Current Favourite

I started this year with shopping for (more) fabrics *roll eyes* 

I noticed my selections consisted of more lines and stripes. I also went for more earthen and mellow colours.  

But this pattern seriously caught my eyes. It is by Anna Griffin and was printed in the US. It is a  quilting weight fabric. I love the colours and dream of future projects and possible fabric combinations.

What do you think?

Do you go for similar prints..? 

What type of fabrics have you bought so far..?  

.

..

...

....

.....

......

.......

........

.........

..........

...........

pppsssst.. I am still a sucker for anything and everything LECIEN.. 

*Floral Collection - Flower Sugar* 

^__^

Pin It

Fabric Find Monday and a secret giveaway... ssshhhhh!!! (CLOSED)

Can you imagine that it's already DECEMBER..?? It feels like only recently I was penning down my 2011 plans and aims.. and now I have to assess achievements and progress made throughout the year and start planning for 2012. 

In the meantime, what do you think of this print..? your cup of tea..?

The fabric is by KOKKA and it's 100% cotton

A quick giveaway to MyBotanG exclusive readers only.. 

Tell me what you think of the fabric and two of you might end up with an FE cut of this piece. 

Tell me about the print/colour/feel/possible project/etc - you do not need to write an essay, few sentences would suffice - I'll choose 2 comments I like best on 15th December 2011. You can write in either English or Malay.  

I've held something similar before - see what people wrote, see the winners comments.

Edited:

Thank you for participating ladies. Enjoyed reading all your comments.

For me the bold and vibrant colours against the black really brings out the FUN  and CHICK in this print. The no direction of the patterns allows for easy (lazy *grin*) cut where you do not really have to worry about having cut the pattern in the wrong direction.. eerrr believe me it has happened before *sigh*

However, the print is rather big, thus limiting the items you can make out of this fabric to medium - big bags only. I am very sure the fabric would look great as a skirt, but since I do not make any wearable, I can't say for sure..

There were 17 comments and I've decided to let random.org to choose the winners:

(Tried attaching the random box here to no avail.. *give up*)

Winner 1 is commentor 8 -  Cik Tyra (you are really lucky dear, you were one of my 1K-LIKE GA winner few weeks back, right?) *I hardly ever win anything.. sob*
Winner 2 is commentor 17 - Aynz

Each winner will receive an FE of the above print in the mail soon.
I've listed the fabric in the shoppe if you wish to get hold of some.
Thank you for participating.Pin It

Laminated cotton find

I am being pulled by laminated cotton. Every fabric store I visit, I find myself drawn towards the colourful rolls (laminated cotton usually comes in 50cm cut roll). 

I caved in..(as if it comes as a surprise to anyone.. *roll eyes*).  

I bought some yummy polka dot laminated cotton last weekend. 

They are so easy to sew (just like normal fabric, no additional tool required). The only drawback is they are quite pricey.. *sigh* 

They make lovely bags, wallet and pouches and recently I received a commission to make reusable food wrap out of these lovelies (will blog about it next)

Find out more about laminated cotton here, and I've listed them in the shoppe as well if anybody's interested. 

Pin It

Itty Bitty for a Cute-y...

You might remember the panels I bought (here) and the sweet baby quilt I made from the panel (here). Since I couldn't get enough of the sweetness, I bought 2meters of the soft pink Itty Bitty fabric by Marcus Fabrics and it has been sitting there on my shelf looking pretty for quite sometime now, until a customer requested an all-in-one pouch using the fabric.

I was about to say NO to using my precious but decided against it and agreed to cut into the sweet fabric...

It turned out beautifully (more pictures).. and it was so fun to work with such soft fabric 

I lined it with brown polka dot fabric which I've decided long ago was the only perfect match for this sweetie. 

Then came another commission for a baby quilt using the fabric and I jumped with joy at the prospect of creating something SWEET *grin*

A simple quilting on the centre panel with name embroidery

A homemade binding using a soft pink cotton in my stash

MyBotanG baby quilt size is 110cm x 90cm

A soft pink flannel for the back 

After all these, I still have some of this lovely fabric left *HAPPY*

Do you have any precious in your stash..?

Pin It

Cuppy fabric by KOKKA

A recent indulgence purchase

Linen blend medium weight cotton by Trefle KOKKA

I was attracted by the party theme and the simple colour combination

It reminded me of the recent carrot cup cakes I made

Recipe: Joy of baking

Have a good week..Pin It

Fabric Find Friday - Paris oh la la!!

