Arguably, one of the main advantages of knowing how to sew is never spending thousands of dollars on designer clothing. Sure, it doesn’t entirely alleviate the temptation of copping a few garments from Moda Operandi, but there’s definitely a level of pride in thinking, ‘hey, I could totally make that.’ Over the years, my skills in pattern-making, drafting, and machine sewing have improved to a level where I can confidently construct my own haute couture closet. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no expert. I’m still a work in progress.

My next project consisted of a semi-easy DIY: the Ivory Ruffle Apron Top from Selkie. At first glance, it’s relatively simple in construction. I didn’t have to worry about fit as much, as the most complicated step is the short bodice. I made my own variations in terms of the shoulder straps and back. Instead of opting for a corset detail or a zipper, I decided to install shirring for a more comfortable fit. I’m pretty proud of the end result, as it offers the right amount of volume and drama.

What I’m Wearing

• Top: Handmade (Inspired by Selkie)
• Skirt: Aritzia (Sunday Best)
• Bag: Prada
• Hair accessories: Sukoshi Mart
• Boots: Thrifted

Next up, I wanted to tackle the Paris Georgia Singlet top. This proved to be rather detail-oriented, as it was quite difficult to nail the heart neckline as I was sewing the bias in. Additionally, I wasn’t keen on buying special fabric for this project, given that I wanted to reduce the amount of material I had on the backlog. The best that I could do was black satin, meaning that I needed to add in darts to ensure the perfect fit. Since the fabric offered no stretch, I decided to opt for shirring again in place of a zipper. The end result gives me mixed feelings, as it’s not totally on point with the real Paris Georgia top, but it does bear a slight resemblance.