Radom: Tips to share

It might sounded crazy! I was working really late last night.  If you check my Flickr you'll find out why. During the sleepless night,  I started the Dumpling making as my second project. { Here is the download pattern}. Thanks to my Flickr friends who have been sending me their scraps and allowing me to make the {scrap quilt} and these fun dumplings.  I am really starting Christmas making!! I shouldn't wait or it will never happen! After many { Quilt as you go} projects and dumplings. I have learned few tips that I though I'd share with you or maybe you have already done so.

Even though I used scrap fabrics and scrap batting for the dumpling making, but I still cut down my batting roughly 1/2" bigger then the pattern itself. So later on when I trace/ trim down the pattern I don't waste much edges sewing area. I found I ended up saving extra scraps from scraps making.

For the {Quilt as you go} method. I used to sew straight lines individually then at both ends there were so much threads wasted then when I trim them down I ended up having threads allover my clothes!  What I have done here is I started one point then I go on the straight line then when I am ready to  turn on to the next parallel line I made a short straight line. That help to avoid stopping sewing and sew continuously.

Here is a hand drawn diagram.  Pretend the dashing lines are the fabric piece and the straight line is  the quilting line.  I sew very close to the edge of the fabric piece.

Then when you lay your second fabric over. The second fabric piece will hide the turning lines and you'll still get the same clean straight lines.  Hope I explains clear.. let me know if I am not clear...

xxC 

{ Take Five} : Materials and tools

Today will wrap up the {patchwork take} and share few tutorial links with you at the end of the post. Today I will talk about tools and material that I used for the { patchwork tote edition } { patchwork handbag} and {Patchwork tote}. Many of  you have a nice room for sewing, but S and I share a long, but narrow table together! You probably have heard that we complain about each other often.. since I couldn't have everything spread out, I use a found basket for major tools.  I prefer small rotary cutter than the bigger ones. It really just nice for my hands. Few seam rippers around when I make mistakes. Sewing foot that use the most is right next to the sewing machine! Something that works for me, but I wish someday I have a big table that I can have everything out. 

Many of you have ask the leather handles that I used in { patchwork tote edition}. There's a leather store near by my home. I went there and didn't see any fancy leather handles instead of straps of leather in different width. Leather is EXPENSIVE! Be sure if this is something you are looking for your future projects. Otherwise it can cost you more than you would like! I got one strap less than 2 yards was 12.00 then another small piece was 6.99, but these are the good leather. I have been carrying the same tote since I made it and the leather has becoming soft and comfortable.   Sewing needle tool- I got it from Taiwan. I can't find anything alike here. I used it to poke small holes on the patchwork pieces { into batting}. Since the batting is so thick there's no way that the tapestry needles would go in. Once you poke small holes on the position it will allow you to go through the leather holes and patchwork together easy.  The leather shop suggest I use utility knife for cutting leathers { misspelling on top of images}. 

Leather puncher is another expensive tool. I was able to borrow it from friend.  Without it you probably will have trouble to punch holes in your leather.  There are five different sizes in one puncher. It is around 16.00 for this tool.  So, if you can ask around and borrow the tool before you are serious about it.

 Different sizes holes from puncher. It gives you clean holes and able to adjust the gaps between holes.

 It is great for the leather! You can't punch holes in the fabric { I tried, didn't work}.

I used Tapestry Needles to thread the waxed linen thread for the leather handles.  Waxed linen thread is very thick, so be sure you have big needle eye for it.

Waxed linen thread is very sturdy thread! I only used waxed linen thread to hold the handles and patchwork tote together.  It is 5.00 for a small spool.

Magnet snaps are something new for me this time. It is great for closing the top of the bag if you are not sewing with zipper. You can find it in craft store and Joann's. It comes three pairs in one package! It was on sale for 2.99.

I am not able to recommend any leather shop in etsy or online shops for you { sorry}! It is hard to tell which shop carries most fine leather. I did a little research on etsy. The fancy handles are about 15 dollars, but I am not sure if the quality is excellent.  But try your local leather shop if you have one.. I would try to ask them if they have any scraps for sell. Sometimes, it is cheaper and you might score good deals.

To finish the lining with the bag. Here are some links that you can take a look. They are great and easy to follow.

verykerryberry
sew.mama. sew
u-handbag
easy tote

edit: here is one of link that I got that carries fine leather.  http://www.u-handbag.com/


xxC

Take Four: Assembling

Finally we are coming to the {Take Four: assembling}. Today I have many images to show you, so you probably need to get a cup of tea of coffee. If there's any part that you don't understand, please let me know I will try to explain again. So, I ended up with 9 patchwork pieces. This would give me more options when I play around the assembling. 

Here are my 9 patches. I just realized I have most of them in lighter color schemes only a few were darker. The size of each patch is similar, but some are bigger by 1 or 2 inches. This time the patchwork sizes are smaller than the ones that I had in last few projects.

 I picked out 6 patches for the tote that I am making then play around the layout.

 First trimmed of the batting that's not cover with fabric and give a bit clean look.

Some patches are off, but after the trimming. It will either be squares or rectangles.  It depends on your patchwork pieces looks like.

 After all the trim.... lots pieces are off... I wish to save them all, but maybe not this time...

 Now 6 pieces are trimmed and clean. 

When put them together there were two pieces bigger by one inch. Then trim off the differences. You might not have this problem. As you might recall that I used scrap batting for this project, so the batting size where roughly cut.

