My mini air purifier kept on turning on inside my bag, so I made this a learning project to make a case for a rounded gadget. I dipped into the scraps of a previous project and I finished it in two nights.
Here's how I made it:
I didn't really measure it. I just based the size of the case on the gadget. I just made sure that the gadget would fit the case :)
Here's how it looks:
I had an odd set of scrap fabric from making a tote bag for a friend. It wasn't a lot, but enough to make a card holder. I needed one because the many rewards cards from shops were too bulky. I also always wanted to learn how to make a proper wallet.
I watched a couple of videos to understand the "logic" behind making small wallets. It was pretty easy to make. I used a piece of paper to understand how to fold the fabric. I aimed to make a 4" x 2.5" holder with two compartments.
Here's how I made it:
Materials:
Scrap fabric
Fusible interfacing
Velcro
Thread
Measurements:
I've been working on sorting and restoring my Mom's fabric and retaso (scrap fabric) stash. I've been toiling over it for the past few months and decided to take a break by sewing. I restored a cute, embroidered fabric. It still had some stains, so I thought it best to make kitchen curtains.
Since the fabric was a bit short, I decided to "upgrade" my curtain sewing skills, by adding a different kind of fabric to make it longer. I matched it with some soft denim fabric and added lace. I wanted to try make table top curtains (the one with loops), but I'm still doing a lot of other stuff, so went for my usual rod pocket curtains.
Here's how I made it:
The result:
Measurements based on my kitchen window:
I just also realized the new curtains match my cat kitchen appliance covers!
I found a bunch of scrap jeans coasters my Mom made back in the 90s. I remember it was a project she was doing with one of her assistants. It smelled of the 90s so I washed it and sun-dried it for a few days. Mom gave me one potholder a long time ago and we still use it. Quite sturdy IMHO!
I got to work and made another one. Hand sewing it together took two days and it wasn't easy (and probably why Mom abandoned the project!). Here's how I made the potholder:
It was a good first project for the year! I've been busy sorting my Mom's stuff and needed a breather, so I got to work :)
#BeKind #StaySafe
I have this really cute fabric perfect for doctors. It has hearts and squiggly lines representing ECGs. Last time I used it was to make gifts for my doctors in Singapore. I have a new set and thought I'd make something for my current set of doctors.
I decided to make a throw pillow case for one of my doctors. She had a pillow in her clinic. I asked permission to measure it and surprised my doctor with the throw pillow case during my next appointment. I still wanted to learn something new for this project, so I made heart accents for the throw pillow case. I'll share next time how I made it (I'm still trying to perfect it).
Here's how I made it:
themed fabric
red fabric
black fabric
fabric for the back of the pillow
fusible interfacing
batting
backing fabric
Size:
17" x 17"
From a bag full of colors, I thought I'd try doing something opposite. Black and white, well, a gradient from black to white. It took me a long time to finish this project since I lacked fabric that's in-between white and black. I eventually found some and got to work. It's a belated birthday gift for a friend and she told me she liked her totes to be black.
I didn't want it to be just black, so I thought I'd play around with the color. Oh boy, I didn't realize how hard it would be to find the best layout for the fabric. It took me awhile just to get it right. I had to consult with my son since he's better with colors than me. Things were easy after the layout was finalized.
Here's how I made it:
Materials:
96 2.5" x 2.5" various fabric from black to white
lining
fusible interfacing
batting
thread
iron
Size:
12" x 16"
I definitely made a lot of hearts! I decided to make a heart themed tote bag for a friend during pride month. He loved it and has been using the tote bag to carry around gadgets.
Having ready-made hearts makes it easy to create other projects. For this tote bag project, I just added fabric to the top and bottom. Ironed it on interfacing and sandwiched it with batting. After stitching in the ditch, I added the straps and the lining. Easy peasy :)
Here's how I made it:
This quilt cover project has been on my to-do list since 2022! I decided to just bite the bullet and start it last January. I thought I could finish it in two to three weeks, but no, it stretched to almost six weeks. I got busy doing other home projects.
The design is quite simple, but making twelve pieces of 4x4 squares took awhile to make. I also decided to use the QAYG technique since the main quilt cover measures 58" x 44". I basically made a blanket with flaps. I left the flap open since the bench doubles as storage space. It's where I keep things that need to be further sorted (haha).
