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🌈 rainbow star purse
Colour has a big impact on us, it can affect our mood and bring us happiness, especially when its in the form of a rainbow 🌈 We currently have three rainbows displayed in our windows for passersby to spot and smile about! I don't usually work in rainbow order (more on that later) and in fact I don't even arrange my fabric stash by colour but I do enjoy playing about with colour and the satisfaction that comes with choosing fabrics for a project.
Today is my stop on the book tour celebrating the launch of 'Modern Rainbow Patchwork Quilts' by Paula Steel. I am thrilled, not only because Paula is a real life friend who I have had the pleasure of spending time with in our little craft group and I am chuffed to bits for her, because she has created such gorgeous projects in this book! It will entice you to create and the projects in the book include quilts, cushions and mini projects, such as the purse I made. She has thorough and really useful guides for colour, tools and techniques, which makes it super accessible for everyone. Paula's writing style is so personable and honest, just as real as getting great advice and tips from a quilty friend that knows her stuff! It would be hard not to feel happy reading it, I found myself nodding a lot and smiling, I was really inspired.
The project I picked out to make is the rainbow star purse, here is Paula's original from the book:
credits: photography Jesse Wild @wildjesse and stylist Jaine Bevan @jainebevanstylist
Cleverly Paula used waterproof fabric for the lining on hers so it's perfect for a washbag. I didn't have any nice waterproof fabric though so mine is regular quilting cotton. And now for my confession...
Superman GLITTA zip pouch
Give me a fabulous pattern, fabric I love and an hour and I'm in my happy place. This new pattern by Laura Cunningham is the most fun. She expertly shows you how to sew with vinyl, with loads of useful tips along the way that make it so easy. GLITTA is such a well written pattern and pattern testers have been all been busy making amazingly varied and awesome versions, click #GLITTApouch to see all the sparkles!
I have been waiting to make this project. I have had the fabric and confetti for a while, I was going to make Laura's original See It All Pouch pattern but that would have meant less Superman and I couldn't cut him up. GLITTA is perfect because it lets the fabric be the star and you just throw a little (or a lot) of glitter or confetti on top. This confetti by Ginger Ray was destined to go with the fabric that my amazing friend Nicky gave me (along with the beautifully made notebook cover below!). I would recommend using good quality confetti like this if you are going for paper cut outs because otherwise they bend when you are turning the pouch through.
It's hard to show in photos but it's like a snow globe effect and the glitter/confetti can be shaken to move around. It is very cool. I have so many ideas for personalising this in different ways and it makes a fab gift! Christmas or birthday versions would be perfect for that.
If you haven't guessed my favourite superhero is Superman, an icon of good, strength and truth. He has a energetic charm and, while this might sound weird, there are times when I think about Superman and it gives me the power to keep going. On days when I have a lot to accomplish or I'm feeling like I can't be bothered, it really helps motivate me. See I told you it was weird. Whatever works though, right?! There's also that whole dual identity thing which, since I've been struggling with anxiety, can also be empowering. I came across this brilliant article Superman Character Analysis: More than just a guy who punches things that is a neat commentary of all the ways I love him and why.
My Superman collection is growing. The notebook and lego figure were both thoughtful gifts so this is my first Superman make and I like the coordination that's going on here!
I did add some little bits of sequin style confetti to the pouch, that I found in the bottom of my kids craft box. It had to have a bit of shine too ✨
Support small business and check out Laura's shop, she has free patterns downloads along with the fantastic new GLITTA pattern and more!
Thank you for letting me test Laura! If you aren't already make sure you follow her on instagram, she's an inspiring and wonderful designer.
Now I'm interested if anyone else has a fictional character they turn to for inner strength? Is it just me?!
⌘ A Piece of Me Pouch pattern ⌘
At the beginning of the year I made these curved bottom padded zip pouches (born out of forgetting to measure twice and cut once while making my Everything in It's Place Bag). Not wanting this gorgeous fabric and my quilting to go to waste, I decided to use as much of the panel as I could and I ended up with two zip bags that I love! I tried a different way of attaching the zips (the lace one isn't so neat, I wouldn't suggest it for this) and I have finally written up a pattern so you can make your own.
The A Piece of Me pouch idea came to be after finding it makes such a difference for me to use things that make me smile and that mean something. I had the idea of embroidering this lyric onto a pouch, in remembrance of a friend. When I see the words, I sing the song and have great memories.
I encourage you to do the same, whether it be for yourself or for a gift; make it personal in some way, positive and meaningful 💖
I taught the A Piece of Me pouch at the Simply Sew'In retreat and the class all made gorgeous versions! Click here to read more and see details.
