Weekending: You make me, Smile!

Remember that I had made another Travel Outbound bag for another dear friend, the one with brown and sweet button print in the front.  Well, I also made one for myself used the vintage bias tape print , the one stuffed with sewing supplies, tools, pens, notepads, needle book. This is my newest sewing bag and love it so much!

Last weekend was a blissful weekend and lots traveling for me. I had a getaway sewing weekend with a dear friend, Jackie. I left early and thought I'd avoid the morning traffic, but it still took me an hour or so to get through Geo Washington Bridge/ Cross Bronx Expressway. I enjoyed the drive to the west and arrived in Pennsylvania a little past 10 in the morning. We had good coffee in late morning, ate pastry that she prepared, and a tour that in her home. It is so lovely to see someone's creative space in person and see where they create their beautiful works.

Later in the morning, we travelled together to Intercourse in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Oh, I wished I had remember to bring my camera with me, but it was left out in the workroom back home. I snapped these photos with the phone. It was so special for me to see this part of the country. It is pretty, charm, and peaceful! Seeing some buggies and horses running on the roads and learning the new culture in the area. It is an open eye experiences.

We stopped a few fabric stores, fabric barns, and seeing all the Amish quilts is such a treat for me. These Amish quilts are so elegant! Every bit of hand quilting stitches bring out so much that labor of love within! I touched them and felt that special hand stitch by someone! Wouldn't it be so awesome to have a chance to see them work on quilt together someday?

Have you have Shoofly pie? I bought a Shoofly Pie home and YUM! It is not too sweet and not too sticky to the teeth! Next time, when I visit again I'd love to try the Whoopie pie. All the pastry looks so delicious and some of the hand woodworks are gorgeous!

Thrifting was another plan that I asked her if we could go before I visit her. I managed found two nice size pie pans, the one is less deep and great for making summer pies. I almost wanted to bring home a little bedside table, but letting that go as the space is limited around here at this moment.  The countryside driving was so much to remember as I haven't been in the country for awhile. Oh, Best!

The sewing times were fun and not as productive as I am alone in the workroom! But I love that we stop and visit/chat from time to time. We indulged the time together and sharing sewing tips to  each other! I stopped sewing to hang out with new fur friends that I made this past weekend. Aren't they the cuties?

It feels really special that I could actual hand all the things that I made for her in person! It made the trip extra meaningful and sweet. There are just things that I love about the creative community that I am in and people that I made cross over from the different platforms. Kindness friendship, encouraging days, and I'd say the most unique part is we all have something that we love and appreciate together!

Sewing trips can never go without stops in local fabric stores. See the little Santa and vintage floral fabrics? They will be table runners soon, both ends need to stitch up before I put away for the holiday. Lots reproduction prints were found in really bargain price and two of us could share the print together.

In the sewing weekend, I started a new quilt that used court step block that I drew from the Illustrator. I also managed to made a few fuzzy cuts for economy blocks and hope to finish few more before make into a mini quilt, more in later post.

This was my first sewing weekend with a friend and it was really special and one of a kind weekend! Have you gone a sewing weekend with friends? I thought that I might pack more than needed, but surely will do a better for next time. A few more sewing supplies that could added to the Travel Outbound Bag, such as a mini cutting mat, mini squared ruler... the list goes on!

xxc


SaveSave

On the days of Handmade Gifts

Hello!  Happy Spring! 

Spring has slowly arrive here! I haven't seen flowers blooming in the neighborhood, but seeing people with lighter weight jackets on them for sure shows the change of the season. It has been nice to have window open from time to time, fresh air!

These days, I have been getting the workroom organized! Rearrange the workroom a little bit 
{moved the book shelves, moved around sewing books, moved sewing table to face off the window, moved every sewing containers, and ordered a super sturdy coat rack as the one we had collapse one night during dinner time and it was scary as no one in the workroom, you know...ha}!  It has been a better space to work , better lighting and much functional as previously the space is filled with containers and thing that I tried to hide. Now the light is coming from a different direction and much comfortable during the afternoon hours.

I have been sewing many gifts lately! You probably don't know that I am a slow holiday gift maker. Time always runs shorter during the holidays, birthdays, and special days for me! Even though I have notes overall the planner for myself during these special times. It seems that I am late, always!

These days, I try to make gifts when I can! When there is a free afternoon and a Sunday morning,  I try to get few ideas down and start working on. Likely I spent an hour or longer pulling out fabrics then work around with colors and do a little adding and subtracting on the fabrics. No doubt that would be the one afternoon for me. So, the holiday gift making is not working well for me. Then I turn around thinking maybe sending gifts do not need to be birthdays or holiday times. It could be anytime, just like little care package to warm and surprised someone!

