The Best of Five in 2023

 

Here we are again at the end of 2023. Looking back, there were a lot of things going on. Even though I didn't write as much as I intended to do at the beginning of the year, but I accomplished one thing from my bucket list which is to reach 10K subscribers on my YouTube Channel!  

However, the blog is still very important to me as this is where everything started. Now, once again I join Meadow Mist Best of 2023 Linky Party to reminiscence how's 2023 had been. Let's get started! 

Here are the 5 best posts of 2023

1. Scrappy Patchwork Pouch

I love making stuff from scrap fabrics. I made a few last year and have a whole bunch of scrappy panels in my PhD bin which hopefully I can make into something in 2024. 

2.  Scrappy Wallet Video Tutorial

Another scrappy project! This time I made these small scrappy wallets and made a video tutorial too. These small pouches are very handy to use and also make a great gift! 

Small Quilted Wallet

3. 36 patch Block For Quilting Bee

After years, I finally participated in another quilting bee at Desi Quilters Facebook group. It was fun to make a few blocks every month and I learned a few things along the way. This will be another quilt to complete next year! 

4.  Patchwork Quilt Wallet

Another list that is ticked off from my bucket list is to start making a patchwork wallet.  I'm looking forward to making more patchwork wallets in 2024. Insha Allah. 

Patchwork Quilt Wallets

5. Kodomo Kids Wallet

This simple kodomo wallet is one of the most popular with my customers. It's so easy to make and kids love them. 

Alice in Wonderland & Red Riding Hood Wallet

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog, reading, and leaving comments. I may not be as regular as I'd like to be, but I hope I will be able to share more meaningful content in 2024.

Here wishing you a great creative year ahead, I'm looking forward to reading your stories too (even though I may not always leave any comments, but I enjoy reading blog posts!)

Happy New Year! 

Elvira

More Patchwork Wallets

Red Patchwork Wallet

Hello,

For the past couple of weeks, I have been having fun making small wallets. I made more patchwork wallets too using scraps from other wallets like the one I shared in my previous post. I think I am keeping one of them for myself as I haven't changed my wallet in the past 3 years.

Last week I made 3 wallets in brown color. One was patchwork and the other two were from patchwork print fabric.

Nuno Small Wallets

Well, creating your own patchwork panel is more fun of course, because we can mix and match whatever we fancy. Someone asked me on Instagram how to mix and match colors for patchwork. I think the best is to follow your instinct. At the end of the day, the patchwork that you created is a reflection of who you are, an extension of yourself as a crafter.

For me, sometimes it takes me 5 minutes to come up with the combo that I like, sometimes it takes a few days and a few patchwork tops that I am not happy with (that will go to my orphan block bin).

Brown Patchwork Wallet

Enough space for cards, coins, and note bills

Beige Patchwork Wallet

Inside combo with polka dots

Here is another patchwork wallet I made using Rosie Wallet patterns. When making a quilted wallet, we need to adjust the combination of interfacing that we use. I talked about it in this Video. It may take you a couple of trials and errors before you find the combo that you like. Everyone has personal choices. Just do what you like best!

Rosie Wallet

Making these patchwork wallets is addictive! Sometimes when I feel uninspired, I just dig into my scrap bin and make small patchwork panels. Many of them are still in my WIP bin. They are in various sizes. Now I have to find a suitable project for them.

That's all for today, have a nice day!

Happy Sewing!

Elvira

More Patchwork Quilt Wallets

Patchwork Nuno Wallets

Hello, 

I’m still in scrappy mode this week! After diving into making the adorable mini purses I wrote about in my last post, I couldn't resist the urge to keep going. So, what did I do next? I dug more into my scrap bins and started piecing together some more patchwork panels.

 

First up, I whipped up a Rosie Keychain Wallet using some brown scraps, and I have to say, it turned out pretty awesome. In fact, I'm so thrilled with the result that I've got plans to make a few more Rosie Wallets. They're just too cute to resist!

