22.6.14

raindrops tote


My sweet friend Amy's zakka creations are too charming to describe in words. I have no doubt, they must be eating a dollop of sunshine for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and eagerly sip on a special kind of rainbow drink. I adore the way Amy makes her handmade objects come alive with deepest yellows, bright blues and sparkly pinks with a touch of gingham for homeliness.


Amy wrote a beautiful book called Zakka Handmades  that came out last year. There are 24 projects each with a purpose and a place in our home and heart, including a set of projects for crochet lovers and play things for babies. I wanted to give these precious projects all my attention, so even if it was hard, I waited until I crossed off some of the other things that were pending.


When I came to know we both share a fondness for rainy days, puffy clouds and pretty umbrellas, I decided 'Rain drops'  tote has to be the first project to make. I thought of this delicate lady in a frilly floral dress under fringed umbrella, hiding somewhere in my stash. It was a lonely vintage block I came across in an antique market. This block is couple of inches bigger than the measurement for the bag in the pattern, I kept it as it is, so the bag came out slightly bigger than the pattern suggested.


For the other side of the bag, I cut out a big cloud bursting with rain drops from a vintage scrap and appliquéd it with button hole stitch to match with the vintage block.. falling rain drops and waving blades of grass, fill rest of the picture.


The sides are my favorite part, they provide a good excuse to cut into fun fabrics and change the look of the bag however we want. I had a serious crush on this Heather Ross print since it came out, even the selvage is too sweet to ignore, so I used it for the handles.


 Lining is a blue fabric that looks like darkening sky on a rainy day and an adorable umbrella print for the inside pocket. It is an older collection called 'Aunt grace through the year ' by Judy Rothermel. 


This is also my first time installing metal snaps with the help of SnapSetter. I get nervous trying out new gadgets, there is a good video tutorial on Youtube and a step by step tutorial on Oliver + S here which really helped me get over my fear. If you find snaps intimidating like me, you should try this tool for its easy procedure. I got mine from Amazon but now I discovered that Oliver + S website also sells it along with right size snaps.

'Zakka Handmades' on my book shelf is going to be well loved and worn out for all the great ideas it gives for personal use and for gifts. Thank you, Amy!! I am so happy that Amy is also getting more involved into inventing new Zakka patterns and making them available separately in her Etsy shop. She shares her sewing adventures on Chick chick sewing blog ( ' v ' )

Thank you for stopping by! Happy Sunday!!

16.6.14

Payal pig's purse


Payal pig lives in a humble home away from hustle of the town. She loves pinks and purples and most of all papaya fruit. Rain or shine, she tends to her papaya trees and grows plenty of purple flowers. Her big umbrella shelters her well when she is bent over the plants, working away with an old song on her lips.


Another thing she is very fond of is her lovely purse with a round button on top. She always keeps it close because it has many important items. When it is not hanging over her shoulder on a visit into the town, it is hanging on a peg next to her kitchen table where she enjoys milk tea or papaya slices at regular intervals.


While Payal pig poured herself a cup of tea, I have to quickly show you a peek inside her purse, I know it is a very private matter, but I hope she forgives me because it is too pretty to miss..  Look, there are floating leaves and purple flowers and lots and lots of pockets to keep things in order.


It even has a zippered pocket for loose change and hidden pockets for receipts and other items that Payal pig prefers to keep a secret. I think I hear a rustle, let me return this purse to its place and tell you more details if you so wish to have a purse just like this one...


I heard she got it from Straight stitch society  and if I remember it correctly, it is called 'Have it all ' wallet! 

The shape of the flap on the front is slightly changed for a simpler look and a round wooden button added on top with a magnetic snap inside, other than that the pattern was followed exactly, sewing the zipper was also made easy with well thought out instructions and diagrams. 

Top fabric is a Japanese linen that Payal pig coveted for obvious reasons and inside is two types of gauze fabric from Nani Iro collection.

 Stay in the shade and enjoy your favorite fruit!  ( ^ u ^ )