The Quilt Project that's Testing My Patience

I wanted to work on a fun project. I found some Star Wars and Pokemon character grids on Pinterest and thought I could apply it for quilting. 

I was going to make a Yoda quilt, but I had a hard time sourcing brown shades of fabric. I decided to work on a Pikachu quilt since I had the fabric available. Miggy helped me choose the right colors for the project.

Since I was just working with squares I thought it would be easy. Oh my, I was very mistaken. Cutting the fabric took a week and I soon realizes that piecing 1"x1" squares takes a gazillion years.

Here's a time lapse of part 1 of 4 of the project. It will really take time to finish the project since I have to avoid triggering arm pain. Anyway, I'm having fun slowly piecing this project together.

Timelapse

This project was supposed to be a throw pillow case. It's too big though for the pillow so I'm debating whether I should turn it into a wall hanging or a chair cover. It's too cute to be a blanket. 

What do you think I should use it for? Comment below 🤗

#BeKind #StaySafw

Made a Quilted Monochromatic Tote Bag

I was on a roll making tote bags. This one is a belated birthday gift. I thought it would be easy, but it was challenging to find fabric to complete the look I wanted. I also had to get Miggy to help me lay out the fabric since I wasn't getting the gradient I wanted. I was stuck there for awhile, but eventually finished it. 

Here's how I made it:

And here's my friend, Anne. I made her pose against an artwork at a hotel which looked a bit similar to the bag (just a different color).

*Thanks for indulging me to pose, haha. 

More information about how to make this bag: https://www.needleadventures.com/2024/08/quilted-monochromatic-tote-bag.html

#BeKind #StaySafe

Quilted Rainbow Heart Tote Bag

I made this quilted rainbow heart tote bag for my friend, Gab. I made a number of quilted hearts and was thinking about what projects to do with it. I was planning to make a throw pillow cover, but thought a tote bag might be useful for him. 

I had just set-up my sewing area last June when I worked on the piece. I was flying headless for a while since most of my sewing materials were still in boxes. I persisted and managed to finish the project in time for our get together. 

I heard he's using it to carry his gadgets. Good thing I stitched the strap twice to make it sturdier. Here's how I made the tote bag:

And here's my happy friend, Gab.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Made a Star Wars Themed Quilted Cover

Finally got around to making a quilt cover for a bench at home. I originally had it made for my craft room, but we moved it to the family room where it fit better. I wanted to make a cover for it to prolong the lifespan of the pink cover. It would be expensive to have it cleaned often, so the best way to prolong it's life is to cover it. 

I wanted the cover to be colorful, so I matched the Star Wars fabric with orange, yellow, blue and green. I originally thought it would be too flashy, but Miggy said the accent went well with the theme. I thought I could finish the project in two to three weeks. It stretched to almost six weeks since I had other things to do at home, plus we had to work on our health. 

It turned out well, but I think I'll delay making another one later this year (we have two benches haha). I also want to make seat covers for the sofa set (that's going to be a super huge project). I'm still thinking about making it a modern quilt or a traditional one. I'll probably do a modern one since it's for our home anyway. 

Here's six weeks of work turned into a six minute tutorial video:

More info about this quilt project on my sewing blog: https://www.needleadventures.com/2024/03/star-wars-themed-quilt-cover-for-bench.html

#BeKind #StaySafe

Creative Happy Tuesdays: My Quilter Mom

Mom taught me how to quilt. To be honest I thought it was hard because she loved to do the fan pattern. It looked terribly hard for pre-teen me. She made it very easy for me to learn. I started by piecing together squares. At that time I loved bags, so all the squares I pieced together ended up as bags. I pieced the fabric, Mom took care of sandwiching it in wadding, I did the quilting and then Mom took care of finishing the quilt. 

