Baby Chloe--finally made it online!

I actually sold quite a few of these at the Pixar crafts fair last December, but never got around to posting them. SO cute!

$85
fabric supplies running low...but a couple more bags left!

JJ Fall/Winter 2010 Collection: Chloe Totes

Here is a peek at the new "Chloe". I have been dreaming of making wool bags for over 10 years now...don't know why it took me this long! Actually, when I first started designing bags last year, this was what I had in mind to work towards, and it's finally here! It's definitely a labor of love.

It's 100% luxurious Italian wool and lined with soft cotton. Completely hand washable, but lay flat to dry. Hot ironing is fine. :)
For sale for $90.

$5 off JJ Design Bags!

Yes, for the first time ever, this is a deal you wouldn't want to miss! Applies to any single purchase. Offer expires 12/12/10. If you contact me via email, simply mention the coupon code. Otherwise if you are coming to the Pixar Crafts Fair, simply print it out and hand the coupon to me in person. Thanks everyone!

Doggy Tote!

Made a bunch of these puppies and am loving them! Planning on making some small "doggy bags" too, for the crafts fair next week! Time's running out!

These are for sale for $55 each. Thanks for looking! More to come...I promise. :) Wool totes are coming next!!!

Orange Tree

This was a piece I created for the Picture Book Project (http://picturebookproject.com/PBP/home.html), under Art Blocks for Ghana. The theme of this project is "Home".

I was honored to have been asked by a friend of mine from work (also an art director) to participate. Nervous, but excited, I tried out a couple other things before finally settling on this idea--creating an orange tree from my childhood memories of picking oranges with my family, entirely out of buttons and fabrics. In fact, I thought I had finished the project prior to leaving for my vacation last week to NYC, but while there, I woke up one morning and decided that I wanted to sew hundreds of buttons on for an orange tree. The sketch was developed on my way to NJ on the train, and as soon as I got back, I started on my project and finished in one weekend. :)

Of course, I found out that the deadline had been extended another 2 weeks, but I'm just glad to be done, and am happy with it. Perhaps this will be the beginning of some fabric art!

More girly garments: Gold-embroidered cotton dress!

It's finally finished! My new dress that I'll get to wear to my first Broadway show with K this Saturday! : )

I started cutting out this dress on Sunday, and last night (Wed) I put the finishing touches on it. It was a struggle b/c I used a Simplicity pattern as a base but I ended up modifying a lot of it, since the design wasn't to my liking. I also found brushed brass buttons that were lying around the house from grandma's sewing drawers, and vintage covered elastic that's beautifully crafted for the button loops.

I am very happy with how it turned out, b/c I'm in love with this gold thread embroidered cotton fabric I found a couple months back. I knew that if I didn't start something in the next couple of months the fabric would never see the light of day. Very happy--wish I could've bought these gold ballet flats that I fell in love with a while back but didn't purchase.

Spring Buds & White Elephants!

$65
$70
I've been wanting to develop new bag designs for a while now, but having to keep making the same bags to fulfill orders has kept me from creating more styles. These took me forever to develop...my challenge was to figure out how to set in deep compartments on the inside to hold more things (yes, I'm well on my way to develop a diaper bag concept), and also to create something still a bit cuter than the average canvas tote. I decided I couldn't leave the pleats out (probably my favorite elements in a lot of my bags), at least not for this line! I really LOVE how they turned out...I had to empty out the first one to shoot photos with it b/c I immediately started toting it around after completing it. These are made out of sturdy canvas that are doubled at the base, which makes these totes able to stand up on their own (another pro for the diaper bag design!)
The only thing I wish I could've shown in my pictures is how the handles are connected to the rest of the body. It's well-constructed and I'm really proud of it! Kind of was playing around with different ideas and decided this was the best approach. So far, 2 totes and 1 messenger bag! All in one weekend!

"Not-Just-Another-White-Elephant" tote. Comes in different colors--please inquire about what's available! $55

the elephant in the room...

...is that there's now an Elephant bag! : ) I'm so excited about these! They are for sale. Please contact me for available zipper colors, and also for specifics on what the back fabric looks like. Some have elephants, some are the fun circle designs. $30
Larger totes in progress too!

Nomadic Giraffes...

I just love this fabric that I purchased in Portland on my vacay back in May. Only got limited quantity, but am still exploring different designs with it. Here's the deep shoulder tote, which is a JJ Design bestselling style since last year!
Price drop: $55

JJ's New Design: Clutches

These are SO adorable that I'm not sure I can sell them!!! Just made these from the leftover pieces cut from my pleated tote (I hate wasting any fabric), and I absolutely adore them! Will definitely be making many more of these.

