Sunday Stash #4

Today is linen day. This is my very first collection of linens which I bought from local online store. And it is advised by the shop to pre-soak all the linen before cutting. Here we go, dry-up...



Linen looks rough but after pre-wash (by washer) it frays out a lot. Perhaps no one pre-wash linen? I thought pre-soak and pre-wash is one same procedure ^_^ any way the pre-wash do not harm those linens.

I love to touch linen surface. Let's find out more about these linens...

Pure Linen

• fabric type: pure linen, fine grain yarn dyed
• width: 150 cm / 60 inches
• weight: medium and drapey, suitable for shirt, dress
• base color: oatmeal
• pattern: stripes and checks woven in grey yarn within the same width; 30 inches width of stripe patttern and 30 inces width of checks pattern
• surface: smooth
• fabric care recommendation: hand wash possible, pre-soak fabric before cutting

Linen Twill

• fabric type: 100% linen twill
• width: 140cm / 55 inches
• weight: medium to heavy, suitable for pants, pants suit, dress, skirt
• base color: off white
• pattern: twill weave
• surface: slightly textured
• fabric care recommendation: pre-soak before cutting

Linen Chambray

• fabric type: Linen 100%
• width: 114cm / 45 inches
• weight: medium, suitable for pants, skirt or full suit
• base color: grey
• pattern: chambray
• surface: fine texture
• washing & ironning instructions: pre-soak before cutting. Hand or machine wash in light detergent and gentle cycle. Drip dry under shade. Dampen before ironning with high heat on the wrong side

I bought those linens from online local store, eFabric. What I like most about the shop, they provide those fabric information ;-)


Happy sewing!


p.s. credit to eFabric for the fabric info.

Shipping day #1 - updates

I shipped out 3 parcels recently (read here) and I've received alert from all 3 recipients that they got the packages safe and sound.

• Karen received package on July 7th and blogged here & left comment;
  

  "Hi Erin,
  Your package arrived safe and sound here;) I want to thank you so much for all of the work that went into making the pincushions for me and for all of the other goodies that you also included;) I have put pictures up on my blog for all to see;) Please keep in touch;) "

  I am so happy that the parcel reached her safely. The package approximately travels 8587.4 miles (Kota Bharu to Orem, calculated here). Karen is my secret swappee (swap partner) for Pincushion Summer Swap '09. Find out more about this swap here, here and here.
• Sara received package on July 10th and sent email;
  

  "Erin,
  The fabric is gorgeous!!! I can't wait to make a skirt for myself. And thank you for the pincushion. I love it!
  Thank you, thank you, thank you!
  Regards,
  Sara"

  Sara is one of my giveaway lucky winner (read here). I am glad that Sara loves the fabric and also the pincushion (read here). The package approximately travels 8569.7 miles (Kota Bharu to Orem, calculated here).
• Amanda received package on July 13th and left comment;
  

  "Hi Erin! Great pick for stash sharing.
  
  I wanted to let you know that I received your package. Thank you so much! Now I just have to decide whether to keep it as a skirt, or make something out of it. hmmmm...
  Thank you also for the pincushion! Believe it or not, it is my one and only. I haven't been able to justify buying one, since I can make it. And I haven't made one, because I'm too busy! lol I also enjoyed your creative stationary! Creative gal you are! Blessings to you!"

  Amanda is another lucky winner for my giveaway (read here). I hope she enjoys the fabric. And the best part is my surpirse gift, the pincushion (read here) is so useful for her sewing activities. The package approximately travels 9268.0 miles (Kota Bharu to Orem, calculated here). I guess the distance tells why it took extra days of journey to reach her place.
  

Thank you most to all the postal service officers who have been directly nor indirectly involved in this journey.

Happy day to all!

Apron and giveaway!

At least once a week I must read TheFabricShopper and I cannot say NO to her giveaway!

Here is a sneak peak of the prizes for this week! Pretty ditty huh! No one would ignore this one.

Read more here. Hurry up, the giveaway ends Sunday, July 17 at midnight CDT.

GOOD LUCK!

WIP#July-1 : Done!