You might remember this fabric listed in the shoppe a while back. I saw this fabric in few colours - white (as in the picture), red and blue, but ended up only purchasing one colour and even then only a 2 meter cut.. 

It didn't strike me as a very interesting fabric.. It would definitely look great with black and the Eiffel Tower was a plus point. 

But I was quite wrong, 1 meter was grabbed the moment I listed it and since then I have received various commissions using the remaining 1m fabric. 

I've made a bag set and few Curvy Clutches and have some left for something small..  

Wished I could have gotten the whole bolt when I had the chance.. *sigh* 

Have a lovely weekend everybody.. 

Pin It

Fabric Find and Bag set

MyBotanG bag set comes with 3 types of bags.

1. Multipurpose bag
2. Bento with zip
3. Bento with drawstring

For more information on sizes and price, visit MyBotanG Shoppe and MyBotanG FB page. 

The above set was made using this cute fabric I've had in my stash for over a year now. Original plan was to use the fabric in quilt making, but so far I've only used it to make bags and pouches.

The main problem with panel fabric is aligning the pattern when cutting. You tend to waste the fabric more as you try to get the main print into your pattern.

How do you work around panels..? Any tips?Pin It

Fabric Find

Fabric by Cosmo Textile, 100% cotton.

The print background is filled with newspaper clips and on the foreground various women clothings and accessories in vibrant colours. At first glance, it looks busy and messy, but upon closer inspection, it kind of grow on you *grin* The best thing about this fabric is the no-direction, meaning there's no right way up or hassle in trying to align the pictures while cutting *yeay*

My first commission with this fabric is a Curvy Clutch. 

Head over to the shoppe for more pictures or to order

Pin It

Fabric Find

Lately I've been seeing a lot of fabrics with sophisticated and elegant ladies on them. 

One example is this fabric I recently purchased by Michael Miller. It is lime green background and of medium weight. It depicts ladies in pony tails carrying out various tasks.   

Another favourite of mine is KOKKA. You can view the prints in the shoppe. 

Have you seen any other similar fabrics by other designers..?

Sew along update

1-7 March - Attaching the exterior and lining fabrics to the bottom contrasting fabric

We are about a week and a half away from completing the whole bag. Hope you are progressing well. 

Few of our member have completed their bags and the pictures are on the Flicker group. Do come and comment and share your pictures and stories on our Flickr group.   

Pin It

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

Patch ready fabrics

As much as I enjoy patchwork projects, there comes a time when you need a patchwork project without the hassle or the work (lazy me!!). 

Let me introduce you to a couple of patch-ready-fabrics in my stash 

*note - doing patchwork from scratch is a rewarding process, 

please do not give up on it all together*  

1. Type - Japanese cotton (soft)

Cowboys/girls print

The colour combo (brown, pink and yellow) easily makes this print unisex

All you have to do is quilt along the lines to get the patch effect

Alternative - Combine the larger squares with thicker white borders and use the smaller rows of cowboys either for thinner second border or as the binding 

2. Type - LECIEN fabric (left) Japanese cotton (right)

The colour combo (brown, pink) combined with cute prints on both fabrics would make a lovely quilt for a little girl

Use the fabric on the right as centre panel and add LECIEN fabric on the left as the border, quilt the squares to get the patch effect

Alternative - Cut big squares (from 4 small squares in the LECEIN fabric), measure and do the same with the Japanese cotton fabric, patch and quilt (you get to save time as you do not have to patch each smaller squares but end up with the same effect) 

Do you have other time saving techniques that you use??

Pin It

An apple a day...

I am always attracted to bright bold fabric design. And I just appreciate the NO direction fabric. It reduces the anxiety while cutting into the fabric where I don't have to worry if the apple is facing in the right direction or not. 

These two features (bright and bold, and no direction) are apparent in this APPLE fabric. The different shades of RED is nicely contracted contrasted against the black background. The fabric is of medium weight which means light interface will suffice for bag-making. 

 

And wallaaa.. 

My first project with this fabric is a Kinoko Sling. 

Pin It

Undies take II

Monday shouldn't start before noon, especially when Monday decides to be all gloomy and moody.. *yawn* 

Our weekend was relaxing. Since Saturday was sunny and bright, we went for a picnic in Osaka Banpakku Commemorative Park. Such a HUGE space with lots of activities going on on that day (bazaar, stalls, shows) 

What with the title (Undies take II), I hear you ask... 

