the April day

It is still a sweater season for me. A couple sweater laying around, one hanging in the back of the dining table chair, one behind the studio chair and another one in the corner of the storage room. I am cold! The gloomy and rainy days never bring much of the warmth to the apartment and the space heater is on and off as I need it and the sweaters, too!

I have been sipping tea throughout the days alone and ask Siri to turn on Pandora for me. Maybe today you are sipping tea with me as you read alone...

Summer of 1997, I flown over 23 hours flight and landed in Gateway airport, Sioux City, Iowa. I remember sobbed through of my first flight to Japan, then cried and sobbed through my second flight to Minneapolis, America. I sured the lady who sat next to me was trying to ask, are you ok? But my head was covered under a blanket and tried to avoid any contact with strangers. That was my first time away from home and first time not being able to go home, like tomorrow. On my third flight to Sioux City, I was exhausted! Never has anyone tell me that America is so far way. I vivid remember that was the first time I saw the farmlands below my eye view,;so close and felt an arm reachable distance. The engine noise was just right next to my ears and there were just 10 of us on that flight.

Late summer nights in Iowa was cold for me! I remember I was already wearing sweaters and jackets that I brought with me from home ( cold days didn't come till late October back home). Sadly they all shrank in the dryer after the first self-service laundry that I done in Swope Hall's (the dormitory) basement where I lived and done the laundry for 4 and half years. After labor day weekend, things just got browner, colder and drier on trees, grounds, and air. My sister took me to the shopping mall for the first time during our fall break. She brought me a real nice and expensive snow coat because I never experienced what snow is like before the October 31st of 1997; the snow coat was white with black patches around the elbows.  I wore that for 4 years and finally it had holes in a couple spots and it was not white anymore, it was yellowish after couple washes that I've done. My sister also got me a few sweaters, and she told me people wear hoodies and sweatshirts here. So I picked a couple of these to try out, and I love these since the day one I put them on, so does my S.

Before school started, Mary (our advisor) took us running for getting our social security, banking, errands and making sure that we are in a good transition into the new school year. I don't remember all the details in the bank that day, all I remember was bring home a large binder according to the banker that is where I will save all the monthly bank statements that the bank will send to my school address. And I signed lots documents; honestly I didn't know what I was signing for at the age of 18. I should know better, I should have had, but I didn't! People were all smiling, taking time helping out and everyone (new students) was doing the same thing. So my first checking account opened!

A few weeks later, I received a white box with my name and school address on and wondered who sent me the box, but it was always excited to received something in the school mailbox, even flyers from school clubs and commercial mails ( later on I learned it is called junk mail and short name for it is junk). I took it back to Swope and open it! It was my very first personal checkbooks and a registration book came along with it.  It felt so special! It probably had meant to a growing up teen is really going to be responsible to manage the financial independently for the first time. That Friday night, we ( students from oversea) sat at the Swope kitchen and show and tell our own checkbook. We couldn't help because we each pick out a cute design at the bank that day and that took a long time to decide on. My Japanese fellows kept saying kawaii, kawaii! Yes, they were kawaii (cute and sweet)!

On that following Monday, Veronica, my ESL teacher gave us a mini lesson on; "how to write a proper check" and how to record on registration book. So, I practiced how to write checks the next four years in every shopping that I have done, even with a payment of two dollars at a small town Walmart.  Before I could really trust the electronic payment, that was the payment option I asked the cashier to ring me up.

Soon, debit card came along and that probably have had saved half of the checks I wrote and saved some dollars on ordering new checks. I miss seeing my fancy signature in the check front, I still write checks for payments now and then.  These days, I still carry my checkbooks with me, maybe it is not a fashionable payment anymore, but it always makes me feel fancy with my fancy signature on.  All that helpful bankers have became people who I know so well throughout the year, they call my first name when they hear my Hello through the phone or step in the bank!  I couldn't help these memories that spark to me these days and have a good laugh at myself. Yes, there were mistakes in writing checks; wrong dollar amount maybe had once made 20 dollars into 20 cents, wrong name spelled, and wrong date on! The things that never went wrong was my fancy signature in the check front.

So, the new floor lamp is on every night this week. What a differences it makes? I love that warmer light brings to me at the night while I study, add on few hand stitches, and read through few pages of the new book. I trust it will bring many good warm light to me next many nights and lighted place where I set my down time alone at nights. 

