Fabric Labels

I cannot begin to tell you how rapt I was to get these fabric labels in the post.  

I recently discovered that a friend in Brisbane prints out labels for people like myself.  There are so many companies out there that do fabric labels but it is all very confusing when decided on all the elements.  With my friend it was straight down the line and she knew what I was after, including approximate sizing.

Now my lady sized skirts have a little tag on the side...

...and little girl skirts have my mark on the outer back of them.

I seriously could not be more pleased.

And now it's Pajama Bags...

I'm always on the look out for something new to sew.  My latest sewing time has been put to use by sewing Pajama Bags.  When I was a young girl, I had a PJ Bag which would hang on the end of my bed and each morning I would put my nightie in it.  When a Facebook Fan (& a mum from school) suggested Pajama Bags, I thought yeah, what a cool idea.  So, I got sewing, using pieces of fabric which I had spare.  

Each bag is lined with a contrasting or matching fabric, and then can tightly close using a ribbon-drawstring!

I very much love the Monkey Pirates!

I had quite a few tries getting the ribbon opening just right so the first one was given to Monet (who loves it!) and I have a parcel to send off to my nephew and two nieces next week (with new pyjamas!)

I hope they like and use them like my girls do.

I Made Myself a Bag...

...and Monet liked it so much I offered to make her one too.  This one is going to be her 2013 Library Bag at school.

I used fabric which I had been holding on to for 18 months, left over from a skirt I made myself with material I had bought from a Japanese Fabric store in Barcelona.   I do anything to be walking through those doors again...  *heehee*

The Perfect Fabric

Ever since I made bunting for Monet's room, I had promised Lily I would make her some too.  That was a while ago now, but it had always been in the back of my mind... ...mustmakebunting... ...mustmakebunting...

On a trip to Spotlight a week or so ago, Monet and I both spotted some mermaid 'fat flats' (roughly pre-cut and folded squares).  Perfect.

It took a little motivation but I did get around to making some bunting for my baby.  And it turned out terrific. 

She loves it but I am sure I love it more.  Perfect for my Mermaid-loving three year old.

After a self-imposed sewing break....

.... I started sewing again.  It had been a few weeks, but over that time I have been inspired to get back on the sewing machine and try a few new things.

Yesterday, following an online tutorial, I made a lined zippered pouch.  I was very excited to see that it actually worked out!

So, I sewed some more.

Top right one is for Monet to use as a school pencil case.

The bottom two pouches had to be zippered using invisible zips, due to me only having those type.  Not the best type to use in the pouches so I feel another trip to Spotlight is on the cards to purchase some 'normal' zips.

They're simple and fun to make so I suspect that I will be making many (many) more in the very near future.

Chevron

I love colours, I always have.  Sure I might not always pull colours off when I wear them but I know with my skin tone and hair colour that bold colours can work on me, rather than pale.  I am also a girl who likes stripes and chevron patterns.  So when I spied this lovely Chevron fabric my friend was offering from her fabric store in Brisbane, I snapped it up.  

It's a safe, be seen kind of skirt.  I love it.

I had enough fabric remaining to make a girl-sized skirt, which worked out beautifully.  

It is still listed for sale so some lucky little girl (aged 7-8-9) will be the fortunate owner of this skirt some day.

A Productive Sewing Week

I never thought I would actually follow through on a project that I found on 'Pinterest' (google if you must), but the double-sided headbands I had pinned onto my board drew me in.  I found the instructions easy to follow (a miracle for me) and gave it a go, using my scrap material.  

All lined up and ready to sew.  Fun!

This was my result!  

Monet loves them and they just fit her (they are aimed at ages 8+) so she's bagged a couple, which she wears proudly.

My other project this week was to make complete outfits for girls.  And of course Miss Lily is my model (and my inspiration).   I spruced up a tshirt adding rosettes and buttons and Lily adored it.  You little ripper.

After a successful showing to my mother and sister-in-law via iPhone I decided to do a complete outfit for my Lily.  The photo below has had 600+ hits on Facebook so I think I could be onto something (or probably because the just-about-3-year-old is impossibly cute!)

I am hoping they are a success, as I have just posted my first available whole outfit on my Page.  =)

Skirts for Little Girls....

It started with a 'one off' and a 'tester' skirt, made especially for Monet.  And now it has snowballed into my obsession and I just love making them for my girls and for sale...

And then the last time I visited Spotlight (fabric store), I spied a little gadget that helps you make fabric rosettes.  Awesome little gadget it is too.  With a button sewn into the centre of the rosette and then hand sewn into the corner of the skirt front, I think it really finishes them off.

