Upcycled Pouches from Upholstery Fabric Samples

Upcycled Pouches

A few months ago me and my MIL  visited one furnishing shop near my house. We went to get a few things for the home, as I looked around I saw a pile of fabrics, the sales person said those are fabric samples that are no longer in stock! And they sell it quite cheap. Well, just like when I got the faux leather in my previous post, I could not pass this "good opportunity". Before I knew it, I started choosing fabrics and the shop keeper offered me samples books! And just like that I came home with 6 fabric sample books and more. 

I mean if you make bags and pouches, these upholstery fabrics are really good. 

I particularly love the sample books! Some of them came with same sample sizes, some came with different sizes of sample pieces. Tearing the book apart is another story! I managed to dismantle 2 books so far. 

The smaller book like the one above, has fabrics size 8" x 11" roughly. After  tearing out the paper backing, I checked whether the holes from the pins are repairable or not. If not, I put them aside for another future projects. In one book there are more than 20 pieces of samples. And some has less.

Upcycled Double Zipper Pouches

From the small sample book, the size is just perfect for the double zipper bag. I used Doitrei Pouch Pattern. The height is just a tad smaller, so I adjusted the lining pieces. The finished size is approximately 7" W x 5" H. Some bags are 4.5" H. 

You can see my process in the short video below: 

I also made simple flat pouches from the sample book. These flat pouches size are about the same size 7" W x 5" H. 

Flat Pouches

From the jacquard book samples, so far I only made these flat pouches. This particular sample book has really beautiful color of jacquard and embroidered fabrics! I am so overwhelmed with ideas right now. I can't decide what to make next! Maybe I will make table runner with the smaller cuts. Hmm that sounds like a good idea, right? 

Jacquard Flat Pouches 9" W x 7" H 

These pouches will make a great gift or even bridesmaid gifts! If you look for one, you can message me on my Etsy shop. I have more gorgeous fabric samples to make plenty of bags! We can't have enough pouches, right?! 

Double Zip Pouches and New Video

 

Watch the video

Hello, 

I made a few double zippers pouches a few months ago and record a video as well, but somehow the editing got shelved. However, this morning, I woke up with the idea of finishing the editing work! 

Since I got my new iPad 10 a few months ago, I prefer to edit my videos on my iPad. My favorite is the InShot app. I've been using the app for years. I wasn't able to use InShot on my previous iPad Air since it was no longer compatible, but with my new device, I can continue to use this app for all my video editing needs. What is your fave editing app? 

So yeah, now the video is live on my Youtube Channel. In the video, I scaled down the pattern a little bit. I used the doitrei pattern and reduce the height by 1/2 inch. It turned out pretty cute and just perfect for a wallet and even holds my iPhone 11. You can add tabs on both sides and turn the pouch into a hipster bag or mini sling bag! 

This pouch is very easy to sew especially for beginners who want to learn to sew with a zipper. I use quilting cotton fabric and all-purpose woven interfacing. The interfacing is only applied on the exterior pieces. You can always use it on both the exterior and lining if you want a more structured pouch or add batting on the exterior piece. 

Do let me know what you think of the video and if you have any questions, simply leave a comment under the video. I really enjoy making videos and I have a few that I still need to edit now and some I don't get to post on the blog (it's on my drafts actually). I'll publish the blog in the next few days or weeks. 

Here's another double-zipper pouch I made! I cut a few more pouches to sew and now I am waiting for the mood to kick in. LOL. Nowadays I am batching everything when I am working on orders. That way I can always have something to sew. 

Double Zip Pouch 

Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog!

Happy Sewing! 

Elvira

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A few WIP hand quilted projects

Quilt in Progress

 

Hello, 

Time flies when you have fun. For the past 2 weeks, I have been busy with a few quilt projects and wallet making for my Etsy Shop. And I also working on my Kawandi QAL which sadly I have not been able to work on it so much. I really enjoy doing this hand quilting and want to start quilting on bigger quilts when I have enough confidence. Right now I have a few smaller projects going on, I'll do it one at a time as time permits. Now both my sons are going to have board exam for grade 10 and 12 and that really make me nervous, though they seem to relax, this hand quilting projects help me to calm down a bit. My DH keeps telling me not to get anxious and he keeps sending me to my sewing room hahaha. 

hand quilted table topper 14 x 14 inches

QIP using Handloom /Shotcotton fabrics

On the (small) business side, yesterday I finally got the dust bags for my wallets from Canvas2Craft. I ordered the bags a couple of weeks ago and Poonam is very helpful and lovely to work with. She updates me about the progress and makes sure everything was per my requirements. 

