Preparing DIY face mask templates for download

 

This will be my first time drawing template by using Adobe Illustration, watching YouTube videos to learn how to operate AI step by step, pick up simple commands and techniques, there were times quite frustrating especially left control panels. Thank God that managed to overcome it. 

In the post of  DIY Fabric Face Mask Sewing Tutorial

Initially uploaded a picture of hand drawn template which I used these designs to sew masks as Christmas presents. 

It was my desire to learn A.I long ago, now that I found the very purpose to start it!

05 template only three sizes without title

Title and XS size are added in 

This is 06 templates, now have tried another two more. Indeed I need to try to sew face mask by using these templates. As I have done some adjustment on curve designs if you compare the drawn template and new template.

Templates cut out from version.06 

08 template was Improved by added in more informations for preparations. 

At last, I need to stock up more fabrics and lining to sew mask by using these new designs! Will update  DIY Fabric Face Mask Sewing Tutorial along the way if I make amendments. 

Gold Leather

The bag that I am using is going to wear off at anytime, trying to browse through Taobao for some new bag, I had a glimpse of leather bags, some of them were rather simple design, this reminds of I have a piece of gold leather that given by my brother, which I stored for quite some years, haven’t had chance to make bags from it! 

Perhaps now is the good time! 

Took it out, roll it flat, it is fascinating, beautiful piece of leather. 

Checking through the size, and I can make three sling bags out from it. 


There were some moldy patches on the surface. 

Using roller cutter to cut out pieces. Start making the simplest design. 

That isn’t easy at all. One of the reason is That I have not been sewing bags since three years 6 years ago. 

It took me quite sometimes to make things done. Still ... some skipping threads when sewing D rings ear strap due to thick layers of leather. In some point I just use hand stitch to finish it. 

Lovely charm that gives a sweet eye-catching spot to this bag. 

#SewingOctopus #Leatherslingbag #slingbag #handmadebag 

Fabric Tulips tutorial

Handmade Simple Fabric Tulips Tutorial for - Tulips keychain 

Tulips Keychain

Recently joined a facebook sewing friend who posted her tulips keychain and invited her Facebook friends who are interested to join her group project, the motive of hers is to gather friends who like sewing and encourage people to do the same project by sharing their designs, choice of colours, fabrics as well as ideas. 

For the past few days there were many already posted their final product, this has encouraged me to start sewing something cute. 

Took out fabrics I have, matching colours, set up table and tools to start working this afternoon! 

This isn't a hard project, I have all I need in stock, off I started with cutting, machine sewing and hand sewing. 

This is my final product: 

Since I cut extra square fabrics, I made another set of smaller bundle tulips keychain 

TM 5 handmade fabric cover

How is my TM5 new clothe?

I always wanted to sew one for TM5, especially when I was using stove top to fry eggs. Usually I just grab 2 pieaces of hand towel to cover it.

I don't need it anymore, I have sewn for fitted cover for my TM5 from the leftover fabric that I sew sofa cover.

Also added a hanger loop for hanging.

#Tm5 #ThermomixFerventThermist #sewingoctopus #fabric #cover #housekeeping #onholiday

Handmade Mask with Bamboo batting

This is a new try, mask with bamboo batting, heard that this bamboo batting is also used in reusable handmade napkin for menstrual period usage, because it anti-bacterial.

This prepacked mask comes with the template, is easy to make, just took one hour to make this mask.

Handmade Mitten

Haven't you fed up with the recycle fabric lining in your mitten? I do, it was torn when I did the first washing.

The old mitten that I bought was around RM 12, I noticed the using recycle paper fabric for lining, which means it wears and tears easily. Same to those I could find in the market. I saw a good one in the Curve's Kitchen shop, using cotton lining, selling RM 59, made from cotton canvas, very unique. And I also saw one in 'Sundays', guess how much? It is RM 108, woow! I do believe there are somebody who wants buying it, because of the uniqueness.

It was quite a period of time that couldn't made up my mind to whether buy one new or to sew one, to buy one at RM12 cheap and nice, just the lining part, they year easily after washing. This thought had been in my mind... And they are usually oversize, and rather thin

Finally I made one mitten with my fabric linen yesterday afternoon, the thought just came again while I was baking, as soon as I put in the tray for baking, I have 18 minutes time of waiting, instead I went into store to dig out those thick linen I have, my mind kept turning and imagine the "how-to" sewing steps, phew, it was very busy at that time, I wanted everything to be done quick.

Took down the thick quilt that I bought and never been used long long time ago, because of this thickness I couldn't think of anything I could make from it, it comes to handy now, perfect!

Quickly drew a template on cereal's cardboard box, cut out the template as well as the quilt and lining piece.

Still didn't know what exactly I should do first and not to do. "Alarm Melody" sounded, time to take our milk buns and put in Fig Rye Sourdough loaf, oh yeah very busy day.    

About 2 and a half hour time, it is done. The size was rather small though it fits my hand, I would prefer a little looser for easy put on and take off. Without hesitation, I start the second making mitten, now that I know what I should and should not do.

The second mitten is slightly bigger, this time I used the old mitten I had as template, make it slightly slimmer, I am satisfied with the size as well as the design.

