Anything handmade....

Wallet & mobile phone pouch - 2 in 1

2014-07-03T18:30:00.000+08:00

My usual homework with Alice Peng Sew along.

This side is the mobile phone pouch. First time doing Celtic applique.. : ) nice, right?

Another great design from Alice Peng..

Tutorial is available from her blog (scroll down to see the tutorial):
http://blog.xuite.net/pengaliceffbb88

Bye,
Anic

More pouches and bag...

2014-03-22T14:37:00.001+08:00

These are my usual homework with Alice Peng Sew Along.. Some were made last year but forgot to post them.

Have a good weekend and hope MH370 will be found soon...
Anic

DIY Cloth Pad 13

2013-10-11T07:24:00.001+08:00

Yes... I am still sewing cloth pads... these cloth pads are for a friend and hopefully they will successfully convert her to a cloth pad user... :)

A water proof base and soakers (I made 3, not displayed here..:)) Not very good serging.. Will have to do more to improve.

Same design of this post: http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/2011/02/diy-cloth-pad-part-9-bamboo-fabrics.html but I have made it longer...

Panty liner... this time I made it longer as I was told that those panty liners I gave away were a bit short... added 1.5 inches.

I hope these pads will successfully convert my friend... Good luck.. :)

Bye, and have a good weekend ahead and "Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha" to my muslim friends/readers.

Anic

Bag Project 20 & 21

2013-09-29T18:17:00.001+08:00

Not bad... in September, I sewed 2 bags.

A sling bag sewed with Tutorial by Potata House.

This one is my usual homework with Alice Peng Sew Along

The bag handles are made from webbing. I learnt the technique from Alice. Similar is shown here by http://madebyloulabelle.blogspot.com/.

Bye,
Anic

Applique with Shinnie - 2012

2013-08-31T07:16:00.001+08:00

I did these applique work with Shinnie sew along in 2012...

March 20 12 - Long Wallet

April 2012 - Phone Case..

May 2012 - Wallet

Sept 2012 - Passport holder

They were originally posted in my yahoo blog (yes.. I have one) but we were just informed that yahoo is closing its blog service.. so, moving them here...

If you like some hints on doing applique work, please see my old post here:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/2010/08/kitty-applique-coin-purse-project.html

Happy Merdeka Day,
Anic

Wallet & Pouch

2013-07-14T10:04:00.002+08:00

Yes, I am still sewing just a lot slower... :)

2 pieces of work I did with Alice Peng sew along projects....

Pattern from this book

This is a copy righted pattern provided to us by Alice Peng. Similar pattern could be found in her book.

For those who would like to try out sewing a wallet, try tutorials here:
1) http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/2010/07/wallet-project-tutorials.html
2) Lots of links here: http://tjvillasewncraft.blogspot.com/2013/04/purses-pouches-clutches-n-wallets.html
3) http://pinterest.com/aniclohas/diy-wallet-purse-pouch/

Bye now..
Anic

Time to sew a face mask....

2013-06-25T22:25:00.001+08:00

Sigh.... when will the haze go away? :(

Anyway, better sew a mask though not sure how effective it will be...

I use unbleached cotton. Instead of batting in the middle, I used 2 layers of unbleached cotton.

Don't laugh at the shape.. :) It is comfy.. there is space between the nose and the mask...

This is how it looks on the face:

For a more colourful version, check out Mila's mask. :)

Tutorial here if you would like to make one.
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=zh-CN&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sewlover.com%2Fhome%2Ftutorial%2Fface_mask_tutorial.html&act=url

Happy sewing..
Anic

2013 - Earth Day Cloth Pad Giveaway... (The winners are.....)

2013-04-21T21:15:00.004+08:00

Thanks to all who have participated...

The winners are:

Panty Liner A - Kuai

Panty Liner B - Khursiah

Panty Liner C - Emma Novianty

Congratulations to all of you.... I will contact you shortly to get your postal address.

Wish you a good week ahead,

Anic

======================================

I am giving away 3 cloth panty liners, labelled as A, B & C below for ladies who have never used cloth pads before... :)

http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/2012/06/diy-cloth-pad-12.html

To participate, please share this news and leave a comment (remember to give me a way to contact you) on this post.. Only for Malaysia addresses.. :)

Lucky draw on 28th April evening...

