What I learnt from my apron..

After seeing many sexy and cute aprons being uploaded recently, I remembered a halfway discarded apron project in my sewing closet. I thought it would be a good time to complete the project and at the same time join TiniHani's February Jom Jahit which last till 28th Feb. 

I used Robert Kaufman's fabric for the apron and remnant fabrics to make the neck and waist straps. 

Everything up to this point is plain ordinary and using techniques I'm familiar with. The thing that got me excited at the prospect of learning something new was the hem. I always feel uncertain about hems, especially when working with unlined fabrics. 

Recently I saw a technique in one of the Japanese crafting books about finishing your hem with a bias tape. Many of you out there may be familiar with this method, but it is a new thing for me and after being successful with it, I finally feel my hem issue is resolved... finally *grin*

From the outside you cannot see the tape, it is completely hidden. Only when you turn the fabric inside you see the bias tape. It is a good way when you have to hem tight curved areas like necklines or when you do not have enough fabric to turn and sew. You can read and see more pictures of how it is done here. 

 Enjoy your weekend!!

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What is brewing in my sewing studio..

I am working on another single size quilt at the moment. Instead of my conventional quilt style (centre panel with borders here), I decided to try out a different style. Mainly inspired by the many beautiful quilts produced by Anita of Handmade With Love, I decided to mix and match and play around with colours a little bit. Yet I didn't want to go overboard with the design, so I chose a simple rectangular log cabin design.    

The main fabric in the centre is the patch ready yellow fabric by KOKKA, followed by Ikea stripe fabric. The bright blue fabric actually has tiny polka dots is by Moda fabrics in the third line. The finished size would come up to 140cm width x 190cm length. 

Hope to start quilting by next week right after I embroider the recipient's name who will get this quilt for his 9th birthday from his mom..*sweet*

What do you think of the design or/and fabric choice..? Would you have done somethings differently? 


Sew along update - At what stage are you now..? 
This week 22 - 28 Feb (1 week), we are preparing the binding, button loop, self cover button and interfacing (steps 1-4 on the instruction page)  Pin It

Sew along update - Cutting stage

For week 15 - 21Feb (1 week), our task was to cut the fabrics and interfacing for the Reversible Bucket Bag sew along happening here at MyBotanG. 

From the main body pattern, I've cut fabrics for both the exterior and the lining of the bag, medium weight fusible interface and fleece. While from the base pattern, two from the same contrasting fabric, fusible interface and fleece. Also, in the list, bias strips in various sizes for the edge, handle straps and button loop.   

For this week 22 - 28 Feb, lets:

 1. make the binding

2. make the button loop

3. make the self cover button

4. interface the fabric pieces

Here's the time-line for the sew along again:

Gather fabrics and other supplies 1 - 14 Feb (2 week)

Cut out pieces 15 - 21 Feb (1 week)

Preparing the binding, button loop, self cover button and interfacing (steps 1-4 on the instruction page) 22 - 28 Feb (1 week)  

Bag exterior and lining (steps 5-8 on the instruction page) 1 - 7 March (1 week)

Binding - top edge, side top edge and handles (steps 9 - 14 on the instruction page) 8 - 14 March (1 week)

Come join us at http://www.flickr.com/groups/mybotang-sewalong/

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New Tote and fabric find

I made this tote last week. I think I took more time deciding on the fabrics than making the bag itself. It is a straight forward and simple pattern for those familiar with bag making and easy enough for a beginner.

I mainly decided to try this pattern because of the handles. I have always wanted to try such handle's pattern but never got around to it. The steps to making this type of handles are similar to the normal flat ones (see tutorial) but instead of top stitching the sides, fold it in half and sew, leaving a couple of cm at the end to attach to the bag later. 

Carrie-Me Tote
Size: 31cm (at the widest) x 17.5cm
Base width: 6.5cm
Handle length: 36cm
1 inside pocket
magnetic snap for closure

Another reason that got me excited about making this tote was the fabric. I got the pink polka dot with rose fabric on my last visit to Tokyo but haven't yet found the right project to cut into the fabric. So, I thought the new tote pattern would go nicely with my new sweet fabric. 

The fabric is by Sevenberry and it is made in Japan. I have been told by some friends that the fabric is available in the Nagoya fabric shops in Malaysia in various colours and is available for RM8 per/m. However, there's nothing written on the selvedge and the quality might be different from Sevenberry fabrics. 

Reversible Bucket Bag sew-along update
1. Cut out pieces stage 15Feb - 21Feb
2. Join us on Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/mybotang-sewalong/Pin It

Sew along update - Gathering stage

I am sure you are familiar with the reversible bucket bag sew along happening here at MyBotanG. Today marks the end of the gathering stage and we are now going to cut out all the pieces needed for the bag from 15 - 21 Feb (1 week). Before we get into that, first I'd like to share my materials for the bag.    

The pattern requires 3 pieces of 0.5m fabrics for the exterior, lining, contrast binding, base and button closure. 

I have decided to use these fabrics from left; 

Love U by Deb Strain for Moda, lime green polka dot fabric by cosmo textiles and fancy fabric collection by Lecein

Hop over to Nomaliza sketch and sew to see her fabric choice and to Mila's My Day in Life to check out her completed bag.  

