Ikat and Pinterest

Hello,

Don't you love Pinterest? I know I do. I get lots of inspiration from there. I love a casual and loose fitting dress or tunic. I really want to make something with Ikat Fabrics. Ikat always fascinates me, be it hand woven or printed one. It simply beautiful. 

Ikat Print Fabrics

I browsed Pinterest and found these  red ikat dress  and the white ikat dress that I really love.

 

It will ber perfect for summer, but I will need a longer sleeve since I am wearing hijab ^^. 

Maybe this Blue one will look great for summer. 

or this White and Indigo one?

What do you think?

Check out a couple of NEW FABRICS I put up in the shop! 

If you're on Pinterest, follow my Pinterest boards  . I recently edited my boards as an effort to improve my SEO. 

I've been reading a lots of books on SEO and it's time to implement them, right? 

I will write more about it next time. Hopefully, I can share a few SEO tips. 

Until then,

Happy Sewing,

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Disney Mickey Mouse Family Passport Holder

Hello,

This week I’ve completed my last Etsy orders. Apparently, the Mickey Mouse Disney Passport holder is very popular in my Shop that I have to re-order the fabrics. And I love working with fun fabrics.

Disney Family Passport Holder

In this post, I was talking about batching and it helped me a lot this month. Managing shops and home single-handedly is not an easy task. I mostly spend half of my morning replying to emails and messages, before doing my daily chores. Since I already cut a batch of interfacings for Passport Holders and Mini Crossbody Bag, the sewing part is easy. While I love cutting fabrics, cutting interfacing bored me.

OK, back to the passport holder, I made 2 variations and the buyer chose one which has card slots and interior zipper.

Passport Holder & Card Wallet

 I still have a couple of local orders to finish now, and I won’t be accepting custom orders until I come back from Indonesia next August.

Handmade Family Passport Holder

I have a couple for Ready to Ship items in my ETSY shop and Website (scroll down to buy).  And if you'd like to try to make passport holder for your next family holiday, you can get the pattern on Etsy & Craftsy

Family Passport Holder PdF Pattern

 Thank you for stopping by and supporting my small business.

Ramadan Mubarak!

Happy Sewing

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Simple Guide : How to Set Up a Facebook Shop

Hello,

Today after lunch, I was just lazing around on the sofa and browsing Facebook. I was checking my Facebook page when I realized that my CHEZVIES SHOP tab was not visible on the mobile app? What is this??? I got up and turned on my laptop and it was there! On the top.

Oh, Facebook!! what are you playing this time??

So, Facebook has its own shopping app or whatever you call it, if you connect the 3rd party e-commerce app, it will look good on the website version but NOT on the mobile version. I hope I make sense here.

The picture below is the website version of my facebook page. See the red underlined CHEZVIES SHOP tab. That's where I embedded my Ecwid Store.

and here what the Facebook Page look on the Mobile App. The chezvies shop tab is missing. The SHOP tab (which is the facebook shop) is there prominently.

So, what's the solution? I set up the Facebook Shop with a link to my website!! 

If you only sell on facebook, then direct the checkout process to the facebook messenger. Which mean the potential buyer will have to contact you personally to purchase. 

Now, I assumed you already have your Facebook Page and Website (it can be any e-commerce site, Etsy, Ecwid, Shopify, etc).

Here what you have to do

1. Change your facebook page using a  Shopping Templates

Setting ---> Edit Page ---> Choose shopping ---> view details and apply

2. Once done, the chance is the Shop Tab is already turned on. If not, scroll down and switch it on the SHOW SHOP TAB.

You can arrange the tab by clicking the 3 bar on the left side of the tab and drag it up or down.

3. Go back to your facebook page and click the SHOP, agree to the T&C and also you can choose your currency at this stage. Now you can start adding your product. Fill up the form and photos accordingly.

Don't forget to give the link for the checkout. If you already have a website or an online store, it will be so much easier for your customer.

You can share your product from your page to any groups. It will direct people to your Facebook Page as well as your website. So it's like killing 2 birds with one stone, right?

Since most people using Facebook on their mobile, when they visit your facebook page, the first they see is your Shop Section/Product. 

Let me know what you think in the comment below. I'd love to hear from you. 

If you think this tip is good for your friends, feel free to share it. 

Sharing is caring ^^

Now, I must go and set up my Facebook Page and hopefully will see you there too!

Until then,

Happy Sunday

Personalized Family Passport Holder

Hello,

It's Saturday already and I've been pretty busy finishing orders before Ramadan month starts next week. I won't be taking custom order from next week until the 2nd week of August. 

Today I'd share one of my recent orders. She asked for personalized passport holder. I have an embroidery machine but somehow I prefer hand embroidery. Why? #1. it's fun  #2 it's faster ( at least for me). 

Hand Embroidery Family Name

I did the embroidery on the flap with a small backstitch. I thought of doing a slip stitch embroidery, but with pearl cotton, this will look better. I copied the main letters from a Japanese book and the rest was my free handwriting. 

Personalize it with Hand Embroidery

The main musical fabric is imported Japanese linen. She wanted to combine it with green and it took me several days to get a matching solid green. 

Family Passport Holder for 6

I searched in my stash and found the perfect green shot cotton fabric. I love shot cotton or handloom cotton. It's very versatile and the color is very unique. Also, it's a breeze to embroider. 

