(Mini Tutorial) How I do my Foundation Piecing Quilted Pouch

Hello again,

I hope you all had a great weekend. Well, I did. Last Saturday the boys went to school picnic and would be back by evening. That means I have a whole day and afternoon free. Woohoo!

I was working on one custom order of mini sling bag, but my mind kept wandering to the bag under my computer table. The Pandora bag (not box) that hold my  Quilted Bag Kit from my bestie, Winda. She gave it to me 2 years ago when we met in Jakarta. The kit was a bag kit and she already started making 2 or 3 blocks. So I put away what I was working on and pulled out the bag, sorting out the pieces, interfacings, batting, etc. That was on Friday evening. The next day, after the boys were out of the house and a quick housework,  I started piecing the blocks and here's my pouch. 

At first, I thought of making a tote bag after I saw this Instagram Post. Then decided to do less ambitious one first.

Here's what I learned during the weekends. 

Many blogs wrote about using Freezer Paper for foundation piecing, which is not available here in North East India (or even India for that matter). The kit (it's Japanese Craft Kit) used a fusible stabilizer which is a thicker version of what we called "pasting" in here.  That is a thin lightweight nonwoven fusible interfacing. So I tried using our own desi interfacing and it worked like a charm. Yay! I remake the pattern on my computer based on the original size and print it on the interfacing. I cut the interfacing slightly smaller than the A4 size paper, fuse it lightly on the paper and run it through the printer, et voila! No more tracing pattern one by one !! (it's the same method I used for this DIY Printed Label)

 I didn't really follow the pattern instructions. What I did as cutting a strip of fabrics that will be used and do it like quilt as you go method. 

First, lay the 1st piece of fabrics on the glue side of the interfacing, right sigh up. 

Then place Fabric No. 2 on top of fabric No.1 right side together matching the seam. Make sure that when you flip the fabric (no.2), it will cover the triangle no. 2 plus around 1/4" seam allowance. 

Flip it to the reverse side, pin and sew on the line 

Like this

Now open fabric no. 2 away from the seam and finger press. 

Trim fabric No. 2 so that it has 1/4" seam allowance. 

Continue in the same manner until you cover the template. Don't be discouraged when it looks ugly ^v^.

Because after you trim the excess fabrics you will get this pretty little blocks.

Reverse Side After trimming

Aren't they cute?

Front View

I almost proud of my self (well, I do actually) to be able to complete this. Paper Piecing is something that I always feel it's difficult and a lot of work. Especially if I have to trace the pattern one by one. 

After an hour here what I got!

Blocks size : 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" after trimming

After lunch and a quick nap, I started working on the pouch. I decided to do hand quilting. Hand quilting is one thing that I always want to do. I realized with the right batting, hand quilting is so easy to do. And if you have your fave Korean drama on, it's the better. It's like killing 2 birds with one stone. LOL. 

Hand Quilting with Gutterman Cotton Thread

I didn't tear off the interfacing since I am making a pouch and I love a slightly structured pouch, so the interfacing will work out great. I just needed to add the batting. 

Front Side 

I used Sevenberry fabric for the back of the pouch. Isn't that lovely? I picked up the fabric during my visit to Indonesia last year. 

Sometimes, we have to face our fears and just do it. Sometimes things look difficult and complicated until you actually do it.

So, what are you making this week? 

Until then,

Happy Sewing, 

Linky Party:

Handmade Monday

Bagmaker Tuesday

Finish it up Friday

A lot of Passport Covers

Hello again,

I will show you what I made a couple of days ago! Yes, I am still in 'use-my-scrap' mode. But sometimes, I could not resist esp when cutting fabrics order.

First is this Indigo blue paisley Passport Case. Everybody love paisley and I must admit, whenever I see paisley fabrics in the market, I must buy it. My suppliers even know this weakness of mine.

Paisley Passport Cover

The second one is this  Black and Offwhite tree print which (I think) is just too cute to pass, right? It's good to gift to both man and woman. 

Off-white Black Tree Print Passport Cover

I simply love this green passport holder. The color, the print, the color combination, all of it. I still have quite a bit of this print, I might make a single passport wallet or a family version too.

Green Passport Cover

This Aqua Green fabric I keep for quite a while. Recently I started making fat quarter bundles for the both my Etsy and Chezvies Shop. While cutting this, I decided I must keep a little bit and voila! This print and color don't always available in the market. I hope next summer my supplier will bring more of this color and print.

