Slow Stitching Studio

As I worked on the new appliqué piece, I took notes on the sewing tools and materials frequently being use.   I though I'd write two separate posts about the hand-applique (or maybe narrow down to one). Would it be good idea to give some pros and cons on the tools I use?  Does any of you like hand appliqués?

The mini floral appliqué is finished at 3.5"x3.5". I had to scale it down, so it can fit into a 4"x6" frame. I did a couple test printings before finalized the size and love the end of piece! The challenge probably was making the small circles to be "rounded" before hand appliqué down. I decided to let the red stitches to be more seen and found this time. Lots Feedsacks fabrics are used and they are my favorites to work on hand appliqué. I'd also recommended light weight-cotton, Liberty London fabrics, and lawn fabrics are perfect, too.  Just a lot possibilities for the hand appliqué. You don't really need a large pieces for small shapes. The smallest pieces that I've worked on is 0.5"x 0.5". So you can save all the tiny scraps for it.

The floral appliqué that was finished a few weeks ago got framed after I got new frames from IKEA. This time, I have better luck on getting it into the frame. The linen that was use as background is white and I would really love to used snow white next time if I have access to some snow-white linen. It probably will give the piece more in-depth turnout.

Since last Fall, I've been getting back to hand appliqué more.  It is a slow stitching studio practice, but somehow I really enjoy sitting down and hand-stitching small pieces together. I am tickled have them finished and framed now. The second large hand appliqué piece that I made last year has been made into a {travel outbound bag} and have been use it for storing vintage patterns. It is a larger travel outbound bag and I would love to travel with it soon!

I've also had the second Honey Cowl off the needles and cast the third one on! This time, I used knit stitches and it goes really quick! Did you know, yarn stitching is so nice on the bus rides, waiting at the doctor's office and trip to Brooklyn. I've also got some new yarn from the sale section and have casted on the fourth cowl. I'll keep practicing until I am ready for a shawl and guess what? The pattern have been purchased and just need to sit down and learn the new stitching names and how. Of course, getting new yarns and fancy a shawl for this Fall.

{Shop Talk} 
Thank you again and again for your support and positively responds about the {Boathouse Pouch Sewing Pattern}. I hope you'll love the pattern and enjoy making it! I will be making a large custom order base on Boathouse pouch pattern and can hardly wait to start pulling fabrics out. I've made a set for my sister right after the finished the pattern writing.  The scooter print and the car print are just perfect for her!

Thank you all so much for taking your time and leave kindly commons on the patterns you have purchased. You know that means a lot to me as a designer and great impact on the feature patterns that I write and inputs to improve for as well, {Thank You}!

I've been working on another pattern and is almost ready transfer into a PDF formate, not bag nor pouch pattern this time. I've been acquired materials and fabric to work on different methods of piecing. The sewing pattern will be release in this upcoming Fall.  It is surely my Big Apple City life inspiration since I relocated here!  Stay turn.


more later...

xxc

Boathouse Pouch Sewing Pattern

Happy Mid-Summer! I am super excited to have my newest PDF sewing pattern, Boathouse Pouch release during the mid-summer days.  I've been working on the pouch concepts since early spring and created a few prototypes before finalized the pouch shape and best way to approach Boathouse Pouch sewing techniques.

Oh, Boathouse Pouch, you ask? This is such a cute pouch and comes with great divider spaces that you'll want to give it a go!

Growing up, I’ve spent much of my summer time at my grandparents’ old red brick house that was an hour's drive away from the city I used to live. Playing in the rice field, feeding cows, catching frogs, walking barefoot in creeks, and getting in trouble by picking the neighbor’s fruits. There was a lot of outdoor activities to do during the summer time in the rural countryside; plenty dirt and mud time. 

Origami (folding paper) seemed to be the most popular craft at the time for us, kids. Grandma would sent us outdoor with a stack of newspaper that she got from the open market. My siblings and I’d fold a lot of newspaper boats and float them down the creek that resided near the brick house. We bet on who's boat would reach the end of first rock and we all screamed for our own boat to win- boat game!

{Boathouse Pouch Sewing Pattern} is an origami paper boat folding inspired pouch! This pouch has quite a few folding and turning concepts involved within the pouch design. Summer day fun and a bit of tricky and challenging sewing pattern. Nothing very difficult, just like origami, fold and turn. 

 Let me talk a little bit about the Boathouse Pouch. 

Boathouse Pouch is based and inspired by origami (paper folding) boat folding concept. As a pattern designer, I want to keep the originality of the folding boat shape and work around the measurements to suit for the pouch turning and folding technique. The pouch comes with great divider space, which have three compartments to store personal essentials.