It has taken me a few weeks to prepare a small package for my dear friend. I wish to make something  that she can enjoy and things that would be useful for her. It actually is hard to sew gifts for someone who also sew!

I couldn't think of a better bag for her, so I made her a {Travel Outbound Bag}, as she travels often to visit her families and overseas. I used {Astuko Matsuyama} fabrics since we shared our love with Astuko Matsuyama fabrics, one of my favorite Japanese textile designer and hers as well. I used vintage floral trim and linen tape for the bag to added and given extra elegance. For the inner panels, I used linen/cotton blended print that have saved for years. It just seem a perfect print for the bag. Also made a leather full to accompany the bag.  It turns out just really nice and sweet! Now, I want to keep it! {smile}

Also, I knew she just had her studio reorganized! It is so neat and organized as she shared with me. I though a mini patchwork quilt would be so sweet to add to her studio wall. I used four patchwork blocks from the {mini patchwork sample pattern} and hand quilted throughout the mini.  I kept the fabric usages more vintage, retro, and used lots small scale prints. Now, I hope she likes it!

There is a scrappy style hot pad holder for her kitchen, since she cooks and I do, too!  I also made a few hot pad holders for myself. Tea is something that I love/enjoy and hope she'll take some times to sip a cup of tea while she has a moment. Oh! Yes, no wrapping paper for me to wrap gifts. I try to keep wrapping minimal whenever I can.  Likely wrapped gifts with one or two sheets of tissue papers then a hand writing card will be set on top.

Meanwhile, I am also preparing another set of gifts for another friend. I made a scrappy style patchwork zippered pouch; pattern can be found {here}. We shared love of scrappy style patchwork for sure!  I also made a Travel Outbound Bag for her!  I'll show and tell for later post as I think it would be different story to share in a separate post.

I have been adding more to make list these days. Mother's Day is coming and I would love to make it on time for mama as oversea post is always taken a good two weeks period. I am guessing if I made an outbound bag for my mama she might try to travel outbound to see us?  fingers crossed!

The blueberry pie that made from the magazine was delicious! I made two in a week! The first one was made with the the equal amount of ingredients from the book, but it was too sweet, so second one was cut down on sugar and blueberry usage, which turned out just perfect!

Most of you probably have made {Lasagna} in your kitchen. A few weeks ago, I have made a Lasagna dish for first time ever, it turned out really tasty! It taken 3 hours to make it, I know it sounded really crazy with the timing.  While lived in Iowa, I have watched my friends made a few times in their kitchen, but never try on my own.  

The hearty chicken noodle soup was served one night and plus following night. The good broth was made from turkey bones, chicken bones, cut off vegetable skins, and onion heads that have saved in the freezer.  mmm.. have you try? It is the best broth ever! I always let it boil for a good half hour then turn the heat to low for another good 2 hours. During the cold days, the apartment is filled in that good familiar smells. Rice crispy is long gone before I could get a second. Few more ingredients added to the grocery list since a Lemon Chiffon cake and a Pound Cake are calling my name. Also a request for another chicken pot pie for dinner. Indeed, I've been homesick and this time is my Iowa family-friends and the land! It feels good that I could make these food to remind us, the time and life we were there and still there by heart!


{About Ocean Wave quilt in Scrappy style}
Awwee... Thank you for tagging me and the kindly responds in the {post}! I've enjoyed seeing your ocean wave lately! It is really one of kind, in your fabric choices and colors! I have set the quilt top aside and getting ready to piece the quilt backing, something bold and versatile to compromise the quilt top.

{About Handmade patch-works}
It has been a year since I discontinued selling my handmade patch-works via Etsy Shop. I have been receiving emails over this past year and asking if I'd reconsider listing my works in the shop. I am afraid that I am not able to offer my works now. My move to the city have had big and small impacts to the life. I have only been working on small scale customer orders behind the scenes as it seems work well with time, space, and everything else. If I ever do again, I'll for sure let you know! Thank you for kindly asking as always!

{A Sidewalk Pouch} 
Thank you for your enthusiastic and supports on {A Sidewalk Pouch Sewing Pattern and Kits}! Some of the kits have been sold out and have a few in the shop. It is surely a different pouch making approach and lots small details go into the little palm size pouch!  I hope you enjoy and love it!

{THANK YOU}


xxc








SaveSave

A Sidewalk Pouch Sewing Pattern+ Sewing Kits

Hello! Today I am excited to introduce my newest pattern {A Sidewalk Pouch} and limited sewing kits. Also share the story of the pattern and ideas with you.  

Many moons back as a new sewer. I first learned to sew by two hands; a single needle and a spool of thread. I wasn't sure if it was just a fun sewing course for me to passing time or something I'd felt in love with, and you all know that I felt big LOVE with patchwork many moons later.  I vivid remember the patchwork course I took was offered in four lessons (one month) and it was during hot summer month; one day a week and I could pick any day of the week and time, afternoon only.  

