About Me
I’m a twenty-something wife and mommy who loves her family and her full-time corporate job (yes, really!) and wants (okay tries) to do it all! I live in Manila with my amazing husband, our little daughter, and our spoiled dog. I created this blog as a personal journal of sorts where I can share my experiences and things I’m passionate about. Thank you for joining me in my little adventures!
10 Things About Me:
- I’m an eternal optimist – Life gives you lemons? Add tequila and salt!
- I always wanted to be a paleontologist but I ended up in brand management for a multinational company and I love it
- I cannot swim, skate or ride a bike (don’t feel sorry for me people, I had a very happy childhood inspite of this hehehe)
- I know the poem Desiderata by heart
- I have read all, and I mean all, the books featuring Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley Twins, and the Hardy Boys. Oh and all Tom Clancy books and everything in A Song of Ice and Fire series too! *Nerd*
- I have been to 7 continents (Yes, even Antarctica. What a blessing!)
- The older I get, the more I turn into my mother. Embrace the inevitable. Good thing my mother is cool!
- I think serving hard butter at restaurants or hotels is evil. Ditto for unsalted butter in restaurants with the bread basket. (Why??! Unsalted butter is not worth the calories!)
- I believe that the relationship between a woman and her hairdresser is sacred
- I created this blog to channel my endless energy into something productive, document my little adventures, share ideas, find inspiration, and learn things from everyone out there!
Thanks so much for stopping by. :-)
Hi! Were you ever able to find fusible interfacing in Manila? I’m living in the Fort with my husband and want to start sewing again, but am having a hard time finding sewing machines for sale. Do you have any idea where to purchase a sewing machine and preferably a serger?
Let me know if you need a craft buddy!
Hi Brooke! I havent found fusible interfacing yet, good thing I still have a small stash since I just started sewing but I will probably need to restock soon so I’m still searching.
I just saw some sewing machines for sale in an appliance store (cant remember the name of the store though, sorry!) at the top level of Glorietta 5 near the fabric shops the other day. They have the following models advertised on a poster: BM-2600, XL-5500 and LS-2160. These are the simpler models, and they’re priced at 7,000 pesos and up if I remember correctly. If I pass by there anytime soon I’ll get the exact details for you. Or you can go to http://welcome.brother.com/ph-en/products-services/home-sewing-machines.html, they have a listing there which includes one overlocker, the M3034D. Do you sew clothes too?
We were just at Greenbelt today – I’ll check out Glorietta soon – thanks! I sew random things and sporadically clothes. We have a little one on the way so I was thinking of applique for some onesies, that’s why I was looking for interfacing!
Congratulations! Do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl? We’re expecting a little girl soon. I’ll keep you posted on the interfacing,worst case is I’ll order from Amazon again. Next time we can do a bulk order. 😃
sounds good and boy. Are you a member of the MADS group here in Manila? It’s a group for expectant moms and moms with kids – it’s a fun group!
I haven’t heard of the MADS group yet! Do you have a link or some info?
Thanks Brooke!
http://www.madsmanila.com/
They have a pregnancy/newborn group that meets every other Wed. with some other events. There is also an American midwife who comes to most of the meetings for support!
do you know any stores here in metro manila that does electric pleating on fabrics?
Hi Pamela, sorry I haven’t seen any shops that offer that service, will make sure to let you know if I come across a store that does that.
hi! i really enjoyed your blog. very helpful and informative!:) would just like to help pamela out in case she hasn’t found a shop that does electric pleating yet.:) there’s one in kamuning market in quezon city.:) the shop’s called Del Basagre. it’s very easy to find once you get to kamuning market. they sell all sorts of fabrics too. it’s like a mini divi in qc but a little bit pricey than divi. they also do fabric covered buttons. del pretty much has and does everything.:) here’s their number: (02)4106289 or (02)4102974
Thanks so much Joyce! It’s so great to see all the helpful information we’ve all been able to compile here!
Hi, I was at Tabora and Ilaya last week. I found fusible interfacing at Filipinas Modiste Supplies (I have partial amnesia so not sure of the exact shop name). They call it “pelon” and it’s around php40.00 per yard. Exactly what I used to work with and not as thick as the sanforize.The shop is infront Wellmanson.
Last week butterick patterns were on sale for $2.00 a piece…. I was like a kid in a candy store! Ordered them and had it delivered to my mom’s place in California and she will just send it to me via “door to door”. Sorry to mention this but finding patterns here is nonexistent.
Hi Izzay! Thanks for sharing. Great minds think alike, that’s how I got my patterns too! I order on the McCall/Vogue/Butterick website when they’re on sale then I have them shipped to relatives or friends who are about to come home.
I tried checking how much it would cost to ship them here directly and it was like 55 dollars shipping for 10 patterns which cost around 25 dollars. Crazy right! Do you trace or cut your patterns? 
I was so tempted at one stage to have it shipped, I was desperate but then I realized that the shipping cost is just not worth it. I cut the patterns but I am now thinking of having my favorite patterns printed on thicker sheets. I still have to inquire at one of these print shops.
