This week is all about pouches! Not your regular zipper pouches but the FUN nested pouches, the kind that you cannot make just one. At least for me!
It's been a while since I make this trapeze zipper pouches. I usually make only one size, but this time I made more.
First is the black and white set, it was a custom order and I decided to make 2 full set. The customer asked for only 3 sizes. For the whole 4 sets, I only need 1/3 yard of each exterior fabric, lining fabric, interfacing and batting. I used cotton batting here and of course zipper of your choice. I used metal zipper to give a rustic look.
Then I decided to make another set in this pretty leaf fabric. It's a digital cotton fabric I got from local shop a few months ago. I only bought 1 yard, maybe I will ask them if they still have a few yards in stock. I really love it.
I really like using these trapeze zipper pouches to store things like pencils, crochet hooks, reading glasses, and wrist watches. I think they’re super versatile and you can do so much with them. As much as I love my bags, I've also made them as gifts for friends and family. If you're looking for a quick and easy sewing project, I highly recommend making these. The pattern includes 2 video tutorials for making quilted pouch and faux leather pouch.
And look, I got new heat transfer label!! I've been looking for this kind of label. You can find all sorts of fancy labels, even in small quantities these days. Sometimes they’re expensive, but if you’re like me, then anything is better than nothing! I ordered some multicolor ones and I think I'll get black and white later on. They stick great, and all I have to do is iron them. A decade ago I have to order from Indonesia for my labels in a small quantity. I even tried making my own label like in HERE and HERE (this is like 15 years ago!!)
New Label!! What do you think?
These handmade pouches are now available in my Etsy Shop and also my Webshop.
Finally these pencil pouches are done and delivered! I love to gift handmade stuff to family and friends. Few weeks ago I gifted a quilted pencil pouch to my friend's daughter and she called up a few days later placing order for 5 pencil pouches. Apparently her daughter's friends wanted one too. Alhamdulillah!
She leaves it up to me for the fabric choice, so I went ahead and made 7 pouches. Actually I started with 8 pouches but I cut one a little but wonky so I cut and made a small coin pouch with it!
These pencil cases measured about 8" W x 4" H. It's perfect size for pencils and other stuff too, like crochet hooks and spectacles! It's multi purpose. It's fun and easy projects to make. I made a work flow video HERE when I was making the previous pencil pouches.
To make this pencil quilted pouch, here's what you need:
Exterior fabric - 9" x 5" - cut 2
Lining Fabric - 8.5" x 4.5" - cut 2
Batting - 9" x 5" - cut 2
Lightweight fusible interfacing 9" x 5" (only if you are using lightweight fabrics- optional)
9" long all purpose (size 3) zipper.
If you want to make Non quilted version, you can skip the batting and use all purpose fusible woven interfacing instead.
For the construction, please refer to THIS VIDEO of making coin purse. Well, quilted pouch takes a little bit of time to make but I find the result is better.
There are a lot of things happened at the end of 2019 around the time when the new pattern Dotty Mini Purse was released. At the time our State was put under curfew for a few weeks with internet ban. I made several things during that time. I even edit it but somehow didn't get posted here on the
Blog. Well, I guess no internet makes us more productive because we don't have the urge to keep checking our Facebook and Instagram. But this purse happened just before the internet was banned. I was searching for fabric bundles for a makeup bag that Achumi wanted me to make [I'll write that in the next post]. I took out several Quilt Gate bundles which I picked up from Tokyo Quilt Festival in January 2019 (or was it 2018?).
Anyway, I so wanted to make another Dotty Purse after looking at everyone's photos but wanted to try using a different patchwork block. After browsing through books and magazines (yes real one and not Pinterest!), I settled for chevron block. I used 1.5" strip here and made the block based on Seminole strip piecing.
I've done this Seminole piecing for the border in THIS QUILT and I really enjoyed piecing the small pieces. I only did the patchwork for the main panel. I used a bigger print from the bundle for the side panels and love this turned out!!
