Archive / Books and Patterns

Destash #2: Sewing Books

I have a few books here available for sale:

Book #1: Last-Minute Fabric Gifts: 30 Hand-Sew, Machine-Sew, and No-Sew Projects (Hardcover with Sleeve Jacket) SGD$15.00

Book #2: Pretty Little Patchwork (Pretty Little Series) (Hardcover with Sleeve Jacket) SGD$5.00 – SOLD

Book #3: The Directory of Quilting Techniques (Hardcover, Spiral Bound) SGD$5.00 – SOLD

Book #4: More Softies: 22 new friends for you to sew and crochet (Paperpack) $20.00 – RESERVED

Book #5: Learning To Quilt — A Beginner’s Guide (Paperpack) $5.00 – SOLD

Book #6: Stitchable Stationery (Sublime Stitching) (Stitchable stationery kit) $15.00

Book #1: Last-Minute Fabric Gifts: 30 Hand-Sew, Machine-Sew, and No-Sew Projects (Hardcover with Sleeve Jacket) by Cynthia Treen

It is a

a great craft book, regardless of sewing skills (or lack of).

From amazon.com: “This inspiring book comes with 30 easy projects for quick-to-make gifts ranging from fabric-covered notepads to a tea-dyed sequined scarf to a baby quilt. Arranged by how long it takes to complete each project, the book focuses on gifts that generally require less than three hours of time. Whats more, Treen clearly details the knowledge and skills you need to improvise on these projects, allowing you to customize the color, pattern, and texture to suit the occasion. Complete with 70 full-color photographs and a final chapter on innovative ways to wrap gifts with fabric, Last-Minute Fabric Gifts is brimming with creative ideas sure to appeal to novice and experienced sewers alike”

Buy it because

loads of ideas of what and how to make gifts out of your fabric stash!

I am selling because

Making space in my bookshelves!

The condition

is great! No marks, no creases inside pages. I take very good care of my books. This book’s sleeve jacket is little creased at the front top.

I am asking for:

SGD$15 + SGD$4.00 (incl. local registered post). Local buyers can pay via local bank transfer or cash upon collection.

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Book #2: Pretty Little Patchwork (Pretty Little Series) (Hardcover with Sleeve Jacket) by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader

It is a

a source of inspiration for things to make with your fabric scraps! There are about 30 projects including ornaments, accessories, spa sachets, etc. There are basic instructions and loads of pictures and close ups.

Buy it because

you need to know that patchwork does not apply just to quilt! 😉

I am selling because

Making space in my bookshelves!

The condition

is great! No marks, no creases inside pages. I take very good care of my books. The front of the sleeve jacket is alittle creased at the top.

I am asking for:

SGD$5 + SGD$4.00 (incl. local registered post). Local buyers can pay via local bank transfer or cash upon collection.

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Book #3: The Directory of Quilting Techniques (Hardcover, Spiral Bound) by Caroline Rodrigues

It is a

great source of information about quilting. Covers many areas like tools, techniques, different quilt blocks, piecing techniques, applique, quilting and how you finish the quilt.

Buy it because

there are many good illustrations, pictures, etc that will help you understand how you can achieve a perfect block.

I am selling because

Making space in my bookshelves! And I have too many quilting books, and it will be great to see this go to a new quilter.

The condition

like brand new. This book was gently browsed and kept in my book case.

I am asking for:

SGD$5 + SGD$4.00 (incl. local registered post). Local buyers can pay via local bank transfer or cash upon collection.

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Book #4: More Softies: 22 new friends for you to sew and crochet (Paperpack)

It is a

sewing/crocheting book with instructions and patterns for 22 original and adorable soft toys. These softies can be made using a range of techniques from simple hand-sewing to crochet. Each entry includes lists of tools and materials crafters will need, as well as detailed instructions, tips, and pictures.

Buy it because

You will want to MAKE everything in this book.

I am selling because

Making space in my bookshelves!

The condition

is great! No marks, no creases inside pages. I take very good care of my books.

I am asking for:

SGD$20 + SGD$4.00 (incl. local registered post). Local buyers can pay via local bank transfer or cash upon collection. I bought this for about S$38.00

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Book #5: Learning To Quilt — A Beginner’s Guide (Paperpack) by Lori Smith and Leisure Arts

It is a

wonderful resource for ‘how-tos’ when you are starting on your quilting adventures.

Buy it because

There are many techniques that you can use when making a quilt. And this book was a go-to book for me when I started out quilting. Very easy to understand language and also very clear pictures.

I am selling because

I have a lot of other books and I hope this book will help someone else in his/her journey to quilty goodness!

The condition

is good. I had this wrapped in clear plastic (I’m quite particular about my books!). The front top right corner of the book is slightly dog-eared, but not seriously creased. There are no markings/writings or creases in the pages.

I am asking for:

SGD$5 + SGD$4.00 (incl. local registered post). Local buyers can pay via local bank transfer or cash upon collection.

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Book #6: Stitchable Stationery (Sublime Stitching) by Jenny Hart

It is a

very very cool kit. Includes 6 ready-to-embroider folded cards, needles and embroidery floss.

Buy it because

These become ‘mini work of art’ when stitched! The cards have simple and clear printed pattern lines for you to follow.

I am selling because

While I had grand plans for these cards, but I think they will be great for someone who loves to give cards to friends or can frame these at home!