Mom quilting in Singapore

Mom continued to quilt through the years. Our favorite pasttime whenever she was in Singapore was to go to Spotlight. She quilts really fast though and would soon finish all the fabric we bought. Well, it was a good excuse to visit Spotlight again. She loved to make throw pillows and preferred to make it with lace and fancy ruffles. She wasn't fond of using bias tape even though I got her binding tools. 

My first quilt bag. It's still useful!

I'm not sure how many quilt blankets she made. I have one she made a decade+ ago. It's so pretty and I realized she has a keen eye for matching fabric. She's also very frugal and started quilting by using retaso from Tita Maming's shop. I won't be surprised if I find some of those retasos when we start decluttering her home. 

Mom in my craft room.

Kuya said he opened Mom's tiny vault. He asked me to guess what was in it. My first though was... scissors. And I was correct! She had three pairs of scissors in her vault! Yup! Now you know where I got my fascination of scissors from, my Mom! I've been seeing bits and pieces of her artworks in our home. There's an unfinished pouch which I was supposed to add a zipper to. A pad tray made of rolled up paper. Of course, the blanket. Outdoors, I have plants she gave to us, so we're surrounded by what she loved. 

Going to miss those quiet times we'd spent busy with our hobbies. She taught me so many things when I was growing up and that's how I came to love crafting. Her hands though are more nimble than mine, but I'm grateful she taught me because I know that part of me came from her. 

Miss you Ma. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

 

 

Creative Happy Tuesdays: Hand Quilted Essential Oil Case

I've been meaning to make an essential oil case since Ninang Jane gave me my first one a few years ago. I use the EO case whenever I go out and I set it aside two weeks ago so I could measure it. Of course, it promptly went MIA. Well, it pushed me to finally make a new one. 

After finding some leftover fabric from my KitchenAid quilt cover project, I decided to hand quilt the case. My craft room is still a mess, so sewing by hand was my best bet to finish it. The first one I made took two days to finish. I had to figure out how to piece it together properly. I was quite satisfied with my prototype, so I made three more for friends. It took me two to three hours to finish one*, but I could only make one a day to save me from joint pain (hehe). 

I enjoyed making this project. Small projects that are easy to finish is really satisfying. I needed to do this to relax and calm down (March was quite challenging). I also needed to get back in my quilting groove since I haven't quilted since January. I set up a sewing corner in our bedroom and soon enough our floor looked like a craft room (sorry Sweetie). 

Here's how I made the essential oil case:

Pattern available at https://www.needleadventures.com/2023/04/hand-quilted-essential-oil-case.html

*Depends on distractions

#BeKind #StaySafe

Creative Happy Tuesdays: Harry Potter Lap Quilt

I have collected some character fabric over the past few years. When I was about to leave Singapore I made lap quilts for some of my friends. A friend collected Harry Potter books, so I thought I'd make a Harry Potter lap quilt for him. It would be unique and one of a kind. 

Made the design simple to make sure I finished it before we left. I matched the fabric with solid colors to make it eye catching. Quickly pieced the cut fabric together and worked to finish it for a few days. I focused more on the sewing and actually forgot to take a proper photo of the finished work, haha (also why the video tutorial is very short).  

Gifted the lap quilt the day before we left. The next day my friend sent me photos of Lily, his pet dog. Lily had commandeered the lap quilt. She looked so cute on the quilt. He said she's a Harry Potter fan. I'm glad she liked it and hope she's still enjoying the quilt. 

Here's how I made it -

More about how to make the lap quilt on my sewing blog -

#BeKind #StaySafe

Creative Happy Tuesdays: Huge Home Appliance Cover

My rainbow colored fabric always gives me good vibes. The color is just so happy so I thought it would be nice to use it to create a quilt cover for my oxygen concentrator. It's a huge medical device my doctor required me to have and I didn't realize it would be so big. It was parked beside my side of the bed. I use it when my O2 goes below 94. 

I haven't used it for awhile and it looked odd in our bedroom. I also don't like to be reminded I have a medical device. To relive myself of the constant reminder I quickly put together a cover for it. The cover was huge, so I simplified the process and just cut up squares to make up the whole project. 

