Greenwich Market

Sometime ago .. my husband took me to London again. We went to Greenwich Market to see some handcrafted stuff and to look around. First we took the tube but in the middle of our journey..we need to switched into British Railways because they blocked the line for some reasons. Supposed to be a short journey instead lost half a day just to reach Greenwich.

When we arrived we walked straight to the market. I was so amused!!! It was the first (hopefully not the last) time I visited the market. I looked here and there... totally get taken over by what I've seen. My husband didn't took much picture though. Bcoz he used to sell his own stuff there so for him ..Greenwich is such an ordinary administration.

Greenwich market not just full of handcraft stuff but also exquisite food (homemade food). You won't manage to decide what to eat there like me. In the end we went outside the market to have some meal. Chinnese food by the way!

in front of London souvenir shops

Sept 2010.. I already put on my winter jacket

It was quite a nice short break for me eventhough we slept at the Stansteid airport the night before.

When Recycled call

At least for 3 solid days I locked myself at home to finish my "Recycled project". That happened bcoz I don't know where to put all my fabric scrap. Beside these pieces are beautiful taffeta fabric. So I made the pattern.. I choose to make bustier/strapless top..whatever you can call it coz I thought is very sexy and good looking on most woman.

These two are the pictures of my sewing studio in Bologna-Italy.

Couldn't help myself not to dig 'em out of the wardrobe.

And this one is pic of my finish project.

Color me Bad dress

There were times when taffeta fabric is easy to find around where I live. But now I find it hard to look for . My collection of taffeta slowly slowly gone... meaning I used them all. Only remain some pieces here and there. Yesterday I had this idea to construct my left over into a dress. The colors are contrast to each other but I thought I give it a go. I chose this pattern (which I created) bcoz one dress can consist a few pieces so I don't need to have an intact fabric in that case. Most of the pieces comes from my (never worn) long pants.. the one I made for the sake of practicing and From the dress which (never even cross in my mind to wear it) I made to....errr.. practicing again ;D Here it is... I love the result. Anyway.. this dress makes me eager to dig out my fabric stash to upcycle them into something. Save the world ..right!?

Visit Asia 2010

Practically I just returned to Europe after more than 2 months spent an adventourous moment in Asia (Thailand-Malaysia-Indonesia). Most of the time we actually travelling around Thailand while we stayed in Indonesia only for 2 weeks... and visit Malaysia only at the border to stamp the visa ;D.

This picture taken in an Island around Thailand (Ko Hai)

Rain forest Thailand

happy and healthy kitten

The Fact about Silk Dupioni

I just realized that I didn't give much descriptions on my SILK DUPIONI wrap bolero before. Forgive my ignorance. So.. this is the fact about Silk Dupioni that I learnt : Dupioni Silk (also spelled Duppioni) is produced by reeling silk fibers from two silk worms that have spun one cocoon together and usually produces a rough yarn. Therefore, irregularity in sheerness or weight, sometimes referred to as bands or shadings, is characteristic of dupioni silk fabric. Black specks which occasionally appear in dupioni silk fabric are part of the original cocoon of the silk worm. Removing them would not only weaken the fabric but destroy part of its beauty and character. These characteristics are inherent to dupioni silk fabric and should not be considered as defects in weaving. Dupioni is sometimes called “shantung”, “pongee” or “raw silk”. How to treat it : While dry-cleaning is generally recommended for silk dupioni, it is possible to hand wash sections of silk dupioni fabric before the material is cut and used in a pattern. When washed by hand, there is the chance of some shrinkage, and the fabric will most likely lose some of the crisp texture and a portion of the shimmering effect. For finished products constructed with silk dupioni, dry cleaning is definitely the best means of freshening the material.

Cropped White Faux Fur Jacket

Since the last time I worked with faux fur.. It was quiet long ago. It is not that easy..nor difficult but surely tricky to work with. Especially if you have a respiration problem though. I don't have one but the fur fly all over the place. Stuck on everywhere. I cough alot coz I breath it. A bit of a nightmare... I couldn't wait to finish the work. Today I would like to share my "crop faux fur jacket" project with very simple pattern.

