New craft to play with!! Wooden beads necklaces! :D

I am still playing with my sewing machine but have also found another new craft to play with.

WOODEN BEADS NECKLACES! 


20/7/13 UPDATE EDIT: I have found that Jo Sonja's Polyurethane Gloss Varnish works the BEST without the paint coming off the wooden beads and the gloss stays on when you rub really hard on it. Unlike the Helmar Acrylic Sealer gloss that turns matte-ish when I rub really hard (even after a few days of curing). The Krylon varnishes (satin and gloss) sprays are absolutely useless even if I applied a few coats. The colours rub off on each other.

I have always loved chunky jewellery but didn't really get into it until I bought a nice chunky acrylic beads necklace a few weeks ago... then I thought, I should make my own!! Had to finally decide on wooden beads so I can customise my own colours rather than go with the acrylic coloured beads, although they are super cute!!

I used a few coats of acrylic paint and then varnished them with acrylic sealer. Some tutorials suggested that just the acrylic paint will do but sorry I don't think that's enough! The acrylic sealer protects the acrylic paints from rubbing against the other painted beads and lasts longer, if that makes sense... I tested a necklace I made with just the acrylic paint on.. doesn't work too well for me! :( So I "acrylic sealed" the wooden beads, they look and feel so much better without the chalky/raspy feel of the dried acrylic paint. Also there's no fear when the beads get wet (from the rain!) without a bit of the colour coming off! The acrylic sealer makes the coloured wooden beads look like lollies! :D

**Tested with the Krylon Satin and Krylon Matte varnish spray (both are toxic fumes until the varnish is fully dry..!?), the acrylic paints still rub off each other even if the beads were sprayed with 2-3 varnish coatings. The only way it works for me is to paint the acrylic sealer with a brush! More work but more satisfying to know that the colours won't rub off on each other! Plus the acrylic sealer is acid free and non-toxic.**

The necklaces are stringed with either hemp or waxed cotton cord and finished with button closure.

I call this AUTUMN necklace that I made for my friend/colleague who loves autumn colours!

Hand painted individually (except the dark brown and light wood colour: dyed) with several coats of acrylic paint and varnished, double stringed with brown cotton cord and finished with button closure (sorry, didn't take a photo of it!!)

I made this one for another friend/colleague who loves red and green. My initial thought was to alternate the colours but thought that would be too "Christmasy". So I painted red colour on 8 beads and 3 different shades of green on 3 beads. 

Hand painted beads with several coats of acrylic paint, varnished and double stringed with black hemp, then finished off with button closure.. (Sorry again! No photo of that...)

 Please excuse my doggie's ear photobomb. He loves to hover when I take pictures!

Anyway, thank you for looking at my blog! I truly appreciate it even if you came here by accident... :)

Tote bag with front flap

So I tried to make a tutorial for this tote bag. It is so difficult to take photos of every step!!! I have missed a few steps, pic-wise because I got quite impatient and wanted to finish it as soon as I can.
2 external pockets
2 internal pockets
Front flap
Velcro sides (to make the bag look boxy)
Top Length: 14"
Bottom Length: 10"
Height: 8.75"
Width: 4" 

Here are the results, please excuse the toilet paper rolls!:

Below 2 pics, I added velcro to the top sides so it makes the bag look boxy (which I much prefer after taking it out for a spin today!)

 

All 4 pockets look like that. Unfortunately that is a bad call for this back pocket because it just open up too much when I hold the bag by the handles.... It's ok. Lesson learned!!

Cute little reversible lunch tote!

My colleague requested for a little lunch tote and gave me some rough measurements of what she wants it like + selecting the fabrics to go together so here's the result!

Approx. measurements: 10" x 8" x 4"
1 pocket (shown in 2nd picture)

 

I learned how to make the internal pocket via sewhappygeek.co.uk! Here's the link: http://sewhappygeek.co.uk/index.php/2011/10/27/guest-tutorial-katys-pocketed-cosmetic-bag/

It is SO MUCH EASIER for me to sew that than sewing a piece of fabric onto the bag to make the pocket for these sort of bags/totes.

