Pattern Testing - Myra Shopping Tote

The past few months I've been collecting and learning about vinyl and leatherette. There are so many names and quality. I bought few online and also locally from furnishing shop. Some of them are quite expensive but really have a luxury feel about it. And when Namrata is releasing new pattern, I'm jumping at the chance to test the Myra Shopping Tote. 

The pattern is very easy and quick sew. As usual her instructions are very clear and straightforward. If you're concerned about printing too many pieces of pattern, worry now, cos she also provide measurements for rectangular and square pieces. I literally only need 3 pieces of paper to print. 

The size is perfect for a tote and you can choose either to make a sturdy one or a floppy one like mine here. I only added stabilizer at the bottom to give it a little shape. And look at how spacious it is. By the way, finally I am able to use the Palm tree print!! It's a mud cloth or we call it Daboo in India. I still have few yards in the Shop. 

If you're a beginner bag maker and want to upgrade your skill, go ahead and get the PDF pattern from this link : 

- ETSY

- WEBSITE 

Thank you for stopping by! 

Have a nice day,

- Elvira - 

Pattern Testing - Amara Tote Bag

Last week, I finished testing Namrata of Bagstock Design new pattern, Amara Tote & Handbag. 

The pattern has 2 sizes and I decided to make the Tote size. I have this pretty linen block print and this is just a perfect project for it. I used black ish denim as contrast. 

Block Print Linen

Making a big bag always makes me nervous. What if I cut it wrong and I don't have the fabric? And sure enough I cut the back panel wrong this time too!! Luckily I have more than enough fabric to cut another one. 

Amara bag is a breeze to make and Namrata's instruction is always clear with lots of pictures. The many pieces of pattern might be a little intimidating at first, but like a puzzle when everything starts fall into place, you'll feel joy of accomplishment!

I used tamil letters print fabric for the interior which I think matched perfectly. As the contrast I used denim instead of leather. There are plenty room for improvisation if you're a seasoned bag maker. 

The Tote size is very generous and it has plenty interior pockets and one big exterior pockets. The size is perfect for office bag, travel tote or even as diapers bag. 

Amara Tote and Handbag features:
An exterior zipper pocket
Two interior slip pockets
Two interior side slip pockets
Two pen slip pockets inside
An interior zipper pocket
A zip top closure to keep the bag's contents secure

You can get the pattern in Bagstock Designs Website or Etsy. 

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy Sewing

~ Elvira~

Linky Party:
From Bolt to Beauty

Hello April!!

April is here. 

March was quite productive month for me, tho I didn't really blog it but yes I had quite few finishes. Mostly I share in Instagram or my Facebook Page. it is more practical but I find blog is better. Because in blog I can tell the stories and I can always come back here to read it and having a good laugh over it. Well, at least I do. 

Yesterday, I finished another Super Tote for a friend. I promised her the bag few months ago after I finished making this Tote. She wanted bag where she can tote around her laptop. And this one is just perfect

I made with one big pocket with elastic. 

I made with fully interfaced on both exterior and interior and added a thicker needle punched felt kind of material. Some kind of dense fleece to make it sturdy. 

I still using grey jute as my previous Bag but this one is a bit smaller and sturdier.

  

don't you love that ikat print? I so wanna make more with the other colors. But that have to wait,I still have few pending Passport Wallets to make

ChezVies

This bag will go all the way to Indonesia to meet its new owner. 

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And as I was roaming around in the garden to take the bag photos, my younger one  happily posed for me. His t-shirt matched the bag!! Green and blue :D

and a pic of my MIL's hanging pots. 

I so love my Canon 50mm f1.8 STM. The bokeh is perfect, esp for novice like me, this lens seems like my saviour. 

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Bags and Wallets

I finished few pouches,bag and wallet the past 2 weeks but didn't get around to blog it. 

First was this Gatherer Crossbody bag from Noodlehead  and wallet from my own pattern. I love  patterns. It's so easy to follow with clear step by step instruction. This is my second bag from Noodlehead

I used Indian linen for the solid and Japanese cotton featuring Sunbonnet Sue {my fave print!} .

I change the closure with this cute flap to match the wallet. 

Now, I need to stock more on that closure. I wish I could get all these cute hardwares supplies in India. 

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The first Noodlehead Bag I made was this Super Tote I made last December. This fastly become my "go" bag. It's roomy and since I like to carry so many things, this bag is perfect size. 

Finally I found a perfect pattern for my ikat fabric. 

the grey fabric is burlap or jute fabric. It's so gorgeous!!

I love ikat, be it handwoven or printed. It's just so pretty.

I even made a matching NCW clutch  from Emmaline Bags.

My bestie, Namrata of Bagstock  encouraged and helped me a lot while making this. She even sent me the rivets since my machine struggle a bit while sewing thick layers. 

And I love how it turned out !!

This one I gifted to my DH's niece. 

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All the bags and wallets are available for purchase in my ETSY shop

I know I'll be making more of these.

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Handmade Friends

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do

What's more satisfying than receiving handmade stuff made by your friends around the world? I'm the happiest person when I receive  a handmade gift, whether its a birthday present or a swap. And recently I received two of them.

Agnes from Smurfing Time has given these beautiful handmade stuffs on my birthday. Well, she really didn't tell me what she's been up to, regarding we chat or talk over the phone almost everyday. It came as a happy surprise to me..:). The tote bag came with a lil coin pouch which is too cute!!. I love the way she did the patchwork and hand quilting the bag. 

She used handwoven cotton for the black an white one. I remember we bought the fabric together in a madness of beautiful handwoven cotton fabric shop, Nalli, in Mumbai's Oberoi Mall..well, I certainly happy cos I didn't buy  this particular fabric (which I should have, actually -_-)

 and she made me this pretty wall hanging, which now beautifully gracing my wall :)

And the second one, I received this pretty Zipper Tote Bag  made by Enno from Hayano Handmade as our Friendly Swap . I simply love it. It such a pretty colour and the tote has pleats on it!!. The fabric is cute and it's soft. I love the polkadots lining too..it makes the tote more cheerful. and the zipper will surely make my stuff safely tucked inside :)

don't you just love the ms. foxy fabric??

The dotty inside

New favorite tote

Now I have 2 favourite totes to carry around and no more paying plastic carry bag when I visited the mall.

Thanks a lot girls...

Until then

Patchwork Bag and more

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Today I was cleaning my craft boxes where I keep my fabric etc. I don’t have craft room as yet, so everything is kept in boxes. I found one unfinished project. I did the mirror embroidery few months ago and I wanted to make a pouch out of it. The fabric is handwoven Indian cotton. I used one cheery yellow fabric left over from one yellow dress I made. And I’m happy with the result.



One more thing I started using is flannel. I have this flannel lying around, left over from the time when I used to make baby wrap for my younger son. It turns out quite a good substitute for batting. Since batting is not available here where I live, I usually used thin foam instead. But you know for certain projects foam is just out of the question. So I was experimenting with flannel, and it’s  very GREAT. I got the softness and sturdiness at the same time.
I used the flannel for the patchwork bag too. I use cotton khadi for the base, which is quite thick and sturdy. I add cute ribbon to give more accent…what do you think?



Yes, this is my second boxy pouch. I simply love making it. It’s perfect to hold your jewelry, watch, brooches, coins even your basic make up i.e compact powder & lipstick….yay to that!


Thanks for stopping by…^_^