So I offered to make this apron for Homespun Dazzle in exchange for some of her fabulously fantastic candles.
Category Archives: sewing
If you’re sick of hearing about these look away now.
I’ll forgive you.
Yeah more scrappy wallets. I love Michelle Patterns, perhaps you’ve noticed. I want to grow up and be like her. I keep collecting PDF patterns and trying them all out in an effort to better understand them and how they work so that someday, someday, I can create my own from all these sketches I just keep accumulating.
I just need some time to research it all and get going on it. Michelle Patterns has this great resource for heading in that direction. It’s an ebook/document sharing some of her knowledge from years of selling PDF patterns online.
Description from her site:
• What the pattern user needs
• Basic overview of the pattern making process
• General photo info – test photos, file formats, etc.
• General info about the pattern pieces – margin guide, text to include, etc.
• Setting up and saving a template so your document will be ready for future patterns
• Tips for writing the instructions – style, voice, font considerations, etc.
• Inserting the instruction images
• Inserting, testing, and troubleshooting the pattern pieces (the hardest part!)
• Exporting to pdf
• Testing the pattern
• Lots of tips from my own experience!
I love that she supports other women in starting their own business by letting you make and sell items from her patterns. I don’t always intend to do that with what I make but it’s nice to know you can if you’d like. Also now that she’s branching out and sharing tips on how to *make* your own that’s even more awesome. She’s also selling patterns made by other people in her online shop now so if you’re ahead of me and making your own PDF patterns already that’s something you might want to explore for some more exposure.
I recently bought the Idea Pouch and can’t wait to make one and store my iPad, stylus, little notebook some markers in it.
Posted in crafty books, sewing
Tagged keyka lou, michelle patterns, patterns, PDF patterns, sewing, small business
USA shopping scores
Well I guess it’s about time I actually sit down to write this post about the fun things I picked up on my USA excursion at the beginning of the month.
I got this amazing bag, that I’ve been using almost non stop since, for $3. Actually, not even $3 I’m rounding up. Insanely good find.
I got some great clothes, which I suppose call for some outfit posts. But that’s a tricky one since I’m usually the one behind the camera, I really need to change that.
Other than that my scores happened in JoAnn’s, surprise surprise.
Some FQs just because.
A taste of Denise Schmidt.
Some yardage. Apparently I was in a floral sort of mood.
Whales because how could I not buy those!?! Sure I had a moment of “Gee I’m 30 something should I really be shopping from the juvenile section for myself!?” but I *had* to get these whales.
And I found an english translation of a Japanese craft book I already own. Since I had some coupons the book was half price and I figured it might work like a little guide to help me decode my ever growing stash of Japanese craft books. I have 2 new Cotton Time magazines and today I figured out which symbols say ‘fold’ so I’m pretty proud of myself.
I know it involves more hexies but I need to get around to making this, again it’s just too awesome.
I also picked up some ridiculously cute scrubs that I plan to hack to bits and sew into other stuff.
Posted in crafty books, sewing
Tagged craft book, fabric, fat quarters, japanese, joann's, samsonite, shopping, vintage, whales
Scrap Swap Time!
Sooooo who wants to scrap swap?!
I’ve done a bunch of summer sewing and hope to do even more during the fall so let’s revitalize our stashes!
Leave your name here, make sure there’s an email address/blog/contact info and I’ll find you a buddy.
Sign ups are open until Sunday night, September 22nd, and then I’ll match us all up and let you know Monday who your partner is.
The keep everyone happy guidelines:
- scraps must measure at least 2 inches by 2 inches, there is no maximum size
- scraps must be clean and in usable condition
- scraps can be new fabric or vintage reclaimed pieces
- fabrics should be of relatively the same weight (cotton preferred) to allow for quilting, or mixing with other fabrics and use in the same project
- be ready to send 10-ish ounces to your partner by Monday October 1st.
Swap is open to everyone so please be aware you may be shipping internationally unless you tell me otherwise.
Posted in scraps, sewing, swaps, uncategorized
Tagged fabric, scrap swap, sewing, swap
DIY Panda drawer sachets
While shopping at a farmer’s market the other weekend I picked up some lavender and got a neat idea for these sachets for my drawers. They’re really quick and easy and can help destash your scrap bin, something I love to do. I’m making a run for the border today and so in lieu of a Create Along post (too busy with back to school) I thought I’d share this instead.
So you will need the following supplies, along with a needle, on a machine or for your hand.
The fabric pieces can be any measurement you want, they just need to end up a square. I made 2 and one is slightly smaller than the other but they’re around 3 1/2 inches square. You need to make 2 quilted pieces that measure wide enough for your front piece and then have some extra because they will overlap and make an envelope pillow cover sort of closing.
