What did I do?

I was busy finishing my quilt for the quilt competition organized by Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff and Handi Quilter India. I still can't post it here on my blog but if you're on facebook you can check the competition FACEBOOK PAGE.

So far 5 quilts are out on the page out of 15 participants and you'll LOVE  the unique, one of a kind, artistic quilt made by  Indian talented quilters from all around the world. I can guarantee that!! 

Every morning, I am eagerly waiting for the next quilt! My quilt was out on Facebook the first day and I was so nervous. It's afterall my first time! Just like any first time, all the nervousness, anxiety, finally died down and after reading Katie's post  I feel more at ease. 

so, this week, I practically just cleaning all the mess I created while doing the quilt

 open my ETSY shop again after I put it on vacation mode for few weeks and finished my #mainhoonna round robin #medallion #quilt swap blog for my Desi Quilters group on Facebook. 

I decided to make this one. I've seen this block doing around in IG and Pinterest and wanted to make one, finally I did it. yay!!

I follow the tutorial from Toni of Hosiere Tony. it's called skinny Churn dash. 

Originally I plan to do this Indian Meadow block. I saw someone made this beautiful block in Instagram but it turned out too big and I don't feel like altering any pattern that moment. So, this will be another orphan block ^_^. 

and then tried this one but not happy with the layout :P . This will go to my UFO bin. I love that Indian Ladies print and wanted to make something from that.

And since the boys decided to do regular jogging, today morning we went to Guwahati University to do a little jogging /brisk walk . It was  nice! This can be our weekly family exercise! I need to do that much at least!! I've been slacking for the last few months :( 

So, until next time

happy quilting

 

Learning few things

FMQ is always a challenge to me. I never get it right no matter how much free tutorial I read/saw on the web. That's how I decided to these 2 kindle books. I find reading books give  more detail information and if I forget something I can easily go back to it :)

First book I bought was Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners: And Those Who Think They Can't by Molly Hanson

The book is quite informative with picture guidance and also easy small projects for beginners.

The second one is First Steps of Free Motion quilting by Christina Cameli

This book  is more thorough in a sense that it gives more detail illustration on fmq design, how to set your machine even if your machine does't have option to drop your feed dogs, etc.  She gives few samples of design for you to practice doodling in your pad. 

After reading the two books, I immediately got down to work. I took a blank paper and start practice doodling for few mins and then took out my scraps and started the real work ^___^

  

and I turned it into this double side mug rug

It is amazing how much information you can get if you only look.  I learned the other day that apparently I should put my come thread in line with the original thread holder. I used to put my come thread on the side and it always give so much problem that I put it aside. But I like the cotton come thread. So I look up on Google and found the information. 

so, what did you learn today?

Until then

Happy quilting

Another Quilt tops finish

How many quilt top do you have?

I seem to collect a lot of them recently v_v

These two I recently finished/

This grey cat in the road block *as my son named it* is done at 40x40"

and I am still wondering how to quilt it.

Maybe a dense straight line or wonky line

or using my fave serpentine stitch

doing the top is my fave part of quilting

I used my own pattern for this using excel sheet -___-

The trial block was not as how I pictured it in my head

so I made it into cushion cover for a swap

and after alteration I'm happy with this one.

Here's the detail picture of the block

Second quilt top is this trip around the world. 

I love TATW block! and one if my IG friend, Laurie Meyers, she made beautiful TATW quilt which really inspire me!

the details

oh and I have a finish. This blue quilt is made as custom order in my shop

I've been wanted to combine this blue and green into a quilt and

opportunity presented it self ^___^

there you go the details

 Those are my quilty stories for the past 2 weeks. Next week will be a hectic one for me as I have to at least finish 75% of my quilt for the Husqvarna Viking India Online Quilt competition *sigh*. 

It's been quite a task since I can't show to anyone about it. Ha ha !! So, I just want to get it done fast and hopefully it will turn out as I picture it in my head!!

Until then,

Happy Quilting

TUTORIAL - Patchwork Zipper Pouch - Lots of pics!

