{CNY Special} Cheongsum for my bunny...

It's been a yearly tradition that I will custom made Chinese New Year cloths for my little girl. This Rooster year, has no exception too.

2014

My first attempt with Cheongsum started 3 years ago when I was learning to sew with Google tutorials (yes, Google). Being a total novice, I had only made some baby dresses & accessories, yet was daring enough to try out making Cheongsum. It was obviously amateur work, you may see the grey polkadot Cheongsum here (diy baby cheongsam) or the chuckle and scallop Cheongsum here (mad about cheongsam)

2015

Then, a year later I became bold and was attempting few vintage dresses that I came across while window shopping, or browsing online. I made a total of 3 pieces with my self-made pattern and the square neck red polkadots remain one of my favorites till today. You can see them all 

here (spring dresses for my little bunny)

2016

Came last year, I decided to go hybrid. I made one piece of Cheongsum (with a cuteness overload pink kitty fabric!) and some English dresses which I have pretty much mastered by now (or so I love to think so :)). You may view the handmades here (cny special petite spring dresses) or just as shown below..

2017

Finally, this year. Despite I was tied up with work, I managed to push my lazy bones to produce 2 Cheongsum that i am pretty satisfied with, with high collar and long zipper to easy fitting. My little bunny absolutely loved her new CNY dresses and was proudly parading around. :))

The first Cheongsum. Love the lollipop and candy prints on this fabric. Bought them from US Joanne store years ago and finally put it to good use. This modern print gives an interesting twist to an otherwise ordinary Cheongsum pattern.

I added a candy button on the back of the dress for some extra cuteness. :)

Here's the second dress, using Michael Miller designer fabric combined with silver tutu skirt as bottom. I love using 100% designer cotton as they are soft & comfy even after many washes. I decided to use contrasting grey bias tape and I thought it turns out pretty nice, doesn't it? ;-)

The Accesorries 

Notice the colorful zipper? They give some fun feeling to the dresses. I found the knot buttons for RM10 for 3 pairs at the local sewing supplies store and have successfully used up 2 pairs. Thank goodness I have hoarded lots of fabric and have few yards of reds available. I still have some beautiful Sarah Jane and Micheal Miller fabrics that I am keeping for later use. They are just so adorable that I could not lay my scissors on them. I just took them out of the box, admire, then store them back again. Silly, I know.. But I could not help it. :P

Oh, and if you like to have some handmade buttons with matching fabric, you can buy the manual button maker from daiso for just RM5.30, comes in various sizes and refills.

The Design 

The Cheongsum design was inspired by this knit Cheongsum that Big Guy bought from the store. I used it as a base to trace the pattern and added 2" extra on the sides since I'm using non-stretchable cotton fabric. It is quite easy to make, really, took me about 4 hours to complete each of the dress and each requires about 1 yard of fabric and 1 pack of bias tape.

That's all folks. If you love sewing and is an amateur like me, I encourage you to keep trying and don't feel intimidated. Just start off first with some cheaper fabric and when you have gathered enough confidence (through enough trials),only then move on to your beautiful fabric collection.

All the 9 CNY dresses I've made for the my little C, which is your favorite? :)

Keep calm and keep sewing..

Love,

PH 

Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

It's Snow White in the House

Little C has been asking for a Snow White dress ever since the teacher in the kindie introduced them to children fairy tales. 

"Mommy, can I be Snow White for the Halloween party?", she asked me one day.

I had not decided if we are participating in the party this year, but I figured I can still design her a princess dress since she was really eager for one. When she asked she had sparkles in her eyes, like those Manga comic girl. How could I say no to her?

It was my childhood dream to be a Disney princess, in fact I believe it is all girls' dream to be a princess, even just for a day? *smile* so I see no reason not to fulfill her wish.

I checked through my very neatly organized fabric shelves (that will be a new post for another day), and found few fabrics that look perfect to make a Snow White's dress. Luckily I'm a fabric hoarder. *laugh* 

After researching few princess dress patterns, I decided to design my own. Since I don't have any plain red fabric, I substituted with red ribbons instead. 

