A little bit ago on my my Instagram I stumbled on a ‘comment here to win’ post and gave it a go. Then I won!
I got my pick of t-shirt from Maker Valley. I, of course, chose the ‘Maker’s Gonna Make’ one, although the one covered in fake threads was a close runner up. It’s a ridiculously soft and comfortable t-shirt.
I also recieved a tote bag (I’m addicted to totes and bags) and a wee little notebook. So much awesome.
Posted in fun finds
Tagged instagram, maker valley, makers gonna make, notebook, tote
I swear I am in complete and utter love of this technique and making more of these beautiful creations of Tara Rebman’s Quilt-As-You-Go: Patchwork Bags
I love using up my scraps, making them work together or just throwing whatever with whatever and seeing how it goes.
That’s how I’ve pieced the scrappy wallets I make and I love how they turn out with so many bright colours and patterns.
They look absolutely fantastic if you go the extra mile and make your own bias tape. It is time consuming and a bit finicky but the results are great.
Hand stitching the second side of the tape on is the best way to go. Keeps it really nice and tidy. But beware! Thimble recommended.
Posted in scraps
Tagged bias tape, craftsty, quilting, scraps, sewing, tara rebman, tinkertote, tote
When my shop was featured I had some money come in and it was just my birthday and some lovely people gave me money too so I decided to treat myself to some of my Etsy wishes. Since I have a tote/purse/bag weakness I stumbled upon, and fell in love with, this bag from luckycann.
I had a terrible time deciding on the colour I wanted.
Now that it’s arrived I’m totally in love with it and want to order more colours just because!
Just for fun I wanted to share what I actually carry in my bag! It’s funny when the bag I’m using is one I’ve made myself because when people ask “Did you make that?” I usually answer with “Yes and this and this and this and this . . ”
Clockwise from top left – budgeting envelope, coin purse, wallet (pattern here), notebook with cover (tutorial here), purse organizer (pattern here), thing I put my earbuds in (pattern here), sunglass case, pencil case (pattern here) and in the middle, of course, my cup cozy!
Ok so I’m pretty proud of myself and this lovely tote I made. It used up a bunch of really fun scraps, thank you swaps and Tabatha’s beautiful scrap donations, and I learned some really neat stuff.
I made it with things I had on hand. It’s not hard to find scrap fabric in my house. I cut up a fleece blanket I had lying around in a donate pile, I was just finally about to run out and buy some batting when I remembered that Diego blanket was there and decided it would do. For the bottom of the tote I cut up the legs of a pair of jeans that were too big. I had interfacing and plenty of fabrics lying around to make pockets and line it.
I found the quilting as you go part really cool. Before starting Quilt-As-You-Go: Patchwork Bags I assumed I’d be quilting all the pieces together and then quilting them to the batting. But this whole, just grab a piece and do it as you go was really fun and the effect is great!
I chose a green thread for the denim bottom, I thought it would show up and add some fun contrast but once I got sewing it just disappeared into the fabric anyway, oh well.
I also did something wonky because when I cut a lining piece it didn’t match my outer piece. I messed something up. My bag does seem shallow so I’m not sure what I did but I just kept that lining piece and figured I’ll make another outer tote for it!
Now I knew about the zipper trick already thanks to Lisa Lam’s book, but the quilting technique was brilliant and the bias tape part of this class was just amazing. It’s forever changed how I’ll attach bias tape. I’ve always hated using the stuff but this was super easy and I love the finished look. I’ve made my own tape before but I used Tara’s tutorial on her blog just to be sure I was doing it right.
I have to say I love Tara’s teaching and her sewing style is so laid back and fun, totally like me. Must be a teachers named Tara thing. I went into Fabricland with my tote on my shoulder the other day and shocked a lady in line. She said, a bit insultingly with what sounded like disbelief in her voice “You didn’t make that did you?”. I informed her that yes indeed I did and then suddenly the rest of the line up and the teller were admiring my bag. Tara Rebman- Quilt-As-You-Go: Patchwork Bags“>This class is soo worth buying.
Spent most of my weekend doing this. I also depleted my stash of Kool Aid Jammer pouches! Which means I either have to buy them for my kids to drink, which is sugar they don’t need, or I need to get begging!
So my bff and I went thrifting tonight. Our Bollywood dance class was cancelled and so we made plans to head out thrifting with out empty night. Of course I missed the phone call yesterday that apparently Bollywood was back on but we were already in Toronto and having fun so oh well.
We hit 4 theft stores after dinner. Not too shabby.
However, I didn’t thrift a thing. Technically. I found this Lug bag at a Goodwill for $10.01 (gotta love their prices). It’s in the marigold colour of the second bag but it’s the style of the green bag. I’ve liked the look of Lug bags for a while but they’re a bit pricey, especially when you have a tote/bag addition. Online this one is about $65. Nice find.
I passed up some nice Pyrex, I already have soooo much.
And I carried this great bag around for a while but decided I have one very similar already here at home, and plus I was already buying a bag! You know you’re an addict when . . .
Made this as part of Back To School month over at Meremade. It’s sort of my fall/teacher/learning/girl wish list. Sharing it with you!
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Treasury tool supported by the dog house
I’ve written about I Think Sew before, and I plan to again, but I just wanted to point out that not only do they have really great patterns they also give many away for free. Right now there’s a pile of them just free for the taking. Like these pouches!
And this tote! Oh my weakness for totes . . .
The ones you can purchase are also really reasonably priced.
I plan on making this next for my Create Along, provided I can muscle up enough hexies that is!
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.
Posted in createalong, kid fun, sewing
Tagged keyka lou, messenger bags, michelle patterns, tote
Well I finished this tote and I really love it. This is the first project I’ve made from my ever growing Pinterest board and I’m thankful to Michelle Patterns for presenting me with this challenge. I may be addicted. I picked the fabric up for $3 a metre at a quilting shop and I loved the vintage look of it. As a tote it’s turned out great!
I used this free pattern from UHandbags. The recommended handles are longer than the ones I used but I grabbed what I had on hand. It won’t go on my shoulder but it’s great to carry down at your side.
The pattern was pretty easy to follow but man, oh man, I’m not a fan of pleats! Also, I’m not sure what I did wrong, there were supposed to be 6 pleats and somehow I had room for 7 *shrug* But that doesn’t change the bag. However, that meant 7 pleats times 4 pieces of fabric, it was tedious. I do love the way the topstitching works and holds the pleats down. I’ve put pleats in totes before but they’ve only been sewn at the top.
Sewing the handles on was killer on my fingers, going through all those layers and trying to aim for the holes. I also tried to keep the interior stitches really, really small since I matched the thread to the handle colour but foolishly used black for the interior fabric.
Every time I make something new I take it into school to show some of the ladies I work with. The tote was well received. And then a bunch of them asked if I’m done the projects I’m working on for them. Good thing the weekend is coming!
See the other Pinterest Challenge participants here.
Posted in createalong, sewing
Tagged floral, michelle patterns, pinterest, pleats, purse, tote, tutorial, uhandbag