I wander why the mitten that are selling less than RM10, I will prefer to buy than making one. The quilt layer is thick, when they put together they becoming really thick, it requires handsewn running stitch to secure these panels. Awww, the second mitten took me hours to finish, haha, I did it very carefully, using a lot of time on running stitch, they are nice, fit and beautiful.

Trying Out Coloured Zipper Case

It has been awhile that I see a violin student using a duo tone green pencil case that was hand sewn by his friend.

There was an urge rose within, as soon as he left after class, I dug out all unused coloured zippers, spent a short time to arrange and did some colour matching, I should have done a round of google search to at least take a look at Smiggle® zipper caseswhich I knew they have quite a number of them, sigh, too bad and too late.

I put all zipper heads on the same side, I found it "heavy" in one side somehow, but it still look good and brilliant over the idea of this colour matching.

In it, I did add on a small compartment which could only be reached by 3 zippers.

I loved this idea, which was Gab's idea though. I sew a few more with dark coloured zippers for Gab, my brother and friends.

Terms and patterns used in curtains

Handmade Useful Sewing Measurement Templates

 

Something I made it for my sewing convenience.

Left: Curve corner template, thanks for Chris Lee, she lend me her clover curve-corner metal piece, I copied and made myself one.
Top Right: Triangle measurement templates, useful when making a boxy base for all sort of bags
Bottom Right: Square in different sizes 

Needle Organizer

Made this two years ago, the time I started to sew, using some felt scraps sew it randomly at first, then added a button turns this scraps into needle organizer.

Get it Organized! ! !

There is a project lately, making a Fabric Chair Organizer for myself. Check this out in  Get it Organized! ! !

烟霾。我挡荡荡

今天终于看见蓝蓝的天，大大口的吸进久违了的新鲜空气。昨天开始病倒，我想如果今天烟霾还不散我可真遭殃了，眼睛痛，鼻涕流不停，喉咙干枯疼痛，最难忍受的还真是非头痛莫属，痛了好几天了。

每一年马来西亚都会有烟霾这个天灾，今年实在严重多，还停学了两天。可能在西方国家不曾有的景象就是像本国人般一盒一盒地购买口罩。盼我们的邻国真正看待这个长期影响我们健康的问题。

本来以为烟霾的事还会持续上两三个月，前两天开始缝制手作口罩，看见我的可爱的Lucas，爸爸用了大人的口罩为他戴上，松松的。。。怎么能保护到他呢？所以想了一想，赶快动手缝制小孩尺寸的口罩。

本来的设计是没有插入-开口，因Miki分享了一张‘口罩的介绍’后定意改换之前的设计，弄了一个开口。所以这个手作布口罩的设计，有一个开口，可以插入一种可杀菌保湿的滤纸，日本产品。

缝制了好几个，先给了侄儿女们，Gabriel不要妈妈作的，只要用买的，没他办法。

大人的的手作口罩在鼻梁的部位还可供铁线穿入以致按个人的鼻梁高度调整呢！在Sewing Octopus开始接受订做，有意订做的朋友可以留下短言吧！或查看更多手作布口罩相簿

我自己带上亲自缝制的口罩，没事都想着要上街，浩浩荡荡地，一心只想炫耀^_^"（生病弄坏了脑筋！）

供插入的开口

The progress

Series of Coin pouch with card slot, from the first design till the confirmed size. Try and error, did alteration in measurements as well as in design.

It's such an enjoyable progression.

Lady Wallet - I've made it!

I have bought this wallet kit from Anna patchwork located in Pyramid two years ago, planed to take up a lesson to make it. 

Due to many sewing projects during that time, this plan had been procrastinated, till yesterday, I dug out this packet, saw the shop name where I bought it from, google searched it's blogs and photos, also found this wallet, I thought of giving them a call to schedule a time to learn how to sew it. 

On second thought, I can just sew it my way! Take up pencil and sewing notebook, jot down the measurements I have gotten from this wallet kit, use the measurement I did for Boyz Wallet, this and that...

I am now done sewing this lady wallet. 

Ta-dah~ 

Join Sewing Octopus facebook page for all updates.

And I am selling this Handmade Lady Fabric Wallet Red Flower in Sewing Octopus Blogspot

Check out the measurements and materials I have used in this project.

Making of one quilted bag

"Here I am Paris" quilted handbag is selling at Sewing Octopus

Measurement calculation

Cut and join pieces together, iron on quilt batting

Quilt the lines and motives

Had a break, had a Kinder chocolate~

Sew both sides and the base

Here is the outer layer of a bag

Working on the lining of the bag, measure on interfacing fabric

Iron onto lining fabric, to give a stiffen and durability.

Interfaced lining fabric.

Sewing zipper, this is open end zipper

Sewing pockets

This is corduroy pocket

Sew both outer and lining together, turning it inside out.

Hand sew this semi leather handle.

Here you go~

This is adjustable handle

Quilted surface

Extensional Zipper Closure

Spacious storage, with matching pouch

Open End zipper closure

Enhance seam at the sides of a pocket

Inner swivel hooks in both sides of the bag 

Corduroy fabric is used for pockets and base of the bag.

add-on handle is included.

Check this out for measurement detail in Sewing Octopus