I didn't have a very successful time to set up a mini light studio in the living room this week. The light comes in from the west window and I have to catch the light between  2-3p.m. or it dismiss. I struggled getting good light source and tried east side window as well as we don't have either north or south side options. Once I have found the good lighting spot, the sunlight has shifted and it is a game change for the day. Guess it always rains on the next day as I schedule it for the next day agenda and I have patiently waited for the sunny day and it came! I have done a big photo shooting this week and shown to Fifi and received two thumbs up!  That tickles me...

The wooden labels are officially added on to the patchworks. It felt really special and just like my fancy signature at the check front, but this time is the signature for my patchwork handmade. I love how it turns out and feel responsible for the work I designed and crafted. It is a promise! Lost labor of love in stitching and crafting projects and onto the final stage, meeting the audience. I say it is my obsession on what I truly love to do and makes me happy in thinking this roller coaster rides that I am on now.

I have break down my day and the week now; commit to myself on the daily/weekly agendas. This week, I focus on how to speak confidently and assured myself not rumbling through as I get nervous on questions that I have been asked. I get myself into critical thinking and writes pros and cons on my notebooks and added on a post-it on the page of the book that inspired me and go back to read the it again. I take time to sew and enjoy the conversation between fabrics and I time. I called Carol when I feel a heavy day hit on my shoulders and just need a talk; she is always there for me.  I window shopping when I need a little break from study, from more floor lamps, new dining table, new sewing machines,  soon to be release fabrics. They are all look terrific to me and have add to the shopping cart, just in case and the possibilities!

I look for a day to travel into the city and seeing all the flower blooming in the Battery Park and Central Park. A cuppa coffee would be luxury and relaxing in the walk (We always walk from downtown to uptown; sore legs, but amazing and refreshing to the soul) . I am anxious going to garment district seeing and touching all the fancy trims and fabrics, it has been too long! That will be another story to share when the day comes.

*** My contribution to 50 Little Gifts on the Window Zippered Pouch. I am late to the party due the family. It is a book that fills with great ideas for making cute handmade gifts. So many talented sewers have contributed to the book.   I am so honored having a project in a published book. Thank you to the publisher Susanne who has reaching out to me and trust of my work.

*** A few handmade items have added to the Shop; the cute dumpling pouches that made with sweet and precious fabric scraps.  Lovely penny square patchwork cases that are hand-quilted in cotton weight and linen fabric. I feel bashful letting the cat out of bag.  Yes, I am bring custom and handmade patchwork goods back to the shop and will share more with you.

xxc

be hold

It took me awhile (over a year) to finish this floral appliqué piece. It has been hanging round with the patchwork piles all this time. This week was the week that I knew that I could put it all together! The timing was just right for it and it feels so accomplished after it is finished!  Sometimes, it is hard for me to go back to the older projects, I am guessing the motivation is slightly off and the compassion of the project is fade out a bit. I've always love hand works; stitch, hand quilting, embroidery.  It still speaks so true to my heart these days. I love spending hours in a patchwork piece, big and small. Something delicate, something detail, and something special as always!

I have been working on a new logo and banner for the blog. The new idea is simplify the logo and bring less colors with it. It will take another few weeks to upload the drawings into the computer and work on the designs.  I very much enjoy this part of the design work, where I can put my ideas in one place and play with colors and layouts.  So don't be surprise next time when you pop in to visit.  You should land in the right home, but just change of the door colors. :)

Did you know that blogger is no longer sending me your comments via email? I have just realized that last week. So, I basically miss out the many of your comments. This week, I have became a mad lady and try to refresh my own blog page on the phone screen when I am on it, just to check if you left me a message.  Thank you for not forgetting about us! It is something that felt so incredible and sweet that you still come by and continually to support big and small moments with us. So, I have read all your comments by yesterday! Thank You!! 

This week has been a long-short-long-long week for me. As I have been preparing a career open house and made it to the first round of interview and there's a little glitch happened while I was waiting for the second round interview. So, I decided to walk away the possible opportunity.  I was sad and just sad! I can't tell you that actual feeling for being down, but I keep my chin up and believe for the future opportunity that awaits for me. I always thought a good night sleep would ease out the black holes, but I actually really need a down time; alone and reflect, I though I could just laugh out and be alright the next day, but it was not as easy as I hope this time. And yes! I am all better now! I ate ice cream! A big bowl of chocolate and raspberry flavor and they tasted weird together, but all that sugar just maybe what I needed (laugh)! I am in hope to drive myself the meaning and purpose from what I do everyday. Concisely knowing myself and how could I be better. It is not easy, but it gets easy as I see it and admit it!

