Patchwork Pillows

Hello,

Pink Patchwork Cushion

I finished a couple of pillow covers this week. Small quilts are really fun to make and if you browse in Pinterest you will find so many ideas of small quilts. I personally love making cushion covers. I always using one around the house. 

Pinwheel Patchwork

I really enjoy making the pinwheel pillow above. I made the pinwheel block based on Missouri Star Quilt tutorial on you tube. I quilted in a ditch around the center block and then do diamond/diagonal quilting on the pink border. The pillow cover is finished with black and white stripe binding to give a modern look. The pillow cover closed with envelope style closure. 

Purple Pink Pillow

 The pink and purple above is another favorite color. I have the blocks from previous quilts and the size is perfect for cushion cover. I quilted using wonky stitch. I find a simple quilting lines is best to highlight the quilt block.

Quilted Decorative Cushion

A matching pink cotton fabric at the back with a strip of purple polka dots.

Green Block Print Pillow

Some fabrics are too pretty to chop, just like this green one.  I used flannel batting for most of my single cloth quilting cushion cover. If you use flannel, you don't really need to add another backing. The cushion covers will have a just perfect structure. With dense quilting, it will last for along time.

And I love different pop up pillows on my sofa and chairs. Handmade cushion covers are always the best, they are long lasting, unlike the mass produce one which at the most will last for 3 washing. Especially if you have teenage boys who always think that pillow is a ball which they can toss or throw around. All the time.

What about you? What is your fave pillow?

Until then,

Happy Quilting

Linky Party:

Finish it up Friday

Five Patch Table Runner

Hello,

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. - Leonardo Da Vinci

This week, I finished another table runner. It's made up from  3 five patch blocks with sashing and border. I used Indian fabrics for this runner because I simply love the colors. I always use spray starch while working with Indian voile fabrics, that way they are easier to sew. I was thinking to give a teal border but after auditioning several fabrics, I decided to go with the white. 

Green table runner

I'm happy with the result. When I work on a quilt, I tend to go with the flow. I don't always have the whole fabric chosen in the beginning. Hence it always takes me a long time to finish even a simple project. 

Reversible Table Decor

As for the backing fabric, I have this perfect green and teal cotton fabric. I really love the color. I quilted the middle block with echo quilting, the idea I get from Leah Day  And the 2 outer blocks, I did a grid line quilting. On the sashing and border, I traced the quilting lines using a scallop ruler. I love result on the reverse side of this table runner. It made the runner a reversible one! 

buffet table decor

I used fleece batting which I got from Tina of TSI . This green table runner finished at 14" x 38" a perfect size for buffet table or center table. 

I finished a couple of mini quilt tops and hopefully able to finish one or two of them next week. Check my Instagram from the behind the scene pictures. 

Thank you for stopping by,

Happy Sewing

Linky Party: 

Finish it up Friday

Show Off Saturday

I love Mug Rugs

Hello,

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. Pele

I finally finished a couple of mug rugs. I've been making these in between doing my wallet orders. I really love making these small quilts and it's a quick gift to make.

Yellow  Mug Rugs

I used Indian fabrics in this one. They are so soft and the colors are bright. A perfect companion to brighten your day.

Green Fabric Mug Rugs

I do love using these tea mats when I am reading or watching my drama. Sometimes I use it as a mouse pad too. 

Red Quilted Mug Rugs

I used cotton batting and quilted them on my new Jack F4 sewing machine. I am not very fond of FMQ and always prefer quilting using my walking foot. The best thing of using industrial machine for quilting is I don't need to change the foot at all!! The foot works wonderfully from piecing the mulmul fabric to quilting it! 

And one big news is I start listing my small quilts in Etsy. I opened another Etsy Shop (it's called Chezvies Quilts) since it is completely different product line than my Handmade wallet, it is always wiser to have a separate shop. The price is reasonable and it's free shipping for India! Please take a look at my new shop. I hope I will be able to share my love for quilting with you all!  

Thank you so much for your supports! 

Happy Sewing

Linky Party:

Handmade Monday
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Finish it up Friday

Another Log Cabin Sling Bag

Hello,

And the log cabin sling bag is done and on it's way to the new owner. I took a bit of time to complete this one and happy that I did. 

Quilting taught me to be patient. From cutting the small pieces of fabrics and putting them together and finally make them into a final product is a learning process. 

walking foot quilting

Just like what I learned from one Kdrama Show - Master in The House/Jipsabu

"It's coming from you, it's your style. It's the same with art. When you keep doing it, you start to see your own style. It's all you. You will find your color. When you have the rhythm, you have a wisdom" - Jeon In Kwon

I love making patchwork and quilt, especially small ones and quilted patchwork bag has been on my bucket list for a long time! After I went to the Tokyo International Quilt show last year, I sort of have an "aha" moment!

Don't be afraid to try something new. If anything goes wrong, you only have to unpick the stitches and do it again. 