I didn't have a pattern and made a mistake with my measurements. I made up for the size gap by adding a strip of fabric. I had fun piecing together the cut fabric, but assembling the whole piece got gnarly. Good thing I had a lot of clips to hold it together. I also did temporary stitches to make it easier to bind. 

Turned out pretty well. I realized just now I need a second one because I need to wash the cover every so often. I think I'll make a monochrome one next time so it doesn't clash with my new blinds. 

Tutorial and pattern at: https://www.needleadventures.com/2023/03/huge-appliance-quilt-cover.html

#BeKind #StaySafe

Creative Happy Tuesdays: Vinta Inspired Hand Quilted Throw Pillowcase

It's been a year since I made the vinta inspired hand quilted throw pillowcase. I finally edited the tutorial video and made the how-to guide. After I made this I focused on finishing the t-shirt quilt blanket and some odd projects. Filming while working on my craft takes away the fun in creating. My friend Cherry though told me I should continue to make these vids. 

It was indeed a good reminder because I normally go back to my videos for reference. Yup, even I forget about some techniques I learn along the way. Sharing what you learn also makes it stick more to your memory bank. My original plan after retirement was to teach. I can't do that anymore so I guess sharing what I learn when I'm being creative would be useful. 

One of the things I want to do is to create Filipino culture inspired quilts. Drawing isn't one of my skills. I also consider myself still a beginner at quilting. But I could work on creating designs that can be broken down in regular shapes. The vinta was manageable for me to make. It didn't have any crazy shapes and it was fairly easy to hand quilt. 

The project took me two weeks to make. I worked on it while watching TV at night (that's why some of the clips were a bit dark). Anyway, finally unearthed the clips and did some editing. 

This one is for you Cherry, haha. May my lazy bones create more. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Creative Happy Tuesdays: Craft the Year Away!

I had fun developing new skills last year as I went through my sewing projects. I learned how to make curtains, finished my tshirt quilt project, a cover for my oxygen concentrator, and a Christmas tree skirt. I also made a couple of potholders and a Christmas placemat.  The only "artwork" I made was the pink vinta project. I wasn't able to finish my other Christmas projects and gave up on the planned handmade gifts, haha. 

What I learned though is to aim for the moon. Aim high so if you don't finish, you still get good results. I took so long finishing the tshirt quilt and I normally rest between major projects*. My craft room was also inaccessible for more than a month during renovation (it's not done yet). My overall plan for this year is to make more useful smaller projects. 

I created a long list of projects I want to make back in 2021. Good thing I wrote it in a notebook. The list kept growing because I'd get inspired from my craft books and Pinterest. There's so many cute stuff in it and I know I always learn when I create something. 

Here's what I'll prioritize this year:

1. New covers for my kitchen appliances and O2 concentrator.
2. Cover/blanket for the benches.
3. Finish the dining room seat cover and make a non-Christmas one.
4. Throw pillow covers for our currently non-existent sofa (lol)
5. Make more pot holders.
6. New curtains 
7. Make essential oil holders (been meaning to do this since 2020!)
8. Key holders 
9. Oven gloves (I got this huge roll of heat resistant wadding which needs to be used!)
10. Experimental projects, a wall hanging and something that requires a zipper. 

And note to self, if giving away handmade gifts, start making them in Q2! 

#BeKind #StaySafe

*Gotta prevent trigger finger and arm pain

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: 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

Creative Happy Tuesdays: My Christmas Quilt Projects

Finally got around to planning my Christmas projects. I spent an entire week after I finished the quilt cover I made for the O2 concentrator thinking about what I should make for Christmas. I found my idea notebook and poured over the list I made. After selecting what I want to make, I also looked at Pinterest for ideas. 

Since I don't have any Christmas quilts, I thought I'd make some for use at home. I want to make some place mats, potholders, a table runner, coasters and maybe mug rugs. I hope to finish also the tree skirt I started last year and if I still have time make some throw pillows, a lap quilt and maybe a Christmas sock.

