Author

modes4u

I’m Sandra, the founder, and I’m originally from Austria. I moved to Hong Kong in the 2000’s to complete my further studies here, then sought out to start my own business in this wonderfully vibrant city. As a result, modeS4u was born, and it's been running for over a decade now! We hope you enjoy reading out blog! If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, please feel free to email us anytime at: info@modes4u.com Thanks, Sandra & the modes4u team

Mid-Autumn Festival bunny lanterns in Hong Kong

by modes4u September 29, 2015

Last weekend all of Hong Kong celebrated the annual Mid-Autumn Festival. We took some lovely pictures of the mid-autumn lanterns close to the city’s iconic harbor. Fittingly, this year’s theme of the lantern display at Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront were many cute rabbits under a colorful moon.

Colorful bunny lanterns in Hong Kong.

Bunny lanterns and water lilies in Tsim Sha Tsui .

Hong Kong’s amazing harbor.

Mid-Autumn Festival at the waterfront.

Colorful girl lanterns in Hong Kong.

Colorful oriental lanterns in Hong Kong.

Colorful bunny lanterns in Hong Kong.

Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong.

September 29, 2015 0 comment

Our laminates in German Sewing magazine Näh was mit Wachstuch

by modes4u September 22, 2015

One of our lovely laminate fabrics has just been featured in the new special edition of German sewing magazine Patchwork Spezial. The issue called Näh was mit Wachstuch (Sew something with laminate fabrics) now available in Germany, arrived just in time for the start of the wet autumn season and includes practical step by step instructions for sewing a range of great bags, pouches and outdoor pillows. ModeS4u also contributed some fabrics for the making of the issue and fortunately enough one of our stylish Echino fabrics was actually made into a gorgeous gym bag. Many thanks to team for featuring us.

We are featured in the German magazine Näh was mit Wachstuch.

This gorgeous gym bag was made with our Echino laminate fabric.

The magazine issue includes great step by step instructions for sewing the stylish bag and other cool pieces.

The magazine includes great step by step instructions for sewing stylish bags and other cool pieces.

Great to see many of our laminates featured in a sewing magazine.

echino landscape canvas laminate fabric blue-yellow Japan bird mountain

turquoise echino zon canvas laminate fabric pattern safari animals from Japan

hot pink echino parakeet canvas laminate fabric bird parakeet Chevron pattern

echino laminate fabric Buck stag deer with glasses black

red Hello Kitty laminate fabric blue ribbon by Sanrio from Japan

blue star car dog Sanrio laminate fabric from Japan

pink Little Twin Stars stars castle in the clouds laminate fabric from Japan

September 22, 2015 0 comment

True colors: Michael Miller’s new fabric collection Color Me

by modes4u September 17, 2015

In what colors would you paint the world? In your favorite ones for sure. If you love sewing and always want to be more creative, our amazing new Michael Miller fabric collection Color me by Hayley Crouse gives you the chance to become a true artist. The cute designs can be colored with bright fabric markers, allowing you to create your very personal garments and accessories that will literally ‘draw attention‘ wherever you go. The fun space and fairy tale fabrics are also perfect for art projects with children and absolutely easy to paint. We think the world needs more color. With Color Me it’s in your hands to let your true colors shine.

Michael Miller’s new fabric collection Color Me makes you the artist.

A lovely princess and castle dress. It's never been so easy to create individual garment.

A lovely princess dress. It’s never been so easy to create individual garments. Photo: Michael Miller.

Some of the fabric markers with which you can immediately start drawing. Photo: Michael Miller.

Accessories like these great school bags can even be altered during a short break. Photo: Michael Miller.

Great fun. At the Minneapolis Quilt Market fabric exhibition this year we already tried some coloring.

Great fun. At the Minneapolis Quilt Market exhibition this year we already tried some coloring.

With little effort this dress looks like a real designer piece.

Another cute dress with a pink collar that shows the possibilities are endless.

coloring panel border fabric with astronaut star moon Michael Miller

coloring fabric with Paisley flower crown butterflies Michael Miller

coloring fabric with astronaut star moon rocket Michael Miller

coloring panel border fabric with fairy princess castle Michael Miller

September 17, 2015 0 comment

Hello Kitty in Wonderland Art & Exhibition

by modes4u September 15, 2015

This weekend Sanrio opened an exhibition called Hello Kitty Wonderland in Nagoya, Japan. Apart from funny optical illusions and a card game maze, the event location delights with lots of cute Alice in Wonderland inspired Hello Kitty art, created by the woman behind the cat, Japanese character designer and illustrator Yuko Yamaguchi. Just like the white bunny designs, the kawaii art of earlier successful Hello Kitty exhibitions show her strong influence on Sanrio’s most famous character, as seen in her lovely strawberry designs. We are sure Hello Kitty is in very good hands and can’t wait for her next cute creations.

An Alice in Wonderland inspired Hello Kitty Wonderland exhibition opened in Japan.

In wonderland Hello Kitty is transformed into a white bunny.

In wonderland Hello Kitty is transformed into an adorable white bunny.

