Let's sew applique on your bag !

This is my way of sewing appliqué to my bag projects, without the use of freezing paper.  I am demonstrating appliqué sewing using my new Little House Round wallet Sewing Pattern (available now in my Etsy or Craftsy shop).  Hoping it would assist anyone who love appliqué sewing in their future works.  Have fun !  (^o^)v

1. Cut out the appliqué and outline the design as shown in photo below.

You will get the result below.  Sew according to the sequence provided by the sewing pattern.

(Tip : Do not cut out the bag body main fabric at this stage; normally the main fabric will shrink after sewing up the appliqué, I would suggest you to complete sewing up all the appliqués, then use the bag body pattern to re-measure main fabric and cut it at that stage)

2. Sewing the clouds (1) & (2)

Cut out the cloud patterns; transfer cloud (1) to its fabric.

At the same time, draw a ¼” seam allowance (red line). Cut out the cloud based on the seam allowance. 

(Tips :  for any appliqué pattern that is round in shape, always cut the fabric on the bias (photo below))

Note that I also give a little seam allowance (yellow line below) for me to sew Cloud (2) later.

Make small cuts at the curved in area of the cloud (photo below).

Pin cloud (1) onto the outline of main fabric.

  Use the needle to “scrapping” the seam allowance inward according to the outline then press it using your thumb.  Start sewing the cloud onto the main fabric (photo below).  Continue this process to complete the appliqué.

3. Sewing the chimney and trees.

If you have problem sewing mini item like the chimney, you can always embroider it.  Using Step (2), sew the trees onto the main fabrics.

4. To Sew the little house

Transfer one of the little houses pattern onto the appliqué fabric, remember to also draw the ¼” seam allowance (it doesn’t need to be perfect, highlighted below)

Using the same house pattern, outline as shown in photo below.

Using the same house pattern, outline as shown in photo below.

Pin and sew the appliqué fabric as shown below.

5. Sewing the roof top, Pattern (10)

Transfer roof top pattern onto its fabric, remember to include the seam allowance.  Cut out the fabric.  Make a few small cuts as highlighted in blue lines below. 

Pin and sew the fabric onto the outlined roof top (photo below).

6. Sewing the land

Transfer the land pattern to the main fabric and the appliqué piece( highlighted in photo below). 

Sew the land to get to the result below.  

Using embroidery thread, sew the smoke using running stitch.  

Re-measure the main fabric with the bag body pattern, cut out the main body fabric. (photo below).

The appliqué session for this sewing pattern is completed. Set aside. You are ready to start the bag making steps next. ^v^

A little winter tale ...

I have been longing too much to make this idea into reality since 2 years ago… but I always can’t find time to start it.  Is it an excuse ?  I wonder .. :p

Few weeks ago, I have decided the shape of bag I wanted for this project and started to draft it out (at last !! ^v^).  At least there is a little progress to this project.  I take it pretty slow to slowly sew my heart out for the appliqués of the houses.  Yes, it’s made from the heart.  I just want to make sure these houses really make one feels so heartwarming when they see it. 

Here is the front view.

I have been thinking, what should I add to the back of this bag project ? A cute little bus reaching the home ?  snow man ? some beautiful writings ?  Finally I decided to use a snowing view, I simply love it.

Hmmm … to my surprise, I am actually working pretty fast when I decided to take it slow. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/StoryQuilt?section_id=11661173&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1

Rest is required now.   Am having some icy cold orange juice to refresh ... I just need it.

Belle Moi (Beautiful me) Appliqued piggy pouch.

Belle Moi in French simply means beautiful me. 

I have been looking for the simplest word to express one self.  We are all beautiful creature of God.  Agree ?

This pouch was started from an exciting heart of little piggy, dressing up nicely, waiting for good thing to come.  You know, if you feel happy every day, you will be surprised good things actually come towards you, and you can’t stop it.

After making this appliqué, I tried to look for the simplest way to express little piggy’s feeling.  Yes !  Beautiful me !  It’s so simple and yet so powerful.  It can simply motivate you to be more confident and happier.  That’s it !  Am sewing it up ! 

Voila!!  It’s magic, looking at how this wonderful embroidery feels my heart now.  I am so happy for the result. 

If you are interested to purchase this pattern, please feel free to email me at 
StoryQuilter@gmail.com

or visit my Etsy shop at the link below. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/storyquilt

 Remember, good things will come your way.  Stay happy, stay beautiful, always …. Cheers !