Regards,
Anic

Cover for Nexus

2013-04-21T20:19:00.002+08:00

Finally I made a cover for my Nexus.. I used the tutorial from:
http://sewinharmony.com/tablet-case-tutorial/

Sew In Harmony provided measurements for different tablets in her instructions... I found the tutorial easy to follow and the measurements for Nexus are good (but I will add 1/2" to the width if I sew another.)

External fab is a bit boring? :) This should keep my Nexus safe. :)

Not bad huh? The cover could turn into a stand... :)

Have a good week ahead...

Anic

Kindle Cover DIY

2013-02-15T18:36:00.001+08:00

My second project for 2013... A Kindle Cover.. Actually the main focus is the applique work on the front, assignment with Alice Peng sew along group.

The Kindle cover is based on the below tutorial:

http://www.urbanthreads.com/tutorials.aspx?t=PRM1132

I used Fold Over Elastic (FOE) for the 4 corners holding the Kindle and batting rather than inserting cardboard into the cover. If I were to make it again, I will measure 2.5 inches from the edges for the FOE. Currently, if I hold it at the bottom right corner, the Kindle will come out from that corner.

Useful tutorial on sewing applique curves:

http://sewlikemymom.com/applique-tutorial-curves/

If you want to make one yourself, here is more ideas:
http://pinterest.com/aniclohas/laptop-kindle-covers-sleeves/

Updated: 17 Feb
I made another one.. This one hold the Kindle well.. :)

Regards,

Anic

A new book by Alice Peng - 訂做我的完美手作包

2013-02-05T23:54:00.002+08:00

I have been learning bag making from Alice Peng (through her books and facebook group). She has just published her fourth book...

**news directly from http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/alicepeng5801-alice/article?mid=41915&prev=-1&next=41879 **

記得第三本書「幸福的生活手作包」出版時

Alice說過：

用力過頭了～讓原本計畫三個目標的2012年，跑出了第四目標！

系滴！讓Alice大半年沒辦法發表新作品的第四目標就是它：

Alice的第四本書：

訂做我的完美手作包~~~

別以為Alice是神手！（比快手還快啦！）

這本新書有一大半是在第三本書出版時就已經完成快一年的作品

其中尤其是小朋友的書包及經紀人的旅行包

兩隻小豬仔為了書還沒完成作品欣賞的拍攝

吵了Alice一年，

因為每天都看得到兩咖書包

卻不能使用

終於，Alice被吵得受不了了

也不好讓他們一學期一學期的等下去

在去年的暑假結束前

讓他們揮汗親自當麻豆

完成了作品欣賞的拍攝（哈～哈～雖然大家都只能看到他們的背影~~)

別誤會ㄋㄟ！這位美女不是Alice的豬仔啦～～

是Alice還沒點頭願意的乾女兒：霏霏

這本書因為有了他們四位真是增色粉多ㄋㄟ~

為什麼叫做：「訂做我的完美手作包」呢？

希望能做出適合自己使用的大小

包包能發揮它除了是服裝搭配的配件外的功能：收納

是愛手作包的我們被吸引而不能自拔的原因之一

常常有同協詢問Alice：

如何畫紙型？

可不可以變大一點？縮小一點？

「修改紙型比畫新紙型快又簡單並不會出錯！」

只要學會修改紙型

書裡的包款就能變化成無數的包囉～～

這本書裡，有許多的驚奇等待大家的挖掘！

「幸福的生活手作包」與「訂做我的完美手作包」

兩本書耗費了Alice兩年的時間

前前後後去了日本三次

期待大家細細地品嘗

仔細地體會Alice及藝風堂編輯群在內容及編輯的用心

每張照片，每個角度，每個畫面的呈現

都是考慮再三才出現在各位的眼前

這也是Alice寫了四本書都不會跳槽換出版社

因為這份默契與理念，

Alice知道是不容易遇到滴～～

Alice珍惜這份知遇之情與緣～～

當然～Alice更珍惜同協們一直以來的支持與愛護

所以勒～「訂做我的完美手作包」新書出版滴活動是甚麼呢？

對了～還要加上上次格子瀏覽人數破百萬的慶祝活動！

正好又遇到過新年，大家這幾天忙完～

咱們就來玩「新書出版引用活動尋寶」遊戲吧！

記得喔！開始玩尋寶遊戲前

要先來引用這一篇喔～（也就是不要引用錯了喔！）

再次感恩大家一直以來的支持與愛護！！

期待大家玩得愉快！

在此先祝福大家：

蛇年行大運、身體健康、闔府平安吉祥！

那麼！找寶藏去囉～：http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/alicepeng5801-alice/article?mid=41934

Bag Project 20 - Front Zip Pouch

2013-01-12T07:03:00.000+08:00

I am back... after so long...