You’ll need white and black embroidery floss, some black fabric for eyes and ears and I used some scraps from my cup cozies as lining for the ears.
Panda making
1. Place the eyes on the pretty scrap (sew them on with black thread or iron on with a fusible thing)
2. Embroider the features on the panda, white eyes, and a black nose and mouth.
3. Layer the ear pieces – black, black and then lining. Sew around the curved part of the ears and then turn right side out.
4. Quilt together the backing pieces from scraps, hem the edge where the opening will be.
5. Put the quilted pieces on your work surface right side up, make sure the hemmed parts where the opening will be overlap by at least 1/2 inch.
6. Lay the ears down with the straight edge lined up with the top of the quilted pieces.
7. Place the panda face pretty piece face down on top of the pile. Make sure the ears are sandwiched in.
8. Pin to hold everything in place.
9. Stitch around the entire square.
Sachet making
1. Get your scraps and lay one on top of the other. I use the screenprinted bits that got messed up and I can’t turn into cup cozies.
2. Stitch around the square leaving an opening on one side, about an inch wide.
3. Stuff your sachet with something pretty smelling (potpourri, lavender, etc)
4. stitch the opening closed.
5. Trim around the square, be careful not to cut into your stitches.
The great thing about making the panda with an envelope closure is you can swap out the inner sachet when the smell fades or to change things up a bit. I’d love to see what you make!
Also, I’ve been dying to use handwriting on my photos and haven’t been happy with the results/methods. But today I figured I’d give it a try and not be so picky. Elsie‘s post sabout apps and techniques helped guide me in my quest.
I went with no pockets.
After the great inner debate I had I decided to go with no pockets at all.
I just thought it showed off the awesomeness of the fabric’s print better without pockets taking away from it. Plus I’m ridiculously indecisive and the votes seemed pretty split.
It was received well as my first day of school outfit.
Friday Create Along
Made this neat little pouch for my phone. Yes of course it’s a Michelle Patterns pattern, I’m so addicted.
It was ridiculously easy to whip up. It’s super cheap because it’s only the pattern pieces and some very brief notations, but since I own almost all her patterns and I’ve sewn a lot it was easy to figure out the assembly bit.
Now I’m going to be smart and not choose my next project, with the first week of school looming next week I’m going to be realistic and know that I won’t have time to sew something new. Instead I’ll post a really fun tutorial, an item of my own creation! That hasn’t happened in a while. So yeah, next Friday, super awesome cool stuff.
Thoughts on sewing daily, and yeah more scrappy wallets.
I made more scrappy wallets. I had orders to get to, I had other stuff to sew for people but sometiems I just have to put it all on hold and sew something *I* want to make. Usually, I turn to the scrappy wallets since they’re super quick and I can feel a sense of accomplishment when I walk away. Otherwise I’ll walk away and yet another unfinished project sits on my table judging me in it’s pileness.
Michelle talked about how she feels happier if she sews every day. She was inspired by this post about developing good sewing habits over on The Colletterie. Since she’s usually busy designing patterns or managing her online shops she doesn’t get much actual sewing time.
Lately I’ve been trying really hard to use up what I have an not buy new supplies. I’m also working on clearing off the pile of ‘in progress’ projects that sit on my table, because I totally believe they’re a source of stress. Sort of like a reminder to yourself that you didn’t live up to your promise/expectations. In effect you let yourself down. Yeah, wow, that’s deep but you know what I mean.
Also, I have to go to work tomorrow, it’s a sad day.
Addicted to these things
I went on another scrappy wallet binge. Pattern available here zip pocket pouches.
On the weekend while we were camping I took a pile of fabric and cut out tons of pieces for more wallets. I sorted them in zip lock bags and labelled them A, B, C, D and E. I was also organizing my space last night and I made a project bin for them, it’s got all the zip locks in it, and some scraps to cut out later, zippers, precut velcro and lining pieces all ready to go.
Now when I need something quick to make to satisfy my ‘I gotta make something’ urge, I can just pull that bin over and go crazy.
Tagged japanese fabrics, keyka lou, michelle patterns, scraps, sewing, wallets
Pocket dilemma!
I’m making another skirt like this one, this time with fun Echino fabric. It’s a really nice weight and I’m excited to get it finished. Thanks to Tabatha finding a pocket template that works, from a totally different pattern, I can make it super functional for work by having some handy pockets. I don’t think I mentioned it in my last post but she made some really nice versions of these skirts. But I’m having pocket indecisiveness. Opinions are welcome.
Grey/gray (never know which it is).
Natural
Or none?
