What can you do with your old worn handbags and fabric scraps

My experiences traveling to the Northern Vietnam many years ago had taught me to not be wasteful and conserve even the most easily available resources in my daily life.   On one of my visits to Shawn’s home, a Hmong young girl, for sewing lessons for a few Hong girls in her village, I witnessed how the family treasured every little piece of materials.  It does not matter that it is new or old cloths; every tiny piece of materials were salvaged for sewing projects that are an essential part of the family income.  Resources are scarce in the mountainous region in Vietnam and people who live here learned to conserve every single resource that is available to them.   The other part of the world known these efforts as reduce, reuse and recycle; but it is a way of life for the Hmong just because it is necessary.

Recycle materials/accessories from your worn out handbags

I don’t’ usually buy products that are made with PU synthetic leather because they do not last very long.  But I somehow still have two handbags made with this material. As I expected, the outer layer of the handbags began to flakes off within two years of light use.  It is very frustrating and wasteful to trash these bags when other parts of the handbags are still in good condition.  The accessories on the bags are something that I can recycle and I especially like to keep the zippers which are not available for sales in regular stores.   So, I dismantled the zippers, hooks, rings and canvas slings from the handbags.  I can easily recycle these items in my crafting and sewing projects.

A friend of mine decided to give me her old handbags that she was ready to throw away when she heard about my good stories to recycle the parts.  Being frugal and resourceful, I examined her stuff and found two of the handbags are still in decent condition.  My weekly cleaner was happy to adopt them.  As for the rest of the bags that my friend gave me – I stripped all the parts off over a TV show.  These materials will reappeared in better forms in my new projects in the future.

Saving fabric scraps for new projects

I have the habit of keeping fabrics scraps but, in the past, I would usually throw away pieces that are smaller than the size of my palm.  Upon my return from Northern Vietnam, I started to keep even the tiniest fabric scraps from all my sewing projects.  Being a little OCD (!), I would organize the fabric scraps by the sizes and kept them in different containers for easy access.   These scraps come very handy for various sewing projects, for mending torn clothes, making collage artwork with kids, and more.  As for those tiny winy pieces, I use it to fill my hand made toys.

Obviously I don’t throw away old, torn or stained clothes.  I keep them in a box and use them for all kinds of projects,  I use fabric from my old Indian cotton blouse to me the faces of my “Bu Wa Wa” (Click here to see the article). 

So the next time you are thinking about throwing away any of your handbags, old clothes, fabric scraps or anything else, try to take another look of the materials and think of what you can do with it. 

First Giveaway Winner

The first giveaway was unsuccessful with only one follower responded. Hence Jun Yin you are the winner without competition! Please give me the initial you like to have for the 2 cutlery bags.


The feedback I had was the giveaway is not interesting. Thank you all for reading my blog and given the feedback. It helps for a new blogger to advance further.

Patchwork Blankets - Labor of Love

A Grandmother's Garden Quilt
Picture from better-homes-gardens

My grandmother used to make us patchwork blankets when I was growing up.  Her favorite designs are similar to that Grandmother’s Garden Quilt that you can see in the picture left.  Grandma made all her blankets with fabric scraps and she would patch the pieces together using the traditional English Paper Piecing method. For as long as I can remember, the hexagons on my grandma’s blankets are typically around 6 – 7cm in diameters - a little larger than some of the shapes on patchwork blankets that I have seen. My guess is that grandma did not have the patient or time to work with small hexagons.

Having that said, I will always get a new blanket from grandma whenever I outgrown the blanket size that I had. Grandma eventually had to stop sewing when her eyesight can no longer supports her to do such delicate works. However, her blankets continue to keep her grandchildren warm and cozy at night and for many years after she stopped sewing.

My first patchwork blanket

I love grandma's blankets and the hexagon patchwork. In fact, I made my first patch blanket with the hexagon design using the English Paper Piecing method. I made the first blanket for my wedding bed based on my memory of how my friend's mother was making it during my regular visit to her house when I was a teenager. Today, after almost 14 years with little torn here and there on this blanket, I am still using it to keep myself warm and comfort each night. 

