Moda
Showing posts with label Moda. Show all posts
super tote
I am just so THRILLED with this bag! I searched for a long time for just the right pattern to sew, as this was a Christmas gift for my mum. Like me, she is particular in what she wants in a bag - a good size, big enough to hold A4 documents/files, a zip closure, pockets and long enough handles to be worn over the shoulder. This hit every need and it was a joy to make. I've honestly learnt so very much making it (read on for the specifics), I'm really happy with the combination of prints and all the details of the bag. Best of all, my mum LOVES it!
I have to admit being scared of sewing a dart, I'm no dress maker and making 3D things are already out of my comfort zone. Nothing to be scared of though, I followed the instructions and it looks ok to me! Are both sides perfectly symmetrical?! mmm not sure about that... but can anyone look at both darts directly at the same time... no!
The bag also has a recessed zip, which I don't think I've ever sewn before and I am so happy with how it turned out. Even the zipper tab at the end is neat.
I've had these Emmeline magnetic snaps for ages, I must have bought them for a specific project I wanted to make but goodness knows what that was. They are the perfect pocket snap, not too strong (like others, where you feel you might rip the fabric!) and they are very well made. I like the pattern on them too. The installation guide was invaluable and finally I'm confident putting in magnetic snaps.
There were no helpers to take a picture (this was back before Christmas when we weren't all at home again) so this is the best I managed. I was attempting to show you the size... fail! But at least you can sort of see that the straps are a really good 'on the shoulder' length.
The pattern is the Super Tote by Noodlehead. It is so well written and the attention to detail is excellent. Nice topstitching also thanks to Aurifil Forty3 thread with 50wt in the bobbin.
Gathered pockets!! I have never done this before either but it was simple following the instructions.
I added one of my labels (at mum's request) and also decided to add a lanyard for her keys (always getting lost). I looped the clip onto some premade Liberty bias binding I had, rather than use one length of fabric, honestly I don't know why but hopefully it might be stronger when she's pulling out her keys. I did stitch across the base of the clip so it won't move around. I like that you can tuck it into an inside pocket or an outside pocket because there's a gap at the end of the recessed zip.
So it probably wasn't the most well timed gift, especially as now we are on full lock down again, but I've told her just to carry her files around the house with her to break it in!! And she can look forward to using it out and about eventually.
I hope you are all staying safe and well. A reminder that I co-host a weekly craft along on instagram every Saturday night - if you fancy joining us to show what you're working on or just get some inspiration, please do! It's a wonderful and very encouraging community, find more info in this post.
Today is my 41st birthday! Obviously it's going to be quite low key, hoping to spend a nice relaxing evening with my family. To celebrate I am having a giveaway on my instagram, click the photo below and leave a comment to enter. Open worldwide / ends 15th January 2021.
a few (mostly fabric) additions
One of the things I love about visiting a quilt shop is getting to see fabric collections you've seen online, in real life. I was teaching at Patchfinders the other day and, after ogling City Nights by Lewis and Irene on my laptop, some had to come home with me! It has lovely touches of metallic, just enough sparkle without being too much. I fell for, from left to right: Architectural Blender in copper on light and City Buildings in copper and copper on multi. The copper glistens so beautifully and the colours are totally my style.
While I was at the shop, a local quilting group was meeting in one of the rooms and they were selling Super Snips mini scissors to raise money for the charity Siblings Together. Of course I bought a pair and of course I chose pink. How dinky and cute are they?! Handy that it has an attached cover too. The whole thing measures less than 2".
△ Spectrum qst quilt △ & mini quilts △
I designed and made this quilt using two charm packs of Spectrum by V & Co. for a demonstration on Sewing Quarter.
It was so fun playing with the colours and layout and I love the graphic look of the quilt.
To make the blocks I sewed two four patch blocks, put them right sides together, sewed 1/4" around all the edges and then cut diagonally both ways. It is far simpler than making lots of triangles! You can watch the demo here.
