Denim Yoga Mat Bag | DIY

Since I order my Manduka mat, I've been thinking to make my own yoga mat bag ^^ I don't really like my old yoga mat bag that got from my old mat. It have a hole on the top and use small strap, it hurts when you have heavy mat XD. So, I google it, trying to find inspirations and nice free pattern. So finally, I decide to use free pattern from Nigella Yoga Bag. You can just follow the instructions on the that pattern. But I decide to make my own version and use the pattern as guidance. 

So here's the supplies : 

1. Denim & Inner fabrics
2. Old Zipper from unused bag (I decide to use zipper instead let the upper part open)
3. Unused leather straps 

First thing to do it cut the fabrics. I use denim (Yeah! The same fabric as my pleated skirt) for the outside and the grey fabric for the inner part. For the measurement, I just follow the pattern and I add the top circles part. I didn't cut the denim fabric for the outside pockets, because I was thinking to use other fabric to give more pattern, but I still cant decide which fabric I want to use for the pocket. So, I skipped the outside pockets part and add a small pocket for my phone inside (with the grey fabric).

Let's start sewing! The first thing to do is putting the zipper. It's a little bit hard for me, because I usually use invincible zipper and this one it's not that kind of zipper. First, I stitch the zipper to the denim and the stitch again with the grey fabric on the top of the zipper. 

So, here's the result for one side of the zipper. I'm sorry becuase I'm not good explaining it in English ;p but I hope you understand what I mean. 

Next, before do the other side of the zipper, I need to stitch the inside pocket. I just realize that I cut the pocket part too small XD so I decide to serge (overlock) it.

Then pin it on the grey fabric (I deicide to put near the top of the bag, so my phone wont slide down when I carry the bag) and stitch it.

When you done, you can continue to stitch the other part of the zipper. And you will get a tube shape. Next, prepare the top and bottom part. Mum suggest to give hard fabric between the denim & grey fabric (I don't know what it's called). But it will make your fabric stay in shape (it's like the inner part of you collar). Too bad that hard fabric is not the one can stick to your fabric by ironing it. So I have to stitch it, so it wont moving around when I put it together with the tube part.

I have to stitcth the leather strap before joining the top & bottom part to the tube part. I decide to use the black leather strap. This is the hardest part, because the leather strap is thick. When you done with the strap, it's time to join the top & bottom part to the tube. Too bad I didn't take picture, but just follow the instructions from the Nigella pattern. 

You can serge the bottom and top part when you done of just leave it like that (it's inside anyway, noone can notice it ;p). You might notice that the zipper looks different, yes! It's because I change the zipper head to match with the copper accent on the black leather strap. Done! Now I have my proper yoga bag for my Manduka. Happy yoga time! Namaste. 

PS : I might reconstructing this bag, because the leather strap it's not good, I guess it will peel off soon and I might need to fix some of the stitches, rearrange the inside pocket and add the outer pockets.

Love, Ninu

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Sewing Project | Batik Dress Reconstruction

Long time ago, I got a dress, which I think it look nice. This yellowish batik dress, actually look gorgeous on the mannequin, lol. I like the pattern and the color combinations, but I rarely wear it (only two times since I got it). It is absolutely way too big for me, even the obi help to hide the big size. And the worse, it's too long for my height, lol. Make me look more short XD. So, I think I should do something with this dress, or else I would never wear it again. Mum suggest to give elastic band on the waist, so the dress will fit me and the obi didn't move around.

One day, I was looking for sewing tutorial and found this lovely convertible dress idea, from extrapetite.com. I was thinking this idea will be great for that yellow dress. I was too afraid to cut the dress into two part, so I start with trying to put zipper on the left side of the dress. I want to see how it looks like when it body fit. 

First time putting zipper, messy ;p

2nd time, better

Just add zipper on the side

Here's how it looks like after I put the zipper. Look better! So, I decided to reconstructing this dress. First, I have to measure the skirt lenght, and how much fabric I have. And have to measure the pleated size, so I don't make mistake when I cut the dress into 2 parts. 

After getting 2 pieces of the fabric, I just follow the instruction just like when I make my pleated denim skirt, in the other post here. I use the oby as the waist band, so it will match with the pattern on the arm. And here's the transformation look. More fit to body, and the important thing is not make look drowning in it ^^. 

The transformation

Since this is convertible dress, I can wear it with another top, just like this one, with black t shirt. 

with black tshirt

With a black belt

So what do you think? Need to do reconstruction to old dress? ;)

Love, Ninu

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Sewing Project | Denim Pleated Flare Skirt

Lately, I feel more comfortable to wear girly outfit. Haha! Maybe because I gain weight ;p and my jeans a little too small for me. I have some mini dress, but I was thinking I can't always wear dress to work, I need skirt. Yes! I want skirt for sure, and wear it with plain shirt or something.

So, few weeks ago I've been looking for skirt sewing tutorial for while and found this two tutorials, DIY Pleated Flare Skirt and Easy DIY Elastic Waist A-Line Skirt with Pockets. Both are nice! I check at home, and Mum only have denim fabric. I want the pleated look with pocket on my skirt and I to use invisible zipper, instead elastic band. So, I decide why not combine it.

So, here's the supplies :

• 1 yard Denim Fabric
• Invisible zipper
• Sewing supplies (thread, scissor, straight pin, marker)
• Sewing machine
• Overlock machine (additional)

I'm so lucky, because Mum used to sewing long time ago, so we have old sewing machine and overlock machine ^^. Back to business, I follow the instructions to make Pleated Flare skirt, on joy and cheryl blog. But I cut in half the main piece for skirt, because I want to insert the pocket. So, there are four main part for this skirt.

1. Two pieces of main skirt
2. Two pieces of  waist band, in that picture above, I already sew those two part of the waist band.
3. Two pieces of the pocket part (i forgot to take picture of this part)

Ow, before cutting the fabric, you should measure it correctly. Here's the guidance how you should measure your fabric.

The first thing to do after cutting is sew the pocket pieces with the main pieces of the skirt. You can follow the tutorial in here. Sew the pocket piece with the main skirt piece, just like on tutorial from extrapetite.com , repeat for the other piece. After that, I did overlock the every part of it.

 Now, it's time to create the pleats. Again, you have to measure it correctly so it will look nice. Here's the guidance to measure the pleats. Once you know the measurement, you can start measure the fabric, pin it and then sew to secure it.

  

 So, here is how it look when you done with the pleats.

The next step is gather the skirt piece with the waist band.

Next, putting the zipper. This is the harder part XD I never sew a invisible zipper before, so this is like trial. First, pin the zipper in different direction (I don't know how to explain it, but you can see it in the picture ;p), then sew it each part.

Since this is my first time, there must be mistake. I did try to fix it, but still wrong, haha! Look, it didn't match, lol. I don't know whether I sew the zipper incorrectly or I cut the waist band in wrong measurement, hehe. But who cares, noone will notice. So, I continue it and sew the waist part (again! forgot the picture ;p).

This is the last step, do the blind stitch for the bottom part of the skirt and you are done! For more details, just check the tutorial here. Sorry for my bad English, I'm trying my best to explain it ;) Good luck!

Love, Ninu

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