I saw this nice free tutorial & pattern by Sew Mama Sew... some more free video to give you all the instructions you need to make this front zip pouch with lining..

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2013/01/front-zip-pouches-in-four-sizes/

You can use the technique learnt from the tutorial to sew any size of pouch.. the sky is the limit.. :)

I enjoyed making this.. fast and very satisfying to see the end result.

Hope you enjoy the tutorial... Thank you Sew Mama Sew for sharing this with us...

Have nice weekend,
Anic

Bag Project 19 - Sewing Notions Box

2012-10-01T21:51:00.001+08:00

My 10th project with Alice Peng's sew along... Another one with cord piping. Wanted the box to stand well, I used very hard stabiliser... so difficult to sew at the corner. Not so much about the ability of the sewing machine sewing thick material, but more of ensuring edges of all layers line up exactly...

A few photos which hopefully explain the technique I was taught on how to do cord piping which cover a full square/rectangular/circle:

First, find out the length of bias tape

Remove the clip and sew the 2 ends together... See step 5 here : http://www.sewlover.com/basic/binding/01.html

Now, we have the right length of bias tape with 2 ends sewn.

Baste it.. and then put the cord in the middle and fold the bias tape into half..

Baste it again but make sure you leave a few centimeters not basted at the 2 ends of the cord

Hand sew the 2 ends of the cord together....

Baste the 2 ends....

I hope the above pictures are useful to you....

When sewing the pieces together, it is very important that edges of all pieces line up correctly.

Useful reference links for adding piping to bag:
1) http://www.sew-it-love-it.com/sewing-cording.html
2) http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!xIaEdO2eGRxklvw1H5zeF_4S/article?mid=57805 - this one shows how to join the 2 ends without overlapping.. I don't have the fanciful double sided tape, I just use pin or clips...
3) http://punkinpattern.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-sew-in-piping.html

Update: Mila, I use adjustable zipper foot, either one of below. You could also use the normal zipper foot.

Bye,
Anic

Green Idea 3 - Making your own deodorant... 3

2012-10-01T19:32:00.001+08:00

I have been using homemade deodorant: http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/2012/01/green-idea-3-making-your-own-deodorant2.html

With the same recipe, today I made another batch... The last batch I made has lasted me 18 months including sharing some with a friend and I just stored it in a small jam glass jar I recycled. This time, I poured the mixture into 20 gram lip balm tubes, easier to use.. :)

The link to the recipe in case you want to try: :)

http://www.lovinsoap.com/2010/07/handmade-natural-deodorant/

Regards,

Anic

Bag Projects 16, 17 & 18 - all with piping

2012-08-12T11:35:00.001+08:00

These are my May, June, July 2012 Alice Peng sew along projects.

I made this bag from thick canvas from Taiwan bought from Emma Huang. Very sturdy.. but mati mati jahit with my NV 50.

Pencil case

Overnight bag

This bag is made from thick canvas bought online from China. Very thick but the grain is not as fine as the thick canvas from Emma. Again, another jahit sampai berpeluh peluh project...

Useful reference links for adding piping to bag:
1) http://www.sew-it-love-it.com/sewing-cording.html
2) http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!xIaEdO2eGRxklvw1H5zeF_4S/article?mid=57805 - this one shows how to join the 2 ends without overlapping.. I don't have the fanciful double sided tape, I just use pin or clips...
3) http://punkinpattern.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-sew-in-piping.html

Bye,
Anic

Plant it yourself - Basil

2012-08-10T16:04:00.003+08:00

My favourite herbs at the moment, Sweet Basil and Thai Basil.