Continuing the triangle theme, I made a Floating Triangles mini, using the pattern by Katy Jones in Fat Quarterly Shape Workshop for Quilters. Mine is a smaller version but it's a great technique!
I think this would look amazing as a full sized quilt! Katy's quilt in the book was quilted in a grid and I completely loved it so I did the same.
Black and white prints are so striking! I want to incorporate more into my own projects. You can see the demo for this mini quilt here.
Finally I made another fun mini. This one was adapted from the pattern by Nicole Vos van Avezathe in the book Fat Quarters: Small Fabrics, 50 Big Ideas by Amanda Carestio. Nicole's original pattern was English Paper Pieced and appliqued on a pillowcase, but for this demonstration I wanted to do some quilting and a different hexie technique so I made a mini quilt. I used Nicole's cross stitch pattern from the book for the lettering and the gorgeous Flowerbox Sublime Stitching floss, which matches perfectly with the Olive's Flower Market prints (I used a charm pack).
I didn't epp these hexies, I used a paper hexagon template to press the edges of the fabric over but then removed the paper. So with the seams pressed to the back I used a glue pen to position the hexies on the background fabric. Then I chose a decorative stitch to sew between the hexies, sewing them together and appliqueing them at the same time! This is a technique that Pat Bravo demonstrated at an Art Gallery Fabrics event I went to a few years ago.
note for the future - on my Elna mode 1 #47, stitch width 5, length 2.
Once the appliqué was done I made a quilt sandwich, with backing fabric and wadding. And top stitched around the hexies. So I'm quilting all the hexies!
Below you can see the loopy swirls which are also quilting, another decorative stitch - mode 2 #30 width 9, length 2.5.
You can watch the demo here - it makes a lot more sense when you see it being done :)
My littlest fell in love with this one so I might have to make another!
shiny sunday stash
Like a magpie I can't resist nice sparkly fabrics and there's a fair bit in my latest haul from Simply Solids. I saw the new Luster by Zen Chic and had to get some!
left to right: Confetti, Scales in Fog, Cloth Pattern in Natural, Grid in White, Grid in Graphite and Cloth Pattern in Black all from Luster by Zen Chic.
They are even more gorgeous in real life and just look at these selvedges:
To add more shine I picked up some Essex Yarn Dyed Metallic in Sand, it's really pretty and quite subtle, though it does sparkle when it catches the light:
And then just because they are sweet I picked up a couple of Dashwood prints:
This week I also bought a comic book. A really special one. My friend Robin Scott draws comic strips about his daily life and they've been published as a collection by Good Comics.
I inhaled it. Literally sat and absorbed it in one go. It is normal life, thoughtful and observant, and also amusing, familiar and comforting. His artwork blows me away and conveys so much just with a pen.
Get a copy of Every Life I Ever Lived for yourself (or as a gift!). My son is currently reading it and it's opened up a new world for him. Since he's used to action / superhero comics, now he is thinking about drawing in a different way, which I think is excellent.
A lot of crafts and drawing goes on in our house, here's Lois thoroughly concentrating. It's hard to see but she also made pen holder out of a juice bottle by covering it in feathers and lollipop sticks.
except that I didn't! I put the binding on my rose star quilt and all the time I kept looking at the back and the front and thinking I should have quilted the hexagon shape around the central hexagons in the 'roses'.
I can't not do it because I think I would regret it. As nice as it would be to finish it now it wouldn't sit right with me.
So you'll have to wait a little longer for the final finish as I'm adding more hand quilting!
rose star progress and instagram giveaway ✴
I actually managed to get my rose star basted yesterday! This is the first time I've ever thread basted and I'm pleased with how it went. It should make hand quilting much easier.
I did my usual stick the backing to the floor and layer method, Clare (my quilt is her rose star tutorial) recommended the rolling method and after watching this Youtube video I will be trying that next time. It would be nice to not have to take up so much room!
I have the perfect thread, which matches the backing. My plan is to quilt the centre hexies and I'm still thinking about what else to do. Any suggestions are welcome?!
