a birthday gift

Finally I can post this here...It was my friend's birthday last weekend :). Today, I've finally given her birthday gift :)...It is a reversible smocked bag....Hope she likes it...or at least appreciate the effort ;) hehehehehehee. Happy Birthday, Chia!

diamond smock tutorial

Not sure if this is actually called the diamond smock...but it has diamond shape :) hence I'd say it's the diamond smock :p....correct me if I'm wrong. It is quite easy to do. You just need a piece of polka dot material which you can smock to make a bag or anything you want :). Here's how you do it:

1. This is the diagram of how you should smock it. The needle should come out from 1 after you make a knot at the back, then go in to 2 and come out at 3, go in at 4 and come out at 5, go in at 6 and come out at 7 and go in at 8 and pull it strong and tie at the back

2. Do a couple of rows of this, alternating at the lower rows. Here are some pictures for your reference:


Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

Step 6:

Step 7:
Step 8:

a reversible bag giveaway (GIVEAWAY # 1)

Finally I finished my reversible bag for SMS giveaway! I was going to make a clutch using this method of smocking, and I've actually finished it...but it was a failure...the shape was odd :(. So, I've decided to make this reversible bag. The smocked fabric is made of linen/cotton blend, truly love this fabric :). The green fabric is one of my favorite batik fabric from Java. So, here's to one of my lucky reader. The competition is open internationally, all you have to do:

1. leave a comment on the original post at www.liaspace.com telling me what would be your perfect Christmas gift.

2. Make sure you have your email address somewhere in your profile

The winner will be chosen randomly. This contest is open until 6th December 2009. Good luck !

an afternoon with a lovely lady

This morning I called Gwen of Busy Smockers and asked whether she has some Amanda Jane's needles in stock...and to my luck, she has! So I went to her lovely home and we were greeted by her kind hospitality. I LOVE Gwen's little workshop...it has just about EVERYTHING you need for smocking and heirloom sewing. Her wardrobe is packed with so many beautiful heirloom dresses and smocked dresses. Gwen was VERY helpful and kind..tending to my every questions and gave me some tips and tricks and I bet she would've been an excellent teacher (hopefully I'll be able to learn from her on one of my trips here). She recommended me a good beginner's book and a good basic smocking pattern. She gave me a bonus of a very lovely magazine called Creative Needle, which unfortunately no longer in business, which is too bad, since the magazine is absolutely lovely. Thank you, Gwen for a lovely time at your place :)

my failed attempt at smocking...

Though I must say I successfully pleated the fabric using my new Amanda Jane Pleater hahahahahahaha...

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the rest of my days in Melbourne

Well, between helping my sister move to her new apartment, I had the fortunate chance to venture a few more interesting shops of Melbourne :).

1. Bustle and Bows - I love this shop, it's small, intimate and has lots of embroidery stuff, including smocking equipments, patterns and A-Z book series. The shop keepers were all very nice and helpful. I wish they have more of this type of shop, here in Melbourne. I bought the pattern to a very cute smocking-embroidery dress for my Misfits :).










2. Amitie - I've died...and gone to fabric haven :) at least the one in Melbourne :). They stock a lot of fabric range! Including those exciting Japanese fabrics!! Even more than the one at Addicted to Fabric...mmm or maybe the same? hard to tell...I LOOOOOVVVVEEEE their quilt displays! They make me want to start (I mean..try) quilting again.









3. Ink and Spindle - Oooooo how wonderful it felt when I finally got to see my fabrics...my beautiful fabrics by Lara Cameron. A wonderful person, a talented designer and a groovy studio :). Would definitely be coming over again in the future to pick up more wonderful fabrics :p

loving this smock dress shop

Last week, at Ursulin Bazaar, I stumbled upon a wonderful little stall which sold beautiful smocking dresses.  I've been looking for good quality smocked dresses with nice cotton materials.  The dresses remind me of my dresses when I was a kid.  My mom loves smocked dresses, I guess that's where I got my obsession from.  This place has it all :) It's called pretty stitches.  I bought 2 dresses for Emma at the bazaar, but turned out they're too big (they're for 3 years old ;p).  So, today I've finally visited their store in Prapanca (I've passed by this place many times before and been wanting to stop by before, but to no avail).  Their shop is small but lovely and they're currently expanding the shop to accommodate more spaces.

They also sell these pretty cross stitched gifts and of course pretty dresses.  I ended up buying another dress for Emma and ordered 2 more dresses for Emma and a baptist dress for Em's soon-to-be little sister.  One of the custom order dress for Emma is similar to the front display, only in white and another one with sheer-like material.  Can't wait to see them :D.   They're also accepting smocking craft order, such as little pouches with smocking craft...very cute :)

Pretty Stitches

Jl. Prapanca Raya No. 35

Phone: 7247362

I believe they're open Monday-Saturday

Closes at 5pm on M-Th and 3pm on Sat (call to check)