$30

An exciting package has arrived!

At last!!--my new JJ Design labels that I had professionally made, came into the mail last weekend! I didn't want to set my expectations too high, since it was my first time getting labels made, but I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the package. The only slight glitch was that the "red" accents turned out to be rose pink, but I think it's actually works better. I can't wait to have them sewn into my new bag designs!

Back to Bags...

(SOLD OUT for now)
Finally made some headway in my Fall 2010 collection. Some of these designs were brewing way back when, but now they are finally realized. Most of these are onesies, since fabric supply is limited! Hope you enjoy the beginning of the JJ Design Fall Collection!
(SOLD OUT!)
Here's my new favorite, amongst other favorites (hehe I think it's hard while creating these to not love each one that comes out...they are all so precious!)
$30
a note about the zippered Taro tote: I hate zippers. I love them and hate them. I love how they work, but really do not like sewing them on. This is my first attempt at putting zippers in my bags...I spent many hours figuring out how I wanted to put it in and design-wise what would look best...and ta-da! Here it is. It's my only one so far! Will keep workin' on them...
$80

Still part of the fall collection...

$55
Wanted to let everyone know that I'm still making these bags! These were the original pieces for my fall 2010 collection, so I didn't want them to get left out. ; )
$40 (one left!)

a "Onesie" for my adult friend

One of my best friends, K, asked to have a "onesie" made for her some time ago. I was a bit surprised at the time, and thought, "Do adults wear onesie's?" Sure enough, we found a pattern in the store! I kept putting it off though b/c the pattern looked complex...but I finally decided to just press through and surprise her with it for her b-day. The fabric was hard to cut due to the thickness, but ended up being a breeze to sew (no serging required)! The pattern instructions were poorly written, and since I don't like to follow instructions (another reason I can't bake), it took me a while to figure what I was supposed to do. Now that I have done one though, the next (if there is a next) should be easy!

She looked SO adorable in it, and it fit perfectly! (I won't embarrass her here though w/a pic of her) I chose a ridiculously looking pink polar fleece with badminton rackets printed all over with flowers, since we used to play the team sport together. I also sewed the first JJ Design label onto it, with her initials embroidered! I liked it so much that I think I might make one for myself in time for the cold winter here in SF. So there WILL be a next...

It's time for clean linen(skirt)!

After spending almost the entire 4th of July weekend away from sewing, I was itching to get back to it. I had spotted this beautiful "seagull" linen material and the ivory crochet trim at my favorite fabric store briefly on Saturday, and envisioned making a summer linen skirt on the spot.

I designed, cut, and sewed it last night. It took me a lot longer than I anticipated b/c of the nature of linen (kind of has a mind of its own : P), and of course, matching up the seams with the zipper seems to always take 2 tries, but I'm really happy with how it turned out, and now I have a linen skirt in my favorite color for my summer wardrobe! It's so light and airy, and super comfy.

I'm selling a garment for the first time through my JJ Design shop--custom orders, so please let me know your waist size and length of skirt you'd like, and please know that it'll take 4~6weeks. : ) While fabric supplies last.

"3" is for Toy Story 3...

Who would've thought, some chalkboard drawing I did for Toy Story 3 trailer "3" reference would have been chosen to appear as a feature art installation piece in the pixar gallery, and then made it to apparel! I actually didn't even know they used my design for the clothing until I saw it in the store today...it's nice to feel like I've contributed visually to an animation feature.

eyelets and ruffles

Finally took a break from bag-making (filling orders and designing my fall collection, which has yet to happen...) and decided to venture into the "long black dress" that I think should be a staple for the summer. I actually saw a similar dress at jcrew but it was just plain black cotton--very simple, almost too simple (no bells or whistles: no pockets, no zipper, no lining). But I fell in love with the silhouette, and decided to make the dress and improve upon the design!

Here it is. I bought this beautiful eyelet fabric (it has a basket-weaving pattern which you can't really see in the picture, but so nice in person) from Jo-Ann's (thanks to cousin J for the gift card!), and a luxurious sateen thin cotton for lining (bought from a HUGE fabric depot in portland a few weeks back). I really wanted it to be strapless, so I put some elastic in the back, plus an invisible zipper and hook & eye closure. It's hard to see the ruffles on this duster length dress, but I love how it moves when I walk. Also I made sure the ruffles part weren't lined so you can see through the eyelet. I'm definitely ready for summer now!

I'm really happy with how it turned out, and it only took 3 weeknights & a Sunday afternoon (to draft the pattern). I basically reused the strapless bodice from the bridesmaid's dress I made last summer (see entry for silk dupioni dress), and by far this is my favorite bodice--just fits perfectly, and I can add straps or not).