Now, I will be looking again and the waiting time is going to be the most challenging phrase. I am secretly happy that I'll be here, but also wondering when is the next opportunity. Maybe the time will tell.  In the meantime, I'll be crafting and keep on writing and will you be here? I hope so!

xxc

A simple tutorial- About Hand Applique

Hello! Happy Fall! You all know Fall is my favorite season at all time! Cool temperature, warmer lighting, sip tea (any time of the day) and best to that is I am knitting like a mad lady lately! ( Maybe that would be another post). Finally I get around to write this simple hand appliqué tutorial for you. I simply like to share what I use for the process and all the tips that I received from other master hand appliqué sewers. 

So, here we go...

Here are some basic tools that I've used and felt they are a good investment for Hand Appliqué. 

Freezer Paper: You can find Freezer paper in most of grocery store. It comes in a long box. One side  

 of the Freeze paper is coating glossy and the other side is paper finish. You'll draw on the paper finished side and adhere the glossy (plastic coating) side to the cloth with a hot dry iron. 

Gutermann 100% Polyester Thread: I love how fine the thread is and very sturdy! But you can use 

most type of fine thread for the hand appliqué purpose. I would avoid 100% cotton thread as I found it doesn't give clean stitch look on the appliqué pieces. 

Crystal clear Ball pins: This is the best type of pins that I found and love it. It comes with two sizes. 

These are fine, sharp and so easy to pin through layers of fabrics. 

Applique Pins 3/4" steel: These pins are pretty thick, but short. The appliqué pin doesn't catch the hand sewing thread easily because it is short. I use maybe 3-4 pins through out the entire applique pieces. 

Hera Marker Slim: This is a great investment for any type of sewing. The slim Hera Marker

comes with a sharpie point side that allows you to "tuck" the seams in and the opposite side's top comes in a small angle that can make marks on cloth easily. 

Pen : More like mechanical pen.  It allows to draw on the cloth easy and gets clear and accurate lines. 

Appliqué Sharp Needles: Get a pack of these needles! They are probably by far the best hand              

sewing  needles that I've been using for years to come. I love the length and the thickness of the needles! But if you have some sewing needles around you can just use what you love! 

Water Soluble Ink Pen: When you draw on cloth you want to make sure that you'll get to your project within a week or two or some of the drawing lines will fade away due the the moisture in  

the air. 

Scissors:  A small pair of scissors that's sharp and allows to cut clean edges. 

Trash Bowl:  I have a few of these trash bowls on the table. When work on hand appliqué there will  some small cuts to make and thread to clip. I keep them in the bowl then clean after finish. 

Step 1: It is important to scale the pattern to the desire sizes. If you are a beginner, I recommend to scale appliqué pattern to a large percentage, so you can get some good practice before small scales, so you don't feel discourage!

I like to talk about this LED light Pad! I love it here! When my old-time light box didn't work as I hoped, I began to search for a Light Box, so I can have it around and even though about to build one. But I came cross this LED light pad last year when I was working on an illustration project. It does most of the tracing trick for me, even on fabric! This is really a personal preference for investing a new tool. I've shared with S for her drawing, so it is a good investment for us!

How this work? It doesn't have a plug! You'll insert USB core into a computer (where USB is at) or a power bank. Simply touch the turn on button on the left and the light will come up. Make sure stay in a darker environment for better image showing.  It is pretty thin and light weight, too!

Step 2: Place the appliqué pattern to the light pad ( I used a small piece of washi tape to held the pattern in place). Lay a piece a Freezer paper ( Big enough for the pattern) on top of the appliqué pattern. Use a pen to trace images. You'll want make sure you do a good job in tracing the pattern because these are becoming appliqué templates for each piece. 

Finish Tracing Pattern on Freezer Paper

Step 3: Keep the appliqué pattern on top of light pad. Place the appliqué background cloth on top of the pattern. Use water soluble ink pen to trace images onto the cloth.  

 Step 4: Now you shall have traced the pattern onto cloth and freezer paper.

Step 5: This is an important step before starting hand appliqué pieces. I always study the pattern before I start; making indications of first, second, third. What does that mean? You ask? Appliqué is a like cut and paste process to a project. Only here, we use cloth instead of paper, we use thread instead of glue. So when you are layering your pieces down you want to know which one goes first  then second then third.