All sewn up and halfly cut the rag-area... I hope I am doing the right thing coz I can't find any details instruction on cutting this (cross-fingers).

All set..

Washing time!

Done! YAY!

WIP#July-1 : 9 quilted patches

The pictures tell about my progress clearly... I am over due now! Ouch!

Sunday Stash #3

Wow! I've been missing so many Sunday huh... but not this Sunday! Here is my selected stash to share with.



It's a 100% cotton broadcloth and has geometric printed design on 42" width. The design is Japan/oriental geometrical and floral woodblock print in shades of brown. It is light and i was thinking about making some purse/bag from it.


I bought this fabric from online local store, eFabric. It comes with two base color, dark brown and navy blue. Through out this month the store is giving out discount for entire collections! Add some stash sewers!


Happy sewing!

WIP#July-1 : First 3 blocks

Last two days I cut baby napkin (used) for my rag-quilt batting. Each batting size 3" x 6" then fold to get a size of 3" x 3". Tonight I quilted the first 3-block.



This is my very first quilt (but not yet with the real batting material) and I use quilting thread which is excellent and very smooth. Believe me not even a single knot. I highly recommended this thread to every one. Worth buying them!



The above pictures show the result of my first block. Ends with uneven surface (not sure how to put it in words but I guess the pictures tell).

So for the second block, I make center thread-basting. Since the thread blend well with my backing fabric, I just draw the X for the top.


I have nice-flat block but the top & backing not inline. But I guess that would be alright since for rag-quilt we reserve 1" of seam allowance. (I am lazy to rip them off and re-quilt huh..)

As for my third block, I quilt from the center point to each corner. It took half hour for me to hand quilted this block (last one for tonight). But it turns out almost perfect! The following pictures explain the result...


I hope I can finish this rag-quilt this weekend!

My pincushion has arrived safely

"Peep peep!" I knew it's going to be my mystery pincushion! The postman asked if I were the right recipient because the address is not correct. OMG! What have i done?!

When i recheck my email to Sandra, yes it was my typo error. My house number should be 1699 but I sent her 1966. So many thanks to the nice-postman, if not I must be waiting for the mystery parcel forever 8-)


My secret partner is Cindy! from Clara City, Minnesota. I never heard of that place, so I google-map and found this satellite image of Cindy's place!


Wow, must be a peaceful city and no traffic jam. She told me in her notes that only 1200 population in the city. (This swap introduce to Clara City!)

Now let's open the box and see my pincushion!

How sweet! And I never came across this kind of pincushion before. The teapot is made of wool-felt and Cindy create a lot of these and she is working on its pattern. Read her blog for more info on the pincushion!

"Cindy, you are so generous!" Look what do I get here!

The golden vintage item is so stunning! I am sure only Cindy would describe best about it. Let's hear from her about the golden vintage item.

Thank you very much Cindy! Thank you very much Sandra for hosting this GREAT swap!

WIP#July-1 : Sneak peak

This is my very first quilting project. I have decided to make the most simple quilt which is rag-quilt a.k.a. ragged quilt.


I am using 9 charm-blocks from Moda Charm Pack of Wildflower Serenade for my quilt top. I am expecting a finished size of 9x9 rag-quilt.


I am using cotton flannels for my quilt back. I only have these two flannels. It seems the blue one not so sweet to be there. Perhaps I will make all pinks for the back.

Catch up my updates on this project later!

The Good Ol’ Summertime Mini Quilt Swap

Come on all quilters, let's make new friends this summertime by joining this mini-quilt swap hosed by QuiltingGallery.

Here I have quoted some info about the swap:

"Make a Summer-inspired mini quilt to send to your partner. It can be pieced, appliqued, or both. The choice is yours. However, if your partner entered any preferences when they registered for the swap, this information will be sent to you.

Minimum size is 12″x12″ and the maximum size is 24″x24″, any size or shape in between. Don’t forget to include to add a label to your quilt."

read more about this swap click here.
to join this swap, register yourself here. (before July 6th)
to see participants list click here. (I am at #52)

last but not least, join the swap Flickr Group!


Happy Quilting everyone!


p.s. this swap program encourage me to start quilting without delay!