Latest Sejabah Bag (prayer mat bag) completed!

A bag sejadah (praying mat bag) completed!!

I just love the motif of this fabric, if I may say so myself! LOL! ;)

Love the purple colour too!

This is the 2nd item that is carrying my new metal tag label!

If anyone is interested to put in a custom order for this bag, do PM me. Please state your colour preference and let me know if you prefer flower motifs or abstract.

No emergency orders, please, as it takes about 2 - 4 weeks to get one done.

Yeah! I work full time and travel a lot for work. I can only work on my crafts at night and on weekends.

Do put in your order now though, so that I can list you in the queue.

The Little Black Bag

Do you remember the sample prayer mat bag I made for my hubby’s cousin, Idah, in 2009?

Well, I have been using the bag for myself to carry my documents and other things to work. Recently I find myself in need of a black bag as the black bag I have been using all this while is starting to give way. So, I thought to myself, why don’t I make a black bag that matches this prayer mat bag. That way I would have a matching bag set.

I started on this project on the weekend of the 23rd of August 2011. Yup! That long time ago, and only now am I blogging about it! LOL!! *grin*

I didn’t realized how quick it was to do this bag as I completed the bag the very next day! I made the bag at a relaxing pace as I wasn’t in a hurry to get it done, but, despite stopping many times to do the usual household chores, cook and all those other usual wifely duties, I got the bag done in no time at all! I was surprised at how easy it was to do this bag.

The original design calls for the bag to be padded and quilted, but I decided to replace it with the usual bag interfacing instead. I guess that makes a difference in my timing. Still, I think the bag still looks great. Wouldn’t you agree? *wink*

If I do this bag again, what I will change is the top flap. I think it’s a little small and does not cover the whole top opening, making it very easy for small things to pop out of the bag, not to mention that someone could actually put their hands into the bag. So, if I carry this bag to a public place, I would have to strap it across my body and have it in front of me.

Other than that, I love this bag because of the fact that it matches the prayer mat bag which is now my document bag which I have been bringing to work with me.

Maybe I should start thinking of making bags as a set – a handbag that comes matching with a document bag. What do you think?

Running a marathon!

Heheh....you must think that I must have just ran a marathon of the real thing, and if I actually did, my hubby would be so impressed and envious of me as he has been wanting to run a marathon for the longest time! LOL! But, unfortunately, or, is that fortunately, it isn’t that kind of a marathon that I run, but, instead, I did a sewing marathon! LOL! *grin*

Yup! I had a sewing marathon of sorts over the last weekend. My SIL ordered a prayer mat and a bag to match it, and she is going back to the US on the 28th of August (they left yesterday. I will blog about that later) and wants to take it back with her.

I started working on it as early as 9.30am on Saturday, 21st August (Aiman had to skip his Saturday class as I negotiated for him to go on Sunday instead), and did not stop until 1.30pm for a short nap.

I had to go to Kelvin's at 3.00pm to get more fabric as I ran out of the fabric needed to make the bag. Luckily they still had plenty of stock of the fabric that I needed. Phew!

I almost went into a panic mode. I thought I had enough when I realised that I still have not taken into consideration the fabric needed for the bag handles and the binding for the sejadah (prayer mat).

Came back to pick up my son and hubby to go to the Bazaar Ramadhan (stalls set up to sell food for iftar), and came back to continue working on it right until it was time to break fast.

I started working on it again at 9.00 pm right up until midnight when I finally completed the bag minus the top stitching at the opening of the bag.

As my weekly maid did not turn up due to sick leave, I managed to start working on the bag again as early as 7.30am and completed it about 30 mintues later.

Here's the inside of the bag.

Without taking even a breather, I immediately started on the prayer mat and only stopped at 1.30pm for a short nap to gain back some energy, and to go to the Bazaar Ramadhan to buy food for the breaking of fast. My hubby took my son for his Art Class which he usually attends on Saturdays. Thanks, Dia!

I started work again at 8.30pm and completed the prayer mat at 9.30pm!

Quite a marathon, I think! LOL! The fastest I have done a bag before this is about 2 ½ days. This bag took me only 1 day including the measuring and cutting and sewing!

I am very pleased with myself. *grin* I feel very productive and hope to be able to stay up again to work on a bag for my niece whose birthday is coming up this week (the bag was completed in the same week. I will blog about that later too).

Coming up next ...... the bag for my niece and some embroidery work!

A prayer mat bag by design

I have had a couple of requests for custom made praying mat and praying mat bags, and so, for the benefit of my friends, readers, and future customers, I have decided to have all the 3 designs put here for easy reference.

I have 2 different types of praying mats which, when folded, will be like a bag for easy carrying.

The first one, PM01, is padded, and when folded into a bag, can even be a pillow should you need to take forty winks *wink* while travelling and waiting for the next praying time.