Dust Bag and Family Passport Holder

I always wanted to make dust bags as an added bonus for my customers, so that they can reuse the bag. Instead of wrapping them in paper, this reusable bag will be more useful and eco-friendly too. So here is the first order that goes in the bag. Yes, the small quilt above. I think I will order another size. 

Another happiness last week comes from Saira my secret swap partner in Desi Quilters Love and Healing Swap. When she posted her pouch in the group, I secretly wish for it et voila! My wish come true. The bag is so spacious and I use it to keep my hand quilting projects. She also sent me the pin and magnetic pins. If you're a hijabi, like me, you know these magnetic pins are a game-changer. Thank you so much, Saira!

I also completed a few wallet orders from my Etsy Shop. These two wallets are popular. I only have enough fabric to make a few more wallets. And now that many states are going to restart offline school, I made a couple of triple and double zipper pouches too. They are very versatile as you can keep extra face masks for them. I guess, we all have to accept the fact that wearing a face mask is necessary even when the pandemic is over. At least, that will be our first guard against any virus, IMHO. 

My fave wallets

Multi Zipper Bag

Triple Zipper Bag


Thats' all update for today. I hope you enjoy reading my blog. 
Take care and stay safe!

Elvira

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Retro Wallets and New Etsy Advertising

Hello,

I've been busy trying to make sense of the Etsy new advertising this past few weeks. Reading forum posts, FB groups and also YouTube videos. Well, the new Etsy Advertising did hurt small shops! Some big ads spenders are affected too and they even lower their ads budget so low! 

We're filling up the research /feedback forms and hopefully they will bring back the old Etsy ads where we can set our CPC and can control where our money are being spent. In the mean time, I had to switch off Ads in my Fabric Shop and Handmade Shop due to the low ROAS in the last 2 months! Willingly or not, we have to increase the price to cover the cost of Advertisements, Etsy Fees and Paypal Fees. Well, we live and learn, right? Let's hope for the best

In the meantime, I enabled Worldwide Shipping in my Webstore. I'm glad I decided to start the Westore (though it was a bit neglected in between), but now it's all stock up and I'm trying to pay more attention to it. There is a currency converter on the top right of the page as your browse my Webstore. I think the Webstore will be a Win Win solution for buyers and sellers! 

Well, building a small business as a solopreneur is not easy but it is soul satisfying :D. If you just started don't be discouraged! Keep going and like they say in Kdrama, if it's not a happy ending, it's not the end as yet! 

Now let's check out what's new in the shop! 

1. Wonderland Fabric Bifold Wallet. I really really love working on this one. The Wonderland Fabric from Rifle Paper Co is really beautiful. I ordered a few more and got them a few days ago. Yay! 

Women's Wallet | Etsy | Webstore

Wonderland Bifold Wallet

2. Paris Mini Passport Wallet 

One of the popular print for passport holder in my shop is Paris theme. I mean, who wouldn't love la tour Eiffel? For the card slot I used salmon pink fabric with the same theme but in cotton. (the exterior is Japan Linen) and using a wine color polkadots for the rest. If you're a music lover and love Paris, this will be a great gift for yourself. Or check out more Paris theme Passport Holder in the shop. 

Mini Passport Wallet

3. Everyone's fave Mickey Mouse Zipper Pouch with metal double zipper. I got quite a few of Disney licensed fabrics this time from Japan and I think it's high time I start using them. If you want in different Disney print, you can check out my Instagram Page which I created only for fabric options. I mean, it's too much of work if I have to show each client what fabrics I have, right? 

Disney Double Zip Pouch | Etsy | Webstore

Polkadot yellow inside! Love it!

Thank you so much for your support all through this years! I will put the link under this post for resources, in case you decided to sew the wallets yourself ;)

Happy Sewing

- Elvira -

Resources :

Bifold Wallet Pattern

Mini Passport Wallet Pattern

Double Zipper Pouch Pattern

Linking up to:
Handmade Monday
Handmade Tuesday 

Small Handmade Gifts

Hello October!

In the past few weeks we have so much of rain which make the weather very pleasant! I took this Slow Motion video yesterday just for fun! 