Enjoy!! When I am better at sewing, I will start making tutorials!! :D

Cosmetic zipped pouch with lining

So I tried my hand at making a cosmetic zipped pouch with lining. I am so bad at it!!! Zips are not my forte, me thinks!

It came out ok but the lining at the end of both zips are... bad. :o( I used YouTube video tutorials but I just can't seem to make it as nice... If anyone out there could give me some tips, that would be great!!

Here are the links to the video tutorials that I took sewing tips from and tried to follow:
How to: Boxy Cosmetic Bag: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A55wjGmOXtE
Zippered box pouch tutorial-How to install a zipper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BruF6Hk9NU

A4 Envelope Sized Flat Handbag (Satchel)!

Merry Christmas! Hope you're having an enjoyable time with your family and friends.

To BUSINESS!!

Please excuse the really bad quality of the photo!! 

The dark blue background level are pockets. The straps separate and make 3 pockets. Goes around the bag so that makes it 6 external pockets! 2 internal pockets. I LOVE POCKETS!! 

The bag is a big A4 sized envelope to hold documents and stuff.

This was initially made for my mum for Xmas but because it's not up to MY standards, I'm keeping it for myself and will make her a better bag! 

Enjoy and be safe!

Reversible messenger bag!

Here's my 2nd project that I stayed up till 3.30am to finish on Sunday morning!

It's a reversible messenger bag for my work's Kris Kringle. Hope she likes it!

I can provide the measurements but I didn't take photos of the process of making it. I took photos of the finished product tho! :D I adapted the pattern from No time to sew: Messenger Bag Tutorial and simplified it for myself.

2 sets (Coordinating fabric - For the main body and lining):

• 2 of 15" x 10.5" (Main)
• 1 of 12" x 10" (Flap)
• 2 of 7.5" x 10" (Lined pocket)
• 1 of 44"-45" (Strap)

Inbetween the main and lining, I used quilt batting to 'soften' the bag instead of fusible interfacing. I thought I'd just give the quilt batting idea a try because I've never sewn with quilt batting before:

• 2 of 15" x 10.5" (Body)
• 1 of 12" x 10" (Flap)

I ended up forgetting to sew one of the pockets to the main/outside fabric. I finished sewing up the main side before attaching the pocket. So I sew the 7.5" x 10" pocket and split into 2 pockets in the middle, to the inside lining. Also personal choice with the number of pockets and where to put them!

The finished messenger bag measurements: 

• Flap: 11" x 9"
• Bag: 14.5" x 8" x 3.5"
• Strap: 1 3/4" x 44"

Enjoy!! :o)

Janome 2160DC and my first project!!

I am a proud mummy to my birthday/early Xmas present, a Janome 2160DC  sewing machine! The first thing I felt was scared. Absolutely SCARED!!! I'm scared of needles, sewing needles and pins... but not injection needles when I get my vaccination jabs?? Weird!

The Janome 2160DC is a sweet little sewing machine introduced to me by Denice, who works at Liz's Sewing Centre at Boronia. Lovely, lovely lady! She sat me down (with my husband staring into space! haha) and taught me briefly how to use the sewing machine. I was intrigued! I've always wanted a sewing machine but that thought never eventuated until this year! HAH!

For the first time in my life, I know how to thread the sewing machine and the bobbin. It was a big achievement for me!! It was so much fun!! Then I started playing around with the machine, tested different stitches and different foot. Still a bit lost with the button holes but I'll learn somehow! Just be aware that the Janome 2160DC has a mind of its own when you go past almost 3/4 of the sewing speed.

I won't go into the whole spiel about the Janome 2160DC since that info can be found at the Janome website.

Today... Or yesterday rather, I decided to make a bag. I followed the instructions that Debbie Shore shared on YouTube. She is awesome!!! It took me much longer to make the bag because I sewed 2 pieces together a few times on the wrong sides so I had to unpick them. After some unlady-like swearing, I finally unpicked the pieces and got on with the sewing. After 1am, I finally got the result that I wanted!! VOILA!

I might try to make a bigger sized handbag with a zip! Goodie goodie!! Add some interfacing as well so the bag will be stronger to stand on its own.

If you're looking for a beginner's sewing machine, I'd highly, highly, highly and absolutely recommend the Janome 2160DC.

Enjoy!!! :D