Pinwheel lap quilt

 

In previous years, I was able to make gifts for my friends. I'm still thinking about what I can make this year that won't break my fingers (haha). The previous gifts I made were all hand sewn. I made a few lap quilts last year for my friends in Singapore and my doctors. It was a race to finish it in-between packing for our trip home. 

Lap quilt for my respiratory doctor :)

To warm up, I'll probably start making some potholders and then I'll work my way up to the table runner. I'm still figuring out how to properly do the tree skirt. I didn't finish the one I made last year because I'm not too happy with how it looks. I'll probably finish it since we're planning to put up multiple trees again this year. 

Hope I'll be more productive for the rest of the year. I spent too much time already just trying to gain more energy. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

  

Creative Happy Tuesdays: Experiments

Mom stayed with us for a few days. Showed her the seeds I was trying to germinate, the newly boiled eggshells, the quilt cover I've been working on and an array of projects I'm working on. She said, "Your Dad was the one who loved to experiment." 

Yes, I remember. My Dad used to do a lot of experiments. He tried fish farming, grew kuhol in our backyard, tried making VCO and at one time we had a gazillion quail eggs at home. He liked trying new things and moved on to the next project when things didn't work out. Mom's interests were very different though. She likes gardening and doing crafts. She's great at saving dying plants and making discarded items reusable. 

I guess I take from both of them. Mom laughed when she saw the seeds I was germinating with tissue paper. That was why she suddenly remembered Daddy. Well, seeds I germinated did not make it. I'll re-do the experiment at another location. Most of my crafts are experiments. I do them mostly to acquire new skills, learn new techniques and have fun (I'm stuck at home anyway).

This year's craft experiments include:

(1) A Christmas tree skirt which I started last year. I made this because I want to have a Santa-inspired tree skirt.

(2) Mask cases which I also started last year. I made this to learn how to attach snap-on buttons. 

(3) Oxygen concentrator quilt cover. It will probably end up looking like my food processor quilt cover.

(4) T-shirt memory quilt blanket. I finished this recently. It's a lot of work, so the next one has been postponed to next year. 

(5) Curtains, had to customize for our windows since there was a lockdown when we moved to our new home. 

(6) Pink vinta pillow cases. This was inspired by a beautiful photograph. 

I have other projects planned, but will discipline myself and finish what I started first. Craft time has been reduced since there's a lot of other things I'm doing right now, plus I still need to rest to recover.

#BeKind #StaySafe 

Creative Happy Tuesdays: The First Quilt Project I Made

We've been slowly going through our boxes and crates. Sweetie moved around some boxes and I caught a glimpse of something familiar. At the bottom of a crate I saw the first quilt project I made. I think I made it when I was a sophomore in high school. 

My first quilt project, circa 1990.

When I dug it out of the crate I was surprised to see it was still intact. It was one of the few things I kept after typhoon Ondoy put everything I owned under water. It was a quilt bag I made by hand. Mom cut it from retaso from Tita Maming's clothing export business. She used to export clothes to Japan and would give retaso to my Mom. It was one of the reasons my Mom had learned to quilt. She learned it by reading a book she got from the US, then she taught me (here's how she taught me). 

If I remember correctly, Mom taught me how to quilt during summer. She started by teaching me how to piece together squares. It eventually grew and I was able to piece together enough to make a bag. Mom bought the handle from Divisoria. I had to much fun making the bag I used it as a school bag. 

My lunch bag, circa 1990 too.

To match the bag, Mom had me make a lunch bag. I used that everyday also and I'm sure my lunchmates would still remember the bag. I also did the whole thing by hand and it even had some lace on it. I'm really surprised it's still intact and useful. If you notice from the bags, it didn't have any binding. Mom was the one who closed it for me (that's why the edges are clean). I only learned how to use binding a few years ago. 