Both the front and back of the praying mat is made of 100% cotton fabric, and can be customized with laces and pockets to put in keys and jewellery while you take your wuduk.

It measures approximately 15”x 13”. It is priced at between RM80 – RM95, depending on the choice of cotton fabrics and trimmings.

The 2nd one, PM02, is a bag using an actual praying mat (the thin version) on the side that you pray on, while the other side is using 100% cotton fabric, with no padding in between.

It measures approximately 15”x 13”.

The bag can also be customised with laces and pockets,

and is priced at between RM70 – RM80, depending on the choice of cotton fabrics and trimmings.

The 3rd choice of praying mat, PM03, that I have is a standalone praying mat (it cannot be folded into a bag).

It is made of 100% cotton fabrics and is padded and quilted, and is embroidered (it can be replaced with a lace) at the top to indicate the top of the praying mat.

When folded, the praying mat will fit nicely into a bag specially made for it, should you choose to have the bag made to match the praying mat as a set. The bag, which is made of the same 100% cotton fabrics as the praying mat, is big enough to fit in your telekung and your basic make-up needs, and even your purse.

This praying mat measures approximately 24”x 42” and is priced at between RM60 – RM70, depending on the choice of cotton fabrics and trimmings.

The bag that would fit in the praying mat measures approximately 12”x 14”and is priced at between RM75 – RM85, depending on the choice of cotton fabrics and trimmings.

If you are interested to order any of the above items, please send me an email at nikainun@yahoo.com with the code name of the item (PM01, PM02 or PM03) and let me know your choice of colours, and anything custom made that you would like to have on the item (trimmings, pockets etc.)

As, at the moment, I have yet to put up the collection of fabrics that I have in hand, I will send you an email (please check both your Inbox & Spam Folder ) with an attachment of the choice of fabrics that I have in stock in the colours of your choice for you to choose from. Once you have made your colour choices, I will let you know how much the cost of the item is and my account number for you to bank in the amount. Payment is accepted only through my Maybank account. Please let me know by email once you have banked in the payment, and include in your address where the item is to be delivered to.

Please note that price listed is NOT INCLUDING shipping and handling charges and delivery is only by Pos Daftar (Registered Mail) or Pos Laju, and will be charged according to the weight of the package. All items sold are neither refundable nor exchangeable.

I am afraid I cannot be responsible for any loss or damage during delivery, but I would appreciate it if you would let me know if you have not received the item after 10 days from the date of delivery so that I could still try to track it down through Pos Malaysia. I would most appreciate it too if you would let me know once when you have received the item so that I no longer need to keep track of it.

Lastly, as I am not doing this full time and can only work on the order mostly on weekends, and since this is a handmade and custom made item, please allow for a minimum of 2 months for the item to be made and delivered to you. But, should I complete it sooner, I will email you to let you know that item has been sent together with the registered tracking number.

Thank you!

A set in black

They are finally completed – the bags for Idah!

I had actually completed the two bags that my hubby’s cousin, Idah, wanted me to make for her almost more than a month ago. But, while in Mecca doing her umrah, Idah smsed me asking me if I could make her a matching sejadah (praying mat).

I had set out to do it about midway while doing the bags for Diane but I had to stop when I ran out of the black cottons. I had to wait for a Friday when I could go out during my long lunch hour break to buy the cottons, and I was only able to do it two Fridays ago.

So, two Saturdays ago, after coming back from Aiman’s usual Saturday classes, I set out to work on the sejadah, and worked on it through Sunday, 11th April 2010. I thought I could finish it by that weekend, but, as I had brought back work home, I spent Sunday evening going through my piles of letters. On Monday and Tuesday, 12th and 13th April, I slept very early after a very stressful day at work. On Wednesady, I had to bring back work home again.

I was in Penang on Thursday and Friday.

It was only on Saturday, 17th April, while watching the AF concert, that I could finally find time to pick up the sejadah again to work on it, and I finally completed it on Sunday morning.

So, here is the full set – a big bag for putting in the praying garments (telekung), a matching pouch and the sejadah.

The big bag is smaller than the sample bag I had made earlier as Idah preferred it to be 2”smaller than the one I showed her.

As for the pouch, I got the idea from Idah’s very own pouch that she had bought at one of the departmental stores. She had wanted a similar one but in matching fabrics to the big bag.

I am afraid the photo did not do justice to the time and effort put into making all the little pockets, but there are pockets to put in 4 pens/pencils, a plce to put in a small a foldable shopping bag, a small note book and other little gadgets which we ladies tend to carry in our handbags! LOL

It was quite a challenge doing up this little pouch as it had many pockets.

It might be small, but I had to spend many more hours making it compared to the time I had spent making the big bag. It had a lot more details and quite a lot of time was spent making sure that everything matched up and looked the way it should.

