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

Quilting Bee Update - February March Blocks

 

Hello,

In the past few months, I am enjoying making blocks for the quilting bee that is going on in the Desi Quilters Group on Facebook. This red quilt as your go block is for Deepti. Oh, I love doing QAYG, and looking at what others have made in the group is really inspiring. This red QAYG block is approximately 14.5 x 14.5 inches unfinished. 

The challenge of making a bee block is when the Queen Bee is only asking for the unfinished block size without specifying what kind of block or what color they prefer. When this happened I tend to choose the traditional blocks. Like this Purple Star Block. Aparna was asking for 101/2 inches block and I am in the mood to do some HST.

I searched on Pinterest and found this star block from Bernina  Summer Sparkle Quilt Along on We All Sew. I thought this will be perfect! 

Made another one using Indonesian Batik

As usual, I recorded the video as I sew just for fun! 

Another block I made is for Revathi. She wanted courthouse steps log cabin block. The log cabin is another fave block of mine and I'm so excited to make this one. Here's what I sent to Revathi. The block is based on THIS tutorial. 

The centerpiece is 3.5" square and the strip is 2" wide. You can cut the fabric strip before sewing them together, or (my preferred method) is just sew and cut later like in THIS video. 

Courthouse Steps Log Cabin for Revathi

And of course, I made a mini version just because I love this pink and blue bundle! The block is 7 x 7 inches unfinished, I think I am going to make a coaster with it. 

This quilting bee is really a great and fun learning experience for me. For some blocks, I made a few and keep, and maybe will assemble them together later on. Meanwhile, I have received all my blocks! I will share them in my next post! I always plan to write regularly but never happened. I really should make an effort to write more.  

Thank you for stopping by today! 

Happy Sewing! 

Elvira

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A few wallets

 Hello,

Last week, I was pretty productive. I made a couple of wallets for orders and also finished 2 wallets from my WIP bucket! It feels good to be able to finish a few from the WIP list. 

This pink strawberry wallet is one of my best sellers! There's a Blue and Red one too in the shop. I love making this Nuno Small Wallet and is still my fave wallet to use for everyday, and I made one for my son too! 

 

Cute Strawberry Wallet

I love this wonderland fabric from Rifle Paper Co. Well, I love all their fabrics and purchased a few fabrics before the pandemic,  but now it's too expensive to buy because the shipping charge is pretty high. Anyway, I recorded the video when I was making this Wonderland wallet. I am still editing it now and hopefully will be able to share it soon! Pattern available HERE. 

Wonderland Bifold Wallet

When making a wallet, choosing the fabric combo always takes a long time for me. Sometimes, I even end up using a different combo than what I initially picked. 

(I had fun making the BTS video below!) 

The second WIP I finished was this Red Floral Wallet. The fabric is from Sevenberry and I love the tiny floral print. This time, I used metal zipper and I love how this turned out. Also for the zipper end, I used the metal zipper end cap. I kinda love it although putting the tiny screw on the cap was a bit hard for me! I need to get the small screw driver! 

Floral Small Wallet

Small Bifold Wallet  

Earlier this week, I went to the Post Office with Meenakshi, from Rustic Origin. We thought we'll check the latest update regarding sending parcel via India Post. It was totally waste of time because the person in charge in the main Guwahati PO were not interested or not willing to help.  So we deciced to go hang out for a bit at the Starbucks at the Brahmaputra Heritage Center. It's good we decided to go there because the view is so good. I think during sunset would be lovely! 

Brahmaputra Heritage Centre

Brahmaputra River

After chilling out in Starbucks we went back to the PO and I still could not send my parcels. I decided to go the the University PO near my house, instead. The lady at the PO is very nice and seems to be well informed, and very helpful. Finally all my packages were on their way. 

In front of the University PO

This week, I will catching up on my Quilting Bee block. I have 2 blocks to finish! Wish me luck! 

Until next time,

Happy Sewing

Elvira

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36 Patch Block for Quilting Bee

 Hello,

Spring is almost here. Well, in our part of the world, February is always dry and dusty and then followed by seasonal flu season. I hope you all stay healthy! 

Last week, we at the Desi Quilters group on Facebook started Quilting Bee. It's been years since we did the quilting bee. There are 24 participants divided into two groups -  Oddbees and Evenbees. I am the first queen bee for the Oddbees group. When Tina announced at the beginning of February that we are going to have a quilting bee again, I am very excited. I mean, this is the way you can learn and in the meantime get your blocks done in no time, right? 

I know I wanted to make a 36-patch block made up of mini charms in different colors. It's been high on my list. So for the 1st bee block, I go with this simple block! I made a 36-patch quilt a long ago and it's still my fave. 