I was not exposed to many other fancier designs of patchwork or quilt in the past.  Everyone in this region seems to be making patchwork blankets with hexagons (Grandmother's Garden Quilt), square or rectangular shapes. Today, I had seen many beautiful patchworks using different shapes and patterns. But my favorite shape for patchwork remains the hexagon. There are so many possible designs you can create with the hexagon.

I have been making patchwork blankets for my kids since they were babies. Zen complains her elephant quilt blanket to be too warm and heavy. So, I started making a new one for her since 2 & 1/2 years ago!  I made it everyday at the beginning of the project. Then I got distracted and started taking break for days in between my sewing, eventually days turned into weeks and weeks turned into sometimes months. I made other sewing projects in between because I need seeing some finished projects from time to time.  It gives me a sense of accomplishments. I am spending more time making the blanket recently and it is because we are moving into our new house very soon. It will look beautiful on her new bed.  I purposely use an old bed sheet to sew the backing of the blanket because seasoned fabric is softer and more comfortable. Zen loves the lightness and softness of her new blanket and she also like the beautiful prints on it.

I didn't really have a clue of the design I first started the project. I was thinking I can create some random designs hexagons and diamonds that I had basted with loose stitches. I had chosen pink and green printed fabric for the color combination I added a bright pink plain fabric for a contrasting color effects and to create a chic country look. The finished work is an unusual ladder shape. It may not be a spectacular piece of work as compared to the works of many experienced quilters, but it is priceless to me, I hope my girls will appreciate my efforts and treasured these blankets, and hopefully they will pass on the tradition to their children in the future!

You may find tutorial sites on sewing hexagon patchworks below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcvpA3lqtkM&feature=related
http://www.ehow.com/how_8623212_sew-hexagon-quilt-block.html
http://www.quilterscache.com/G/GrandmothersFlowerGardenBlock.html

My Three Stooges Sock Toys

Three Stooges

I bought my first craft book using socks in 1985 when I was still in secondary school (high school).  It became one of my collection of three craft books. I don’t remember if I ever made any of the toys shown in this particular book, but they no longer appeal to me these days.


Though sock toys existed as early as the 19^th century and regained its popularity back in the late 20^th century, it was not known among many Malaysian until very recently.  I re-encoutered my passion with this form of arts when I came across a fascinating craft book in a bookstore a few years ago,  It was a craft book by a Taiwanese author, Danta.  I was inspired by his wonderful ideas. So, I bought it. 

I went through our socks at home and gathered few socks for the project as soon as I was home. Eagerly, I studied the structures and took tips on making  sock toys. I picked a pair of my husband's socks which are still  new for my first project because I love the simple design of men socks. Not following any sample from the book, I created this creature of my own( See picture on the left). This is not his original look. (Note his original look on the group photo above. He had gone through one plastic surgery to get his sexy lips and the big round eyes).                

I named him Muichi after the makeover. What's the meaning of the name? Well, this creature purses his lips like a child who is about to cry. The Cantonese call this " Mui Mui Chou". That’s how the Mui came about and Chi is simply to rhyme with it. Muichi is an innocent and loving creature. He is often being taken advantages of and therefore, he purses his lips all the time :)

My second socks creature was made with my daughter’s old socks. Meet Fri who is very friendly and was born on a Friday. 

About a year later, I discovered the coolest sock toys craft book - Stupid Sock Creatures by John Murphy and Sock Monkeys (200 out of 1,862) by Anne Svenson+Ron Warren on Amazon.com, a place I bought many of my books.  These are black and white photos book of 200 sock monkeys out of the authors astounding collection of 1,863 vintage sock monkeys. These books cost more at our local bookshops but I was fortunate to have a mailing address in the U.S. and an annual personal delivery service to bring them back to me . 