The last two weeks I was busy with custom orders, Alhamdulillah. Also busy working on my Etsy Shops. Etsy is changing it's advertising policy and now the Etsy Promoted Ads and Google Ads are merged. This makes many sellers very disappointed, because suddenly our visits and views dropped drastically since August. Even my stores! With the new system, we don't have any control over the CPC and our daily budget is quickly spent! For bigger shops maybe they are not much affected but for smaller shops like mine, this changing really affect us. 

I'm still working on my Etsy shops to adjust with the new changes! and it takes up a LOT of time!! Meanwhile, here's a few things I finished.

I finished this Pink Floral Double Zip Pouch last week. I decided to go with grey polkadots as an accent fabric. Well, if nothing works, go for polkadots! :D 

Nowadays I love using metal zipper, since I learned how to sew with metal zipper without breaking your needle! It looks good also. I ordered more yardage for metal zips and still waiting. I hope I will get it after the Durga Puja Holiday.

I also made these cute pocket tissue holders. They make a great gift, right? I am using my Indian fabric scraps and simply love how they turned out. These tissue holders are available in my Etsy Shop as well as on my Webshop! 

Blue or Yellow

Small Floral Tissue Holder

I also made these cute  Tissue holder  and Mini Zipper Tissue Pouch

That's all for today. I still have a few orders to finish this week and also huge homework of working on my Etsy SEO. With Etsy changing, I think it's time for me to revise my prices on Etsy too. However you can also check out my WEBSHOP too. I ship internationally from my webshop too! 

I will list few links below in case you need.

Thank you for stopping by,

Have a nice day!

~ Elvira ~

Resources :

Double Zip Pattern

Tissue Zipper Pouch Pattern

Pocket Tissue Holder Tutorial

Etsy Ads /SEO Tutorial

Double Zip L Shape Pouch

Don't poison your soul with hate. It's too huge of a burden to carry. Learn to love & appreciate. It'll make you a better & happier person inshaAllah! - Dr.bilal Philip

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One of my favorite shopping  is buying Pattern Kits. I know it is expensive but it is one way for me to learn about materials and also learn about new technique. This year  I bought a few and finished 2 of them.  Yes it is a challenge when the kits are not in English. Sometimes even the google translate is a bit difficult to understand. Especially if the kits are written in Kanji! 

I usually will open the pattern pieces and scan each sentences/word onto google translate and try to make sense of it! Then, trying to figure out the pictures instructions in a single piece of paper. So, basic bag making or sewing and diagrams. The kits usually come with a very simple basic diagrams and knowledge is important if you're considering to buy kits. But once you figured it out, everything else is easy!

I started this pouch a few days ago from the Kit I bought in the Quilt Show. The kit includes fabrics, binding strip and zippers. This is the first time I tried installing the zipper by hand!! and to tell you the truth I LOVE it. 

By the way, here I didn't use the fabrics etc from the kit. Since this is my first trial, I used fabrics etc from my stash. Maybe I should have used polkadots lining instead of the handloom linen fabric. 

I kinda love this pouch. Maybe can add this kind of pouch in the shop later on. What do you think? 

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a nice weekends!

- Elvira- 

Double Zip Pencil Pouches

Hello,

Last month I made these pencil pouches for gifts. It was Sunday morning and my son said he needs a gift for his friend's birthday in the afternoon. I need to make something that's easy and quick. 

When I said I'll make a pencil pouch, he immediately agreed. I've wanted to make this style of pencil pouch, anyway. 

I used the Doitrei Pattern for the double zipper pouch one. (The pattern is now on sale in my Etsy Shop)

It's super easy. From the Double zip Pouch pattern, I extended the width from the pattern to 10 1/2 Inch and proceeded as per the pattern instructions. 

Double Zip Pencil Pouch

This really makes a great gift for anyone. With multi compartments, they can easily stay organized and also they can keep their canteen coupons and ID Card (which are frequently forgotten ~ sigh)

This is my fave gifting pattern now since I love collecting scraps I can easily use them like the blue stripe I used here is from my previous project. 

By changing the fabric print, you can make gifts for men or women, or boys and girls. 

Well, everyone always needs pouches. All kinds, styles, and sizes of pouches. 

If you need to make last-minute gifts, it's time to grab the pattern.

You can purchase from the Webshop (use coupon CVG20) or in my Etsy Shop (it's on sale through Monday!)

Thank you for stopping by,

Have a nice weekend,

~ Elvira ~