Creative Happy Tuesdays: My Ambitious Christmas Project

My dining chairs are black. I had them made that way coz I could make quilted seat covers. You can also buy seat covers online. I saw some cute seat covers online, but they're too small. My chairs are too big, so I'll just make some. 

After getting inspiration, I started doodling on how I wanted my first seat cover should look like. I decided on a simple Santa and snowman design. I quickly pieced the base together and soon realized it was harder than I thought it would be. 

The first big hump was the size of the face. The first one I made was too small. I made several templates before I replaced the face. I'll just use it for another project. The second hump was making the nose. I thought it was as easy as making pincushions. It took several tries before I was satisfied with what I made. Third challenge was making the mustache. Then I realized I didn't have big buttons for the eyes. Luckily the one I ordered online was delivered in two days.

I'm probably just halfway through. I'm debating on whether I'll add more hair and a beard for Santa. I didn't realize it would be this challenging, haha. The tree skirt was much easier to do. Hopefully, I'll be done before Christmas!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Creative Happy Tuesdays: Made My First Christmas Tree Skirt

I started this project last year in Singapore. Originally planned to finish it during quarantine, but I ended up resting. Only started sewing after Christmas since we were busy. I was also iffy if I should continue the project at some point since I realized I should have done my original plan (santa-tree-santa-tree). Oh well, it was already pieced together so I thought I'd finish it to learn a couple of things. 

It was my first time to make a tree skirt. It took me some time to make the template. I dug up some Manila paper to make sure my measurements were correct. The ones I saw on Pinterest and FB groups looked really polished and beautiful. I told myself I could always make a new one in the future, besides I started putting up several Christmas trees last year, haha. 

Piecing the design together was easy. It was quite gnarly to sandwich the batting and backing fabric since the project is quite big. I had fun quilting it though since it was my first time to use metallic colored thread (it's inexpensive when you buy it here locally). As it took shape I liked the design a bit more everyday. 

I got stuck making the mustache. I made a huge mustache for another project and I made the mistake of adding the batting after I sewed it. With the small mustache for this project, I ironed on the fabric on interfacing first, then sewed it with the batting and backing together. It was a bit difficult to flip it, but it was faster than adding the batting after. 

I also struggled with the nose. I thought it would be as easy as making pincushions. My Mom taught me how to make those the summer before high school. Making noses was a bit difficult. I eventually got the hang of it after making half a dozen noses. Lesson learned, use filler instead of leftover batting. It shapes better. 

Eventually assembled Santa's face. I decided to alternate Santa and gnome (Santa doesn't wear green afaik). Turned out cute, but I'll change the design when I eventually make a new tree skirt. 

#BeKind #Staysafe

Creative Happy Tuesdays: Santa Placemat and Coaster

Almost done with the Santa inspired placemat and coasters I'm working on the past two weeks. Cutting the fabric and piecing it together was easy. Adding the best was challenging since the fabric I used wasn't made for quilting and I wasn't sure how I was going to sew it on, lol. Sweetie said it was the most important part since it would make the design look less like a sushi (haha). 

Glad I got metallic gold and silver thread, it made the piece more Christmas-sy. I realized the white strip will likely be soiled once we use it, but that's fine. What's important is I have a cute placemat and coaster set for Christmas.

Now it's time to bust out our Christmas plates. Hopefully we'll be able to locate it before Christmas!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Creative Happy Tuesdays: Christmas is Coming!

After browsing through my quilt books and Pinterest, I finally decided the theme for my holiday quilts. It's going to be all about Santa! I have a pretty ambitious list of things I want to make so I thought I'd make it easy to make. 

It usually takes me 1 to 2 days to just cut fabric, a few hours to piece things together (if I'm using the sewing machine), another day or two to sandwich the quilt and another day or two to prepare and work on  the binding. I found it more efficient to bunch up the work because it's faster. 

Working on a small space forced me to find a more efficient way to enjoy my hobby. My sewing table functions as my cutting area, ironing table, sewing area, sandwiching area and dining area. Yup, since it could get very warm during the day we also eat in the craft room. We used to use the family room, but the lights need to be fixed. 

I'm pretty happy how I assembled the placemats. I just used fabric that I already have and used old mattress protectors instead of wadding. I'm bent also on re-using old sheets as backing (must find ways to save since things are quite expensive nowadays). It will take a bit more time to finish it since I need to figure out how to attach the "belt buckle". I also always procrastinate when it comes to binding because I make them from scratch. 

My seat cover project is currently on a standstill. I was able to piece it together and sandwich it already. I struggled a bit making Santa's moustache. I'm now stuck figuring out how to make the nose and the tip of Santa's hat. I'm still practicing how to make it, so far I'm not happy with the result. 

Have to get moving on my projects since I have to evacuate the craft room by end of the week. I hope the contractor will be ready to install the cabinets next week. Yay!

#BeKind #StaySafe #CreativeHappyTuesdays

Creative Happy Tuesdays: A Peek at My Christmas Projects

Google Photos reminded me that I started the Christmas tree skirt on September 9, 2021. I had planned to finish it during quarantine. The 9 days were cut down to 6 though and I ended up sleeping through it, haha. I didn't finish the tree skirt because I was dilly-dallying over the fabric I used. I wasn't sure if they looked good. 

I was about to start making some place mats, but I was distracted with the seat cover offerings on a shopping platform. I couldn't find any that would fit my fat dining chairs so I decided to make my own. The funny thing is I ended up using the same fabric as the tree skirt, so I guess I'm going to stick to it now. I'm on a "use what you have" phase. 

Pieced together the seat cover design the past few days and spent the weekend sandwiching it. My goal for this project is to use what I have on hand. I was able to use leftover wadding from previous projects. I don't throw out wadding I've cut because I can still use the tiny pieces as filling. Those will go into the nose and the hat. Maybe I'll make small noses also for the tree skirt. 

I'm going to lose access to my craft room soon since the contractor will be fixing it. I need to pack everything again and this means I need to plan what I could work on for the next six weeks! Hope my projects turn out okay. 

#BeKind #StaySafe