There is no supermarket near my place which carry Sweet Basil. I have been wanting to plant it myself.. One day I bought a pot with only 1 sweet basil plant and cost me RM9 at Kelana Jaya Pasar Tani. With just 1 small plant, it couldn't supply what I need. My friend found a nursery which sell a pot with many sweet basil plants at RM11.30 per pot. I was overjoyed when I saw the plants at Floristika, Jalan Liku, Bangsar. I bought a pot of Sweet Basil and a pot of Thai Basil. They came in small plastic pots but I changed them to bigger pots in hope that they will grow a lot bigger and give me plenty of leaves.. :)

Sweet Basil

Thai Basil

There is still fear that I will eat up all the Sweet Basil leaves and kill the plant. So, I want to have more Sweet Basil plants. I tried to grow it from a cutting of the plant after some research on internet.

I kept the cutting in a mug and left it in my balcony but hiding it away from direct Sun. I changed water everyday.

I was so happy to see the root system developed over a few days.

Finally they are in the pot....

It gives me great satisfaction using herbs from of my own balcony.. :)

Check these links out for tips to grow your own Sweet Basil.
http://www.ehow.com/way_5931509_can-basil-roots-plant-them_.html
http://tipnut.com/grow-basil//

Wish you a wonderful weekend, bye,
Anic

DIY Cloth Pad 12

2012-06-17T16:03:00.002+08:00

I sewed more cloth pads. I have a collection of Flannel prints and it is time to turn them into some good use...

They are panty liners good for spotting and light flow. They are topped with flannel and bamboo fleece as absorbent layer. I used 2 layers of bamboo fleece but 1 is smaller so that the pad is thinner.
I still have a few to sew... Haven't figured out what to do with them yet.. I already have enough cloth pads...

For those who would like to sew your own cloth pads, check out this link:
http://clothpads.wikidot.com/patterns

and where to get the material locally:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.sg/2010/07/diy-cloth-pad-6-where-do-you-get.html

and all my post about this subject:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/search/label/Reusable%20Menstrual%20Products

Enjoy the remaining Sunday...
Anic

DIY Cloth Pad - 11

2012-06-02T11:21:00.001+08:00

So long.. I haven't sewn Cloth Pad..

Finally, I got around to sew these 2 cloth pads for a friend to clear my long outstanding cloth pad debt.

These panty liners are topped with flannel and with bamboo fleece as absorbent layer. My friend wanted them as menstrual cup backups.

For those who would like to sew your own cloth pads, check out this link:
http://clothpads.wikidot.com/patterns

and where to get the material locally:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.sg/2010/07/diy-cloth-pad-6-where-do-you-get.html

and all my post about this subject:
http://anic-lohas.blogspot.com/search/label/Reusable%20Menstrual%20Products

Have a nice weekend...
Anic

Bag Project 15 - Bag with appliqued flowers

2012-05-29T08:35:00.002+08:00

This is my April 2012 Alice Peng sew along..

This is the first time I sewed a piping to a bag. It was actually not as difficult as it looked.

A nice tutorial on sewing piping to a bag:

http://diannajessie.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/how-to-make-piping-for-bags/

And I just realised I could remove the flatbed attachment of my NV50 to ease sewing of bag with small opening (or any cylindrical piece :))...

Flatbed attachment

Flatbed attachment removed to ease sewing of cylindrical piece

Bye now and have a good week,

Anic

Frame Purse

2012-05-07T08:01:00.000+08:00

I made these frame purses with tutorial provided by Jess See in the virtual classroom organised by Potato House.

The tutorial I followed is only provided to participants, however, please refer to my previous post on Frame Purse. There are online tutorials shared there..

This and below are 2 sides of the same purse.. The center pieces are from scrap bag I bought.. Can you guess where I got these cute pieces from?

Bye now,

Anic

Bag Project 14 - Bag Organiser

2012-04-25T06:50:00.001+08:00

This is my March 2012 Alice Peng sew along homework.. A bag organiser.. This time I used heavy cotton for external. I bought these fabrics when I first started sewing back in 2010 from http://fabricbuffet.blogspot.com/. Finally got around to use them.. :)

If you would like to make one.. here are some useful online tutorial links to refer to:
1) http://tipnut.com/purse-organizer-sewing-tutorial/ - links to a few tutorials

2) http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/11/purse-organizer-insert-with-adjustable-divider.html?pid=704#picgallery

3) http://www.marthastewart.com/272638/removable-tote-organizer - this one is for a Tote

Bye now,
Anic

Shinnie Sew Along - Project 1 (Applique Long Wallet)

2012-04-07T14:59:00.000+08:00

I joined a sew-along organised by Shinnie focus on applique. She has published a lot of her work in craft magazines and also her own books. There will be six assignments in this sew along (all with Shinnie unique applique design) and more than a thousand crafters have joined this sew along.

