Update 05.16.2025
You’re probably wondering, how’s it going sewing up the Lin Woven T-Shirt?
Well I have a little update for you! She’s coming together. I have the bodice & sleeves all sewn up and even followed my own instructions, zig-zag stitch finishes and all! All that’s left is to attach the sleeve & finish the neckline & hem. Before I do that though I am going to add bias strips to bound/enclose the seams. I know the zig-zag stitch is a legitimate way to finish raw edges so they don’t fray, I just prefer either a bias bound finish or french seam, especially with woven fabrics. I’m just trying to be transparent, because I don’t want you to see my finished garment and see my bound seams and be like “HEY U SAID TO USE A ZIG-ZAG STITCH”.
If you're new to sewing some of that probably went right on over your head, it's okay I'm here to help you understand.
I took pictures of the process because I do want to show you how a zig-zag stitch looks and what it does. It is the easiest way to finish a raw edge since it doesn’t require pinking shears, an overlock machine, sewing bias tape or doing a french seam. Plus most basic sewing machines do come with a zig-zag stitch option.
How does one announce a photo dump? uh.. Here you go, all my progress/process pix.
OH! Progress Photo Dump!
Now you're probably wondering "What kind of fabric is that?!"
Philippines Woven Fabric
Honestly, when I was first writing this journal entry I couldn’t remember where, when or how this particular fabric got added to my collection. Luckily I found proof & back then had the wherewithal to take pictures of my fabric haul as I was purchasing. This fabric along with everything pictured below was bought during my trip to the Philippines back in 2024 from Lucina’s Weaving Mill. I found this place through good old google maps! There’s no website, just a Facebook page. Lucina’s Weaving Mill is in La Union, Philippines.
Before our Philippines 2024 trip I did a bunch of research on different places to buy Philippine woven fabric, in my research I found that Northern Luzon has quite a few different weaving mills. That led to taking a road trip to northern Luzon. We stopped in Baguio, La Union & Vigan. We were able to stop at a few different weaving mills, I had no idea what I wanted to do with any of the fabric when I first bought it, I just knew that I wanted to buy enough to make something. I didn’t know then that pattern making and trying to encourage people to sew would be what I am focused on now. Looking back at it now, that trip was the catalyst in changing & focusing my creative career. Which tracks, since the last time I was in the Philippines in 2019 I decided shortly after to actually start a creative career instead of getting back into corporate. There must be something about visiting the motherland that helps heal & decolonize bits of my soul.
PINILIAN
Pinilian fabric is made using a brocade type of weaving technique, brocade is a technique that creates a raised design & more textured feel in the fabric by using extra threads. Pinilian fabric originates from Ilocos Sur usually made with material that’s around 60% Cotton & 40% Polyester.
Don’t get me wrong, I know I preach about using natural fiber fabric, but this is something I can’t really control. Who am I to dictate what kind of fibers and yarn is used to weave in the Philippines. I can regulate myself when I do my own weaving but I’m not familiar with where their yarn is spun and how they’re getting their yarn. I would LOOOVEEE to learn but that’s going to take a bit more planning & way more gate knocking on my end.
Since I've started pattern making different designs for my capsule wardrobe I’ve had to measure out how wide & long each fabric is and see which fabric could be used for each design, depending on how much fabric each pattern needs. So by using my handy dandy spreadsheet, because you know ya girl loves a spreadsheet, I found that this was one of the only fabrics that was both wide enough for the pattern pieces and that had just enough length to make this shirt.
So as much as I want things to have deeper meanings and hella profound stories behind them, the reasons for choosing this fabric are:
- I want my capsule wardrobe to be made mostly with fabric woven in the Philippines
- I’m being selfish and using the fabric I got during that trip on myself
- Out of the fabric from the “Philippines 2024” haul this matched the measurement needs of this pattern
I mean I guess there is a more rooted reason in why using Philippine woven fabrics is important to me but that journal entry feels like it’s meant for another day.
Check in next time to see the finished product!
SPOILER ALERT!!! At the time I started writing this entry the shirt wasn't done yet, but I finished the shirt today! I just didn't have time to edit & post this entry sooner 🙄
Anyways, time to post before I have to change the date AGAIN. Until next time dear readers!