It took a lot of planning before the actual work of sewing it could be done, but I have learnt some new things on making this kind of pouch. I’ll probably be making a similar one for Zai who had asked that I make a pouch for her and a craft bag. That’s my next project! *wink*

As for the sejadah, it was quite easy to make as it was like making a baby quilt. I had fun doing the embroidery to indicate the top of the sejadah.

I like the effects of the embroidery as it gave the sejadah a sweet touch to it. I just hope that Idah’s likes it as I think that even with the sweet touch of embroidery, the sejadah still matched the bag which Idah wanted them to have a corporate look. The embroidery wasn’t too overpowering.

Here's the whole set with the sejadah all nicely folded to show off the Aznique label. *wink*

I hope to hand deliver the set to Idah this weekend. I just hope that Idah will like what she sees.

A special request

I had a special request from my hubby's cousin to make her a bag. She saw the praying mat bag I made for my mum at my blog, and wanted me to make her a bag that she could put in a praying mat, the praying attire (telekung) and a make-up cum purse cum handphone bag.

I feel very honoured that she thinks that my bags are nice enough for her to want me to make her one. I am excited, but, at the same time, anxious and nervous! LOL!

I am excited because this is a special request from my hubby’s side of the family as most of the bag requests so far only comes from the immediate side of my family, and they are mostly requests from my nieces, mum, sisters, and SILs, or rather, I make bags mostly for them. They are my biggest fans! LOL! *wink* I have also made many bags for my stitching friends.

I am anxious and nervous because I am afraid that she might have expectations that I might not be able to fulfil, me being only an amateur at making bags with special requests. BUT, excited I still am, and I just hope that I will be able to fulfil all her requests. *smile*

Anyway, my hubby’s cousin, Idah, requested for a bag in black, a colour that I don’t usually work with, but, definitely it does not mean that I can’t work with black. Being architecturally trained, I tend to love bright colours more, and the only other black bag I have made was for my sister, Lin, who is a lawyer, and only dresses in black and white when she was still working as a lawyer. I made her that bag for her to be able to take it to work. I made a grey messenger bag for my hubby about more than a year ago.

Idah’s other request was for it to be in linen. She also wanted a long leather handle that can be slung over her shoulders, and maybe have some of the trimmings to be in leather. She also made a request for a make-up bag cum purse cum hand phone pouch to match the main bag.

I made two proposals for her, one which is almost similar to the praying mat bag, and another one is more like a tote, like the normal bags that I have always been making, but, this time with zippers. This will be the first time that I will be making it using zippers made this way.

Unfortunately, I had to tell her that I have never worked with leather before except to sew the handles on, which I think I did not do such a good job of, and I am definitely not yet confident to work with leather anymore than to fix the handle, what more the trimmings. I have never worked with linen either.

I feel bad that I couldn’t fulfil that part of the requests from her, but, rather than attempt it and do a lousy job of it, I would rather work with something I am more familiar and confident with and do a good job of it. Then maybe, she will recommend me to her many other friends, cousins, etc. LOL! *wink*

Idah has chosen the tote bag option and she asked if I could make a paper mock-up of the bag before I actually get down to sewing the bag because she wants to be able to have a feel for the size of the bag.

I asked a few stitching friends how do I go about doing it as I was afraid that the paper mock up might not look nice and do justice to the design, because I am quite confident that the bag which I will be making will look nice with the choice of fabrics that she had already chosen.

A few friends suggested that I make an actual bag but using a different fabric from the one that she had chosen as they said that I can always sell off the `sample bag’ once she has made her comments. That way she could have a feel for the size of the bag, and it would also give me an opportunity to try out this zipper method that I have never tried before without getting too stressed out over it if it did not turn out okay.

So, about 2 weeks ago, I sat down to cut out the fabrics to size with the intention to start work on it immediately. Unfortunately, however, I was down with the flu for about a week, and did not touch my sewing machine at all until during this Chinese New Year holidays.

I worked on it all day, well, almost all day Sunday, 14th February. Yup! We didn’t go out for any Valentine’s Day celebration this year as my hubby and I, together with our son had already gone out all day on Saturday, taking my mum, brother and niece out to lunch, we did some shopping and went over to my brother’s place so that my son can play with his cousin Miki.

We came home quite late that Saturday, and so decided to spend the Sunday at home doing our chores and taking care of the home, which I think has been neglected due to our never-ending stress at work! LOL!

Opps! I am digressing again! LOL! *grin*

Anyway, I finally completed the bag at about midnight that Sunday (I had to stop several times to do the household chores, see to my son’s needs etc. You know all those boring routine stuff that you have to do when at home, right? LOL!)

And here is the `sample’ bag........

