20 09 2013

patchwork striped shirt dress

This is a cotton and linen shirt dress I’ve made for myself to wear when I show my work at fairs and exhibitions. The pattern is the same as the Controlling Girl’s shirt dresses’ but it has less detail as the striped pattern is busy. The white and pink stripes were made by patchwork so this dress is made of many many pieces of fabric! I’ve used my handmade trapped embroidery resin buttons for the front opening and covered buttons in matching pink fabric for the sleeves.

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14 09 2013

“minus the sun, night all day” story book

Hello, I am still alive. I wonder how many people have noticed but my website has been updated with a new design. And most importantly, “minus the sun, night all day” project is up! All the clothing pieces have been finished and posted on this blog already but the fabric story book and the illustrations haven’t been posted so go have a look!
The fabric book is made with navy and black cotton drill, and light weight calico between the pages. The spine is crocheted with black silk yarn. The round window on the front cover shows a light yellow fabric representing the moon. I’ve used beads and sequins for the embroidered illustrations which shine like stars in contrast to the dark fabric. The story is set sometime before the “You’re all mine. (You’re all in me.)” story and it’s about No.0 staying up all night and visiting each girl’s room.
I’ve made the design section with a dark background as well to go with the theme. You’ll find my handwritten design notes in white like chalk on blackboard.

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25 06 2013

Minus Sun introduction booklet

I’ve made this booklet when I was in Japan last month. It explains my concept, what I do, and who I am in Japanese. My brother will be making copies of it so he can have it in his shop with my works and hand out to customers. It will probably help people who are put off by my English-only website. Most of the writing is my handwriting. It is printed onto rough writing paper in A3 size and folded into a A6 size booklet. The last two images are the original data and I think you can recognise the charm of the rough writing paper which I’ve used to print on. You will find an image of my work and the illustration of the same look printed on the back side when you open it. It may be a good idea to make one in English as well. Also, my online store for Japan is ready so have a look if you’re in Japan. http://japan.minussun.co.uk

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07 06 2013

the Sensuous Girl’s black lingerie set

Hello, I am still alive. I’ve been back to my family home for a while to help out my brother’s second hand bookshop and of course enjoy Japan! I’m back to the UK now (yes, I’ve got my new visa) so I should be working on new projects but there are some leftover tasks for my brother and I’ve been planning to update my website for quite a while as well… I will get there eventually.

I haven’t blogged about these so here it goes. This is the Sensuous Girl’s look for “minus the sun, night all day” collection. It is a set of a bra, a pair of knickers, and a garter all in black. She seduces men and wears sensuous yet innocent-looking lingerie. I’ve made them in black, imagining her going out in the dark to meet her lover(s). The main fabric is cotton sateen and the hand crocheted frills are made of silk yarn. The bra uses cotton grosgrain ribbons for the shoulder straps, silver adjusters, and covered buttons as back fastening.

I think I have created and uploaded images of the full collection of “minus the sun, night all day” by this. I’m thinking to make the story book of this collection (it’s a Word document at this moment…) in some form as well but haven’t decided yet. Anyway, the clothes are all done. Hope you liked it.

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13 05 2013

the Passive Girl’s dress and apron set final ver.

This is the final version of the Passive Girl’s dress and apron set of “minus the sun, night all day”. The boat neck dress with French sleeves and a pleated skirt is made of light weight silk cotton in black. The neckline and armholes are hand finished with binding and the hem is hand finished so there are no visible stitches. The pullover apron is made of black light weight cotton with a textured stripe pattern and cotton drill fabric as the lining. It has hand crocheted silk trimmings all around the edge. There is a large jetted pocket at the front. I have styled the look with a neck cuff made of matching materials and a covered button.

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25 04 2013

the Passive Girl’s dress and apron set calico ver.

This is the calico version of the Passive Girl’s dress and apron set of “minus the sun, night all day” collection. It is a set of a pleated dress and a pullover apron. There are gaps between the wide neckline of the dress and the narrow neckline of the apron. The hem of the pleated skirt peeks out from the hem of the apron. The main dress has a boat neck, French sleeves and a low waisted pleated skirt. The neckline and sleeves are finished with binding. The apron has cotton ribbon trimmings and a large jetted pocket at the front.  The shoulder section crosses at the back and the hem is curved to reveal more of the pleated skirt.

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The main dress worn alone
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the dress neckline close up
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the apron pocket close up
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19 04 2013

the Self-Conscious Girl’s dress final ver.

Here is the final version of the Self-Conscious Girl’s dress of “minus the sun, night all day” collection. Her style is quite girlie and louder compared to the other girls’ since she likes dressing up, looking good, and taking care of herself.  Same to the calico version, the neckline is a deep V neck, front and back.  The skirt is shorter at the front and longer at the back.  The hem is bound with the same red fabric used for the top panels to emphasise the hemline. The chest panels are embroidered with French knots using silk thread in dusk pink, light orange, and silver grey representing a cluster of stars.

I’ve made it with my leftover fabrics so there are 5 different fabrics used for this tie strap dress. The top panels are made with cotton sateen in dark red and lined with linen in dark orange. The tie shoulder straps are made with white cotton fabric with textured lines. The first row of the skirt is made with cream cotton fabric with silver lines and the second row of the skirt is made with plain white cotton.

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13 04 2013

the Self-Conscious Girl’s dress calico ver.

This is the calico version of the Self-Conscious Girl’s dress of “minus the sun, night all day” collection. It is a romantic gathered dress with cotton ribbon straps at the shoulders. The hem has cotton ribbon trimmings as well. The neckline is a deep V neck, front and back. The skirt is shorter at the front and longer at the back. Blue and yellow dots are drawn in with fabric pens on the chest panels representing a cluster of stars. These will be done in embroidery in the final version.

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10 04 2013

the Dreamy Girl’s top and trousers final ver.

This is the final version of the Dreamy Girl’s look for “minus the sun, night all day” collection. The short sleeve top has a T-shirt silhouette but it is a little seductive with a hole at the chest. The loose fit 3/4 trousers are relaxed and cute with knitted cuffs. Many handicraft skills are used in this look, crochet, knitting, embroidery, and stitching.

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The top is made of off-white textured silk fabric and light orange cotton fabric aruond the neckline. The cut out crocheted section and the hanging strings with metal beads representing a dreamcatcher is made of cotton yarn. French knots are embroidered around the cut out section. The neckline, sleeves, and hem have cotton ribbon trimmings finished with blanket stitch in light orange.
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The trousers are made of stripy textured cotton fabric in baby blue and plain fabric at the waist. It has two pockets at the front and a round yoke at the bottom section. The waist is elasticated and has a cotton ribbon draw string. The hem is finished with blanket stitched cotton ribbon and ribbed cuffs made of silk/cotton yarn.
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29 03 2013

the Dreamy Girl’s top and trousers calico ver.

This is the calico version of the Dreamy Girl’s look of “minus the sun, night all day” collection. I like to design sleepwear or loungewear for her because she likes to stay inside her dream. For this collection, it’s a set of a short sleeve top and a pair of 3/4 length trousers. The top has a crocheted hole at the chest and ribbons hanging around the neckline representing a dreamcatcher. The neckline, sleeves, and the hem are trimmed with cotton ribbon. The trousers have an elasticated waist with drawstring ribbons and cuffs which are going to be knitted in the final version.

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