Aqua Green Passport Cover

Then I continue making this black and white passport holder. I really love this fabric, that I used the same fabric for the lining. Afterall black and white is always timeless.

Black & White Passport Cover

And these 2 cute passport covers I completed last  Saturday. I was not sure what to make of the dog fabric one. I thought the dog print would be too big for the cover, but it turned out perfectly fine. Even the I woof you print just on the right spot!

Passport Cover for dog lovers

It turned out I still have this cute blue fabric from the quilt I made for Josephine, my friend Agnes' daughter, 2 years ago. 

Blue Cat Passport Cover

The color is so soft, it was a bit difficult to take photos to capture the real color. My fave photo session time is in the morning before 10 AM but most of the time I have to do it after 10 AM. Good thing I put up a sheer curtain on my enclosed balcony, so it worked out well as a diffuser. 

So, what are your fave pattern to make with your scraps? 

Please write your blog or SNS link in the comment, I'll be glad to check them out.

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Linky Party :

Bagmaker Tuesday with SOTAK Handmade

Handmade Monday with Sum of Their Stories

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Pre-cut Indian Cotton Fabrics

Hello again,

I am still destashing fabrics and make them into fun and unique fat quarter bundles. I cut quite a lot but have not got time to create all. I got a few bundles which are ready to list. 

Indian fabrics have such an interesting prints and unimaginable range of colors, that sometimes you don't need other colors or prints to compliment them.

Pink Purple Fat Quarter Bundle 

Although nowadays, many novelty prints also make an appearance in Indian block print fabric, I personally still prefer the classic timeless prints. 

Like this Indigo Fabric. 

Indigo Block Print Cotton 

Or these lavender pink fat quarter bundle. This kind of prints (with paisley design) usually will always be available. In India, during the summer month, people prefer white of or off-white based cotton fabric. 

Lavender Pink Paisley & Flower Prints

I am making a few pouches and passport sleeve from some of these pre-cut fabrics. They are just super fun and fast! 

Here is one of them. Isn't that cool? It's totally one of a kind!!

Aqua Green Passport Cover

Come to think of it, there are just so many things you can make from these pre-cut fabrics. I love buying pre-cuts whenever I go. With pre-cut fabrics, you can have more time to sew rather than to choose fabric combination, right? 

So, what are you making this week? 

Thank you for stopping by,

Until then, 

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small notes: 

I feel I bit off more than I could chew lately. For that, I will discontinue the newsletter. As much as I love to share news, tutorials, and tips with you all, I feel sharing on my blog and occasionally in my Facebook Group will give me more freedom to write extensively. I will do my best to share more tips on small business marketing and sewing ideas with you all. If you would like to keep receiving an update in your email, you can click the subscribe button at the top right of this blog or use the Bloglovin' below. Thank you so much for your support! 

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More DIY Block Print Pouches

Hello,

I completed 2 more pouches using the fabric I printed last month. This time I made a medium size zipper pouch and a kindle cover. 

I used indigo processed jute fabric for the combination. I really love the fabric and have been waiting for the perfect project. 

Indigo Bell Kindle Cover

The bells are quite cute, aren't they? I think I may make more in different colors, maybe orange, yellow or green. I already have a red one, which I have not found a perfect match for it. 

Kindle Paperwhite Sleeve

I used my own Kindle Cover pattern  and added a short strap, just long enough to carry it like a purse. The kindle size is the favorite of many, because the size is perfect, for a mini cross body bag, perfect for both adults and children. 

As for the zipper pouch, this time I attached the zipper with reference to Noodle Head Tutorial. I really love the method.

I used a metal zipper. It was a bit fiddly to do the zipper, but I found an effective way to do it. I didn't take any photo, but I promise I will share in my next blog post. 

Sailing Ship Zipper Pouch 

This sailing ship pouch is a bit different than the previous large pouches. In this one, I used batting which I ordered from Tina of The Square Inch. Tina was kind enough to send me samples of the battings that are available. I chose 3 different battings. This one I used the 150 gsm polyester fleece batting and I really love the result. It's firm and gives enough cushioning so that one can keep gadgets in it. 

It's been fun and productive week for me. What about you? What have you been working on?