The pattern also requires 0.5m of medium weight woven fusible interfacing and another 0.5m of fusible fleece. We had a lot of discussion (confusion on my part) about the fusible fleece - to know more, read the comment section here) and the discussion continued on the http://www.flickr.com/groups/mybotang-sewalong/. Do come and join us and add pictures to the pool, my picture is lonely and sad by itself *cry* 

my fusible fleece

Here's the time-line for the sew along again:

Gather fabrics and other supplies 1 - 14 Feb (2 week)

Cut out pieces 15 - 21 Feb (1 week)

Preparing the binding, button loop, self cover button and interfacing (steps 1-4 on the instruction page) 22 - 28 Feb (1 week)  

Bag exterior and lining (steps 5-8 on the instruction page) 1 - 7 March (1 week)

Binding - top edge, side top edge and handles (steps 9 - 14 on the instruction page) 8 - 14 March (1 week)

Cut the fabrics and interfacing pieces as follows:
2 x exterior fabric
2x lining fabric
2x fusible fleece
2x fusible interfacing


For the base:
2x contrast fabric
1x fusible fleece
1x fusible interfacing


Also cut: 
2x bias-cut strips of contrast fabrics - 86 x 10cm for the side top edge trim and handles
2x bias-cut strips of contrast fabrics - 29 x 10cm for the centre top edge trim
1x strip of contrast fabrics - 30 x 6cm for the button loop


Do update us with your progress, so we could check it out as well.. 

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Good things come in twos..

I have been seeing and hearing a lot of 2s in January *grin* 

First, there was the double almost alike quilting project completed earlier in January, and now a commission for another double. 

A close friend back from my primary school years requested 2 baby quilt sets for her boys for their afternoon naps at the daycare. The boys age 4 and 6 are into different things and colours *relieve* as I was not up for another mirroring project.  From our chats on Facebook (thank god for FB) I came up with a plan and after another discussion we agreed on the sets.    

Each set includes: 

1 Baby quilt with name embroidery sized 110cm x 90cm 

1 pillow sized 16" x 9"

1 pillow case

1 drawstring knapsack  

For Aiman (4yo) I used the LECEIN fabrics I've had in my stash for at least 8 months (I'm a hoarder, can't you tell *sigh*). I mixed and matched the 2 fabrics and used a chili red moda fabric for the quilt binding. 

For Iman (6yo) I used the truck fabric (it's a favourite, I know!!) and matched it with the cute shinkansen dark blue border (seen here). 

The drawstring knapsacks that could fit all the items on the list. Still got rooms for the pillows as I've outsource them to Naza of Itsy Doodles Shop to make. I've made the pillowcases following her specifications. 

Sew along update - 
Flickr group is up and running, do come and join us. Pin It

Reversible Bucket Bag - Sew Along Update

I am happy to announce we have 21 ladies who have sign up for the sew along. Everybody can still join in as we are only at the gathering stage (1 - 14 Feb), deciding on the fabrics we want to use for the bag, printing the pattern and getting our supplies (you can refer to page 42 on the pattern under *you will need* column). 

I know we have spread out the stages over a long period of time. This to allow ample time for everyone to complete each stages and have time for our other commitments. If you complete the stage early, do still post pictures of all the steps for others to view and comment. *Would you want me to set up a sew along Flickr group? or would reporting on the blog suffice?*  

I have not yet decided on the three 0.5m fabric pieces for my reversible bag, still contemplating *sigh*. The pattern also requires medium weight fusible interface (learn how to apply interface here) and fusible fleece. I have never used fusible fleece before and was wondering if anyone has and maybe would like to tell us about it *pwetty please* 

If you have already decided on your fabrics, please let us know so we could all hop over to see them.  

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When I'm not sewing...

I do not get to sew much on weekends, so while lounging with the family, I make these.. 

MyBotanG Thank you tags

They are very simple to make;

precut name cards (I got mine from Tesco Malaysia) 

DIY label set (tutorial, shoppe)

hole puncher

hemp strings (100yen shop)

And you are ready to stamp away *grin*

What do you do when you're not sewing..?

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CUTE alert!!

Thought I'd share with you pictures of baby Merisa in the dress I made for her. You can read more about it here. 

Photo credit to Merisa's mom, Naza.

I haven't seen her in the dress yet, but from the look of it, it will not fit her for long. The dress pattern (available for free from Made by Rae) come in 2 sizes; new born up to 7-8lb and 1-3mo (9 - 11lb).   

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The Reversible Bucket Bag Sew Along - time line

   As previously mentioned, I'm organising a sew along for the reversible bucket bag. You can get pattern and the step by step instructions here. 

Grab a button and spread the word.. the more the merrier!!

Here's the sew along time line:

Gather fabrics and other supplies 1 - 14 Feb (2 week)

Cut out pieces 15 - 21 Feb (1 week)

Preparing the binding, button loop, self cover button and interfacing (steps 1-4 on the instruction page) 22 - 28 Feb (1 week)  

Bag exterior and lining (steps 5-8 on the instruction page) 1 - 7 March (1 week)

Binding - top edge, side top edge and handles (steps 9 - 14 on the instruction page) 8 - 14 March (1 week)

Updated x 3
So far 4 people 13 crafty ladies 18 21 super cool gals have shown interest to join in the sew along, they are:

1. Mila@Rimbun

2. Rosh

3. Sharifah

4. MyBotanG
5. Liza
6. Mel
7. DiahRothman
8. Sheila Wahid
9. Zila
10. Sha
11. Nadia
12. Cik Kema
13. Zura
14. Zara
15. Nai
16. Wanz
17. Marie
18. Ayda
19. kak a.niza
20. Nizah
21. Nurul

It is never too late to join in the fun.. Do leave a comment if you are interested to join in the sew along.

Mila@Rimbun has completed her version of the bag.. Hop over to see her reversible bucket bag.

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