Polo has a long tail

I was so inspired by the book and after looking at 200 vintage sock monkeys, my third sock toy was naturally a sock monkey. It was made with brand new male  socks. Of course, the socks owner, my husband, hassled me for cutting his socks  again! The label for the sock is Polo, so it was named Polo.

It has been quite a while since I made Polo. I had with me two pairs of original Rockford Red Heel socks bought from Chicago last autumn.  It awaits my good mood to make craft out a classic sock monkey.

Click here for a tutorial from YouTube to make a classic sock monkey. With all the free tutorials available online, you don't even need to buy crafting and sewing books these days. Unless you are like me,  who doesn't always have access to the internet, and who loves hard copy versus the computer screen  It is a treat to own a book!

First Giveaway

It has been more than 18 months since I started this blog. I think it is time to thank you all who have been following by a giveaway gifts. At the same time, I am taking this opportunity to welcome new followers. 


To enter the giveaway is simple, just


1) Leave a comment here on this post
2) You must be a follower. If you are not, join/follow me on my new Linky button at the top of my sidebar if you are not Blogger.
3) For additional entry to win, please post the giveaway to any of your social networking sites (facebook, blogger and/or twiter), and don't forget to leave a separate comment her for each social networking site you posted the giveaway to. Please inform me on this.


If you choose to remain anonymous, please leave me your email address so I can contact you. You may email details to me at yannsjournal@gmail.com if you do not wish to leave email address on the comment column.


Giveaway closes on 30 April 2012. Winners name will be drawn and announce on 1 May 2012.

Winner may select only single alphabet for each cutlery bag. The alphabet appliqué fabric would be same or similar to the picture shown above.

Open to all 18 years and older

Handmade Cutlery Bags

NYZ - Ning, Yann & Zen

I consider cutlery bag an essential traveling item so I can keep the cutlery set safe and clean. It is useful for  kids who take their meals in school and adults who dine out regularly. Other than the reasons that it is more eco-friendly  and hygienic, I just do not enjoy eating with disposable cutlery. 

Every Saturday, my girls and I have to eat  in the car or at their learning centre  when we have to rush from one class to the other. The restaurants which I usually buy our food always supply me with flimsy plastic disposable cutlery. I think it is wasteful to dispose them after single use and I do not like to eat with them anyway. I used to pack our cutlery sets by wrapping them in serviette and threw them inside my bag. In fact, that was not a good idea. My daughter Zen stays back after school for curriculum activity every Wednesday. She has her lunch in school and need a proper storage for her cutlery set. Therefore, making cutlery bags for the family is something that I have been thinking about since last year. 

Made with unbleached burlap from Thailand

Rubber stamped cupcake applique

Unbleached twine recycle from paper bag

Made with unbleached cotton

I like the natural appearance of unbleached materials. For this project, I use unbleached cotton, laces and even the twine for the draw string. They are all natural and free from chemical bleach and dye -  ideal for storing cutlery or food item.

Do you like to have these bags in your chosen initials? Look out for Yann's Journal first giveaway that is coming up soon!

Zakka Apron with Ethnic Embroidery

I had shared on last two posts on the projects I did for a workshop with a NGO ran minority sewing centre in China . And here is another project I did  for the same workshop to design handmade crafts for the Yi minority people.

Coaster with Yi motif applique and embroidery

I had limited info and resources before arriving China, which I had to use whatever I could get hold for my preparation. I had with me two coaster with Yi designed motifs bought from a friend. The embroidery on the coaster was fine and beautiful. I was impressed with the effort of making a little coaster. Later, I had a chance to see the Yi ladies making these embroideries, and they were really skillful and fast in their sewing. With these two coasters, I had made two aprons with the same design.

2 pocket compartments 

One of the two aprons was given to a charming lady in the mountain and I kept the other one for myself.

Ethnic Cushion Covers with Yi People Motifs

I had shared a post on ethnic cushion covers in December 2010. The article has the highest readership among all the sewing posts and second most read post in my blog. In fact, the readership is up to ten times more than my other posts on sewing. I guess many people are interested with ethnic designed cushion covers. Riding on this popularity, I decided to share with you another one of my new creation.

