Weekend wonkiness

I was inspired by this week's Sew It sew-along to make a wonky patchwork pillowcase for my girl. 

It was an easy and superfast project (if you already have all the pieces lying around).

I had some scraps left from this project.

Quickly and wonkily combine everything together.
  

I used gauze fabric scraps leftovers from quilting projects for the pillow front and back.

I had to patch the fabrics as I did not have one big piece.

Then machine applique the combined pieces on the fabric.

I also quilted the center piece (just because I had nothing better to do and the sun was shining).  

Instead of making proper fabric ties, I simply used some heart ribbons from my stash.

Completed wonkiness sunbatthing in rare sunlight *Grin*

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Geisha Apron

I often get commisions for bags for this lovely Geisha print, so when a friend recently ask me to make an apron for her from this fabric, I jumped with excitement.

I used my ol' 100yen apron (blogged here) as a template but made adjustment to the length.   

I used D-rings for the adjustable neck strap.

 

I used scrap fabrics from my stash to make the straps.

I lined the fabric with white muslin.

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Underwear anyone??

My latest find - underwear fabric *grin*

I love the pretty and adorable undergarmets on the fabric.

Maybe it's just me but I think it's cute.. What do you think??

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Sewing for the MAN

Reading Zura's post (here) about making something 'manly' for the Man of the house reminded me of this waist pouch I made for my partner in crime a while back. 

As he hates stuffing his pockets with wallet, phone, ipod, he requested a pouch, his only condition was no girly stuff allowed.. *sigh* 

I used the BLACKEST, PLAINEST and THICKEST fabric I had in my stash to make the waist pouch.

I am happy that he is very happy with the result but alas I find making something that dull doesn't appeal to my senses AT ALL.. 

Do you enjoy making stuff for boys? Many ideas, inspirations and tutorials here and here for the whole month of February.    

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Sofea's calender quilt

My girl saw this fabric panel with calender for 2010 in one of the shops. She hardly ever asks for anything and since it was already January 2010, the panel was being let go at 100yen a piece.  I offered to (it seemed like a brilliant plan at that time) quilt the panel. 

However, when we got home, I soon realise it was not a good move, what with my already mounting projects to finish. Everyday she would ask if I have finished her calender, the preassure was almost unbearable so I put on hold other not so pressing tasks and set out to work on the calender. 

I finally finished quilting it last week. It gave me an additional chance to practice the free quilting motion. I backed it with white muslin and made the binding out of green scraps I've collected. I stitched the whole thing on a 4 hour journey to Tokyo recently.  

Now that it's done, I've no idea what she'll do with it, it's too small for a blanky and too big for her dolls. A sweet friend said 'Sofea will always remember the year you made a quilt calender for her..' I hope so..

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Managing time

A pictureless entry is boring..Handstitched bib for baby A'ina using fabric from here.

How do you manage your time? Especiallly to those who are self-employed. Now that I work from home (half the time that is, the other half I still need to go out and teach *sigh*), I need to have a better system to optimise what I do at home. I still need to fit cooking meals, cleaning, workout (ehem..), shopping, fetching and chauffeuring my girl around to her after school activities into my schedule on top of working in my sewing studio.

I used tips suggested by FlyLady to help me come up with my time management plan. I've just started using Manic Time to track the ammount of time I spent in front of the computer, so I cant really say if it is helpful.

I find making a daily/weekly schedule really useful, especially if you are a list type of person..I love the feeling of getting to check the things I've managed to complete off my list.. Give me a sense of achievement.

This is how I do it. I first list down everything I have to do for that particular week.

This is my list for this week, Feb 8 - 14:

1. Catalogue new fabric

2. Organise new orders - make a list of stuff to make with fabric

3. Cut fabric for new orders

4. Send bill to _________________ and _______________.

5. Plan and write out blog entry for this week : 

    - time management

    - around the sewing room part I & II

    - fabric focus

    - scrap projects

6. Take picture of finished products - apron, placemats, Sofea's calender quilt

7. Complete: - ABC quilt - make binding and sew

                    - Attach zipper on bags

                    - New hobo bags

8. Plan - laptop sleeve

           - Mother's day gifts

9. Pattern - Apron

10. Start quilting - truck quilt

This gives me a rough idea of what I have to do this whole week. By having a list, it keeps me focussed on stuff needed to be done so that I dont start another project before completing the tasks at hand. I have so far managed to check off numbers 1,2,4, half of 5,6 and half of 7.. and it's only Tuesday evening. At the end of each week, I look back to re-evaluate things that could be improved and things I have achieved that week.  

This system works for me, but it would be great to find out what works for you.. Care to share?? 

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Monday's find - FABRIC

It's Monday again - and it's still freezing and the grass is still covered in snow.

I wished SPRING would be here soon.

While waiting for spring, let's have a look at this adorable print.

 It is label-less, but the design is so kawaiii..

Have a wonderful and productive Monday!!

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Hobo bag - needs a name

I've made this hobo bag recently. I was sceptical with the one handle idea at first, but surprisingly it's very comfortable and sits perfectly on my shoulder.

Here's the specifications:

- Rounded at the base with pleats

- Spacious size: 44cm (at the widest) x 32cm

- 1 inside pocket

- 1 x 50 cm handle

- Magnetic snap button for closure

- Outside fabric - cotton linnen blend

- Lining fabric - soft Japanese cotton

The thing is, I like to name my bags, but at the moment this hobo bag is name-less :(

Would you all be kind enough to suggest some names for this lil one??

I'm aiming for something short, sweet and simple. 

Help!!

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Kitty ちゃん wall hanging

This is a commisioned completed for a friend in the UK.

Awhile back I did this for her.

She sent me the Kitty fabric which I used for the centre and used small polka dot fabric for the borders and loops. I backed it up with plain white muslin.

I used the free quilting technique and traced Kitty's outlines and the design on the fabric.

I used scallop stitch for the borders.

Kitty　ちゃん　wall hanging - back view

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Work in Progress

What are your work in progress (WIP) at the moment?

Here's mine:

1. Free quilting the alphabet quilt. Blocks A - R are done. 2 more lines to go.

2. Bags and placemats projects

3. Sofea's calender quilt - needs binding

4. Quilts - all basted and waiting to be quilted

 What are you working on at the moment?

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