I'm having a little giveaway for my followers over on Instagram! To share some cute things and celebrate having 2427 followers over there :) Apologies if you don't have an instagram account, there will be another giveaway on my blog soon.
I'm giving away a charm pack of Just a Speck, a cassette tape measure and a lined notebook.
How cute is this?!
ends 13th June 2016
Modern Background - Paper ~~ Green Fairy Quilts Giveaway!
**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**
Let's have a little back to school giveaway! I feel like September is always a great time for planning and deciding what projects to work on for the upcoming months. I was one of those kids at school that loved having timetables and using highlighters, I covered all my exercise books and stationery is still one of my favourite things.
The newly released Modern Background - Paper by Zen Chic for Moda is perfect for paper lovers and the low volume prints are gorgeous. All of the prints are versatile backgrounds and blenders. It's not often I see a range where I know I can easily separate prints to use in different projects. I think Zen Chic have done a fabulous job building a usable and beautiful collection.
There are some great subtle text and graphic prints, though I think these two bolder prints are my favourites:
And as if these aren't gorgeous enough, Zen Chic will also be releasing Modern Background - Ink in September and you can pre-order bundles and precuts from Green Fairy Quilts at great prices!
★ Also check out the amazing sale section at Green Fairy Quilts with up to 50% off moda precuts, click here to grab a deal ★
Green Fairy Quilts are very kindly offering you the chance to win a layer cake of Modern Background - Paper!
**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**
Good luck :)
p.s. I usually do respond to comments but forgive me that I can't always reply during giveaways
get serious ~ FAL Q3 2015
I made 4/8 finishes from quarter two but they were only small makes and I feel like I haven't finished a quilt in forever. I have more small makes to add this time round but I am really hoping to crack some bigger projects and actually finish some quilts (I feel like I've said that a lot this year *sigh*). So, despite the fact that the kids will be off school, I am being ambitious and hope you will all cheer me on in getting actual quilts finished this quarter!
The first four projects I need to finish are rolled over from last quarter...
2. Summer dresses for my girls, I cut all the pieces last year and now I'm worried they won't even fit and summer might be over already (!) but might as well give it a go:
3. Baby star quilt, I think I have one row to add and it's been sat in a crumpled state next to my sewing table for way too long!
4. A skirt for me, just because I couldn't resist this beautiful Japanese denim - I would like to prioritise some selfish sewing:
And the new projects that I've recently started or need to get done...
5. Another make just for me. I loved the drawstring tote I made using Svetlana's pattern so much I immediately bought supplies to make one for myself. It's such a perfect size, really handy for nipping to the shops or for carting home the kids crap models and art from school.
6. My Star Crossed Night Sky quilt, using this It's Sew Emma pattern:
7. Teachers gifts for the end of term - which is next week so need to get on it. I'm planning on making some drawstring bags (I like using Jeni's tutorial) and to put inside I got some mugs for the kids to decorate, so that should be fun! I got this Pebeo Marker, which I've read works better than a Sharpie so we'll see:
8. Just today I saw a fabulous instagram tutorial for these cute tissue holders by Kelly - she kindly let me borrow her picture (thanks Kelly!) - check out her IG feed! I think these will be a nice little extra to pop in the bags for the teachers so I've picked out some fabric ready to sew.
Finally I'm making samples of patterns I've designed to teach at Patchfinders...
9. An English Paper Pieced mini quilt, which I started a few days ago:
10. A pencil quilt (no pictures of my messy quilt maths allowed but I will be using some solid fabrics!):
11. An embroidered needle case, this gives me a great reason to use my new Fat Quarter Shop Aurifloss Set:
I also have to whip up a few samples of free motion quilting patterns for a class, not sure I'm allowed to count that in the fal since they will probably stay as quilt sandwiches but it's more stuff I have to get done so I'm noting it here anyway (maybe a cheerleader can let me know if class samples like this count?!).
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