Here's how I made the quilted cover:
Materials:
fabric with design (I used a Star Wars themed fabric which I got from Spotlight in Singapore)
four solid colors fabric (orange, yellow, blue, green)
black fabric (for sashing and binding)
backing fabric
Design:
Size:
Main Cover - 58" x 44"
Flaps: 20" x 12"
I wanted to start the year with a fun project. I decided to make a bag inspired by a jute bag a friend gave me. I love the shape and size of the bag. I use one daily at home to carry stuff from room to room. While making the bag, I discovered I couldn't find the straps I've collected over the years! I didn't want to waste time looking for the straps, so I decided to just DIY it.
Here's the tutorial:
Luckily, I had all the materials on hand. Here's what you need:
fabric
1.5" interfacing
thread
iron
Here are the steps to make it:
2. Fold the fabric in half.
3. Position the interfacing in the middle.
4. Fold in the sides.
5. Sew all the sides.
Just realized I need to catch up writing about the other scrap fabric projects I did. Most of the time I have so much fun sewing I forget about the documentation part. I've been documenting and filming my projects so in case I want to do it again I can take note of points I can improve on. Quilting and sewing is a continuous learning journey for me. It's also been helping me heal from losing my Mom.
I unearthed all my scrap fabric a few weeks ago. Gathered them up and sorted them. It was actually harder to plan scrap fabric projects. The challenge lay in the sizes of the scrap fabric and how it could fit what I wanted to do. For this project, I got some inspiration from a quilting magazine on bags. I just wanted a simple design that would work on the scrap fabric I had on hand.
Here's the tutorial:
Materials:
scrap fabric and scrap binding
thick wadding
backing fabric
thread
pins and clips
Size:
9" x 11"
I decided to work on the scrap fabric I collected over the past few years. Aside from small pieces, I have some that are already pieced together. I set aside the excess pieces and thought it would be useful eventually. Found some of the pieced together denim-like fabric I used for the cat quilts.
Decided to make a potholder since I need new ones. I finished the project in one sitting since it was practically ready to be quilted. I also used scrap wadding and scrap insulating wadding for the project. I also had leftover bias tape. I would have finished faster if I didn't need to film, lol.
Here's the tutorial:
The steps:
2. Sandwich with wadding, insulating wadding and backing fabric. (I doubled it just to make it a bit thicker, but the insulating wadding would have been enough to keep heat out).
3. Stitch in the ditch.
4. Prepare the backside of the potholder. Split into two pieces and fold in one side of both pieces.
5. Align the front side with the backside, then bind with bias tape.
Materials:
scrap fabric
wadding
insulating wadding
backing fabric
fabric for backside of potholder
thread
Size:
8" x 6"
I have a friend who loves Little Twin Stars. I knew about this Sanrio character because my sister had it on her dresser (jewelry boxes). I'm glad I found Little Twin Stars fabric online. I only got a meter because it's expensive! There's probably a lot more options available in Japan.
After storing the fabric for a few months, I finally decided to make a laptop sleeve for my friend. I asked her what kind of laptop she was using. Then I worked out the measurements and design. I asked help from my son to help me choose the colors of the fabric. I wanted to make sure the colors would complement the Little Twin Stars fabric.
I made the design simple, to make sure the Little Twin Stars fabric is noticeable. The challenging part in assembling this quilted laptop sleeve is figuring out how to properly add the pocket. I wanted the wadding to be continuous to add strength to the sleeve.
I'm glad I didn't rush to finish the project because I was able to make the sleeve stable. I was also able to add velcro discreetly. I didn't want stitches for the velcro to show on the flap. I'm happy how it turned out, I just hope my friend's laptop fits!
Here's the tutorial:
The steps:
2. Create the inner panel and pocket. Sandwich the pocket with wadding and bind the top. Join the inner panel and pocket at the bottom.
3. Piece together the flap.
4. Piece together the back panel.
5. Join the back panel and flap. Then join the inner panel with pocket.
6. Sandwich with wadding. Stabilize with pins and then quilt. Don't quilt the flap yet.
7. Add velcro to the flap and pocket, then quilt.
8. Finish with binding.
Materials:
4 pastel solid color fabric
backing fabric
wadding
thread
velcro
Size:
13.5" x 10"
Pattern:
I'm on a roll trying out cute Pinterest inspired cat quilts. It's a good way to learn new skills since you're forced to learn how to make templates and figure out how best to piece a design. I'm also a lot iffy when it comes to curved designs and I certainly struggled a bit when I made the tail.
