Journal de Paris

This has a very zakka feel to it. I like its simple and retro look, made out of Japanese cotton/linen. Lots of pockets inside (4 plus 2 pen slips). I wasn't sure what to make of this when I bought it 'cos the Journal de Paris print is rather wide, too wide/narrow for a clutch. I decided to add a bit more colour and expand the width so that this is a wraparound print. 'Twas a bit troublesome to switch between oatmeal and red thread to top-stitch but I'm glad I went through that effort :-)

Have a blessed day!

Hmm, is this it?

Once in a while I get rather precise requirements for a customized item. Choosing the exterior fabric's fine with me, even the lining too. The design is fine with me too, provided I can make it. It's the dimensions that I have a concern with. Thing is, I sew on a wing and prayer. If you've been reading my blog, you'd have realized that I only have two templates for the stuff I sew. Two cardboard templates that I use to trace out the fabric before cutting. All others are by mathematical calculations and estimations. I do thank God that I have very understanding customers!

So, what I'm trying to disclaim is this. While I'll try hard to achieve what you desire, I'd err on the side of caution and make it a bit larger. There are dependencies on the materials, sometimes, that some fabrics have more 'give' than others or extra padding/interfacing is needed etc. 

This was a drawstring tote for a customer's instamax camera. This camera's all the rage now with it's Polaroid-like features. I hope it fits 'cos I tried to follow the dimensions requested for. I don't know 'cos I don't have an instamax camera and anyway, I've already mailed this out. Dear customer, maybe you can send me a pic and I can put it in the gallery? *grin*
Oh, I wonder if you've realised that it's reversible...LOL!

Have a blessed evening!

Blitz

Some days are productive days, some days are quieter. Some days just have accumulated stuff that I didn't take pics of and I just want to put them all in 1 post :-)

First up, these are 2 handbound notebooks. Made them for the fun of it 'cos I like the Mickey Musical Festival brochure. It's so colourful and cheerful that I saved it for this purpose rather than throw it into the paper recycling pile. The Citibank brochure was chosen 'cos it's the season for mooncakes and there is an accordion fold at the back of the book that will open up and show the myriad of mooncake deals. Both have paper from sustainable forests and are bound using the saddle stitch.  

 Two zipper pouches here. I still have a number to go. No complaints 'cos it's getting more fun as I sew. Now that DD's CA2 is over, she can help me with the pairing of lining and zips :-)
These 2 made from fabric from Korea, Japan and Australia. Fully lined with coordinating fabric and interfaced.

Yuwa fabric from Japan. Cute patterns printed in rectangles all over the fabric. Wonder if it'll look nice as zipper pouches? Oxford cotton exterior lined with calico. Fully lined and interfaced with panel of pockets inside, 5 in total of which 2 are for pens. A4 landscape orientation with chocolate brown heavyweight cotton webbing straps.
Have a blessed evening!

Going green

I like this linen fabric from Korea. Cheery detailed prints of circus animals in a row interlaced with pseudo-patchwork pieces in shades of green. I've not made a boxy pencil case for a while 'cos I'm picky about having concealed sewn edges and the method I'm using is tricky....but still, it was ok since I liked the print so much :-)

Even the interior is green, with polka dots :-) Super roomy to fit lots of stationery. What's with kids and large pencil cases these days? Aren't the books already so heavy?

Have a blessed evening!

Seeing the light of day

I put this pic up earlier on facebook asking if anyone recognised it. It's a pic of 4 panels meant for fully-lined pockets for 2 A4 totes. I used to make pockets unlined, as in fold down the top and sew it neat but I've come to prefer fully-lined pockets. The finish is much nicer and I think they are sturdier than their unlined cousins. Time to bring them out into the open than leave them inside?

Anyway, on to the A4 totes:

Two A4 portrait totes. Fully lined and interfaced with those panels above sewn as pockets. I didn't count how many there were, at least 8 big and small ones? Long cotton webbing for carrying over the shoulder. Made from Japanese cotton/linen blend and Korean cotton. Lining is calico.

Have a blessed day!

Big prints

I normally shy away from big floral prints but this Kono Sanae canvas was so pretty that I made a large tote out of it. Added a large patch pocket almost as big as one side and secured it with a chocolate metal snap. This large patch covers a smaller patch pocket so that it's more accessible without having to lower the strap to get at things. Another panel of pockets inside as usual. Fully lined with calico but not interfaced since it's canvas.

Have a blessed day!