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Mini Zipper Pouches

Hello again,

Yesterday I spent my day cutting interfacing scraps and how! I used my regular rotary cutter and cutting 2-3 layers of woven interfacing at one go. I must admit, it took up a lot of energy!

I ordered an electric cutter online last week and they said they will deliver it by 2nd of November. But at night, DH brought my electric cutter and I was so excited. Today morning I tried cutting several more interfacing, fabrics, and lining fabric. I LOVED it! I can cut 9 -10 layers of regular cotton and around 6 layers of woven interfacing at one go!! Howzzaat! 

 And out of excitement, I made these cute mini pouches today. 

 Two of the pouches are zipper tissue pouches and one coin pouch. 

You can find the mini zipper tissue pouch pattern HERE or go the Pattern Category in my blog. It's always fun to make things with cute and pretty fabrics, right?

Mickey Mouse Tissue Zipper Pouch 

I guess I made the right decision by ordering the electric cutter. It makes "batching" work so much easier. For me, cutting interfacing is the most tedious job of purse/wallet making. 

This pretty pink fabric was from my scrap bin. Last Friday I cleaned my scrap bins and threw out quite a bit, esp the smallest pieces, like the corner cuts of bags and big pouches I made earlier. I made this coin pouch using the same pattern, but without the tissue holder pieces. 

Floral Pink Card Holder

Sorting out scrap bins always feel like opening a treasure box. My DH always laughs at me, because I always end up keeping most of the scraps again, instead of throwing them out. But how can you throw a pretty fabric like this, right?

These are the Before and After Photo of my interfacing scraps. I sorted out the woven interfacing and still need to sort out the heavy interfacing ones. 

Scraps - Before

For now, I rolled them up according to the projects. Now I have enough interfacings to keep me busy for a couple of weeks. 

Scraps - After 

And here is the picture of my new toy.  

Photo is from google 

How do you do your "batching"? Do share in comments, I'd love to learn. I'm pretty bad with keeping things organized LOL. 

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Linky Party :
Bagmaker Tuesday
Handmade Monday 

and I'm featured in Handmade Monday! Yay!

Large Pouches

Hello again, 

Here is my report from my DIY Block Print experiment. Verdict: I LOVE IT! I am ordering more wooden blocks and can't wait to make more! 

Many asked me if the color stays after washing. I tried washing a small piece and the color stayed. The thing is you have to follow the manufacturer's instructions. I waited for 24 hrs before start ironing the fabric.  Yes, good things come to those who wait, Bon Jovi said so :D. 

So what did I make? 

I made one large pouch with the red floral one and I really love how it turned out. Even my boys loved it! The rest are all ready to sew but after I finish a couple of custom orders. 

This time I am using my metal zipper. I always feel wary to sew with metal zipper, but I think maybe I just lack practice. After a couple of pouches (scroll down for more photos), I can confidently sew metal zipper without breaking my needle. 

  

The above photo is to show the approximate dimension of the pouch. The phone is 6.5" phone and all those fit in nicely into the large pouch. 

Isn't that great, I mean we always need a pouch, small one, medium one, a large one, quilted, waterproof, cute, etc. I always picked up a few pouches whenever I travel as a gift and keepsake. And everyone loves it. More so if it's handmade, right? 

So, the past few days, I've been making few pouches using different of material and they all turned out unique and beautiful. I used heavy interfacings for these pouches and love the result. The pouch feels sturdy and you can carry it as a clutch, like when you go out for lunch or going for an errand. 

The yellow pouch is made using kalamkari mud cloth fabric. I prewashed the fabric and really love the vintage look of it. 

This chevron fabric is one of my faves. Sometimes I feel that fabric also has its own destiny. Just like this one. The Chevron Pouch has 2 different print on each side. 

The above brown Ajrakh pouch is another story. The fabric was a gift from my facebook friend, Madhu Mathur of Betukbandi, when I visited her in Jaipur.  She is one talented lady, I really admire her quilts and quilting innovations. Really inspiring. I am so happy to finally able to use it. I still have few more of the fabrics with different prints. Can't wait to use them!! 

Stay tuned for more pouches from my Indian Fabrics collection. Sometimes, you don't need a fancy pattern to turn your fabrics into a pretty pouch. Let the print speaks for itself! And making simple pouches can be a skill-building project for a beginner. I really recommend it. Don't be afraid to make mistake and experiment with new materials. 

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Linky Party: Bagmaker Tuesday on Sotak Handmade