I think I am addicted to looking at fabric too.  Online or in stores.  Oh there is so many lovely fabrics out there and I am always on the look out for something a little different.  When I spied the fabric below I knew it would make a gorgeous skirt.  I think it ended up looking more gorgeous than I possibly imagined.  Definitely a favourite and both girls have said they want one each.  Lucky they have a mother who is obliged to make them one each....

I have listed all these skirts on my Facebook page (link on the right) and are priced at $25 each.  I'm sure you must know of a little girl (sized either Small, Medium or Large) who'd love one?  *wink wink*

Traveling The World In Skirts

I love the series of skirts I have made involving travel.  Many (many) moons ago (ahem, about 10 years ago), I vividly remember seeing this woman in Chapel Street (in Melbourne) wearing this gorgeous A-Line skirt which was covered in 'Dublin Doors'.  

(Thanks to Google Images)

(I'm always on the hunt for the same fabric so if anyone knows where I can purchase some, point me in the right direction can you?)  When I wear my 'London' skirt I think of the skirt that initially inspired me. 

I love wearing my 'I Love Paris' skirt.  It reminds me of the times we have visited previously.

I am yet to wear this skirt, 'New York, New York'.  I love it too, but I haven't ventured to that city (yet) and feel a little hypicritical if I was to wear it.

I too love this following skirt, but as I haven't visited NY, I feel I can't wear it.  Silly, I know, but I might actually make myself one in this fabric because it is striking.  (And I love anything a little different.)

I do wear this one, 'Return to Sender'.  I love me a bit of blue. =)

New Skirts

I am happy to say that I have started to sew again and it feels great!  I'm still only selling via my Monet & Lily Threads Facebook page but all in due time I am planning on my own Web Page if all goes well.  I have business cards now too (ooo getting professional) and in the pipeline is a special Mother's Day Market happening in this neck of the woods which I am planning on having a stall at.  

Anyway, listed this week are two new fabrics in skirts.  

'Sweet Teacups'...

and 'London's Brilliant', my current personal favourite.  

My first, like, you know, 'Proper' Market Stall.

Well,with a bit of nervousness and much determination, I had my first market stall last Friday. I put my lovingly made skirts 'out there' for the public to ponder through.

I had been invited by someone to sell my skirts at a Christmas Bazaar, held in the area we live in, between the three current compounds. I jumped at the chance and got myself organised in the week leading up to the event.

As MrL had to work in the morning of the market (which ran from 10am till Midday), it was I who had to work out how to get my skirt rack from our villa to where it needed to be and organise two young girls to come with me.  I need not have worried - IKEA furniture is made to come apart and with a spare Allen Key (which I found in MrL's tool box), I had disassembled the rack and put it up again!

The Market itself was rather quiet, but busy enough for me to sell 10 skirts within those two hours.  Not a bad couple of hours work.  The girls were really well behaved, entertaining themselves with some snacks I had brought along and a couple of toys they had brought along.  My mate Kaz visited and entertained the girls for half an hour or so which was greatly appreciated.

This Thursday evening I am having another stall at the British Embassy Christmas Market.  I am actually looking forward to it and hopefully I will sell quite a few skirts to justify that extra glass of wine I will indulge in at our 'Abu Dhabi Family' Christmas party on Friday evening....

Celebrating UAE National Day at School

Last Friday, December 2nd, the United Arab Emirates celebrated their 40th Birthday.  In 1971 all the head honchos from seven emirates sat down, chatted and ultimately decided to form the United Arab Emirates, where the previous seven emirates united as one. Well, something like that. The Head guy who formed all this was Sheihk Zayed. Around these parts he is a legend. Zayed's son, Sheikh Khalifa, is the Current ruler of the UAE and his grandson is the President. I think. It gets confusing. But everywhere you go in the UAE, you do see those three portraits standing side by side. Every school, every shopping center, IKEA even. Even on the road between Abu Dhabi and Dubai there is a gigantic portrait of Sheikh Zayed. I'm glad we weren't here when he died in early November of 2004. I'm pretty sure there was weeks of mourning. But anyway...

SO... the UAE love to make an excuse to let their hair down (literally) on December 2nd every year. This year, with the country turning 40, most people pulled out all stops.  Schools do celebrating of some kind and I was pleased that Monet's school did a presentation again, with parents invited.   I too was pleased that my mum and dad were still about to witness the celebrations, especially at school.

Last Wednesday students were encouraged to wear the colours of the Emirates, being white, red, green and black to school. Well, how could I not make the 7 year old her own camel skirt to mark the occasion?