The condition

is brand new! The book store has wrapped the kit up, although there’s a hole in the wrapper, everything is intact and in good condition.

I am asking for:

SGD$15 + SGD$4.00 (incl. local registered post). Local buyers can pay via local bank transfer or cash upon collection.

Sewing for Baby L

A couple of weeks ago, I had a few quick finishes. I remember being really happy, working on these projects. Because I got bust some Japanese fabrics that I was in danger of hoarding and also trying my 1st bias binding, and my virgin attempt at crafting with the baby strap hardware.

Cot-sized quilt made with ultra-cute Anpan man pre-quilted fabric, hand sewn bias binding

Stroller-sized blankie made with 100% cotton and backed with flannel.

I remember spending quite a bit of $ on ugly binky straps and general straps to tether items near Benji when he was little. So, I whipped up a couple of straps for Baby L that not only function as binky straps, but also as the tether strap for the stroller blankie.

Kawaii fabric tapes (for stroller blankie and binky straps) from Moopie Fabrics.

Denyse Schmidt – Mix-it-up coasters

One of my favourite crafty books is this one. It inspires me a lot, in terms of colours, designs, etc. More of all, it shows me that sewing/quilting should be done YOUR WAY. No quilt police to tell you that your sewing must be 100% accurate, that your colours must consist of this & that, that your blocks must be true & true traditional, etc. The quilts are very different from the ones I see displayed at the quilt shops/workshops. DS’ quilts are so refreshing & modern and I simply want to try each and every one of them.

After many months of book-ownership, DS flickr-group browsing, I finally decided to create something out of her book for a friend’s new home. COASTERS! I know, I know. It’s nothing challenging or great as a quilt or some of her other quirky project, but this gal gotta start somewhere, okie? ;>

Well, looking at the book, I thought: geez, I can make these coasters in 15 mins. I was SOOOOOO wrong. I ended up slaving away the entire evening over this set of 6 coasters.

Step 1: Enlarge pattern design

Step 2: Roughly cut up the pieces from the pattern sheet

Step 3: Stick each piece on a plastic template sheet & trim

Step 4: Punch out the points where the 1/4″ seam lines intersects on all sides of the templates (6 pcs)

Step 5: Pick out 6 different fabrics

Step 6: Cut out fabric rectangles & stack them

Step 7: Trace pattern (mark out the 1/4″ points too) on the top piece of fabric with water soluble pen & then cut them out. I rotary cut the 6 layers of fabrics.

Step 8: Switch the pieces around to make sure each top will have a different combination of fabrics.

Step 9: Match points, pin, sew, iron, repeat again & again & again…

Step 10: Square up

That’s just for making the coaster tops. When I finally made them into cushy coasters and quilted them, it was just sooooo sooooo satisfying. Overall, the coasters are just nice for the couple’s new home, which has a comfy basement/entertainment room, with orange walls, some nice grey tiles… I picked the fabrics with their colourways in mind… And I think my friend appreciates them, so I’m happy. :>

Okay, another house-warming coming up next week. More coasters??? :>

Fabric Gift Wrapping 2

Here’s a package of booky-goodies going to a friend in New York. Her family has moved from Singapore for almost a year now, and we bought some Chinese books for their 3 little ones, sort of like helping them to get in touch with their ‘Asian Roots’, so to speak :>

This came from Ikea’s ‘mini-bolt’ which I love to buy. I used another one when I used fabrics to wrap a gift for another crafty mama’s baby party.

This fabric wrap is a little more ‘structured’. I based it loosely on a pattern in this book and while I don’t have linen & silk, I do have loads of Ikea’s cotton fabrics ;> The length of the ribbon is much shorter though, but given the thickness of these ribbons, I don’t wish to add too much bulk to this parcel. Keeping it S I M P L E and S H O R T.

9 more days to Christmas! :>

Benji’s ca-yon wallet

Benji started to make a grab for our pens and pencils many months ago. So, we’ve invested in washable crayons for him to go crazy with. But he is limited to colouring only when we are at home, and at his little table, because we are so paranoid about losing the crayons in our bags and creating a mess, etc.

I chanced upon Jennifer’s blog and she had created a crayon wallet tutorial – on sale at her Etsy store. It’s great! Now, I can carry a scribble pad along with Benji’s crayons, and it comes with a pocket to keep his masterpieces too :p

I used up some Ikea ‘mini-bolts’ left over from my quilted table toppers – more about that in a bit – they are not expensive and allow me to work on ‘test-projects’ :>

I’ve had these little chicky buttons for the longest time. I don’t have a large button collection, and with projects like these, its a good excuse to go shopping now! ;>

I tried fitting in Benji’s LARGE crayons but they were a little too tall for this wallet. The size is just right for the regular sized ones. But I’ve already ‘discoloured’ the wallet and side of the pad. But no worries, I expect this wallet to be filled with crayon bits and streaks sooner or later anyway ;>

The pad was supposed to fit the pocket on the right side. But I did not check if I had the pad that was the size of the pocket dictated in the pattern. But fortunately, the center pocket could fit the note pad (I had tons of these left from a fund raising event) well.

Overall, I’m very happy with how this turned out. I’ve bought Jennifer’s other pattern for her quilted list-taker. Looking forward to see how that will turn out! :>