At the event venue Hello Kitty Alice greets the arriving visitors.

The card game maze attracts young and old for an amazing time.

The card game maze attracts young and old, who are in for an amazing time.

This awesome optical illusion casts a cute Hello Kitty shadow. Or is it?

Hello Kitty Art has become a successful event series throughout Japan.

The woman behind the cat. Third appointed Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi and her protegee.

One of the earlier exhibitions with cute fruit artworks turned Hello Kitty into a strawberry.

Colorful Hello Kitty sculptures at the exhibition ‘Hello Kitty Art’.

double border Little Twin Stars Alice in Wonderland Sanrio oxford fabric pink

double border Little Twin Stars Alice in Wonderland Sanrio oxford fabric Japan

cute pink white Alice in Wonderland pencil case from Japan

white Hello Kitty Smile oxford fabric garden tulip flower by Sanrio from Japan

Hello Kitty waffle pink bow squishy charm

September 15, 2015 0 comment

Halloween and Christmas shop categories are online

by modes4u September 8, 2015

Our Halloween and Christmas shop categories are online. You can now find all our amazing Halloween and Christmas themed fabrics as well as lots of cute stationery for the two holidays conveniently at a single click, saving you precious time otherwise spent browsing. You can find the two categories in the menu on the left-hand side in our online shop modes4u.com. If you already want to enjoy the spirit of the season you can decorate your iPhone with a kawaii Rilakkuma Halloween wallpaper. No pumpkin carving needed. Just click on the picture below to download the wallpaper for free. Happy shopping!

You can find all articles for the two holidays in our Halloween and Christmas shop categories.

Free. Download your Rilakkuma pumpkin Halloween wallpaper here.

black Riley Blake ‘Halloween Parade’ fabric Halloween Magic

pink monster face devil pouch pencil case

Rilakkuma Halloween Party brown bear plush toy San-X

navy blue Norwegian Christmas San-X Rilakkuma pouch

white Christmas star fabric Andover from the USA

red Christmas tree winter Christmas fabric Michael Miller Holiday

pink Santa Claus Christmas eraser by Iwako from Japan

Rilakkuma yellow chick Santa Claus Xmas plush toy San-X Japan

September 8, 2015 0 comment

Win 300USD modes4u voucher in our 2016 calendar card design contest

by modes4u September 1, 2015

We will soon be producing our 2016 wallet calendar card and “Modes4u needs you”!

You can win a voucher for modes4u.com for US$300. What a great prize for Christmas shopping!

What’s more? The winner’s design will be produced and distributed to 20,000 Modes4u customers around the world from October 2015 to January 2016.

Contest details:

The contest is open worldwide.
Free to enter or win. No purchase necessary. There is no cost to enter the contest.
Your design must be original.
Email your design in a digital format to info@modes4u.com with the subject “2016 calendar card design contest”.
You may submit up to 3 designs.
The contest closes on September 28^th, 2015 (Monday), 23:59 Pacific Time
Modes4u has the final say in all contest matters.
The winner will be announced on our blog on September 30^th, 2015 (Wednesday). We will also contact the winner via email.
The winner will be required to supply the artwork files to Modes4u for use, preferred format: Photoshop (.psd) – min 300dpi resolution.
Modes4u will own all image rights for future use; Modes4u will use the calendar card design on its website and social media pages and promotional materials as required.
Prizes cannot be substituted or redeemed for cash.

Requirements:

Theme: all about cuteness – kawaii in Japanese
Content: double-sided yearly calendar card showing all 12 months for the year 2016
Includes: Modes4u logo and shop URL http://www.modes4u.com
Download template

Win 300USD modes4u voucher in our 2016 calendar card design contest

Download calendar template here

September 1, 2015 0 comment

New Halloween fabrics from Riley Blake and Timeless Treasures

by modes4u August 25, 2015

Boo! Trick or Treat! Every year when we hear these words we are surprised how fast time has gone by. Although the pumpkins are still growing in the garden, in just a few weeks it’s going to be Halloween again. So it’s about time that we add new Halloween fabrics to our shop. We prepared ourselves with some spooky fabrics from Riley Blake. The adorable designs with little witches and vampires are just perfect for projects with children. For the older fans of ghosts and ghouls we also received some Timeless Treasures fabrics with gloomy graveyard atmosphere as well as funny fabrics with peculiar families, who live in horror houses like The Ghastlies and The Odditys. Halloween is coming. Don’t wait until the witching hour.

