Some quilting and sewing

Mini Quilts

Hello, how are you doing? I've been busy with many random things the past few weeks. I share this scrappy mini pillow on my Instagram a few weeks ago. I made it for fun and to test hand quilting using cotton thread which I got from the local shop.  The mini pillow is for wrist pillow when I am working on my computer. And I just had fun while taking photos. Hmm, I think it can be a doll pillow too. 

I also finished a couple of wallet orders and face mask orders too. Thank you for always supporting handmade! I know there is a lot of more pretty stuff out there that is cheaper and prettier, so I am truly grateful when someone chooses to buy my handmade instead. It really means a lot. 

In the past 2 years, the e-commerce business has really boomed and the online market is flooded with all kinds of products. And of course, the competition is tougher too. It is a very challenging year but I believe that if we create with heart and sincerity, it will pay off. I always try to move forward at my own pace. Although sometimes, I got caught up in the 'rate race" of social media. I think we should not lose focus on our goals, things that make us happy. For me, to be able to create something and share my knowledge makes me happier. This reminded me of one quote from one drama I watched that goes

" you cannot just move forward and leave your heart behind".

 

This statement stuck with me for a few days, trying to make a sense of it. What do you think of the quote? 

Mini Zipper Wallet

Ikat Family Passport Holder

Singing Face Masks

I started another Kawandi pillow too and this is the current state! I am still not able to get time to continues as I am currently working on my next pattern! I hope I will be able to release the pattern by end of next week. 

There are so many things  I want to learn and experiment with.  Well, I did a couple of experiments that were halfway done and stashed in my WIP box. I think I will just make a video and show you all what's on my WIP box one day. 

Kawandi Pillow WIP

I also went with my son for his IELTS tests last week. The place was near my fave shop, so I went there (after 2 years!)  and a pick up a couple of kurtas. I can't resist Indian print tunics! 

And when you saw the window with patterns that remind you of quilting lines, you must take a photo! Yup, that was me, taking a selfie with the window :)

looking out 

The weather is pretty chilly and dry these past few days. My MIL's flowers are blooming beautifully this time. No, I can't grow plants. Somehow, they always die when I try to grow one. LOL. 

We also got a new baby calf yesterday.

Thank you for stopping by! Wherever you are, please take care and stay safe! 

Have a nice day,

Elvira

*******

Linking up to these wonderful BLOGS 

Patchwork Wallet

Patchwork Travel Wallet

There are so many things you can make with 2.5" squares and it's my fave size to play with.  After making a few drawstring bags, I thought let me make a travel wallet! Since the pandemic started last year, I have not made travel wallets much. And patchwork one should be fun to make, right?

I'm using my own Safari Travel Wallet for this one. If you plan to make one, I pieced the patchwork panel 5 x 4. You have to adjust the length and width according to the pattern. And instead of using all-purpose interfacing, I used lightweight fusible interfacing and batting. This will make the wallet sturdier. 

In the interior, I used different prints of fabrics too and it really gives a fun one-of-a-kind look. Now, I wish I could travel! Let's hope and pray, we can start traveling without much worry! 

For the closure, normally I use a Kam snap button, but this time I used the sew-on magnetic snap! I am glad I bought a few before the Pandemic! I always stock up on bag hardware since we don't get it here. Bag making /quilting supplies and tools are hard to find in retail in India. So, I tend to buy in bulk whenever I get a chance.   

***

The photo below is of a lake on the way to my sons' school. Since the school started last week, I still feel very worried and uneasy but on one side, I feel that it is necessary for them to start going out and learning to be disciplined in following the Covid-19 protocols. We have not let them go on the school bus as yet, luckily the school is only 15 mins drive. So I enjoy my morning ride to drop them :).

Wild Cotton Tree

The wild cotton trees along the highway are blooming. Spring is here!  I hope you stay warm and well wherever you are!

Until next time, thank you for stopping by!

Happy Sewing

- Elvira -

Linking up to these wonderful blogs

Pattern Update: New Video for Family Passport Wallet Pattern

Get the Pattern on Etsy

The Family Passport Wallet is my first Pattern that I release a few years ago. Although I write blogs and tutorials, but pattern is totally a different experience. I will try to keep sharing the updates through this blog. I'm thinking of re-writing the pattern but it will be difficult to resend the pattern to those who already purchase it. So, I thought sharing an update in this blog and my Youtube Channel is the best solution for all. 

