First Quilt Finish 2018

Hello,

Yay! Finally I finished my first quilt of the year. Nothing fancy though. I found the disappearing 9 patch blocks in my UFO bin and there are 6 blocks. I decided to make 2 runners and in the meantime I completed only one. There are so many things I am working on at the same time. You can follow my progress in my Instagram account. 

I tried free motion quilting after a long time. I used the R foot on my Husqvarna Viking and calypso thread, which work beautifully. There were thread breaking moments but after changing my needle to quilting needle, it seems to reduce the problem. 

I had discussion with Jyoti and we agreed that the batting was the culprit. I will try using a different batting for the other runner.  

My quilting is far for perfect. But I learned a lot. 

Finished is always better than perfect, right? 

the son helped me with this shoot <3

What have you been working on? Any UFO gets done this month? 

I gotta run now, I hope I will be able to finish this mini log cabin quilt before I travel next week.

Thank you for stopping by,

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Sew Small Things

Hello,

I really love sewing small things, be it a pouch, bags or quilts. Last month, being the holiday season, I made a couple of cute little sling bags for the nieces and for my friends' daughter too. 

I made this cats and arrow sling bags  for Zahra and Zoya. They chose the fabric a few months ago when they came to visit us. 

I chose this simple one from one of my Japanese patterns. A simple straight forward sling bags and the size is just perfect for little girls.

This one I made for Afra, since I made the gadget case for his brother, I decided to make one mini sling bag for her. This one was the original pattern, with darts on the corner. 

It turned out really cute that one can make a pouch instead of sling bag. Trust the Japanese to make cute little patterns. 

The book didn't come with a pattern, but gave detail measurements. I made my own pattern based on the measurements given in the book.

I love the simple rounded corner version though. It's really a quick project to make. 

 This Frozen sling bag I made for Jasmine, Eva's daughter. It's a long due. 

 For the strap, I did not use any interfacing, since it's for a little girl, I thought as soft strap would be better. 

perfect size to carry her fave stuff

  Subha who always helped me with my visa, whenever I travelled, asked for a specs cover. I was not sure whether it was for the sun glasses or for reading glasses, so I made in-between size.

The fabric was a patchwork print fabric so I just need to quilt it and added fun wooden button and elastic. Instant cuteness!

Simple sewing is always fun and when it's done using fun fabrics, it always turned out perfect.

What about you? What are you sewing this week? 

Until then,

Batik Passport Holder

Hello,

I finished this family passport holder last month. It was a custom order and she wanted it in Batik. Off course I was delighted. I've kept several bundle of bali batiks that I am selling in the shops for my future project. 

Don't you love those bundles?

The new bundles are all so pretty and so inspiring. She chose one from the green bundle in my Fabric Shop and I really enjoyed creating this Family Passport Wallet. 

I decided to combine it with a matching green poplin and going with softer color on the inside. It matched beautifully. I hope she will love it. 

For this wallet, she chose to add long zipper on one side and 2 clear pocket. Instead of the small zipper pocket like in the original pattern. 

I've been planning to make tutorial on the long zipper pocket, but still have not got the time to do it. Insha Allah when I make the next wallet, I will take  proper pictures.

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Linky Party:

Handmade Monday

Interfacing Guide for Handmade Bag in India

Hello,

Today I want to share about interfacing. Not the famous brand interfacing because we don't have those branded interfacings here in India. I often receive a message asking what interfacing I used in my bags, pouches, and wallets.

Many of you probably already read interfacing guide by Sew Sweetness but since we - in India - don't have all those brands, we are back to square one, right?

I have been experimenting with many kinds and quality of interfacings. Which interfacing to use depends on what kind of project and what look that I want. Floppy, firm, sturdy, quilted, etc.

I recently purchased a roll of heavy woven interfacing and I am happy that I finally found it. It took me several trips to the wholesaler. He was kind enough to let me check through all kinds of interfacings without asking  "what are you making, ma'am?" which is pretty much the habit of an Indian (male) shopkeeper/salesperson. And it always pisses me off, cos what I am making is none of his business ^^.

Anyway, I found what works best for my projects.

1. All Purpose Microdot interfacing/Interlining

I use this very frequently to make small projects like small pouches or pencil pouch, and also bags.  This will make cotton fabric feel like home decor weight fabric. Not as thick as canvas though. I used this to make the Phone Pouch and Kindle Cover, pencil pouch, and Tote bag.  With this interlining, adding batting to the pouch won't be a problem.

Phone Sling Bag

Result: Soft /floppy and wrinkle-free, which means you can smoothen it with a warm iron.