Adding the zip is really straightforward, there are tips in the pattern to keep it neat and the bias binding is a perfect finish.
The embroidery is optional and the pouch is brilliant either way! You can do some simple quilting or go to town with free motion quilting, you can make a patchwork piece for the outer panel or keep it plain. A Piece of Me pouch comes together quickly and it's up to you to add the details! The finished size of the pouch is approximately 10.5" x 7".
Click the link below or visit my Etsy shop to purchase the A Piece of Me pouch pattern. The PDF pattern is instantly downloadable after you complete your purchase.
Buy Now
Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement! Add #apieceofmepouch if you share on social media, I would love to see what you make!
Simply Sew'In 🌷 green tea and sweet beans quilt progress
I had the most amazing, inspiring, relaxing, fun weekend at the Simply Sew'In retreat. Thank you to Justine and Lisa from Simply Solids for inviting me to teach and for organising such a brilliant weekend!
I met so many fabulous women, including my roomie Jenny - who I laughed and cried with, she's so lovely, honest and talented. I got to spend time with wonderful Trudi, we had good chats and hugs! I am so grateful to her for her wisdom and inspired by her strength and compassion. It all got very deep and these friendships and bonds are so precious to me. It was such a great atmosphere at the retreat and everyone could really be themselves. Like the hilarious Kay, who is so sweet and I felt like we were already friends! It was great meeting friends from Instagram and being able to 'real life' sew together for the #saturdaynightcraftalong!!
Every one there was lovely and of course so creative, I was blown away by all the gorgeous makes, secret swap gifts and projects in progress, check out #simplysewin2017 to see some of what was made and the shenanigans!
I taught a couple of sessions of embroidery, so those that wanted to could embroider a panel to be made into a pouch. I asked people to chose a phrase or lyric that had meaning for them, it was fun seeing what they came up with and hopefully they will smile at these words whenever they use the pouch:
Then I gave everyone the A Piece of Me pouch pattern and talked through the steps, letting them borrow Cher to round the corners. Here are some of the pouches, finished and in progress - though I think they were all finished by the time we left - you can see them here #apieceofmepouch!
I love the different ways they were quilted, the fabric combinations and the unique pouches!
The pattern for A Piece of Me pouch will be released tomorrow and will be available from my Payhip shop or Etsy.
And here are the maker models themselves:
There was a delicious goodie bag from the retreat too, with lots of lovely fabric and useful notions! I also bought some cork (in the background) because I just want to sew with it, it looks so cool!
While I was there I of course did some sewing of my own! I finally managed to finishing hand piecing my Green Tea and Sweet Beans quilt - pattern by Jen Kingwell:
It was hard to photograph because it was windy, despite also being very sunny! Thanks to sweet Kelly for the helping hand I quickly took these :)
I did change some of the original applique blocks, I used English Paper Piecing to create different flowers for the three flower panels.
I am also going off pattern with the borders too, opting for some curvy bias binding, using Liberty binding from The Weavers Mill:
The weekend really invigorated my love of sewing! I have another A Piece of Me Pouch planned already, dreamed up on the drive home. It may involve that cork.
make do and make new
Sometimes a mistake can bring about good things! While making a bag for my sewing supplies, I cut one of the quilted panels wrong. I was so mad at myself because it was one of my favourite prints. The accident happened though and there was no fixing it. After a dig through my stash I found more fabrics I could happily use for my bag. And the panel I cut wrong has now become two cute zip pouches.
The sides were already quilted panels so I couldn't do the usual 'turn through the lining' way of making. For the larger one I added the zip, then top stitched the zip tape (from the lining side) to hide the unfinished seam. On the smaller one I did a double row of stitching to secure the zip and just lazily trimmed the seam with pinking shears.
It was nice to use some fun zips too! The smaller pouch measures 6" x 6 ¾" and the larger one is 10 ½" x 6 ¾".
Zips bought from Simply Because Crafts on Ebay
Fabric -
lining: Square Grid - Mint by kimsa
binding: Essex Yarn Dyed Metallic in Storm
This is my first finish of 2017 and I hope this year will have many! I will be back with my word for the year tomorrow.
Happy New Year! Wishing you all a creative and wonderful 2017!
p.s. free printable calendar seen in the top picture is from Simple As That
gleaming ⌒°(ᴖ◡ᴖ)°⌒ Ina Kent bag
I bought this treasure after a long search for a new bag. Always on the quest for that perfect bag, the right size, zip closure, not heavy, simple design but something a bit different. This one ticks all the boxes for me and it looks extraordinary. I got the AD LIB4 by Ina Kent in Metallic/Taupe on sale from Place - the owner Juliana was super nice and quickly answered some specific questions I had before I bought it. It arrived quickly and was lovingly packaged. I might have gasped... look at that beautiful metallic leather!
