Cell Phone Pouch Video Tutorial

Mobile Phone Bag

Hello, finally the better version of the Mobile Phone Pouch Video Tutorial is now live on Youtube. Working on video is not easy and though the recording part is fun, the editing part is really hard for me. Or maybe I just need more practice:)

I made the video a few weeks ago, but only able to edit it recently. I hope you can learn something from the video. 

The video was shot using my Sony WX500 which is quite convenient. If you see a slight movement in the video, that's because I put the stand on my sewing table. I should put it on another table next time. Well, we live and learn!

                     

I've been mostly making face masks since March this year and I almost forgot how quickly this bag comes together. I really enjoyed sewing this bag that I have a few cut and ready to sew. (I still have to finish a few batches of face masks). Insha Allah after next week or so. 

Pattern: Mobile Phone & Kindle Cover

Fabric: Linen & Glace Cotton Fabric

Hardware: Magnetic Snap, Swivel Hooks.

Interfacing: All-Purpose Interfacing

Thank you for stopping by!

Stay Safe & Happy Sewing,

Elvira

Mini Sling Bag Pattern Hack

Hello, how's everyone doing? I've been pretty busy making masks and few custom orders. I really appreciate your supports in the past few months since the pandemic started. It's been very tough for everyone, especially with heartbreaking news everywhere. Let's stay positive,  be kind, and help each other. Do what we can as an individual as well as a community. 

Today I will share how to scale up the mini sling bag the easy way without any computer involved. I know it's frustrating to scale up the pattern on the computer and print it a few times before you get the size that you want. 

This mobile sling bag pattern is very versatile. You can easily adjust the pattern based on 2 things:

1. Phone model
2. Whether or not it has a softcover. Softcover makes the phone slightly thicker. 

The basic is if you scale up the height of one part of the pattern do the same with the rest of the pattern pieces too. If you increase the height of the main body panel, increase the height/length of the pocket and flap too. Unless you want a shorter flap. Since the pattern pieces are mostly rectangle it's easy to increase the length or the height.

This basic rule applied if you want to increase the width too. I'd suggest increasing the width especially if you want to add a thicker batting or wadding.  Now, here's how to increase the width of the curvy flap:

1. Take one piece of paper and fold it in half lengthwise. From the fold, mark how much you want to increase by drawing a straight line e.g 0.5 inches away from the fold. 
2. Fold the original pattern lengthwise and place the fold on the line you just made and trace the pattern.






3. Now it will look like picture # 3. Cut along the line you just traced.
4. Your new wider pattern is done. This will increase the overall width by 1 inch. If you want to increase the overall width by 0.5 inches, draw the line 0.25 inches from the fold.

This matryoshka phone sling bag is to fit the new iPhone 11 and the newest android phone. I increase the length and width using the method above. 

If you want to learn how to make this mini sling bag, you can get the pattern on ETSY or my Webshop. 

Here is a supporting video I made a few months ago. I'll make better video when time permits :)

More Pattern Hack/Update

How to Add Zipper Pocket

Thank you for stopping by.

Take care & stay safe!

- Elvira- 

Bunny Mini Sling Bag for Toddler

Sewing for kids always brings happiness to me. So when my customer wanted a bag for her toddler, I said yes. She sent me a reference picture, a bag with bunny ears. Her daughter is only 2 years old so this bag is pretty small. I used the bigger size of the Mini Sling Bag pattern and trim the height a little bit. 

The picture below was the first set of ears that I did base on this bunny pencil case tutorial, but I was not happy. I found it too small. 

I remember I used to make flower brooch from fabrics, I thought that would be better for ears. I only need to cut the fabric larger. I cut 5" square fabric and cut them again to make 2 half square triangle. I used thin interfacing just to make the ears a little firm. Fold the triangle then sew the shorter side. Turn it inside out and hand stitch the straight side using running stitch and pull it tight and secure it. Tada! your fabric bunny ears are ready! 

Now place the ears on the bag exterior and make sure the ear's raw edges are placed at the edge. Baste stitch and you're ready to assemble the bag. 

Since I already sewed the sides seams of the bags, I decided to finish the bag using drop lining method. I little fiddly for a tiny bag but I managed :D.

I put the exterior bag in the lining, right side together, and clip it. I didn't trim the ears at this stage yet. 

Feed the bag under the needle and carefully sew using a 3/8" seam allowance. Once it's done, I trim the excess seam of the ears. 

Turn it inside out, topstitch the edge and voila! Bunny Mini Sling bag is ready to go! 

I really love how this turned out. I got this Riley Blake fabric for a long time and I'm so happy now I can use it. I hope this bag will bring happiness to her too! 

