All about denim

Denim jeans fabric seems to be able to withstand the wear and tear longer compared to other cotton fabric.  Apart from its unique style and designs, it can really helps to give a certain amount of protection to the wearer.

So, here I  made water bottle pouch and an IPad cover.  Actually, for the IPad cover, the real reason is that I cannot find its cover in the market (because it IPad 1 is obsolete).  Despite it is a five-years-ago gadget, it is still in order and I still can use it for my work.  So, I have decided to make one cool denim cover for it.  Here it is:

Oh please ignore the caption Moscow in the picture, it has nothing to do with my work..;P

Totes and more

I have been making totes, bags and pouches using cute zakka style fabric, inspired by the many designs in the market. Over the span of 5 months, I managed to make a number of them.  Here are the designs:

Oh...please ignore the caption in the picture that states Maryland USA...I have forgotten to edit them:-P

Please ignore the caption 'Budapest Hungary', again, I have overlooked this when editing the photos.  

I have lost my groove on sewing bags lately (since September 2016 till now )....need to pick it up again.  Maybe I should make this coming Christmas as my motivation.

Ballerina shoe stationery case

I have been struggling to make these lovely ballerina shoe stationery case.   I came across these cases in my sewing totes and bags facebook group and I am really inspired by the design.  However, I am not able to access the original pattern and had to depend on my own imagination to make one.  After improvising a few times, it turned out better but still finding out the best way and design to make them.  I need to practice more.

I have gladly given all of them to my colleagues and friends as gifts.  I hope they will like it.  Maybe I should do more for the coming Christmas.:-)

The All- in -One wallet

I was so excited to be able to find the pattern for a zip around wallet which also has a compartment for phone.  I purchased the pattern and tutorial from Sasithorn Rungrueng and started the project after Chinese New Year.  I managed to complete it within 2 weeks.

Here are  some of my reflections:

The most exciting moment:  When choosing and matching the fabric and also the accessries

The easiest part:  When doing the outer body

The most dreaded part:  The inner compartments, partitions and accordian

The most undo and redo part:  Joining the zipper with the body

The most time consuming part:  Joining the zipper with the body by ladder stitch

The most regrettable part:  Using the wrong stabilizer and batting for the body ended up with a wallet that is a bit too soft

The most anticipated part:  Waiting for the online purchased leather snap button to arrive 

The most awesome part:  To snap and share the pictures and also writing this blog!!

From rags to bags

Last year, a friend of mine approached me to make a denim bag with rugged feminine style.  A bag that highlight the pocket and belt loops details and allows the freedom for her to decorate and express her style.  By the way,she is an artistic person who teaches visual arts in school.  I felt a bit intimidated by her expectation because of my own limitation.  I know it will be difficult of sew denim fabric with my sewing machine and with all the details. 

So I ended by suggesting to  her to convert old jeans into bags.  She was excited by the idea and brought her 3 worn out jeans for me to work on.  I was also very excited to get started as this is something new to me.   I started to google and look into a few you tube videos.  I find the video by Izzy MEIMsaab from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0O15z01TE is very helpful.  It is a two parts  step by step video on how to convert a pair of jeans into bag and line it.

I managed to convert 2 pairs of her jeans ( I forgotten to take pictures of the jeans before I cut them).  She wants the embroidered designs as well as the pockets  to be part of the bags.  So the measurements of the bags is totally dependent of the embroidery and the pockets of both jeans.  

 This is the first bag.  Not much is done as it is decorated by embroidery, with pockets and belt loops.  I used magnetic snap button for the bag closure

The second bag is a bit challenging.  It does not have belt loops, the pocket is oversized and the embroidery is scattered.  The bag looks empty without much details.  I decided to put two bronze buttons for the rugged look.  As for the rest of it I got to discuss the decoration with my friend over phone, snapping photos and comparing on which is the best design.  I placed different types of lace  as well as charms in chain and she decides based on her preference .

Finally she made up her mind and we come out with the final design!  The absence of belt loops makes it possible for me to sew the zipper as the closure.

I am very glad that she likes both of them.  The 3rd pair of jeans is still untouched.  I am waiting for the right moment and mood to start.

2015 bags throwback

1.  Waterproof bag

A.  My kitty tote - gift to a friend

B.  Teddy bear bag - additional school bag for my daughter

2.  Cotton fabric

A  and B

C

 D
  

3.  Zakka style linen

A.

 B

 

Denim backpack

This is my first attempt in making a back  pack and it took almost 6 months to complete.  This is not only due to the difficulty but my own time  constraint. 

This japanese patchwork pattern of the three teddies and the bag pattern is from Akemi Shibata and I used denim cotton as the main fabric.  

It is now officially belongs to my daughter. A long awaited backpack.

2015 Denim Bags Throwback

1.  Lunch bag

Custom made order for a friend

2.  Tote for the stationery

Custom made order for fellow colleague teachers

A.

B.

C.

 3.  Denim bags for the young at heart

A.                                                                              B.

  

C.

4.  Denim tote with charm

A

 

B

5.  Large denim bag

A.

B.