I tend to carry quite a lot of stuff but don't always need it all and sometimes want a smaller bag. This bag is amazing and has been cleverly designed to be totally adaptable - a clutch, an over the shoulder, a backpack; you can wear it full size, slouched, slightly folded and folded in half; you can easily adjust the length of the straps to suit. There's an easy to follow video that shows you how!
This week I picked up a Kaffe Fassett print from Patchfinders, the funny thing about working in a fabric shop is you sometimes can't see the trees for the wood. We stock so many fabrics and occasionally a customer will chose a fabric that I overlooked or didn't like before! This Freckles print was one of those and I had to get some, I have fallen for the pattern and the fun colours. These pictures don't do it justice, it was impossible to get the colours right - the background is really much more green. It's kind of wild!
breezy summer cushion ~ Rodgers of York #MyHomeMade series
Today I am making up a simple cushion, perfect for a quick make to help brighten up your space! This is a basic tutorial suitable for beginners and there are useful tips for everyone to ensure a great finish.
Supplies:
2 x square pieces of fabric measuring 50cm x 50cm
30cm zip
sewing kit
iron
cushion inner
I used my sewing machine for a fast finish but you could hand stitch if you don't have access to a machine.
Tutorial:
Firstly you need to decide which direction your fabric is going, if it's stripes do you want them vertical or horizontal? Does your fabric have a pattern that needs to be the right way round? It is important you look at both pieces and make sure you attach the zip to the bottom edge!
1. Start with the fabric right side facing down, fold over the bottom edge of the fabric by 1.5cm and give it a good press with your iron, repeat with the second square.
2. Take one square and centre the zip in the middle of the folded edge. The zip needs to be face down (so the teeth of the zip are facing down) and line the edge up with the open edge of the fold.
3. Sew the zip to the fabric. You will need to move the zip head out of the way to get a straight line. To do this, as you are sewing before you approach the zip head, leave your needle down and lift the foot. Pivot the fabric around so you can move the zip head behind the needle. Move the fabric back to the original postion, put your foot down and continue sewing.
4. Place the two squares right sides together, it's important to check you have the bottom edges together! You can mark the position of the zip if it helps and then sew the zip to the other square.
5. Open up the zip to the middle. Sew around the all sides of the cushion using a 1.5cm seam allowance. Sew as close to the ends of the zip as you can but don't worry too much as we will finish this by hand.
6. Once you have sewn all the edges you can finish them by using a zig zag stitch over the edges or you can use pinking shears to prevent fraying. Clip the corners diagonally (not too close to the stitches). Turn the cushion right side out and poke out the corners.
7. Using a needle and thread finish the ends of the zip to close any gaps. I use a ladder stitch to hide the stitches.
You are done! Enjoy your new cushion :)
The fabric was supplied by Rodgers of York, check out their beautiful soft furnishing fabric to make your own cushion or other home accessories!
linking up to TGIFF at From Bolt to Beauty and finish it up friday at crazymomquilts.
my lovely Anna pouch
I was lucky enough to be able to test Svetlana's new pattern for this sweet Anna Pouch. I have already made her Lola pouch and I love how well the patterns are written and the lovely way of finishing the zips with binding.
The Anna Pouch has two zip compartments and a little magnetic flap fastener. The pattern uses sew in magnets but I didn't have any so I used the usual magnetic snap closures (where you cut a small hole and fold the metal bits). I reinforced the area where I put the magnets using an extra piece of fusible fleece. If you'd like to make the pattern using these kinds of magnets I will share where I placed them...
For the flap, I placed the magnet 3/8" from the centre fold and on the outer panel I placed it 1/2" from the top. That's measuring from the edge of the magnet not the centre, which makes it easier!
Wonderclips were a big help in the construction, the pouch is only small so they stopped me pricking my fingers with pins!
The flap is a nice detail and because I used the folded magnetic closures I preferred to do one row of topstitching on the machine and then did a little hand quilting by hand using perle thread.
I found it hard to take pictures that do this little cutie justice, it really is such a pretty bag and the size is perfect for keeping lip balm or any extras you like to carry in your handbag. It would make a perfect gift or little extra in a swap too.
You can get the Anna pouch pattern here. It's usually $8 but if you're quick Svetlana has it on sale for $6 right now!
The outer fabric is Vintage Cheater Print in red by Atsuko Matsuyuma and the lining is Mirrors and Water, Gossamer by Sharon Holland. I get my zips here. The striped binding fabric and magnetic closure are from Patchfinders.
This is my second finish off my Q2 Finish-Along list (it was the number 1 secret project!) and I'm feeling good!
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