Getting Started on the "Butterfly Fairy" 2 piece 한복 set

This amazing fabric was found while the one woman design team for "The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise" was on a weekly excursion to the Saver's Thrift store.  This was actually found in the curtain section, was in great shape, and all that needed to be done was removing the existing stitches by hand, and returning it to original fabric form.  Not too difficult, as it was a fairly simple curtain design without any ruffles or anything like that.  This part is for the 저고리, which will be about hip length.

This is the material being used for the 치마, it is from a thoroughly cleaned and repurposed cotton bedsheet.  The color was amazing.  The stitching was a little harder to take out, as they used top quality stitching.  It was originally a Ralph Lauren bedsheet after all, so they can't afford to go half way!  What is being measured in the image is the top back part of the 치마.  The one woman design team of "The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise" does the top part of the 치마 a little bit differently to make it easier, comfortable, and more convenient to wear on a daily basis.  As 한복 is most certainly worn on a daily basis in The Flower Realm.   Instead of having a top that ties in the back, a 저고리 is made without a 깃 or sleeves, and is sewn to the 치마.  It has front ties on the inside and outside, making it easy for those of us who really aren't enthusiastic about reaching around to the back, or pulling anything through slots. Bada bing, bada boom!  You're tied in and ready to go.   The beauty part of this original design from "The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise" is that it can be easily worn separately as a sun dress or swimsuit cover up.

Here, a piece was cut out for the front part of the 저고리, which will be a size Medium (fits up to 34-C Bra Size), and will be approximately hip length.  The desired outcome is to have more flowers and butterflies in the front so they can be immediately seen on the wearer. As you can see, it was cut out on the carpet, as the design studio is simply an old bedroom that has been repurposed into a multi-use office space, therefore, there isn't much room for a really fancy cut table.  Perhaps one day, "The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise" will expand into something much larger with a very fancy design studio with pristine white floors, spotless walls, and more than enough fabric, cut tables, sewing machines, and sergers.  It's a goal that's being worked toward on a daily basis.

Meauring 1/2 inch for the hem on the ties

Sometimes, as shown here, when ironing a fold into the fabric, it doesn't "stick." And a higher setting makes the fabric melt.  To resolve that...

A (slightly damp) paper towel is placed over the fold, and then the iron is applied.  It works very well, as it makes the fold permanent, and therefore easier to work with.

The best part is actually sewing it! Some people draw out their designs first. For this one woman design team, the thoughts are completely in imagination (drawing is an extremely weak point), and are only shown in the finished product itself. A tape measure and pins are used on the fabric, measuring and pinning the specific points, and cutting those points into shapes. As the design team expands in the future, perhaps a sketch artist can be added.

To prevent fraying, and because there hasn't been money in the budget for a serger, zig zag stitching using very fine sized stitches is used on the edges.  Works like a charm, as the one woman design teams wears the designs of "The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise" on a daily basis, rain or shine, and everything is sturdy.  Nothing randomly falling apart or fraying in the washing machine.

Pressing the sleeve seams open.  It keeps the garment looking smooth where it has been stitched together.  Most like to use really fancy seams because they hide them.  Straight forward seams are used here, and in the grand scheme of things everyday people think the clothing is beautiful regardless, they don't go out of their way to stop and check the seam type, or check and see if the seam is showing.  They really don't care about that stuff.  All they care about is if the wearer looks so noticeably beautiful that they have to stop and compliment her.

 

Pinning the sleeve hem.  Most people wait until the sleeve is completely sewn together before adding the hem.  That just makes it harder than it really is, therefore, after sewing the sleeve together the first time, while it's still open, add the hem.  Makes it a million times easier, and the average wearer wouldn't even care to know the difference.

 

This is what is being worked on for now, further updates to come from the design studio at "The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise."