Tag Archives: michelle patterns

Craftsy class.

Posted on November 16, 2012 by SewTara| Leave a comment

So on the day when I’m supposed to be revealing the bag I meant to make ages, and ages ago I’m instead going to blog about this great new class over at Craftsy, Design Your Own Handbag As I’ve said before I’m in love with Michelle Patterns (before = a million times over) and I dream of creating my own patterns some day too so I was really excited when this class recently came up. If you’re interested too you can click the link, check out the class preview and get it for 50% off because I sent you. We’re pretty special.

I signed up for their Sassy Librarian Blouse class a while back but after a foray into making a shirt flopped I haven’t been brave enough to actually give it a go yet. But I’m working up the courage.

As the snow begins to work its way toward my home I’m going to make it a mission to hunker down all warm and cozy with some tea and plow through all these To Do projects (did you catch the snow word play?).

You can check out their Feature Classes and Free Mini Classes here.

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Did you hear?

Posted on November 15, 2012 by SewTara| Leave a comment

Michelle Patterns are all on sale for $5!

I know I rant and rave about this lady and her stuff all the time, but yeah I’m doing it again. Also, how appropriate I post this the same week as my digital hoarding post.

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Posted in scraps, sewing

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Digital Hoarding.

Posted on November 13, 2012 by SewTara| 5 Comments

I think I have a problem.

Literally, *every* Michelle Patterns pattern. Every single one.

I mean most people today have too much stuff. We’ve been trying at home to keep our ‘stuff’ minimal. We’ve banned knick knacks unless they come from our travels or really *mean* something to us. With our kids, while we are careful with how much we buy them, it’s hard with an October birthday and a December birthday and then Christmas 2 days after that . . . it gets a bit crazy. Honestly, it’s usually the reason I advocate for us to travel at Christmas, thinking we’ll skip the gifts mountain but it doesn’t work.

When you’re a crafter of course you acumulate stuff. Before getting into sewing I did papercrafts, cards and scrapbooks mostly. Then after starting my blog and getting into fabric now I have yardage, then a fat quarter collection and then I keep a scrap bin. THEN I have smaller scraps for 1 inch magnet making and then I keep the smallest scraps ever for hair clips and such. It’s insane.

Mollie Makes digital subscription. Now add Gathered to that. Honestly, both amazing, amazing magazines but yeah, adding to my collection.

Now add to that the things I’ve started to accumulate on my iPad and Macbook.

Folder and folders of things to look at later and get inspired or ideas to make. As if I need to add to my to do list or ‘things I want to make’.

Then there’s the business research and books and things to read I have as well. Classes to take, things to learn. It’s tough to balance it all when what you love to do, drives you to do it more and makes you happy but is hard to fit into your ‘normal’ life.

Someone please tell me you have this going on too!

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Posted in crafty books, online class stuff

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If you’re sick of hearing about these look away now.

Posted on October 11, 2012 by SewTara| 1 Comment

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.

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Posted in crafty books, sewing

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Friday Create Along

Posted on August 31, 2012 by SewTara| 1 Comment

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.

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Addicted to these things

Posted on August 21, 2012 by SewTara| 5 Comments

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.

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Oh my!

Posted on July 9, 2012 by SewTara| 4 Comments

Did I really just miss almost a whole week of blogging?! Where does time go!?
Guess I’ve been fooling myself saying “Once school’s out I’ll have so much time to do things”. Summer vacation isn’t as productive when you have a 3 year old and 5 year old to entertain and play with.

I did manage to do some creating last week. I’m getting ready for the Broken Arts Fest I’ll be at on Saturday.

Here’s the one with that vintage fabric I thrifted a while back, love the little handkerchiefs.

This bunny fabric is fun. I’ve had scraps of it in packs I’ve ordered here and there and I finally just went ahead and ordered a half yard.

I’d better get catching up on my Create Along post, and writing about the Hamilton EtsyCA meet up, and sharing some random stuff . .

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Scraps! Yes, I’m a scrap addict.

Posted on June 25, 2012 by SewTara| 1 Comment

Well I fell victim to ordering some scraps again. These ones are from Michelle Patterns and I always love her fabric choices, all the ones she posts about on her blog and of course her patterns. So whenever I catch that she has a scrap pack for sale I usually end up buying it.

I’ve already cut a bunch up for some scrappy wallets and set aside the small bits for magnet making. Now that I’m caught up on all my orders I intend to do some fun sewing. What a coincidence school is almost out.

Seriously, fabric with poodles *and* strawberries. How cute is that?!

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What was I thinking!

Posted on June 8, 2012 by SewTara| 1 Comment

So I commited to making messenger bags for my sons, and I will. However, last night I got cutting out all the fabric and there’s 30+ pieces for each bag!! Batting, interfacing, lining, exterior . . . oh my!

It’s Thursday night, here’s an phone photo of how far I am. Guess I’ll be revealing next Friday. Fingers crossed I’ll have 2 done.

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Posted in kid fun

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Friday Create Along

Posted on June 1, 2012 by SewTara| Leave a comment

I’m going to tackle one, hopefully 2, of these messenger bags from Michelle Patterns.

Wesley asked for a bag like that, probably because Mommy and Daddy have messenger bags. So of course Nate wants one too. I’ve taken their colour requests and if I’m lucky I can get both finished this week! I’ll let you know on Friday how far I get.

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Posted in createalong, kid fun, sewing

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