Wednesday 27 February 2013

Sewing bug is back

My passion for sewing has been missing for a week or so - but it is back with a vengeance. After the success of yesterday's open wide pouch I have made the next size up
Don't they look sweet nestled together? I love making them as well, they are so satisfying. It is one of those makes that you make inside out and never see what it will actually look like until you turn it right way out...and voila, excellent!
I have also made a book bag for my daughter (using my own pattern - you can tell because I sewed the Velcro on the wrong side initially!). She has been using an old Banbury's bag since the beginning of school...I figured it was about time that she had something a bit prettier. And I saw this gorgeous fabric in the shop in Tiverton and couldn't resist!

 Fully lined and totally lovely...I hope she likes it in the morning!
 
I wonder what makes I will sew tomorrow...any ideas?!

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Say "Aaahhhhhhh"

I have found a new blog (Noodlehead)...yes, another one that I read to inspire me...sometimes it depresses me - these people are so talented, there blogs are so gorgeous and they sew much more than me. I need more time!

Anyway I followed this lovely tutorial to create this...

 
 
 I really like it, it was my 1st time doing box corners (trickier than I thought). And another chance to use my zipper foot...I am not convinced I am sewing zips in properly - perhaps a lesson by someone with some know-how would be handy!

Next time I will sew my label on a bit higher so that it doesn't disappear into the base. Actually, the next one I am going to make, I am going to make with a lid/flap. On the inside of the flap I am going to sew a pocket/elastic (haven't decided yet) so that mascara/make-up brushes can be put into the lid. If that doesn't make sense now, it will (hopefully) when I make it and show you the pictures!

I bought the fabric from Patchwork Paradise on Facebook - she has a lovely pretty selection of material. I could go a bit crazy and spend all my money on that page.

Monday 18 February 2013

Been busy

I seem to have gotten into a habit for sewing toys recently...I am not sure why - the children certainly have enough of them already!

 
 This gorgeous little penguin is from the pattern created by the very talented Purl Bee from this link. I saw the pattern and thought that I would have to buy some special fabric...but after a rummage I found a brilliant penguin set! I have just noticed that I have sewed the wings on back-to-front. That is what happens when you think that you are so clever you needn't look at the pattern!
 
Next in the line-up....
 



 This little guy turned out shockingly well - I even got a semi-compliment from my mother..."Did you make that? It looks just like the picture". Strong words of praise indeed! I used a pattern from the lovely Craftisaurus who kindly offered the pattern free on her Facebook page. It required a lot of hand sewing (of which, I am NOT a fan...I may have mentioned it!). You have to hand sew the legs closed, the legs onto the body, the soles of the feet, the buttons as eyes...but in truth it didn't take too long (especially with Hubby stuffing!).
 
And lastly a bit of bunting,
 
 always makes me happy - how can something so simple lift the heart so? This is the best bunting I have made so far I think - lovely size of triangle, nice straight seams and quite pointy ends! Result!
 
Sorry for such a long post. The sun is out today, and it is half term. I think a trip to the beach is in order. I will aim to finish that beach bag that I cut out but Wednesday! Well, that's the plan anyway!
 
What are you up to for half term? Crafting away? Or dealing with grumpy children?

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Does this make more sense?

Nappy Wrap


Do you remember, in the post about the wallet, I mentioned that I was going to make a nappy wrap using the same (or at least similar) technique that I used for the lined zipper pocket? Well, I have only gone and done it!

 The nappy wrap when it is shut. Am annoyed about the stitching around the Velcro. I had hidden the back side of the stitching inside the strap. I did a final check before top stitching the nappy wrap and I had attached the strap the wrong way (with the Velcro on the wrong side) so I had to re-sew it :(
 
 This is where I used the technique from the lined zipper pocket (obviously without the zip!). I sewed the material piece right sides together. Sewed around the rectangle for the lid of the wipes. Cut the hole in the middle, turned right side out and top stitched around the edges.
 
Wipes on one side and nappies on the other.
 
I hope that my friend will find this helpful (and pretty). I think it should be useful...when you don't want to lug a whole nappy bag around - this nappy wrap will keep nappies and wipe tidily inside a smaller bag (well, that's the plan anyway!)
 
As this was my own design (I KNOW SHOCKING!) I may do a tutorial...although I will need to need to make another one so that I can take all the pictures!

Wednesday 6 February 2013

What a Fox

Made this cute little guy - what a sweetie (I am biased!). Will post the link for the tutorial when I am on the computer. The tutorial is so easy to follow. I would love to see your creations :-)
The link for the tutorial is here 

Tuesday 5 February 2013

Rapunzel hair

I spent last night sewing wool onto a beanie hat. This is the result. I found the tutorial ok to follow (you'll have to use a link from a previous post as I am on my phone and can't do anything fancy!).

I think if I make another one (which I probably will ad I have 2 girls and would like fewer arguments to save my sanity!) I will have a clearer idea of how to sew on the "hair". There are some parts if the wig that are a bit bald if u move the hair too much. Smaller, closer stitches would provide a better covering /seems so obvious now!

It wasn't too time consuming - took 2 hours of sitting in front of the television hand sewing. I bet u can do the next one quicker! Will be trying to produce a Rapunzel dress next I think! Am dreading sewing with the slippy satiny fabric....deep breaths and lots of patience required!

Monday 4 February 2013

Finished wallet

Yay - so I finished the wallet that I cut out. I used this tutorial. I found the tutorial fine to follow...although the zipped pocket bit was tricky to understand (not the tutorials fault...it is a process that is difficult to explain. But if you do as she says then you will be fine!



I am annoyed that I didn't manage to sew the snap closure on straight...I tried really hard - but it must have moved. I did break a needle because the layers were so thick

 
 
Still loving my labels...although I have to be careful when I sew them on as they are so narrow!
 This is my favourite part - a fully lined and tidy zipped pocket...rather proud of this feature!
You may also notice that I didn't sew straight down the middle of the credit card slots either.

The only change I made was to add some extra thick interfacing on the outer layer as the wallet was a bit floppy...I could probably have used some iron on stuff too - the fabric I used doesn't have enough structure to it.

Overall I am happy with how this turned out (it is going to be another birthday present!). I am glad that I was able to re-use the fabric from the raincoat (a project that I was never really happy with).

Am, now hoping to use the zipped pocket technique to make a nappy wallet with an opening so the wipes can be accessed from the top without having to remove them from the wallet. Does that make sense? It won't have a zip...but it will be a square opening in the middle of a square pocket. Clear as mud hey? It will become clear when I have made it...I hope!

Saturday 2 February 2013

Just a quick one

Not been sewing anything very exciting - although I am happy with how my love heart owls turned out for a friend.
 I hand stitched this lavender filled heart and gave it away on my Facebook page. 
 
I have also been busy sewing cd holders following this pattern, it is a brilliant pattern to follow and I love how they turn out (as one child stated - they are the cd's sleeping bags!)