Jane Makes Flowers

This seems to be a pattern. Each time after I sell somewhere I can't get back into the sewing routine. This time is no different. I'm just staring at my sewing machine and I cannot start anything. Well, I've learnt from past experiences that doing something other than making bags will usually trigger my bag-sewing passion again.

So instead of watching TV all day, I made fabric flowers. After watching a few videos on youtube on flower making, I've realised that glue is essential. But I'm rather anti-glue. It's so icky. Instead of glue, I replaced it with handstitching.

The first flower I made seems to look really easy. Here's the tute I used: Frayed Flower Tute
Originally, the idea of making fabric flowers is to use my scraps. However, looking at this frayed flower tute, the amount of fabric required is rather long. But I was stubborn and wanted to use a scrap of gingham I had. The basic idea of this flower is to making running stitches along the length of the fabric and scrunch it up.

I think the length of the fabric was around 25" far too short to achieve any scrunch.

I gave it to my doll.

This is my second attempt. I used a longer strip - 38". The scrunchiness was better.

I made a larger one. The length is still 38" but the width is doubled. I think the smaller one looks better.

For my next flower I wanted something with petals. I sewed four, turned right side out and inserted some yarn in the middle. I discovered that a pair of tweezers is your best friend when turning tiny pieces of fabric right side out.

This is a bag I use frequently when I go to the market. I think the flower brightens it up.

For my next flower, I got ambitious. I used more petals, varying in size. The middle has the same red yarn.

This is another bag I use frequently. I think the flower goes with it.

You know what I discovered? Making fabric flowers which requires handsewing, turning right side out and hiding all the ugly stitching - it takes a very long time! I could have sewn a simple pouch in the same amount of time. Certainly not going into the fabric flower biz anytime soon.

Yesterday I received a happy surprise in the mail. Another cheque from nuffnang a blog advertising community. I wasn't going to yap about it because it's silly you know. But a note attached with the cheque says if I blog about receiving the cheque, I MAY get more money next round. So I never turn down the chance to get free money, so I thank you for indulging me. Btw, a BIG thanks to everyone for reading my blog because it's the traffic that gave me the cheque. It's about 3 years since I started this blog and I'm still nowhere near achieving high traffic. That would be a bonus but it's not everything. I'm happy to share my sewing journey with you and I appreciate everyone for coming to my blog regularly even tho' all I talk about is bags, bags, bags. Um...except today which is flowers, flowers, flowers. But you know what I mean.

Lastly, in my last post I wondered if I have any readers from Iceland. So today I checked my stats and what do you know? I have readers from many countries - some I'm ashamed to say I've never even heard of but none from Iceland! NONE.

See you guys again once I get my sewing mojo back.

October MAAD 2010 Post-Mortem

Hey everyone,

Today I'm writing a post about my weekend MAAD sale at red dot design museum. You know, the last time I was at red dot was 4th July. A few things have changed since then. Firstly and rather sadly, the food centre near red dot where I get really cheap food is permanently shut down. I almost had a heart attack. Oh, how cruel. The only other place to get food is a well-known market called Maxwell market, I think. But there's too much choice over there and the queue is usually long. The other change is the red floor where I sell at is now air-conditioned so the windows have to be closed all the time. So now I have to pack my sweater. I usually sweat a bucket when I sell at red dot. Now I look like I'm visiting Iceland. (This is the coldest sounding country I can think of so pardon me readers from Iceland, if any)

Since 4th July, I had been selling at different places all over Singapore and the tables provided are longer than the squarish one provided at MAAD for the red floor. I actually found it hard to arrange my bags and pouches on a square table. I have been so spoiled.

So how was the sales? Sales at red dot is never roaring. I sold a grand total of 7 bags/pouches. I have just 1 photo of a customer.

Remember Len? She's now the new owner of the crane and the pitcher shopping bag. I was very happy to see her and her friend, Raphael. Thanks for coming guys.

My Anne of Green Gables pouches became a mini-celebrity. But only 1 was bought. The fans just wanna touch the pouches and talk about the stories!

There was a iphone photograph exhibition at red dot museum and of course that means many of the people we saw storming the museum are photographers or photo-loving people. Some of them went around taking photos of our products and rarely asking for permission first. Personally, I don't mind anyone taking photos of my bags even if they don't ask me for permission. But my dear friend Mandy had problems because what she sells can be damaged and some people think it's okay to wear her accessories for photo-taking or tomfoolery! Gosh, where are their manners?

Mandy's solution. Check out the white fur she lines her table with.

There was a new table selling hair accessories for humans. The owners had 3 Blythe on the table and I was so smitten with them(the Blythe) but no, I did not get to play with them(the Blythe). Oh, some day I'm getting me a Blythe.

I had visitors. My SIL came by. Also, Eileen of shulingbloom. She's my new friend from Open Doors Weekend Market. Thanks for the visit. It's already October. Time to get cracking on spitting out more bags and pouches for the Christmas period. Take care.

2 Petite MoMos

Today is Friday. It's strictly no-sewing day for me as I need to pack my bags for MAAD tomorrow. Yesterday I managed to make 2 more bags. I call them petite MoMos.

The basic shape of the bags is a rectangle with boxed corners. It's the closure that makes the bag. Yes, I sucummed to drawstring casing again. The main fabric on both petite bags are Odyssea by Japanese textile designer MoMo.

Even tho' the main fabric is cotton twill, it is very lightweight and I'm thinking the next time I use these fabric, I will use batting.

I thought the striped casing went really well with the main fabric!

It was harder finding a casing for this colourway. I finally went with a blue-grey.

4 different fabric was used for the first MoMo.
- Odyssea cotton twill for the main fabric
- Striped cotton for the casing
- Green and white gingham for the lining
- Red upholstery cotton for the handles

4 different fabric was used for the second MoMo.
- Odyssea cotton twill for the main fabric
- Blue-grey cotton for the casing
- Michael Miller's Ocean cotton for the lining
- Red upholstery cotton for the handles

Yep, I so spoil my bags! These are my last 2 bags for this week. I'm looking forward to going to MAAD tomorrow. Hope it doesn't rain because I'm taking the train.

Once again, here are the details:
2nd & 3rd October 2010
MAAD
red dot Traffic
28 Maxwell Road
Singapore 069120
11am to 7pm both days

See you next week and have a great weekend.