This purse is really compact but you can fit in quite a lot of stuff there. I also made my own handle using off white vinyl. there was a lot of try and error. The vinyl was leftover from my elder son's project a few years ago. I don't want a stiff handle and since the vinyl is quite soft I tried to add interfacing by iron it on the wrong side using silk setting. It stuck quite well. I cut 2 strips of vinyl ( 0.75" wide by 17" H) and simply sewed them together, then attached the swivel hook on both ends and finished it with rivets! And Tada! my DIY Vinyl bag handle!
Well, that's all the story behind this purse. I am tempted to make more now but I still have few masks and scrubs hats to make. I could not sew for a few days because I got this pain again in my neck and spread to the hand. After 2 days of stretching exercise, I feel much better but I keep taking a break every few minutes. I really have to start exercise regularly again after Ramzan is over!
Now lockdown part 4 is going on and our state has few cases every day. Let's pray that the world will heal fast, in the meantime, let's do our best to stay home! Explore your hidden talent so that you won't be bored ^^.
It's my new fave! I made the map sling bag first and made it according to the pattern. It has one interior slip pocket which is pretty handy to phone or passports and the main compartment to keep wallet and other stuff.
The exterior zipper pocket at the back is big enough to keep your smartphone.
The second one is this Disney theme crossbody bag. Here, instead of slip pocket, I decided to add zipper pocket in the front. I find the pocket is very handy because it's like an additional compartment.
I can really fit in my wallet, small change purse, passport, 2 phones, power banks & charger cable.
This is one bag that even though it's small but it packs quite a lot! The bags are padded so you can use it as camera bag as well.
Both the bags are now available for custom order in my Etsy Shop.
Cutting a fave fabric really make me nervous. Because nothing should go wrong. I was thinking for a few days what projects would be best for this Micci Collection from Yuwa Fabrics that I bought from my trip last year.
I have 4 colors in the same print, I chose this brown background first to make a clutch using the same pattern as the Monochrome Wristlet. I used grape color handloom fabric as accent fabrics.
To complete the look, I added a short PU leather strap which has pretty pink flowers on it. It makes a perfect evening bag!
Kawaii Sling Bag
The second one, I wanted to make a mini sling bag. I made a pouch with similar pattern before, this time I made it slightly bigger. Maybe I will tweak the pattern again and make it a medium size one. What do you think?
But I love how this cute cross body bag turned out. I can fit in my One Plus 3 phone nicely and the interior zipper pocket, can be used to keep cash or cards.
I added both the evening bag and the small sling bag in my Etsy Shop. I'll be adding more products using fun prints in the next few week, Insha Allah. I need to sew all those pretty fabrics, right?
What about you? What is your recent finished project?
Kalamkari is an Indian heritage which in ancient days was made by drawing folktales (using pen =kalam) into a piece fabric. However in modern days, kalamkari mostly done by hand printing using pre-made wooden blocks. Thus, imperfections of colors and prints from the hand printing process are an added charms of all Indian block printed fabrics.
In the ancient times, kalamkari mostly depicted the episodes of Indian mythology, as similar to the stained glasses of the Christian cathedrals. (source)
In Modern times, many kalamkari designs are digitalized to create digital print kalamkari which is widely popular. However traditional method of block print using wooden block is still widely used.
Kalamkari specifically depicts epics such as the Ramayana or Mahabharata. However, in recent time, you will find kalamkari depicting Buddhist Art forms too, musical instruments, florals, animals and others.
I bought the fabrics without knowing what I'm going to do about it. All I know is that I MUST buy it. Don't you all fabric hoarders lovers do that sometimes?
When in dilemma whether "to buy" or "not to buy" I always chose the first. Someday in the future it will come of use . Believe me! :D
Isn't this cute? Even at my age, I still love buying (and using) anything kawaii, just like this tote bag!!
