Some quilting and sewing

Mini Quilts

Hello, how are you doing? I've been busy with many random things the past few weeks. I share this scrappy mini pillow on my Instagram a few weeks ago. I made it for fun and to test hand quilting using cotton thread which I got from the local shop.  The mini pillow is for wrist pillow when I am working on my computer. And I just had fun while taking photos. Hmm, I think it can be a doll pillow too. 

I also finished a couple of wallet orders and face mask orders too. Thank you for always supporting handmade! I know there is a lot of more pretty stuff out there that is cheaper and prettier, so I am truly grateful when someone chooses to buy my handmade instead. It really means a lot. 

In the past 2 years, the e-commerce business has really boomed and the online market is flooded with all kinds of products. And of course, the competition is tougher too. It is a very challenging year but I believe that if we create with heart and sincerity, it will pay off. I always try to move forward at my own pace. Although sometimes, I got caught up in the 'rate race" of social media. I think we should not lose focus on our goals, things that make us happy. For me, to be able to create something and share my knowledge makes me happier. This reminded me of one quote from one drama I watched that goes

" you cannot just move forward and leave your heart behind".

 

This statement stuck with me for a few days, trying to make a sense of it. What do you think of the quote? 

Mini Zipper Wallet

Ikat Family Passport Holder

Singing Face Masks

I started another Kawandi pillow too and this is the current state! I am still not able to get time to continues as I am currently working on my next pattern! I hope I will be able to release the pattern by end of next week. 

There are so many things  I want to learn and experiment with.  Well, I did a couple of experiments that were halfway done and stashed in my WIP box. I think I will just make a video and show you all what's on my WIP box one day. 

Kawandi Pillow WIP

I also went with my son for his IELTS tests last week. The place was near my fave shop, so I went there (after 2 years!)  and a pick up a couple of kurtas. I can't resist Indian print tunics! 

And when you saw the window with patterns that remind you of quilting lines, you must take a photo! Yup, that was me, taking a selfie with the window :)

looking out 

The weather is pretty chilly and dry these past few days. My MIL's flowers are blooming beautifully this time. No, I can't grow plants. Somehow, they always die when I try to grow one. LOL. 

We also got a new baby calf yesterday.

Thank you for stopping by! Wherever you are, please take care and stay safe! 

Have a nice day,

Elvira

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Hand Quilted Skinny Table Runner

 

I started this skinny table runner a few months ago, but I only finish hand quilt it yesterday. Well, as usual, a lot of distractions along the way. The day before yesterday after I finished my wallet's orders  I thought I'll start another Kawandi pillow but then I saw this runner and thought " let's get this done first!" 

Still in my favorite design from Suzuko Koseki's book and quilted it in kawandi style. I want to make a bigger one but not sure if I can do the hand quilting. And I'd love to hand quilt it. For now, it will be on my bucket list. I will practice more now. 

By the way, if you watch Margareth Fabrizio's video that I mentioned in the previous blog post, I saw that she was holding a small pillow when she was quilting and I also saw the Siddi ladies were doing the same. I thought maybe that will make my hand /palm less painful (I have a CTS problem). So I decided to make one and have been practicing when I was working on this table runner. And yes, my hand feels more comfortable. It takes a little time to get used to it but I liked it. 

Now that is done, I can start the Kawandi Pillow that I want to start. Somehow doing Kawandi is relaxing and I can sit and just sew without worrying about anything else. 

Skinny Table Runner Details

Pattern: from Suzuko Koseki Book "Modern Quilts"

Fabric: Indian Shotcotton / Handloom 

Batting: Cotton Batting

Thread: Anchor #8 Pearl Cotton

Ah, today I learned a new saying from one of the dramas "sometimes we have to walk slow, to let our body catch up with our soul". I did some googling and found this article by Beth Bruno "Be Still; Your Soul is Trying to Catch Up With You" on Medium. Here are a few lines that I can totally relate to: 

"Sometimes life comes at us so fast and furious we have no time to sit with our souls and check-in." Beth Bruno

"Remember that your list will still be there tomorrow. And many of the things on it can wait. In fact, some things on that list don’t matter at all, when you really examine them. But your soul needs you. And you need it. Take time to reconnect as often as you can. You will be glad you did. - Beth Bruno" 

Thank you for stopping by today. 

Have a nice day! 

Elvira

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Best of 2021

 Hello and Happy New Year! 

Cheryl at Meadow Mist Design holds an annual "Best of " blog post and I thought I'll join this year.  It's some kind of Instagram best of 9, but in the blogosphere, we can always go back to read the full stories. 

Looking back in 2021, here are my best 5 blog posts:

1. Let's make a charming quilted pouch  - 1338 Visit

This free basic pouch tutorial was made for Love and Healing Swap in Desi Quilters Facebook Group. 

2.  Potholders from Scraps - 802 visits

Another Video Tutorial from A Swap - We really had fun making potholders.

3. Adding 2 in 1 Zipper Pocket - 750 visits

This one was an additional tutorial for adding an exterior zipper pocket in a wallet. Make sure to watch the video too. 

4. Kawandi Quilt Finish - 630 Visits 

This is my personal finish quilt in 2021. A lot of learning!! And of course, another fave is my new Kawandi Pillow! 

5. Kawandi Style Mini Wall Decor - 611 visits

The quilt was not a Kawandi quilt but I quilted the Kawandi style. It took me a while to finish this and I learned a lot of things in the process. 