Clover mini Iron: This is another really cool tool that I like to share with you. I have had this mini iron about 7 years now! But I rarely use it the first couple of years because it is somewhat dangerous around small children.

How this mini iron works? The mini iron comes with an attached plug and a little turn just below the metal part to turn the iron on. It takes 3-5 minutes to heat up the top. However, thhe whole top that made from metal is "HOT". I have burn myself a few time because had it sat so close when I work. The little rest stand gets hot as the metal top is rest on that. So, be so careful after you unplug it. Let is sat a good 10 minutes before putting it away.

I have to say this is a pretty amazing tool when it comes working with appliqué pieces, but I always ask to be leave alone when I am using it.

Step 6: How I like to start the appliqué pieces. I always like to start with image that takes maybe two or three pieces to make into one appliqué image.  The small tulip comes with three small pieces, so it is ideal for a start.  Cut the individual freezer paper pieces out.

Step 7: Adhere the freezer paper piece to the RIGHT side of the cloth that you have planned. 

 Step 8: Repeat for other two pieces.

 Step 9: Single thread the appliqué sharp needle. Make a small knot at the end.

Step 10: This step might be slightly differ than others. I didn't like working with a freezer paper on top of the cloth, so I gently trace around the template with mechanical pen. So that leave the template shape on the cloth.

Step 11:  Place the appliqué piece on to the background cloth. On the Step 3, you've spent some time to trace the pattern onto the background cloth. This would allow you to place the appliqué piece to the correct place. ( A like drawing with black pen, now you are filling in with colors, but this time with cloth).  Use a small crystal pin to stab on the points of appliqué piece and background cloth, so they are match in place.

 Step 12: Insert the appliqué sharp needle behind the small appliqué piece. You can start anywhere, but I like to start from edge point.

 Step 13:  Gently use the needle point or finger to fold the line that you have mark from Step 10 

Step14: Start stitching.  Run the needle down through both layers of fabric. Then catch the thread from the preceding stitch under the tip of the needle. You'll follow along the drawn line and finish up the piece; gently pull the thread tight and repeat for all the pieces.

Step 15: Since there is a third piece that will cover on both side pieces. I left the edge close to center unstitch.

 Step 16: When finish, double knit the end.

 Step 17: Repeat step 10-16

 Step 18: Now when two pieces have down. It should look like this.

 Step 19: Add on the third appliqué piece to close up the unstitched edges.

 Repeat for all tulips appliqué pieces.

Step 20: When it comes with curvy appliqué piece.  You'll find a single traced freezer paper is not thick enough to make the curves show during ironing process. You can adhere two pieces freezer paper together before cut out the image or even layer three pieces freezer paper together, so it creates a "thicker" template.

 Step 21: Do the same for the center small circles

 Step 22: Place the freezer paper template on the WRONG side of the cloth with hot/warm iron.

Step 23: Cut 1/4" seam allowance around the cloth that adhered with freezer paper template. Gently make small cuts around the curves, but not too close to the template.

Step 24: Use tip of the mini iron and gently iron on the angles of the templates. It will take a few  ironing times. When you iron the appliqué cloth, use your finger as aid to fold down the edges down as well.

 Step 25: The appliqué piece should have some nice curves after good ironing.

Step 26: Making small circles. It is very similar to how make a small yo-yo, but only with a small piece of freezer paper inside. Make running stitches around the seam allowances (seam allowance need to be less than 1/4"}

 Step 27:  Gently iron the circles then really carefully pull the paper out.

Step 28: For curvy applique piece, I've always over done with using pins. I try to match up the appliqué piece and the background lines together.  I always use extra pins then take out pins as I work on. 

Insert the appliqué sharp needle behind the appliqué cloth ( Step 13) then start small hand stitches around the piece. Use appliqué needle points to tuck in any seam allowance that come out and use the needle point to shape the appliqué piece as you go along the process. 

Step 29:  Place the small circle on top of the finish curvy appliqué piece. Gently stitch along with circles.

Now, I'll continue to work on the piece and writing a second post on flower stems appliqué and show you more of this process along! Then a finish touch of how to frame the work. So stay turn for future post on hand appliqué.  I do believe that hand appliqué is truly something more about hands and stitches making. I used to not hide out all the hand stitch threads, but now I do have more application of seeing some small thread showing and that is part of the reason I use red thread, a more promising process to myself.

Enjoy

xxc

SaveSave