New Video and Pattern Update

 Hello,

MiniMax Crossbody Bag

It's been a long time and I hope you all are doing great. There are a lot of things happening right now at ChezVies, some are sewing related and some are not.

At my sewing corner, recently I updated the Phone & Kindle Pouch pattern after getting a lot of constructive feedback via emails as well as comments on Youtube. Oh, I also name it the MiniMax Crossbody bag. It's a mini bag with maximum utility. Truly giving a name to a pattern is not easy, it took me 3 days to find the name that I feel will match the bag. 

So what's new with this updated pattern?

First, I added one more template to accommodate larger smartphones. I made a tutorial on how to scale up the pattern in my blog so I thought, I will add it to the new updated MiniMax Crossbody Bag pattern.

For the second one, I also added instructions for adding a back zipper pocket, which I also previously shared in my blog.

 

 

In the new version, instead of a picture diagram, I used real photos in the tutorial with clear step-by-step instructions. I also added a video tutorial for using faux leather or vinyl.

WATCH VIDEO

I hope you enjoy the videos and if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me with your questions.

Don't forget to check other tutorials on my Youtube Channel.

If you have not purchased the pattern, head to my website and use code CVG20 to get 20% off. The coupon is valid for ALL Patterns.

Download the pattern

Thank you for being part of my sewing journey and this creative community! If you shared on social media please use hashtag #chezviespatterns. I would love to see your lovely creations.

Elvira

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After a long time

Hello,

It's been a long time! I hope you are all well, happy, and ready for 2023!

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A small announcement!

I recently made some changes to the blog URL. It's been on my mind to do this, to streamline the website. Now https://www.chezvies.com will be the landing page where people can choose where to go from there. The BLOG URL now changed to https://blog.chezvies.com.

I'm still working on changing the backlinks (that is the links that go to my older posts). It will take a while. But just in case you end up with a BROKEN LINK, simply add BLOG. (with "dot) on the URL address on your browser.

For e.g: https://chezvies.com/2017/04/ will result in a broken link, so simply add BLOG. like this https://BLOG.chezvies.com/2017/04

Please bear with me as I am not very savvy. A lot of things have changed and keep changing and I am hardly able to catch up with these technological changes nowadays!

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A lot has happened in the past few months, like my elder son finally settling into college and enjoying his new college life at the University of Bath in the UK. In the past 2 months, he has been learning a lot, from living a sheltered life to living alone, and making new friends in a new country. Adapting to the new environment. It's not easy, especially for 19 year old but as a parent, we are really proud of him, as he evolves to become an independent human being living and adjusting in the new country. Now we can only pray that God will always protect and guide him.

Also, I finally went home to visit my mom and my sisters in October. I went with my younger son and both of us had a nice time in Indonesia, catching up with family and friends. It was really a much-needed trip, especially for me.

Before going to Indonesia, I managed to finish a quilted handbag. The patchwork was a leftover block from this wall hanging. It was a sudden decision. As usual, before leaving for a holiday I always have this urge to make a few projects. I am glad I did it though. The idea was to make a small sling bag just for a phone and wallet. But since the block was pretty wide, I decided to add a faux leather accent at the bottom. I did not have time to make the handle though. So I just used the handle from another bag! As long as it served the purpose, it's fine. I always prefer a fabric bag as it's lighter and even if you fill it up with lots of stuff, like passport wallets, a cardigan, etc it is still light.

From my sewing room, nothing much has happened. I am still doing whatever I can right now from the corner of my drawing room. I am truly grateful for those who keep supporting my small businesses. I'm happy doing and sharing what I made with all of you.

As we are nearing the end of 2022, I don't really have any resolutions. I guess I will keep doing what I've been doing, maybe working on my Youtube Channel and sharing more tutorials and stories. And writing more on the blog.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Have a nice day!

Elvira

Bag Interfacing and new videos

The past few weeks passed very quickly! I have a couple of videos up on my YouTube channel and the most recent one is about bag interfacing for bag making in India. Yes, I am still getting a lot of questions regarding bag interfacing, and even though I have posted about it on the blog HERE and HERE, I thought a video will help, especially for those who just venture out into bag making in India. 

All about bag interfacing in India Video

After watching the video, if you still have any questions, simply leave a comment on my YouTube channel and I will try my best to help you out. 

ALSO READ: Wallet Interfacing Secret Guide

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I also finally upload the video for the zippered tissue pouch and made a couple of small pouches for gifts. These pouches are very handy and useful. I always carry one in my bag to store lipstick and tissues, and also a few emergency medicines (I have allergies) and even sanitary napkins.  You can make these pouches using scrap fabrics and it really doesn't take much, plus they make pretty small gifts, especially now the festive season is coming. You can find the pattern HERE.

Zippered Tissue Pouch Video Tutorial

Zippered Tissue Pouch 

 

I hope you find the videos helpful. If you have any questions, simply leave a comment or two!

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a nice day 

Elvira

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First time mending a quilt

 

I mend a quilt! This is the first time for me. I watched a lot of quilt mending videos and I particularly love the visible mending one. This quilt was on my son's bed and last week  I took it out for washing when I noticed there's a small tear.  

After inspecting it for a little while, I then re-attached the border first, where the stitches came off using a slip stitch. I took a video below while I was working on it. 

I used a yellow dyed fabric from my scrap bins. I tried searching for the same fabric but could not find it. And it was a pretty humid day, so I did not want to waste my energy looking for a small scrap piece. 

The tear was only on the top of the quilt. So while mending it, I did not sew all the way through the backing. Now I am thinking, maybe I should? What is your opinion? 

After washing it, I noticed there are a few places where the stitched came off, so I will mend those in the next week. This was a quilt made from quilt bee blocks, some blocks are sewn with longer stitch lengths. I suppose that's why the seam easily breaks. 

I am pretty happy with the result, though! At least for now it will do. If you watch the video, please let me know what you think and what I should keep in mind while mending a quilt. 

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And I have some exciting news! As I wrote a couple of months back regarding my fabric shop, I am happy to announce that I am back! I have been taking stocks of what I have and have been busy creating exciting one-of-a-kind fabric bundles. Also, I am able to find a few resources so that I can provide a more competitive price and better service. So more pretty Indian fabrics are coming to the store soon! 

For international orders, shipping on ETSY is only via FedEx at the moment. I offer flat rate shipping for now. 

Here are a few that are already in the stores: 

ETSY | WEBSITE

 

ETSY | WEBSITE

ETSY | WEBSITE

Check all the collection of fabric bundles in my ETSY and WEBSITE

Cutting fabrics and making bundles always boost my sewing mojo. I have a couple of projects in mind, some Kawandi projects and also 2 hand quilting projects. I think I will make a couple of videos as I am working on it. I started this one but I think I will re-do the quilting. Maybe doing Kantha style. Let's see. 

That's all for today. Thank you for stopping by! 

Happy Sewing!

Elvira

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