Just an info regarding buying sewing machines. When we moved here, all of our appliances were 50 hertz which rendered them all useless. Good thing my Bernina machines were 50/60 hertz so no problem there. If the sewing machine is 50 hertz it will start giving trouble soon since Philippines is running on 60 hertz, can’t give you all the deets but this is according to our electrical engineer. I know Singer is 50/60 hertz.
Anyway, glad to have found your site!
just wna ask wer can i find french curve made in fiber glass? ung itsura pong letter “r” ung curve po ng small “r”.. parang letter “c” na ung upper part po eh small “r” po.. hard to explain. dami po kc uri.. pls. help me po.. thank u so much. ü
Hi Rachell you can find french curves in this link here but I don’t know if they have it in fiber glass.
Hello!
Like you, I am also looking for someone to do fabric electric pleating in Metro Manila. I am from San Diego, California and will be in Makati, Philippines on Oct 23-Nov 3, 2012. Did you find someone who does electric pleating in metro Manila?
Mila
Hi! I enjoyed reading your blog. Could you please share where you got your Brother Sewing Machine? Do they have more advanced models? Thanks so much! Greatly appreciate the help.
I got my sewing machine in Walmart Canada but you can order it from Amazon or in local stores depending on where you’re from. Here in Manila they have them in major appliance stores!
Hi! I’m Marryl from Cebu. I too blog about my kitchen mishaps, my crafts and failed attempts. It’s great to find people online who share the same passion. I just started sewing and I’m still learning the basics. I will definitely keep coming back to get more tips from you and your friends. I’m on the look-out for Felt Fabrics for my little online shop. DO you know where I can get both the soft and hard felt? I’ve bought online but it’s too expensive. I will be needing yards in different colors. I know that there are fabric stores in Divisoria selling them cheaper but I don’t exactly know where. I hope you or your friends can help me find a fabric store that sells them cheaper. Thanks! Happy crafting to all of us.
Hi Marryl! Thanks for commenting! You can find felt in Market Market and Pan Atlantic in Divisoria.
Hi, I tried to sew six yards of textile that I bought at Divisoria. I was able to sew 6 pillow cases and 1 king size bedsheet by my hands. I get addicted to sewing and I thought of getting a short course about it. Is there a 3 month course for it? I can study every saturday and sunday, since I couldn’t do full time because I have a job. If you know a school please let me know and also how much will be the cost? Thank you.
hi there! i just want to ask if where i can find inexpensive yet good quality jersey fabricsw. i am trying to create a gown and i want a fluid-like effect on the skirt. and how much would you think it would cost me per yard/metre? thanks
Hello! You can find that in any fabric store except Carolina’s which doesn’t carry stretch fabrics. Check out my post on sewing supplies and fabric in Manila. It can range from 150-300 per yard but you wouldn’t need that much for one dress.
Hello everyone! I’m very glad that there are other women who have the passion for sewing like me!
I also bought patterns from Butterick two years ago and it only me $24.97 for the three patterns including the freight. I have it delivered here in Taguig and it took three weeks to arrive.
I am now trying to make my own pattern for my projects. I wish I have more to time to blog so that I can also share my finished projects here:
hi! i’d just like to ask, do you have any advice for an absolute beginner like me? well, maybe not absolute (i know how to hand sew things
) ) but i’d really want to give sewing a try but i don’t know where to start. i sort of know how to operate the sewing machine but after that i’m lost 
) any books you think i should read? or do you think it’s a good idea to enroll in a basic sewing class? 
Hi Part Time Homemaker!…… Been reading within your blog, can’t help but would like to comment here…… Hi Shingliganorg!……. Since you know sewing by hand, it’s a great idea to enroll in a Preparatory Dressmaking/Pattern Making Class. I took mine at Slim’s Fashion and Arts School. After the Preparatory, there’s Secondary and Advance Courses. They have weekdays and Saturday Classes, which gets filled up by working moms. You may check them out. There’s also Fashion Institute of the Philippines and other reputable
schools that offer basic dressmaking… Happy Dressmaking! (“,)
Hello, I enjoyed reading your blog.
I’m getting married this December and I’ll be going to Manila this July to buy cloth for my bridesmaids and ceremony/reception design. Burlap costs 50pesos/yard right? Is there anything cheaper than that? Because here in Cebu we can get it at 350pesos/roll (8 meters) but the supply is scarce. Do you also have an idea how much chiffon and jersey cloth per meter/yard would cost? As well s the lining for the dress? Thank you soo much
Hi, Part Time Homemaker! I’m glad I stumbled upon your blog. I was trying to “google” and typed “sewing lessons in manila” and saw your post about where to find sewing schools. You see, I just opened my sewing classes for kids, teens and adults over the summer, called “SEW EASY FOR KIDS”. My studio is here in BF Homes, Parañaque. Please visit my website (www.seweasyforkidsmanila.com). Sorry if this sounds like I’m spamming or selling in your site, please forgive me. But I thought you would like to be informed and perhaps add me in your list of sewing schools to consider. At any rate, I’m just glad to know that there is a growing interest in sewing in this part of the world. Thank you and hope to hear from you. God bless you!
Anne