Here I present to you, Snow White, the simplified version. 
Another Made by PH.

Elastic back and shoulder straps making it easy for C to put on the dress by herself. 

She absolutely loved it...

Twirl and twirl..

Deeply in love with her new dress...

The hair clips I made for her and her little friends last week in gold and dark blue matches her dress perfectly! 

Glad you love it, my sweetie pie... ❤️

Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials/photos within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

{Made by PH} Little Forest Friend Dress

The duo slept early last night, the laundry was done, hub was busy with his work, so what should I do?

I sew. My personal therapeutic session. LOL.

I took out an existing pattern that I designed during Chinese New Year, and made this dress for my girl, using little Forest Friends fabric which I purchased direct from US nearly a year ago.

Paired it with a lovely pink ribbon and tiny floral buttons. 

She was so delighted when I showed her the new dress the next morning, "look, he's eating!", she spotted one little squirrel munching a nut, "and the frog is smiling!", indeed this is one happy fabric. 

She started reading right away, refused to take the dress off. I am totally fine with that.

When you're happy, I'm happy.

Xoxo

PH

{Repurpose} Little Dolly Dress from Daddy's Tee

Big Guy cleared up a big bag of old shirts from his closet and said its up to me what I want to do with them. I would like to "do something" indeed, but I just could not find time to work on it. There seems to be endless work and chores and things to do. If only I have 48 hours in a day, if only I can have a day all to myself, if only I am not so greedy to want to try so many things. If only.

Anyway, enough dreaming. Since the duo fell asleep early last night, I grabbed that chance to take a look into the bag, and found one of his Microsoft Tech Ed tee that he got in 2003. Haha it is old alright! But as that shirt was probably only wore once and very well kept, it looks good as new.

Inspiration strike, and I made this.

The Little Dolly dress.

My sweetie pie was extremely happy when she saw her new dress.

Would not stop dancing.

I added a pair of fluffy sleeves, these sleeves looks good on any girl's dress, like a little fairy who camouflages as little girl to bring us tons of happiness. 

I also added a butterfly appliqué in front to cover up the Tech Ed sign. It was an impromptu addition  but I thought it looks perfect, especially nowadays she is so fond of butterfly after we brought her to the Penang butterfly farm.

And this is the original shirt. Oh-so Booooring. :P

I folded it in half, traced according to her existing dress and I then bid good bye to the old Tech Ed shirt. You may noticed I traced the dress upside down as I thought It looks nicer with the leafy print at the bottom than on the chest.

Thanks Micorosoft for sponsoring this dolly dress for my sweetie pie. :)

So do you have any old T waiting to be re-discovered too? Hope this post give you some inspirations too. 

Stay calm and sew on.

Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

{Made by PH} Little Pirate Dress for my little Miss Pirate

November is more than a month away, but in anticipation of my busy work schedule which will last till the end of the year, I decided to start making my little girl's birthday dress early. When I asked her what she would like to be (I expected standard answer - princess), she actually yelled, "I want to be a pirate!".

Well, well, Miss Pirate it is. I don't see why a girl cannot be a pirate if she desires so. 

Lucky her, I found some really beautiful fabric in a handmade bazaar and hence the creation of this dress for her. I still have many beautiful fabrics waiting to be discovered, call me a fabric-maniac, I just cannot resist!



Here it is, the Little Pirate Dress

I really love the print with cute little pirates beaming in smile. A perfect print for a birthday girl. 

I paired the dress with an anchor ribbon, thanks to those who casted your vote, I decided to used this anchor print instead of plain red ribbon. Good choice huh? :)

It is a little short on her, I have yet to decide if I should attach a layer of red ruffled at the bottom. I shall think about it one of the weekends.

*updated*

I made her a pair of matching short too, using the left over fabric. isn't it looking oh so cute? ;)

Love these candy buttons.