 Do you see?  The center piece is bigger than the two pieces next to it.

Trim off the differences. 

After trimming play around the patches again and try to find the good layout for it again. You might not need this step if you only have one or two patches that's large enough for your front/ back pieces.

Top: three patches are ready { This would be front piece of the handbag}
Bottom: three patches are ready { This would be back piece of the handbag}

On to assembling patches together.  Take two patch pieces and put them right side together and use pin to stable patches.

Use 1/4" seam allowance for entire project.  I prefer back stitches on the top and bottom of the assembling. I back stitches about 1/2".  It will help two patches held well together.

 Approach to the end of the patches, do the back stitches as well.

 Look back of the patches. Open the seam.

 Due to the batting, the seam will be heavy. Use iron to open the seam { very lightly press}.

 After ironing.. the seam will be flat

Sew over the open seam { You can use zigzag or straight lights}. It will help to enforce the patches together at the join seams.

Continue  the same assembling join sewing until your patches are assembled.  If you need to adjust the sizes of your front and back piece. It is a good timing to do so! NOW I look at two patchwork pieces as one big fabric pieces instead of patches. 

This patchwork tote is for S, so I trimmed down the sides. It was too wide for her.  I used the trim off side pieces then attached to the bottom part of the patches.

 I saved the other small pieces then patched them together. I am thinking a little coin pouch for myself. No waste!

Note one: After all the assembling and trimming. I have two pieces finished at 11.5"x14.5".  Since I am working with simple tote pattern. I use the most simple bag making method. I put two patchwork pieces right side together. Then pin around the two pieces.  Sew around the tote with 1/4" seam. Leave the top open.

Note two: At this stage. You will be able to design the look of you bag. If you are not working with simple bag pattern. Look at your patchwork pieces as a whole piece of the fabric. That would give you some freedom of playing your bag patterns.

Decided the bottom width of the tote. I used 1" for the bottom width. Draw your width line then sew on the line you drew.

 Trim it off and leave 1/4" seam allowances. Do the same on both side of corners.

 Now you have the outer bag finished.

Lots patches and assembling inside..

If you missed last three takes.. Check them out! 

{Take One}
{Take Two}
{Take Three}

xxC

Take Three: Production & Quilting

Please stay with me today. It is a long post with 28 images.  I took some clear shot, but do please let me know if there is any part that's not clear.  When I first start with the patchwork making it is always overwhelming with amount of the scraps I store and where to start?? On { Take Two} I have mentioned on looking for small pieces.  Some quilters sort their scraps by colors, prints, designers, etc., but I keep my together. We have a very small space and I try to keep scrap box low if I can.

I picked some small pieces of the scraps and start looking. Hint: Go with your instinct!  If the first piece catch your eye then that would be your first start off piece.

In the center?

The scarps batting is about 10"x7". I freely cut with my scissors with out measuring. Later on, you will trim the edges off, so don't worry at this stage.  Where to lay the first piece?? Play around your first piece composition.  

 Off center? lower side of corner? 

 Upper side of the corner? 

There's no rule where you place your first piece or what you should put your first piece.  Sometimes, I might start around the center then my next piece would be off.

The first piece was around the lower corner. I began with simple straight stitches. I set my sewing feet to 1/4" seam. Between each quilting lin it is 1/4" apart. The method is called quilt as you go.

 You will be seeing quilting lines in the back of your batting.

After finished the first piece. Look another piece that's either similar in length or in width. If it is too long trim it off with your scissors. With the color choose: what I have done here is using contrast color which is cool and warm.  I don't use any ruler or rotary cutter until the very end of the assembling stage.

 Lay the second fabric right side to the first piece then match edge to edge

 Piece the second piece of the fabric to the first fabric piece

Flip the second piece of the fabric. I used a 1/8" seam for the top join seam. It will help to secure the seams together better.

 Find your third piece do the same method from the second piece. 

 Now, you have a small patchwork piece.

 After a small patchwork. I began look for a large piece of scrap. 

As you can see from the ruler the quilting pieces aren't level! It is off, but don't worry about it! Keep playing!

 My fifth piece cover the top of the patchwork, so it is longer and bigger! 

 The edges are off? You could use your fabric to adjust the off edge. Cover over the quilted part. 

 It is uneven and the composition is not squared! 

 Sometimes, I use large pieces to cover the edge of the batting. 

 Simply keep quilting then you can trim it off then save the other un-quilting piece { back to scrap bin}.

The fuchsia is became the key color for this small patch. I went look for some gray print. The one the Right took over the key color, so visually they are fighting. The left piece still have some gray print on it and it helps the other scrap pieces took out more! Color choose: light and dark 

 Again it is uneven patchwork, so I use the top piece to level the patchwork 

 So far the patchwork! 

Added a little strips on the bottom to give a balance. Any batting that's no being quilted will be trim off later.

My sewing machine doesn't have the thread cut! So I ended up need to trim off the threads as I go! Sometimes it is such a waste!

Finished  patchwork! 

I will make 8-10 of patchwork for one tote! I will come back with all the finish patchwork piece for Take Four. If you are sewing the patchworks, too. Please have fun!!  Hope all the images help out to explain the process.. I will be back and share {Take Four}. 

Take One: Fabric
Take Two: Scraps

EDIT: I would like to invited you to join my flickr and share your patchwork process. Thank you!

xxC