This block is very easy and my block finished at 12" square. The fabrics I used are assortments of cotton fabric scraps that I previously cut and keep. 

So for this particular 36-patch bee block, I want one block in ONE color shade, and the scrappier the better.

It's super easy to make. All you need is 36 pieces of assorted 2.5" square pieces of fabric.

1.  First step is to arrange the fabric pieces to your liking, alternating between light and medium/dark. Although it's not always easy, that's fine!

2. I like to make them into a 9-patch section. Sew them together with a 1/4" seam allowance and press the seam to the darker side. 

3. After finishing 4 mini blocks of 9-patch, iron the blocks. I am using assorted fabrics, some fabrics get a bit stretched after ironing. That's fine for me. 

4. Now, trim the blocks to 6.25" square. 

5. Sew the 4 blocks together and voila you get a 12" square block.

Here's a quick video of how I made the block

I made 2 blocks as samples for the quilting bee and I am so excited to see everyone's block. We have 14 quilters in the odd bees group. And guess what? I already got one in the mail yesterday. Priya sent me her pretty pink block along with lovely gifts!! Thank you, Priya!! 

There are several blocks already posted in the group and I am so looking forward to receiving them. I will update again when I receive all the blocks! 

Thank you for stopping by today!

Happy Sewing

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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The finished quilts

Hello,

My quilts have come back from Tsala Quilting Studio, Bangelore and I finished the binding last week. I'm so happy with how it turned out. Thank you Vatsala and team! The quilts finished just in time for my elder son's birthday and he chose the blue and yellow marble star  quilt one! 

Now, we have several long arm quilter here in India and Tsala Studio is one of them. I was speaking on the phone with Ranjana Ma'am and discussing about quilts and bag making in general. And we wished we had one long arm quilter here in Guwahati, which is from climate point of view, we should have one, since we have quite cold winter. But I have not seen a quilting culture so much in here. Most people will do knitting or weaving woolen blanket. Hopefully one day!! 

Back to my quilts, the star quilt one, as I mentioned in my previous post, is from the Desi Quilter Quilting bee. I used yellow block print mulmul fabric for the backing. Why mulmul ? Because it's soft!

Here another shot on the sofa :D. I hope you can see the quilting details.

I really love the Batik Double Star Quilt! I did a wide binding, inspired by Laurie on Instagram. I cut the binding 5" wide, double fold it and stitch a scant 1/2" on the back. Deciding which color for the binding was tough! But everyone at home voted for blue. And it looks lovely, IMO! :)

As for backing, I used this ikat print glace cotton fabric. The fabric is also soft. It has a smooth sheen finished. I guess we can use it as a reversible quilt :D

I have 2 more quilt tops, I am yet to decide the backing though. I plan to send it to Tsala Studio by next month so it will be in time for my younger son's birthday! 

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

- Elvira-

Finishing star quilts

Hello everyone,

It's almost end of August and I have not written any blog post this month. There are so many things going on this month. Sometimes, I open my laptop and trying to write something but I can't think of something. Too many things going on in my mind. 

source : Pinterest

Well, sewing wise, I finished 2 quilt tops (yay!!) and now are with Tsala Studio in Bangelore for quilting. 

The quilt top above is from the quilting bees we did in Desi Quilter in 2013 (OMG!!). Thank you Sudha Sekhar, Prasanna Narasimhan, Nikhat, Damayanthi Bhat, Manju Narain, Tina Katwal, Sandhya and Aliya Mir for making these blocks for me *group hugs* 

I posted the tutorial for the block in HERE in case you want to try it :)

For the backing, I wanted in yellow. I have another yellow and blue print which I thought I will use but when I put them together, I feel it's too busy. So I stick to the original idea. I found this mulmul cotton fabric in yellow with small white flower print. It's perfect!! 

The second quilt top is this Double Friendship Star quilt. The block is based on MSQC Youtube Tutorial. I started this quilt last year. I posted my progress in Instagram . I used batik Jellyrolls and white cambric cotton for the background. The batik part finish at 40" x 48". I thought I will finish it as another throw quilt but then I want the quilt to be usable. I have a few throw quilt which mostly end up in my cupboard :D

After browsing Pinterest for idea, I decided to add wide borders in white. I added 9.5" wide on the sides and 12.5" wide on the top and bottom. I love how it turned out! 

For backing I chose multi color ikat print in glace cotton. Glace cotton is very soft and it has a glossy finish. I love it!! 

Oh and I have 2 blocks left which I will make cushion covers! Yay! 

Well, finished is always better than perfect, right? Finally this winter, we will have new quilts. yay!

I still have one more bee blocks to assemble. I already got an idea and hopefully it will work out :D

Thank you for stopping by and have a nice weekends!

~ Elvira ~

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