My little handsome is not left out, I custom made a pirate T for him using the same fabric, check it out here!

If you need more inspiration, here is the pirate theme clothing I made for my duo 2 years back. This time, I shall only do better. *determined mode switched on*



Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials/photos within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

{Repurpose} Little Bali Dress for my Little Girl

I got a pair of Bali pants that is way too long for me, well I'm a S size you see and the pants is an L, so i look like I'm mopping the floor when I wore it on. 

After trimming the excess off, I realize the pattern on the fabric is really beautiful, it's symmetrical! Since I have another few inches of excess grey fabric I cut off from one of my maxi dress, I decided to join them up and make a new piece for my little girl.

And it is gorgeous when put togehhter!

I added a little black ribbon in the front 

The cross cross on the back. I wanted to make it a halter neck at first but I thought it's more comfortable this way.

My bunny girl looking so cute in her new Bali dress... Doing some dance moves here :) 

The making? It's really easy, the picture below explains it all.

Another easy peasy repurpose project, done! ;)

Happy crafting...

Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials/photos within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

{Made by PH} Fly Away with the Balloons dress

I made a pillowcase dress using this beautiful Sarah Jane Children at Play Balloons Aqua about a year back, when I just learnt sewing and pillowcase dress is one of the simplest pattern to make. 

Well, I got bored of the dress design but I still love this beautiful print, who could resist pretty little girl and white rabbit flying away with the colorful balloons? It's like wearing a piece of a  children fairy tale on you. So I decided to refashion it by giving it butterfly sleeves. 

Isn't it beautiful? :)

The butterfly sleeves (I just decided to name it as such!) is a random design that combines satin ribbon and plain pinkish cotton. I thought its best to keep the sleeves plain and simple, don't steal the limelight from the print on the bodice.

Little matching brooch with the left over fabric and ribbons.

This is the original dress I made for my little bunny. Just FYI, pillowcase is one of the simplest design suitable for beginner, give it a try if you have any unwanted pillowcase or just half a yard of fabric. 

So remember, the next time you got bored of your old design, don't let them rot in the wardrobe, just refashion them.  ;)

Interested with the fabric by Sarah Jane? Check it out here from fabric.com (yes I ordered mine from online fabric stores, designer fabric doesn't come cheap but they are so worth it)

Want to make a pillowcase dress? Tutorial available here from Jaime at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mon.

Happy crafting!

Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials/photos within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

{Tutorial} Little Bubble Dress, repurposed from mommy's dress

Do you have any maternity dresses that you are certain that you won't be needing them anymore? I had a couples left behind and sitting in the storage box for past 2 years..

So instead of letting them rot slowly, I am on a mission to repurpose them into something pretty for my little girl, and this is the second creation of my mission. The first creation is this halter princess dress.

The little bubble dress.

It's made of knit fabric in thin black lines. I thought it looks a little plain so added 2 little red ribbons which really stand out beautifully.

Fits perfectly on my little bunny girl.

Why do I call her my bunny girl? Not a moment that she can sits still. Almost all photos of her are blurry.

In total in only took me about 40 minutes to complete this dress as the ruffle is ready made and only minimal sewing required. Read on the pictorial guide and you will see why it's such a simple project.

Here goes the super easy TUTORIAL.

Step 1: pin & sew

I adjusted the width according to my girl's existing dress, make adjustment according to your toddler.

Step 2: cut & hem

Keep the extra as you'll need it for the straps later.

Step 3: pin & sew

Step 4: cut shoulder straps

The extra pieces from step 2 comes handy now.

Step 5: sew straps & turn

Step 6: pin, sew & decorate

I used red ribbons to create contrasting visual effect, but you can also opt to use buttons, crochet flowers or just leave it as is.

That's it, the little bubble dress is READY!!

I'm happy that my little girl can now wear a piece of what used to be mommy's maternity dress. :)

Happy crafting!

Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials/photos within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.