My Mum Made

Copenhagen

2012-11-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

Finally, in the last week before going back to Hong Kong, I went to Copenhagen for a long weekend. It was the first time for me to travel a Scandinavian country. So impressed to this clean and modern city. Danish designs are minimalist yet functional whereas you can see everywhere in this city. Of course, the nice weather and good food were a bonus in this trip!

Kew

2012-09-22T13:08:00.001-07:00

Had a lovely day out at Kew. It was such a perfect weather to visit the Royal Botanic Garden. I was so amazed with many rare and precious plant collections there. After a long day walk, we had high tea at The Original Maids of Honour as a treat to ourselves.

Summer Break

2012-08-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful summer break in Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges. Had loads of good foods, saw lots of beautiful scenery and visited many museums. Recommended museums including MOMU in Antwerp, Lace Centre in Bruges, Museum-Gallery Xpo: Salvador Dali and Musée Magritte in Brussels to name a few.

Collaboration blouses

2012-06-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

Apologies for being a lazy blogger.... I haven't been updated this blog for a month.... But Yuka and I finally finished these two matching blouses and did the photo shoot last week. This collaboration project brought us so much pleasure. We discussed and worked together, from designs, material selections, patterns, crochet details, trimmings to sewing and hand-finishing. We took the parts we are good at. Yuka was responsible for the hand crochet parts and I was in charge of the pattern making and sewing parts. As a result, we finished these blouses which have their own characters. My blouse is a bit loose-fitted, three quarter sleeves and with gathers at the chest and cuffs. Yuka's one is more fitted, full length sleeves and without gathers.

Minus Sun X M. M. M. blouses

Crochet parts: 100% Silk
Woven fabric parts: 50% Cotton 50% Silk
Peals buttons with hand-stitched button holes

Recent Projects

2012-04-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Has just finished a photo-shoot for my various projects. Thanks Yuka for being the model and photographer.

Indigo striped blouse was made from Japanese indigo piece-dyed fabric. Relax fit with little hand stitching details on cuffs and back neck plackets.

Liberty print blouse is an adult version of my children wear project. New attempt on mixing fabrics and finishing neckline and cuffs with burgundy bindings.

Twisted sleeve dress was made from another Liberty print fabric. Loose fitted. Stylized with hand crocheted necklaces.

Amsterdam

2012-04-10T14:19:00.000-07:00

I spent two days Easter Holiday in Amsterdam. Visited a couple of nice stores including Blue Blood and Denham. A small yet lovely Amsterdam Tulip Museum. Walked around the beautiful canals. Had great food at Brasserie Harkema.

'Made in England' Linen Pouch

2012-04-06T06:56:00.002-07:00

'Made in England' Linen Pouch
Shell: 100% Linen
Lining: 100% Cotton

It was a gift for my friend's mum. A simple pouch with velvet and cotton herringbone trimming. It's the 1st product I could sew on the new purchased 'Made in England' label:)

Selvedge Spring Fair

2012-04-01T06:01:00.001-07:00

I went to Selvedge Spring Fair yesterday. Selvedge magazine is always one of my favourite craft magazines. And their fairs only select the best markers and designers in England to showcase their works. Therefore, I was so excited to participate as a visitor. It was a shame that I missed the one before X'mas. But this Spring Fair didn't make me disappointed. A lot of great exhibitors selling their designs in St. Augustine's Church Hall yesterday including my friend's label - Minus Sun. Yuka has been spending loads of her time on preparing this fair. The most eye-catching work this time must be the fabric doll with movable joints. She is a mini version of Yuka! I also discovered some cool textiles designers and jewelers there. Last but not the least, browsed at Selvedge Shop and found some amazing labels for my own works as well.

Mini Heatwave

2012-03-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

It's the end of March. It has been lovely weather for this whole week. I really enjoy sitting in the dinning room and watching the garden in the morning. Also I had great meal in Nordic Bakery a beautiful Scandinavian-style cafe in Soho last Saturday.

Back to London

2012-03-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

Came back from Hong Kong and Osaka last week. It was a dreamy trip for me. Haven't come back home for one year and nine months. I missed this little city very much. Many things have changed, but the weather hasn't. It was as humid as usual in Spring. Enjoyed my favourite Shanghai food, visited some old places in Central, caught up with my dear friends... After 10 days staying in Hong Kong, I had a short trip in Osaka, Japan with my family. This is a lovely city that I would love to travel again and again. Glad to meet my old friends there and travel Kyoto together. Those cherries/ plums and temples are as beautiful as the first time I saw in five years ago. I was also lucky enough to see Yajoi Kusama's exhibition in National Museum of Art, Osaka. Have to go to see the one in Tate Modern as well.

Linton Tweed Short

2012-02-18T07:18:00.000-08:00

Simple short made by Linton tweed fabric. Love the textures of the material. Linton has supplied fabrics to Chanel and lots of high-end fashion houses for many years. It's very nice that we can buy the couture range fabric from their online store now.

Cold Days

2012-02-11T03:53:00.000-08:00

Childrenswear

2012-01-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

After the New Year, I confirmed the date to fly back to Hong Kong. I'm also going to Osaka to visit an old friend and her family. Had been thinking what sorts of things I can bring to her family. As she has two very cute daughters, one at five and another at one, I decided to make some clothes for them.