On the photo (above), is the size 7", which is perfectly for sewing tools, stationary.  I've set my paper piecing tools, papers, spools of thread in one of boathouse pouch which comes really handy and nothing falls out the pouch.

I also love how this pouch design shows the original boathouse concept. Within the PDF sewing pattern will show you how you can sew use different fabric to sew the boat base in a different outlook. You'll be surprised how easy the tricks are and fun ideas can be play in sewing pouches.

Sew the zipper with no fears like every zippered sewing pouch pattern. Within the pattern there are step-by-step colored photos to guild you through each steps. There are a number of pages on how to attach zippers for the pouch, so you can visually see how it actually works. 

For the size 6" zipper: The small scale Boathouse Pouch has been a perfect size pouch for a quick run to the stores. Maybe petty cash, metro cards, or few coins in the pouch. The middle compartment is perfect for "cards"(Ex: business card, credit card, metro card, etc.)

The center compartment comes slightly smaller then the two side compartments. It is originally designed for storing small items. Perfect for items that you like to keep separate from others.

On the two side compartments, it allows you to store bigger objects. (Ex: UBS cards, lip stick, ear phone device, etc.) As you can image, the bottom of the boat expands and gives nice space. It's also perfect for storing needle packs, glue sticks, and rotary blade packs, use it as a sewing aid pouch!

For the 7" pouch, that you will be able to fit quite a bit of sewing essentials. As the picture shows you, there's a pair of small hand scissors, a small rotary cutter, needle book and few spools of thread can be all fit in this size of Boathouse Pouch. 

With all the tools are zipped in the Boathouse Pouch, you'll find that there's rooms for other tools. Both sides of the pouch gives you a nice roomy space.

{Boathouse Pouch PDF Sewing Pattern} 

- Boathouse Pouch Sewing Pattern is a digital downloadable PDF file. It comes with 26 pages PDF file (included sewing templates, cutting instructions, sewing instructions), Step-by Step colored photo instructions to guild you through making one Boathouse Pouch. It also comes with detailed illustrate diagrams to aid for sewing steps.

- Boathouse Pouch is an intermediate sewing pattern. Sewers have experiences in cutting fabrics, knowing operation sewing machine, have previous bag making experience, experience with instal zippers.

- Boathouse Pouch finished at app. 5.5"x 4" (size 6") and 6.5"x4.5" (size 7").

- You can find  Boathouse Pouch PDF sewing pattern through my {Etsy} and {Craftsy} pattern shops now.
- You'll need Adobe Reader to open the PDF file and free download at adobereader.com

---- Materials needed for making 

For 6” Boathouse Pouch materials:
-(4)Fat sixteenth fabric for exterior panels+ lining panels
-(1) 6” Metal zipper/ Nylon Zipper

For 7“ Boathouse Pouch materials:
-(4) One Fat eighth fabric for Exterior Panels
-(1) 7” Metal zipper/ Nylon Zipper

- Coordinate colored sewing thread
- Iron/ Ironing board
- Water soluble marker
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine
- 1/2 yard (18”x20”) Fusible Interfacing- Shape-Flex SF101
 - Lightweight cardboard/ recycled manila file folders (optional)
- Glue stick
- Rotary Cutter

Thank you again for all of your enthusiasm coming here to read about the creations that I share with you. I really can't tell you how much I appreciate it and truly have the pleasure designing this newest pattern and wish you'll love it as well!

Enjoy

xxc

Penny Square Patchwork Pouch

Another Patchwork Pouch? Indeed, this is my favorite sewing pouch style! For some reason, I've enjoy working with tiny squares and making tiny stitching process a lot more than quick projects. Big part of that is probably related to my personality and the way how I function daily; detail, think twice, take time, but I am really not slow!

I've been really miss sewing with penny squares and it seems like a process that I haven't been working on for awhile.  These days, I've always find ways and time to myself.  Sitting down for a quiet afternoon without distracting and concentrate on a single project and try to achieve and meet the end of what it might be?  It always takes few extra hours for me to finish because in between time, I have second thoughts and that might take some pauses.