We love Halloween and the new Halloween fabrics in our shop.

grey Riley Blake ‘Halloween Parade’ fabric Halloween Magic

black glow in the dark Riley Blake pumpkin fabric Halloween Magic

pale purple Riley Blake spider web fabric Halloween Magic

purple Halloween owl witches fabric Timeless Treasures USA

blue pumpkin mouse Halloween fabric Charmed by Quilting Treasures

black white glow in the dark Halloween fabric Timeless Treasure

grey bat gothic Halloween double border fabric Timeless Treasures USA

grey black Gothic raven Halloween fabric Timeless Treasures USA

grey witch gallery fabric Alexander Henry The Ghastlies

turquoise witch fabric Alexander Henry A Ghastlie End The Ghastlies

grey The Odditys black cat fabric by Elizabeth’s Studio USA

grey The Odditys black cauldron fabric by Elizabeth’s Studio USA

August 25, 2015 0 comment

Hello Kitty Fashion at Supercute Friendship Festival USA

by modes4u August 18, 2015

Hello Kitty fans with a passion for high fashion will be amazed by Sanrio’s extravagant designer dresses. The kawaii apparel creations are part of this years Supercute Friendship Festival. The little white cat and her friends and are currently touring the United States in a bright extravaganza with dance and music. Part of the show are live stage performances, fun exhibits like a Hello Kitty movie theater and a festival merchandise shop. The dresses featuring the cute Sanrio characters would definitely make great Halloween costumes, although they don’t seem to be for sale. However, fans can visit the final festival event on August 22nd and 23rd in Phoenix Arizona and enjoy superb fashion styles whit Hello Kitty on a truly cute ‘cat walk’.

An amazing Hello Kitty dress made with hundreds of red ribbons.

Hello Kitty has never looked more beautiful. The dress really expresses her character.

A pink funky interpretation of My Melody with a stunning wig.

A funky pink interpretation of My Melody with a stunning wig.

A pretty My Melody dress with flower dress for the summer.

A pretty My Melody dress with flowers for the summer.

A cool Badtz-Maru penguin dress with feathers. Looking quite mischievous.

The designs represent the Sanrio characters, while not looking like costumes.

All the cuts have a very classy touch, like this Purin princess dress.

Frog green hair and a funny Keroppi sequins dress.

Of course Hello Kitty takes part in the dance and fashion shows.

Visitors can get kawaii temporary tattoos with their favorite Sanrio characters.

Visitors can get kawaii temporary tattoos of their favorite Sanrio characters.

This cute kitten in a cup is part of a bigger exhibition with a lot of art work and funny movies.

We are not sure which size these Hello Kitty slippers are, but maybe they could also be used as a bed.

Hello Kitty on stage. Ready to rock with all her friends.

red Hello Kitty oxford fabric chef soup apple by Sanrio from Japan

Hello Kitty waffle pink bow squishy charm

August 18, 2015 1 comment

New organic fabric collections by birch

by modes4u August 11, 2015

We have lovely new organic fabrics by birch in our shop. You can now order the cute collections Happy Town and Picnic Whimsy with funny animal designs as well as the stylish collection Bear Camp with many shades of blue and grey. Moreover, if you are looking for some stretch – we also have a lot of plain-colored birch knit fabrics.

Some of the new organic fabric from the birch collections Happy Town and Picnic Whimsy.

white ‘Happy Houses’ colourful house organic fabric birch USA

sky blue ‘Happy Pals’ lion & giraffe animal birch knit organic fabric USA

orange leaf pattern & dots organic fabric birch ‘leaves’

cream colour spot speckled birch knit organic fabric USA

grey crocodile & flower animal organic fabric birch USA ‘Lurking’

off-white mushroom & raccoon organic fabric birch USA ‘Mushroom Forest’

blue grey ‘picnic’ crocodile & penguin flower birch knit organic fabric USA

turquoise ‘Bear Bois’ tree stripes birch knit organic fabric from the USA

grey ‘Bear Hike’ bears birch poplin organic fabric USA

navy blue ‘Bear Hike’ bears birch poplin organic fabric USA

coral red ‘Bear Bois’ tree stripes birch poplin organic fabric USA

solid light green birch knit organic fabric from the USA

solid teal birch knit organic fabric from the USA

August 11, 2015 0 comment

What customers make with our fabrics: Shirts, pillows & dresses for dolls

by modes4u August 4, 2015

It’s time again for a short edition of “what customers make with our fabrics”. In the last weeks our French customer Little Clary showed us her cool UK flag shirt, she sewed using one of our Riley Blake fabrics. Our Spanish customer Momita reminded us of her tutorial for sewing garments with a funny ostriches using Robert Kaufman fabric and from Germany we received pictures of bright owl pillows for a children’s hospital. Another French customer Le Blog de Claire showed us her sewed collection of mini dresses for cute animal dolls, using Elizabeth’s studio fabric and fabrics from Japan.

What an amazing shirt made from our Riley Blake fabric by http://littleclary.canalblog.com/

We have many flag fabrics in our shop, but the Union Jack is the most popular design.

A great piece of work with a lot of detail.

A great piece of work with many details.

One of the lovely owl pillows for a German children’s hospital that will brighten the day.

The green owl fabric used for the cushion is one of our most popular designs.

https://instagram.com/momita_blog/ sewing tutorial with Robert Kaufman ostrich fabric.

Le Blog de Claire from France is passionate about her mice with lovely dresses. http://foncee.canalblog.com/

This cheese fabric by Elizabeth’s studio is well chosen for the cute rodent.

Creativity beyond borders. Our Japanese owl fabric makes cute dress for a French mouse.

Creativity beyond borders. Our Japanese owl fabric as a cute dress for a French mouse.

August 4, 2015 2 comments