Quilted Rosie Wallet

But that's not the only thing that's got me excited. I've also made a couple of NunoSmall Wallets too! For the pink and purple wallets, I used the same quilt-as-you-go method as the mini purses.

Purple Patchwork Wallet

Pink Patchwork Wallet

Now, for the red wallet, I decided to go traditional by making two mini log cabin blocks, using 1.25-inch strips, and then threw in an extra strip in the middle to make it a perfect fit for the Nuno Wallet. And I’m super happy with the result! Making patchwork quilt wallets has been at the top of my list. 

Red Patchwork Wallet

In the original pattern of Rosie wallet I did not use batting, but in this patchwork version, I used low loft batting and quilted it pretty densely to make the panel flatter. When you want to make a patchwork or quilted version of a wallet, remember to change the interfacing to lightweight interfacing. The interfacing will give more structure and also make the wallet more durable. 

I shared my work progress and a few tips and tutorials on my YouTube Channel.  Make sure to check them out! 

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Happy Sewing!

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

A Kaleidoscope Bag and a Matching Wallet

The best thing about being bag maker is that you can make your dream bag! You can decide every details of the bag, whether you're using your self draft pattern or bought pattern from indie designers. 

In my case, I finally found the bag that is perfect for  me. The Luisa bag pattern from Sotak Handmade. I made the indigo block print bag last week, you can see it HERE and yesterday, I made this Kaleidoscope patchwork version.

I am so in love with this one that I parade it around the house. Today the weather was nice and bright just the perfect time to click few pictures. This patchwork version has different design on each side. 

My BFF Winda gave me the kaleidoscope block kit, I made this pouch earlier and have lots of fabrics left enough to make few more blocks.  

The kaleidoscope pocket is slightly higher than the original pattern but it turned out to be a perfect depth. 

  

As for the front of the bag, I have this panel fat quarter fabric. I forgot where I got it from but the color is just perfect for it. I must say, this bag is the fastest bag I made, in terms of choosing the fabrics. The grey fabric was also from Winda and the contrast red fabric was a gift from Mbak Tia when she went to Seoul last year. Thank you, girls <3 

And of course I have to make a matching wallet, right? 

A slim and minimalist wallet with 8 card slots and 4 slip pockets. It's based on the Passport Cover Pattern. No zipper pocket though. Now, both are ready for the trip and I better finish my packing! Japan, bring it on!! 

PS: Follow my Instagram for behind the scene stories ;) 

Thank you for stopping by,

Happy Sewing,

~ Elvira~

Linking up to : Show Off Saturday

Quilted travel Wallet

Hello,

Last week was quite productive self sewing for me. I made 2 travel wallet for my self and my friend in Japan, Sari who owns this cute shop selling Japanese Kanzashi in Etsy .

She loved this tree print fabric which I used to make this passport cover. 

I only have one fat quarter which is just enough to make this wallet. It's amazing what 2 fat quarter can do, right?

For my self, I made this wallet using Suzuko Koseki fabrics I got from my last  year's trip to Japan Quilt Festival

I really love the quilted version of this. I used stiff fleece batting which I got from Tina of the Square Inch a few months ago. I added the thin fusible interfacing to give a little stiffness for the exterior fabric. While on the interior, I used as per the pattern instructions. You can get the pattern HERE.

For the interior, I added the flap. This is a fab idea from Maria when she did the testing for me. It's very useful,  especially if you're going to use it for everyday wallet. Very handy to use it as a smartphone wallet too. 

I'm so excited to take this wallet. I hope I get to meet Suzuko Koseki again this week at the quilt show!!

So, who will there in Tokyo Dome this week? 

I better get going now. It's a long trip from North East India to Tokyo but I am all excited to see my friends, the dreamy quilts and of course the fabric shops --err...shopping!

Until then,

Happy Sewing