Peasant Dress

::edit:: Some of you may have seen this post earlier.  I was working on it and somehow mistakenly posted it before I had finished it.  So, it sat out there for a day or so before I realized it.  But here it is now for real!

I gave you guys a little sneak preview in my last post of my latest completed sewing project.  (You might as well know that I've got about 5 projects going right now....and I'm waiting for inspiration and motivation to finish).

This is the second dress I've made in my dressmaking class.  Lately, I've been hooked on Pinterest.  I love browsing for ideas and then the best part is being able to save these ideas to one place.  I found this dress on the j crew website:

My sewing teacher helped me draft a pattern for the dress.  I decided to add sleeves in my version and used some brown linen I had picked up in Shanghai a few months ago.   I'm happy to report that I am slowly whittling down my stash of fabrics.  This only means one thing....I get to buy more! Muahahaha.  Don't tell Andy I said that.

So I put my dress on and dragged Andy out with me on a lovely Saturday for a photo shoot.   We found a good spot by the Singapore River downtown and Andy clicked away.

When I showed the dress to my sister, she told me I looked like a peasant.  So, hence the peasant dress.  I really love the dress, it's simple, comfortable, and most of all, cool.  A good dress to wear around this part of the world.  I think I might make a version without the sleeves as a future project....but first, I'd better work on those other unfinished projects that are crowding my sewing table....

Terracotta Warriors

One of these past weekends, Andy and I decided to check out the temporary Terracotta Warrior exhibit at the Asian Civilizations Museum downtown.  We didn't get a chance to visit the actual warrior site in Xian when we visited China, so we thought this would be the second best thing.

After walking into the entrance of the Terracotta Warrior exhibit, we were greeted by these soldiers:

At first, I was a little confused...I don't remember the warriors being so white and little in the pictures...plus, they were wearing headphones....I'm pretty sure it would be sacrilegious to put headphones the real ones...

Another modern interpretation of older art.

Finally we walked into the main room of the exhibit and saw some real Terracotta Warriors.

Here I am, posing with my new buddy.  Don't worry it's not a real one. 

We walked around the rest of the museum and checked out the other exhibits.

Some instruments

Birdcages

Entrance to the Muslim section

We came across the "interactive" exhibit and paused for a photo op.

Farmer Jennie and Farmer Andy

Here, Andy's getting ready to chauffeur me around town in this funny cart with horns....travelling in style!

Afterwards, we walked along the river and braved Boat Quay in search for some dinner.  Boat Quay is a street lined with restaurants along the river.  It's a nice place, but probably ruined by the aggressive sales people trying to entice you to eat at their restaurant.  Finally, we settled on Bar Bar Black Sheep - we've eaten at other locations of this chain and felt pretty su that we could get some good food there.  It's part bar, and part Indian, American, and Thai Restaurant.  A weird mix.  We went for Indian - it's not the most authentic Indian, but still pretty darn good.  Yummmm....

We got a seat right by the water and ate till we were stuffed, enjoying the view of the beautiful Singapore river at twilight.  I took this opportunity to test out a new photography "trick".  I read somewhere that pictures taken at twilight are best taken about 10 minutes after the sun has set.  At that point, the balance between the sky and the lights from the buildings is optimal.  

Here's the picture as the sun set:

Here it is about 10 minutes later:

The lights seem brighter and the color stronger in the second one.  Pretty neat huh?

Crazy Dot Ruffle Dress

I've been busy in the sewing room and am so proud to show off my first dress!  I picked up this great polka dot fabric during our trip to Shanghai a few months ago.  It's a very thin and light cotton fabric, perfect for hot weather.   I showed my sewing teacher this dress from Ann Taylor Loft and she helped me draft my own pattern:

I love this summery casual look, but decided to lose the spaghetti straps.  I find that spaghetti straps either leave my bra straps hanging out there or force me to wear an uncomfortable strapless bra, neither of which I prefer.  I am all about comfort.  The great thing about designing your own clothing is that you can customize it however you want....as long as it fits properly and you know how to draw it (enter my sewing teacher's expertise).  So, my version of the dress turned out like this:

Then, I did a little shopping and picked up a cute belt at Cotton On to complete my new outfit:

Hooray for comfortable and cute dresses!