2.  Medium Woven Interfacing

I discovered this recently. It's thicker than all-purpose interlining. It gives a good shape to the bag and pouches.

You can see the fabric print more prominent on the all purpose interlining
Medium = MCL 3001 Madura Coats India

I use this for a  pouch or any purse that I don't need to be padded or add batting, but more sturdy without being too stiff.  Sometimes I use this interfacing for wallet or passport wallet too, combined it with Heavy Interfacing.

Heidi Mini Foldover Bag

3. Heavy interfacing.

This is also woven but heavier. This will make your fabric feels like canvas.

MCL 1616 (Madura Coats India)

I use this for my family passport wallets and women's wallets. The result is a firm/sturdy but soft wallet. Since it's a cotton base, it makes the hand sewing less painful.

4. Buckram 

This is my alternative if I could not get the heavy interfacing for my wallet. This is the one with a papery feeling and it makes the fabric very stiff. I only use this for wallets. Since I don't have to do "birthing", it works out fine. You can read HERE to learn more about Buckram.

I remember I made a tote bag with buckram and it wrinkled beyond repair LOL. I used it for a shopping bag. (Update: I stopped using buckram for my bag and wallet projects) 

All the above are iron-on or fusible. Which means one side is glue coated. I normally spray the fabric with water and place the glue side on the wrong side of the fabric, and iron it on a cotton setting. For lighter interlining use a setting in between wool and cotton.

5. Lightweight Non-Woven Interfacing.

This transparent fusible interfacing is called "pasting" in India. I use this a lot for my wallet card slots, quilted pouches, and also applique. 

It's good to give just enough thickness especially for card slots, or the inner pocket of a bag. But you have to be extra careful because it will shrink and wrinkled if the iron is too hot. I use a wool setting while ironing this interfacing. If you're careful, you will get a nice and smooth result. 

Card slot from Trifold Women's Wallet

I always use this interfacing to make a quilted purse. With this interfacing, the quilted bag or purse will be soft but sturdy, even after washing 

I also use this for quilted pouches and bags, especially when I work with Indian Fabric.

You can easily buy this interfacing in a "button shop" in India. Sometimes, they sell it meterage, but I always buy in a full package. It's around INR 150 for a pack of 10 meters.

Quilted Zipper Pouch 

UPDATE: There are many brands of interfacing in India, what I wrote here is the one I am using and that works best for me. 

Where to buy it?

I bought my interfacings from a local dealer in the market. You can get them online on Amazon India or other websites, but make sure to contact the seller first. Because there is no clear description in the listing that I saw in Amazon India, and the seller will casually write interfacing or interlining as buckram. 

That's all for today. Don't be scared to experiment. Make the best of what you can find locally. I hope this simple guide will be useful for you. 

Thank you for stopping by and read my blog. Don't hesitate to leave a comment or two.

Until then,

Elvira

Improvisation Part Deux - Family Passport Holder for 4

Hello again,

Weather is still pleasant in the Northeast of India. We got plenty of rain (and storm) this year and I hope the summer will not be too hot. 

Since I posted my family passport holder with 4 slots in Facebook , many has message me. Many people need a smaller version of the wallet. 

If you already bought the pattern (if you have not, links available at the end of this post), here's simple things you can do.

To make 4 slots passport holder :

1. Cut only the top and bottom card slots (Exterior Fabric, Lining and Interfacing).  And proceed as per pattern instructions.

2. Adjust the main body piece (Exterior, Lining, batting) by reducing the HEIGHT by 1 inch. The width should remain the same. 

3. (Optional) Reduce the WIDTH of the flap exterior and the interfacing piece by 1 Inch. The length of the flap piece should remain the same. Or else you don't have to change the flap pattern if you want a wider flap, just like  these fun and beautiful wallets by Kausalya of The Turquoise Paisley

 Now,  don't you love her wallets? They are super cute and fun. Check The Turquoise Paisley Facebook page to see more of fun handmade passport wallets and other fun stuff she made from Indian Fabrics. 

Who wants a boring black faux leather Travel Wallet if you can get a fun,  cute and one of a kind Handmade Wallet? 

The Family Passport Holder pdf pattern is available  here:

CRAFTSY

ETSY

CHEZVIES 

(Printed Pattern & Kits available in ChezVies - Price in INR)

if you already got one and have any questions, you can always email me. 

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Improvisation on the family passport holder

Hello,

I got an email from a customer asking if the passport wallet I listed in Etsy will be able to hold 12 passports as they are dual passport holder. So, yes I can make it happen (I feel like a magician ^^ )

So, after carefully thinking I made a couple of changes in term of material that I used or listed in the PdF Pattern.

For you who already bought the pattern, this tips may come out handy if you need to make one too.