Covers with  appliqué  of the Yi motif

A mirror effect appliqué for the set of cushion cover

These two sets of striking colored cushion covers were designed for a workshop with an NGO in China whom I visited last year. I have used these motifs for my "Hand Sewn Journal" which I shared in a post last September 2011. The motifs on these cushion covers are adapted from the art and craft work by the Yi people. They are one of the 55 minority people groups in mainland China.

Motifs of the Yi People 

Covers designed with  appliqué  and running stitches of the Yi motif 

I asked help from a lady working in my friend's workshop to sew the black piping on the cushion. I had experience of doing a terrible job on piping; I take the opportunity for a tutorial. Another lady at the workshop gave me tips on sewing the borders of the blue cushions shown above. As a result, I did a good job on these cushion covers . 

Love this home decor weight blue Indian cotton

The button is embroidered with the Yi motif

These two sets of cushions now sit prettily in my living room.


New! Click here for tutorial & template for the red with black piping cushion cover.

Metal Frame Purse

My first metal frame purse

I love metal frame coin purse for its kissing lock closure. I would love it even more if it is made with my favorite ethnic fabric. From my stash of exotic collection of ethnic textiles in my treasure drawer, I picked this embroidery on a round material done by the Dong minority people in Guizhou Province of China for this project. This is one of my projects for a workshop to design handmade crafts with the Yi minority people in China last year.

I used home decor fabric for the purse because heavy weigh fabric would hold the purse firm and also to create a more expensive finishing. The fabric came from a friend who runs curtain and upholstery business. He was very generous to allow me to pick some remnants material from his workshop when he heard that it was for a voluntary project with the minority people in China.

A side and bottom panel to create volume for the purse

Both front & back sides have the same embroidery work 

My Little Jaipur is hibernating, but I am not.
The interior has a compartment for mobile phone.

The textured green home décor fabric creates a strong contrast
to the embroidery on a red fabric.

Metal frame with kissing lock

I went around the city and finally found the metal frame in a sewing and festive decoration supplies shop in China Town, located right next to the Purple Cane Tea House in Kuala Lumpur. Choices were, of course, limited and the prices were expensive. I bought two with each cost RM14 (about 4 USD). I was told that it is made in Korea and the quality is better...in comparison with Chinese products. Later I found an online shop operated from Malaysia- MayMayShop who offers better deal and choices. There are some Chinese dealers online who could offer an unbelievable price as low as RM0.25 (0.08USD) each when you purchased above 100 pieces. I could get a delivery address in China but to ship them to Malaysia is a problem. Additionally, I am most concern the quality and condition of the goods.

Since this was the biggest sew-in frame that I could find, I made the bottom of the purse bigger and added the side/bottom panel for volume as I wanted it to be a sling bag instead of coin purse. The metal chain can be easily obtained from jewelry supplies shop in China Town, Kuala Lumpur. I couldn't find a frame with loops to attach the chain to, so I made the loops on the purse.

I learned the basic guide of making a metal frame purse from a sewing book but modified the purse to my own design. Once you know the basic rules, you can create many different shapes. As for now, this might be the first of its kind of metal frame sling bag/purse with ethnic embroidery.


Click here to check out on my friend's blog - Meiteddybear for more coin purses. The coin purse shown below was made by her and if you wish to purchase any coin purse from her, provide the code " Yann's Journal CP" to enjoy 10% off.

Front view

Back view

For tutorial, click " I like orange too" blog , the blogger sells this type of metal frame on her etsy shop.

New background for Yann's Journal

I got bored with the old red background. After played around with the layout and template of blogger, finally I figured out how to upload a background. I had also change the new font for blog title about a week ago.

The backgound new is a batik work with a little embroidery from the Gejia Miao from Guizhou Province in China.

Enjoy the new look!