The Little Mushroom Cap: A Quilting Blog

In Crochet & Knits

Crochet Make Up Pouch

October 13, 2013 4 Comments

Hi!

I have come to love crochet more and more. Lovely colors of yarns make me want to learn as quickly and wish I had all the time in the world.

This pouch here was made by by mother in law and I recently made a zippered lining. I can now use it to put my daily needs for a quick makeup.

I love the textures crochet creates. My mother in law crochets very neatly. I adore her works.

I see more crochet pouches in my future. Will definitely learn how make some myself!

XOXO

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In Bag Sewing

New Handmade Wallet

October 11, 2013 28 Comments

Hi!

I made a new wallet today!

I started from scratch, testing out new (to me) interfacing. Last time I made a wallet it went all soft and as much as I love it, it just could not hold my cards anymore. Besides, I made the card slot facing the wrong way last time.

This time the wallet turns out so much better and I believe would be used well.

I made a pocket to slip in my phone too.

If I have to make more wallets (I might be – as I am planning to sell some) I would make the bottom pocket slightly deeper. I cut the corners far too much in this one and it made it hard for me to slip in the cards.

Linking up to

and Crazy Mom Quilts

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In Quilt

Work In Progress

October 9, 2013 20 Comments

Hi!

Working on several projects at a time has caught me with a lot of work in progress. All slow and some is not even moving anywhere. So, I decided to get focused. This week I am getting the quilt with pattern writing done. Definite. No more stalling.

Here is a peak of the quilt making.

Then, I am going to focus on getting my Marcelle Medallion done. Last week I did add another border though. Getting this one done will be on the list end of this week as soon as I get the above quilt done. I am promising to myself. Oh dear me, please don’t be a promise breaker. Huhu.

My socks knitting projects are going slow taking free time only during waiting or travel in the car or in between breaks where I need movies. I have got to the heel turning already. I am pretty happy though there are some uneven stitches. They are my first pair of socks, so I think I did good enough. Hopefully I will be able to get few pair of socks done before next autumn/winter!

Well, thats all to update on my work in progress.. Linking up to :

If you are new here, take a visit around, I love your visit and would love to have you here often for sure! Thank you!

XOXO

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In Crochet & Knits

Crochet : Dishcloth #1

October 4, 2013 4 Comments

Hi!

So, I have branched out a bit in my crafty adventure. I learned to crochet recently from my mother in law who is amazingly gifted. She recently made this crocheted drawstring bag which I think is so cute!

As for me, what better way to start the journey of crochet with a dishcloth. I found this 52 weeks of dishcloths which has reached week 19 already, but hey, I thought I’d join in anyway.

So, here is the dishcloth I made from Week 1 tutorial.

I love the texture of this dishcloth and am sure is great for scrubbing out those dishes.

This is definitely going to be a great use in my little kitchen! I love, love it so far! (Probably has slightly increased my interest towards dishwashing. HA!)

XOXO

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In Quilt

W.I.P wednesday..

October 2, 2013 16 Comments

Hi!

I have been working on few stuff as you can see from my last Weekend Do post. I would most probably be having this weekend do linky party every week, so please do stop by and link!

Anyway, here are my current w.i.p:

I have picked up some of my favorite prints to continue working on this Marcelle Medallion. Since Penny Poppleton is hosting a QAL (though i may not catch up) I feel more motivated to sew this quilt.

Here is another W.I.P :

my About A Quilt Sampler QAL is already on the second last block!

Well, that’s all for w.i.p wednesday! linky up to freshly pieced. Today Hosting is Kristy of Quiet Play!

XOXO

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In Custom FMQ Sampler Quilt Along

About A Quilt Sampler QAL #17 & #18 : Piecing and Quilting Block 8

October 2, 2013 2 Comments

Yes I am very late to post on this one (soo sorry for those waiting) but better late then never I believe, so here comes September block – to piece and to quilt it.

If this is your first time here, you can read more on this QAL by clicking here.

If you miss previous post you can always go back to all the post by clicking the button on my blog sidebar or below:

So here is how the final block look like:

So, the cutting direction is as follows

Cut 2 pieces of 7 1/4 ” x 3.5″ rectangles from each of the four printed fabrics. Fold in the middle and cut diagonal corner as in the photo below.

For the solids, cut 8 pieces of 3.5″ square and fold center diagonally and cut through the diagonal fold.