What do you think? What's your personal fave things to sew? Let me know in the comment below. 

Thank you for stopping by!

Take care & stay safe

- Elvira- 

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Linking up to These Wonderful BLOGS

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,

Something New

Hello again,

Few days ago, I was reading my past blog posts from way back in 2009 and 2010. I even read the comments and checked the profile of the commentator. Most of the bloggers are no longer writing. After the Facebook and Instagram, many people think writing a blog is too time-consuming. I was also caught up in the same trend. I mean, isn't it easier and more practical to just click photos and upload it to Facebook and Instagram, instead of writing all the details on the blog. The thing is, Facebook and Instagram is a fast moving, it's difficult to track what you have posted, even with the hashtag. Unlike a blog, where everything is properly documented. It's like a diary. We can always go back and read. Some cute moment, some ridiculous photos, and of course it warms my heart to read all those. Anyway enough of feeling nostalgic.

Yesteday, in between finishining my orders, I made this cute hipster cross body bag. It's been on my mind for several days, and it sort of bug me (you know what I mean?), so after cutting interfacings and fabrics for my Passport Holder orders, I draft the pattern and here it goes:

Pleated Hipster Crossbody Bag 

Originally, I wanted to make the pleat slightly closed, but I changed my mind. I love how the pleat turned out here.  It gives a patchwork look which was my initial intention.

I also made the front exterior pocket with hidden/concealed zipper. From far it will look like a slip pocket when it's actually a zippered pocket. 

Concealed Zipper Pocket

I was thinking to finish the top without a zipper, I guess that can always be an option later. I use beige linen for the solid and an orange diamond print fabric. 

Also, don't miss the patchwork removable strap! I love patchwork strap. 

Besides that, I finished another mini crossbody bag from my Phone sleeve pattern. I used the kindle size for this one which turned out pretty cool.

Red and White Mini Sling Bag

It's such a fast sewing and how scrap friendly this pattern is. The paisley fabric is just perfect, it's like waiting for the right project to come along. 

and of course the additional zippered pocket is always great option, right? Especially when you are traveling and want to keep all the small necessities with you without having to rummage the big backpack. 

That's all for today. I have to go and take the boys to their music classes today and I hope the weather holds.  

Until then,

Have a nice crafty weekends

This post is linking to Finish it up Friday 

Supplies Links : 

Mini Cross Body Bag Pattern

Linen Fabrics

Triangle Print Fabric 

Bright Orange Fabric

Last Week of April

Hello,

The past week, I was pretty busy. I started the Newsletter and really really happy I am able to share few things, like a free pattern! If you want it too, you can SIGN UP today.

On Friday night, there was a big storm and we ended up with no electricity until Saturday Night.

Few of our trees fell down and my younger son was really sad about it. He's fierce boy but very soft at heart. He loves animals and always goes to pat our newborn calf and feed the cows with his leftover tiffin whenever he comes back from school.

So on  Saturday afternoon, I spent my time cutting out interfacings for my Passport Holder  and mini crossbody bag orders. The shop wa quite busy the past few weeks, so I better get organized. Luckily I came across this post about batching from Jules of Sew Me Something. It's very inspiring!

(Batching is a form of time management that allows a person to maximize concentration and decrease distraction) 

I'm glad I did it, so today I can quickly make this Frozen Mini Crossbody bag for my friend, Wulan's daughter - Anisha. I hope she will like it. They will go to Indonesia for summer break next week. I hope it will reach them on time.

Frozen Mini Crossbody Bag

If you want to make the mini sling bag, the pattern is available at the end of this post or just go to the Pattern category in my blog.

Frozen Mini Sling Bag

I added the back zipper too. While deciding which fabric combo to use, I ask my elder son. He has a good taste and I often consult him whenever I am stuck with a color choice. Though he's only 13 years old :D. We initially agreed with the off-white linen but since Anisha is still small, I decided to go for more girly color.

Another one I completed (besides my passport wallet orders) is this cute reversible drawstring pouch. I followed a tutorial on YouTube. There was no measurement written on it so I just make my own. I am using 2 Fat Eight (9" x 18") and love the result. Yes, just 2 pieces of fabric. No interfacing! Isn't cool? I used quilting weight cotton from my stash and the green stripe cotton mix fabric.

Yes, sometimes you don't need interfacing. Depends on what is the purpose of the bag, like a foldable shopping bag, it's better off without interfacing because we can just roll  and put it inside the purse.

This will be a great quick pattern to make for a gift.

So, what are you working on this week?

Thank you for dropping by. Don't be shy to leave a comment or two ^^

Until Then,

Happy Sewing

Pattern Link : 

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Frozen Elsa Crossbody Bag

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