Carseat Organizer

I pretty much love a sewing challenge! Got pretty excited when a friend suggested I make her a car seat organizer. Something she could put books and some of her daughter's stuff. This took a while to plan and execute, and had to source out materials from different places, but I must say I liked the final outcome very much ;)

I don't have photos of it in action but you just strap the buckle around the neck of the front seat (facing the back seat passengers of course) and tie/fasten the rope around the lower back of the front seat.

FREEBIE: Life as a Believer printable

Once again, we've arrived at that holy month in the Islamic calender. Alhamdulillah. So here's a little something for our Muslim friends to save, print out, and share in your attempt to conquer this year's Ramadhan. Ramadhan al-Mubarak. May Allah accept all our good deeds on this blessed month and may it be a fruitful one for all of us. Download link below:

Make sure you set your printer to-fit to A4 paper since this printable is in A3. If you've printed it out, show me how you use them, or better yet, share them with me on Instagram by tagging @dzaltastic and #dzaltasticprintables cause they'd really make my day :)

Buying US Imported Designer Cotton Fabric in Malaysia

Amy Butler, Ann Kelle, Robert Kaufman, Michael Miller, Alexander Henry. You've read and heard them all online and yes, consumed by jealousy over those gorgeous prints on craft blogs from overseas. Here's where I bring you the happy news, there are shops in Malaysia that carry those designers as well!

There are plenty of shops selling printed cotton somewhat similar to these fabric designs and cost cheaper. But really, once you're seen, felt and bought these designer fabrics of high quality, there's no turning back! Colours are more vibrant with unique patterns and thicker in weight. Currently priced at about RM40-RM50 per yard (about 10 cm less than a meter)

Here's a little list of my places to go to quench my designer cotton thirst.

Checkout that selection of chevron fabric =D

1. Yee Button SS2 Petaling Jaya
They do have a facebook page and you're able to buy online but I personally love to drop by their brightly lit fabric and craft shop just cause it inspires me! They even sell fat quarters of those fabrics, pricing about RM10 a piece. This is also your go to place to buy Minky fabric and also cashel fabric for cross stitching!

2. Shambijoux Shop
This little lady from Terengganu has quite an extensive imported cotton catalogue on her site http://shambijoux.com/ and one of my favourite shops cause there are just too many choices and yo can even ask her if she has those not on the list. But she normally takes pre-orders and it takes about 2 weeks for the stuff to arrive. That's when I drop by other places on my list.

3. Fabric Fanatics
Situated in Subang Summit, this is the go to place to get loads of craft supplies and even attend classes like book binding and bad making. They normally have zakka fabric (Japanese feel fabrics) but are bringing in the big ones like Ann Kelly and Michael Miller.


4. D'Amani Cotton Therapy
Visit http://damanicottontherapy.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/DAmani-Cottontherapy/ for a list of their fabric supplies

5. Cottage Patch, Ampang
Across Ampang Point. This is a really old establishment and has a really big collection of fabric on hand. It may remind you of your granny's place but you really need to stay a while and take out fabrics one at a time to really see its treasures. Not sure if you can find recent designers there, but it's a great place for quilters an fabric lovers!

So there you are, a list of my suggested places to shop for designer cotton fabric. If you know more places, I'd love to know where. Always on the search for new fabric places.

P/S: Good news is, I'm in dealing to bringing in juicy imported Korean Designer fabric soon. So stay tuned by subscribing to my blog or on my Instagram @dzaltastic OR my facebook page :)

Toddler Bookpack DIY

Aidi's really into books and I have to make sure I have at least one kids book in my (enormous) purse to entertain him when we're on the go. Decided it's about time that he carried his own books and bags, cause really, add that to mummy's gadgets (and even dad's sometimes), it's a load too much!

Rummaged through my kiddy fabric stash and found these coordinating fabrics and a zipper to match. Score! Came up with my own toddler backpack pattern and made this square bag just the right size for his board books and his little water bottle.

That feeling you get when you make something for your kid and he doesn't want to take it off? Sheer bliss~

Much love, 

Owl Tote Bag: An Artsy Crafty Babe Pattern

Finally completed this cute Owl Tote bag after its fair share of dilemma after dilemma. From finding the right lining, buying the wrong interfacing, an unserviced sewing machine and a missing interfaced piece. Hoot hoot! Well...now I just need the right button to suit it.

I altered an Artsy Crafty Babe's free Pleated Tote pattern for this tote, as I fell in love with the pleats on her little polka dotted tote! Only customization I made was the different coloured bottom part. So I cut a 3-inch high bottom piece. Would probably add 2 inches more to the bottom piece just so I could see more of it on the sides rather than the bottom. Loving the effect nonetheless!

I'd also add another inch to the hoop just so it'll be longer and my button would be better placed. After a rough estimation, the measurement provided in the pattern is a tad short for my liking and now my button would have to be higher placed, nearer to the edge.

Besides that, I over-estimated my unserviced machine's capability and realised that it couldn't really manage the heavy interfacing on both sides of the fabric AND the thick handles. Am proud of the fella for sticking through the project, albeit slowly (more like nearly dying) making its way through the thick material. Now hoping my friend would be as happy as I am with this little piece of work. 

And finally ending this entry with a photo of my little bag model helping Ibu (mummy) with the bag. Thank you baby! 

Much love,