In this tutorial, I use a simple zipper with a tab. There are several methods on how you install zippers in pouched and bags. I will try to post a few mini-tutorial on those methods. 

FAQ :

1. What interfacing do you use?

Interfacing depends on how you want the look that you want. It totally depends on you. I love soft pouches. I normally use fusible interfacing and flannel or fleece batting (that's a substitute for fusible fleece). For a stiffer pouch, I use canvas interfacing.

2. Batting

As I mentioned, I usually use flannel for quilted pouches or bags. Flannel gives a good structure and enough softness. I use fleece or cotton batting for gadget cases.

3. How to reduce the bulk?

Always cut your batting 1/2" smaller than the main and lining fabric. If you use thicker interfacing, cut the interfacing 1/2" less than the main and lining fabric. That will save you lots of headaches struggling with the machine.

4. Ironing

 Ironing is also very important. Iron your interfacing well. I normally set in Cotton and always use the DRY setting. Iron your fabric first then attach the interfacing. If you use anything other than cottons, like silk or cotton mix, do not iron on the fabric. Iron nicely on the interfacing, reduce the heat to (silk/rayon) then iron gently.

That's as far as I can remember. Ask away if you have more questions. 

*** Please refer to the numbering of each photo ***

Let's start 

Supplies :

Fabric scraps

Fusible Interfacing

Batting (fleece, cotton, or flannel)

Zipper {sorry forgot to include it in the photos)

Embellishment (ribbon, lace, buttons)

Cut the fabrics according to the pics and sew up the strips accordingly

iron flat and sew the green polka dots

Green polka dots: 3" x 9" 

**ironing is very important to get a crisp look **

Please NOTE that you NEED to frequently straighten your panel

Use DRY setting and COTTON setting to fuse the fusible interfacing

First, iron the fabric and then attach the interfacing. 

This is important, cos it's difficult to smoothen wrinkled-interfaced-fabric. 

here I cut the tab 1" x 2" 

Trim the metal stopper of the zipper and cut 8" (1" smaller than the panel)

Sew the tab to both zipper ends

now, decorate your pouch panel

this is the fun part

I did a little quilting with this decorative stitch in my HV

I love my Viking, it has all fancy decorative stitches 

Now ZIPPER time!

Don't be scared 

it's very easy!

Follow the steps in pic #9 below

remember, ALWAYS use zipper foot! 

you can either baste it first or you can pin and sew

1st zipper is done, now the second part

Open the panels as shown in pic #10

(remember, the position of the zipper should be like pic #9)

Bring the zipper to the main panel. Line up the sides properly

 you can pin the middle panel if you want

Now, fold the lining and line it up on top of the zipper

it should look like pic #13

now pin and sew the zipper

once the zipper is installed

pull out and separate the main and lining as shown in pic #13-1

we're almost done! yay

before pinning your panels, make sure that the laces are matched. You don't want as lopsided pouch, right?

and trim the batting 1/4" all around.

This is to reduce the bulk

match the zipper point

the seam facing the lining and pin

Don't forget to OPEN the zipper halfway!

Now all sides pinned

trim the zipper tab and start sewing

sew with 1/4" or 3/8" on one side

don't forget to back-stitch on both ends

On the other side, leave a 2" opening on the LINING side. 

This will be your turning point

Back-stitch on both ends and also at the opening points.

This is important, cos you don't want your stitch to unravel while you're turning the pouch

now, let's make the square bottom

Method #1: puff up the corner and pinch evenly and mark 1/2" from the corner

sew the marked line and cut the excess

or you can do 

Method #2

Cut 1/2" square at all corners 

and sew them close.

This is easier cos you tend to get a more even box bottom

So that's done, now turn inside out from the opening

do it gently! I know it's frustrating but it is DOABLE.

Once done, check the corners, if you're happy with the result, iron your pouch (main and lining)and sew the opening, either by hand or machine.

Yay! you got new pretty patchwork pouch you can flaunt to your friends.

and if the sewing machine is not your best friend, you can always visit my SHOP and I'll be glad to make one ESPECIALLY  for you ^^

I hope you enjoy my tutorial

Happy Weekends & Happy Sewing

Elvira

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