It was great to see the kids line up on the ground and the local children put on a demonstration of their culture.

Personally, I was waiting for the 'hair swishing' dance, which didn't disappoint.  (It is a dance performed by pre-pubescent females where they move their brushed long locks from side to side in time to the funky music.)

During the day the school set up a few activities for the children to participate in.  Again, parents were invited to go along at your child's pre-set time to take photographs and join in.  It was good fun, especially watching some of the male teachers trying to participate in the male Emirate dancing.  Pretty sure some of those teachers were born with two left feet.   Some of the local men found it rather hilarious.

A thrill for me, was seeing a few of my 'Abu Dhabi' skirts around the playground, being worn by teachers (three in total) and a couple of yummy mummies. *wink wink*  Yeah, that's me on the left.

Monet got to ride a camel too, along with her Year 7 'reading buddy'.   Not sure who was more thrilled in witnessing this - myself or her grandparents.

Another successful National Day celebration tucked under the belt.  Pretty sure it was the best yet.  After all, it's not every year you turn 40.

Santas, Rainbows and Limes.

I thought I'd share with you a few of my latest skirt fabrics. And it seems as if these three are hits, which I am most pleased about. I've had positive feedback and have sold one of each of the new ones already - even when I have a choice of over 25 different fabrics/designs.

I was very excited to find this Christmas fabric.  I just love it and am waiting eagerly for December to roll in so I can wear mine!

I only made the next skirt, named Rainbow, yesterday and sold one straight away.  As I very much loved the fabric, I made one for myself and got some lovely comments from friends (in the flesh and online), which is all very encouraging.  

'A Touch of Lime' was sold to a friend whilst it was still sitting there in pins.

I have another 'Skirt Party' next weekend at a friend's place, with an ever growing list of guests, so fingers crossed for a successful sales day.  *wink wink*

Presenting...

My skirt business is turning more official, with a new name and a new logo. I'm very pleased/excited/rapt to present to you, 'Monet&Lily threads'.  The initials M&L are significant to us here at biglittlesister, I'm pretty sure you can work out why.

I still have bigger and better plans but having this logo has really got the ball started. It is exciting times ahead for me and I hope all does go to plan.

I'm seeing 'my' skirts out and about now, being worn by their new owners. I've sold over 85 now since August, can you believe it?  As far as I know too, my skirts are now being worn by people in Australia, Malta, Germany, England, Jamaica and here in the UAE!  I have orders too coming in, as people want certain skirts (namely my Camel one) to be sent back to their homelands as Christmas gifts for friends and relatives.   I'm chuffed, truly, I am.  (I'm also very busy! Whoopie!)  :)

A Camel in a Flower Bed. *lol*

I can't say I could be any happier with my little skirt business. Every week I seem to get busier, but I have the sewing down pat and can whip up a skirt in next to no time.

I bought some new fabric last week, which seems to be a hit with the customers; aptly named (by me) 'Flower Bed' Skirt. You like?

One of my most popular skirts that I have sold is my 'signature' skirt, named the 'Abu Dhabi Skirt'. I offer it in a red fabric or a beige fabric, both with black camels. Remember? However yesterday I gained an order from a girlfriend of a white skirt with a beige camel.

It turned out really well and I think I may just add it to my regular range. I already have some interest in it.  You like?

Scooting Around Town

I gave myself a day off from sewing today, but I wonder how long this will last... *heehee* I have had a rather unusual and busy week this week, which is always good, as the 'norm' can get repetitive, can't it?

I had my first 'Skirt showing/sales Party' yesterday.  My awesome buddy Nat, who works at an Embassy here in Abu Dhabi organised a gathering of female co-workers and invited me to bring in my skirts, so they too, could purchase skirts, like Nat does, off me.  (She was one of my first customers and owns four or five now...)  With all my skirts placed lovingly into two suitcases my assistant (let's call her Lily) and I drove into the Embassy for our 9:30am gathering.

So whilst my assistant Lily sat QUIETLY. ON. THE. COUCH. FOR. OVER. AN. HOUR. I chatted to 'clients' and helped them with sizing etc.,  A successful hour it was, with 14 sales and eight orders of skirts.  Not bad eh?

I really think I have stumbled across this 'skirt party' idea, as the majority of women like a decent length skirt but they are so hard to come by in this current trend and can't find any that are within budget, size and a bit out of the norm.  I had a lot of positive feedback from the women there, which was really encouraging.  My mate Nat, gets to chose a 'freebie' skirt in her size for organising the little shin-dig, but she's yet to choose.  She may be waiting for me to finish up on the 'Scooter' skirt...