graduation ceremony on June 15th, but I haven't post anything about it since I'm waiting for this photos from the studio.... I was wearing my own kebaya creation --- I had hard times searching for the right lace with the right price. It turns out all worth it. Click image for full-size picture.

Future Paths

2010-07-02T05:12:00.000-07:00

I did it again.
I know, I've been gone and such. If you want me to come up with some excuses, I've got some actually, aahahhaa.... I went to see Raffles Design Institute's graduation fashion show, since I'm going to enroll there next October for their Fashion Design course.

And anyway, Tika from Breakfast With Tea gave me my first blogging award. I'm kind of touched.... Thanks!

The award came with these question, though.

1. How many blogs you got and how long they've been there?

I've got two: one is this Pastel Dream, for more fashion-oriented posts. The other one is my Journal, for general posts, or for the writer side of me (maybe some of you had already known, I've published a novel). To be honest... I'm not those type of blogger who posts many times in a day. I'm not productive, but I find myself clinging to this blogging life for whatever reason. I'm pretty attached.

2. Since when did you enter blogging life?

I'm not sure.... Maybe when I was 13? I've been VERY attached to internet since I was little. But I started Pastel Dream about two years ago. Back then it was named Young Missy. I changed it into Fenny Wong: a fashion showcase, but decided that it was too long, so I changed it into Pastel Dream.

3. Why did you create a blog?

When I created Young Missy, I wanted to make something special and big and honestly, I wanted fame in this virtual world of blogging. But then I realized something, that I am not productive enough as a blogger to achieve so.

Then I started sewing dresses. I kept getting requests to see photos of dresses I've made. And to make it more simple I made a blog, Fenny Wong: a fashion showcase. I thought I would just give them my blog address when they ask, "What have you made until now?"

4. What is your blog's pros and cons?

The biggest pro is that my blog focuses on my creations. You won't see other labels in here. You won't see me in a dress made not by myself. You will get to see me growing and learning.

The biggest cons is... I'm so unproductive. I guess I will change soon enough, since I'm getting into a Design Institute after all. I'm going to post many of my works in later days. :)

That's it for this post.... I'll keep you up to date since I'm working on a linen dress for my other summer trip.

Konnichiwa

2010-06-11T22:39:00.000-07:00

I watched September Issue yesterday and wondered whether I am fit to be in this industry. Everyone in the fashion industry have to be conscience that fashion is not art at all. It is a big chain of business, and if you want to survive, you have to have two mindsets: artist's and businessman's.

I am honestly not the type to spying new trends and such. I do read Vogue once in a while, but that's it. I personally think that Vogue is getting a little too pricey. I was a regular reader of Teen Vogue though, until I gave up saving my money for it and just browse through their website now. Seeing September Issue, I began to realize that trend is practically EVERYTHING in fashion, and Vogue is the bible.

I try not to think too much and just do what I have to do now. I'm going to a fashion school next October. I don't know if things will work out for me, but I will just do my best.... Even if my way is not in fashion, but I am certain that a bright future is waiting for me.

I am optimistic.

This time I sew something very Japan-ish.... It was hard for me to do it surprisingly, with all those pleats.... But I enjoyed myself while doing it. It was the first time I use this:

It's the chemical for pleating. It holds your pleats. Just spray it on the fabric while folding it, then iron it. I had a hard time telling the people at home that it's not edible (why did they make it like some bottled drink?)

Material: Japanese design local cotton. I'm getting fond of these.

Some things are happened to remember

2010-06-04T01:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was an eventful night, and I thought I'm going to write a little bit longer about prom night. This will probably be the longest post I've ever posted in this blog (in contrary with my regular full-written posts in my other blog).

Because this is a fashion oriented blog, I'm going to talk about fashion. I didn't think prom night will be that huge, and that my friends will dressed as dressy as they did. But I liked it, how flowy dresses are clashed with mini tight-fitted dresses on the dance floor. Our prom dresses not only made us pretty, but also gave some kind of statement about our personality. I liked it that everyone felt confident, because that was the air I got last night. Confidence everywhere.

It was important about what you wear at first, when the night is still young. But as the prom went on, we began to forget about things like those, and we just cried. It was heartbreaking, on how we had to be apart after high school ended. We danced like crazy till midnight, and when time like that came, who cares about our dresses anymore? We took off our shoes and just jumped around, went crazy.

I had a lot of fun. And on to my dress, consuming about 8 meters of chiffon, I made the pattern and cut it down, but somebody else sew it for me. There are imperfections everywhere, but I was satisfied.

I took a closer photo of my dress this afternoon, before sending it to dry cleaner.

Material : Chiffon, satin, beads, Swarovski beads, and lots, lots, of sweats.

Mom's

2010-06-02T06:11:00.000-07:00

Just something that I made for Mom during my holiday. She would wear it to work, she said. Hope it fits!

Material: Japanese design local cotton

Bits of Sewing Love

2010-05-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

Take a peek to my sewing room. Guess what kind of color I like the most! :)

Afternoon Batik

2010-05-16T03:05:00.000-07:00

I like Batik. It is one of those Indonesia culture that I adore. Batik's price varies, you can find it from around IDR. 15.000,- to millions of IDR. As a traditional clothing, the pattern and style also varies from place to place in Indonesia.

If you've been following my blog for a while, you will notice that I've been sewing quite a few batik dresses (this, this, and this, for example). I've been selling some too to my friends, and in the future, if my love for batik is still as it's been, I think I'm going to sell them online. :)

Fabric: Batik cotton. Really airy, very summery. It's very comfy wearing this in such a tropical country like Indonesia.