The question I got the most is about assembling the passport slot and the zipper pocket. So, here's the updated version on how to make the passport slot and the mini zipper pocket. The method is  slightly different from the pattern: 

Mini Zipper Pocket (Easy Method)

Passport Slot (Easy Method)

I hope you find the videos helpful!

 Please subscribe to my blog and Youtube Channel so that you won't miss an update. 

Thank you for stopping by,

Happy Sewing

- Elvira- 

 ****
Resources: 

Family Passport Holder Pattern
How to do Zip Around Closure Wallet

Travel Wallet for Family

Get the Pattern on Etsy

I finished this family passport wallet few days ago! I just got a new sublimation heat press machine which works amazingly for attaching interfacing. Thanks Namrata for the recommendation! Naturally I have to try it immediately.

The machine is quite big and for now I set it up in my kitchen! I can finish attaching interfacing for 5 projects in less than 5 minutes! How cool is that!! Hmm, I think I can iron my scraps there too, that will be faster, right!

Zip Around Passport Holder

The heat transfer machine is definitely a game changer. The interfacing is attached evenly and firmly! I got it from Amazon India for INR 16K. Not a bad deal since it's free delivery too.

The second good thing I got is the pegboard! I always wanted to have Ikea Pegboard and after my visit to Ikea in Jakarta last summer, it's been on my mind. A good friend Wulan, who lives in Hyderabad offered me to get it for me and of course I said YES ! Thanks dear <3 . Though the shipping cost quite a bit but it was worth it!  I hope they will open a branch in Northeast India soon :D. 

What do you think? 

Thank you for stopping by,

Have a nice day!

~ Elvira~

***

Scooter Family Travel Wallet with Zipper Closure

Don't you love this cute scooter print? I got the fabric from Indonesia few summers ago! i knew then this fabric would be great for travel wallet. Don't you think? I decided to go minimalist with color and I love how this turned out. 

Get the Pattern on Etsy

I am thinking of making improvement for the family passport wallet pattern. I tried to record a video as I was working on this wallet, but it was not so good. I will try to record another one when I make my next wallet. I still have the video , if any of you need it urgently, you can email me after you purchase the pattern.  

See Zipper Closure Tutorial

Meanwhile this wallet is ready to ship and  available on my Etsy shop. If you want to make your own you can get the pattern on my Webshop or Etsy  You can find the additional Zip Around Closure tutorial HERE. 

I hope I can post the video soon. Now I gotta go. Today is the eldest son second concert with Cadenza! We're all so excited. 

Until next time,

Have a nice day!

-Elvira-

*****

Etsy Cyber Week Sale 2019

Etsy Cyber Week has started!! Head to the shops by clicking the link below the pictures!!

20% off on All Patterns

10% OFF on ALL HANDMADE ITEMS

Eligible Orders get 20% OFF 

Thank you for your continued supports!!

~ Elvira~

More Passport Wallet and Keyfobs

Hello again,

After a round of viral flu in our family during the last week of August and first week of September, now I'm back to sew again and has a long list of stuff (orders and not) that I have to finish. In the meantime I finished a couple of family passport wallets and also keyfobs. 

Hello London Travel Wallet

Looks like my customers love the zip around passport holder and if you already got the passport wallet patterns, you can check this Tutorial for zip around closure. 

World Map Passport Holder

The map passport holder above is for 8 passport slot. I do love the green combo. This is the second one that I made for custom order. I got the fabric from an Etsy seller in the US. It's Tim Holt's Eclectic Elements. I got several map prints together to save up on the shipping. Shipping for US to India is quite expensive and on top of that I had to pay for custom duty. But it's worth it! Don't you think? 

Disney and Elephant Key fobs

The fabric key fobs and key rings are so much fun to make. It's such a scrap friendly project that you can sew it in a jiffy. The Disney key fobs only available for 2 pieces above. That's the only pieces I have left in my stash. 

 I especially love the denim keyring. I wanted to use the fobs like the Minnie Mouse key fobs but it turned out it's too thick for the fob to set in. My sons and DH love the swivel hook version though, because it's easier to attach and detach your keys. 

Which one is your fave? 

Ah btw, I had  a lovely gathering last Saturday with fellow crafter/artist! Mostly are young crowds and I love their enthusiasm, which is very contagious! We're planning an exhibition sometime before Diwali here in Guwahati. Subscribe to my Blog to get the updates for follow my Instagram.