In 2021 most of us learned how to live amidst Covid with its new variants that keep emerging every few months. When I looked back at my Best of 2020 blog posts, most of the posts were about Face Masks. And now face mask is part of our must-have accessories, if I may say so. 

Thank you to everyone who visited my blogs, commented on them, and encouraged me throughout the years. Also, the wonderful bloggers who are hosting linky parties every week and give us a chance to read and learn from other bloggers, from different niches! I love reading blogs even though I don't always leave a comment. 

This year, I don't have any specific plans, but  I want to learn more about Kawandi, Kantha, and more hand quilting. Also sharing more tutorials and video tutorials.  On the family front, as the son is going to college this year, Insha Allah, so there will be a lot of focus on that front too. So, let's just do our best this year! 

Until next time, stay creative and stay healthy! 

Elvira

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Meadow Mist Designs Best of 2021

Quilting Patch 

and these wonderful BLOGS

Kawandi Lumbar Pillow - New Video

 

Kawandi Pillow Cover

When the stars aligned, I can finish the Kawandi pillow in 2 days! LOL. I bought the lumbar pillow form sometimes in November  and keep thinking to make a quilted pillow cover for it. So a few days ago, I was like why not make the kawandi pillow cover? So I took out these purple and emerald/teal scraps which I keep near my cutting table. As usual, many ideas played at the back of my mind, I thought I will just cut the scraps in 5" charm size and will just go along. But after I cut the charm pieces, I left with different sizes of leftovers and decided to use some of those too. 

Handquilting and Catching up on my Kdrama

I documented the process in the videos below. In the first part, I talked about the thread and needles that I use. Hopefully will help those who are in India and wondering what materials to use and where to get them. Really you do not need much to start a kawandi quilt. 

Materials:

The Kawandi Quilt Top should finish approximately at 12" x 18"

For the Kawandi you need assorted scraps of your choice. 

Quilt Backing: 2 layers of cotton fabrics approx. 12.5" x 18.5", I cut bigger because it shrunk after the quilting is done.

The PILLOW  backing has 2 parts:

The top part is 12" x 5.5" 

The Bottom Part: 12" x 12" 

All-purpose zipper #3 - 12" long or so. 

Note: In the video, I cut the pillow backing longer but in a way it's good. Make sure the backing after putting the zipper is the same size as the top. 

In the second part, I showed how to make the pillow. It's super-duper easy! The pillow closes with an exposed zipper in contrast color. I am so obsessed with this color combo! 

I hope you find the tutorial helpful. If you have any questions, just leave a comment and I will be glad to help you. 

If you want to know more about Kawandi, make sure to watch Margareth Fabrizio Interview on Youtube!  I really admire her passion and courage! 

The year 2021 is certainly a learning and experimenting year for me, I am looking forward to more learning adventures  in 2022. And kawandi and kantha is definately on my top list to explore more. 

Happy holidays, everyone! 

Elvira

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Busy Weeks

Indian Fabric Bundles

I've been very busy in the past two weeks following my decision to discontinue selling fabrics. After checking my stocks, I decided to create another Webshop, just for fabrics. Since I have many varieties, I thought it will be easier for the buyers to check in one website instead of messaging me on Instagram or Facebook. It will be an easier and cheaper option for me to have a full catalog on one website. What do you think?

I will try to finish importing all the listings from Etsy by the end of the month, as I plan to discontinue selling fabrics there from January 2022 onwards. Many of my friends asked me WHY? Well, frankly, I started selling fabrics just for FUN and as I am getting more buyers, I don't really enjoy it anymore. I just want to do more sewing and quilting as I don't see myself being a full-fledged fabric shop owner in the future. 

I got the idea from one of the blogs (sorry I forgot, I will put the link when I recall it) about destashing by offering Pay Shipping Only. I listed a couple of embroidered applique motifs and they are sold out in a couple of hours. I will be adding more as I have a few ribbons and what's not from my dressmaking days. 

 Setting up a new website ( I use Ecwid) is super easy as I can start selling within a few minutes. However, importing listing, photos, and writing details take a bit of time. I'm working on it for a couple of hours in the morning in the past few days and in the evening I work on my orders and WIPS. Sometimes I wish I had a magic wand! 

Here's a couple of sewing that I completed these past few days! 

This passport holder was ready to sew a few weeks ago! So happy to finally finish it. I still have a couple more to complete.  Meanwhile, this family passport wallet is available in the Shop now. 

Ohana Family Passport Wallet | Pattern

This small wallet is one wallet that I never get tired of making. You can find the pattern with the video tutorial here. 

Small Fabric Wallet

NUNO SMALL WALLET

My sister in Indonesia also asked for more face masks, so I'll be making more of this breathe easy face mask and sending them to my sisters and my mom. 

International shipping is pretty challenging in the past 2 years. And the most recent one was that for now, India Post will not send mails to US and Canada until further notice. As a small business owner/Etsy India sellers, this is really a big blow for the business, since most of us rely on India Post for cheaper shipping rates. For now, there's a major delay delivering orders even via FedEx. I've been sending orders via DHL Express in the past weeks. Even though it is more expensive but it is more reliable. 

I wish Etsy will have a better Delivery Setting. Just like on my Website, where I can set up shipping to certain countries with multiple shipping options. Buyers can choose the shipping that fits their budget. 

Kids face mask with head loop

So that's all that kept me busy in the past weeks. Now I need to take a break, enjoy some slow stitching and maybe make Indonesian Satay for the boys :)

Thank you for stopping by today, have a wonderful day!

Elvira

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