I'm not so sure their sizes, so tried to design clothes which are easily fitted. At the end, I made a printed blouse for her five-year-old daughter. This light weight Liberty printed fabric inspired me to design a simple raglan sleeves blouse for her. For accessories, I made a pink origami flower hair band using silk organza. I also finished a little corduroy patch-work dress for the one-year-old girl. All buttons and waistband are adjustable so that she can still wear it when she's getting bigger.

It was my first time to make childrenswear. I found there are lot of fun but also challenging at the same time. I really hope they will like the garments I made for them.

New Year

2012-01-05T11:03:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful break in Paris in the New Year. I was so impressed in the Musée du Louvre. The interior atmosphere is totally breathtaking. Also visited many nice shops including the best concept store in Paris - Merci. Love the displays for Christmas. I wish I could visit it more often.

My New Chino

2011-12-18T04:45:00.000-08:00

Always dream of a pair of chino pants which fits me well. Taken a couple of weeks to finish this chino. New experiments on the box pleats and hidden belt loops details.

Before Christmas

2011-12-12T14:58:00.000-08:00

Minus Sun's stall in Bust Magazine Christmas Craftacular

Museum of Childhood

I was pretty busy in last couple of weeks with no time to update this blog. Blame on the Christmas, busy with shopping and making stuff...

On 27 November, I went to Bust Magazine Christmas Craftacular in York Hall, East London. It was a great event with lots of interesting stalls. After that, I visited V&A Museum of Childhood. There are so many adorable old toys and clothing. I was really inspired by those vintage graphics and hand made children-wear.

The following few weeks, I have been preparing Christmas presents for my friends. I finished a patchwork cushion cover and two leather pencil / glasses cases. Christmas is always exciting for everyone!

Liverpool

2011-11-13T04:46:00.001-08:00

Enjoyed a great trip in Liverpool yesterday. It was worthwhile visiting Alice in Wonderland exhibition in Tate Liverpool. A truly exciting exhibition showcasing Lewis Carroll's original manuscript, illustrations and photographs. I was also fascinated to see how the timeless novel has continued to inspired our modern art development. Last but not the least, lovely dinner in The Olive Press was the highlight of the trip.

Handmade In Britain

2011-10-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

Minus Sun

Pictures from www.emmadolan.co.uk

Pictures from www.wear-me.co.uk

Today is the last day of Handmade In Britain, The Contemporary Craft and Design Fair. I went to visit it as my friend Yuka's label Minus Sun showcased there. I was so surprised to see her new products after the Renegade Craft Fair. One of my favourites is the Christmas stocking. It's definitely an amazing present to everyone in this Christmas. She also made more collars with crochet and beading elements. They are really cool to match with crew-neck jumpers or cardigans.

In this event, I also found some interesting labels. Emma Dolan and Wear-Me are two of those. Emma uses Harris Tweed to make a lot of tea sets with classic and nostalgic prints. Wear-Me by Amma Gyan designs gorgeous jewellery and accessories by using leather. I really adore their creativity.

My new red corduroy shorts

2011-10-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

I finished a pair of new shorts for winter last week. The design is based on a pair of Long John from 1930s' that I found in Leftovers before. Love the curvy front yoke and the back adjusters, I decided to bring these details to this new design. I amended the patterns by adding front pleats and side pockets.

100% Cotton corduroy
Hidden button fly
Fastened by horn buttons

Vintage Cards

2011-10-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Some lovely vintage cards bought from Portobello Market. They are from Wayward, the same haberdashery stall in Brighton Market I visited last time.

Winter Sky

2011-10-18T14:12:00.000-07:00

Renegade Craft Fair in London

2011-10-08T14:26:00.000-07:00

Minus Sun

Gift Wrap H.Q

Alice Gabb

Art = Happy

The Drawing Machine

Craft Central

I visited Renegade Craft Fair in The Old Truman Brewery today. Happy to see my friend Yuka first exhibiting her own label Minus Sun there. It is a exciting event that shoppers can see more than eighty amazing independent makers selling their handmade goods in the fair including jewelry, clothing, prints, paintings, home-wares..... It is free-to-attend. Tomorrow will be the last day of this craft fair. Anyone who hasn't visited should check it out. Minus Sun will also showcase in Handmade in Britain from 28th to 30th in this month.

Summer again

2011-10-02T05:02:00.000-07:00

A lovely sunny weekend in Brighton. Walked along the seafront in the morning. Had great lunch and tea. Shopped in Brighton Flea Market. And enjoyed the sunshine in the late UK summer time.

Oxford

2011-08-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

Walters of Oxford, 10 Turl Street, Oxford, OX1 3DW

Lisciious, 125 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford, OX2 6AH

1920s Mary Jane Shoes and Hand-made underwear
All from Liscious.

Alice Liddell

Visited Oxford on a half-sunny and half-rainy day. I was surprised to discover two shops in this historic town. Walters the Man Shop, the menswear shop selling classic and new labels pluses modern and traditional hair-dressing department within a three-floor building. Liscious Interior is an antique shop on quiet Walton Street. Many quality antiques, art pieces and furniture are on sale now due to the shop relocation. I also went to Alice's Shop. Admiring for real Alice's clothing and her dreamy adventures, I'm obsessed with the amazing fairy tale after this trip.

New antique found

2011-08-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

Lovely antique camisole. Recent found from Portobello market. Love the Irish crochet and hand-embroidery.