I'm really glad my Mom taught me all these crafts. It was different every summer, crochet, embroidery, making bags from plastic straws, quilting, paper mache, beading etc. It was my Mama Lola though who taught me how to use a sewing machine. I wish though she taught me how to sew clothes. We were taught in sewing class, but I never really figured it out. 

I really enjoy keeping my hands busy. I've actually been spending less time online because I'd rather be busy with my crafts or garden. I'm currently working on making a cover for my oxygen concentrator. Once I finish it, I'll start planning for Christmas since I work so slowly. I wanted to make another quilt blanket, but since the t-shirt memory quilt took up 6 months of my quilting time I won't do one for now. 

It was nice to find the bags. Maybe I'll have it framed and I'll hang it here in my craft room :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Creative Happy Tuesdays: Mug Rug

Pretty soon it's going to be Christmas again! Memes of Jose Mari Chan have been gracing the stream again. This tells me it's time to start thinking about Christmas. I really like making gifts instead of buying. I wasn't able to make any last year because we were so busy moving back and moving homes. 

I made mug rugs once and I think I sent cheese cupcakes with it. Most of my friends though used it for decor haha. They said it was too cute and precious to use to keep their mugs warm! Haha. 

Here's how I made it -

More information on how I made it is on m y craft blog: https://www.needleadventures.com/2021/02/how-to-make-quilted-mug-rug.html

I quilted and did some embroidery on the project. I like adding some embroidery to it for fun! I need to look through my list to figure out what to make this year :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Creative Happy Tuesdays: T-Shirt Memory Quilt Blanket is Done!

Woohoo! I finally finished my t-shirt memory quilt blanket! I started working on this on May 11, 2019! I worked on it on and off because the materials were in Manila. I eventually brought it to Singapore in January 2020. Thought I'd finish it there, but I didn't since I got busy with work and then was in and out of the hospital. 

Told myself I'll finish it this year. My deadline kept moving mainly because of my health. I just worked on it whenever I felt well. Worked on it slowly, but surely. I made bite-sized targets until I finally added the binding last weekend. The last stitch was added on August 20, 2022 (3 years 3 months and 9 days/831 days). 

Here's a tutorial on how I made it:

I also have a step by step guide here in case you want to try making one.

#BeKind #StaySafe

Craft Tuesdays: Uniqlo Outfits + My Quilted Bags = Marvelous

My quilting journey started with making bags. For practice Mom cut 1.5" x 1.5" squares for me to piece together. It eventually became my lunchbag. Then she cut larger squares and it became a totebag. I still have those bags somewhere. I'll share it when I find it.

I still enjoy making quilt bags and it's easier to learn nowadays because there are a lot of YouTube videos you can follow. We dropped by Uniqlo today and I was once again inspired to think about making a quilted bag. Here's a few nice pieces from Uniqlo that would match with some of the bags I've made.

Hope I'll have more time soon so I can work on making more quilted bags. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Craft Tuesdays: The Baby Quilt Blanket I Made for Miggy

I mentioned a few posts ago about the baby quilt blanket I made for Miggy. I sewed it by hand and Mom took care of binding it (I didn't know how to do binding at that time). The fabric I used were cuttings from Tita Maming's export business. She always gave my Mom cuttings that they were just going to dispose. They had really nice fabric because their primary market was Japan. All the quilts I made during that time were from the stash she gave to my Mom. 

We used pink and blue checked fabric. The design was simple and I embroidered cute shapes on some of the pieces. I'm actually surprised that the thread has held up even after almost 30 years. The last square I embroidered Miggy's name, birth date and time. 

I was so happy when Sweetie found the blanket when he pulled out the rest of our stuff from the condo. Got it washed this week. There are some stains on it which I think I will need to hand wash. It still feels really sturdy and I'm thinking of framing. It will probably be nice to hang in my sewing room. 

Well, one assignment for me is to find Miggy's baby photo with it. For now I only have grown-up Miggy with it haha. This is one thing I will cherish forever :)

#BeKind #StaySafe