Sewing machine pedal anti-slip mat

This by far is one of my best and most useful works :)

Since I started sewing/learning to sew one of the fundamental problems was my constantly moving sewing pedal - both in hardwood/tiled floors and carpeted floors. It always took a couple seconds for me to locate the pedal after fixing a broken thread or changing the stitch/fabric.

How many times have I had to hunt for my sewing machine pedal while in between a project!?!
So when I saw this tutorial I was THRILLED! Finally respite from the pedal-hunt!

Pinterest offers a wide range of ideas for a variety of daily life problems. A big shout-out to the women & men who post their amazing ideas for free; how extremely generous of them to share it along with detailed pictorial instructions and tutorial videos. :)

I honestly feel this project is a must have for all the women who sew - a sewing machine pedal anti-slip mat. This is the tutorial I followed - https://so-sew-easy.com/non-slip-sewing-machine-foot-pedal-pad/#_a5y_p=3758438

This is how mine turned out -

I used - shelf lining mats from walmart cut to slightly bigger size than my pedal, upcycled bias tape fabric and the cushion stuffing from the cotton batting that was wasted from my sewing machine organizer tutorial.

A few random ones

1) Cushion covers that were made for a friend's house-warming party

     
When a friend invited us for her house-warming party, I decided to hand make something she        could use for her house. The only thing that came to mind was cushion covers. Since I had gained  quite some practice making simple ones, I tried to add a ruffle pattern to make it look like a designer piece.

Not to brag, but the next day she messaged me saying these were adorable and looked like boutique designer pieces :) :)

2) Navrathri goodie bags 

My in-laws receive a lot of silk shawls from the temple in Mysore. One day when we were visiting old family friends, the aunty had made a cute little pouch with the shawls she had received from the temple. Thats when I thought what a great idea it was to upcycle these shawls into goodie bags .. especially when Navratri was just around the corner. And thats exactly what I did for the adult goodie bags. Since I couldn't find anything to upcycle for the kid's bag, I bought the main & lining fabrics and zips from Bangalore

3) Sunglasses Cover

We were going on a short trip to India this September - and there was my opportunity to try out something to gift my relatives - most particularly my aunts and cousin. Since its usually very hot in India everyone has sunglasses. I saw this amazingly simple tutorial on Youtube.com for under 10 minutes sunglasses cover , and believe me it was exactly under 10 minutes :) So I made a couple to take with me to India. 

Couldn't really upcycle anything in this. The lining fabric was this very soft silky one perfect to use a sunglasses wiping cloth as well :)

Yet another upcycled tote

And this time it's a tote for myself :) 

I have recently started thinking of becoming better at what I make. After a break of more than a few months - well not really a break but knitting a sweater is taking most of my free time and it's not nearing completion at all. 

Anyhow, for some reason I didnt know what to do with all the totes, purses and pouches etc. I made so far and neither have I figured out how to market/sell my work as am not there yet :)
However, the good thing is, sometime last week I ended up donating all my previous handbags and Ipad bags to the homeless. It was very satisfying to know that someone really in need will be using my work :)

So that left me with no bags at all.. hahaha... and that's why this one was made. One of my neighbours gave a me a couple of scrap fabrics while moving out of the apartment. 
This pink fabric that I used for the front of the bag was my favourite of the lot!
It's amazingly colourful, sturdy and stiff cotton fabric that was perfect for the bag. an old bedspread for the inside of the bag.

Rice bags are very stiff and firm and make a great stabiliser option. And unlike other parts of the country, the Indian stores here do not recycle these bags, so it's also one of the best ways to upcycle :)

I somehow always end up adding a pocket inside my bags to keep mobile phones. This time I also included a small partition to put in a pen, and a loop to include sanitisers or keys. There is another zippered pocket at the back of the bag :)

The backside of the bag has a different top fabric than the front side (didn't take a picture of it). I didn't use any particular pattern, but just used my own expertise from the previous ones. The finished bag measures about 13"X16".