You can chain piece all the solid to each corner of the middle printed triangles with a very scant 1/4″ seams and press them open

Do both corners and you will end up with 8 flying geese sets.

Arrange them to your liking and piece two flying geese together and you will end up with four squares with two geese in each one.

Sew the 4 patch together and you are ready to quilt it.

Baste as usual. Mark about a quarter inch inside each corner of the solid background

Quilt a line connecting all three dots marked and do a dense quilting inside each triangles.

Finish up by simply quiting lines coming out one corner of the printed triangles to the opposite side, spreading as even as possible. If you are not confident, you can also draw a line with washable pen first.

Here is the back of my block so you can see the quilting better.

I may have ended up with a wee bit small block for this one because I did eat a bit more than a scant 1/4″ seams. For triangles and biased seams, I find it very important to keep the seam perfect to end up with a perfect size in this case 12.5″ block unfinished. I hope you will do better than me. I need more practice.

Well, we are nearly at the end of the QAL. This month I will also share the last block of all and we are soon to piece them all together!

As always, don’t forget to add your version to littlemushroomcap flickr group!

XOXO

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In Applique Quilt

Gingko Blues Wallhanging Quilt

September 9, 2013 7 Comments

Hi!

For those waiting for the About A Quilt Sampler QAL post, I have to say very sorry as I have forgotten to upload the photo of the block tutorial to flickr before I left Canberra. I will get to it before the month ends with the quilting too.

Currently I am back in Malaysia. Visiting my father in law who is still in coma. He is stable and is currently being treated at home. We are praying for his strength to recover and for my mother in law to be as strong to go through this difficult time. Your wishes and prayers are most welcome and appreciated.

Before leaving Canberra, I did manage to get the quilt for my mother in law done. I am getting it hung up in the room where my father in law is staying in. It is fairly a small quilt, but a good size for a wallhanging.

gingko blues wallllhanging quilt machine applique_full

gingko blues wallllhanging quilt machine applique_corner

I started this quilt back in 2012 and procrastinate in getting it done. But I am glad it is all bound and ready to

be hung now.

gingko blues wallllhanging quilt machine applique

Thank you for your visit!

XOXO

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In Bag Sewing

Sewing Tutorial : Tote Bag Using Faux Leather and Quilting Cotton

August 29, 2013 17 Comments

In this post, I will be sharing a tutorial for making this tote bag. It is a deep tote which fits A4 size notebook nice and neatly. Perfect for college or the trip to the library!

For this tutorial, I use a large fat quarter of dark brown faux leather (bought here) and 2 fat quarters of cotton fabric from Nordika collection by Jeni Baker for Art Gallery Fabrics.

Requirements:

: Measuring at least 27″ x 18″
2 Fat quarter of cotton fabrics
1 half yard of solid cotton fabric for lining

(I use Klasse’s Needle)

Matching thread
Paper clips or

or Craft Glue

One for inner pocket

or

Other regular sewing needs

Template download : Free Sewing Tutorial Template – Tote Bag from The Little Mushroom Cap

Tips on working with Faux leather on your sewing machine:

Reduce the foot pressure on your sewing machine
Use a walking foot or roller foot or teflon foot
Increase stitch length
Use leather needle
TEST on scraps first

I have gone through several try and error and the above works very well in the end.

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Sewing Tutorial How to sew a Faux Leather Panelled Tote Bag

Cutting direction

From the faux leather,

cut 4 pieces of 4″ x 17″ rectangles for outer bodice sides

cut 4 pieces of 2″ x 14″ strips for the straps

cut 4 pieces of hexagon as in template to appliqué at the end of the straps

From one of the cotton fat quarter and the interfacing,

cut 2 pieces of 8″ x 17″ for outer bodice center

cut 2 pieces of 2″ x 5″ for center of straps

(iron on the interfacing to the back of the fabric)

From another cotton fat quarter,

cut 1 piece of 4″ x 8″ for pocket

cut 1 piece of 14″ x 8″ for pocket

From solid lining,

cut 1 piece of 8″ x 8″ for pocket

cut 2 pieces of 4″ x 17″

cut 1 piece of 14.5″ x 17″

Tote tutorial _ faux leather _ nordika _ free tutorial_cutting corners

Cut the corners of the 4″ x 17″ faux leather pieces using the template (download the template in link below)

Free Sewing Tutorial Template Tote Bag The Little Mushroom Cap

Sew the front panels together, and making sure the seams are open, top stitch the seam flat.