Now you can order your wallet and bags with a personalized name on it! I add a listing in my Etsy Shop as an Add-on service. 

What do you think?

Thank you for stopping by

Until then,

Meet my new friend - SINGER HD4423

Hello,

It's finally here!! I got it on Tuesday last week!! It's Singer HD 4423. I was thinking of buying the industrial machine but I don't have space right now.

I've been considering this machine for quite some time and even though my other machines are doing OK, but I need a tougher machine to sew bags and wallet.

I won't be writing a long technical review here, but if you want to read the review you can go HERE or watch it on YouTube.

So far, I LOVE it!! Especially when sewing the passport holders, it can handle thickness changes with no hick up at all. And with the High Speed, I can sew much faster without dealing with a jammed needle.

The SINGER HD4423 also has top loading bobbin, which is convenient

 I'm yet to try on faux leather or another project as yet. I will update you again when I do.

It has 23 stitch variations (hence the name). Also, you can adjust the needle position to the right and to the left. 

The free arm is an advantage too. If you see the extended table, that was from my Bernette machine LOL. Have to make do with what I have, right? 

If you're looking for beginner heavy duty sewing machine, you might want to consider this machine. It's practical and economical!

Let me know what you think!

Until then,

Happy Mother's Day

Hello

Happy Mother's Day!

The photo above is the Mother's day card and key ring my dear sons gave me in the morning. We went to Archie's yesterday and both of them were busy choosing what to give me on Mother's Day. 

I love you, boys! 

 I want to share with you a note that  I copied from my friend Rashida Juzer from her Facebook Post (which I reposted on my page). 

Unknown Author but resonates how I feel -

Every year ( well, maybe not every year) my children ask me the same question. After thinking about it, I decided I'd give them my real answer:

"What do I want for Mother's Day? I want you. I want you to keep coming around, I want you to bring your kids around, I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice, tell me your problems, ask for my opinion, ask for my help. I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life, whatever. Tell me about your job, your worries, your kids, your fur babies. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me, or laugh at me, I don't care. Hearing you laugh is music to me.

I spent the better part of my life raising you the best way I knew how. Now, give me time to sit back and admire my work. Raid my refrigerator, help yourself, I really don't mind. In fact, I wouldn't want it any other way.

I want you to spend your money making a better life for you and your family, I have the things I need. I want to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for Mother's Day, I say "nothing" because you've already been giving me my gift all year. I want you. Time and memories mean more than any material item I could ever receive." Unknown Author

(If you feel the same way, feel free to copy and paste... I did!)

The handmade card from my MIL (thank you Mommy!!) and the boys. 

The painting on the card was done by my MIL. She started painting again and hopefully, I will be able to show you some of her works here on my blog. 

The rest of the day today was spent relaxing. I took a day off from sewing and spending the day catching up with the boys and later on watching  6 episodes of my Korean drama. I really love the Korean family weekends drama. 

What about you? 

I hope you had a great Mother's Day too!!

Until then,

Monday Updates

Hello again,

Last week I completed another improv on the family passport holder. This time I converted interior slip pocket into a zippered pocket.

Hopefully, I can write a tutorial for that soon. I forgot to take photos this time. It's very easy and I love how this turned out. I hope she will like it!!

I think I am going to offer this option in the shop along with other options, like an exterior zippered pocket 

 Sewing wallet binding is my favorite. It's like a lava cake after a Pizza dinner LOL. I have a tutorial coming up tomorrow! 

In the meantime, I'll be working on another improvisation this week. Don't you just love when with a single pattern you can make so many varieties?

You can get the passport holder pattern HERE.

It's Monday and here sneak peek to cheer you up this Monday ^^

All these beauty will be available tonight! Limited stock available! 

GO TO SHOP to see what other fabrics are available now 

Pretty Paisley 

  

One of a kind Travel Theme Cotton Fabric

Glace Cotton Ikat Print Fabric

That's all for today,

Until then,

Happy Sewing

{Tutorial} Another Wallet Mitered Binding

Hello,

Many friends asked me how I do my wallet binding. I love wallet with binding because it's stronger and it's one of a kind! You won't find the same wallet in the world. I guarantee that ^^

Handmade Family Passport Holder

Ok, so here's how:

(you can use cross cut or bias binding. The binding width is 1.5" ).

1. Start sewing the binding with 3/8" seam allowance. See the picture below, I folded the binding diagonally. 

This is the beginning of the binding

 Stop approx 3/8" from the corner, and turn the wallet diagonally and sew to the corner.

2. Now flip the binding strip to outward to the right 

3.  And flip it back again like shown in the picture below.  Make sure the fold at the top is lined up straight with the edge. 

4. Now sew the binding from the top with 3/8" seam allowance. Continue in the same manner until the end. 

At the end of the binding, overlap the binding strip like in the picture below

When you finish and fold the binding to the other side, you will have a neat mitered corner 

Nothing like a perfect ending, right? 

Now, finish your binding by hand. I love hand sewn binding. I tried several times to finish it with a machine but not very happy with the result.

This tutorial is an update version of my previous post. 

I hope you find this helpful. Let me know in the comment if you do or if you want more tutorial. 

Happy Sewing 

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