That's all from last week. I'm going to work on a couple of wallet orders this week and Insha Allah will start writing a new pattern when the sons' exam is finished. 

Until next time,

Happy Sewing!

~ Elvira ~

Snoopy Family Passport Wallet

"Increase your good deeds, so you won't have time for the bad ones - Ramadan Quote - Mufti Menk "

Ramadan is half way through now. How time flies. I've been busy catching up with prayers, reading the Quran, cooking and a little bit of sewing. 

Nowadays, we can listen to Islamic lectures from scholars around the globe. Alhamdulillah for the internet! We can learn so many things!

I made a few Indonesian snacks I learn from YouTube too. My fave channel for Indonesian food is Dapur Dina. I tried many recipes from her and always successful. Well, Ramadan is the time when you really miss your hometown and your food, right? 

Back to sewing, I finished this Snoopy zip around family passport wallet as custom order last week. She wanted the snoopy print. I got quite a few snoopy prints from my trip to Japan and Indonesia last year so I'm very happy to finally use them. 

The travel wallet has one long zipper pocket and one slip pocket. In the beginning I thought it would be too bulky on the seam but I already said yes to the customer. I did this quite often X_X. 

I tend to be too excited for the challenge but Alhamdulillah it turned out fine. In sewing, sometimes what you imagined is not always applicable but then you can always find a way to make it work for you. 

If you haven't already, you can check the zip around tutorial on my previous post. If you have any questions regarding the pattern, you can always email me and I will try to help you as much as I can. 

And here's what I made last week! I was watching YouTube about different typl of dumplings across Asia and here's my Indonesian version of Chicken Dumplings with Grated Carrot on Top. You can find the recipe HERE. 

Indonesian Chicken Dumplings

So, that's a little story this week. I hope I can write more often. I still have a few pending stories from my Japan Trip this year! Well, it was all on Instagram but I'd still love to write them down for future reference. Thank you for stopping by!

Have a nice day

~ Elvira ~

Zip around Family Passport Wallet

Hello,

Many people asked me on Etsy if I make zip around wallet and finally I now I can give the option. Introducing the new zip around family passport wallet!

Installing all around zipper is quite tricky, because the wallet is interfaced with heavy interfacing plus batting.  So I made several changes on the interfacing. I used heavy interfacing only on the main lining and using woven interfacing on the main exterior and used the same thin fleece batting for the padding. It worked out beautifully.

I will take photos and maybe videos when I make the next wallet and write a tutorial for it in my next post.  Make sure you subscribe to my blog so you won't miss the post.

This Paris family passport wallet is now available on Etsy You can choose for 4 , 6 or 8 passports. It's very handy and keep everything securely inside.

I also made the above travel wallet ( a custom order) with zip around closure. I will make more of this for stock (and I need to sew up those stash!) . The green London print fabric is finished now but I have the peach one in case you want the same print.

You can buy the Family Passport Wallet Pattern HERE , ETSY or in my WEBSHOP

Thank you for stopping by,

 Have a nice day!

- Elvira-

A Short Break and Travel Wallet

Hello,

Last weekends we went to Shillong for a short break. We stayed in a new B&B resort called Windermere Resorts. Currently they only have 7 rooms available but the rooms are lovely. It has a feeling of country home. The resorts is on the hill top, surrounded by pine trees. It was nice relaxing trip for all of us!

Windermere Resorts

The boys just wanted to stay in and watching soccer match on TV. Luckily I brought a couple of wallets that needs to be handsewn. 

This purple travel wallet was for Nia. She wanted purple polka dots and chose this fabric from the photos in my Instagram page. The fabric is a lightweight Indian cotton fabric. 

I combined the polkadots with a matching solid purple to tone down a bit so that it won't look too busy. 

Wonder clips always be a great help when finishing the binding. 

And here is the view when it's filled up. It can hold up to 6 cards, 2-3 passports and boarding passes, pen holder, slip pockets and zipper pocket.

 All in one wallet! If you want to make the wallet, you can get the pattern HERE. 

As I work with different thickness of fabric, I often experimenting with the interfacing. For this purple wallet, since the fabric is thinner, I used heavy weight interfacing on both main body and added a layer of thin batting. If you're in India, you can read about interfacing in this post. I hope she will like it! 

Thank you for stopping by,

have a nice day!

~ Elvira~

Linking up to:
Finish or Not Friday
Show Off Saturday