The first assignment is a wallet, see the below cute design by Shinnie.

http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/quilt-shinnie/article?mid=28470&prev=29185&next=27561

Here is my version. Plenty room for improvement.

Great difficulty in attaching the zipper. Have to find a better way of doing this.

For applique & stitches how-to, please refer to my kitty applique coin purse project.

Please meet my new friend, needle threader....

I have to invest in this as the most fearful thing for me while I do applique is having to thread the applique needle.. The hole in the applique needle is really really small.

Other than the above, my other friends in applique work:

I have reported this before in my other post.

Have a great weekend,

Anic

Sewing Notion 19 - Magnetic Seam Guide

2012-03-24T08:35:00.001+08:00

When I sewed a water proof bag sometime ago, I couldn't draw a line easily on the material. To make sure I sewed an equal allowance straight line, I used the magnetic seam guide (see the gadget circled in red).

A bigger image of it borrowed online

Just attach the magnetic guide to the metal throat plate on the sewing machine and it will help maintain a uniform seam width while you sew. It is very convenient but the machine must have surface with steel for it to stick to.. In my NV50, there is barely enough surface for it..

If you like to know how this is done in action, here is a nice video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQegVZbf69I

A fb friend suggested DIY using magnetic for Whiteboard... something to try out.

I have also seen crafters use post it note to help:

From http://nicolemdesign.blogspot.com/

An interesting image with all kinds of seam allowance guide:

From http://sewing.about.com

That is all about seam guide.

Before I say bye, here is my naked NV50 while it was being serviced last week.

It was nerve wracking experience watching my machine being serviced.. I fear that it will actually become worse after the service. I still haven't do a test run at home... hoping that it will at least sew like before.

Have a good weekend,

Anic

Bag Project 13 - 3 Layer Bag

2012-03-17T11:55:00.003+08:00

This is my Feb 2012 Alice Peng sew along homework.. Have never sewn such thick material with so many layers with my Brother NV50. At time, at very thick area, I have to help the machine by pulling the material so that it actually moved... The maroon fabric is like Canvas (but thicker). Not just thick canvas, but many layers, for example, sewing the body (with pocket) to the gusset (again with pocket), 12 layers of fabric + stabiliser. I have to say, I am very pleased that N50 was up for it... though not easy but manageable.

I like the way the handles were decorated. Basically adding a strip of fabric to the webbing.

2 front pockets, 2 side pockets, 2 pockets inside.

BTW, thinking to send my NV50 to LSN for service. The calendar they sent me has a coupon for home sewing machine service at RM9 for this month! If you have the calendar, you may want to check out what promotions are available throughout the year.

Bye now and have a good weekend,
Anic

Bag Project 12 - Waterproof Fabric Doctor Frame Bag

2012-03-08T23:06:00.002+08:00

I sewed this with the tutorial provided by Florence Lui (http://myhandmadepatchwork.blogspot.com/) in the virtual classroom organised by Potato House.

The tutorial I followed is only provided to participants, however, a similar tutorial is available on the internet: http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/fannysun1209/article?mid=19679&prev=19831&next=19525

These are the frames I bought from Florence. Look simple but they are great...

I like the bag opens up wide and stands well (due to the waterproof fabric).

I thought I need to use Teflon foot but I managed to sew it with normal foot...

To sew this waterproof fabric, we have to be careful not to make mistake as unpick will leave holes, jangan main main.. :)

There are differences between oil cloth & laminated fabric... I don't know which one is the one I am using... See Sue's explanation here:
http://mybotang.blogspot.com/2011/05/oil-cloth-vs-laminated-cotton.html

Tips about sewing oilcloth (laminated fabric same same) here:
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2007/01/oilcloth-tips/

In my view key points are:
1) Don't make mistake :) Unpick will leave holes.

2) The foot must be able to glide on the material, you can achieve this with Teflon foot, but there are also other methods mentioned in the sewmamasew article. For the waterproof material I used, I didn't find problem though using the normal foot.

3) Use 16 or even bigger needles (check that after you sew, the stitch is not loose like below. If it is loose, then use needle size 18.)

Bye now,
Anic