This Penny Square Patchwork pouch is hand-quilted on the exterior of the pouch. Hand bind off the top raw edge, and hand sewn the zipper. I do love how this pouch turn out, versatile and lots of favorite prints. Best to that is I am so pleased how beautifully it zips up and fit quite a bit of sewing tools, knitting needles.

for
Hand Quilting tutorial
Hand Sewn zipper method used from {A Sidewalk Pouch PDF sewing pattern} 

I keep on cutting few more Penny Squares and store them in a small box that I found from 99 cents store (very popular store here). I love how the box opens and the size of the box is just perfect for me to "tuck" away. I'll show you  how I store my tiny scraps in the future post and also I plan on writing a hand-appliqué tutorial; tools I use, how I stitch and how I frame it! It will be another future post to look forward to.

{Shop Talk}
A few {A Sidewalk Pouch sewing kits} are available in the shop. After July 22 (next Saturday) will be discontinued and remove from the shop.   
All {A Sidewalk Pouch Sewing Kits are SOLD OUT}
You will still be able to purchase the {PDF sewing pattern} .

more later,
xxc

Few favorites goodness...

Favorite i:  Focus on

It has been awhile since I last stitch on hand appliqué piece. It is such a treat project to start and end. It always allows me to focus, focus, focus; making tiny stitches, pulling fabrics out from bins, play hard, mixed and matched colors from scraps to large pieces, making pauses when I need, took a short walk between workroom and kitchen fridge, getting something cool to drink, cool of some steamy weather and mind.

still Favorite i:

Lately, I have been noticing how my hands work with small pieces. It is not just making, but how  I utilize my hands to create and how the interacting between me and the work I am making. I have had a lightbulb moment a few afternoons ago and was excited about this new concept that I like to explore more.

another Favorites i:

I switched the hand stitching thread after making the first two green leaves from white to red. Once a long time ago, I read a book and it was explaining using the red thread for hand appliqué and making it more visible. As the thread in representation of  describing time passage ( the time spend on making), the hand touch, and how actually imperfectness is part of how we make.

 Favorite i:

Pins are not my friends. I think I either bend them or drop them on the floor. I should just open the tool box and bring out the tiny appliqué pins, but I am just lazy to do it. I found it is interesting that I have used three different types of pin over last few years in sewing. My absolutely favorite pin is the crystal clear ball on the top! They are fine and comes two length! options are important!

Favorite i:

I love sitting down and rediscovering my sewing + thinking pattern. I actually can't really talk/ have a conversation while sew at the same time. I either need to focus on the sewing or drop sewing and just talk!

the end of the favorite i:

I've enjoyed good accomplishments, small accomplishments, time to self and sitting down reorganize and check off lists.

Favorite ii: New Friendship

I've been a lucky person around the sewing community. Meeting new friends mean talking and sharing love of patchwork and fabrics, never get old, trust me! These feedsack pieces arrived last week. I am still excited about these treasures shared to me from a new extended friendship. The textures, colors, and patterns of these feed sacks are one of a kind!  I'll be making more patchwork appliqués soon.

Favorite iii:  Perfect frame

That's my S, back in 2014 when I first published {kin-cha-ku sewing pattern}. She was the model and had blast playing all these kin-cha-ku samples. I've selected and printed some patchwork pieces in 4"x4" and was not able to find frames that come in that measurement. A few week ago, I stump into this cute picture frame. It is so perfect! I could change photos as I like.

 Favorite iiii: New Knitter

It has been my goal to learn to knit. I have had {Honey cowl knitting pattern} saved since 2012, but had not enough courage to try. I've always though I meet a knitting neighbors in the past and we could make few stitches at the time.

Back in June, I've been spent 10-15 minutes every night watch Youtube tutorials on making knitting stitches. I followed along and practiced as the the tutorials played. I've tried three times on the blue alpaca cowl.  The third try was better, so I kept it and finished up. Not perfect!

Favorite iiii:

Now, I have the second one started, but this is the second try. When I knit, I can't talk at all or have background sounds on. shhh..

Favorite iiii:

There are few stitches dropped on the second cowl attempt, but it is much improved from the first one. Gosh, both yarns were purchased in 2012, while still lived in N.D.

Favorite iiii:

You might want to stand few inches away from the screen. The last few rows didn't turn out correct. I was having a serious conversation and didn't count on the stitches and when to stop and make purl and slip stitch.  I decided to bind off the honey cowl anyway. I knew I'd feel encourage and proud that I knitted something.

Favorite iiii:

Loving that the {Forest Hill Knit Bag} is put in good use. I've been paying good attention to some yarn shops lately. I love to start a third honey cowl soon and perhaps a shawl.  I love being a new learner that brings excitements. I love learning from errors and fails during the process. Finding a better way to learn something new and do a happy dance at the end.

Favorite v: Something new coming soon

I've been working something new; fun, playful... stay turn


More later,

xxc