1.  The interfacing. In this Map Family Passport holder I used Medium Heavy interfacing on the exterior only. In the main body lining fabric, I used woven interfacing. I also used woven interfacing for the passport slots. Since I need them to be less rigid. This way, 2 passports can easily fit in one slot.

2. I omitted the mini zip and ID slot and added exterior zipper instead. 

3. I also made the flap  longer by 0.5 inch to accommodate the bulk.

This family passport wallet is already on it's way to its new home. I will be offering this options in my shops. 

This is the best part of custom order. Sometimes a request from a customer can lead  you to new ideas. 

Thank you for all of you who've been supporting my small business all these years. 

Until next time, 

Happy Sewing

Links :

Wallet Pattern

Interfacings & Supplies

Handmade Shop 

Yarn Over

It's almost end of the year. I'm taking time off from taking custom orders to explore more and sew more fun projects to add to the shop. 

I finally began learning crochet too from youtube. And my current favorites are B Hooked Crochet and Bobwilson123 channel. 

Now, I can do crochet while catching up my my fave Korean Drama and also while waiting for the boys in their music classes. 

This is my first crochet finished : Crochet Cowl tutorial from BobWilson123. I gave this to my MIL for her to wear when she goes for morning walk. 

 

My SIL also started picking up her knitting needles and whipped up these cute baby booties in no time. I told her I'll list it in the shop. She made loads of knitted sweaters for my sons when they were babies and sweaters for me. And many more as gifts. 

So we decided to give "brand" byjulie. Julie is my SIL's name. We often talked about how we want to start having handmade business. But being a doctor, her time was limited. This year she took a little break and start working less hours, and I told her she can start doing and I'll list it in my Shops. 

So, be sure to check my Etsy Shop and my Website (if you are in India) for more knitted stuff. We're going to play with yarn a lot this winter. 

What have you completed this week?

Have a nice day

Happy Thanksgiving, Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Thanksgiving is here and the sale season is On. I have Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale in all the shops! yay! The sale will end on 30th November 2016. 

1. All the fabrics is on 25% off NOW until 30th November. So grab fast before everything back to it's regular price 

Yellow and Grey Indian Dress Fabric Set

Black and White Geometric Cotton

2. All the READY to SHIP products are on 20% Off  and the rest is 10% off (code: Earlyxmas10) until 30Th November. 

Don't you love this Tula Pink Wallet?

I really has fun making this Wallet. The pretty pink and lavender from Tula Pink Fox Field line is really pretty. 

I added the dangling zip accessories at the back. I bought the jhumka last week and happened to have a matching one.

I added medium length strap, it will be really cute to carry this around when you want to go minimalist. 

3. My pattern is on SALE in CRAFTSY  only. 

Family Passport Holder PdF Pattern 

In the meantime, I'm writing a couple of patterns. Hopefully I will be able to complete it soon. 

Thank you for stopping by

Happy Thanksgiving

The best compliment!

I went to the mall last week with my son. After doing our groceries shopping, I lingered in the bag section and was thinking to buy small wallet that will fit my mini sling bag. 

And as I was choosing, my son become impatient and told me "Mama, why do you want to buy the wallet? You can make one ! " 

I was surprised -- proudly surprised that my son acknowledged  my "super power" :D 

 I came home fully recharged and decided to complete these two wallets. The black one I started earlier but somehow got sidetracked (as usual).

I had lots of fun choosing the fabric for this card wallet. The pink fabric was from my previous quilt projects and it was matched perfectly. 

This black card holder is the 12 cards slot variant. 

Same like the previous slim wallet that I made

Don't you love the hidden zipper? It's so shabby chic ! 

and then my regular customer messaged me on facebook if I can make 16 cards variant, and I said of course!! She wanted in Indian prints and after looking at my shop, she wanted this indigo blue like the tote bag I made earlier. 

This indigo blue wallet is the 16 cards wallet. Look how slim it is, even with the cards and notes inside.

I combined it with tan textured shot cotton. Perfect combo. 

and as usual, I love to finish the binding by hand. Somehow hand sewing make me relax especially when I have this romantic korean drama to accompany me. Ha!!

I was on the last part of Lee Sang Yoon - Kim Ha Neul "on the way to airport" drama in KBS. It is such beautiful drama with realistic story line. What I love best, is this drama give you exposure to Korean Bojagi Patchwork , make me want to go back to Korea and visit all those patchwork museums and folk village *sigh*. 

Ah by the way, the wallets is now listed in my ETSY shop. Let me know if you want in other print, I have more fabrics {since I'm a hoarder ^^} you can choose from. 

Until then,

Happy Sewing