STEP 1 : When you lay your pattern..make sure you do it on the wrong side of the fabric. Otherwise you end up cutting out the fur. Also.. notice where the fur nap direction. They need to go to the same direction. Check this link if you need more explanation :http://www.ehow.com/how_2106522_cut-sew-fake-fur.html

STEP 2 : After you cut all.. start to put all the pieces together. Like puzzle ;). Remember to sew from the wrong side of the fabric. Trim the fur all along the seam allowance before you set down on your machine. Otherwise will hard for the machine to work when it's too bulky.

STEP 3: Construct the lining with the same pattern. I always use this method for lining the jacket : http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4366/bag-your-jacket-lining

Final look of my cropped jacket. With bell shape sleeves. Not bad..eh?!

Fur jacket always nice with wide collar ^.^

Free Fly

A week ago I fell from 3meter high to the floor. Apparantly I hit the floor with my bump first then my back and back of my head. When I realize what happened.. I already lay down on the floor with dislodge arm. My husband rushed to take me to emergency. I was there in the hospital for like 6 hours. It was monday and busy day. I couldn't stay but I need to stayed!. So finally they X-ray me.. whole body but not my arm. Which healed by miracle! ^.^ I went home... feeling boneless. I stayed silent for a few days but managed to pull myself back together. Started sewing and feel happier. The day after..my husband replace the board on our brand new floor bcoz it's spoiled. Oh well.. sh**t happen sometimes..

This pic taken the day before the accident. I was just enjoying the new floor...

LRD New Year Eve 2010

I always wished for a red dress. Finally got the time to construct one. The cut is pretty easy. The sleeve basically is just a rectangular cut where practically I attached it on the sleeve hole more or less consider they don't match each other. To fit them together.. I pleat the sleeve (to gather a wide piece of fabric to a narrower circumference).

I still have left over red fabric. What d' ya think of another LRD???

Happy New Year 2010 everyone!

Tips ruffles

Hello everyone.. Here's I would like to show how simply ruffles can transform a plain garment into something Fab.

step 1: cut a fabric strip. Along the grain or cross grain shouldn't be a problem. Not in my case though.

step 2: stitch in the middle ..along the way like in the pic.. lower the tension into number 0 and choose the biggest stitch length (usually it's number 4)

step 3 : Pull the bobbin thread while sliding it forward aswell until it form ruffle.

step 4: attach the ruffle on to the plain garment. On my project.. I attached them all along until it covered all the surface.

This is the final garment. I'm happy with the result but I decided to share this only piece with you on http://ritney.etsy.com

The Inspired piece part II

The shape of this bolero is very..very much similar with Valentino's original piece. I chose to made it in off white to balance up my shop color.

Took me a while to gather the ruffle and again.. work with slippery satin is not an easy task.

Same same but different

These two top are my favorites. With 'em on you .. you don't need to dress up to much. Keep clean and simple and you ready to hit the party scene ^.^

the material is very soft.. comfortable and stretchy.

I made something like this before ..friends and relatives adore it. So I thought I would like to share with you. The material is very limited. I couldn't find it the last time I went to London. Therefore makes this piece rather unique.

The Inspired piece

Hello everyone... When I went to Harrods London... I saw a beautiful black bolero made by Valentino that cost an arm and a leg. I thought it was silk but the shop assistance said its polyester. Then I came back to Bologna and made this one. Not exactly the same coz this one is more special made by Ritney. Took me a while to gathered the ruffle. and it wasn't the easiest thing in the world to work with slippery satin. But worth it. I'm happy with the result.

Welcome to a new comer

I just arrived back in Bologna and the comune there invite me to a welcome party for a new citizen. So there I was show off with Italian flag ^.^ The dress made by myself. I supposed to put on my pump shoes instead.. but I lost 'em somewhere around the house. I spoiled my entire look ;(

London Trip

hello everyone.. I just got back from fabrics shopping trip in London. Bcoz in my mind they have more latest stuff than anywhere.. so there I went. I brought back around 50kg of fabrics. Most of them are elastic. I went around for my fav taffetta but they didn't have. What a shamed. I ended up bought Silk Dupion though.

