fabric bookcover

I made a bookcover with linen.

It has a slit on the back of the front cove and a band on the back of the back cover. The seam on the band should not be this way up... So please be careful how to put it before sewing.

Knitta Please Artworks Are Up

I have finally went to Montague Street to see the artworks in situ. These are the ones that are knitted by Sabina, Bella and myself. I am very pleased with the green fuzz.

Knitta's Little Helpers For 69 Meters

On May 13th, the BID will sponsor an installation by artist Magda Sayeg, founder of Knitta Please. Magda and volunteers from New York's knitting community will wrap all 69 parking-meter poles on Montague Street with colorful knitted sleeves.

I have signed up to help out. Here are my little helpers for this project all the way from the Fog City (and sometimes sunny) San Francisco.

Bella {age 12} helped me cast on the first row


Shadow {age 1} tried to doggie-proof the yarn


Sabina {age 8} showed me how to cast off after speedily knitted a foot of artwork in a short amount of time



I have chosen the color theme called urban jungle - an olive drab camouflage combo with a dash of active green fuzz.

I will post pictures of the installed knitted artwork next, after the May 13 installation.

Handmade is the NewNew

My embellished tote for the Spring Handmade Cavalcade.

Check out the front and the back. It is like Dr Jykell and Mr Hyde.

But, which is the front and which is the back?

Read My Palm - The Future Is Handmade

I need some new aprons for my work shop to run with my slab roller. Once again, I take out my sewing machine and my silkscreen squeegee.


The fabric is 7 gm cotton canvas. I also used 4 yards of half inch cotton twill tape in sage green for the binding. The neck band is some natural colored cotton twill tape I salvage from a shopping bag handle.

Below is the apron spread eagle. The motif here is "The Future is Handmade", hand screened by me.



Below is the twill tape details. I have re-enforced the ends in multiple reversed zigzag stitches.



Another version in "Coo Coo, Take me Home" a.k.a Mid Town Manhattan Flâneur. I have salvaged the neck band from a Royal Air Force key chain.



Below is the pattern. It is a very easy project. I hope you enjoyed my versions.

Sew Sew Eco Tote!

A new laundry bag sewing project. I also hand screen the design on the bag. Everybody needs a laundry bag! I have also use this bag to take shipping boxes to the post office and transport my silkscreen on the subway.

The bag measures 23 wide x 19" deep. The strap is about 20" long in 7 gm cotton canvas. Tri-color cotton twill tape binding.



There is a build-in elastic tie to roll up the bag when it's not in use.

Getting to know my sewing machine

I finally have a chance to sit down and get to know my sewing machine. I have chosen to make a bag with some plain cotton canvas and cotton twill tapes. With one hand on the manual and one foot on the pedal, I figured out how to make different stitches like; straight stitch, zig zag stitch and wow! LOOk! overlock stitch! I then learned how to wind bobbin, change the sewing feet, all very exciting stuff with this new-to-me machine.

There are many settings on this Pfaff 6122, it seems a bit over-killed at first. Now that I have learned it, I am happy to have them. I am looking forward to making my first subversive quilt.

I always forget little things that I need before I go out. I made a tiny bag to collect *those* things to hang on the front door. While doing this project, I am reminded how I used to design and make my own school bag when I was a teenager.




Then I went a bit sewing crazy and made 2 more eco totes and some individual sandwich and soda totes.