Archive / Shop

RSS feed for this section

Updated video: Introduction and review of Olfa cutters + some thoughts when choosing your self healing mats and rulers

Don’t know which Olfa cutter to get and what are the differences between the models?

In this updated video, I hope to address those questions and I’ve included the pretty aqua Splash cutter and the 18mm rotary cutter (great for cutting smaller patches) in this review. You can also see how the blades are switched out for each model. Any questions, please let me know!

To purchase the cutters, you can visit my Etsy Shop. Enjoy 5% discount with coupon code (valid till 31 Dec 2015): YOUTUBE2015

For local mailing (to Singapore addresses), you can shop here in Singapore Dollarsย  contact me for prices for Olfa Self Healing Mats and Acrylic Rulers.

Also, view how I used the 18mm cutters to cut the smaller patches with curves

Some tips when shopping for rotary cutting supplies
1) What materials do you cut with? (light weight, stretchy, thick, etc. 45mm size cutters for most fabrics and 60mm for thicker fabrics)
2) What sizes do you usually work with? (Large size, small handsewing projects – so you can consider which size cutter and whether you require a large mat or large ruler)
3) Do you need to cut parallel cuts of fabrics (e.g. cut width of fabrics folded into 2, or just smaller patterns on the yardage)
4) which mat size to buy? – ASK: How big is your worktop? (which is the LARGEST self healing mat size that will cover that area? My advice is to get the largest size that your table can accommodate)
5) which ruler size to buy – ASK: How big is your self healing mat (My advice is to get the longest ruler that your mat can accommodate)

Often, I will receive feedback from the quilters that they don’t have a large enough work table. I will ask them if they can sit their sewing machine on top of the cutting mat. And when they need to use to the entire area of the mat, they can move the sewing machine away (assuming the machine is portable).

Some quilters set their cutting mat on the dining table or on the floor (not recommended as it hurts your back and potential for accidents when the cutters are on the floor too). The mats have to be stored flat, so as long as they are kept away somewhere safe (a friend stores hers under the TV cabinet when not in use), then no issues.

If you quilt, get at least the A2 sized mats, with the basic rulers of 6″x24″ and 6″x12″ with a 45mm Rotary cutter. This combination will be good enough for your quilt making requirements as it allows you to cut across the width of fabric (about 22″ when folded selvage to selvage). Then add on the large square rulers (for squaring blocks and quilts) and smaller rulers (for working with patches).

Do note that you should use a self healing mat as normal mats may be too hard and that will affect the lifespan of your blades. When using a clearly marked acrylic ruler, you will be able to cut your pieces accurately.

Hope this helps!

De-stashing: Trains Panel + co-ordinating fabric

I have about 2 months to clear a very large chest, in order to make room for some living/working space.

In this chest, I have lots of sewing fabrics, scraps, notions and scrapbooking supplies. I can’t find proper space for everything (box on the floor don’t count as putting away the items). And so, I will be listing some of my hoarded fabrics and supplies here – hopefully I can find good homes for them!

1st Listing: Trains panel (1m) + Co-ordinating fabrics (2m), Quilting cotton – BRAND NEW. SGD$18 for this bundle, incl. local shipping to SG address. For international visitors, please contact me for more information.

Train Panel - 1m

Train Panel - 1m

Co-ordinating Fabric (2m)

Co-ordinating Fabric (2m)

Train Bundle: Total 3m, SGD $18.00 incl. local postage

Train Bundle: Total 3m, SGD $18.00 incl. local postage

I wanted to make a simple playmat/drag-around for Benji, using the Panel as-is, no patchworking. But I’ve got too many projects in my basket for him, so I’ll have to give this up. Great for wall hanging, pillow cases, even coasters, eye-spy patches, etc.

** Updated 16 April **

Thank you, all, for your interest! This fabric has found a good home. Please visit my Facebook page or Flickr for more fabrics/craft items that I’m letting go.

Eye candies

I have been receiving emails asking if I sew stuffs for ‘adults’ for sale, other than the crayon wallets that I list on Etsy. Well, while I do make fabric covered button book marks, Quilted applique notebooks, bobby pins, etc. But sewing wise, I have yet to list anything for people above ‘crayon-age’.

BUT I have been sewing pouches and clutch purses for friends over the holidays and I do love how they turned out. A very nice lady helped de-mystify zippers by showing me how it actually works!

Zipper pouch + matching key fobs

Zipper pouch + matching key fobs

Fabrics from Denyse Schmidt

Fabrics from Denyse Schmidt

Besides the Zipper, I finally took the plunge and ordered some clutch frames from Etsy. I loved how they all turned out! Ok, my Stash is 70% kiddy fabrics (and most of them scream ‘boys’), but what came to my rescue was this lovely local online store Needle and Thread – check out the website, prices have been revised down! YAAY!. Magdalene delivered the fabrics the very next day after I placed my order and I knew they were perfect for my friends.

Amy Butler and Art Gallery Fabrics.

Amy Butler and Art Gallery Fabrics.

Revive by Art Gallery Fabrics

Revive by Art Gallery Fabrics

So YES! I will be sewing more zipper pouches, clutch purses, card holders, etc… I can’t wait till the end of this tax season, get over a couple of day-job projects so that I can clear my brain and get started soon. Sewing for the Shoppe is such a wonderful excuse to buy more lovely fabrics! ๐Ÿ™‚

Labels of love

I have a LOOOOONG list of to-sew items: from baggies for Benji lug his toys around to stock for the shoppe. With that list in hand, I went on an online fabric spree! ๐Ÿ˜€

Yards and yards of BEAUTIFUL fabrics were delivered to our door step throughout September. Some fabrics are still in their packing boxes because I ran out of space to store them! Feeling ‘inspired’, I sewed up more crayon wallets for the shoppe. Now, I have done my share of wallet-sewing, and its on to the quilt-y projects! yaay!

Crayon Wallets

Oh… I love Olfa

Yes, I do love my Olfa rulers, cutters, blades and mats. Quilting can be an expensive hobby, and Rotary cutting is ONE BIG CULPRIT – the cutting tools burnt a huge hole right through my pocket when I first started sewing and when I purchased them from the local quilt shops.

Nowadays, I help my friends get their cutters, rulers, mats and blades direct from a local distributor, rather than the quilt shops that put a high mark-up on the prices, or suffer the price fluctuations (depending on luck!) on eBay.

Pinking Cutter - SGD$21.50

Pinking Cutter - SGD$21.50

Wave Cutter - SGD$21.50

Wave Cutter - SGD$21.50

45mm Deluxe Rotary Cutter - SGD$26.80

45mm Deluxe Rotary Cutter - SGD$26.80

I have since put up the supplies at my Etsy store, selling at more down-to-earth prices (if not lower) so that we can help each other stretch our dollars a little bit more. The items in my store are the ‘extras’ that I have to put through to make minimum order amount to the distributor.

For rulers and mats, I can only take on local orders (and I ship free locally!) because of the high cost and fragile nature of the mats/rulers shipping overseas.

Any questions on rotary cutting and the tools, please send them my way! ๐Ÿ˜€