I stayed there for a week. Get incredible amused with the city. Very cosmopolitan. Love it! Wish to come back again and grab more supply..hahah

The weather was alright for London. Rain a bit in the morning and the sun came up gradually... and then rain again..lol

The other good thing about it is that I get alot of inspiration for my http://ritney.etsy.com/

but can't say anything yet since I haven't get my time set up for creating things. Shame on me!

Please check back later ^.^

RECYCLE Vintage Leather BAG

A while ago someone gave me a soft vintage leather jacket which was horrible. But b'coz its material so I thought I keep it. In case. Today when I'm feeling low.. I get the idea to make a bag out of it. Maybe can also give you an inspiration how to recycle thing. Now get your scissor ready.. So I dismantle everything on the jacket. Pieces and pieces.. doesn't need to be a perfect cut of piece. We are having fun here.. don't complicate your life..let your scissor take the rest. Then re-sew the pieces on top of each other into a one big piece. I folded in two and sew the side edges. It is recommended to use thread for a jeans.. basically strong thread than normal. Put the handle on the side and insert the lining (optional). I don't do zipper or pocket. I attach snap button though..also recycle from an old crap. Oh well.. at least the old jacket now has a new life until I get bore and wish for a new bag. So today moral lesson is not to throw away an old junk. Recycle them if possible. This world we are living in already occupied with rubbish. Lets together make a better living. What you need : -Any leather junk -scissor -Thread -fabric for lining (optional) -sewing machine (optional)..you still can sew by hand though. -willing..

Loop turning TIPS

Have you ever in a difficult situation of trying to turn the loop??? weather your about to making some straps or anything?Especially when the loop is stitch close on the end of it. Today I would like to share a little tips how to turn the loop..easily ^.^

Start with attaching a safety pin in the middle.. on the end of the strap

Then sew.. right side facing. All the way down till the end.

After you finish sewing.. push or pull up the safety pin (which now inside the loop already). Until you complete the turning. At this point you finish your turning. Iron your strap..Top stitch all around... and your strap ready to use.

I use this method to make straps for my obi belt. http://ritney.etsy.com

Have a really nice day for all the happy women outhere.

Balloon Skirt

Hello... I made a balloon skirt the other day. I would like to share a bit how. It is very easy project. Trace the pattern from any simple/basic skirt pattern you able to find. You don't need an exact measurement. The bigger the better to get "baloon effect". Cut the fabric. Make pattern for the lining by reducing the bottom length around 10cm. Add seam allowance. Sew together skirt and lining. Right side facing. Leave the top part un sewn.

For the ballon effect : Attach the elastic (more or less 90cm) on the seam allowance. The point where you sewn together skirt and lining. Now for the top part.. U may want to attach the waistband. Or insert the elastic on it. Or even better finish the skirt with drawstring method. Anyhow. It is fun easy project.

work out well with taffeta fabric. Any rigid fabric can do aswell. Feel free to try with different ways.

I wore the skirt for the Idul Fitri party. I received many compliments for such a simple effort. In the picture I wore the skirt with a large belt. Next time I'll try drawstring instead of plain waistband.

Every kitten

Do you recognise the cute face on the picture? It's kitten. The reason I stop my bike when I went back from the dentist. I find it impossible to walk by one without say hi...huhuhuhuhu.......... Currently I don't have one. We live in a flat. It is unfair for kitten to live in a cubical place. Unfair for human aswell..

Wrap it on

I always feel like wearing something easy for summer. Another continuation from "Faces" fabric. Wrap skirt.. just wrap it around ur hip.

Rose Applique

check it on http://ritney.etsy.com

It' s been going on in my mind. About how to make a fabric flower applique. Search a lot on the net. Finally I figure out one easy way. Cut a long strap.. fold it in half ..length wise. Stitch with basting stitch along the length wise. Pull the bottom thread till it create ruffle. From this point you can start making the flower.I attached it onto my Slip&Go bag. What d' ya think?