Now on to filling my bag orders! =)

Meet "Taro"...

Made this for a client/friend, who wanted the original Canvas Tote with a twist, but in a color that's not going to get dirty as easily. Knowing that red was what she gravitated towards, I decided to change up a few of the design elements.

I call this new tote "Taro" b/c it is one of my favorite colors and desserts! The taro color is hard to describe, and the root itself is also a flavor that's hard to place, but I love both the color and the taste! Hope you do too. =)
Limited supply (fabric running out), for sale: $50


Also, just an updated Flower Applique tote, made 2 of these for a couple of friends. I had been wanting to try the applique in this pattern, and I'm so glad I did! I like this flower pattern a lot--so elegant and refreshing. This fabric is running out too...I think I can only make 1 or 2 more at most!
$60 (w/o magnetic snaps), $65 (w/magnetic snaps)

On a whim...

"A little birdie tote me" is based off of the the first sample bag I had ever made. I have been carrying the muslin sample bag everyday for just about everything, and I decided I wanted to make one just like it but with this cute print I found. For sale for $45.


I finally added the finishing touch to the blossom bag with the wooden buttons that I found on ebay. :) The bag was made a month ago, and I can't believe I finally just got around to finishing it! $55

New bag collection starts...NOW!

I was so exhausted from making the yellow coat for the contest (see earlier entry) that I didn't think I had any more in me to make something else...but here it is! I just bought this fabric for an office couch that I inherited from a friend at work. It's pretty stained, so it definitely needed covering. Then I realized I bought 3 yards too many! But never fear...I love this fabric so much, that I thought it would be perfect for a new collection. Here's the bestselling design that I have from last December, made with this bold new pattern and color choice. The orange button is photoshopped in for now b/c I haven't gone to the store yet!

This bag comes with an inner pocket for wallets/keys/cell phone, just like the original Deep Shoulder Tote. It is for sale for $55. I hope to keep making more with the fabric I have left! Thanks for looking. :)

Becoming a Bag lady...

I had been on a creative hiatus, and recently got inspired to design/make totes for a crafts fair. It's been a lot of fun, and I hope I continue to get inspired to create more!

These do take a lot of time--from conceiving a design, patterning, cutting, to sewing...the process could take hours! Also, I was making each bag different, b/c I felt like it was more fun to design each one as I went, even though they ended up taking longer to create. Well, that is what art is about, isn't it? ;)

Special thanks to my friend A who graciously offered to help me design my logo based on my rough ideas--I love it! I never could have churned it out so quickly. Thanks A! Now I need to figure out a website for my "product". Here's a product page with the specs for the bags. Some fabrics are limited edition so bags cannot be reproduced, but others I still have fabric for. I am also working on more patterns too. Please feel free to let me know which you like and I can custom make one just for you!

In the next few months, I'll be working on a new collection of materials. Please check back!

Latest update 12/21/09: Blue/Gold fabric all out. Sorry! : (

Newest to the collection:
Deep Shoulder Tote in Tropical (SOLD OUT)


1. Reversible rectangular tote ($65 SOLD OUT currently)

2. Reversible tote with applique (SOLD OUT)

3. Petite knick-knack sac $30
in Tropical:

in Festive (NEW!):

4. Shoulder tote with magnetic snap $70 (only 1 left!)

5. Soft shopper bag with vintage button (SOLD OUT)

6. Fully lined shoulder tote with vintage button (SOLD OUT)

7. Soft wide tote w/inner pockets (SOLD OUT)


8. Soft petite knick-knack sacs! $15 (SOLD OUT!)

9. Canvas tote w/a twist $60
in Crimson:

or in Guacomole:

10. Bouquet tote: sturdy construction and roomy (sold out)

11. Deep soft canvas tote--especially roomy, with inner pockets $60 (JJ DESIGN BESTSELLER!)

Mustard yellow coat...

Before getting back into bag-designing/making, I decided to take a little creative detour and make a coat to enter into a coat design competition at a local fabric store. I put in about 40 hours in 2 weeks, on top of normal work hours, and so far spent close to $180 for the materials, but it's been amazing. I am *almost* done with the coat, and I can't wait to find out if I can win something...the grand prize is a Bernina Activa 200 (I think it's called). Anyway, still some more work to do, but wanted to post a few pics here. Perhaps a tutorial to come...if I can find the time!




I'm very very happy with how the back pleats came out with this boiled wool--the material lends itself to the design. The only problem is with the front, where there's facing and it's been stiffened with interfacing...anyway, working out the kinks tonight on that part.

The bad news is, my coat did not win! But here are the pics of the winners...if only I had known what style they were going for! oh well...