During sewing lessons, I learned to draft my own patterns and edited as I made mock ups and designs.  While the teacher was available at the time, I was able to ask questions and make improvements. {A Sidewalk Pouch} was the first few patterns that I learned to draft and sew. It didn't have a name at the time, it was a {pouch}.  

Over the years, I have used this pattern over and over and love the patchwork edition the most and have made many, many. This is a tiny pouch, just about a hand palm size and it fits just perfect on the side of any totes. So, {A Sidewalk Pouch} is just a perfect name for it. 

{A Sidewalk Pouch} was originally designed for fully hand sewing only, but over the time I have 

modified the pattern with partly hand sewing and partly machine stitching. This pouch making is for someone with zero sewing skills, just like how I started it. I'd say this pattern is a skill builder pouch that allows the maker to do simple patchworking, learn how to attach bias binding and learn to hand installing the zipper. 

It seemed and sounded scary installing zipper by hands, but it is not! Within this pattern, there are step by step photos to walk you through each sewing step. There are clear illustrations to guild you through the how to make the pouch and tips along.  

{A Sidewalk Pouch Pattern} is one of a kind sewing pattern that allows more hands on sewing experiences and learn to sew in a traditional method. This pouch is perfect for sewing for swaps, gifts, and I have use it for store my USB drives, sewing foots, small spool of threads, and perfect for small storage pouch. You'll LOVE it!! 

{A Sidewalk Pouch Sewing Pattern} 

- The pattern comes with 23 pages in PDF formate. 

- The pattern supported with colored photos and hand drawn illustration to guild through the process. 

- It is perfect for small scraps project. 

- There are two patchwork sizes for the patchwork panels. 

  a. Penny Patchwork, finished 1" square

  b. Tiny   Patchwork , finished 0.75" square 

- The pouch finished at 4"x5"x1", on fold. 

If you love to make this pouch, you can find the pattern via my {Etsy Shop} and {Craftsy Store}. 

I have also prepared limited {sewing kits} to purchase. I have curated prints for each kits to be one of a kind. These are versatile prints that have been collected over the time and are truly special. Once the sewing kits are sold out will not be restock as I like to keep them limited and special. 

Oakland Gardens-
Curated varies pinks, corals, burgundy for this kit. The yellow added nice contrast within this warm color palette.  To finish the pouch, selected the brown and white gingham as binding print and gives a elegant touch.

Sewing Kits are available {here}    Sold Out

Poppy Seeds- 

Curated varies yellows, mustard yellows, daffodil yellows, lemon yellows, etc for this kit. The floral brown print give a nice contrast within this cheerful color palette.  To finish the pouch, selected the floral brown gingham as binding print that added fresh and classic look. 

Sewing Kits are available {here}

Ocean Wave- 

Curated varies blues, aqua, small floral prints, whimsical prints, and Robin egg blue, etc for this kit.  To finish the pouch, selected the fine charcoal gingham as binding print that gives a delight finish. 

Sewing Kits are available {here}

Coney Island-

Curated with versatile prints that reminded me so much of cotton candy. This mixed and matched print pouch is so playful. To finish the pouch, selected fine linen cloth for the binding to finish up the sweet look. 

Sewing Kits are available {here}  Sold Out

Bear M.  (In Tiny patchwork style). This patchwork panel square finished 0.75" square.

Selected a wide range of yellows, browns, tans for this kit. I have only prepared one Bear M. sewing kit as it is unlike my patchwork with versatile prints selection and using varies colors/ prints for patchwork making. I love how simple and elegant this pouch turn out in using varies color range.

Sewing Kits are available {here}  Sold Out

Green Hopper  (In Tiny patchwork style). This patchwork panel square finished 0.75" square.

Selected a wide range of greens, yellows, and pink for this kit. I have only prepared one Green Hopper sewing kit as it is unlike my patchwork with versatile prints selection and using varies colors/ prints for patchwork making. I love how simple, fresh, and almost pixel like of this pouch turn out in using varies color range.

Sewing Kits are available {here} Sold out

{More Sewing Kits talk...}

{A Sidewalk Pouch Sewing Kit} comes with everything you will need to make one pouch.
It comes with...

-  40 assorted square prints for making Penny Patchwork panel/ 84 assorted square prints for making Tiny patchwork panel
- a zakka style zipper
- 35" length long bias binding
- 5"x12" Pellon 987F Fusible Fleec
- one fat sixteenth (9"x11") fabric (lining)


Thank you again for reading through {A Sidewalk Pouch Sewing Pattern} review post.

Enjoy,

xxc

SaveSaveSaveSave