Well, I found something similar to the original undies fabric I posted awhile back. 

It is less revealing and more modest *grin* with pale pink in the background. I am yet to cut into it but for the moment it is sitting there on the shelf looking all pretty..hehehehe 

How was your weekend..? My fellow Malaysians had a long 3 day weekend, right? What did you do..? Pin It

Fabric Find - Flower Sugar

It is getting colder outside, I have my sweater on, not to mention sore throat and coughing.. I almost forget it was blazing hot just a mere month ago... 

The only thing besides warm lemon tea that can sooth this pain is beautiful fabric *grin*

How can you not love Flower Sugar by LECIEN??? 

It comes in 3 colourways. 

What would you make out of these lovelies..??

Which is your favourite..? 
Have a GREAT Monday.. you might not be able to tell, but I'm actually being sarcastic here.. hehehe 

Pin It

More LECIEN and August projects

It is 2nd day of Ramadhan here in Japan and we are hit by typhoon. Our area has not been badly affected but it has been raining non-stop since last night. On the plus side, it is at least 5 degree cooler than what it has been for many-many weeks now, but the dowside is ruined homes and relocation for many people further South of Japan.. How is your Ramadhan so far??

Both fabrics by LECIEN

My hands are itching to start fiddling with the yummy fabrics since I got back from Malaysia. The Lecien fabrics (more of the yumminess here) is crying out to be turned into a baby quilt but I'm contemplating on the design. Usually I'll make a centre panel (white background fabric) and border (polka dot fabric) (See some of my previous quilts here and here). But since I got my rotary cutter, I'm feling rather adventurous *grin*

But how would you do it??

Would square patchwork look pretty..??? Hope you'd shed some ideas.. *confuse*

Pin It

Panels for SALE

I have 4 LOVE U panels by Deb Strain for sale

Price: RM25 each panel

Free Delivery within Malaysia

You can see quilts I've made using the panels here and here and a wall hanging here. 
Leave a comment if you are interested.

3 days to go.. :(Pin It

The Finale

The last of the envelopes containing FEs have been mailed this morning *relief*

I truly hope the receivers would get their packages in a couple of days.

I have some FEs leftovers from the previous SALE if anyone is interested.

Each pack contains 4 FEs (total 1/2 yard).

Price: RM20 each.

Shipping is free of charge anywhere in Malaysia.

1. Code name: FEG

status: 1 pack available
SOLD to okinokiyo

2. Code name: FEY

status: 1 pack available

SOLD to rosh

3. Code name: FEBLU

status: 1 pack available

SOLD to Sheila Wahid

4. Code name: FEPU

status: 1 pack available

SOLD to m/sa

5. Code name: FEPI

status: 2 packs available

SOLD to Nadia & Sheila Wahid

If anyone's interested:

1. Leave a comment with the code name.

2. Please include your e-mail address.

*I'll send you an e-mail with information about payment and shipping* 

Pin It

Is there no end to this SALE????

Fat Eighth sets

Each set contains 4 fat eighths (1/2 yard in total)

Price: RM20 per set

Postage: FOC to Malaysia

*will start mailing from mid-July onwards*

code name: FEBR

status: 2 sets available
SOLD to rosh, Mama Daniel

fabrics from left: linen blend cotton, japanese cotton, cotton, moda

code name: FEPU

status: 1 set available

SOLD to rosh, Aleiz, Jemari Seni

fabrics from left: japanese cotton, moda, polka dot cotton, japanese cotton

code name: FEPI

status: 2 sets available

SOLD to Shais, rosh

fabrics from left: cotton, moda, moda, cosmo

code name: FEBLU

status: 3 sets available

SOLD to rosh

fabrics from left: linen blend cotton, moda, japanese cotton, japanese cotton

code name: FEBLAK

status: 1 set available

SOLD to Sharifah, Shais, Mama Nuriel, Mya, Sherry, rosh, Ummi, Peloves tudung, Sweetlilcraft

fabrics from left: kokka, moda, japanese cotton, linen blend cotton

Steps:
1. Leave a comment with the code name and number of sets you want.
2. Please include your e-mail address.
3. I'll send you an e-mail with further information about payment and shipping.Pin It