The best way to learn is by doing. Stop Waiting and bring your ideas to life TODAY! - Tara Gentile

Quilted bag stats:

Fabric - Yuwa Fabric Japan

Half Circle Echo Quilting 

(thanks mbak Belly for the idea!)

Fleece Batting

Leather Strap

Finished Dimension: 9" W x 9.5" H x 1" D

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Linky Party :

Handmade Monday

Finish it up Friday

Show Off Saturday

Mission Accomplished 2 - Kanazawa in Winter

Hello again,

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

Mini Log Cabin Quilt

Before my Japan trip last January, me and my friends discussed about taking a quilt to Japan and take quilt photos with snow background just like those quilters we saw in Instagram.  Since I would be traveling solo, I decided to take mini quilt. I completed this quilt just 2 days before my departure. It was a hectic week!!

Kanazawa Station

This time, I was not very fit throughout the trip. I had a sore throat and my nose kept bleeding due to the cold and dry weather. For me who grew up  in a tropical country, winter (snow or no snow) is always tough. Besides the winter eczema, the nose bleeding business is really bothersome.

Anyway, we decided to go to Kanazawa with the grand plan to visit Gokayama or Shirakawago. But then, man proposes God disposes! Weather was not cooperative during our stay in Kanazawa.

Since the other three girls, brought their suitcase, we decided to take a taxi to our rented Airbnb. The problem with Japan is there was hardly any people who can speak English. Thank God for the google translate. But, you have to write a proper English sentences for Google to translate it properly. Or else another long  conversation will take place.

The attendance In the taxi stand at the Kanazawa station was a nice old man who tried to help us. When we showed him the address, he could not make out what is what (it was written in English). After several minutes, he took me to the information center and thankfully, there was a lady there who spoke a decent English. After another  lost in translation conversation, the lady decided to call the house owner, and finally we got our address written in Japanese (pheeww)!  Happily the attendant took us to the other side of taxi stand et voila, our fancy SUV taxi!! We were surprised, between thrilled and worried, praying it won’t be too expensive LOL. Luckily we travelled in group!! The taxi driver was a nice gentleman, he didn’t speak English but tried his best to tell us any landmarks we passed along the way. He even got down to check out if the house we rented was the correct one.

Arigato gozaimashita

The house we rented via Airbnb in Kanazawa was a two storey house. It’s called the Ibaragi House. Luckily we were on the ground floor. The Japanese keep the house key in a mini box with combination lock. It was a little tricky to open, especially when you were cold and in a hurry. After several attempt ( and a message to the owner later) we were able to unlock the house. The Ibaragi house was very compact and comfortable. The sliding door on the other side of the house remind me of Lee sang Yoon drama! Hahaha. Anyway, we were quite comfortable there since the owner provided us with extra blankets, electric heater and hot water bags.

The Ibaragi House  Airbnb Kanazawa

After settling down, we decided to brave the cold and walk around the city. 

 

The city is quite impressive with big brand shops, but I love to see the indie designers shops. Most of these shops have either French or English name.

 I suppose many Japanese love French vintage theme or English Victorian theme.

coffee shop in front our rented home

can you see the star?

The next day, we thought of going to Gokayama, but we were too late plus we were uncertain with the weather. It was raining and snowing in the morning when we left the house.

breakfast at Mister Donut - The donuts we had did not contain any lark, mirin, or sake. We asked and apparently they have all ingredients listed in their computer!! 

A window display remind me of my son's concert before the trip! 

 We decided to get a one day tourist pass and go to Higashi Chaya district, where we can see the old Japanese houses which mostly are souvenir shops or tea shops (Chaya literally means Tea house)

the loop bus - a hop on hop off bus

A cafe as we enter the Higashi Chaya 

 By the time, I felt a bit feverish and I ran out of my antibiotics! (sigh!). After strolling a bit, me and Kak Jenny decided to go into a noodle shop. She loved her noodle soup esp Soba!! I could not have anything since there was no halal food. So I just enjoy a cup of matcha aka green tea with lots of sugar! Hey, I need energy, right?!

my matcha and my log cabin bag! 

Noodle Shop & Souvenir shop

The vintage shop next to the tea stall

look at those patchwork bag made from kimono fabrics!! 

Me and my quilt again ^_^

After a bit of photo session  near the bus stop, we decided to go to the Kenrokuen Garden and Castle. The 2 girls – mbak Belly and Kak Ria, went ahead to check out both,  while me and Kak Jenny, decided not to go. By the time it was raining and snowing intermittently.  

Kanazawa Castle 

We decided to catch the loop bus and got down at the mall near our rented airbnb ! But not before I took another photo in front of the castle gate! 

the Kanazawa scene as we were leaving 

Hopefully, next time we can go and check the castle and the garden and hopefully in a friendlier weather!

Thank you for the beautiful memories girls! <3

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang

 Now, mission accomplished!

Until then,

Happy Sewing

I will  write more about Japan trip in the next posts. Subscribe to my blog via email so you won't miss interesting post!