My second wedding ring cushion is finally completed !!

This request was made since last year.  Since Oct last year, I have been collecting information to design my second wedding ring cushion.  At first I thought I want to use the normal applique to make this wedding ring cushion but something just keep stopping me from starting this project. It is not unique at all.

Was making this sketching at my hometown, and this was how this project has a starting point.

  

Back to KL, I started to draw my sketch drawing out. Since then, I have been testing many ways to present this drawing, from felt to applique, but all these techniques were not able to present the layers of peonies.  All the hardworks were down the drain ..... (*sob sob sob*)

beginning April 2015 Finally I thought of a way to present the flowers in my drawing.  These petals were not ready made, instead, they were handmade by me, piece by piece.  I designed the shape and cut out the fabrics, then burn and melt each piece of the petal.  They were then stitched up to make beautiful peonies.

 After sourcing the right background fabric, it's time to transfer the pattern onto the fabric.

Little petals were slowly stitched up to make beautiful peonies.  I felt like I am a florist when trying to arrange the ribbon, flowers and leaves.  To be frank, a lot of attention was required to attend to the arrangement.  The ribbon was hand stitched and each leave was sewn up onto the fabric.

Finally, this was completed last week. I am just so happy with the result, the flowers look so real and I really love the color combination too (it was my biggest concern because I want the colors to be bright and sophisticated)

Finally this was completed few days ago.  My elegant and couture wedding ring cushion, Thank GOD !!!  ^_________^

Hmm… I choose the pencil like embroidery thread instead of heavy color.

And 2 joyful lover birds at the top of the wreath.  They look so happy, like the couple-to-be ^v^ 

I added a pair of tassel to the cushion, tassels actually made an elegant cushion looks more elegant than ever.  I am sure the Christina will surely be so happy to see this.   Am so excited to send this to her soon ^v^

Congratulations in advance to Desmond & Christina ^v^

Work in Progress ! Wedding Ring cushion for Desmond and his lovely wife ^v^

I did a wedding ring cushion project using Baltimore quilt concept few years ago. 

http://storyquilt.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-baltimore-style-wedding-ring-cushion.html

Last year, I received a special request from a special couple.  I have been collecting information and fabrics for this project.  After going through so many ideas, I finally decided to make something my own way, it is going to be different than the earlier wedding ring cushion project.  I am sure the result is going to be awesome.  Right now I am having fun just to make the fabric flowers ^v^.  I am so thrill to see the result. 

Here is my work in progress …...

Sunbonnet Sue Bucket Applique Handbag PDF pattern available now !

It is December now, rainy season in Malaysia.  Rainy day is always romantic and don’t know why tropical rain always give me such warmful feeling.  This bag project theme was derived from rainy season.

Finally, it is completed. 

 Below is the back side of the bag

 The interior, I love to use different fabrics for the interior of my bag, it really add more character and personnel touch to a handmade bag.  The interior has a big pocket to put handy goodies like my subway card or keys.

 I can also add a clip on leather handles to turn this bag into a shoulder bag too.  Now it's a tote bag !  ^v^

If you are interested to purchase this pattern, please feel free to email me at 

StoryQuilter@gmail.com

or visit my Etsy shop at the link below. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/storyquilt

I hope you will like this work of mine too ^v^

Sunbonnet Sue Round basket bag pattern in my Etsy !

19/11/2014, started working from early in the morning 

Finally, I managed to pull myself back to the working mood again, my heart was still with Paris last week. 

Ok, I finally appliqué the other side of my new project.  It’s a cozy house with heartwarming trees.  I am not going to appliqué the front road or the field this time, I think I want to embroider a little details here.  Am still trying to think hard for the embroidery details I want to present the field.  Will see  !

20/11/2014, Shopping day !!!

I just want to stop from work, if not, i am afraid I may become anti-social lady soon, i am just too addicted to working.  My husband encouraged me to go shopping to relax myself, yeah, I guess he reminded me that I haven't been doing any shopping for so long. So am sneaking out for some shopping.

I love Kinokuniya bookstore, sometimes I can just stand there and reading the books for many hours.  There are just too many books to read !  Am adding up these 3 books for my library collection.  I think I have more books than clothes compared to other ladies.  Is it normal ?? 

21/11/2014, Done with my quilting !

Finally, all the quilting details are added to my project.  Hmmm... it's just so romantic !  Time to bind them together 

  < ---- excited, excited !!