Figuring out the template for the cat was fairly easy. I still ended up piecing the back area upside down, so I ended up re-doing it. The tail though was harder to put together and it took me awhile to turn it inside out. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw I correctly cut the fabric (front side down when you cut the fabric!). The secret to my success? Making templates!
Here's the tutorial:
Here are the steps on how I made the cat quilt:
2. Rendered the design and it's actual measurements on manila paper to make sure I got it right.
3. Created a template on a board.
4. Used the board to cut fabric. Make sure to add 1/4" around the edges.
5. Pieced together the cut fabric.
6. Ironed both sides and sandwiched with wadding.
7. Quilt the cat! I decided to use white thread to highlight the shape of the cat.
How to make the tail:
2. Used the drawing to make a template.
3. Drew the tail right side facing down and added 1/4" around the edges.
4. Sandwiched the tail with thick interfacing (I reused from a bag leftover). Sandwich should follow this order: tail wrong side up, backing fabric and interfacing at the bottom.
5. Sew together and leave the base of the tail open.
6. Once done, pull inside out.
7. Quilt the tail with the same white thread.
Materials:
1 print fabric
1 solid color fabric
thread and needle
pins
graphing paper
manila paper
ruler
scissors
interfacing (the thick one for bags is a good one)
Size:
6" x 9.5" x 16.5"
Pattern:
Will assemble and turn the cat quilt into a kitchen gadget cover next week!
My doctor required me to have my own oxygen concentrator. I didn't expect it to be so big! I don't use it often, so thought it would be good to keep it covered. I took it as an opportunity to make a new quilt project.
I was raring to finish my t-shirt memory quilt at that time, so wanted to quickly finish the cover for my huge appliance. I used my favorite rainbow colored fabric and just cut it in squares for easy piecing. My measurement for the size was wrong, so I just added a black strip to make the cover a bit bigger.
Like the food processor cover I made, I decided to add pockets. In case of emergency it would be useful to have the components of the O2 concentrator accessible. It took me less than two weeks working on this project off and on. My favorite part was quilting. The difficult part was getting the measurements right and binding the whole project together. It got quite heavy.
Here's a tutorial video on how I made it:
Rainbow fabric, cut into squares
black fabric for the base and binding
backing fabric
wadding
thread
lots of pins and clips
Pattern:
It took me three years to finally finish my t-shirt memory quilt blanket. It started when I cleared out my closet and I couldn't let go of the shirts because I love each and every one of them. They held 15 years of happy memories. Good thing I did some research before I started working on it because there's no second chances on the material I used.
Here's a step by step video on how I made it:
old shirts
border fabric (I used the same fabric for the binding)
accent fabric (4 colors)
wadding
backing fabric (I used flannel)
thread
lots of pins, safety pins and clips
Step 1: Determine first the size of the blanket you want to make. Then draw how you want it to look, best to include the size of each piece to help you know how many tshirts you need and how much fabric you need.
Step 2: Cut the shirts. I used a 12.5" x 12.5" square ruler to make my life easier. Then iron on fusible interfacing. This will make the shirt stable.
Step 3: Cut the binding.
Step 4: Sew the vertical bindings by row.
Step 5: Prepare the accent pieces.
Step 6: Piece together the horizontal border by row. Then add to the bottom of each row. Remove the excess interfacing.
Step 7: Add the horizontal border by row. You can opt to quilt the border at this point. Then piece each row together.
Step 8: Add the side borders.
Step 9: Sandwich the quilt.
Step 10: I decided to just quilt the accents to stabilize the blanket.
Step 11: Make your binding.
Step 12: Bind the edges.
The past few months have been very busy because we moved countries and we moved to a new home! You can just imagine how crazy it's been! The first project I had to make was curtains! Our windows and sliding doors required customized curtains. I figured that it shouldn't be as hard as quilting. Here's the tutorial:
Step 1. Got help from my boys to measure the windows and sliding doors. Then I shopped for fabric on Lazada. I was happy to find out that there were many options on fabric. I got pink linen like polyester fabric (normally used for suits). It cost PhP100 per yard.
Step 2. Measure and cut! Working with linen is a bit difficult though, so get help when needed.
Step 3. Ironing the border will make it faster for you to sew. I folded 3 centimeters from all the edges and double folder it to keep the border clean.
Step 4. Sew all sides.
Step 5. Fold 15 centimeters from the top.
Step 6. Sew it.
Step 7. Mark 6 to 7 centimeters from the top. Pin it and check if the rod would fit.
Step 8. Sew it. Annnddd you're done!