Tote tutorial _ faux leather _ nordika _ free tutorial_sew darts

Sew the darts, reversing some stitches at the corner of each dart

Make the straps by sewing the 2″ strips together. Patching the 2″ x 5″ cotton strips in the middle of the 2″ x 14″ faux leather strips. Fold in 1/4″ seams from the side of the strips and fold the whole strips in half. Use paper clips or clover clips to keep this together while you top stitch. Top stitch both sides of the straps.

Position the strap in the center of the seam of the two panels. The raw edge ends of the strap should be about 6″ from the top edge of the front panel. Sew on top of the strap’s topstitch and make a horizontal stitch at about 2″ from the top. (I did 1″ from the top but it makes it difficult later, so I suggest to measure at about 2″ from the top and stitch as the arrow shown in the image)

combine_Tote tutorial _ faux leather _ nordika _ free tutorial_hexies3

Cut the hexagons from the faux leather using the templates provided. Baste the hexagon in place covering the raw edge of the straps. Top stitch the hexagon close to hexagon edges. Do reverse stitches at the beginning and the end to ensure the stitches stay in place

How to sew a bag | Tote tutorial | faux leather |free sewing tutorial

Put the two outer panels together and around the edges leaving the topside seams open. Darts can be sewn nested as shown in the small inset photo.

Now we shall put the outer bag aside, and work on the lining!

combine_Tote tutorial _ faux leather _ nordika _ free tutorial_pocket

Sew the zip to the 4″ x 8″ and 8″ x 14″ pieces by folding in 1/4 seams and topstitching. Take the 8″ x 8″ square solid lining piece and topstitch as in photo 3. Stitch the side panels together to the pocket panel

Tote tutorial _ faux leather _ nordika _ free tutorial_libning panel

You should now have a half side of pocket panel and another solid lining panel measuring 14.5″ x 17″. Trim to that size if necessary.

Tote tutorial _ faux leather _ nordika _ free tutorial_lining corner

Position the corner template
to the bottom corner of the two panels and cut the darts and corner.

Tote tutorial _ faux leather _ nordika _ free tutorial_lining 3

Sew the darts and sew the sides and the base together leaving 6″ opening at the base.

Tote tutorial _ faux leather _ nordika _ free -right side facing_stitch top

Place the outer bag inside the lining bag right side facing and sew the top seam together.

Tote tutorial _ faux leather _ nordika _ free tutorial_turn and close opening

Turn the bag right side out through the 6″ opening at the base. Fold the opening seams in, and topstitch matching thread to close.

Push the lining back inside, and top stitch the top part carefully moving slowly near the straps and you are done!

Enjoy your bag!

Tutorial tote bag using faux leather and quiting cotton_ how to sew faux leather_laid

I’d love to see your version, so be sure too add some photos to littlemushroomcap flickr group or tag me on Instagram!!

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In Free Motion Quilting

Anna Bella HST Quilt Done + Quilting Video

August 23, 2013 32 Comments

Hi!

Finally after hours of quilting this quilt and spamming photos of it in the instagram (I am amira_littlemushroomcap on IG), the quilt is finally done!

This quilt is a gift for my mother, hence the fabrics was bought to match her taste and home. The fabric line is called Anna Bella by Marcus Fabrics. I posted a blogpost when the fabric arrived here. Blogpost on the progress of the quilt here and here.

I know my mother would certainly love a sampler quilt, so I decided to make the HST sampler quilt from In Color Order’s Tutorial.

The quilting was mostly feathers because I wanted to practice feather quilting. I started quilting the blocks, so even though I did have some ugly feathers there, it is not so obvious. Pretty clever ha?

Once I have done all the blocks, I did the sashing. which was ….. totally wrong!

Should have consider quilting from the center towards the outside/border because the quilt backing keeps bulging around in between quilted blocks. It’s okay. Lesson learnt.

I was finally confident with my feathers and decide to go for the feather border. I am pretty please with the end results having it was quilted on a regular domestic machine with no stitch regulator.

Here is a video of me quilting it. If you are interested in quilting feathers yourself on a domestic machine, probably you can get a few things from the video. Please pardon my grammar and english – it is not my first language and spontaneously talking is one thing I am not very good at. Huhu.

Sorry – it is my first time doing a video! And NO editing!!! and it is dark – of course, its winter here down under.. AND sorry you have to go through me with the seam ripper part too! Hehe. I am hoping to improve soon so I can share better.

Quilty Hugs,

Amira

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