Bag Project 3 - Linen Cotton & Green Polka Bag

Newly made bag for my mom, hope she likes it...

The pattern is taken from this book I bought from Applemama.  I don't have an exact pattern and tutorial link to share for this one, however the design is almost like the one below except that the it does not use a zip:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=32204.msg9268#msg9268

Materials used:
1) The linen cotton:

http://applemama-patchworkheaven.blogspot.com/2010/07/7.html - Set E

I bought it when she had promotion.   Otherwise, it would be costly as it is imported Japanese Linen Cotton by Lecien Corp.

2) Green polka from May May.

3) Green stripe from Nana Craft Corner - again..  got it when she was giving 20% discount.  :)

4) 8" YKK Zip from Heart Handy

Finally, I am able to sew an even seam... hooray..  :)   See the below picture, there are 3 lines on the pressure foot.  For sewing a 0.7 cm seam, I align the edge of the fabric on the 3rd line. 

It is probably easier if I buy the Seam Guide:
http://www.acesewvac.com/bro-seam-guide.html

Checking out how much it cost...

Bye now,
Anic

Cloth Pad Story 1 - Sewing in the mountain of Nepal

For many ladies, buying disposal pads for our menses is second to nature.   However, what happen if a lady/family is so poor that they can't afford disposable pads?  I never thought about this until I started reading more about cloth pads.  I came across articles about ladies in a family sharing a piece of dirty rag for the few special days of the month.  They are so poor that they can't even afford to have their own piece of rag. The ladies suffered from hygienic related diseases and life threatening diseases like cervical cancer.  Girls could not go to school when they have their menses.  There were also cases that they were isolated in a hut outside their usual home so that they don't dirty their home.. :(   Very sad to read...

Fortunately, there are some organisations out there who are working actively to help these deprived ladies.

Today, I saw this post about a meaningful NGO programme in Nepal organised by Taiwan National Tsing Hua University International Volunteer Group, Vision Youth Action Taiwan, and with the help of EasyLohas, provided some villagers in Nepal cloth pad materials and taught them how to sew cloth pads.   It is very touching to see the photos.

Please see photos here:
http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/volunteer-nepal/article?mid=1588&prev=-1&next=1581

Please be sure to check out the last few photos where a husband helped the wife, a young man & a father sewing for their beloved girlfriend and wife.  They are so sweet and loving...

For this activity, EasyLohas has made an easy to hand sew cloth pad pattern:

http://ppgin.pixnet.net/blog/post/31366712

Other organisations working on the same cause:

1) Not just a piece of cloth -   An organisation who collects used old cloths which are washed, sanitised and cut into 1 foot by 1 foot to make sanitary napkins for the poor.  

2) http://www.donatepads.org/ - A website providing information on organisations accepting pads/money donations.

I am thinking to help even if it is only in a small way...

Bye now,

Anic