As this is the first time that I am making the zipper this way, it was quite tough doing it.

It looked pretty easy, but trying to get it to align on both sides was tough, while trying to fit in the lining of the bag at the same time. I need to find an easier way to do it, but I like how it turned out. I just hope that Idah likes it too.

I have another way to put in the zipper like the way I had learnt at Epal, but it probably won’t be as nice as this one. I guess something that takes more effort to do will surely give better results. What I need to do now is to find a better and easier way to do it.

I kind of like this flowery black and white insert fabric to this bag, though this was not the fabric that Idah chose.

The one that she had chosen is the one on the furthest left in this photo below, which I think will also look really lovely once it is turned into a bag.

There is actually a pocket to the front of the bag, but, because it is all black, it is not that obvious. Maybe that should be good if you want to put something on the outside without it being too obvious.

As for the purse cum make-up bag cum hand phone pouch, I managed to complete the bag at 5.00pm today (took leave to give my MIL a break from baby-sitting Aiman).

It looks more like a handbag than just a purse to put in a hand phone and makeup. I actually designed it to be that way because I thought that maybe Idah might be able to use it to double it up as a handbag without having to transfer her personal belongings to another handbag should she find herself needing to attend a function that requires her to be dressed formally in black or white.

It wasn’t the easiest bag to make though, and I think it has to do with the thick interfacing that I had used for the inside of the bag. The front of the bag is quilted, and I had enjoyed doing the quilting as it gave the bag the body, and made the bag look really nice, if you don’t mind my saying so myself! LOL! *wink*

Should Idah find this bag suitable and to her liking, and I have to make this bag for the second time, I will be using a thinner interfacing for the inside so that it will be easier to work with.

The tough part was the curves on the sides as the thick interfacing was really tough to work with.

I broke 2 needles before I could finally finish the bag! LOL! I almost gave up working on it last night and wanted to just toss it aside and start designing a different purse this morning. But, after a good night sleep last night, I woke up feeling refreshed and determined to complete it.

I told myself that after completing it and it did not turn out nice, I will design a different bag. But now, after having completed it, I think it did not look too bad. *grin* I just need to make a few changes to it to make it easier to work with it though.

The inside of the bag is quite roomy, with 3 compartments.

It could definitely fit in a hand phone, a few make-up items and a medium size purse.

Putting the handbag together with the main bag, they do match and look like they have been destined to be together right from the start! LOL! *wink*

Anyway, now that both ‘sample bags’ are done, I hope to find some time to meet up with Idah to show her the bag in person. I just hope that she likes it.

A Lucky Draw gift for Radha and a new year gift for mum

NNC recently held a Lucky Draw for 2009, and the winner was RADHA!

For the Lucky Draw, everyone who participated is required to commit a prize which must be handmade to be sent to the lucky winner. For 2008, Janet was the winner, and for 2009, Radha from Kedah was the winner and she won 11 prizes altogether as there were 12 participants!

I can only imagine the excitement that Radha must be going through at receiving all those 11 gifts! It must be like her birthday came very very very early this year! LOL! She has been receiving the gifts since December 24th and more are coming as there are still a few who have not been able to send it on time at the stated date.

I only wish it had been me who is the lucky winner, but, I have never been one to win when it comes to Lucky Draws, except that maybe one time when I won a draw at Mel’s blog giveaway! That was a shock, not only to me, but Mel herself! LOL! *wink*

Anyway, here is something I made for Radha for the Lucky Draw.

I had actually made something else, but, when Radha’s name was drawn, I decided to do something special for her instead.

I hope she likes it and will find many uses for both the pouch and pencil case.

On another sewing project, I made my mum this praying mat bag.

My mum stayed with me when Aiman went for his circumcision (I blogged about it here) and during that time she was admiring the praying mat bag that I had learnt to make at Epal. She made copies of my notes and took lots of photographs of the bag, and went home to Kota Bharu to try to make one herself.

But, after much trying, she could not figure out some of the instructions. I don’t blame her. Epal has problems when it comes to some of the instructions that comes with their kits. Even after my complains, they did seem to be doing anything to improve it.

I tried to talk my mum through the process of making the bag over the phone, but it was difficult when the paper instructions were confusing.

So, I finally decided to make one for her and mailed them over so that she has something to refer to in order to finish the bag she started.

I had actually intended to make her a praying mat bag, but I had wanted to wait until her birthday, or, at least until Mother’s Day. But, as it turned out, it looks like it has become a New Year Gift instead. *grin*

I hope she likes it. I am very pleased with the results. I am especially happy with my choice of fabric which I had bought at Sakura. I think the fabric is really sweet despite it being in brown.

I also like the sejadah (praying mat) that I had bought at Jalan Masjid India.

I think it matched the bag almost to a T! Don’t you think so? *wink*